This angle chosen by an AP photographer gives the impression a ski jumper is soaring above the clouds
Markus Mueller, of Austria, soars through the air during his qualification jump at the first stage of the 73rd Four Hills ski jumping tournament in Oberstdorf, Germany, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
OBERSTDORF, Germany (AP) — Based in Munich, Matthias Schrader has been working for The Associated Press since 2008, covering news and sports, including multiple Olympics.
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Why this photo?
The photo was taken at the last ski jumping Four Hills Tournament in Oberstdorf at the alps. Besides the standard action and reaction photos, we photographers are always looking for alternatives, beautiful pictures that show the athletes in the surroundings of the venue. In Oberstdorf there are these possibilities, provided the weather plays along.
How I made this photo
After a beautiful sunny day, the sky suddenly turned orange and purple on the first evening during the qualification jumps. I held the camera very flat over the snow next to the ski jump and took this photo of the young Austrian Markus Mueller with my Sony Alpha 1, a 16-35mm lens and a speed of 1/2000 at f/5.6.
Why this photo works
The snow gives the impression the jumper is flying above the clouds. There were countless reactions to the photo. And this photo is proof that there are always other motifs no matter how often you photograph the same event - the 73rd Four Hills Tournament was my 24th consecutive tour that I have covered as a photographer.
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