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).