Liverpool v Trabzonsporas 18.8.10 Europa Cup Qualifying

This was the second football game of the season for me and it was raining! Traveled to the match by car and cycle.As well as helping to keep my fitness levels up it also means no parking problems at the ground. I carried the camera gear in a North Face backpack and a ThinTank Photo belt system.

This match was a bit of a challenge for Liverpool and their new manager Roy Hodgson. The Turkish fans were in good voice before the kick off .

I was using the Nikon 400 2.8 for the first time for a night game. What a difference this proved to be. Super sharp and with the extra reach I was able to shoot action at the half way line.I was shooting at 3200 asa 1/1000s shutter speed and an aperture of 2.8.

Torres came on for Liverpool in the second half and I was able to capture a few images.

Liverpool new signing Joe Cole was also in the thick of the action and had a good game despite missing a penalty. Liverpool eventually finished 1-0 winners and carry a slender league to Turkey for the away leg.

The  Images from the Europa Cup Games are syndicated through ActionPlus Sports Photo Agency    www.actionplus.co.uk

Image gallery  can be found at http://www.f2images-photolibrary.co.uk

Warrigton v Catalan Dragons Challenge Cup Semi-Final 8.8.10

Decided to carry on with my “get fit” campaign and part cycle to the game today. Had to work out how to carry a 400 lens,  two camera bodies, a laptop and a 70 -200 2.8 lens.  I used a North Face back pack for the 400 2.8 lens and one camera body,  a Thinktank Artificial Intelligence bag for the laptop and a belt system which accomodated a D3 and the 70-200 lens. I parked the car about three miles from the Stobart Stadium in Widnes.I have a Dawes Galaxy Tourer cycle which fits in the car and is quite light as well. After deciding to cycle I realised the the journey was all downhill on the way to the stadium,not looking forward to the cycle back to the car after the match!.

Arrived with time to spare,parked by bike in a secure cycle store in the main car park(why can’t all stadiums provide this?)  checked in and received my accreditation.

Great game, dominated by Warrington,glad that I decided to shoot at the end Warrington were attacking.

Warrington booked a return to Wembley on 28 August after storming to a dazzling nine-try Challenge Cup semi-final win over Catalans Dragons.The French side, beaten finalists in 2007, had beaten Warrington 29-28 in Perpignan just a fortnight ago.But there was no chance of another upset, forward Louis Anderson leading the way with three of his side’s tries.Ben Harrison, Matt King, Chris Riley, Lee Briers, Richie Myler and Jon Clarke also got in on the try-scoring act.

The final score was Warrington 54-12 Catalans Dragons.

Did not transmit from the ground and left just after half time.Cycled back up the hill and was glad to see the car after  about 20 minutes!

The images can be viewed and purchased at the following link:

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Images syndicated through Actionplus

http://www.actionplus.co.uk

Alan Edwards  8.8.2010

Water Sports 29.3.10

Spent the day photographing watersports on Crosby Marina. This was a commission for Sefton Council Leisure Services.As luck would have it was freezing cold and raining……..so much for Spring!To make matters worse I forgot to bring my rain cover Think Tank Photo Hydrophobia 70-200.

I  managed to leave it my other camera bag which I use for rugby.So instead I had to fashion a makeshift one out of an old bin sack and some gaffer tape. This worked really well under the circumstances and saved my camera and lens from a real soaking.

Despite the rain and cold lots of people turned up for the come and try sessions. These consisted of canoeing,kayaking and the opportunity to row  a dragon boat. A selection of todays images appear below.

I used a D3 and 70-200 2.8 VR11 combination exclusively.I am very pleased with this new lens it is so sharp.I am beginning to wonder whether there was something wrong with my old 70-200 2.8. VR .I still have this lens and think I will send it back to Nikon for a service and focus check.