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Arizona Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck (45) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.
Depth Of Field: Week 3 vs. Detroit
Exploring the 2024 game against the Lions through the lens of the Cardinals team photographer
By Caitlyn Epes Sep 24, 2024
Photographs By Caitlyn Epes

Reading Between the Lions

Week 3 at State Farm Stadium did not have the best ending, but for storytelling's sake, let's start at the beginning.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

Team arrivals is the slowest part of the day for me as I wait for everyone to walk in, but it definitely is more fun when the guys are all smiles like Kyler Murray and quarterbacks coach Israel Woolfork here.

Or when Budda Baker shows up in a snazzy suit.

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

I started pregame with this shot of DeeJay Dallas, getting down to his level to give a little more impact.

Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas (20) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

Here are my favorite "game face" photos from warmups. Notice how there's different elements to each that sets them apart.

First, we have a helmet-less Marvin Harrison Jr. looking through his hair with a glimmering chain below him:

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

Then, we have QB1 sporting the black alternate helmet with a visor that reflects the stadium lights:

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

And finally, Roy Lopez's close-up focuses on the sweat and eye black to prove he's ready for battle:

Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Roy Lopez (98) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

I didn't stick around too long in the locker room, but I do love this photo I got of James Conner during a quiet moment.

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

After the game, I noticed that our photo editor put a black and white treatment on it that really draws your eyes into the hands. (Shoutout Tanner!)

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

With the team wearing black uniforms, I knew I had to try the shutter drag flash technique again to see how the different uniform affected the photos.

It's not a drastic difference from last week, but the black jersey doesn't reflect like the red one does, so there's more contrast in the overall frame.

Arizona Cardinals long snapper Aaron Brewer (46) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Julian Okwara (58) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

The National Anthem is the time I can get really nice portraits of the players with clean backgrounds and no helmets. I like to treat is as the best way to showcase these players as people while still in the football uniform.

Looking back, it's funny to notice the different types of faces I'm able to capture during that time.

From almost straight-on to camera ...

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

... to eyes up to the sky.

Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Dante Stills (55) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

Eyes closed through the crowd ...

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

... and head low with hands up.

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

I spotted a couple details this week that I haven't focused on before, like Max Melton's gear at his feet and Jonathan Gannon fiddling with his headset before putting it on.

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton (16) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

The finale of pregame is the coin toss, and it's great when you get cool photos like this:

Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (5), Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6), Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) and Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kyzir White (7) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

Most of the time, I only get the one good one because the captains walk out at different times and then there's a awkward cluster at midfield of both teams greeting each other.

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6), Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kyzir White (7) and Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

Into game action we go.

This pair of photos gives an insight to what I like to photograph before the snap and how sometimes that continues through the play.

I focused on cornerback Starling Thomas V as he lined up and as the running back came across the frame, my camera caught focus back on Starling, which I think tells a cool story.

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V (24) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V (24) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

The angle I take on certain plays can provide a different perspective that fans, or even players, see.

This first photo shows Kyler Murray in what looks like the best position possible for a quarterback, but the next photo a couple seconds later shows that he had to run to get the first down.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

At home games, we have multiple photographers around the field, so we have a plan that if the touchdown doesn't come your way, you turn focus to the quarterback.

That was the case for me on Marvin Harrison Jr.'s touchdown, so once Kyler threw it and I knew I was on the wrong side, I immediately went right back to him.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

The defense put up a fight this week, and I always love photos that show the team effort.

I think the uniforms being all-black for the Cardinals and all-white for the Lions this week add a cool contrast to these photos too.

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) and Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2), Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3), Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Bilal Nichols (92), Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Roy Lopez (98) and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Starling Thomas V (24) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

I always like to be in front of the action in order to get the faces of the players coming towards me, but that means that I sometimes get blocked by coaches and players on the sideline.

Most of the time, I'm able to maneuver around them, but other times I try to use it to my compositional advantage.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch (4) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

I've been asked before about what I do when the opposing team celebrates in front of me, and for the most part, I try to ignore it or look for ways to showcase our team in comparison.

Kyler Murray's interception in the end zone was one of those moments where I saw an interesting frame and took it, even though it's not something Cardinals fans will enjoy.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

But it's OK. Here are things you will enjoy.

Dennis Gardeck's interception:

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck (45) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck (45), Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga (95) and Arizona Cardinals safety Dadrion "Rabbit" Taylor-Demerson (42) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

Dante Stills' fourth-down stop:

Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Dante Stills (55) and Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kyzir White (7) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Dante Stills (55) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

And L.J. Collier screaming his head off in celebration with Dante:

Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman L.J. Collier (91) and Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Dante Stills (55) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

As the game went on, I looked for details to tell more of the story outside of the big plays. I noticed the blue of the Lions' face masks was rubbing off on our black uniforms:

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

And at first, I thought this photo was just a missed play by me, but then I saw that the focus caught just right on the ball.

The Arizona Cardinals during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

Finally, I liked how this wider shot puts the play at the bottom with "ARIZONA CARDINALS" across the horizon.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.

At the end of the day, the setting sun created a light pocket on the sideline, so of course I had to take my first shadow selfie of the season for you readers.

Rate my form in the comments:

during the Week 3 regular season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sep. 22, 2024 at State Farm Stadium.
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