First Net Cam

Tonight it happened. I waited a year to use it. I used a hockey net cam for the first time. No unfortunately it wasn't during a New Jersey Devils game. I can't get past the NHL's new rules, so that will never happen. It was during a boys high school game. I was photographing Montgomery High School vs. Bridgewater-Raritan High School, during the 2011 Skyland Conference Ice Hockey Cup at the Bridgewater Sports Arena.

Ok enough with that. Instead of shooting available light to take advantage of a fast motor drive to stop the action, I had to make it more difficult and shoot with strobes. Shooting sports with strobes isn't easy. You can't shoot with a motor drive, because the recycling time of the strobes takes too long to reach full power before you can shoot again. So it's just one shot at a time.

I learned many things tonight using the net cam. 1) Stay hunched over as you exit the goal. 2) Stay hunched over as you exit the goal. 3) Stay hunched over as you exit the goal. You would think I would have learned it after the first or second time, but no. I hit the top of my head each time I exited the goal. I'm surprised I didn't pass out or get a concussion.

There are so many variables you have to think about when using a net cam. I really don't know where to begin. So I won't. My head still hurts and I can't think straight.

All I'll do is share my best frame of the night. It is of Montgomery's Kevin Wanke, left, scoring against Bridgewater-Raritan goalie Mike Haggerty Wednesday Feb 23, 2011. He went onto score the game winning goal for Montgomery to win 4-3 in overtime.

Quick Reaction

New Jersey Devils right wing Vladimir Zharkov (18) goes airborne as he tries to avoid crashing into Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward (30) in the 2nd period as the puck flies by, Feb 16, 2011 at the Prudential Center.

Saved

Today I photographed Kelly, a Pit Bull Terrier puppy approximately 6-9 months-old, who is currently living with it's foster family in Northern New Jersey. She was rescued off the streets of Philadelphia and is currently up for adoption through Animal Alliance in Lambertville, NJ. Kelly, is recovering from a broken jaw and bite wounds on it's legs and head. It is believed she was being used as a bait dog during dog fights. The puppy seems to love people even though what it has gone through. It was a lot of fun photographing this little female pup. I wish I could take her home, but we have too many pets. Two frogs, four Gold fish, two Guinea Pigs and one loving black Labrador. Check out Kelly's profile.

Close Call

My camera almost gets hit by the ball, as New Jersey Nets center Johan Petro (27) allows the ball to go out-of-bounds against the San Antonio Spurs Monday February 14, 2011 at the Prudential Center.

Testing, testing, 1-2-3

Testing my remote camera before the Rutgers women's game against Pittsburgh Tuesday Feb 8, 2011.

KMart before my eyes.

The first image, was the last thing I saw through my lens, Kenyon Martin of the Denver Nuggets scrambling for a loose ball, before he landed in my lap along with the photographers next to me. I was covering the New Jersey Nets/Denver Nuggets game Jan 31, 2011 at the Prudential Center.

I also placed a remote camera near the basket and was able to make a interesting shot, which is the second image. This is something I've never tried before - and hope to experiment with again in the future.

More Snow

A few images from this past weeks snow storm.