Man, I can't believe it is already over. I've been crazy busy the last weeks and my blog has been taken a hit on updates. I hope to update more and more and do some posts on what I've done over the past few months as well.

I really enjoyed shooting this year. I was able to actually get paid to do something I love to do. Working with the newspaper allowed me to be focused on certain aspects of the game and allowed me to grow as a photographer and dare I say journalist.

Lessons I learned.

As the weeks went on I was able to practice different techniques and work to get unique shots. One of the things I learned very quickly is that I need two bodies. It seemed to always be that the lens I needed for the shot was always the one that wasn't attached. (Murphy's law right???) However I did use this setback to challenge myself to get what I could with what I had. Learning the quarterback and coaches tendencies to position myself in the best spot possible.

I seemed to make some good friends out there as well. You usually see the same photographers out there and I felt we had a really good culture and atmosphere out there where we were always rooting for each other. I will miss that as you don't really see that for the other upcoming sports.

Another lesson I learned is the need to get as close as you can, and then get closer. I've always known this, but as I look back at my photos, I wished I had longer glass to get in closer. I had looked into rented a 300 2.8 or 400 2.8, but the price was a bit much and the timing didn't work out. But I will definitely need to do this for next year.

On to the photos...

These are not in any particular order and while some are not technically a good sports shot, I still like them. Typically for it to be a considered a good sports photo you need peak action, one or two feet off the ground, the ball, and their face. Again in the world of sports it is very hard to get these, especially under the yucky lighting conditions of a high school football field, but that is what you strive for.

MHS Senior Giovanni Smith

Great expression, low angle, what's not to love?

MHS Senior Colby Baca and Johnny Johnson on a tackle

I don't know why I like this photo so much. It's a good close up shot which helps blur out the background and makes it pop.

MHS Cheerleader flipping out

Often overlooked is all the other things that go on during the game. I loved the symmetry of the shot and again peak action, right in the middle of the flip.

MHS Senior Elisha Donaldson

I like the wider angle on this one. You can see more of the field and players along with it being the peak action of the catch. I do with I could see his face though.

Mountain Pointe Frank Matchinsky

I was able to cover the Awatukee Bowl and loved this catch and how they both are in the air.

Desert Vista TJ Roberts

I loved the expression on this photo.

Mountain Pointe Senior Brandyn Leonard

What I think really makes this photo is the background, filled with fans. It is very challenging to get good backgrounds.

MHS Defenders

Talk about low angle, I was laying down and they were right at the endzone. Helps clean up the background and makes them look huge!

MHS Kenny Gay with a sack

Peak action and the look on the QBs face.

MHS Aaron Owens

He was such a wiry QB. Great expression.

MHS Nikolai White

I wish I had more celebration shots, but this one really takes the cake.

MHS Kameron Jones

Is he going to get it???

MHS Senior Elisha Donaldson

Great peak action here, I just with I was lower...

MHS Senior Damien Mitchell

AZ usually brings great sunsets, one of my favorite "non action shots"

MHS Senior Elisha Donaldson

I love how he is looking back at the defenders trailing.

MHS Junior Johnny Johnson

Expression, angle, and touchdown.

MHS Junior Johnny Johnson

Both feet up in the air, face, and ball. Check mate.

MHS Junior Johnny Johnson

I like the defender trying to grab the foot and the other defenders behind him. Good lines.

MHS Senior Giovanni Smith

Interception, big air, towel waving, and the receiver's "aww no!" look"

MHS Senior Elisha Donaldson

Even though he is out of bounds, I love the angle of the leg and the head on approach.

MHS Senior Colby Baca

I love how stretched out he is for this interception.

MHS Senior Elisha Donaldson

Ball right in his hands. Legs up. Low angle.

MHS Senior Elisha Donaldson

Probably one of my favorite shots this season and it was from the first game...

MHS Isaac Pickett

I love the ball flying in the air and you can almost feel the hurt.

MHS Scrimmage

Fun with fisheyes and starbursts.

Football season is such a fun time. However, I am glad to have my Fridays and Saturday mornings free for the time being, at least this week, I'm sure by next week I will be wanting to get back on that grass. Next season is basketball and I am looking forward to capturing some indoor action and also have some cool stuff coming up as well that I just can speak about yet... Until next time, thanks for reading!