SGA2017 Update 7-30-2017

State Games of America update, 7-30-2017

This week, photos are going to start rolling in.  While I will try to talk about some of them here, please visit my Smugmug - State Games of America page.  You can browse by sport and event.  I'm not going to be able to everything, I'll be based in Grand Rapids during this week.

News organizations, please contact me about rights in your media - LEphotobytony@gmail.com

Please visit my Twitter Account @lephotosbytony to see what I'm photographing during #SGA2017.

Media Credentials

I've been told that I'll be able to get my credentials for #SGA2017.

Follow me on Twitter...
https://twitter.com/lephotosbytony/status/888180162776494080

SGA2017 Prep. 16 days to go

State Games of America

Hosted in Grand Rapids, MI

and with State Games of Michigan

Getting ready for this, it is interesting for me.  My wife has gone as a coach 2 times now, and this will be my first... primarily to support her and her students.  But also to do some photography.  

I'm going to be competing as well.  Although, not as an athlete, but as a photographer.  I've entered my request for credentials, and to be a part of their photo contest.  

So I'm getting my schedule put together, web site and digital operations prepped for presentation.  Even considering clothing options.  It's exciting.  But this kind of preparation doesn't end with these things.  

Enter scouting.

Like how some athletes will research their competition, I'm reviewing the venues... as much as I can from 400+ miles away.  I need to search out my best vantage points and then I need to keep in mind the personal opportunity and the stories.

Will I just be taking pics reflecting my area's participants?  No, but they will be a focus, as I intend to contact western Wisconsin media, centering around La Crosse, WI and including athletes from here, Sparta, Tomah, and Onalaska.  But I can't wait to find out what athletes from other sports are participating as well.

Also, I'm hoping I get a chance to photograph sports to get myself out of the comfort zone a little bit.

Can't wait!

Renting a lens, SGA2017, and Photo

This time I'm prepared. Figure skaters from this area (La Crosse,  WI) are showing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

An event known as State Games of America is hosting youth athletes from all over the country in an Olympic style week long event.  Grand Rapids will host most of the events.  And from what I can tell, they almost any sport I can think of... save alpine skiing (cause, August). 

Now, figure skating will be my priority in photography. My wife has 4 students she is putting on the ice. One of them left La Crosse just as I was getting into Photography and I've been hoping to capture him ever since.  And now he is able to do triple jumps. Nicole is going to get him on the ice as his coach from Connecticut couldn't make the trip.

Now for the photo geeky stuff.  

Up till now, I've been using a 50mm f1.8 lens on my Sony a6000.  But, now I'm renting the Sony 70-200 f4 G  from LensRentals.com.  While most sports, 70-200 isn't long enough, it is perfect for basketball and ice rink sized locations. And, since my sensor is APS-C it really goes out an effective 300 mm.  While I would like a better f2.8, it will get the job done.

Just waiting to hear back on my press credentials to cover the events. Can't wait!