The journey so far (well, parts of it).

One of the things I really love about photography is that there is always something else to learn. Especially in the digital age with new technology being released every minute or so.

I have always been proud of my derby images (except maybe from the very first practice session) but have known that there was room for improvement. I don't use external flashes so getting the lighting right is a massive challenge. Without getting in to too much technical speak, my shutter speed has had to be slow so more light could get in. This meant that photos would get a bit of a blurred look with movement.


From Grazed Anatomy. The first Roller Derby Bout I officially shot

So my equipment has been upgraded and I now have a magnificent lens and my images were starting to get quite a bit better. But I was still getting that problem with movement.


Then I was introduced to a great closed group on FaceBook 'F2.8. Fast Glass around the Derby Track'. A pool of dedicated and passionate roller derby photographers who chat about everything from 'Zebra bombed' photos to contracts and copywrite. This is where my first huge learning curve started. Looking at the images, getting inspiration and learning technical stuff was only some of it. Reading how they all find out what the players want to see in the images, knowing what to post to FaceBook (if anything) and even how to be the photography wrangler at a tournament are all covered in conversations. It has now become my daily ritual to catch up on the conversations on F2.8.

So, my confidence was on an upward trajectory... then we photographed in Wanganui. Oh my! The lighting was my worst nightmare come true! Oh, we captured some good images, but there was so much room for improvement.

Since then the hunt has been on to figure out how I can get more light in my images but have a shutter speed that will give sharp images.

And the Eureka! moment came a few days before the Swamp City Rollers Rats last double header bout.

1/320, F2.8, ISO 6400, Ambient light

The problem that I had previously with turning up my ISO so high and then getting really splotchy images (noise) can be fixed in post production. It really does pay to just keep searching till you find the solution.

On my photography journey I have learnt more about roller derby (improving my 'eye' of what to photograph), found a great group of like-minded people on FB (improving all manner of derby-photo related fields), upgraded my camera gear (which just makes me happy) and learnt amazing new post-production techniques.

But as much as all the above stuff is good, it really is just a sideline bonus, because on this journey I am finding much more. I have found a bunch of passionate, goofy, energetic, hillarious women who have welcomed Rick and me into their world. Oh, there are a variety of personalities, and with anything voluntary it may take a while for things to get done, but in the end we are all there to have fun. These women (and men) are what makes it all worth while. It is their world and I am a part of it.

I want this journey to continue, and I want to continue to grow and improve my skills. And I want to say a huge thank you to all the people who help make this world possible. You make the journey worthwhile (with Louis Armstrong 'What a wonderful World' playing in the background).

The Golden Skate.. another NZ icon?

Over 4000 images later and we are now coming to the end of our editing for the National Roller Derby Tournament. What a mammoth effort. The best part has been going through all the images and reliving the day. And there are some real surprise images that I didn't realise I had captured on the day.
 

Peek-A-Boo

Tonight we compile all the images from the 4 of us that were there to cover the event. This will fill in any bouts that I had missed. I really wish I had been able to cover every single game, but that was simply not possible. Don't get me wrong, the other 3 photographers did a fabulous job as well, I think I just want to be everywhere and do everything!

The comments on all the images on FaceBook have been great. In this era of instant gratification it would now be so hard to go back to waiting for images to be developed, processed and then distributed!

The debrief from the Tournament has been held and once again the feedback has been incredible. There are a few things that will change next year, but in all it was a huge success.

Looking forward to next years Tournament and I am already feeing tired. One proposal is to have it over 2 days to allow more teams to participate. Great idea. Even better if teams bring their own photographers. With an event that size I will only be able to cover the Swamp City Roller Rat games. I am not complaining though. Looking at all the image I have taken I have noticed that although I have captured a lot of the play, I haven't captured the feeling of the Tournament itself. I have a few great images of emotions, but this is what I want to show more of.

The crowds at the Tournament were not large and that is something I would love to see grow next year. Thinking cap is on... how do we attract more people to the large Derby events? It didn't help that the final at the Tournament went over nearly 2 hours due to time outs and game stopping. I didn't think that 'winning at all costs' was a part of the New Zealand phychi, and I hope next year will see the golden skate won without bad sportsmanship from either the teams or the crowds (that's all, had my little rant now).

As to the trophy itself, there couldn't be a more appropriate trophy. I understand a huge amount of work went into this and it looks brilliant. I can just see it being another NZ iconic symbol... the Ranfurly Shield... the Golden Skate...

Rick and I went and watched a game of Derby the other day. We didn't take any cameras with us, but just sat and watched. It is incredible how much of the game you miss when looking through the lens. To make the day even better we had Miss Ire (brilliant ref), Soul Jah and Jypsii Whips there to answer all those questions I have always been meaning to ask. I understand so much more about the game now, and that means I can focus on those parts of the game that mean more to the skaters.

Next game is on the 15th September. The poster looks fabulous, and crowds are being encouraged to dress up. A photographers dream! It will be a double header so the half time photos should be hillarious (hmm, wonder if I should offer a prize for best costume?).

Looking forward, I am planning to have an exhibition next year of (surprise, surprise) derby images. Will keep you posted on how the planning is going...