A short Cricketing photo story... of sorts...

[gmen]

One of the overseas players at a local club has been 'hitting' the headlines recently through some hefty run-scoring. He hit 154 last week out of a winning total of 215 in (I believe) 20.2 overs!

Fortunately a (fleeting) chance arose this afternoon to capture him in action. Sadly not enough time to explore a 'proper' photo story... but a chance to capture this profilic batsman in action nonetheless.

Warming up with a beautifully cut four through point in the second over...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/manga002.jpg

Hoisting one over deep mid wicket for six...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/manga003.jpg

...and (as the batsman and wicket-keeper follow the ball's trajectory) over the roof of the pavilion and into the car park...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/manga004.jpg

Giving some advice to his fellow opener...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/manga001.jpg

Over-ambition then led to the odd wild swipe...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/manga005.jpg

Soon afterwards, he removed his helmet following a bowling change, played down the wrong line and was skittled for 30-odd...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/manga006.jpg

...leaving just two stumps standing as he headed for an early shower ;)...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/manga007.jpg

Cheers!

---- Gavin

[Spearin]

Impeccable, as always :)

[steve_20d]

Gotta say it but every shot is fantastic,11/10.Do you or have you ever thought about doing sports photography for magazines,with images like theres i dont think youve got much competition.Good work

[gsgary]

Fantastic again Gavin, i hope to get some good shots this next week as Derbyshire are returning to Chesterfield for 5 days

[jforj143]

Wonderful shots Gavin
Like them all
cheers John

[gmen]

Impeccable, as always :)Cheers! This guy was great entertainment and gave me plenty of chances so I had no excuses :lol:

---- Gavin

[coryjohnson]

they do look great, what lens did you use for them?

[Simon Barnes]

Absolutely wonderful shots, really sharp and well composed.

[DwightMcCann]

they do look great, what lens did you use for them?

I don't think Gavin uses a lens! He sorta herds the pixels around to perform for him directly on the sensor ... how else can one explain this level of image, eh? ;) [Cory, get yourself the FREE Opanda EXIF reader for your browser ... tells all about how the image was shot.]

Gavin, what do you do when the batsman is wrong-handed for the side from which you are shooting ... do you trudge around or wait for him to move to the opposite side?

[bombay_shutterbug]

Absolutely Awsome Gavin.

Curious what equipment you used to shoot these images?

MM

[beckybun]

great shots! i don't know much about the game, but i love the composition and expressions in these shots!

[gmen]

Gotta say it but every shot is fantastic,11/10.Do you or have you ever thought about doing sports photography for magazines,with images like theres i dont think youve got much competition.Good workMany thanks Steve... I do dabble with a bit of photography for publications... sadly, the Shepherd Neame Essex League doesn't feature in too many of the glossies though :lol: If only :rolleyes:

---- Gavin

[gmen]

Fantastic again Gavin, i hope to get some good shots this next week as Derbyshire are returning to Chesterfield for 5 daysCheers Gary! Have fun at Chesterfield.

---- Gavin

[gmen]

they do look great, what lens did you use for them?Cheers Cory... these are shot with a 400mm f/2.8 + 1.4x extender on a MkII body.

---- Gavin

[gmen]

Absolutely wonderful shots, really sharp and well composed.Thanks for your comments Simon. Much appreciated.

---- Gavin

[gmen]

I don't think Gavin uses a lens! He sorta herds the pixels around to perform for him directly on the sensor ... how else can one explain this level of image, eh? ;) [Cory, get yourself the FREE Opanda EXIF reader for your browser ... tells all about how the image was shot.]

Gavin, what do you do when the batsman is wrong-handed for the side from which you are shooting ... do you trudge around or wait for him to move to the opposite side?:lol: Pixel herding eh? Hadn't thought of that :lol: Is there some software/hardware I need?

As for the 'wrong-handed' batsman... hmmm...

It depends.

If I want a shot that gives some context, I'll sometimes shoot the batsman from the wrong side as that can show the slips/wicketkeeper in the background when a fast bowler is bowling.

If I'm trying to get some nice tight shots of the batsman or when the wicketkeeper is up to the stumps for a slower bowler, I'll often work from the 'correct' side.

However, this all depends on whether I'm able to move in time (e.g. it can be tricky changing position during an over when a left-handed/right-handed combo are batting)... or whether there are restrictions to shooting positions. Sometimes you just have to make do... and, of course, all these rules are made to be broken :lol:

Hope that makes some kind of sense.

---- Gavin

[gmen]

Absolutely Awsome Gavin.

Curious what equipment you used to shoot these images?

MMThanks MM... these were shot with a 400mm f/2.8 +1.4x extender on a MkII body.

---- Gavin