CaryEdmondson.com

It’s been just over a week since the San Francisco 49ers lost to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship game, but it feels like the game was played about a month ago. The 49ers lost a heartbreaker to the Giants, losing 20-17 and falling one game short of reaching the Super Bowl.

We had a several photographers from the company I work for shooting the game, so we all had different areas of the field we were assigned to cover. Unfortunately for myself, every touchdown went the opposite direction of the end zone I was covering (which is why most of my shots are on the defensive side of the ball). But when the fourth quarter started I was “hoping” my luck would change. I had visions of getting that glorious shot that would secure a Niners victory since I was covering the 49ers end zone. If they could score a touchdown, the Super Bowl might be the next destination for the 49ers.

But we all know what happened for their offense in the fourth quarter. Nothing.

For much of the 4th quarter I was taking pictures from behind the Giants offensive unit. Each time the 49ers punted the ball to the Giants I’d look through my lens and hope that the 49ers would come charging down field to knock the ball loose from the Giants punt returner. I don’t know if it was as obvious on television, but I remember watching the returner catch the ball, try to make a couple of moves afterwards, and then right before a 49ers player would come next to him he’d just fall down on the ground to avoid a turnover. Each time this happened I pulled away from my camera and thought to myself… “Dang!.. that’s a smart player.”

Sadly, the 49ers punt returner would eventually be the one who would fumble the ball away to the Giants.

As we all know by now, the 49ers Kyle Williams ended up having the ball knocked out of his hands on a punt return in overtime, leading to a Giants field goal just a few plays later.

There’s not much more I can say after that. It was a surprisingly great season to shoot, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to shoot some exciting playoff games.

… but it would’ve been nice to see the 49ers make it to the Super Bowl.

Oh well… as the saying goes… there’s always next year.

When the 49ers clinched a spot in the playoffs I instantly began a countdown to photograph this game. Everything is different in the playoffs and emotions are at the highest levels for everyone involved in the game.

This game was no exception.

With four lead changes in the final five minutes drama and emotion was running at an all-time high. When the 49ers regained the lead on an Alex Smith touchdown with just over two minutes in the game I was flying high. I had great pics of Smith crossing the goal-line and I was sure those were the photos all the media outlets were going to be using.

Then I remembered they were playing Drew Brees and the Saints. Sure enough… the Saints would score quickly. Leaving the 49ers the ball, trailing by three points with under 1:40 remaining in the game.

I admit I did not expect the 49ers to get very far. They gained some good yardage on a couple of plays but the clock was ticking. Then that moment when it feels like time slows down occurred. I saw Smith throw the ball deep towards tight end Vernon Davis who was running down the sidelines towards me. As a photographer, it felt like the ball was just floating in the air and I all I was doing was waiting for it to come down from the sky. I had no thoughts going through my head except… “you better get this shot if he catches it!”… and sure enough… he caught it! (… and I got the shot thankfully). I turned towards the photographer next to me and pure disbelief and shock ran across our faces. We couldn’t believe what was happening! The Niners were still in this game!

Fourteen seconds remained. What were the 49ers going to do? A field goal would get them into overtime… and I think just about everyone there was thinking that’s where we were headed. I switched to my shorter lens and when the ball was snapped Smith fired a rocket to Davis. I panned with the play (… Davis’ back was to mine)… and when I realized he caught the ball I continued taking pictures while shouting, “Oh my goodness!” … Simply put… it was pure insanity. The players went crazy and the fans could barely contain themselves. Definitely was one of the greatest sports moments I’ve experienced to this day.