From school athletics meets to World Championships, Fred Etter has built a reputation for capturing far more than the finish line. As Inside Athletics’ accredited photographer in Glasgow, he will bring readers closer to the action—and the personal stories behind Australia’s Commonwealth Games campaign.
How did you first get into photography, and when did athletics become a major focus of your work?
It feels like a long time ago, but back in the 1980s, when I was a young sprinter, I came across an article in the Sydney Morning Herald by Jim Webster. It was published as a prelude to that year’s NSW State Championships at E.S Marks and featured a photo of me racing against Grant McAuliff, the NSW 400m champion. It took me many years to track down that photo and purchase a copy from News Corp. To this day, it is the only photo I have from many years of involvement in athletics.
Many years later, when my son was competing in school swimming and athletics meets, I realised he also would have no images of his triumphs unless I captured them. Waverley College, back in the day, was a dominant force in schoolboy swimming and athletics, so I found myself photographing a wide range of sports for the college’s annual reports.
Nowadays, I try to capture those same moments for today’s up-and-coming young athletes so they also have a memory to look back on – it’s my way of giving back to the sport that gave me so much.
What is your own background in athletics, and how has that influenced the way you photograph the sport?
Waverley College had an outstanding athletics program in the 1970s, and I was fortunate to be a part of it. During that time, Waverley achieved an impressive ten-year winning streak in the CAS athletics competition. I was a member of several record-breaking relay teams and competed in both the 100m and 200m sprints.
After high school, I competed for the Sydney-based Eastern Suburbs Club, which is sadly no longer active, and I represented NSW at the Australian Championships in the 100m and 200m events.
My approach to photography has been strongly influenced by biomechanics. I strive to capture the essence of movement in my work. I have been fortunate to know and collaborate with a number of outstanding coaches, and I often communicate what I observe through my lens.
You’ve photographed athletics at many levels. What major competitions have you covered, and is there one that particularly stands out?
I had the opportunity to work with Athletics Australia at the 2023 Budapest World Championships and with Athletics New Zealand at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst.
Additionally, I worked with Triathlon Australia, capturing images of para-athletes at last year’s World Triathlon Championship Final in Wollongong. While heading to Glasgow this year, I received accreditation to photograph the London Diamond League, so I hope to include more of these in next year’s overseas program.
What makes athletics different—or especially challenging—to photograph compared with other sports?
Capturing the essence of any sport through photography is a challenge. A pivotal moment occurs only once, and if you miss it, it’s gone forever. Having the best seat in the house is a definite advantage, but I often find myself asking those around me who won because I’m so focused on whom I’m photographing.
In general, most athletic meets will have multiple events happening simultaneously in different parts of the stadium, each with its own lighting issue and a different problem to solve. Some events are completed in less than 10 seconds; others, like the decathlon, take two days.
Are there particular events, athletes or moments that you most enjoy photographing, and what makes them so visually compelling?
It is often said that it’s not about the destination but about the journey. Many athletes are focused on the upcoming 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. However, I have been fortunate to witness their journey over many years. At times, they overlook the important moments happening right in front of them. I’m going to these games to capture an athlete’s story in a single frame.
For me, it’s not about the athlete winning; it’s about the milestone they have achieved, often something quite personal to them and a story that no one will understand or know.
I find immense joy in promoting the sport and being part of the experience. The moments I capture with my long telephoto lens, such as the determination in athletes’ eyes, their strength, and unwavering desire, never cease to amaze me. It’s especially rewarding when an athlete or coach can use my photos to analyse specific movements or techniques.
In Glasgow, I am excited to capture the highs and exhilarating moments, as well as times for reflection. I look forward to continuing to help convey athletes’ stories on an international stage. Ultimately, a medal table does not always accurately reflect what constitutes a successful competition for most athletes. To me, they are all superstars.
