Wordless Wednesday - Motion

Motion

 The last couple of basketball games I've been working on an old technique to try to capture the motion of the game. This involves slowing the shutter speed down and panning the camera with the players. The hope is to get the player in focus, but those things that are moving fast will be blurred. In basketball that will typically be the hands and feet. Panning the camera also adds a motion blur to the background.

The down side to this technique is that you need to be sitting along the side of the court, which means that you miss some of the action under the basket. Obviously, the up side it that a new level of action is introduced into the image.

Aww...some Monday - Pool Party

During my annual Christmas Music Marathon I don't post photos of other events that are going on in my life. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas this blog is dedicated to the celebration of Christmas. So now is an opportunity to show you what else was going on in front of my camera. I took in a local high school swim meet. These events are great fun to photograph. I can get almost anywhere around the pool that I choose.

The butterfly is probably the most exciting stroke and fun to photograph. It has the most action and water is going everywhere.

Even from the side, there is exciting motion. I cannot imagine the coordination and energy required to master this stroke.

The back stroke is best photographed from the side. I like the fact that the hand is a little out of focus. It emphasizes the motion of the event.

The freestyle is deceptively difficult to photograph. Some of the swimmers only breathe twice per length of the pool and one of those puts their face away from the camera. Timing is everything. It was an awesome day, an awesome meet and an opportunity to get some awesome photos. Have an Aww...some Monday.

Inspiration Thursday - Mercy Tree

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8) If there is any single thing that this society needs, it is mercy. As a nation we seem to have lost our heart for one another and have little desire to show mercy to others. Even those who cry out for tolerance are often the most intolerant of those with whom they disagree. Social media is filled with rants against everything and no mercy is shown in the words chosen by those to post their discontent with this world. Whenever life is not going our way, the Bible instructs, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) We could all use a little more mercy and grace in our lives. Have a blessed day.

Wordless Wednesday - Ladies Hoops

High School Ladies Hoops

Aww...some Monday

Last week I went to one of the local high school basketball games. I have to admit that I love high school sports. I also have to admit that these young athletes are so much bigger, faster, and stronger than ever, regardless of the sport.

Even at the high school level, basketball has become a contact sport.

Blocking a shot is always an exciting play, but this young man can just jump out of the gym. I believe that he blocked three shots on this night, even though it was losing effort for the team.

Same young man rejecting another shot in an outstanding defensive effort.

I never really played the game, but when I did, I can guarantee you that my fingers never go above the rim. 

So, if you like sports, get out an see a high school game. It's cheap entertainment and there are plenty of good seats available. Have an Awesome Monday!

Wordless Wednesday - Hoopty Doo!

Grandson in dark jersey.

Awesome Monday

The past couple of weeks a large portion of our nation has seen some very wintry weather. It has been cold here in Northwest Arkansas. The temperature has dropped into the single digits on a few nights. Now it is wet, very wet. So, I thought I would post a few flowers just to remind us that Spring is just around the corner.

Inspiration Thursday - Rivival

 

Have you ever given consideration the purpose of corporate worship? What is the purpose of believers coming together and worshiping the Lord? If you have a special interest you probably know others who share that interest. Mine is digital photography. As a result, I belong to an organization that meets regularly to share knowledge and information about the subject. The purpose of these meetings is to become a better photographer and enjoy the fellowship of others who share my passion for photography. 

Corporate worship for the believer serves some of the similar purposes. We spend all week in a world that has little use for our Savior. We encounter evil on a regular basis throughout our daily walk and we are tempted to engage in activities that are not pleasing to our Lord and are not beneficial to our own lives. Sunday morning brings us a new opportunity to come together as believers, sing praises to our Savior and share knowledge about what He as done in our lives. It is a refuge for our souls, a chance recharge our batteries, be encouraged and encourage other believers. We also learn of opportunities to share the love of Christ in our community. Every Sunday is an opportunity for a personal revival to occur. Lord, send a revival and let it begin in me.