This weekend I had another opportunity to photograph the Miami Hurricanes football game at Sunlife Stadium. The game this week was UM vs. NC. Unlike the previous game where it was a sauna on the field, this week’s game had slightly lower temps but there was a breeze that made the UM vs. NC game bearable.
Unlike the first game where I walked into the stadium tunnels all wide eyed and basically star struck, I walked confidently throughout the under belly of the stadium and onto the field during warm ups. I took some photos of warmups to help me get my settings in the camera locked in, but seeing how it was sunny one moment and cloudy the next, I knew it was going to be a day of constantly changing my settings to get proper exposure.
After warmups had completed the UM Marching Band took the field and gave their pregame performance. After their performance had completed I made my way onto the field for the Miami Hurricanes entrance through the tunnel. It was pretty amazing to be on the field. I lined up with the other photographers are we all jostled for the best position to capture the team making their way onto the field. I saw the UM mascot, Sebastian the Ibis, in front of the team ready to take the field. Without much hesitation Sebastian led the whole team onto the field and it was a bit scary as these big guys ran mere inches away from me. I’m glad I wasn’t trampled because I wasn’t watching where I was or where they were running to.
During the last game I basically stayed on the sidelines taking photos waiting for the action to come my way. Ok, hoping the action came my way. This week I basically stayed in the endzones. I personally like the photos better from the endzone. Plus there were instances where the action was 10 yards or less in front of me. A great vantage point to get some great shots.
I’m still missing some shots because the action is going quick. I have noticed that there are multiple photographers for multiples papers etc. so that no shot would be missed. Since it’s just me I have to track the action and anticipate where the ball will be thrown to etc. It’s quite the challenge and I’m so up for it.
During the second half of the UM vs. NC game it appeared I had the prime seat in the endzone as a good portion of the photographers came to sit right next to me. This one gentleman was a UM photographer and had this massive championship ring on his hand. I only noticed it because he had the new Nikon D4 camera attached to a 400mm lens. I thought about if I had the opportunity to take either the diamond encrusted ring or the camera gear what would I take? Ok, I would opt for the camera gear. I was never into flashy jewelry but that was a nice championship ring.
I had another great experience photographing the game. I can’t wait for this upcoming week’s game where UM battles their long time instate rival, FS pew, I mean FSU. That game will be under the lights and a nationally televised game.
