Throwing It Down

Photo of the Day

I have shot many Purdue Basketball games over the years. Thousands of pictures have been posted from inside of the building. Last night though was my first time shooting from the baseline. All of my other shots have come from the stands including many from what was once called section 101. I have shot enough football from the sidelines to know that it is no big deal. When I started shooting Purdue Football it really came easy to me. I have shot virtually no basketball from somewhere other than the stands. I actually had some nerves heading into Mackey Arena last night. The first half was really spent getting into the groove of shooting basketball again. It is an exhibition game for the team, but photographers also need to get into the flow as well. Once the second half started I found myself in a position that I wanted with two cameras running. I had my 60D with the 24-70mm on it in my hand, and my old Rebel with my 10-20mm lens on it on the floor. I had my Pocket Wizard system running allowing me to shoot both cameras at once. Early in the second half Rapheal Davis stole the ball, and came right at me. Actually I think he stole the ball as I was chimping my screen from an earlier picture. I heard the crowd and looked up to see him getting ready to dunk. I threw up my camera and pointed it at him. Luckily I had him in my sights as I hit the focus button. Both cameras fired giving me a unique angle of the dunk. It was a shot that got me going, and I had a great second half shooting. I still have a long way to go with my sports photography, but I feel as if I have already come a long way as well.

Here is a link to a few more pictures that I liked from the night. It was a blast shooting from the floor, and I hope that I can do it again soon.

Technical Data

Most of the technical data was above. The system that made it all possible was my Pocket Wizards. I like the shot from my 60D much more than the shot from the Rebel. I do love some of the remote shots though. It seems funny calling it a remote since it was at my feet, but this is the technical section after all. I did some minor touch ups in Lightroom before posting both of these pictures here. I had a blast shooting tonight in Mackey, and both of these images will make it a night to remember.