Feeling is the Thing that Happens in 1000th of a Second

Photographer Patrick Eagar captured cricket's most dramatic moments across five decades, chronicling the sport's evolution from the 1960s through the early 2000s. This book examines Eagar's life and work through the lens of cricket history and photography. The narrative follows Eagar's career shooting test matches and world cups, documenting cricket legends like Viv Richards and Ian Botham in action. Through interviews and historical research, Ryan reconstructs the stories behind Eagar's most significant photographs and the technical innovations he brought to sports photography. Professional cricket underwent major changes during Eagar's era - from amateur status to professionalization, from traditional test matches to one-day internationals and eventually Twenty20. The book tracks these transformations through Eagar's images and experiences on the boundary rope. The work explores broader themes about the relationship between photography and memory, and how a single frozen moment can capture the essence of sport. Through Eagar's story, Ryan examines how images shape our understanding of athletic achievement and sporting culture.

Readers highlight the book's unique focus on cricket photography, particularly through the lens of Patrick Eagar. Many note it goes beyond standard sports biography to explore the art and psychology of capturing cricket's decisive moments. Readers appreciate: - The blend of technical photography insights with cricket history - Personal anecdotes about Eagar's methods and experiences - The analysis of specific iconic cricket photographs Common criticisms: - Narrative can feel disjointed as it jumps between time periods - Some sections get too technical about camera equipment - Limited appeal for readers not interested in both cricket and photography Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (43 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (28 reviews) Notable reader comment from Goodreads: "Ryan manages to capture the essence of what makes a great cricket photograph - the anticipation, the split-second timing, and the story behind each frame." Multiple readers note the book works best when viewed alongside Eagar's actual photographs being discussed.

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📚 The book's unusual title comes from legendary cricket photographer Patrick Eagar, who was describing the crucial moment of capturing the perfect sports photo. 🏏 Christian Ryan spent three years conducting research for this book, including extensive interviews with Patrick Eagar and deep dives into his vast photographic archive spanning five decades. 📸 Patrick Eagar revolutionized cricket photography by being one of the first to use a 200mm lens instead of the standard 135mm, allowing him to get closer to the action while staying further away from the field. 🌟 Eagar's photographs have appeared in over 100 cricket books, and he's considered the most significant cricket photographer of the 20th century, having covered more than 325 Test matches. 🎯 During his career, Eagar discovered that the most compelling cricket photos aren't necessarily of the ball hitting the bat, but rather the fraction of a second afterward - when the player's true emotion is revealed.