THSCA All-Star Football Game - Alamodome

I had a chance to shoot the Texas High School Coaches Assn (THSCA) All-Star game last Tuesday in the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas.  Fox Sports was doing a live broadcast, but they didn't have all the lights on since I understand they only do that for Hi-Def games, e.g., Spurs, etc.

It was a good test for my new Nikon D4 and 200-400mm/f4 lens.  The 200-400mm is soft at full extension, but it stills performed well and I was able to maintain 1/640 shutter speeds at f4, on a lens with so much glass it's effectively a T-5 to T5.6, for you photo geeks out there.

For folks that just like cool photos, check them out at RalphMawyerPhotography.com (aka BoerneSportsPhotos.com)

South Padre Island Birding

I spent a few hot and muggy days down at South Padre.  I really hadn't planned on shooting much, but came across the SPI Birding and Nature Center with some cool residents.

San Antonio Botanical Gardens, Indian Style

I've always wanted to shoot an Indian wedding or similar event, as the clothes and colors are so vibrant.

It wasn't quite a wedding, but I did get a chance to do a behind the scenes (BTS) session of Aishwarya Rajan Babu being photographed by John Vega, assisted by Kelly.  As Aishwarya would say, Semma Jolly time!

Texas 7 on 7 Football - Boerne-Champion - Warren - Cedar Creek & Johnson High Schools

Just when I thought it was going to be August before I could shoot some football, someone brought the 7 on 7 leagues to my attention. Thousands of Texas high schoolers play this and I was able to shoot the qualifying games of the Central Catholic 7 on 7 State Qualifying Tournament (SQT) at the University of Incarnate Word stadium...such a great facility. (Tournament Director is Carl Padilla)

These are fast 20 minute halves with no running or linesman, mostly just pass plays and their defensive counterpart on the half a football field.  I felt like I was shooting a mix of baseball and basket ball on a big court, since you never know where the ball is going to go and it's much quicker than and tighter than regular football.  Still got some great action and more than a few nice portraits.

Check them out on RalphMawyerPhotography.com or BoerneSportsPhotos.com

Boerne-Champion vs Lake Travis Region IV-4A Baseball Final

Excellent game at Nelson Wolff Stadium in San Antonio, close innings to the very end...

Check out the gallery at www.ralphmawyerphotography.com.

Col. Ralph Mawyer Sr., USMC, Retired. (Dec'd)

A Virginia farm boy, then World War II, then a Forward Air Controller and Pilot in Korea dodging MIGs in a Corsair (F4U), followed by jets in Vietnam, retiring just short of 30 years.  Not a bad legacy...

Nine battle stars, the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross and Bronze Star.

Boerne-Champion vs Alamo Heights Baseball 4A Quarter Finals

Boerne-Champion Chargers (Boerne, Texas) closed out the Alamo Heights Mulls in the 2012 4A baseball quarter finals.  Beautiful day, good field action and some really nice candid portraits.