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A photographer's lens hood was damaged by a stray shot from Lionel Messi during a game in Miami. This incident highlights the risks sports photographers take for prime sideline shots.
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If youâre going to have your lens hood smashed by a wayward football, it might as well be from the GOAT, Lionel Messi. | Credit: Getty Images / Megan Briggs
Sports photographers often risk pricier gear for a good vantage point from the sidelines â and one photographer just found his gear on the wrong end of a Lionel Messi shot.
If you know even a little bit about soccer, youâll have heard of Messi. Whether you think the FC Barcelona alumnus and current Inter Miami forward is the GOAT or not (Iâm looking at you CR7 fans!), thereâs no denying that heâs immortalized on the beautiful gameâs Mount Rushmore alongside PelĂ© and Maradona (fourth place is up for grabs â I vote George Best).
So, when I came across a video shot by @manuelamoretta on the Daily Mail Sportâs Instagram, showing the Argentine forward smashing a shot past the post and straight into the path of a hapless photographer, I couldn't help but think to myself â Iâd be getting that lens hood framed!
It looks like the poor photographer took it on the chin (or the lensâŠ) and thankfully, it looks like the lens and camera weren't damaged. Still, official lens hoods can be expensive in their own right, and I couldnât help noticing some of the comments downplaying the moment because of the existence of camera insurance. But broken equipment for a working photographer is no joke. Sure, youâd expect the kit to be insured, but even the best camera insurance in the world isnât going to result in a replacement mid-game.
Thankfully, it looks like the lens hood took the brunt of the impact. I also noticed that the photographer had a second setup, and while professionals often use a two-camera setup to switch seamlessly between a pair of lenses, having a second camera and lens also serves as a vital backup should the worst happen.
Ultimately, though, the main thing is that the photographer wasn't harmed. I'm sure they'll be regaling friends and family about the time they weathered a full-pelt shot from âLeoâ Messi for years to come. As one commenter suggested: âSell that on eBay.â But, frankly, if that happened to me, I'd keep that smashed lens hood in a place of honor on the mantle.
Want to photograph soccer yourself? Here's how to photograph soccer like a pro. Perhaps you're in the market for the best sports camera. And if you're looking for long lenses, here are the best lenses for sports photography.
The photographer's lens hood was smashed by a wayward shot from Lionel Messi.
The incident occurred during a game at Nu Stadium in Miami, Florida.
Lionel Messi is a renowned soccer player, often considered one of the greatest of all time, having played for FC Barcelona and currently for Inter Miami CF.
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