Photo Opportunity at the Ice Rink
© Trudy Purchas
Well may we call this outing an opportunity to take ‘good’ pics, but trying to capture images of a keeping standard proved to be quite a challenge! Taking shots indoors under artificial (and relatively low level) light, through a scratched plastic screen, onto a white reflective surface, of fast moving ice hockey players moving in erratic, unpredictable directions from up to 60m away was something new to me. This was compounded by a total ignorance of any rules regarding the sport which, in turn, removed the ability to anticipate any upcoming strategies or moves by the players.
Well, after a bit of trial and error, I sorted out the technical bits on the camera that enabled me to potentially capture the players (ISO 2000, F2.8, 1/1250th sec, 70-200mm lens, AI servo mode, high speed continuous mode). However framing good shots was still a problem.
So I decided to ‘think dirty’ - I tried to figure out which was the the weaker goalie and then position myself at their end on the assumption that sooner or later the opposition would give them a hard time. And, within reason, it worked and the poor goalies got a pounding! I don’t know how there are not more injuries, despite all the padding the players wear. Those goalies must have double jointed knees! And I’m not too sure about having equal opportunity for both sexes as the girls sure gave the guys a hard time in the hoppo bumpbo stakes!
My personal track record was an unenviable 770 shots taken over a 3+ hour session, mostly taken in continuous shooting mode, for a return of nominally 1% of keepers! Probably one of my worst returns ever!!! I think I will have to go back again and use my new found knowledge to advantage and try to improve.
Thanks to Cathy and the committee for organising the day out, lots of fun, good company (a nominal attendance of 15-20 members) and some more photography lessons learned.
