Gridiron in Motion

It happens in towns big and small and far and wide this time of year - high school football. Now that I am a shooter without a newspaper, I decided to give myself a self-assignment to cover a showdown between two Class 5A rival schools last night. The stands were packed, the uniforms were clean and the weather was perfect as Ponderosa and Mountain Vista hit the green for the 2007 campaign opener in Highlands Ranch, Colo.

In years past, I found myself working for the storytelling picture from the game to publish in the newspaper. Old habits die hard they say and so it isn't surprising that for much of the first half I was shooting the game pretty straight and sharp. With those frames tucked in my back pocket I decided to play and have some fun as action resumed in the second half. I slowed the shutter down to a crawl and let light, color and motion work a little calculated magic in the camera. I think it worked for the most part and I am really glad I decided to take the chance on something I haven't done much of in the past. I am also glad that I spent my evening witnessing some fine athletes unconcerned with endorsements, huge contracts and fame.

Thank the Lord for prep football season.

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