Capturing that perfect image is something photographers at sporting events, weddings, and other special occasions are all aspiring to do. However, when a photographer captures a photo in the absolute perfect moment, that can happen sheerly by luck. A perfectly timed photograph might not even be taken by an expert photographer, just someone who happened to be in the right place at the right time. In an instant, that person’s photo can go viral and entertain people around the world.
You’ve heard the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. Well, these 17 perfectly timed photographs tell quite a story! Have fun clicking through and creating your own caption for each one.
1. The Dad of the Year Award Goes To…
Is this kid’s dad a superhero in disguise? In all seriousness, “parent reflexes” are a real, scientific thing, occurring from a sudden rush of adrenaline due to the primitive “fight or flight” response. This response can happen to both moms and dads to save their children.
There’s so much to appreciate in this photo. The kid is on his smart phone, with a deer-in-the-headlights look on his face. The dad in aviator glasses with his man-of-steel outstretched arm protecting his kid’s face. Then look around at the crowd of people – some ducking down, some with a sheer look of terror on their faces. My favorite is on the bottom right, where a photographer is using his camera as a shield.
2. This Wakeboarder’s Got Serious Skills
Talk about looking face to face in the mirror at yourself. This photo wildly captured almost a perfect double image of this professional wakeboarder’s reflection, performing a master-level wakeboarding trick.
Wondering who the man in this photo is? This photograph is taken of pro wakeboarder Shaun Murray, a world champion wakeboarder who has been competing since 1995. He holds four world champion titles in wakeboarding and is a water sport legend.
And the photographer? He captured the photo of his career. Thanks to a fast shutter speed and a bit of luck on his side, he can be proud to put this picture in his portfolio.
3. Going for a Swim
This photograph taken of a professional swimmer isn’t exactly flattering for the athlete, but an awesome photo nonetheless. The swimmer glides seemingly effortlessly under the water, and even remains under a layer of water when coming up for air. This is due to the speed and grace of a professional swimmer’s technique. The photographer snapped this shot in the millisecond the swimmer came up for air. Perfect timing!
It’s a cool picture, but also kind of funny when you start looking at it for a long time. What do you see when you look it? Perhaps a helmet and beard?
4. Where Are The Brakes?
This poor woman looks like she’s on the ride of her life, and it doesn’t look to be going well. Caught in midair, a photographer captured a woman’s terrified look of a sleigh ride gone wrong, and it’s gotten laughs from all over the world as the photo’s gone viral.
Let’s break down the perfection of this hilarious photo: Legs sprawled, skirt flying, hands gripping on for life, and a look of sheer terror on a middle-aged woman’s face. She’s sitting on an oriental rug which makes it look like she’s on a not-so-magical carpet ride. Another great aspect – the crowd watches in simultaneous shock and amusement.
5. Karate or Football?
Wait, is this a game of football or a sparring match of karate? This unintentional kick would have happened in a split second, and a lucky photographer was there to catch it. Pretty sure this play is against the rules!
Everyone knows how dangerous gridiron, American football is. There are a reported 1.2 million injuries per year, many of those being concussions. Most injuries are from the physical and aggressive nature of tackling.
In the National Football League, professional football players are well prepared for the physical nature of the sport and for possible injuries. But do you think this player could have been prepared for this impressively high kick to the face? Ouch.
6. Header Gone Wrong
Professional soccer player Marouane Fellaini probably wishes this embarrassing moment was not caught on camera for the world to see. When a ball comes flying at you at top speed, all you can do is close your eyes and brace yourself. From the looks of his face, it looks like the ball hit him pretty hard! That is going to sting for quite a while.
Fellaini plays for team Manchester United and has a contract with them until June 2020. His contract was recently extended at top dollar, earning a salary of 100,000 British Pounds per week. Not too shabby.
7. Evil Nose Picker
This perfectly timed picture is downright creepy, and a reminder to never pick your nose in public. This man looks like he’s plotting up some evil scheme involving his teammate and a booger. I’m sure this ball player’s friends gave him a hard time for this hilarious photo.
No question about it, this basketball player from the Kansas State Wildcats was caught on camera at the wrong moment. The media can be brutal in sharing embarrassing pictures like this one of sport players and celebrities. This particular, not-so-flattering picture has gone viral on the Internet. Let’s hope he has a good sense of humor and can laugh at himself!
8. Doing The Moon Walk
This is a spectacular photograph, timed perfectly with the position of the moon and just the right camera angle. The result is a unique and inspiring photograph. This snowboarder got to have an amazing picture taken of himself having one foot on Earth on one foot on the moon. How many people get to say they’ve done that?
A talented photographer is tuned in to recognize photo opportunities in everyday places. Not many people would think to grab their camera in this moment. With that purple sunset sky in the background, this picture is truly remarkable.
Who else wants a moon walk picture now?
9. Ping Pong Hugger
This ping pong competitor looks to be in his happy place. This perfectly timed photo captured a split second moment where the player looks to be embracing his paddle and ping pong, with a look of euphoria on his face. I guess if you’re gonna become a professional ping pong player, you’ve got to love the game, right?
Actually referred to as table tennis, you better believe it’s a real sport with competitors all over the world. In fact, there’s a World Table Tennis Championship dating back to the year 1926 that continues to take place each year, and it’s a pretty big deal. Don’t let the picture fool you – ping pong players can be intense!
10. Sorry Coach!
No, this picture is not photoshopped. This is a hard hit to the face, and the coach does not look amused. Oops, sorry about that coach!
The photographer caught on camera the ball to the face, a shocked referee, and you can even spot a man laughing to himself in the crowd. Surprisingly, the coach doesn’t even flinch when getting nailed in the face by a fast flying ball – it must happen from time to time. Without a doubt, his nose was feeling the impact from the collision.
With such a serious stance, the coach looks like he’s just standing there with the ball in his mouth. This hilarious moment captured on camera has gone viral around the Internet for obvious reasons.
