Zoom meeting




"Sports Photos Without a Press Pass"
by Gerry Emmerich, HonFPSA, GMPSA-P-WI
Monday, February 23, 7:30 PM


This program presents information on photographing six sports activities without the benefit of a press pass or other special access privileges. I should point out that I am ‘just’ a long-time serious amateur photographer. I don’t have any connections to gain special access to prime photo vantage points. I simply rely on getting to know the sport, finding venues that will allow me to get photos at no or low admission costs, and positioning myself in the general spectator areas to get what I hope will be good images.

This program will show photos at these six sports activities – basketball, bike racing, kayaking, motorcycle racing, paragliding, and surfing – and discuss lenses needed, positioning, compositional elements, identifying appropriate backgrounds, anticipation of the action, and describe timing peak action for each sporting activity.

Our speaker enjoys photographing almost all subjects – nature, landscape, travel – and particularly sports photography. He notes that fast-moving, constantly changing action is always a photo challenge, and it’s very satisfying to get an image with peak action.

Gerry is well-known for his photo presentations at camera clubs, and he has served as a judge for well over 150 international photo exhibitions and for many local camera clubs, county fairs, and non-profit groups. He joined the Image Makers Camera Club in Waukesha, Wisconsin in 1975, and he is a founding member of the East Troy Viewfinders Camera Club in 1999. He has been recognized for his volunteer service to photography and to photographers worldwide.

He joined the Photographic Society of America – PSA- in 1979. His service to the Society has covered many positions, including PSA Wisconsin Chapter Chair, PSA Conventions Vice President, PSA Secretary, and Executive Committee member. He has received many PSA awards, including the Peabody Award for photographic proficiency in 2003, the Erik Kissa Award for Teaching in 2016, and the Sophia Cheung Volunteer of the Year Award in 2020. He received the prestigious PSA President’s Award in 2012, the PSA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017, and Honorary Fellow- HonFPSA honors in 2018.

Gerry is also well-known for his achievements in international exhibitions, with over 16,000 acceptances in PSA-recognized exhibitions, including 73 gold medal or best of show awards. He was awarded the PSA Grand Master-Platinum distinction in 2023.