The high school volleyball team I cover played in the semi finals for the California state championship last night. They played a team that had beaten them twice before. The match went into a fifth and final set. The Sea Hawks were serving for match point, but ended up losing the next three points, and the match.
The players are really sweet girls. I took my 6-year-old niece to a game earlier in the season, and we arrived very late (my fault), so we only saw the last point of the last set. My niece was so disappointed, as it was her very first high school sporting event to attend. But then a few of the players spoke with her, and now my niece still talks about meeting the players on one of the best teams in the state.
I took this photo after last night's match. It's a little artsy the way I framed it. Honestly, my first inclination was to shoot the moment straight because it's such a tremendously strong moment, with Hannah seeking the comfort of her father Don in the stands after coming so close to playing for the state title.
The reality of getting this shot was I was in a crowd of people, and I shot from where I was standing before trying to move any closer. Moments are truly fleeting, especially while attempting to capture them. I couldn't help shooting another parent checking her cell phone in the right side of the frame, and I had to crop her out. That's really when I noticed the lines on the wall.
Here's the photo gallery of last night's match if anyone is interested.
21 comments:
You have the most amazing ability to capture the truest moments. Was it you they were referring to when they coined the phrase "worth a thousand words"?
thanks so much:) that is really kind of you. you made my day, for real.
It is a really great shot, you can't stage stuff like that. I'd be interested to see it with the parent checking the phone, actually, as well! What a huge contrast that would be.... It's kinda what my blog post is about today (not being 'in the moment' with your kid sort of thing)
morale...dont spend a bunch of time trying to frame the moment in the moment or you may miss the moment...gotta love those emo sports moments..
Nice shot Shutter Bug! There is no getting closer in the moment of decision, or grief, or euphoria. You are as close as you will get to that moment as you ever will be, for it has changed IMMENSELY in the next. I love cropping. Is it cheating?
jumped over to the photo gallery - great action pics ed - but my favorite is still the one you choose to display on the blog with hannah and her father - speaks of comfort and closeness - glad you captured it
being me: haha, i like the original photo with the additional parent checking cell phone, and i might have used it but she was in the way of the father in this shot. so it's a little confusing and i don't want anything other than a clear photo. for other purposes, like maybe a gallery, i would consider the original. even the father is holding a cell phone, which he is ignoring while comforting his daughter.
brian: i do love these emo sports shots. they don't come along often. and yeah, they aren't around long either. i covered the team all year and there was never this emotion before.
annie: cropping is not cheating. it's a necessity. that said, full-frame gems are the ultimate. and i use full frame every chance i get. but i'm also practical and use photoshop to salvage a solid moment when it's worth it:)
claudia: thanks for checking it out. this is my favorite moment of the bunch, too, though i do love the older sister hugging her younger sister on the court, too.
nice shot - to me it is more important the moment being captured than the "how" it is done. Your picture speaks a lot - great job :)
thanks for visiting my place
cheers.
Beautiful, truly. All of your photos are beautiful, but this one is touching. Great job capturing the moment!
An incredible photo, and I got goosebumps when you mentioned the lines on the wall. Wow, well done.
awwww, how sad they didn't make it. You got a lot of great shots!
You're a moment catcher! What an amazing gallery. My favorite is the one of the girl serving in midair with the mascot on the wall. Do you have one of those automatic clickers?
I crop my photos to get to the story that I want to share. Crop, enlarge, and all that. Usually my caught moments are accidents. But, I'll take 'em. :-)
That's a great catch, Ed. Hope you'll check out my blog.
Heart-warming.
Great shot, Ed
this shot doesn´t need words...
Wow - that photo says it all!
Ed, Eddie, will you write more and paint your song.
I think it's a perfect photo, especially with the way it's framed. Who cares if it's artsy? It's art!! It tells such a powerful, private story in a such a beautiful way.
Well done, Ed :)
Very nice shot and piece.
Here you are.
I love your shots, the subjects you choose are as moving as your words.
I shouldn't be surprised. What you choose to photograph is so much like what you choose to write about.
It's what moves you.
Lovely, emotional moments...caught in time.
Just like the memories and images I try to burn into my brain when I stare at my children, so I don't forget them at this stage.
Going to the photo gallery now.
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