Indiana University School of Journalism

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Photo by Thomas Miller

Photographers Gary Bogdon (left) and Rich Clarkson talked to students during a panel discussion Monday night. The NSJC hosted a day of critiques and the panel event, "Sports in Focus."

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For the last 50 years, Rich Clarkson has refused to take pictures in designated areas, a philosophy that led to his place of importance among sports photographers.

Clarkson, along with photographers Gary Bogdon and Elsa Garrison, spent Monday at the school, lunching with students, critiquing students’ work and participating on a panel, “Sports in Focus: The view from America’s top photojournalists,” hosted by the National Sports Journalism Center.

Clarkson was named one of the 50 most important figures in American photography by American Photo magazine and has shot over 50 NCAA Final Four tournaments. Gary Bogdon, BA ’86, is a freelance photographer who regularly contributes to Sports Illustrated, and Elsa Garrison is a staff photographer at Getty Images. The three photographers spoke about their work, the industry and the importance of doing something different.

“You might be asking yourself 'How do I differentiate myself?' ” Clarkson said during the evening panel discussion. “The answer’s easy: You just think.” He described his approach to shooting photos from outside approved areas, of getting unique shots other photographers don’t.

Photo by Thomas Miller

Panelist Elsa Garrison of Getty Images talked to a student after the panel. Earlier in the day, the three photographers spent time with students, critiquing portfolios.

The panelists fielded questions from the audience and from NSJC director Tim Franklin. The discussion touched on topics ranging from the advent of auto focus systems to the spread of video to the uncertain future of professional photojournalism.

Despite negative trends in print circulation, Clarkson said students are starting their careers in an exciting time for photojournalism. While many would say the decline in staff positions at papers and magazines is a negative sign for would-be journalists, the panelists see freelancing as a great opportunity for photographers to do more work and stay busy.

“This is a great entrepreneurial age,” Franklin said following the panel. “There’s money to be made, but you’ve got to hustle.”

Franklin said the panel offered students insight into new ways to merge visuals and words to tell stories. Daniel Gibson, a graduate student in the sports journalism program at IUPUI, said although he isn’t a photographer, the panelists’ comments expanded how he thought about the field.

Photo by Thomas Miller

Rich Clarkson's company shoots NCAA Championship games, among other sports events. He has been in the  business 50 years.

“They’re at all the games and they’re seeing a completely different angle than everyone else” Gibson said.

Despite technological advances and changing regulations about photographer access, the panelists said still photographs would continue to be important in the future.

“When you watch television, it’s like you’re in attendance,” Clarkson said. “In some ways, it’s actually better than being there, but that’s not how people remember things. We remember decisive moments, we remember the photographs.”

When he finished presenting his work, Bogdon put his career in perspective.

“I’ve got friends who are doctors and lawyers, but they all wish they had my job,” Bogdon said. “It’s a lot of work and it’s very competitive, but there is nothing like it.”

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