The Small Picture

by Kat Ignatova | April 19, 2013

Quidditch World Cup VI was one hell of a tournament. For those of you who were there, you know what went down; for those of you who couldn't make it, you've undoubtedly garnered quite a bit of information. You know some of the big-picture moments: Alex Benepe finishing opening ceremonies with a Harlem Shake, Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, OH) making a run to the final four,  University of California Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA) and University of Texas Austin's (Austin, TX) intense final game, from which Texas walked away the winner.

For a photographer, the World Cup VI was a different story.

Photos by Kat Ignatova, Photo Editor

We don't see quidditch the same way players, referees, and spectators do. We gaze at the games through the lens of our camera, and that sometimes leads to a very constricted view. We can't view the big picture, because without a focal point, the photo would not be visually stimulating. Instead, we focus on small moments, and hope that we capture the right ones. We try to weave that big picture through a collage of those small moments. It's no easy feat. Quidditch is a chaotic game, and it's hard to know where to look.

Sometimes, we capture the essence of the big picture, like a determining snitch catch or a particularly impressive quaffle score. These are great moments that demonstrate the skill our athletes have, the impressiveness and difficulty of the game, as well as the talent of the photographer.

Other times, we capture something else. We get the small moments. The moments that show the true character of quidditch players, that demonstrate the love, respect, and devotion they hold for each other and for the game. These are moments that are often overlooked during articles and game analysis, and yet are just as important as the photos of chasers leaping through the air to score.

Hopefully, by starting to pay more attention to these moments, we can create an even more accurate picture of what the game of quidditch truly means. I ask now that all of you, whenever you notice a particularly touching display among quidditch players, take out your cameras and capture it. By doing this, we can show that quidditch is far more than whimsical sport: it is a community, and it is a family.

It is at this point, with my top 10 picks from World Cup VI, I would like to kick off a new photography series: The Small Picture.  If you'd like your work featured, simply email your photo and interpretation to editorial@internationalquidditch.org.

10. Every time a seeker caught the snitch, he was met by an incredibly passionate hug by his closest team member. In this photo, University of Miami head coach Sean Beloff embraces seeker Dennis Campbell after their game with LSU.

9. When the big kids' quidditch becomes too intense and dangerous, it's nice to see kids play it with only one goal in mind: to have fun.

8. Before the UCLA v. Emerson game, referee Samy Mousa had them line up and face each other. He gave a brief talk about player etiquette in regards to arguing with refs, and finished it by instructing the players to not cry or lose sleep over a game in case of an unfavorable ref call. He said that they were all human, that they all made mistakes, and that the important thing was to have fun. He had the players shake hands with the opposing team members before starting the match.

7. This handsome fella. Can someone introduce us?

6. This honorary snitch entertained the crowd before the final championship match by shooting them with water from his gun. He was much welcomed entertainment after a series of very intense games, and the water was a relief from the extreme heat and humidity.

5. Lost Boys and BGSU played a very long, very hot, and extremely intense game. They were neck and neck until BGSU caught the snitch, securing them a spot in the final four. The crowd started to make a tunnel for the Lost Boys, and so many people joined that it began to snake across the field. The last person to make it through was Tony Rodriguez, who played so hard he could barely walk in the end.

4. When Kansas snitch Austin Haugh was injured during the Wizengamot v. Texas game, Kansas Quidditch player Ronell Sharp gave him a piggyback ride to the nearest medical tent.

3. Most spectators remember the UCLA v. Paris Phénix game for the Phénix chaser who scored a goal… by jumping through a hoop. Let me draw focus to another Phénix player. The crowd threw their support behind Paris Phénix during the game, and when UCLA scored a goal, they were met with boos and catcalls. Phénix player Mathilde Malegood - the girl on the right in this picture - ran up to the audience, told them to cut it out, and then lead them in a round of applause for UCLA. Paris Phénix finished the game with a loss and a snitch catch, and received the D1 best sportsmanship award.

2. Texas crying during closing ceremonies.

1.     UCLA standing behind Texas, flashing a Hook ‘Em Horns sign in honor of UT's victory.