© 2009 Andrew Shurtleff

Up close

I covered a story recently on doubles partners Dann and Brian Battistone who are not only brothers they also both play with two-handed rackets. The rather bizarre racquets enable players to hit two-handed forehands as well as the more common two-handed backhand for extra power. I positioned myself on the court while Dann returned serves. On the third return, the ball was hit directly at me grazing the top of my head at about 60 MPH. Dann came over to apologize but shrugged him off knowing that was the risk I was taking. When I reviewed the images in the camera I knew a had the money shot. The image ran the following day in the Daily Progress. Dann and his brother called later that day to thank me for taking such a unique image. They told me they’ve had their photographs taken over 100 times for similar articles and this was the best shot they’d ever seen. Sometimes taking the risk plays off.


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