Yeah, I’m totally over uploading the Japan photos now. They didn’t inspire me as much as the Europe ones for some reason. Here’s one of the last I uploaded:

So anyway, back in New Zealand I went a shot one of the Whakatane football (soccer) games this weekend (vs Te Puke), and again wasn’t feeling too inspired (photographically). At least the weather was comfortable (not too cold) and the light was soft and even (overcast), so it made it a easy shoot. Click here for link to the gallery.

Gallery is good to go: [clicky]

How to take a team photo in 3(ish) easy steps.

(full games shots will be up eventually, but my ftp server for the main site seems to be on the fritz)

Step 1, turn up during the warm up while the coach is pacing around nervously…

Step 2, set up the bench (yes, with the sun behind. Well, kinda back camera left)

Step 3, get the team seated and get the background and highlight exposure right

Step 4, then pop in a chunk of fill flash to bring their faces up to the right level and give that sparkle in their eyes (and get the coach to take of his sunnies…)

The sun coming from behind acts as a hair light, helping to outline the girls and separate them from the background.  Having their faces in shade and lit by the direct on camera flash was the best compromise for avoiding harsh shadows across their faces.

Speaking of fill light, here’s Derek using his clipboard to nicely bounce some fill onto his face as he leads the ladies aside for a half time pep talk.

Ok, hopefully I can get the game shots online soon…

Got a few photos to sift through, so these couple of galleries will be a few days away yet, but here’s a couple tasters, both in yellow:

So apparently the All Blacks played a game this weekend, and apparently they lost. So while half the country was probably watching and mourning that, I was out shooting stuff.

First up the football:

(click the pic for the full gallery)

Then on Sunday petrol fumes:

(click the pic for the full gallery)

And this week’s coffee delivery:

Quick one – gallery is up.

When your local team is winning it’s always a good game to watch.  But what made it even better (from a photography perspective) were a few moments of great light coupled with some good timing.  The full gallery is up (here: Whakatane vs Hamilton), but I’ve selected a couple of good ‘uns to post here.

Click any of the pics in this post to be taken to my flickr where you can access larger versions.

Three on one as they go for the ball, the Wanderer’s goalie appears to be cracking his teammate in the face:

Fraction of a second later and they’ve all got their eyes closed:

Brendan wheels it down the field:

Bouncing back up off the ground (6 shot sequence of this can be found in the gallery – here)

Even the local newspaper photographer (for the Whakatane Beacon) had a crack:

I also tore myself away from my big camera to get a few seconds of video with the point and shoot:

Clearly I should stick with the still photos.