HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Kara Fuller has been staring at Crimson Tide defensive end Marcell Dareus for nearly a week now.
Fuller is a specialist in the following digital images:
is a 10-year-old wholesale company in Huntsville that sells college sports art.
Fuller, who hasn't watched a full football game since the University of Alabama defeated the University of Texas 37-21 in the BCS national championship game, used his computer to create the perfect panoramic print for the Tide's legion of loyal fans. I'm creating it towards.
This photo, taken by USA Sports owner Mickey Summerford, depicts Dareus running for a touchdown after an interception, giving Alabama a 24-6 lead at halftime. It is engraved in the legend.
Panoramic prints of the national championship are now on sale. U.S. Sports Operations Manager Jill Acklin expects big sales from Alabama fans who want to commemorate their team's title and perfect season.
“Alabama fans are just crazy,” Acklin said. “They love their school.”
local companies
Summerford, the owner of USA Sports, is not a trained photographer. He has never even taken a photography class. He is a former technical engineer who worked for a large industrial construction company. During the doldrums of the late 1990s, Somerford sold prints of his college sports teams.
At the time, Summerford was thinking of making a few bucks and going back to construction work. However, his sports art business continued to grow. He hired employees, sought licensing agreements, and began taking photos himself.
The family-owned company currently has annual sales of more than $1 million. USA Sports is
We are licensed to film football, baseball, and basketball games at most of the Southeastern Conference, Virginia Tech, Clemson University, and the University of Southern Mississippi.
The entire process, from photography to printing and custom framing of the photos, takes place in a beige metal building off Leyland Pike.
“Everything is made right here in Huntsville,” Fuller said with pride.
major market
USA Sports photos are sold in malls, college stores, sports shops and online throughout the United States.
But Acklin said Alabama is a “key market” for the company, noting that the company sells large quantities of prints from a kiosk at Parkway Place Mall.
Alabama had a great season this year, so USA Sports sold more Crimson Tide prints than usual.
“When they're doing well, we're doing well,” Acklin said of the football team.
In its 10 years in business, USA Sports has filmed some legendary games, including the 2008 Iron Bowl, where Alabama defeated Auburn 36-0.
A panoramic photo of Bryant-Denny Stadium called “The Shutout” is the company's best-selling print to date.
shot
Summerford is a “huge Alabama fan” and told his staff he would be the one to take the shot in the BCS title game.
Summerford arrived at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., a few hours before the game to scout shooting locations.
Once the game started, Summerford went on a rampage.
Acklin said the goal is to shoot at “the decisive moment of the game,” which can be difficult because it can happen in the first few minutes or in the fourth quarter.
After catching Dareus' touchdown at the end of the first half, Summerford decided the shot was his. He could relax a little. However, Texas fought back in the fourth quarter and cut the deficit to three points.
Summerford paid thousands of dollars in license fees and travel expenses, but needed a backup plan in case Alabama lost the game. USA Sports' motto is, “If the team loses, no one wants to take a picture.” So Summerford began photographing the Longhorns in case he needed to sell panoramic prints to University of Texas alumni.
“I'm glad I didn't have to use it,” Summerford said.
Retouched and ready
Summerford returned to Alabama on Friday night. He met Fuller to hand over his raw digital images.
Fuller takes up to a week to retouch a photo. Use PhotoShop to tweak colors to bring out the deep red of Alabama's jersey, change contrast to fix lighting, and combine images to create the perfect shot.
The panoramic photo of Dareus running toward the end zone is actually a composite of three photos.
USA Sports prints do not have the bows and curves typically found in panoramic photography or fisheye lenses. Theirs is “nice and flat,” Acklin said.
Coach Fuller said during the game, “It looks like we fixed it because we fixed it.”
Once Fuller is satisfied with the image, it must be approved by Collegiate Licensing Co. USA Sports can then sell the images.
Mr. Acklin expects the print of Alabama's national championship to outsell the “Shutout.''
“This will probably be the No. 1 seller in history.”
Where can you find it:
USA Sports' panoramic photos of Marcell Dareus' run and the BCS National Championship Game are available at the company's kiosks.
online at usasportsart.com or by calling 851-1553.
A large 12″ x 38″ print is $50 unframed or $225 with a frame. A small 10″ x 22″ print is $30 unframed or $99 with a frame. The custom matted framed print comes with two commemorative coins and a plate that reads “Citi BCS National Championship.”
Shipping costs are $15 for unframed prints, $25 for small framed prints, and $35 for large framed prints. Prints typically ship within 48 hours of your order.
