Thanks!

Wow--what magazine. I've been back in the area since late 1993, but spent the first 10-years in my hometown south of here (Atlanta). My business (non-publication related) kept me in Texarkana about half the time.
Somehow, I bet we crossed paths. (I grew up working at the Atlanta bi-weekly newspaper.)

Thank you!
These were with a Nikon D750, 70-200 VR, ISO 5000, Shutter priority at 1/800, and F-stops ranged from 2.8 to 5.

The D750 doesn't get a lot of regard as a "sports camera" but at 6.5-7 fps I'm happy. The camera's low-light capability means more to me. Faces inside the helmets without a flash--wow.

Hey Tom--good shots. I can relate with the "action on the other side" theme. Welcome to sports, lol. That at least explains the increased DOF in the shots. At first I thought maybe you had the lens set on f/11 or 16. Years ago I got in the habit of spending the first 10-minutes shooting "safety" shots--Obvious shots that don't take a lot of effort, and then the rest of the game shooting for those 2-3 "wow" shots. It takes a lot of anticipation, and some patience. You have the blessing of getting to key on a coupe of youngsters which provides some direction, but then again you're shooting youth sports--nothing is a "given" for sure! Enjoy the games...look forward to seeing more of your shots.

Annual highlight in Texarkana is the Battle for the Axe, a century-old showdown between the city's two largest high schools separated by Stateline Avenue--Texas High and Arkansas High. And, since it was my first game to shoot this season, of course it rained. I used to look forward to "rain games" but artificial turf eliminates the muddy, trench battles we used to get with natural grass. Oh well...

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Yeah—it wasn’t anything like the old Philco radio I took apart in 6th grade.

I’ve got a C-3 parked beside my Spotmatic. An elderly gentleman gave it to me after I shot his daughter’s wedding.

My first “purchased” camera was in 1978— a Vivitar SL 201 complete with a 50/1.4, 28/2.8, and 135/ 2.8–all Vivitar screwmount glass. A local photography store allowed me to pay $100 down, and $50 a month to pay off the $325 purchase. I worked at a bi-weekly newspaper, and the editor encouraged the store owners (brothers) to give this 17-year old credit. I guess it paid off for them—over the years I have bought practically every new camera system, darkroom equip/supplies from them all the way up until my most recent foray into Nikon digital. The store is now operated by the “brothers” sons, but because of our small market the major manufacturers will no longer license them to sell higher-end bodies. I get it, but it was difficult having to purchase elsewhere.

No, I don’t still have the Vivitar. A year later I bought a Pentax Spotmatic F out of the “Brothers” used case (accepted my screw mount lenses), and I promptly disassembled the Vivitar to see how it worked. Yeah, I only did that once...lol.

Oops—Misplaced modifier on my part. I was actually speaking in a “for instance” voice, meaning that the local weekly papers here, Texarkana Tx/Ar area, will trade a pass for photos. I don’t think getting you a pass to this week’s Atlanta (Tx)/Gladewater(Tx) game is going to do you much good—unless you’re up for a road trip, lol.

The actual suggestion was you might want to check with your local papers. My bad for not being more clear. That said, I hope the school finds a way to accommodate you. Personally, if I had a 400/2.8 gathering dust on the shelf I would let you borrow for the rest of the season to give you a better reach.

Blessings shooting this week!

Exactly. Not to pile-on, but players in gyms move in four directions at close range. Every millisecond of focus is needed.

Pfffffffttttttt....lol

The newspaper I grew up working at had a press that dealt horribly with contrast. Diafine and HC-110 yielded negatives with too much contrast—no matter how l manipulated the dilution rates or agitation. Acufine, despite the ping-pong ball grain, gave me the best workable negatives for our production.

Overall good shots. You’re getting good advice on the cropping, and shooting to fill the frame—action, ball, faces.

You are also another of the blessed group here who gets to shoot daylight football. With that your shots should never have motion blur (you can easily shoot at 1/1000, or above), and they should have some daylight brightness which will help your shots “pop.” Jules Karney’s posts are good examples of both of these.

One comment accurately suggested eliminating the background as much as possible. Your best friend for this is a telephoto, 180 and above, shot in the lower f-stop range. Always, always strive to get close.

It takes a lot of practice. You didn’t mention what equipment you’re using—let us know, and we might be able to give you some added suggestions. Some of us learned the techniques we’ve suggested above with fairly basic equipment—no autofocus, no auto exposure, no zooms, no telephotos.

Oh yeah—-enjoy the games from your “front row seat!”

Still available—price has been reduced.

Basically for myself. I own a non-photo related business that prevents me from being available every week. I have a number of contacts at many of the local weekly newspapers, so I pick my own “game of the week,” and trade pics for sideline access.

I cut my teeth 40-yrs ago on Texas HS sidelines—can’t get shooting the Friday night games out of my system. I hope to try and gain Maxpeps affiliation at some point in the future—hopefully soon.

My daughter, and son-in-law just moved to Havasu, so we drove out to see them. Looks as if we’ll gain quite a few frequent flyer miles through the Las Vegas airport—too long of a drive! Beautiful area—hope to fly out in October, and possibly spend a day shooting just north/east of you.

Knowing the restrictions you were under I think you did good. Hopefully you can find your way onto the sideline. I know the small newspapers around here would give you a pass if you promised to share your pics with them. Can’t wait to what you get next week.

Nice shots, Jules!
My first game isn’t until Friday night. Envious you get to shoot in daylight—regardless of 101, or not. It will be at 90-something here by kickoff.

Got to play golf in Lake Havasu City last month; it was 119-degrees that day. Very enjoyable—had the course to ourselves, lol.

Hope we see more Hoggers post HS football this year.