Finally got my web site and it has been up for a few weeks now. It is a work in progress and will be for some time to come.

 

    In other news the Spokane Indians are doing awesome. They won the first half of the Northwest League and are heading secured a playoff spot.

    Thats all for now! Short and sweat and to the point.....

On Wednesday June 23rd I had the chance to photograph Doubles Womens Beach Volleyball at the Northern Quest Casino in Airway Heights. It was the first time that I know of that a professional beach volleyball event had been held in the Inland Northwest. 

I had a blast taking on this assignment for other reasons besides photographing good looking ladies. For once I was the official photographer and had access that others did not have. Furthermore, it was fun just talking with the video journalist and production staff. But the best part is that I got some great portfolio shots of anther sport besides the norm!

I keep trying to figure out how he still has his knuckles are still in one piece! The ball has to be no more then a few inches off the ground but yet the throws for strikes. All I can say is that hes got talent.

Meet Jurickson Profar. He is a 17 year-old out of Willemstad, Curacao. I know it has only been two games with the Spokane Indians but he seems to have a good head on his shoulders. He is defiantly someone you should come out to the ballpark to see. You always hear in the minors about seeing tomorrows stars today. Well in Profar case it just might be true!

New Lens of Choice

For the longest time I swore that the Nikon 80-200 2.8 lens was my favorite lens but that has changed. It is now the Nikon 300mm 2.8. It is soooo sweat! It is sharp even at 2.8. I will be using this lens more and more. I guess Rajah was right about picking up one of these lenses. It has really help to clean up my photos. I cannot wait until Indian baseball to really see what I can do with this lens.

Zags Basketball

I know it has been awhile since my last post so I though I would throw up some images from the last couple Gonzaga basketball games. To update you I have teamed up with Icon Sports Media and they have been able to get me into the games. How it works is Icon SMI gets me into the game and then after a sale of an image we split it 50/50. I only wish I had found out about them sooner so I could have gotten into more games. Well I guess there’s always next year!

The next two photos demonstrate that the Zags began to have fun in the last games of the regular season. They were dunking the ball all often as they could. I only wish I could have gone to more important games.

The thing I like the most in this photo (below) is number 5 Austin Daye’s eyes. He is so focused on the rim. I doubt he even knew that the defense was closing around him.

For this photo I thought it should be named “get that out of here.” The last three home games the Zags played the lesser teams in there division.

I really like this shot! It shows how teammates can come together and how hard it are when they are seniors with the season coming to an end.

This last photo was shot with my new 300mm 2.8 lens. I have not had much opportunity to use it so I thought I would bring it with me for a couple of these games. I was glad I did, I LOVE THIS LENS.

Griz Cat game 2008

This photo was taken during the 2008 Griz-Cat game in Missoula Mont. It was one of the greatest feelings being back on the sidelines of a Griz game and seeing all the other photographers there. The game was intense, like always. Being on the sideline of any sports game is intoxicating for me - the ultimate high. The best way to explain it would be to say it is my extreme job that you can never get enough of.

In the photo Griz wide receiver Marc Mariani, left, makes the catch for a touchdown. This is a great example of what I am talking about. You watch the play unfold in front of you and hope you have the right position and angle. You shoot and pray you got the shot and then review the photo. After you see the photo you either are excited or wait for the next play. In this case, I noticed Mariani line up and I knew where the play was going. I followed him down the sideline and shot. This is the photo from that play.

I find it very annoying that it seems that most photographers think that sports photographers just go out and shoot hundreds of shots and hope. While there is hope there is also knowledge of the game, the team, the players, and the coaches. You learn about the team and their habits and you end up with more impact in a photo. You DO NOT go out and Rambo shoot.

In the end it was great being back in Missoula and shooting a Griz game. I hope I am able to do this ever year. I guess since this is where I got my first true assignment, Griz stadium will always have a place in my heart. Only thing to say now is “GO GRIZ” and I hope to be there next season!