Softball and Lemons...

As the softball girls that I photograph get older, their game times also get later.  Games that start at 830pm give me about 45 minutes of effective light before the big ball park lights flick on.  The challenge of minimal ambient light, dark backgrounds, fast movement and the harsh overhead flood lights really keep you on your toes.

My philosophy in difficult lighting and weather has always been the same...To borrow an apt cliché, when life serves up lemons, make lemonade.  of course you have to understand your camera to squeeze the most out of those lemons but I really like the use of light here and incorporating the big floodlights into the final product.

Without delving into a world of camera geekdom, the equipment I'm using allows me to push the edge of technology and come up with some pretty creative results.  before the older teams have shied away from team photos with me but this year as the girls I've worked with for at least three years age and their parents have become accustomed to the type of photography I provide, the teams have stuck with me.  As a result, the girls know me and the big camera has been apart of their ball experience for so long that they are instantly themselves.  That I spent my childhood around a team environment allows me to interact and meld into that group setting where teasing equates to admiration and respect.  The results we get are as much a part of their comfort and ease as anything else!

Softball Scenes: The Moment of Action

Over the last few days I've been at the diamond for more hours than I can count.  Softball is a game of intense action followed by periods of inaction.  My job is to capture those split second rushes; the moment the pitcher releases the ball; the point of impact of the bat; the slide home; and the catch...  I've put together a series of bar images that capture all of these.  They are crops from larger images that I hope sell well when parents get to feast their eyes on the whole gallery.  Hope you enjoy the artistic take on Softball...

Those young ladies can really whip that ball in there.  This particular team is undefeated in league play this year and their pitching plays a big role in that success...

Their catchers stand tall behind the plate putting that glove to great use...Any coach will tell you a good offence starts with a solid defence.

Focusing on the pitch in the on deck circle.  they sit there and read the pitcher, time their swing as if they were at bat and mentally prepare for their opportunity to face the opposition...

I watched this team run through the line up three times in the third inning.  Hit after hit after hit after hit kept me busy behind the lens...

This girl was absolutely amazing at bunting.  Without fail she advanced the runner and laid down a few that allowed her to speed her way to first...

Catch 22 - When Art and Sports Photography Collide

Tonight was the first night of shooting softball for me this season.  For some girls with the Waterloo Minor Girls Softball Association, this is the fourth year I will be their team photographer.  It's been fun watching these young girls grow and become really solid ball players...

I love to shoot that which is a bit more abstract.  Not surprisingly, most people don't want an abstract photo of their daughter playing ball and I can't blame them.  They want a great action photo of their child hammering a pitch to the outfield or sliding into home.  My solution to this problem is to try to do both.  Because the abstract can help accentuate the literal.

The benefit of having worked with the WMGSA is they are willing, in fact encouraging of a more creative approach to sports photography.  They, too, are sick of the rapid-fire-point-and-click-school-photo-day photography that is all too common in this business.  I count myself as very fortunate to have clients who appreciate the creative art of photography and look forward to what this year brings.  Thanks!

A few more of Cindy and Jay

It seems everyone really enjoyed the first batch of photos, so I thought I would throw a few more up there for everyone to enjoy a bit more of their day.

Jay and Cindy

Yesterday I was in Niagara to capture a very special wedding. Cindy and Jay have been together for 16 years and just last year they got engaged. The two have long eschewed the big splash and the large gatherings. Their wedding was no different. They decided to jet off to Niagara. They had a second couple join them and act as a witness and asked if I'd make the trek from Waterloo to document their day. Aside from a co-worker of Cindy who had to prepare the bank draft for their ceremony, only those in Niagara knew the purpose of their journey. I've done more than a few weddings now and they all have their own charm, but this wedding was special. It was perfect, it suited their personalities and the smiles that adorned their faces from the moment I met them Saturday night until the final glass of Champaign Sunday was so charming.

This story has a personal connection. From here on I'm going to add a bit more detail and allow those who read to get to know me a little more through my posts...

I've known Cindy for more than 18 years. Her younger brother and I were the best of friends when they lived up the hill from my family in Rothesay, New Brunswick. A few years later, Jason started coming around. We were a lot younger but Jason and Cindy always treated us like we were essentially their age. As we all aged, geography separated us. One day in the fall of third year in a bar in St. Andrews, NB I ran into Mike, whose band was playing there (tiny little St. Andrews of all the places...). Mike and I got back in touch that year as best as email would allow. Two years later I left for Korea and began mass emailing everyone about the adventure. Mike forwarded the email on to Jason, who by now had become quite a web developer and he suggested I start blogging. before blogger and wordpress and the myriad of other free options, Jason created a lovely blog that allowed me keep an online journal of the adventure. Since then Jay and I have worked on a number of other web projects for my clients and share both of us share a passion for photography. 18 years later, the relationship is as strong as it ever has been and it was an honour to be part of their wedding.

The couple is now in Toronto for a few days and then off to the beautiful West Coast of Canada. I look forward to seeing them when I'm in Halifax next month.

Claire & The Swing

I have been shooting Claire since before she was born. Jessica wanted photos of her every three months. Down the road, I'm going to upload a little storyboard of those photos. For this post though, I thought I would feature Claire on the swings...she has always loved going back and forth on the swing and now she thinks she's a little adult and always wants to get on the big swing. Jess is precious with her, always allowing her to experience and satisfy the curious mind of an 18month old. It's lovely to watch the two of them and my job is to stand back and capture the memories...

J and Shai

I traveled to Milton on Sunday to shoot J and Shai. J is one of my closest friends, we work out together often and I do some graphic design for his new hair salon in Hamilton - Trade Secrets Hamilton PC. J's Girlfriend, Shai is 8 months pregnant and Sunday I did a shoot with them. Here are the photos...