Last Days In The Press Corps.
I had the double weekend shift on my last working week with the paper. On one hand I will not miss that, but on the other, weekend sport could be a highlight and the one time when the chore of captioning and image opportunities are in some type of balance.
Westbury.
Cricket final.
My last sporting event.
It fits.
James Tyson on the stumps. No run out, but close. My 600mm (ff equiv) is too long for telling multi person stories in most sports, but hard not to use.
The Westbury Shamrocks are mid-dynastic high point, the third in their long history. A sweet little town just outside of Launceston, Westbury has swept the pools of all possible formats they entered in northern state mens cricket.
Ollie Wood mid delivery. I aim for one image in the delivery leap and one on follow through. I could take 20-60 a second, but you only improve your timing with single shot captures. The giant stumps are a good, quirky background, the score board, just off to the right is also ideal.
Another angle. I like this as it has the potential of multiple elements coming into play, but again, the lens is a little long. I tend to aim centrally, so the bowler is in frame as they peel off and possibly appeal or I can go left for a keeper stumping or catch etc. A 500mm equivalent would be ideal, which is why I often use the 75-300 zoom.
From the batsmen’s perspective.
The double weekend shift was a good way to end, reminding me of one of the reasons I am keen to move on, but also giving me a chance to reinforce feelings of accomplishment.
Eighteen months ago, I would have baulked (possibly wilted) at working both days of the weekend on my own, in Cricket finals season no less.
“The enemy” in this case a player from Ulverstone on the north coast which is covered by our competition (The Advocate).
By this time, I have evolved from “hope I get a useable shot”, to “this is what I am aiming at achieving” and usually getting it. Not bragging, just assessing my growth.
All the above elements in one image (except the ball).
Sport in particular has tightened up considerably, less shots being taken, better results achieved from those I do take.
I will miss the winter sports like local AFL, Basketball, Netball and the people I potential could meet, but not much else.