1/1000th of a second. That’s the amount of time Austin Spurs photographer Andy Nietupski said he gets to capture an image that will never be repeated.
“I can summarize a 48-minute basketball game into 1/10th of a second,” Nietupski said. “None of that is easy. Sports photography really made me work to become good.”
The challenge of sports photography is one of the reasons he wanted to pursue it, along with the beauty.
“Sports are full of color, intensity, emotion and speed,” Nietupski said. “Capturing that in an image is challenging, both physically and technically.”
Nietupski first started taking photos in 2008 while on assignment in Japan for IBM. Every weekend he would explore Tokyo with his wife and photograph the city’s rich history.
After returning to Austin in 2009, he thought photography would be boring, and it was, he said, until he started photographing sports in 2011.
Nietupski can still remember calling the Austin Spurs to request permission to photograph games. Although he said there was some caution, he began capturing images of team during the 2013-14 season and has been on the sidelines every season since.
After seven seasons with the team, Nietupski has many memories, but one he said he’ll never forget is the deciding game of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on April 9, 2016.
“I’ll wager that it was one of the greatest come-from-behind victories ever seen in the Cedar Park Center [now the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park],” Nietupski said.
He recalled, “RGV led until very late in the fourth quarter, when a steal and layup by Keifer Sykes tied the game. The Spurs took the lead with 0.4 seconds remaining on a free throw by Sykes to secure the win for Austin, 89-88. Keifer posted a season-high and team-high 31 points. Austin advanced to the Western Conference Finals with the victory.”
“I was so excited that I put down my camera just to watch, although I did get a lot of great images before that,” Nietupski said.
Another moment he said he’ll never forget is when Austin won the Western Conference Championship on April 5, 2018, but “not for the reason you’d think.”
“The game moment I’ll never forget is Darrun Hilliard crashing into me as he drove the lane. Darrun and I were both sprawled out on the floor. It was a pretty big collision,” Nietupski said. “Darrun has a steely demeanor on the court, but he was very gracious to me, especially at that moment.”
Darrun Hilliard (R) crashes into photographer Andy Nietupski after he was fouled in the Western Conference Championship game between the Austin Spurs and the South Bay Lakers. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright NBAE (Photo by Chris Covatta/NBAE via Getty Images)
Out of all the Austin Spurs players Nietupski has captured images of throughout the years, one stands out to him as being particularly challenging, yet amazing, to photograph.
“Orlando Johnson played with an intensity that screamed emotion. He was amazing to photograph,” Nietupski said. “The biggest challenge was he always drove the lane with his mouth wide open. Not the most flattering of poises to some, but I loved it.”
Orlando Johnson (33) drives the lane in the game between the Austin Spurs and the Santa Cruz Warriors played on December 30, 2015 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Nietupski said his favorite part of being a sports photographer is the people.
“I feel like a member of the team of every sport I photograph. The people really appreciate what I do for them, and I find that especially rewarding,” Nietupski said. “There are lots of pressures on the people in the front office, especially during a game. I like to think I make their lives easier.”
When asked if he has a favorite photo from his time photographing the Austin Spurs, Nietupski replied, “Asking a photographer if he has a favorite photograph is like asking a parent if they have a favorite child. No way. I have tons of favorites.”
A special thank you to Andy Nietupski for all of the memories he has captured throughout the years. Some of his favorite photos can be seen below:
JaMychal Green (32) throws down the slam-dunk for the Austin Spurs in the game against the Idaho Stampede on December 5, 2014 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Jonathon Simmons (17) goes airborne for two points in the game between the Austin Spurs and the Reno Bighorns on January 11, 2015 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Bryce Cotton (7) of the Austin Spurs goes over Ta’Quan Zimmerman (23) of the Idaho Stampede in the game played on January 30, 2015 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Julian Washburn (14) drives the ball in the game between the Austin Spurs and the Reno Bighorns played on January 2, 2016 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Keith Wright watches a toddler crawl in front of the Austin Spurs bench in the game against the Idaho Stampede played on January 29, 2016 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Ray McCallum (5) goes airborne for two points in the game between the Austin Spurs and the Idaho Stampede played on January 29, 2016 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Demetri McCamey (L) defends himself from the hair of Marcus Thornton in the game between the Austin Spurs and the Maine Red Claws played on March 25, 2016 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Brandon Fields (R) cheers on the Austin Spurs from the bench as they played the South Bay Lakers on April 1, 2016 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Orlando Johnson (C) did not dress for the playoff game against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers but cheers for the Austin Spurs on April 7, 2016 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Fans celebrate with Da Bull during the playoff game between the Austin Spurs and the South Bay Lakers played on April 18, 2016 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Keifer Sykes provides encouragement from the bench as the Austin Spurs played the South Bay Lakers in a playoff game on April 20, 2016 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Dejounte Murray (5) throws down two points for the Austin Spurs as they played the Oklahoma City Blue on November 13, 2016 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Andy Nietupski)
Dejounte Murray (5) was fouled and hit the floor in the game between the Austin Spurs and the Oklahoma City Blue on played November 13, 2016 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Patricio Garino (25) throws down the slam-dunk in the game between the Austin Spurs and the Erie BayHawks played on November 19, 2016 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Cheick Diallo (41) goes airborne for two points in the game between the Austin Spurs and the Erie BayHawks played on November 19, 2016 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Ryan Arcidiacono (10) takes the ball down court in the game between the Austin Spurs and the Oklahoma City Blue played on March 26, 2017 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Jaron Blossomgame (15) chases down the loose ball in the game between the Austin Spurs and the Salt Lake City Stars played on November 3, 2017 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Nick Johnson (14) cheers on the Austin Spurs from the bench in the game against the Salt Lake City Stars played on November 3, 2017 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Amida Brimah (L), Tucker Haymond (C) and Jordan Green (R) cheer on the Austin Spurs from the bench in the game against the Sioux Falls Skyforce played on November 14, 2017 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Jordan Green (18) cheers on the Austin Spurs from the bench in the game against the Texas Legends played on December 1, 2017 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Head Coach Blake Ahearn stands before the Austin Spurs bench during the game against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers played on December 15, 2017 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Darrun Hilliard (24) pulls down the rebound for the Austin Spurs in their game against the Aqua Caliente Clippers on December 21, 2017 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Olivier Hanlan (7) lays up two points for the Austin Spurs in their game against the Northern Arizona Suns played on January 18, 2018 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Nick Johnson (14) makes the pass under the hoop in the game between the Austin Spurs and the Memphis Hustle played on February 1, 2018 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Head Coach Blake Ahearn reacts to game statistics in the contest between the Austin Spurs and the Iowa Wolves played on February 11, 2018 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Tucker Haymond (L) and Matt Costello (R) shout encouragement from the Austin Spurs bench in their game against the Iowa Wolves played on February 11, 2018 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Derrick White (4) makes the fade-away jump shot for the Austin Spurs in their game against the Sioux Falls Skyforce played on March 10, 2018 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Julian Washburn (25) watches the game between the Austin Spurs and the South Bay Lakers on March 24, 2018 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Jordan Green (18) goes underneath the hoop for the lay-up in the game between the Austin Spurs and the South Bay Lakers played on March 24, 2018 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
Darrun Hilliard (24), Matt Costello (10) and Jaron Blossomgame (15) wait to enter the game between the Austin Spurs and the South Bay Lakers on March 24, 2018 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. (Photo by Andy Nietupski/Through the Lens Sports Media)
