Ray's World......

Hoop.....

2012-01-23T11:19:00.003-06:00

...there it is!!! Now, that football is over it's time to take to the hardwood and shoot some hoops. Love me some college basketball. Even though I wasn't feeling 100%, because this darn cold won't go away I decide to shoot both the Boise St. at TCU and Denver at North Texas games on Saturday. Although none of the teams are having great seasons I was entertained by two great basketball games.

Boise St. led 50-34 with just under nine minutes remaining and the game pretty much looked over. But someone forgot to tell the Horned Frogs that as they went on a 20-2 run to close out the game and win 54-52 in Fort Worth. I really enjoyed shooting Bronco guard Tre Nichols (#10) a senior from Killeen, TX. He sports dreadlocks and can jump out of the building, a darn fun player to watch. Love the pix of him with one eye closed driving to the basket....ARGG!
Then, it was time to drive up to Denton for a 7pm tip off between the Pioneers and Mean Green and once again I forgot how darn DARK the Super Pit really is. Patrick Green was shooting for U of Denver and had strobes set up. David Minton of the Denton Record-Chronicle was rocking the Nikon SB-whatevers! Me? Crank up the ISO and just shoot, bitches. It still amazes me what 6400 ISO looks like now days on the Mark 4 or 7D. I have to admit the first 10 minutes of the game I was in a fog! The action was fast and furious and I was in the dark. Until you shoot there you have NO idea how dark it is. Strobes or not, it's hard to focus, manual of AF!!!
After moving to the other end of the court during a timeout I seemed to get my act together as it was about a F-stop or two brighter at the other end and I was able to start making images. And I am sure glad I did!!! UNT features freshman Tony Mitchell a 235, 6'8" forward from Dallas, who was a man was among boys scoring 30 points and out muscled Denver inside the paint. The Pioneers featured an outside game hitting on eleven 3-pt baskets. UNT lead by 7 with under a minute remaining but Denver fought back to tied the game at 66 as time expired in regulation. In a wild finish North Texas scored on put back off a miss with one second remaining for the 75-74 OT victory. So two games won by a total of 3 points (2 is the minimum) and a very entertaining day of making images!!! Here's a few....

Football season is...

2012-01-09T13:21:00.004-06:00

...over. It's January 9 and tonight the BCS Championship game will be played between LSU and Alabama ending the college football season. There are only 7 NFL games left; none in Texas. Thus, my year of shooting football ended on Saturday with the FCS Championship. (“FCS” what you say? Too confusing to explain so let us leave it at that) The game was played between Sam Houston State and North Dakota State at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, who both advanced thru a “playoff bracket” (imagine that concept) to the title game.

There was a standing room crowd of over 20,000 packed in to Pizza Hut Park and the stands on the east side were “hunter orange” filled with SHSU Bearkat faithful, while the west side was full with an eye popping neon yellow sported by the Bison fans from NDSU.

The past 5 months I figure I shot over 60 games which included high school, college and NFL action. I never look at any game differently…there were some NFL games that were really boring (Seattle vs. Cowboys), some high school games that were great (Southlake vs. Keller Central) and probably the best game all year was SMU vs. TCU which the Mustangs won in overtime 40-33 over the Horned Frogs.

But there was something really special about the game on Saturday. These aren’t players that are likely to go to the NFL or coaches making millions. These teams are rarely on TV; in fact they played most of their games in front of 6,000 fans of less. These are student athletes that play the game because they love it. But, the main difference Saturday than any other game this season was the fans! Most North Dakota fans traveled 18 hours by bus and car to Frisco to see their team win the NCAA Div I Championship 17-6 over Sam Houston. The passion, the energy and excitement was like no other game I shot all season long.

So when I look back at the fall of 2011 football season, what will I remember most? Will it be shooting LSU’s first victory of the year, the near miss by Keller Central vs. eventual UIL Texas State Champion Southlake, or Case Keenum’s record setting TicketCity Bowl Performance to name a few? Nah, hands down it was Saturday; Bearkats vs. Bison, not because of the quality of the game, but because of the excitement fans which made it so much fun to be there! Damn it was fun!!! Can’t wait for late August….

Did I mention the Bison hats that looked like something out of a Fred Flintstone cartoon? Here's 15.....

Gary, Gary, Gary.........

2011-12-04T11:24:00.004-06:00

......Gary Patterson!!! Hands down in my opinion one of the best college football coaches in the country and luckily enough I get to shoot him almost every week in the fall strolling the TCU sidelines. Catching Coach Patterson with a "smile" is a different story. After coming off a Rose Bowl victory last season with a senior laden offense, the Horned Frogs started this season slow with a loss to Baylor. Along with a loss weeks later to crosstown rival SMU. A win at Boise St. in November turned the season around, and along with an invitation in October to join the Big 12, coupled with a newly renovated Amon G. Carter Stadium (to be completed next season) and a possible BCS berth once again this year there is reason to smile in Fort Worth! Here's 3 from Saturday.......

