Playing Catch-Up
I’ve been shooting football for Sports Illustrated every weekend since the season started and wanted to share some of my favorite images so far.
This was just a few days ago during warm-ups before the Dallas Cowboys - New York Giants game in New Jersey. Terrell Owens gave me a quick glance that kind of scared me a bit. SI gets the raw images un-toned, but I took the liberty of toning it up to post here.
I was in Pittsburgh last week to cover the Giants - Steelers game. Running back Derrick Ward had a nice hurdle over a Steelers defender. This was published in the magazine.
At the end of the Penn State - Ohio State game in Columbus, Nittany Lions running back Stephfon Green jumped into the small crowd of Penn State fans in the corner of the stadium.
I love the guys on the left dressed as PSU players. I’ve photographed them in Happy Valley, but didn’t know they travel to the road games as well. The “381″ is a reference to the number of victories Joe Paterno has in his career, the most ever by a division one football coach. He’s 81, after all, and in his 59th season with Penn State (43rd as head coach).
I think that’s my shadow just under Green’s left leg.
This Bills game was the first time in recent memory that I had good weather in Buffalo. It was cool and clear - a perfect day for football. But something always has to go wrong there. Three helium advertising balloons hit some power lines in the parking lot just before the game and knocked out all of the power to the stadium. There was no jumbotron, no announcements over the public address system, and coaches had to send players in with the play call just like in the old days.
During this field goal attempt, you can see the big screen is out but the lights were just starting to come back on.
Finally, I really like this cheerleader shot from the Ball State - Western Kentucky game. We have to shoot cheerleaders at every game (really!) because SI posts a gallery on the site each week.
It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.
November 4th, 2008 at 11:32 am
That picture of T.O. scared me and I am on the other side of a computer.
November 4th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Hi David,
Without going into too much detail, how do you usually tone your photos? I’m stuck in a creative slump at the moment and I’m digging around trying to figure out how to tweak my pics but without making them looked overly manipulated. Without giving away any “trade secrets,” do you have any suggestions you care to share? (I use Adobe PS/CS3)
Thanks!
Louie N.
November 5th, 2008 at 12:03 am
What is toning? Great shot, just stumped as to what toning might be.
November 5th, 2008 at 2:13 am
“Toning” sometimes refers to the simple color correcting and contrast adjustment of an image. It can also be the heavy manipulation of color and “tone” to enhance an image beyond what could have been done in the traditional wet darkroom.
There are no real trade secrets here but unfortunately I don’t have a magic bullet that works on every image. I use a combination of actions I’ve purchased or downloaded for free along with my own experimentation with layer styles and desaturation adjustments.
I recommend Kubota’s actions as well as the tutorial by JoeyL. There are also many free actions online that you can deconstruct to create your own.
November 5th, 2008 at 3:34 am
Thanks, David, I’ll give them a try.
There was a recent SS newsletter (last month, I think) by Allen Murabayashi called “How to Fail as a Photographer” - don’t know if you read it - but it got me to thinking that over a course of 20 years, I had gotten too comfortable with my photography and recalled how exciting just experimenting and exploring used to be. Anyway, Murabayashi’s words hit close to home.
I’m thinking about splurging on an Adobe PS/CS4, just so I have new buttons to push and different things to try out even though my CS3 is more than adequate for my daily duties. I think it’ll be fun to try out different actions and at the same time rejuvenate my work.
Thanks for the help!
Louie
November 5th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Excellent pictures David. Every one and nice post work as well. Keep having fun!!!
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:09 pm
David,
Your photos are all excellent, and the one of T.O. is a glimpse of theatrics from the cranky player.
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:50 pm
COPY T O and paint off anything!!!! Beautiful stuff, Sir…brilliant goal post and blue sky!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:50 pm
I look forward to your photo of the month. They’re a perfect crystal glimpse into worlds I know so little about - sports and music. It’s like being the proverbial fly on the wall.