I had the chance to cover my team in the TX 2A Div. 2 state semifinal game at Baylor's Floyd Casey Stadium on Friday night. My team (orange/white) was completely outmatched and outmuscled. They lost 58-8...and that 8 came very late in the 4th quarter.

There was a ton of emotion. When the clock hit 0:00, it felt somber...like a funeral. Of course, the other side of the field was exploding with joy.

Fortunately, this may not be the end of my HS football season. There's a chance I will get to cover 3 of the TX State championship games at Cowboys' TX Stadium next week. I shoot for a website, and the state organization (UIL) has really strict guidelines about credentialing...websites are typically only allowed 2 credentials (a writer and a photographer), but they are covering a lot of the games. If they get an extra, I'm on my way there.

Anyway...here's some pictures...15 of them. Please give me some C&C. I feel like I've come really far as a photographer this year, but I know there's a ton of room for improvement. I think it might be time to revisit my sportshooter aspirations .

1.

12.14.12 Elysian Fields v EB Football-1 by Jeff Stapleton Sports, on Flickr

2.

12.14.12 Elysian Fields v EB Football-2 by Jeff Stapleton Sports, on Flickr

3.

12.14.12 Elysian Fields v EB Football-3 by Jeff Stapleton Sports, on Flickr

4.

12.14.12 Elysian Fields v EB Football-4 by Jeff Stapleton Sports, on Flickr

5.

12.14.12 Elysian Fields v EB Football-5 by Jeff Stapleton Sports, on Flickr

6.

12.14.12 Elysian Fields v EB Football-6 by Jeff Stapleton Sports, on Flickr

7.

12.14.12 Elysian Fields v EB Football-7 by Jeff Stapleton Sports, on Flickr

8.

12.14.12 Elysian Fields v EB Football-8 by Jeff Stapleton Sports, on Flickr

9.

12.14.12 Elysian Fields v EB Football-9 by Jeff Stapleton Sports, on Flickr

10.

12.14.12 Elysian Fields v EB Football-10 by Jeff Stapleton Sports, on Flickr

11.

12.14.12 Elysian Fields v EB Football-11 by Jeff Stapleton Sports, on Flickr

12.

12.14.12 Elysian Fields v EB Football-12 by Jeff Stapleton Sports, on Flickr

13.

12.14.12 Elysian Fields v EB Football-13 by Jeff Stapleton Sports, on Flickr

14.

12.14.12 Elysian Fields v EB Football-14 by Jeff Stapleton Sports, on Flickr

15.

12.14.12 Elysian Fields v EB Football-15 by Jeff Stapleton Sports, on Flickr

Great stuff, Jeff.

Thanks Clarence

Nice and sharp! Looks like you had some great light. Good variety - I shoot for a web site also and enjoy it because they will run 10-20 photos of a game so I get to include some atmosphere shots like you have included here.

I couldn't figure out how to get your exif out of Flikr. What did you shoot these with?

Andy

Yeah, Flickr strips exif. These were at Baylor University. The lighting was not as great as I expected it to be. It was good, but I've seen better in some HS stadiums. I was at 3200 ISO, 2.8-3.5 on the 300 and 1/500th - 1/1200th of a second depending on the spot on the field

Most shot with a 1D3 and 300/2.8

12, 13, and 15 were a 7D with a 70-200/2.8

14 was a 1D3 with a 24-105/4

very very nice. good job!

SWEET SET!!

Nice job! Some great angles and tight shots. I think 6 and 10 may be a tad tight for my taste but nice crisp shots.

Congrats on the future possibilities.

Great shots Jeff. ISO3200 is a dream field for us. ISO10000 is the minimum around here. Good luck with your future aspirations!
Theron

Good work Jeff... great season.

bb

Nice set using ambient lighting. I will be covering all 3 days of the Texas State Championships at Cowboys Stadium for MaxPreps. Give me a shout if you are able to get credentials.

lerobroy wrote:
Nice set using ambient lighting. I will be covering all 3 days of the Texas State Championships at Cowboys Stadium for MaxPreps. Give me a shout if you are able to get credentials.

My plan A said no... I'm currently pursuing Plan B. Who/what are you covering?

Jeff...great series here. You captured various elements of the game for both teams quite nice.

Very nice set, Jeff. Great atmosphere and emotion shots.

Thanks guys.

I'm watching the winning team on TV right now... they are up 56-14 with 5:00 left in the 4th quarter. They are good. I appreciate all you here who chime in