WEEEEEEEEE........

2011-05-29T20:45:00.004-05:00

.............well once again another year of PGA golf is complete in the DFW area....I find it a bit strange and sad that over the course of 11 days in May two tournaments; The Colonial in Forth Worth and The Byron Nelson in Irving are played in such a short amount of time. One kinda gets golfed out during this period of time, but as a photographer or fan if you don't get your fill you have to wait another 350 some days! Thursday was great weather day at the "Nelson" with highs in the 80's as friend & photographer Holly Paulson joined me on the course making images and editing as we focused on Jordan Spieth, Sergio, KJ Choi and Dustin Johnson. Saturday was hot and miserable and to make matters worse I tried to do way, way too much and paid the price walking close to 10 miles on the day. Today was awesome, I hung out with Claire most of the day as we camped out on 5 different holes 2, 9, 11, 17 and 18 waiting for the pro's to come to us! The tournament was won on the first playoff hole by tour rookie Keegan Bradley over Ryan Palmer, who sunk a birdie putt to force the playoff....As always here's 3!!!!

Greetings.....

2011-03-11T18:53:00.001-06:00

....from fabulous Las Vegas!!! Got here a couple of days early for March Madness and have been shooting the Mountain West Conference Tournament the past few days....Had a classic game in the women's semi-finals as Utah came back from 11 down late in the game to defeat BYU 50-49 on a last second buzzer beater. But the last five minutes of shooting that game I was on fire! Some really nice images. Tonight on tap on the men's side it's New Mexico vs BYU and SDSU vs. UNLV from the Shark Tank on the campus of UNLV. 6 games down and 4 left; than the fun will begin! Here's a few from the closing moments....

Basketball....

2011-02-21T16:17:00.001-06:00

.....playoffs begin tomorrow night for the boy's and I will be shooting Keller vs Lewisville up at Denton Guyer not a bad local for a basketball game, but will I shoot a winner? I give it 50/50 chance...just give me a good game like the one I had Friday night!!! Fossil Ridge played Northwest for the 4th playoff spot from District 7-5A and with the Panthers winning 51-46 in double overtime, in what was probably the best game I was able to shot all year. Lot's of emotion, two overtimes and a nearly full gym. Well, off to Denton tomorrow night in what probably will be my last high school basketball game of the year, darn! And KISD, please buy some new lights!!!

J-I-M-M-E-R!!!!!!

2011-02-20T08:56:00.002-06:00

........Saturday afternoon Jimmer Fredette and the BYU Cougars were in Fort Worth to play TCU and the Danial-Meyer Coliseum with a capacity of around 7,500 was sold out for the first time since 2004. Not because of TCU that fans came out to see the 6th ranked Cougars and possible player of the year Fredette, but because of the 5,000 or so BYU fans that made the DMC their home for 2 1/2 hours on this February afternoon. It was a rockstar, cult like following for BYU and their star player Fredette with signs, jerseys and more kiddos under the age of 5 that I have ever seen at a basketball game in my life. BYU won 79-56 in an uneventful game, but this is the shape of things to come in Fort Worth as TCU joins the Big East in one season the likes of Syracuse, Georgetown, Pitt, Villanova, Louisville and St John's will be visiting every winter...Wow real good basketball is on the horizon...Here's 3....

PLAYOFFS!!!!!

2011-02-15T21:29:00.001-06:00

.....Well once again the Keller teams I shoot come up short in playoff action! The past two nights it's been high school girls basketball with Keller losing last night 80-53 to Lewisville and tonight Timber Creek was defeated by Western Hills 57-46. So my streak continues as I haven't shot a playoff win in about 3 years now....It was pretty fun game to game with fast pace and very athletic action by Western Hills provided with some decent images. It looks like one more high school hoops game on the schedule for the season as Keller boys will opne the playoffs next Monday or Tuesday night....Should I stay home? And personally like never before I am high school hooped out!!! Here's 3....

Great.....

2011-02-12T00:11:00.003-06:00

......hockey game tonight in Dallas! The Stanley Cup Champion and my home town Chicago Blackhawks were in action tonight against the Dallas Stars. Added to the fun was long time Stars goalie Marty Turco was in net for the visitors. The Hawks got out to a first period 3-0 lead in front of the sell-out crowd and it seemed it might become a laughter...no such luck for 30 percent of fans that were sporting their Indian Heads proudly on their chest! The Stars came back to tie the game on a speculator Brendon Morrow goal half way thru the third period. After a scoreless over time Dallas prevailed 3-1 on penalty shots to win the game 4-3. Probably was the most exciting hockey game I have shot in a long time!!! Here's my take!

