Day 68 (Fri., Nov. 18)

When a running back takes the hand-off, he is supposed to have a clear hole that the O-line made for him just seconds before he started to move forward. But what happens when the hole is not made for the running back to get through?

The running back scrambles and looks for an alternative way to get through.

Well, that metaphor could be used to describe how I felt tonight while shooting a district semifinal game in Hollywood, Fla.

You see, I had the top equipment, the best O-line -- if you will, but I that didn't mean I was going to get through the tough defense. I packed a 200mm 1.8 lens, the fastest fixed lens ever. I attached it to a Canon 1D, a digital beauty that shoots eight frames per second. I had the top of the line while shooting tonight. But the system failed. For some reason, the super-fast lens would not focus. I tried on a different Canon 1D (I get the luxury of going on assignment w/ two of these beauties) and it still didn't focus. So, I had to jump from having the automatic focus to manual focus. This was what I was talking about earlier when I used the running back reference. Ok, so the top-of-the-line equipment failed me tonight. Was I going to allow it to give me just three yards and a could of dust? (that's football lingo for "too much drama for nothing")

No, No, No!

I scrambled and was able to get the photos you are seeing on this page. Perhaps not the best action sports photos of a semifinal game, but at least I was able to get the job done.

Whether it's on the playing field as a star running back or on the sidelines as a photojournalists, one must be ready to adjust. Tonight, I almost got tackled for a loss of yardage, but in the end I was able to gain a first down.

I just realized that I had not named the cameras that the paper has issued me during the internship. We all know that Stephanie, my own Canon 1D beauty, has been taking the fall off since I was issued two cameras that are alike her. But I have used these cameras for almost three months and I have yet to name them. Well, let's see. I will call them Ariel and Jazmin. Yeah, like the Disney characters. What a perfect name for the two beauties that allow me to do my job. Ok, laugh at me. Meanwhile, I am the one w/ the privilege to go on the field w/ a camera bag w/ about $10,000 worth in equipment.

Yesterday - Main - Tomorrow