The New Reality...
It would be a bold-faced lie to state that 2020 has been a great year for me in sports photography. That just simply isn't the case. Although I have been able to cover some events, the volume that I am used to just isn't there due to Covid19. It's the new reality that so many of us who do this are facing with the pandemic. Action sports in particular has been hit hard in many areas, with contact sports being canceled, re-scheduled or limited. We still have the fall season ahead and I am not sure yet where that fits into the picture for me. I'm trying really hard not to get into a state of sports photography depression and instead concentrating on the opportunities as they arrive. I'm blessed to be able to do this sports photog life and I want to just be positive about what comes my way.
By this time, in a normal year, I would have covered a bunch of dirt track racing, youth baseball, 7 on 7 football and maybe an airshow. But, due to so many things being canceled, I have only covered one soccer game, baseball, and dirt track racing.
The bright note so far this year has been dirt track racing. It got off to a late start, but I have had the opportunity to shoot several races and will have even more opportunities throughout the remainder of the year.
Here are some of my best dirt track images so far:
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/1000, ISO 200, NIKKOR 70-200 VRII 2.8, MANUAL
I took this image of Arlington, Tennessee driver Brian Bell at I-30 Speedway during a practice day in March before everything shut down. No matter what sport I cover, I try to capture interesting portraits.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/1600, ISO 200, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
This is a turn 4 image at I-30 Speedway taken from the grandstands. I don't shoot this corner from the outside enough!
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/1600, ISO 200, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
Turn 3 at I-30 Speedway from the crow's nest on the back straight. This is a money position at Hammer Hill. This spot gives you the opportunity to shoot two angles and the images are killer.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/3200, ISO 200, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
Turn 2 at I-30 Speedway from the crow's nest on the back straight.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/3200, ISO 200, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
This shot is coming out of turn 2 and onto the back straight at I-30 Speedway from the crow's nest. I tell anyone that asks for pointers or tips about shooting at Hammer Hill to take photos from this location. I don't know how many times I have heard car owners or drivers tell me that these shots are awesome. One owner recently told me that those boring left side shots are old and they needed something different...this spot gives it to you.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/6400, ISO 200, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
Killer shot of Bryant, Arkansas driver Drake Findley, in his Late Model, hammering the cushion into turn 3 at I-30 Speedway. I underexposed this shot to pop the whites against the darker dirt. Turned out nice.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/100, ISO 400, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
I traveled over to West Memphis to cover the USCS at Riverside International Speedway in May. I captured this slow speed pan photo of Hernando, Mississippi driver Brad Bowden. I really like these pan shots. Interesting note about this shot, is that it was taken from across the track via the backside pit stands.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/2500, ISO 200, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
This is an interesting photo in that the car appears to be lit with an off-camera flash. This is actually purposely underexposed and lit via the light pocket coming through the turn 3 pit exit to get the off-camera look.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/4000, ISO 200, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
I really enjoy playing around with backlight. I underexposed this shot for effect.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/250, ISO 800, NIKKOR 70-200 VRII 2.8, MANUAL
A little 3 wide action coming out of turn 4 at Riverside.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/250, ISO 800, NIKKOR 70-200 VRII 2.8, MANUAL
Twelve-year-old Benton, Arkansas driver Landon Crawley, belches some flame coming into turn 3 at Riverside. Landon is a second-generation racer who is following in the footsteps of his famous father, Tim Crawley.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/3200, ISO 200, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr., of Olive Branch, Mississippi, raced with the USCS at Riverside on July 3rd. I've personally known Ricky for many years. Back in 2012, I got the chance to follow him around for a day, as he prepared to race at Texas Motor Speedway in Ft. Worth. He won that night and it was awesome to be there to photograph it. He's a class guy and it's been great to follow his career. I'm hoping to work with him again this year.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/2000, ISO 400, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
Artsy shot of Ricky and his ride. Applied some post to this one in Lightroom.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/2000, ISO 200, NIKKOR 70-200 VRII 2.8, MANUAL
Switched over to my 70-200 VRII and caught Ricky on the gas coming out of turn 4 at Riverside. I didn't use a flash here and probably should have for some pop.
NIKON D4, F5.6, 1/250, ISO 400, NIKKOR 70-200 VRII 2.8, MANUAL
Timing is everything. Froze the flag as Memphis, Tennessee driver Howard Moore celebrates after winning the USCS 360 feature at Riverside on July 3rd.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/6400, ISO 250, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
Once again, playing around with exposure. One of things that seperates good photogs from average or amateurs, is the ability to use and manipulate light. And, not only understanding it, but being able to see it and use the camera to capture it. I've learned this skill through many years of practice.
NIKON D4, F4.5, 1/3200, ISO 640, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
The gift that keeps on giving. This spot will always produce amazing images and I will keep on taking them. I've been criticized by some haters for what I do but despite what they say, my work speaks for itself. I've had images published in newspapers, magazines and hanging on the walls of drivers, owners and fans from this spot. It sells itself.
NIKON D4, F6.3, 1/250, ISO 640, NIKKOR 70-200 VRII 2.8, MANUAL
For me, my love of sprint cars started as a kid back in the 70s at I-30 Speedway. I've always been drawn to open-wheeled race cars. What is most remarkable is the amount of skill it takes to race wheel-to-wheel and clean. This was a good example at a recent race. I have a high level of respect for both of these guys. They put on a great show for us!
NIKON D4, F6.3, 1/250, ISO 640, NIKKOR 70-200 VRII 2.8, MANUAL
I can't say enough about how much getting a Derek Hagar wheelie shot does for my mental well-being. We live in some crazy times right now but man, getting this shot makes me feel like cloud 9!
The final competitive game I shot before everything shutdown was a high school soccer game at Bryant High School.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/1600, ISO 320, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/1600, ISO 200, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/2000, ISO 640, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
A little busy background, but some nice action in this photo.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/5000, ISO 200, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
As I have discussed on here before, one of the free tools in the photogs bag, provided by mother nature, is light pockets. Here is where using an auto setting wouldn't give you the effect you see in this photo. By underexposing the shot, the player pops and that is the result of understanding light and how to manipulate it. Learning this skill makes you a better photographer and gives you the opportunity to produce compelling images.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/1600, ISO 320, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/1000, ISO 640, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
I have not shot muc soccer, and the header is hard to nail down. This is as close as I got this year.
Here are some images I shot from a couple of baseball games in the spring. This was my first weekend of shooting since the pandemic began, so I was a bit rusty!
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/3200, ISO 200, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
Nice portrait of a player waiting to bat. I like this angle on lefties.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/3200, ISO 200, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
Coming down! Snapped the catcher with some intensity as he prepares to throw to second during warm-up.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/3200, ISO 200, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
Nice action going into second base.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/5000, ISO 160, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
It's always interesting to see the faces pitchers make.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/5000, ISO 200, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
Didn't get a really epic slide shot this time.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/3200, ISO 200, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
Sometimes, no action speaks volumes. There is so much intensity in this photo.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/640, ISO 200, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
I always try to capture some nice portraits of players having fun in the dugout.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/5000, ISO 200, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
Symmetry in photos is important. Another aspect of being a good photographer is understanding symmetry and how it applies to your photos. I always challenge people learning sports photography to be very critical of your work. Set high standards for yourself. And, above all, never stop learning!
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/4000, ISO 160, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
I probably could have cropped down tighter on this photo. But, I still think it's nice with the ball about to hit the glove.
NIKON D4, F2.8, 1/800, ISO 200, NIKKOR 300 2.8, MANUAL
The photographer's eyes are our view of the world around us. Always watch and anticipate fun moments!
