Just Missed...

I just missed, Brian Elkins nailed it! I had been hoping to get a shot of a blocked punt this year, so I had been positioning myself to get this particular angle when the opposing team would punt. But we never broke though for a block. Until, on this night against Seneca everything came together. Almost. I got set up and watched through my lens as Brian came around the end untouched. In my head I was telling myself "wait for it, wait for it". I didn't want to shoot too soon or too late. Well, as you can plainly see I got too anxious and shot just a fraction of a second too soon. Brian did his job and blocked the punt, but I missed my opportunity to immortalize his great effort.
Maybe next time.

It's Hoopin' time

Its time to move indoors and enjoy the warmth and comfort of the hardwood haven. I had a chance to see the Wildcats play Blue Eye the other night. (see photos here). It was a very exciting game, see the recap by George Ulmer here. BTW, George is an excellent local sports writer, I highly recommend checking him out in the Cassville Democrat sports pages and online at the link provided.

Shooting basketball is a little challenging at times. I generally have floor access so I can sit near the baseline at either end of the court. I love shooting from down low because, as you can see in the above photo, it makes for better angles. This shot has Junior Guard Kelby Haynes flying in to make a spectacular layup against the Bulldogs. Sitting on the floor creates a lot of opportunities for me to get stepped on and get really cool photos of referees "best side"(you wouldn't believe how many of those I have to delete). Any way I love shooting from there and it gives me the best seat in the house to see these guys do their thing.

One more point before I move on, in the above photo the crowd in the background is a little thin. This is my invitation for you to come see these guys play. We don't have any tall giants on the team so they run alot and it makes for some very exciting basketball. Come on out!

Later

Eye on the ball

Normally I don't spend much time shooting opposing teams. This was taken during a Mighty Mite football game at Aurora. I was shooting the Wildcat defenders and looked toward the endzone and this guy was so wide open that I couldn't help but swing my camera his way. Sometimes the timing of a shot is just luck. (More on that in later posts).

The real story of this photo evolved three weeks later. Feeling that this was a photo that a mother needed to have, I printed a 4x6 and put a copy of it on a cd and waited. When Aurora came to town to play I searched the visiting fans for someone who might be his mother. I had worried for 3 weeks that I may not be able to find her. Sure enough a lady wearing a #80 jersey was spotted. My wife and I walked around the track and I presented it to her. Her emotion caught me off guard. She began to tear up and then I started to tear up and my wife started sniffling. She was very happy to have recieved it.

The moment magnified part of my reasoning for doing what I do. I didn't get or want any money for this photo, I just wanted her and her son to be able to remember that amazing catch for years to come. A lot of times in business there are more important things than money.

Bring it on...

There are times when a photo just seems to come together. This one was taken during the Monett game, I had set myself up in the endzone hoping for an Elkins sweep around my side. After the snap here came Guard Nick Pianalto (50), RB Jared Bouzek (29), Fullback Danny Naugle (33), followed by Brian Elkins.

I love this shot because to me it shows perfect execution of the pulling guard and 2 blocking backs just looking for someone to plow over. The result of this play was about a 10 yard walk into the endzone for Elkins. These 3 had blown away anyone in the path. As you can see the Monett defender is less than excited about the prospect of 3 huge blockers coming his way.

This was one of my favorites this season, I really liked the way the composition of it turned out, also the way the white jerseys "pop" off the black background.

More photos from the Monett vs Cassville game can be seen here.