Capturing the evolution of sports – a journey through the lens with Claus Andersen
Sports Advocate
By Amanda Tayles
Sports has remained a constant as the world of technology that surrounds it has evolved beyond the average persons wildest dreams in just a few short years. Now, cable companies try to hold onto revenue and prevent cord cutters through live sport contracts, players on the side lines review instant replays on iPads, and real time availability of analytics have brought stats and betting to new levels. As a photojournalist for 47 years, Claus Andersen has had a front row seat to it all.
Even though almost every spectator fancies themselves an amateur photographer, official press credentials are assigned by associations. Once a staple in newsrooms, the number of sport photographers has sharply declined. Andersen recalls colleagues numbering in the 20s at the Toronto Star, but now down to 5 and only one remains at the Globe and Mail. With print media shrinking, and younger generations seeking online sources as their primary news source, there are limited traditional avenues to produce the sports images that defined so many moments and athletes. “Everyone thinks they have a photo; it’s not about the quality of imagery anymore.”
He attributes the decreasing value of photographs with the transition to digital. Online circulation has also made it much easier to repurpose photos without proper attribution. Andersen tries to police his own images, but finds it to be almost impossible, “It’s so easy to grab and steal images now. People can easily remove a watermark. You have to rely on honesty and unfortunate we know not everyone is.” Despite these challenges, Andersen remains dedicated to his craft, finding solace in the tangible joy of seeing his work in print and adorning his basement walls with cherished memories. Standouts for him include some of the biggest names in sports, from track stars Usain Bolt and Donovan Bailey to the four-legged kind in Somebeachsomewhere. When asked if he ever has the photographs signed, Andersen jokes that he’s “not an autograph guy, unless it’s on a cheque.”
Born in Denmark, Andersen came with his parents and siblings to Kawartha Lakes in 1957, settling in Omemee. He got the inclination to photograph from his mother, who “always had a camera.” And it runs in the family as his brother, Ken, is also in sport photography as Peterborough Pete’s photographer for 35 years. Andersen stayed in the Kawarthas until 1975 when he left to pursue photography at Fanshawe College in London. Upon graduation he kicked off his career shooting the track and field team at Western University and was officially hooked progressing to other sports and increasing levels of competition – from professional leagues like the NHL and PGA to the Olympics. But everyone has their favourites, and for Andersen though he notes you can get great imagery from any sport, it’s track and field at the Olympics that he holds dear. “You only have one chance to get it (a shot) due to the pace and style of competition. Versus hockey or baseball where there are so many games and plays, it increases the opportunity to get a good shot.”
Andersen has limited his jobs now, able to pick and choose events that he enjoys the most. Currently a part of Getty images, who distribute images across the world. During the Leaf’s short-lived playoff run, Andersen’s images were used in both Toronto and Boston media. The physical nature of the job, carting 150 pounds of gear across the globe, rigging up cameras to capture any possible moment, the long days and late nights to setup, review and take down (Leaf’s games have him home at 4 a.m.), even though his experience has made him efficient at it all – it’s added up and he’s happy to wind down a bit.
When asked how much he engages in sport himself, to be on the other side of the lens, Andersen is self deprecating. He enjoys playing golf but brings it back to the professionals he sees so often, “people don’t realize how hard it is to be an athlete in any sport.”
Andersen acknowledges that although he is a rarity in the field now, he’s lucky that he’s been able to do something that he loves for a career. In recognition of his contributions to the sports field, Andersen was inducted into the Lindsay Sports Hall of Fame last year and will be inducted into the Ontario Athletic Hall of Fame this coming September. Now in an era defined by rapid technological advancement, Claus Andersen stands as a testament to the enduring power of photography — a timeless art form that continues to capture the essence of sports in all its glory.
