With Boerne and Boerne-Champion High Schools starting play next week, they weren't the only ones needing some practice. Champion's scrimmage against Div 5 San Antonio's South San last Thursday gave me a chance to have some fun with a really long 600mm lens in good afternoon light. I really liked the impact of the photos, but not something you can use on a Friday Night's game with marginal lighting.
I often get questions from other sideline photographers about why I shoot flash at night games, since I have the pro gear to shoot available light. The easy answer is quality, there is nothing that improves a photo more than good light and even the best hi-res digital cameras can't compare to a well lit flash shot in a dim high school stadium. Not to mention that adding a $500 flash is a lot cheaper than a $9K 400mm f2.8 lens on a $5K D3s. Easy comparison? Just look at my night galleries from last year and most newspaper galleries of the same game.
That said, flash brings it's own set of equipment issues, skill and post-processing requirements, and while I'd like all the games to be at 4PM in the afternoon, like this Incarnate Word scrimmage, I'll continue to provide the best quality night game photos I can. Boerne-Champion vs South San photos for your review.
Just a reminder, this year I'm debuting weekly specials posted in each game gallery for print and digital file purchases, in addition to a broader range of package and volume discounts, so please take advantage of them. Custom coverage continues to be available, if you and/or another parent would like me to focus on your favorite player for a game. Please email me to discuss.
