Every event I’ve shot has been one of anxiety, aches, pains, what the hell moments and other emotions that will be left nameless not to mention realizations that I think we all get now and then. The 2009 NPHC step Show is no exception. 9 (this number may not be correct, someone help me out with that) teams giving it their all to win $1000 dollars in prize money and me at the front of the stage camped out on my knees for about 2 hours shooting like an madman with a Gatling gun pixels flying everywhere.
When I tell you that 412 pictures can be taken in a span of 15 minutes it is not an exaggeration. I started the day like I do every day before a shoot, examine and clean my equipment, make plans to purchase anything that might be needed (for evening events which are generally what I shoot, for day events these checks are done at minimum the day before). After the assessment, I realized that I would need another memory card if I wanted to capture all the teams that were performing without being held at bay by the swift depletion of card space. So I make my way to my favorite store, Best Buy and purchase another 4 gig memory card for my camera. I haven’t purchased a memory card in a while, so much to my surprise upon opening the outer packaging that the card was encased in some G-14 space aged plastic shield, used to halt would be shoplifters and impatient and ill-equipped photographers from procuring their prize.
Realization #1 always have a way to open your packages in the off chance you need to penetrate the forces of evil corporations bent on stopping you from enjoying your purchases (Be Prepared for as many complications as you can). With no time to head home and the thought that a huge auditorium like Crampton would have some scissors, I make my way there. Once at the auditorium I do the usual recon and survey of the area figuring I could get some good group shots of the teams (that didn’t pan out too well). So here I am, the show is starting, I’m calm and ready perched at the front of the stage like a trained sniper waiting for the green light to take out the target and just enjoying the Greek atmosphere.
The anxiety didn’t really kick in until after the first team had finished performing. As I glance down at my screen and see 232 shots remaining. At this point my mind is racing a mile a minute breaking down scenarios and trying to solidify an option. The first solution to my dilemma was of course the obvious, delete shots I knew I wouldn’t use from the camera. So like a woodpecker I’m tapping at buttons zooming in on shots to see if they are too out of focus, have too much motion blur whatever would indicate I would reject the shot anyway and DELETE. I didn’t have much time as the next team was about to perform. No biggie now I knew I would throttle back some and pick my shots more selectively I get through the next 3 teams and thankfully there is an intermission.
Next task find some scissors or a knife to break through those shields and claim my bounty. I head to the receptionist desk because I assume that the lady there would have scissors. No luck, so I again assume that the vendors downstairs would have scissors. Again no luck! I finally stumble upon a security guard who had a knife and he made quick work of said shield and I finally got my prize. Realization #2, Crampton is a decent size auditorium but has no scissors, also I don’t know how those vendors can load and unload so much stuff in these boxes without some kind of cutting tool. They most have long and strong fingernail. (Be Flexible, you’ll never know when your opportunity will open itself up to you.)
New memory card in hand I am ready to press on and finish up the event. After the step show, when I tell you that my knees were like jelly that is an understatement. They creaked and groaned with every step, but that didn’t stop me from crashing a wedding reception and hanging out with frat and sorors afterward. But it made getting out of bed the next day pretty damn hard. This leads me to my final Realization, have good health care ;-). Through the anxiety and pain of it all, it all comes together when you finish sorting, editing and tweaking your photos and you transform them into pictures. That’s when you smile, pat yourself on the back and get ready for the next go around. Till next time.
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