ORANGE PARK, Fla. – Simply attempt to sustain with sports activities photographer Randy Lefko.
He gave our videographer Marco Monge a exercise.
First, Randy was within the thick of it on the sidelines at Middleburg Excessive Faculty, then, capturing on digital camera, particular moments from his front-row seat, he was proper on the sting of the mat, throughout an enormous district wrestling match-up.
When you’ve got performed sports activities in Orange Park or wherever in Clay County, you’ve in all probability seen Randy, and he’s obtained a slew of breathtaking photographs to show it.
He’s spent 40 years with the Clay Immediately newspaper.
You’ll be able to nonetheless really feel the enjoyment Randy has, for what he mentioned is a calling.
“Once I watch a sporting occasion, I see minuscule items of time that no one else can see. And I feel that’s my God-given present,” he mentioned.
Like a fast look from a Blue Angels pilot mid-flight. Or, every bubble flowing from a swimmer’s face. And like a few of these seasoned athletes, Randy makes use of life challenges as motivation like this previous summer season when a coronary heart assault sidelined him.
He obtained emotional speaking about being within the hospital.
“I need to say, the Keystone Heights soccer workforce all went to church for me, they usually mentioned, You’ll be able to’t go but. We obtained issues that it’s essential {photograph}. And that’s what retains me, you understand? I imply, it’s simply, I imply, I might really feel dangerous if, like, Fleming Island wins the state soccer title and I wasn’t right here,” he mentioned.
The group has rallied round his award-winning work just like the time he went underwater to {photograph} a swimmer.
Sharing his ability with the following technology of photographers brings his pleasure full circle.
“And I at all times inform them, I’ll coach you up in an effort to do what I do, virtually, virtually. I don’t give all of them the secrets and techniques,” he mentioned.
A few of these secrets and techniques are too deep to share.
“I would get emotional as a result of I misplaced a toddler, and I at all times thought she could be an excellent athlete,” he mentioned. “Nevertheless it didn’t occur. And so I feel that’s God’s plan was, you understand, do it for anyone else.”
In his youthful days, Randy performed sports activities. He mentioned he was adequate, nothing spectacular, however he’s been proper there with the highest athletes on the planet for 4 many years.
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