An AP photographer uses a remote camera to give a soaring view of the Eagles' Super Bowl celebration
David J. Phillip has been based in Houston and has worked for The Associated Press for 32 years. He has been involved in robotics, both in development and operations, for 15 years. This was his 30th Super Bowl for the AP.
Here is what he had to say about this extraordinary photo.
Why I shot this photo
After the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl, the team gathered on stage to celebrate and receive the Vince Lombardi Trophy. As the trophy was passed back to the players, they all reached out to touch it. The sheer excitement and joy displayed on their faces unite them as they all reach toward the center.
How I made this photo
This photograph was taken with a Sony Alpha 1 camera paired with a 600mm f/4 lens, mounted on a robotic pan/tilt head in the catwalk of the Caesars Superdome. Along with fellow AP photojournalist Godfredo A. Vásquez, we installed four robotic cameras and seven static remote cameras in the Superdome. We arrived two weeks before the Super Bowl to set up our equipment. Climbing into the catwalk to set up our gear over 200 feet above the field was challenging, especially in a stadium built in the 1970s. The walkways are narrow, making it difficult to navigate while carrying equipment. Once set up, we connected the cameras to our network which allowed us to remotely control and fire them. The images are sent to our computers for editing before being dispatched to our clients around the world. This camera was positioned over the Eagles' end zone, providing a perfect view of the stage from behind.
Why this photo works
The sight of all the players reaching toward the trophy draws the viewer's eye to the center of the photograph. The added expression from Eagles' player A.J. Brown, who is yelling as he reaches in from the left, further illustrates the pure joy and excitement the players are experiencing after winning the Super Bowl.
___ For more extraordinary AP photography, click here.
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