STERLING — The roar of the crowd. The instant before the finish line. The emotion that flashes across an athlete’s face in victory or defeat. Sterling College senior Tod Mastin has learned to capture those moments that happen in the blink of an eye – or, more precisely, at 1/1000th of a second. Mastin’s senior photography exhibit, “1/1000th of Glory,” will be on display in the Sterling College Art and Media Gallery from Oct. 10 through Nov. 15.
A Sports Communication major from Oberlin, Mastin is not only an artist behind the camera but also a member of the Sterling College Track and Field team. His dual passions for athletics and art merge in this striking collection that celebrates the beauty, grit, and emotion of sport.
“The title is a play on my camera settings,” Mastin explained. “I usually shoot at 1/1000th or higher because it freezes the moment – the split second where everything might’ve changed.”
Mastin first discovered photography while attending Colby Community College, when a friend encouraged him to pick up a camera.
Since then, he’s been hooked – shooting Sterling College’s athletic events, Art Department showcases, Sterling College Theatre productions and community projects, as well as taking on paid assignments beyond campus.
“Photography gives me a way to express both the physical and emotional sides of sports,” Mastin said. “It’s not just about the action – it’s about the story you can tell in a single frame.”
The images featured in “1/1000th of Glory,” highlight Mastin’s distinctive eye for framing and emotion. “The skill needed to focus through another person in such a short time – it’s really challenging.”
Mastin likes to capture the intensity of an athlete mid-play. “Sometime I shoot through people to get a really emotional picture,” he said.
True to his love of the game, celebration shots remain his favorite. “I love it when you can feel that an athlete did something special on a particular play,” Mastin said. “That’s what I love bringing to my pictures – those moments of pure joy.”
After graduation, Mastin hopes to pursue a career as a Sports Information Director or head of photography at a larger university, continuing to tell the stories of athletes one frame at a time.
The Art Center Gallery is located at 306 West Washington in Sterling is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be open all day Saturday, Oct. 18 for Homecoming. There is no admission charge for the exhibit.