I hate this gym.....

2011-02-09T13:00:00.004-06:00

........with each passing time I shoot in the main gym at Keller High School I get more and more frustrated. The light is poor and seems to keep getting worse and worse every year. This season ISO 5000, Shutter 500 and F2.8...and it's still dark. To make matters even more depressing the lights cycle BIG TIME....shoot a 5 frame sequence and 5 different color balances, even if you manual white balance only 1 frame is proper. Than there are the back rounds! I refer to to now as the "circus tent" as KISD Athletic Director Bob Dejonge told me a story early in the season about the principle at the time the gym opened saw another gym with this painting configuration and HAD to have it. Bob told him it would like like a "circus tent" he insisted! Distracting is an understatement...so I went old school lat night and shot monochrome in the camera and actually I was pleased with the results. Less distracting for sure, light still cycled 2-3 f-stops on exposer and motion blur killed me! Here's to 3 from the B/W circus tent!

New for me.......

2011-01-13T10:20:00.000-06:00

......old to others! Well, it's always nice to visit and shoot in different arena or stadium; kinda like riding a roller coaster for the first time. I guess there are other analogies, but I will stay away from them. I shot the Memphis vs. SMU game at Moody Coliseum on Wednesday and was very entertained by a decent basketball game won by the Mustangs 64-58 and a GREAT old building....kinda reminded me of DePaul's Alumni Hall crossed with Old Chicago Stadium....small but old and full character. Other shooters said it was dark, but after shooting at UNT and high school gyms I never complain. I look forward to going back on Saturday when the Houston Cougars visit. No Phi Slamma Jamma is gone! Here's 3..........

It was three for all.....

2010-12-19T08:49:00.005-06:00

.....had a great Saturday shooting Texas A&M vs Arkansas in overtime basketball contest; won by the Aggies, followed by the Gonzaga upset victory over Baylor, than it was off to Jerry World to shoot the 5A Division II State Football Championship between Pearland and Trinity. Some of the highlights of the day was hitting former Bear Nathan Vasher in the nuts with my 300mm lens at the end of the football game and YES, it was on accident. Earlier in the day I high-fived Dallas Maverick Shawn Marion who was sitting in the front row at the basketball games, but the odd part was sporting a Cubs warm up jacket.....what? To cap the day off I had conversation with Candice Crawford; I guess for lack of better term Tony Romo's bride to be. I did limit my chatter though I didn't want her to change her mind about Tony he's a had a bad enough season, plus it's the holidays! And to be honest no way I could afford that rock. Here's three.....

Portraits....@&#)%^*$>~%!

2010-11-10T10:32:00.004-06:00

As most of you know I don't like to shoot portraits! Football, basketball and anything that moves and no communication with the subject are more my style. But I was asked....So after weeks and weeks of busy Saturdays and Sundays the opportunity to shot finally came this past weekend. I selected a location that I have visited for about 5 years now but have NEVER shot there. It's a wonderful place close to home with color, angles, shapes, trees and much more....Thanks to the DeVille's who trusted and believed in me more than I did myself! Here's four...btw I am ready to do more.

I feel guilt.....

2010-11-03T23:59:00.004-05:00

....because I haven't blogged in so freakin long...I just have been so busy and by the time I get done editing I am ready for bed and have to get up the next day and start all over again. Well, Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins were in town tonight to play the Dallas Stars with the home team winning 5-2. The game was highlighted by 4 pretty nice fights....so here's 3 pixs from tonights game!

Here's my take on Romo......

2010-10-26T08:10:00.000-05:00

.....Not much for words for several reasons this morning! Mainly I am tired, didn't fall asleep until 3am...up at 6 to get the girls out so I finished editing....and as much as I am not a Cowboy fan I don't like to see anyone get hurt. So here's what I got.....

3 down, 1 to go.....

2010-10-10T08:58:00.000-05:00

....well my weekend of 4 football games in 48 hours continues today as I head out to Jerry World for the Titans vs. the Cowboys. Not much to say, but I am sore and tired! Saw a kid score 5 TD's in the first half on Friday night, but than got hurt in the third quarter. Saw, TCU record back-to-back shutouts for the first time in 55 years with win over Wyoming. And not to be out done SMU beat Tulsa to move to 3-0 in C-USA and is unbeaten in conference for the first time since the SWC days.......coffee, waffle making and than into the madness of ALDS and NFL football! Here's 3 all TD's I might add.

