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02/03/2007 01:39:00 PM · #1 |
Realizing Your Dreams - Part 2
[continued from Part 1]
Ok, I had my go-ahead and credentials for shooting a photo essay on "The Executive Treatment at UVa's new John Paul Jones Arena." Now, all I had to do was get the job done.
I've been lucky enough to handle enough assignments that this was not too daunting of a task. It did present some challenges, though, because I was going to be covering a LOT of territory in only one night. Most photographers are there to do only one thing: cover the game and the aftermath. If the University needed marketing work done, they would have one or more photographers to shoot just the marketing imagery. I was definitely going to get a workout.
As I mentioned before, it had been a lifelong dream of mine to shoot an ACC basketball game, ever since I saw those photos that my aunt's friend had taken at Duke. I know other opportunities will come, but I wanted to make absolutely certain that I nailed this first one. Even though I was going to be a complete unknown, I wanted to make damn sure my work would stand up with the shooters from the AP, Sports Illustrated, Getty, and all the other pros that would be there.
Unlike other venues, where there is a lot of room to move around, in these arenas, the real estate on the baseline is very limited. In fact, they have painted boxes (36 of them, 9 on each side of the basket), and those are the only places you can shoot from. Considering that the local news stations are going to take up over a quarter of the slots, that makes having the credential all that more valuable--definitely not something to waste.
So, starting the week before the game, I resolved to get as much practice in as possible. I shot basketball like a madman. I made sure to shoot a couple high school games, just because it takes so much effort to get a decent shot. Obviously, there are differences in the lighting in a gym versus a state-of-the-art arena; also, the level of play is so much more developed. I figured that if I could produce top-notch work in these conditions, I'd be that much closer to being able to produce in optimal conditions.
I managed to get in a few college games, as well. Some of them were in a decently lit small college gym. It is a place I shoot regularly, so I was comfortable with the effort it takes to get a good shot there. It's not automatic, and the practice was definitely worth it.
I also managed to get credentials for the William & Mary - VCU game at VCU's Siegle Center, which is considered by many to be one of the best lit venues around. It was extremely important to me to get this game in, for two reasons: it would most closely approximate the shooting conditions I'd find at UVa, and, there would be other professional photographers there shooting for publication (which would give me examples to benchmark my results against).
All in all, I shot six games and over 3500 frames of basketball in the past week, preparing for this one assignment. It was a lot of work, a lot of hours, a lot of fun, and absolutely necessary. I cannot begin to imagine how badly things would have been had I not put in the practice.
This is true, regardless of what dream you are pursuing. One of the many things I taken from my dad is his definition of luck: when preparation meets opportunity. You never know when you're going to have a chance, but if you aren't ready, it won't matter.
[to be continued...]
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Practice, practice, practice. These are some of the 3500+ images I shot preparing for my "dream" assignment, an ACC basketball game.
  
Message edited by author 2007-02-03 15:19:09. |
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02/03/2007 01:43:37 PM · #2 |
| Skip, I would love to see you submit these articles to one of the photography mags......they are fascinating, encouraging......a great read!! Thank you!!! |
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02/03/2007 01:49:02 PM · #3 |
very good and very encouraging. I like that third shot you posted the feel of the players bearing down.
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02/03/2007 01:51:08 PM · #4 |
Its been inspiring watching you work hard and progress...must be extremely satisfying..
Congratulations, and Thanks for always being an inspiration here! |
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02/03/2007 02:00:37 PM · #5 |
| I have watched DPC for over a year and just now ventuting into taking part. Reading your articles and others has really made a change in my outlook about what and how I do things. Great work. Keep it up. |
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02/03/2007 02:04:44 PM · #6 |
Thanks for posting this, Skip. Inspirational, and a great read as usual! Congrats!
:-)
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