Extraordinary Stadium Glow
Veteran AP Photographer Reed Hoffmann Captures Unique Smartphone-Lit World Cup Stadium Photo
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A sea of glowing smartphone screens turned a World Cup stadium into something extraordinary — and Associated Press photographer Reed Hoffmann was there to capture it. Winnipeg Free Press reported that Hoffmann snapped the image during halftime of the Colombia vs. Ghana match, when fans lit up their phones during a light show, transforming the packed arena into a galaxy of tiny lights.
Hoffmann, a freelance AP photographer, has covered the World Cup for more than 25 years. He also shoots breaking news and major sporting events, including games for the Kansas City Chiefs. But this halftime moment stands out as one of his most striking captures.
How Hoffmann Got the Perfect Stadium Shot
Hoffmann was stationed in what he called the "tribune" area of the stadium — an elevated position giving him a sweeping view of the crowd. BDT Online reported that this vantage point was key. From there, he could see the full spread of glowing phones across the stands.
He came prepared with two cameras. One had a telephoto lens to zoom in close. The other had a wide-angle lens to capture the full scene. He switched between them as the lighting changed. That flexibility let him adapt fast and lock in the shot at just the right moment.
Smartphones Replace Lighters in Modern Stadiums
Fans once held up cigarette lighters at concerts and big events. Now, smartphones have taken their place. During the halftime light show, tens of thousands of fans raised their phones at once. The result was a wall of white light rippling across the stadium bowl — a modern spectacle that older cameras would have struggled to capture cleanly.
The image works because of contrast. The stadium itself was dim. The phones were bright. That gap between dark and light is what made the photo pop. Hoffmann's experience helped him expose the shot correctly — not too bright, not too dark — so every glowing screen shows up clearly.
25 Years Behind the Lens at the World Cup
Hoffmann has shot World Cup matches for over a quarter century, according to Yahoo Sports. That kind of experience means he knows when to stay patient and when to press the shutter. Most photographers would focus on the action on the pitch. Hoffmann kept his eye on the crowd.
Beyond soccer, he covers the Kansas City Chiefs and breaking news across the country for the AP. His work appears in newsrooms worldwide. The Colombia-Ghana stadium photo is a reminder that some of the best sports images happen away from the ball — in the stands, in the moment, in the light.
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