oua womens volleyball championship final...

[3oh6]

wow...what an experience. i have to think i am probably the luckiest person on earth at this point to have the opportunity to be the official photographer for an OUA athletic final. my portfolio got me the job and i am as proud of myself as i am the mustang ladies who made my job tough by only giving me 3 quick sets to get all the shots i needed...but i did get all i needed, despite some nasty back focus issues that decided to show up for all the post game shots (maybe i should just stick to shooting the action ).

a full gym and an atmosphere that was incredible made last night my best night thus far shooting sports, i am officially hooked and will do everything in my power to make this my career, whether i live off of scrambled eggs or not for the next few years. here are just a couple of the photos from this special night...

what a great crowd for a provincial final...


i still managed to get some good action shots despite running around to get my signage and crowd shots i was being paid to get...


as you can see, despite the enormity of the game, the ladies still managed to stay loose goofing in-between points...


this shot pretty much sums up the final for laurier...it just blew past them... (i should probably crop that tighter as that glare hurts the eyes)


championship point, i wish i had my zoom on the camera for the final point to grab a couple individual expressions, but the 'man' wanted a full gym shot, oh well...


the heart and soul of this team with the championship banner running around like a sugar pumped school girl...


well, with the OUA win the ladies are heading to saskatoon, sk for the CIS national championship...and guess where i grew up? so it looks like i will be flying home this week to shoot the CIS this weekend, i feel more and more lucky every day. i just got an email from the CIS saying i got my accreditation so it looks like i am all set...wish me luck on the biggest stage i have shot on yet guys.

i might have to grab a 135 f/2 for such a huge event...anyone got one lying around they could get to SK in a couple days for a decent price?

[Jetmech1]

Very nice pics.

[raztazor]

The pictures are great. I especially like the 1st and last one. I'd love to take sporting photos like this. What equipment were you using? How did you actually get the job - did someone contact you via your website? I think you've proved you can take some great sporting action shots maybe you will get more assignments now.

[3oh6]

thanx guys, and yeah raztazor, that last one is my favorite as well. so far every order i have gotten for prints from parents have included a 5x7 of that one, so we are not alone. i got lucky as the camera was still in ai-servo mode and i barely got that one off as it was because she was comin at me fast.

i was just shooting with my 20D and the 28mm f/1.8 and 85mm f/1.8. pretty much what i recommend for any indoor sport shooter on a budget as that setup shoots basketball, volleyball and wrestling if you can get close enough.

i got the job basically from shooting the UWO games for the last month and a half. i guess one of the people higher up in the athletics department recommended me to the OUA and they contacted me after seeing the website i put together for the mustangs. i am hoping someone will approach me to shoot at the CIS championships, but if not its alright as the university is already going to cover my flight out west and back.