Thursday, July 31, 2008

Malibu Open 5

Men's wakeboarding event on Day 1, Friday evening, of the Malibu Open in Michigan.

This was shot from my station on the pontoon boat near the course.  Many of the images have the beach in the background with the inherent clutter.  This is one where the athlete was sufficiently close that the background was nicely blurred.  It didn't always work out that way and on many shots the athlete blended into the background too much.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Malibu Open 4

This is from the wakeboarding event on Day 1 of the Malibu Open.  Dallas Friday, a Malibu Team rider, showing her style as she gets airborne.  I took the photo while stationed on a pontoon boat outside the course.

The wakeboarding event was difficult for photographers because of heavy overcast skies.  There was even some light rain for the Day 2 wakeboarding.  We could not get well-lit shots with good contrast.  High ISO settings and slow focusing.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Malibu Open 3

Day 1 of the Malibu Open.  I spent some time on the starting dock getting candids of the athletes.  Here is Billy Susi, Malibu team skier, getting pulled out of the water by the tow boat before the start of his slalom run.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Malibu Open 2

Emma Sheers rounding a buoy at the Malibu Open on Day 1 of women's slalom.

Nice morning light at shortly after 7:00 AM.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Malibu Open

This is from Friday, day 1 of the Malibu Open on Pontiac Lake.  Thomas Degasperi, Malibu Team skier, crossing the wake.

I was chest deep in the water for many of the women's and men's runs on Friday.  The water-level shot is pretty cool but even small waves make it difficult to hold the camera steady.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Barge close-up

I got in close to this barge that was crossing Lake Saint Clair, Michigan.  The barge is about as large as a freighter so it pushes a lot of water and makes quite a bow wave.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Lake Freighter

This was taken yesterday morning on Lake St. Clair, Michigan.  The freighter Robert S. Pierson was downbound from the St. Clair River approaching the Lake St. Clair light.  The city of Detroit is beyond the light but is not visible.

The breeze was light and variable with clear air.  It is difficult to take photos from a small boat in choppy water so this was perfect.  I was hoping for some upbound ship traffic heading into the low, morning sun but but no luck.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Malibu Open

Watch for images from the Malibu Open pro waterski tournament and the Quake on the Lake hydroplane races.  Events taking place July 18-20.  I'll start posting photos from these events next week.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Whitetail deer - 5

This image was shot in deeply shaded woods but the deer stands out against all the greenery.  A tiny ray of morning sun shines on her face to highlight it.