Winter Sports 2018 Blog

Behind the Camera: “Capturing intensity and uncertainty” by An Ling Jun

Shaolin Sandor Liu of Hungary crashes against John-Henry Krueger of USA during the 2nd group of Men's Short Track 1500m Semifinal on February 10, 2018. Nikon D5 | AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II | ISO 6400 | 1/5000 s | f/2.8 Copyright: An Ling Jung / China Sports

PyeongChang, Feb 10, 2018 - An Ling Jun, photographer for China Sports: “Short track speed skating on the first official day of the PyeongChang Olympics was the first of exciting events for me to cover. The Chinese team is good at this sport and they had a good chance of winning a medal.

As a photographer for China Sports, I always want to capture the moment of the very first gold medal for the Chinese Olympic team. Although I had covered three Summer Games and four Asian Games before, this was my first Winter Games, so it was important I got it right the first time.

Camera position determines everything for sports photographers and it is decided by a draw. At short track events, all photographers aim for a spot where they can cover three scenes; the finish line, corners and a stretch where the coaches are. Why? Intense competition takes place at the finish line. The corners create so much drama because skaters fall and get defeated unexpectedly. And after each race, the winner shows the best reaction, skating toward the coach.

I didn't win the best spot this time but I was lucky enough to secure at least two: the finish line and corners.

At the end, the Chinese team didn't win a gold. However, the camera position helped me capture the essence of short track events: intensity and uncertainty. Semifinals were more captivating than the finals because skaters did not care about falling but gave everything they've got. The races were full of speed, intensity and uncertainty!”

Jens Almey of Belgium loses balance in a corner while others skate smoothly during the 2nd group of Men's 1,500m Semifinal on February 10, 2018. Nikon D5 | AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II | ISO 6400 | 1/5000 s | f/2.8 Copyright: An Ling Jung / China Sports
Skaters compete each other to cross the finish line during the 1st group of Men's 1,500m Semifinal on February 10, 2018. Nikon D5 | AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II | ISO 6400 | 1/5000 s | f/2.8 Copyright: An Ling Jung / China Sports
Han Tian Yu of China competes during the Men's 1,500 Final Group B on February 10, 2018. Nikon D5 | AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II | ISO 64 (Lo 0.7) | 1/13 s | f/5 Copyright: An Ling Jung / China Sports
Canadian Samuel Girard anxiously waits for the final result after Men's 1,500m Final A on February 10, 2018. He didn't make it to the podium. Nikon D5 | AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II | ISO 2500 | 1/1600 s | f/2 Copyright: An Ling Jung / China Sports
Two Chinese skaters in relaying area during the Women's 3,000m relay qualifier on February 10, 2018. Nikon D5 | AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II | ISO 50 (Lo 1) | 1/13 s | f/6.3 Copyright: An Ling Jung / China Sports
Jamie Macdonald of Canada falls and nearly collides with Tifany Huot Marchand of France during Women's 500m qualifier on Februay 10, 2018. Nikon D5 | AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II | ISO 6400 | 1/6400 s | f/2.8 Copyright: An Ling Jung / China Sports
Italian team coach congratulates a skater during Women's 3,000m Relay on February 10, 2018. Nikon D5 | AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II | ISO 4000 | 1/2500 s | f/2.8 Copyright: An Ling Jung / China Sports