What a weird game. Officials were horrible, a player from the Rapids got tossed in the first half, coach came out of the technical box and another Rapids player has to sit out the next game with the coach because of rough play, but photographically, it was one of my best games I think.
1. What do all photographers do? Shoot birds.... I was running over to shoot this bird when Ron beat me to it, but it hung around for me to get some shots... http://carlauerphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013MLS-sj-CR-0001.jpg
June 15th, 2013 – USA Today contributing photographer Ron Chenoy photographs a juvenile bird next to the pitch prior to the start of the MLS match between San Jose Earthquake and the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO
2. My shot of the bird... http://carlauerphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013MLS-sj-CR-0002.jpg
June 15th, 2013 – A juvenile bird sits on the pitch taking in the pre game warm ups prior to the start of the MLS match between San Jose Earthquake and the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO
3. nice side light during the first half http://carlauerphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013MLS-sj-CR-0003.jpg
June 15th, 2013 – San Jose Earthquake midfielder Walter Martinez (10) brings the ball down the field during first half action of the MLS match between San Jose Earthquake and the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO
4. Goooooooooooooooal! http://carlauerphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013MLS-sj-CR-0004.jpg
June 15th, 2013 – San Jose Earthquake forward Steven Lenhart (16) winds-up for a shot past Colorado Rapids defender Chris Klute (15) resulting in the games first goal in the first half of the MLS match between San Jose Earthquake and the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO
5. http://carlauerphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013MLS-sj-CR-0005.jpg
June 15th, 2013 – San Jose Earthquake defender Steven Beitashour (33) goes airborne to kick the ball away from Colorado Rapids defender/midfielder Anthony Wallace (6) during the first half of action in the MLS match between San Jose Earthquake and the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO
6. Ejected http://carlauerphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013MLS-sj-CR-0006.jpg
June 15th, 2013 – After receiving a red card, Colorado Rapids midfielder Atiba Harris (16) slowly walks off the field towards the locker rooms in the first half of the MLS match between San Jose Earthquake and the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO
7. last of the golden light http://carlauerphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013MLS-sj-CR-0007.jpg
June 15th, 2013 – Colorado Rapids defender Chris Klute (15) chases after the ball in the first half of the MLS match between San Jose Earthquake and the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO
8. second half under the lights http://carlauerphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013MLS-sj-CR-0008.jpg
June 15th, 2013 – Colorado Rapids midfielder Martin Rivero (10) attempts to dribble the ball past the San Jose defense in the second half of the MLS match between San Jose Earthquake and the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO
9. http://carlauerphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013MLS-sj-CR-0009.jpg
June 15th, 2013 – Colorado Rapids forward Edson Buddle (9) and San Jose Earthquake defender Nana Attakora (23) fight for control of the ball in the second half of the MLS match between San Jose Earthquake and the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO
11. http://carlauerphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013MLS-sj-CR-0011.jpg
June 15th, 2013 – Colorado Rapids midfielder Nathan Sturgis (24) heads a pass into the net for a goal in the second half of the MLS match between San Jose Earthquake and the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO
12. headed it just a bit too high http://carlauerphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013MLS-sj-CR-0012.jpg
June 15th, 2013 – Colorado Rapids midfielder Jaime Castrillon (23) makes a diving header attempt in the second half of action in the MLS match between San Jose Earthquake and the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO
13. last one.... http://carlauerphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013MLS-sj-CR-0013.jpg
June 15th, 2013 – Showing off his ball handling skills, Colorado Rapids midfielder Brian Mullan (11) attempts to get past San Jose Earthquake midfielder Walter Martinez (10) in the second half of the MLS match between San Jose Earthquake and the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO
A) You have a lot of commentary with each picture. Is that the commentary you put with each photo you post back to USA Today? I'm asking because there seems to be a lot of detail per picture, which equates to a lot of post processing time along with the excellent shots.
B) I noticed you were shooting most of the shots with a 120-300, but the EXIF data didn't say what brand. I'm assuming you got your hands on the new Sigma lens and these are a product of that. I'd love to hear you say no, it's the older model ( :-) cause that's what I'm using)
I like your results. Even with the harsh lighting in several of them. But overall, the colors pop, the action is there, and you catch the physicality of the game well.
I'm thinking that Carl is putting out his sports shooting as mini tutorial type events. Normally don't care for the photographer telling me what I'm looking at, but in Carl's case I take it as a mini education. YMMV
PS - Let us know when you get the new Sigma and start shooting with it.. tks..
Ed, in a way, yes. I have goals when I post here.
1. Others will learn from my shots either what to do or what not to do.
2. Others will enjoy my photos
3. It helps me when I see my captions away from PhotoMechanic to gauge how I am doing writing them.
4. I continually strive to learn whether it be photography wise or caption/writing.
I have no idea if and when I will get the Sigma. I have to shoot the marketing department an email. Originally before the 120-300 with USB dongle was announced, they were planning on sending me the 500 4.5 to review, but closer to the start of NCAA football. I might have to get the 500 sooner and the 120-300 in time for the football season.
Nice series, Carl. I think #9 is my choice for favorite. A few are a bit more loose than I would prefer, but I'm guessing there are good reasons for that. I'd never get away with the kind of editorializing you've included in your last caption. And given the emphasis here on captioning, for #6, which I think is a great storytelling image, I'd say the caption could do without the words 'slowly' and 'towards the locker rooms.' (I also would move the clause "after receiving a red card" to after the word 'field.')
Nice set of pics. #9 also for me. If you don't mind me asking for your exif data on the night time shots, they look pretty good. What body did you use?
Glad the old Sigma is working for you. I never had any luck with mine even after it got sent to Japan to get fixed, so I've stayed away from Sigma lenses.
