Larry Bale--the man behind the lens

Anyone who attends athletic events in the South Bend/Raymond/Willapa Valley area has come to know a certain "resident photographer" found just off the court, in the stands, or in the mud if last Friday's football game is used as an example.

Just as sure as the game itself, Larry Bale is at the ready to capture our local students, fans, and community members in those competitive moments throughout each and every sports season.  Larry is an example of a true supporter of kids, dedicated to all schools and their programs.

"Sports photography really boils down to being about the kids, capturing moments they will be able to enjoy for years to come," says Larry.  "I'm just out there having fun and paying it forward for the experiences I had growing up locally," he continues.

Well, here is a little more to the story...

The inspiration

Larry has been a student of photography for the last 20+ years, learning the skills and investing in the equipment needed to do what he says is, "a proper job of shooting sports photos."  Larry's interest began when his own kids began participating in sports.  "My interest [in sports photography] all began out of a need for a diversion from the excitement of the game when the kids were playing," he recalls.  "My competitive nature would come out as I watched my kids play."  "I found that the process of taking photos allowed my focus to shift just enough, providing a calming influence on how I viewed the game."

After Larry's youngest son, Levi, graduated from South Bend High School in 2012, Larry had more time to do what he enjoys.  "Not having a kid in the game allowed me the flexibility to attend other local school's games and activities."  "As a 'statesman' photographer, I try to get as many of the local teams covered during the season--when they play each other it's a double win for me."

Continuing to learn

Larry notes that like anything else, education and practice is key.  "The self-education came from reading articles on photography and asking experienced photographers how to achieve the best results with the gear at hand."  "Fortunately they were very patient and helpful in pointing me in the right direction, " he explains.  "But it requires a whole lot of practice to develop the knowledge and skills needed for some consistency in the final product."  And practice he does... "I'm still learning and practicing to the tune of several 100,000 clicks each year, whether it's sports, landscapes, or wildlife in the viewer, my favorite photography is whatever is in front of me at the time."

A satisfying purpose

If you have seen Larry's sports photos, you will notice that he takes all aspects of the event he is shooting.  "One of my goals is to record the action so that a person not present might get a feel for the event," Larry notes.  "The perspective I take is usually from the home team, but I always take in both teams' athletes, cheerleaders, and fans as much as possible."  Larry explains that his pictures attempt to capture the emotion of the game.  "It is both challenging and rewarding to capture those special moments during the game and around the game."  "I try to show the athletes both in the team setting and as individuals, showing the range of emotions that pulse throughout the contest."


Sharing his photos to all

If you frequent social media, especially Facebook, you will find Larry's pictures posted almost immediately after a sports contest, or throughout various times of the day as he shares his natural encounters.  Often, you will find a Facebook post simply stating, "Good Morning," as he shows a stunning view from a walk in the woods, or a picturesque sunrise as he drives to work.

But before he shares, Larry goes through each photo to ensure a consistent quality.  "Everyone sees me at the field or gym but maybe doesn't realize that there will be at least an hour or two of rough editing before I'll post anything to Facebook."  One can certainly tell that Larry takes a lot of pride in his work.  The quality of Larry's photos is superior.

A true community service

One of the many special benefits of living in a small community are the generous contributions made from people like Larry Bale.  Larry provides a service to our students and families, and his efforts are appreciated by us all.  "I've been very blessed by folks who approach me with tears in their eyes who say, 'thank you for capturing our kids, it means so much to us'," Larry says.  "It doesn't get much better than that," Larry concludes.  "If a picture evokes an emotion, then it really has done its job."

That being said, a picture can't do its job if it's not taken in the first place.  As superintendent and a member of the South Bend community, I appreciate all of Larry's time and efforts in supporting our kids.  The next time you see Larry, I encourage you to give him a word of thanks.