With ESPN The Magazine’s College Football Preview currently on newsstands, Front Row caught up with Karen Frank, senior deputy photo editor, to discuss one particular photo worth quacking about (on page 39).
Please note: No animals were harmed in the making of this photo.
(Photo by Jill Greenberg/Prop styling Bednark Studio/Image courtesy ESPN The Magazine)
“After brainstorming ideas for the College Football Preview, we knew we wanted to include the [defending national champion Florida State] Seminoles in the image although did not think we could show all four teams predicted to make the playoffs. Considering Oregon is predicted to be a No. 4 seed, and likely the first playoff opponent for FSU, we decided to go with the duck versus the burning spear.”
“We photographed the duck [in a New York City studio] with unlit spears tacked to the back wall. After the duck left, we lit the spears and photographed them. The two images were then combined in (post-production).”
“The Magazine has worked with photographer Jill Greenberg [pictured, holding Frosty], someone who is known for her work with animals, in the past. The duck from our particular shoot came from an agency called “All Tame Animals.” His name was “Frosty” and he lives on a farm in Long Island. This was his first shoot for ESPN and although he is not exactly trained, he had a handler on site to help keep him calm and on his mark.”
