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I thought I would do an experiment today and photograph an athletic event, but not actually photograph any of the action. Instead, focusing on the athletes and coaches in those moments between the action. I did it as a challenge to myself to see how I could. Results weren’t bad, but I’m not expecting a Pulitzer either. Still I had had fun; it was a great way to see swimming in a new light. I have to admit, getting up close to swimmers with a camera, while they are wearing a Speedo, is a little nerve racking! Takes a while to get comfortable photographing someone when they aren’t fully clothed. But I guess swimmers are used to it and don’t mind. 

Enjoy some photos below of UNC’s 169-123 thrashing of Duke. 

We knew she was sick, but it is still hard to believe.  She was strong. Whenever the cancer struck her, she struck back harder. Always a survivor. When it tried to break her spirt, she came out stronger. The photo below I took in March 2007 when NCSU lost in the NCAA tournament. We all thought it would be her last game as a coach. A year later, she proved us and the cancer who was in charge as she was still out on the court directing her team to victories even a year later. But in the end, NC State head basketball coach Kay Yow lost her battle to breast cancer. It took decades to finally take the strong-willed woman home; but last night it finally won. 

As a team photographer, I have photographed many coaches, in many sports and at many schools.  Coach Yow I always liked. While doing a photo shoot for NCSU’s athletic department for the W BBall media guide, I had the opportunity to work with her. She was a delight. Patient, friendly and kind spirited. I left that photo shoot thinking what a wonderful person she was. I have not always left with that feeling with other coaches.

Coach, we will miss you. But no one is going to ever forget you. Say hello to Coach V for us. 

NCSU head coach Kay Yow in March 2007. (Photo: Peyton Williams/NCSU Athletics)

Just wanted to share this old photo that I took of former UNC head basketball coach Dean Smith. I took it back in August 2004 during the Carolina Basketball Alumni Event. Jerry Stackhouse introduced coach to the crown and I snapped this pic while he waved to his adoring fans.  I only had a 300 2.8 with me, but I like how the shot came out.

Former UNC head coach Dean Smith

Well I made the jump and bought a Canon 5D Mark II. For those who don’t know (and if you don’t know, I can’t imagine you’ll be interested enough to read this post) the 5D is Canon’s first digital SLR camera that is a hybrid, capable of shooting both a 20MP still photo and HD video. It is also a full frame digital SLR. Given that I have only used the pro line of 1D cameras which usually have a 1.3x crop, I am finally back to seeing lenses as their native focal length.  

I put a 24-105 4.0 L lens on the camera and was stunned to see how wide 24mm actually was. Using a 1.3x crop factor camera for so long has warped my perception of focal length. I haven’t had the nerve yet to stick my 14mm 2.8 L on the 5D yet. I can only imagine how wide it will look. So I am very excited to finally be shooting full frame again. Having a beautiful 20MP photo is also great plus. 

But obviously, the pioneering aspect of this camera is its video capability. I have now taken a sudden interest into watching movies, specifically how cameramen handle angles and execute the art of motion video. While being comfortable in the art of still photography, motion videos are a different dimension. I don’t think a still or video photographer could move into the other medium immediatly without a little bit of learn curve. But, I do think the transition in either direction is easier after having mastered one art form.  

I found that some habits from still photography have bled over in a not so good way into how I shoot videos. While at a UNC basketball game, I was there early enough to get early bird shooter JB Tanner (who is always the first one out to do practice shots) doing his warm-up.  Not thinking, I turned the camera vertical to shoot the video.  Perfectly natural in still photography, but who has ever heard of a vertical video!?  So I have lots to learn, but honestly, that is the best part.  Like every other photographer I know, I enjoy a challenge of learning something new.

There have been some disappointments. I also own a Canon 1D Mark II and Mark III. Each of those has a different battery type, and the 5D Mark II has yet another entirely different battery. That means I now have to support three different battery types and keep three different chargers around. That is annoying, but not a deal breaker. Coming from the pro-line of 1D cameras, I can’t help but to make the comparisons between the pro-level 1D line and the “prosumer” 5D. First, I really miss the integrated vertical grip. It just doesn’t feel natural without the grip and I ordered the separate vertical grip within 3 days. At times, I felt like I could easily drop the camera because there was nothing to hold onto.

The build quality also no where near the quality of the 1D. The CF door feels flimsy in comparison for example. Also notably missing from the box was an AC adapter that allows me to power the camera via AC power instead of a battery. For me that is important because I will often use a camera as a remotely triggered camera and use the AC to power it while keeping the camera in “pre release” mode (thus in a mode that can drain a battery). Also, when I do head shot at NC State for the athletic dept for all the athletes which lasts about 6 hours, I have always plugged in the camera so it runs all day. 

But overall I am delighted in what little experience I have  had with the camera. Next week or so I have an assignment with Inside Lacrosse to do a photo shoot with some members of the UNC men’s lacrosse team.  This will provide a great opportunity to really try out the camera.