Whenever I take pictures at basketball games, I try to get as close to the action as possible.
However, I saw a different story here so I wanted to show you guys the whole gym.
I’m at the first home game for the Norfolk State Lady Spartans.
250 people.
That’s the max capacity allowed in Joe Echols hall on this warm Sunday evening.
The only sound we can hear is the fake crowd noise coming from the sound system.
Have you ever heard crowd noise when the home team is shooting a free throw?
Not only was this game odd because there were less than 100 people present, but I also had to take pictures from the stands.
The NCAA has a rule where only two photographers can be on the baseline at one time.
I was the third.
At first, being told that I couldn’t take pictures from the usual spot was frustrating.
But after a while, I started to become grateful.
It had been over eight months since I took photos at a meaningful sporting event.
Being present at this game with all of its social distancing and Covid-19 protocols was not only a blessing to get back to doing what I love, but it was a memorable opportunity to try something new.
Don’t ever let someone tell you that you need all of the best gear to take sports pictures. People will say you need the newest version of the 70-200mm 2.8 and the newest full frame DSLR or Mirrorless.
I didn’t have anything close to that and yet this is my first time taking sports pictures with my own gear.
I had an 8 year old Canon T3i that I “stole” from my sister in law and a “nifty 50” that I purchased for $120.
It was my best friend at the time.
Most would roll their eyes at this set-up.
Especially for sports.
However, the fact that I had the most primitive gear helped build my skills as a photographer.
I wasn’t relying on the fanciest technology to get the best picture.
I had to know what I was doing and fail a bit before I came out with a few worthwhile pictures.
One of my co-workers has a football team named the “Pedigree Dawgs” and I asked him if I could take pictures of one of his practices.
At first I was nervous, but soon I started having fun and these are the results.
How cool is it that I have the pictures to look back at while seeing the growth I’ve had over my photography journey.
It’s a constant reminder to keep taking pictures because that’s the only way you get better.
I was invited to his birthday celebration where we would eat his favorite foods. For weeks he had been saying all he wanted to eat were salmon patties and rice and broccoli.
Oh and of course he wanted cake
Isiah is such a great kid and he is loved by his mom and his gigi, his god parents and friends.
So happy to capture these moments.
Happy Birthday Isaiah. Can’t wait to capture many more!
