Daily Snap: Finding the shot

Gear: Canon 5D Mark III; Canon 70-200 2.8L
Settings: f/5.0, 1/400th of a second, ISO 6400, 180mm

Assignment for a volleyball tourney in memory of a former student who died a few years ago. And I had some time to spend there (which is a rarity), so I took advantage.

First things first. Don't even pick up the camera for 10 minutes. Engage with the situation. I hate getting referred to or noticed as "the photographer," I just want to be a person who is also there. So I do that. Talk with organizers, folks I know, etc. Take in the environment.

I soon realized what I wanted. I wanted the "Volley for Jess" T-shirt in there, pretty visibly. I wanted the back of the T-shirt, too (everyone wore No. 9). And I wanted some emotion.

So from my mingling time, I knew this gal was the same year as Jess, the girl who passed away. And I had time, so I was patient. I set up on a bleacher on the same side as her squad and watched for a while. Thankfully with volleyball, you get a sense for when there will be a spurt of emotion. A long point. A big-time spike. A humorous play. And when I saw a spike develop for this girl, I trained my focus on her. Boom. Point won. She turns around, and the girl at right approaches her with a laugh and smile. She returns the emotion, and raises her hands, and shoots "Wooo!"

Perfect.

I got a few more with similar reactions/jubilation, but I kept going back to this one. The "Volley for Jess" was prominent, and so was the No. 9. And I kept thinking that there was just enough space between the two girls for the memory of Jess. There's a place for her, you know? That's what I see.

Anyway. Not an award winner. But it touched me, especially because I really enjoyed and appreciated my time on this assignment. And I think that counts for something.