Tynecastle FC vs Blackburn United
Tynecastle FC vs Blackburn United at Meggetland Stadium. Photo: Louise Anderbjork
On Saturday, October 25th, I was booked as team photographer for Tynecastle FC in their East of Scotland First Division match against Blackburn United. It was Tynecastle’s twelfth league game of the season, played at their home ground, Meggetland Stadium in Edinburgh. With kickoff at 2:30 p.m., I arrived half an hour early to scout the pitch, as it was my first time at Meggetland. The air felt icy, barely above 1°C, so I came layered up with gloves, a hat, and the winter jacket’s debut for the season. As I walked around the arena, I familiarised myself with the surroundings: the large stands on one side, rows of residential houses on the other, and the brilliant canopy of autumn leaves framing the far side of the pitch. It was a perfect, if chilly, setting, but the real challenge of the day would be the sun.
The deeper we move into autumn, the lower the sun sits during afternoon matches. It paints the field in stark contrasts with long shadows, bright highlights, and the constant risk of players appearing backlit. For sports photography, that can be both a gift and a trap. If you position yourself wrong, the players disappear into shadow. Get it right, and you capture that crisp, cinematic glow unique to autumn football. That is why I always walk the venue before kickoff, studying the light and angles to find the best shooting positions. At Meggetland, that meant either working from a spot where the stands blocked the low sun or positioning myself parallel to it, allowing the warm light to skim across the players’ faces without washing them out.
Tynecastle FC vs Blackburn United at Meggetland Stadium. Photo: Louise Anderbjork
As the teams warmed up, I watched their formations and communication, trying to pick up on patterns that might help me anticipate key moments. When the whistle blew, I settled on the stand side of the pitch for the first half. I like having one earbud in for background music to keep rhythm while shooting, but I always keep the other ear open for the sounds of the game so that I can keep up with the calls, the passes, and the crowd reactions that guide me to the right moment.
As anticipated, the light was tricky to work with that day. The combination of strong sun, passing clouds, and deep patches of shade meant that I had to use auto ISO even though I usually prefer to shoot fully manual. It can create more work in post editing, but when the ball moves between light and shadow in an instant, it is the only way to keep pace. The first half was tense and evenly matched, with both teams creating chances but neither reaching the net until the final 5 minutes before halftime when Blackburn broke through and scored a goal. You could sense the disappointment among the home supporters in the stands, although that quickly turned into louder encouragement and determination to regroup for a Tynecastle goal in the second half.
At halftime, I hurried to the catering stall for a coffee, not so much for caffeine as to warm my hands with a hot drink. When the second half came around, I switched to the far side of the pitch, framing the main stand and supporters in the background. I always try to include the crowd in some of my shots because it adds energy and emotion to the images. The banners, scarves, and shared reactions create the sense of atmosphere that defines football on a game day.
Tynecastle FC vs Blackburn United at Meggetland Stadium. Photo: Louise Anderbjork
Fortunately for me, the light has changed during half time. The clouds had opened, revealing a brilliant late afternoon sun that gave the pitch a golden glow. For a photographer, moments like that are a true gift. The colours came alive, the players looked outlined by light, and every frame had that natural vibrancy that barely needs editing. On the field, Tynecastle pushed hard for an equaliser, keeping up the pressure right until the end, but Blackburn’s defence held firm. The match ended 1–0 to the visitors.
After nearly three hours at pitchside, my memory card was full, my hands were freezing, but I knew I had captured some special shots. Back home, with the heating on and another coffee in hand, I started sorting through the images and was very happy with some of the golden shots I had been able to capture in the second half.
Tynecastle FC vs Blackburn United at Meggetland Stadium. Photo: Louise Anderbjork