The Week That Was In Sports

This was another busy week of sports. So busy in fact that I will include last nights football game in next weeks post. Everyone likes reading about events that happened over a week before right? This week I covered Purdue on Saturday, two high school soccer matches, and one high school flag football game. I have been having some fun covering sports, but this coming week things will get a little lighter. A small break is never a bad thing to recharge a bit.

Another Wide Photo Of Ross Ade

I had my wide angle lens with me for the first half of the Purdue game last week with the idea of making a sunset photo. There were enough clouds in the sky that I was hoping for something awesome at sunset. That sunset never happened. As I was walking out to find my place for the runout I saw this patch of sun hitting some seats. I decided to walk up there to try out a photo. I liked a lot of the elements from that spot. You had the Tiller sign in the lower corner. The team would run out into the frame and the rest of the stadium would keep you in the frame. It was composed thinking about keeping the viewer in the frame. For the last couple of years I have tried to find new ways to photograph this moment of the game. I am sort of ashamed that it took me this long to find this spot. It might have been the perfect runout spot. This might just go on my wall. You can put it on your wall too by clicking on the photo and buying a print.

Always Thinking Of Tyler

Before the team came out together Ethan Trent was standing in the tunnel in thought. I wondered if his brother was on his mind. Tyler Trent would have turned 27 last weekend. We only had him for a short period of time at Purdue, but Tyler left his mark in a short period of time. He was a huge Purdue football fan, and he would have loved to see his brother suit up for the old gold and black.

Almost!

This was almost the second great one handed grab in two weeks by Arhmad Branch. He had a defender all over him, and still nearly pulled the pass in. He did draw the pass interference and set up a Purdue touchdown in doing so. It made for a nice photo though.

Guess Who!

An underthrown ball was nearly picked off by the Southern Illinois linebacker, but running back Devin Mockobee made a nice play to strip the ball from him. For a split second though it seemed like he was trying to see if the linebacker could guess who he was. I made this photo and the one above of the near one handed catch within a few minutes of each other. It was a good first quarter for me for sure.

Using The Moon

This game was played on the day before the full moon. That is usually the best day to photograph the moon. I had an idea to make a photo of it just as it was rising from high up in the stadium, but some clouds ruined my plans. It did pop out of the clouds, and I started scrambling on the field to come up with an idea to work it into a photo. I found a couple of guys on the top level of the stands that were standing up and in the path of the moon. I was hoping to miss a touchdown on the field to get the signal from up top. I was happy with this signal though. It was not my original idea, but a good backup idea.

Full Circle

It is always fun to see local kids doing good. Purdue sophomore Audrey Circle has been twirling around here for a while now. I first photographed her at Harrison twirling fire in the parking lot practicing for her time on the field doing it. Last year as a Purdue freshman she was a silver twin, and this year she is the girl in black. She is great at what she does, and it is always cool to see someone from the school down the road having success at another school down the road.

Chasing Light

Monday night I went to the West Side soccer game just thinking about the light. I shot backlit for most of the match with that in mind. With the game starting a little later I didn’t have as long with the light as I would have liked. For some reason photos of this team don’t get many views and or purchases though so I feel a little freer just trying for the photo that I have in mind. When there is no pressure to make photos of everyone you can sit on a certain photo that you have in mind a little longer.

The Close Plays

Wednesday night I went out to Harrison to see the flag football team again. They did not win the game, but they were still fun to watch. A play like this one in the end zone that could have gone either way could have helped them. This was one of my favorite photos of the game because it shows you just how close you can be to a touchdown at times.

A Hard Fought Game

This was only my second flag football game, but it was the most physical game by far. These were two rivals who did not want to give in to the other one. The play above is a good example of the physicality of the game.

Chasing The Light

During the warm ups for the Harrison soccer game on Thursday night I was just chasing the light. I knew that it wouldn’t last long so I was trying to find a way to use it. I felt like I was making okay photos, but nothing great until I figured it out. I would just silhouette the player and let the sun be the star of the photo.

The Heat Of Battle

This is a heated rivalry. Maybe more so since Jeff voted Harrison out of their last conference. I love to make a photo that shows just how tough the game was. It was a 2-0 win by Harrison, but every goal was fought for. Here both players are off balance but still fighting to make the play.

JV For The Win

I love this photo of the celebration after the final goal of the JV match. The goal ended the game by mercy, and was my best celebration photo of the night. I am glad that I got there a little early to make some photos.

Make The Photo

I sat in a certain spot to start the first half to get the most sunlight that I could to backlight the players. I had a zone that I thought would be good for a celebration, and if I got lucky enough a throw in. I got my throw in, but for the other team. I still liked the light so I made the photo.

More Photos From The Week

Like usual I have a few extra photos that I liked from the week. I have been really feeling good about my sports photography lately. Things are just clicking. It helps that I am photographing a lot of sports again. The more that I do the better that I feel usually. When I played sports I always played better after I got a little sweat going. That is how I have felt with sports photography lately. I have been out there putting in the work so that the results could start to come.