Cloud Stew

This particular set of photos has gotten a lot of time on the sports cover of the DP for some strange reason. Coincidentally the set happens to be from my first football assignment as a rookie photographer. Shooting football at first was very difficult. First of all the field is enormous and the equipment required for such a field is also enormous. I had to lug around a Nikon D2h, a 70-200mm, and a 300mm behemoth with an attached monopod and lets just say that…you need to stretch before starting an assignment like this. Secondly, I found that everyone gets in your way. No really, everyone! The refs, players, coaches, other photographers, field staff, and even random people on the sidelines all play a part in blissfully blocking your view and chance at a good photograph.

A good way to get around these problems is to stay in certain zones and move around within them by following the line of scrimmage. These zones include just outside the dotted-line area where the players on the sidelines stand, the corners of the field, and behind the endzones. As the line of scrimmage moves you move along with it within a sideline zone. However, if the line is near the middle of the field and is approaching the next sideline zone move to that zone as quickly as possible by walking behind the players on your side. This is important because you must always be in front of the line of scrimmage in order to capture the plays. Simply put position yourself and aim your camera at where the players on the field will be running to next.

When the plays approach the endzones it is a good idea to move to either the corners of the endzone or behind it. The corners will give you good “finish line” shots of the play and the back of the endzone can give you dramatic pictures of player celebrations and the run just before a touchdown.

Here are the images the assignment:

There’s a special oasis at Penn called the Biopond.  It’s hidden behind rows of labs, classrooms, and wholly unnatural things.  Once you enter it you’ll be somewhat confused to find elements of city intermingled with nature.

But then the gradient changes and you become lost in the lush greenery and the overwhelming diversity around you.

You forget the busteling city and the looming deadlines you left behind you and start to enjoy the simple thing.
Like the shape of an unusual tree.

Or the rare site of simple flower.

And then you realize why you’ve never found this place before,

why it’s such a secret;

Because once you find it

you’ll want to keep it a secret

so that it can stay as perfect as it is.

Check out the gallery for more pictures. And shhh…Don’t tell anyone!