Friday, February 27, 2009

Downhill giant slalom ski race

This photograph is of a downhill skier racing on a giant slalom course.  He has just rounded a gate and is about to drop down a deep slope.  The forward portion of the skis are already in mid-air.
I was on an adjacent hill that was slightly lower.  I would have preferred to be slightly lower but the hill was too steep for me to keep my footing.  Nonetheless, I was able to get the skier coming right at the camera with his legs offering a strong diagonal line.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Downhill slalom ski race-3

More downhill slalom ski racing action.  The skier has just rounded the red gate and is heading across the course to the next gate.  There are a couple reasons why I look for a spot like this if the course has one.  First, the skier is heading right at the camera and there are strong diagonal lines with his legs.  Second, when shooting across the course, as opposed to looking uphill, there are often trees in the background which allow the spray of snow to show very well.  I was slightly downhill from this gate but was also on my knees to get as low as possible.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Downhill slalom ski race-2

Here is another shot of a downhill (alpine) skier racing on the slalom course.  Different angle than in the previous post but it shows nice action.  My position here was directly to the side of the gate at the same elevation.  I had already shot this skier when he was above and coming directly at me, and I swung the camera rapidly as he passed to the side.  The timing is not always this perfect, though, and this skier is just making contact with the gate. 

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Downhill slalom ski race

I recently photographed the NMU men's downhill (alpine) ski team at the midwest collegiate regional championships.  This shot shows a skier at a gate during a slalom run.  I like to pick a spot on the course that is slightly below a gate and close to being directly in front.  Most of the time I have to hike up the hill pretty far.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Whitetail Deer - 8 pt. Buck-2

Here is another shot of the 8 point whitetail buck deer.  His pose is pretty much the same as in the previous photo but he has moved farther into the woods.  Still watching the does that are nearby.
I like the way that the antlers contrast with the darker woods.  Too often the antlers will blend with the surrounding branches and twigs and it is hard to distinguish them.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Whitetail Deer - 8 pt. Buck

I finally got into the woods after about a month of waiting for good weather to coincide with available time.  I was glad to find a nice 8 point whitetail buck and, also, to be close enough for a nice photograph.  He was with a group of does and a couple other bucks.  In this shot he is keeping an eye on the others as they all moved through the woods foraging for food.