For this photo, I tried to capture that split second before the tennis ball hits the racket. I like it because it feels like everything is paused for a moment, and you’re basically seeing what the player sees. The ball is kind of blurred from motion, but the strings of the racket are super sharp, which makes the moment feel more intense.

To me, the photo illustrates how quickly things happen in sports and how one must be prepared in a remarkably short amount of time. It’s just in my backyard, but I think that makes it feel more real. This is just capturing someone out practicing and getting better, not some huge match or anything.