ATLANTA (AP) — Mike Stewart is the chief photographer for the Southern United States for The Associated Press. He is a 2021 Pulitzer Prize winner and is based in Atlanta. Stewart covers sports, news and corporate stories for the AP.
Why this photo?
I thought the photo of the players from the World Cup team praying together with the staff in the middle of the field was important. It happened on Saturday after Congo’s victory over Uzbekistan. In my nearly 40 years of photojournalism, this was one of the most unique things I’ve seen in any professional sports.
How this photo was made
As I stood at the tribune and overhead, photographing the jubilation of Congo’s victory, I continued to look for more. After the celebration was over, I took a photo with the 400mm lens on my Sony A9 III as I watched the team gather for prayer.
Why is it effective?
Photographs work because they are unique. It’s not something people see every day. For hundreds of millions of people, the power of prayer is powerful.
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See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here
