On 8/4/05, Mark Roberts <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I've just picked out my final selection of racing photos from two weeks > ago to go on my main web site, but wanted to get in a few words about > one of my favorites. It's a post-race portrait, rather than a racing > action shot: > http://www.robertstech.com/graphics/pages/mid-o_34.htm > > You probably need the back story to appreciate it. > The subject is Tommy Hayden. This shot was taken at the press conference > after the last race on Sunday. > > At the previous event at Laguna Seca Tommy crashed and broke a > metacarpal bone in his right hand. He had it surgically pinned back > together and was back racing at Mid-Ohio *two weeks* later: Look at his > right hand in the photo and you'll notice the back is still swollen > (compare it to his left hand and it's obvious - these guys don't have > much subcutaneous fat!) Notice that he's holding the microphone in his > left hand - he's right-handed. > > Because he was in so much pain at Mid-Ohio, he was able to compete in > only one event (in the series in which he was the points leader). In 90 > degree heat and oppressive midwestern humidity he pulled of a second > place finish. Amazing, under the circumstances. > > Anyway, I just love the mixture of emotions you can see in this photo. > He's exhausted, in pain, thrilled with second place and really happy > that the whole business is done with and I think you can see all of it > on his face. (BTW: He held on to the points lead in the series.) > > The rest of my shots, anticlimactic as they might be after this story, > are at http://www.robertstech.com/mid-ohio.htm > -- > Mark Roberts > Photography and writing > www.robertstech.com
All that, and he's wearing a Livestrong yellow wristband, too! He must be a swell guy... <g> Seriously, great photo, Mark, as is the rest of the gallery. Just your usual tremendous work. Thanks for posting it. cheers, frank -- "Sharpness is a bourgeois concept." -Henri Cartier-Bresson
