The Iowa Photo: A quieter approach at Drake Relays

Liz Martin

May. 7, 2021 7:30 am

Runners compete in the inaugural women’s 3,000 meter steeplechase special April 23 during the Drake Relays at Drake Stadium in Des Moines. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Officials reset the hurdles between heats of the shuttle hurdle relay April 22 at Drake Relays in Des Moines. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Iowa State’s Keiara Williams prepares to throw in the women’s shot put April 23 at the Drake Relays in Des Moines. Williams placed fifth with a best throw of 15.28 meters. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Fans watch the Drake Relays from outside the fence April 22 at Drake Stadium in Des Moines. Ticket sales were limited this year due to coronavirus-related precautions. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Fans watch from the stands as college division events begin April 23 at the Drake Relays. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

Wartburg’s Joe Freiburger collapses at the finish line of the men’s 5,000 meter open April 22 at the Drake Relays. Freiburger placed second in 14:00.69. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

As this year’s Drake Relays approached, I kept a careful eye on news releases and media guidance. I’ve covered the Relays several times, so I had a good sense for sight lines, and went into the week with visual problem-solving and the historic record in mind. We had a clean line of sight for classic finish line photos and more abstract graphic compositions of hurdles, but I also sought to make photos that told the story of the Relays with coronavirus restrictions in place by capturing fans outside the fence, socially distanced seating in the stands, and a quiet stadium during the steeplechase. Shot put posed a unique challenge without access to the field. Positioning myself behind the ring with a 400mm lens, I was pleasantly surprised by the clean background that allowed me to make this image of Keiara Williams’ quiet concentration.