Football Marathon
My first full week of the 2019 high school and college football season was a grind. I shot 7 games over five days and then shot a session for a high school senior on my 8th day. So, by Labor Day, I was spent. My thumb and index finger on my right hand were sore, which is kind of wimpy, I know. But, considering that I shot probably somewhere in the neighborhood of 9000 images last week its no wonder. But, with physical effects aside, it was an up and down week for me. I am still working to get my replacement Nikon D4 dialed in right. I continued to battle some focus issues throughout the week and I think I finally got it sorted out. My other D4 is still with Nikon and I haven't heard a peep. Luckily, as a member of Nikon Professional Services, I have a loaner D4s to work in place of the broken body. It worked really well on Friday and Saturday.
Position. It's the right place at the right time. In sports photography, you are either there or you are not. This past week I battled a lot of "not." I missed on some great images by not being in the right place. This happens a lot when shooting football especially because of the random outcome of the plays. In the high school game, you can position yourself to get the good stuff by shooting the sideline of the team with the ball. This happens a lot because many coaches like to run plays to their sidelines so that they can see the action. I've learned this over the years, being a statistician first, and now as a sports photographer. In the college game, it's not that easy and tendencies are a big concern. I try to do some film study the week before I shoot a college game and look at formations and situations. I've also learned a lot about the game and where to look for plays depending on down, distance and location of the ball. But, that being said, there are still a lot of situations where I am in the wrong place. It just happens. The holy grail for me is a spectacular hurdle shot. I got a decent one in a scrimmage game recently (see below), but I still haven't got a killer head-on shot of a hurdle. It's alludes me!
So, without further delay, let's go!
My actual start to the 2019 football season was a scrimmage game between defending Arkansas 7A State Champion Bryant and class 5A runner-up Pulaski Academy. Bryant dominated the Bruins with a stingy defense and the arm of Junior quarterback Austin Ledbetter.
NIKON D4 F2.8, 1/1250, ISO 400, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
So, like I said above, I got this hurdle shot and it's nice, but not quite epic.
NIKON D4 F2.8, 1/3200, ISO 220, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
NIKON D4 F2.8, 1/1000, ISO 400, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
Football is a contact sport and here is a good example. Check out the chin strap!
NIKON D4 F2.8, 1/3200, ISO 320, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
Bryant quarterback Austin Ledbetter scrambles into some nice, warm light at Hornet Stadium in Bryant.
NIKON D4 F2.8, 1/1600, ISO 800, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
This has to be one of the best football images I have captured. This shot says everything about the game. Two players, head-to-head going all out.
BUZZ KICKOFF CLASSIC
On Monday, August 26th, I covered the Buzz Kickoff Classic at War Memorial Stadium. I shot two games. Pine Bluff Dollarway vs McClellan in the first game and Des Arc vs England in the second game.
NIKON D4 F2.8, 1/5000, ISO 640, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
I only included this one photo from the first game because to be honest, I was messing with the camera a lot trying to get the focus issue corrected. So, I got this cool backlit image of the McClellan quarterback doing the clap hut with some sweat spray.
NIKON D4 F2.8, 1/1000, ISO 2500, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
A Des Arc running back breaks for a touchdown run against England on Monday night.
BUZZ KICKOFF CLASSIC Part II
On Tuesday, August 27th, I covered the second night of the Buzz Kickoff Classic. West Memphis (white) vs Little Rock Central and Nashville vs Watson Chapel in the second game (shown first below).
NIKON D4 F2.8, 1/1000, ISO 2500, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
Watson Chapel head coach Jared Dutton gets the attention of one of his players.
NIKON D4 F2.8, 1/1000, ISO 2500, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
NIKON D4 F2.8, 1/1000, ISO 2500, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
Shooting across the field into a busy background is not typically a good thing to do. But, when you have a fairly clean background, it works. Nice catch!
NIKON D4 F2.8, 1/3200, ISO 320, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
This sequence of 2 images was my best of the entire week. I was in great position and got a great couple of shots with the defensive back trying to tip and the receiver catching in the next frame.
NIKON D4 F2.8, 1/3200, ISO 320, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
Right place, at the right time.
NIKON D4 F2.8, 1/3200, ISO 320, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
Nice jube shot after the catch above.
NIKON D4 F2.8, 1/3200, ISO 500, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
NIKON D4 F2.8, 1/3200, ISO 100, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
Really nice color and sharpness in this game portrait of the West Memphis quarterback.
Springdale Har-Ber at Pulaski Academy, Thursday, August 29th
NIKON D4 F2.8, 1/1000, ISO 800, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
Always try to grab some cheerleaders jumping or vaulting.
NIKON D4 F2.8, 1/1000, ISO 800, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
Early game tight portrait of the Pulaski Academy quarterback in fading early evening light.
NIKON D4 F2.8, 1/1000, ISO 4000, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
Shooting at PA is a challenge due to their cycling lights. I really liked this image and had to work with it in Lightroom to get the color shift fixed.
NIKON D4 F2.8, 1/1000, ISO 4000, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
Salt Bowl 2019 - Bryant vs Benton, Friday, August 30th
Drama. There always seems to be some sort in this game. This year there was no panic, but there was an hour delay due to thunderstorms in the area.
NIKON D4 F5.6, 1/1000, ISO 640, 14-24 2.8 ZOOM LENS, MANUAL
War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. The majestic old lady waits to be filled during a thunderstorm prior to the 2019 Salt Bowl.
NIKON D4 F2.8, 1/1000, ISO 500, 14-24 2.8 ZOOM LENS, MANUAL
The sky was pretty nice during the National Anthem and held on for the Old Glory and the JROTC to leave the field.
NIKON D4s F2.8, 1/2000, ISO 320, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
Bryant receiver Jake Meadors during warm-ups before playing Benton in the Salt Bowl.
NIKON D4s F2.8, 1/2000 ISO 400, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
Bryant head coach Buck James before the Salt Bowl.
NIKON D4 F2.8, 1/500, ISO 1000, 14-24 2.8 ZOOM LENS, MANUAL
Arkansas radio and tv personality Craig O'Neal tossed the coin.
NIKON D4s F2.8, 1/1000 ISO 1000, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
I struggled a bit on Friday night with position. I did get some tight tackle shots though.
NIKON D4s F2.8, 1/1000 ISO 1000, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
Portland State at Arkansas, Saturday, August 31st
NIKON D4s F2.8, 1/8000, ISO 100, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
Arkansas quarterback Nick Starkel
NIKON D4s F2.8, 1/8000, ISO 200, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
I try to take interesting portraits during pre-game. I found Arkansas defensive coordinator John Chavis watching his players warm up.
NIKON D4s F2.8, 1/8000, ISO 200, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
NIKON D4s F2.8, 1/3200, ISO 200, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
NIKON D4s F2.8, 1/3200, ISO 160, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
NIKON D4s F2.8, 1/2500, ISO 200, 300 2.8 LENS, MANUAL
I got a hurdle. And, some might say it's epic, but I want the player facing me! :)
NIKON D4s F7.1, 1/250, ISO 50, 24-70 2.8 ZOOM LENS, MANUAL
I ended my week shooting a package of Senior photos. I was wore out from the week but this image made it all worth it.
