Ken Griffey Jr., the legendary baseball player, stands on the lush greens of Augusta National Golf Club with a camera in hand. As he prepares to document the Masters Tournament, a smile forms on his face, showcasing both excitement and nostalgia.
The Weekend in Augusta
In a light-hearted exchange at home, Griffey’s wife, Melissa, playfully inquired if he could manage some chores over the weekend. However, Griffey quickly declined, stating, ‘No, I have to work the Masters.’ He jokingly added that they hadn’t spoken much in recent days. But this week isn’t just any week; it’s Masters week, a highly anticipated event in the world of golf.
A New Challenge
Taking on a new role as a photographer for Masters.com, Griffey finds himself amidst golf’s elite, capturing moments of celebrated players such as Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Phil Mickelson. He reflects on this unique opportunity, saying, ‘I’m not here to take anybody’s job, but I am here to learn about as much as I can about sports photography as well as the history of the Masters.’
A Late Bloomer in Photography
At 55, Griffey admits that he is a late bloomer in sports photography, initially picking up the camera as a way to connect with his children during their sporting events. ‘People would think if I’m sitting in the stands smiling, they can come up and talk to me,’ he noted with a laugh. ‘So if I got a camera, they didn’t really know what I was doing.’
From Baseball to Golf
With a background in capturing the excitement of the World Series and NFL games, this is Griffey’s first significant venture into golf photography. He has fond memories playing at Augusta National and humorously rates his golfing handicap, saying, ‘I can modestly tell you my handicap is 13, but some close to me say it’s much closer to scratch.’
Learning the Craft
Griffey believes that understanding the intricacies of photography—lighting, background, and composition—are crucial for capturing great images. ‘I’m getting better at it because I’m starting to understand and know what they expect from me,’ he explained. ‘You can have a good picture of someone, but if the background isn’t right, it can turn out terrible.’
Looking Ahead
While Griffey is immersed in the rich tradition of the Masters this week, he has future ambitions too. ‘I want to shoot motocross racing next,’ he expressed, while currently enjoying the thrill of documenting history at Augusta.
Reflecting on his experience, Griffey said, ‘Every sport has its challenges. This has been a really fantastic week, and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity.’