Hockey?

2010-09-21T23:11:00.001-05:00

It seems like just yesterday that the Blackhawks were lifting Lord's Stanley Cup and hell it's still 90 degrees here in Texas but yes, it's hard to believe hockey is back! The Dallas Stars took the ice vs. the Tampa Lightning and for the first time in Dallas franchise history Mike Modano isn't on the team so I guess in some respects it's a new era for the Stars. Perhaps they are going the goon route as normally preseason games are kinda boring....but the first period was highlighted by not 1, not 2 but 3 fights!!! And the big plus of the even I was actually cold in the AAC....the air cranked down to keep the ice from getting soft! Here's three....

Let's go B&W......

2010-09-15T10:05:00.000-05:00

.......after talking with Andy last night at the Indian Springs 8th grade football games I decide to give my buyers another option; B&W. With a click of the mouse I can turn all my pictures into some powerful images by dropping the color from them. And even better when folks are browsing the galleries the B&W and color images are side by side....giving some nice options and pretty cool old school stuff! Here's three from last night......

Tropical Storm......

2010-09-08T12:15:00.009-05:00

........Hermine is packing some rain as it hits the DFW for a second straight day! Over 6 inches of rain have fell so far today and parts of Keller are taking a beating. As I drove around I couldn't helping thinking about the good old days at the Daily Herald making weather pixs!!! As Eddie Money sings "I wanna go back!" Here's the goods.....

BEAVER!!!!!!!

2010-09-05T01:49:00.004-05:00

......No kids Justin Bieber wasn't in town on Saturday night, but the Oregon State Beavers where. They took on TCU in the second Annual Cowboys Classic game at "JerryWorld," with the Horned Frogs prevailing over the PAC-10 opponents 30-21.

That being said this is probably no big to deal to fans of the Beavers or ones that play the Beavers frequently but for TCU faithful this was something all too new. And boy did they have fun with it. Kinda shocking for me to say that honestly that the "Beaver" signs become a bit gratuitous, but they did. It begs the question just think if they weren't playing a "Christian" University! Hell here's 7 for the beaver!

Week One.....

2010-09-04T10:01:00.001-05:00

........of high school football season is in the computer for me, if you will; all edited and CF cards have been wiped clean to get ready for today's TCU vs. Oregon St. tilt at Jerry World tonight. Not sure why, but they call the first week of the high school season here "zero" week and second weekend of games "week one." Wouldn't just be easier to start with Week One? I guess that's why I am not smart enough to work for the government or UIL!!

Well, Keller Central moved to 2-0 on Thursday night and last night Timber Creek played their first varsity game in the school history with only sophomores and juniors on the roster vs. Northside. The "Falcons" and head coach Kevin Golden are now a perfect 1-0 in the history of the school.

From head-to-toe players were losing helmets and shoes and a RB from Central is putting together a nice season with 301 yards on the ground so far this year. Here's....4!!!

FOOTBALL.......

2010-08-27T23:17:00.007-05:00

............is BACK!!!! Although I shot a game last night; with Keller Central defeating Newman-Smith 24-21, I found tonight's game to be much more entertaining and great atmosphere at Keller Stadium tonight with a near capacity crowd. The Indians played a very weak Irving Tigers team, who is 1-19 in the past two season....you can make that 1-20 as Keller won 45-7. It amazes me how much better I shot tonight over last night, I am think 2-3 more games and my timing might almost be there! i best hurry up TCU vs. Oregon State next Saturday. Well here's three!!! Make it 4!!!

It's been....

2010-07-25T22:54:00.000-05:00

.....2 months since blogging...BUT I AM BACK!!! Shot the Rangers vs. Angels, the first place Texas Rangers I might add! No, I am not a Ranger guy but their 7 games up in the AL West and my Cubs are...9 out....A pretty uneventful night actions wise...but bulldogs were there, Bush was there and Tommy Hunter who is 8-0 on the season. Here's three....

Danny Noonan.....

2010-05-22T09:57:00.000-05:00

....meet Jordan Spieth!!! It was a long, hot and sweaty day at the second round of the Byron Nelson Championship on Friday. Not many big names or top golfers are in town for the tournament as the highest ranked player in the field is Hunter Mahan at #17 in the world. The main attraction is a 16-year-old local golfer named Jordan Spieth from Jesuit High School in Dallas who is taking the tournament by storm. On Friday, Spieth became the 6th youngest player in PGA history to make the cut by turning in a two-day total of -3 for the tournament. As the day progressed the galleries grew larger and larger and the roars louder and louder....all the was missing was Al Czervik and Judge Smails. Here's a high FIVE for the Noonan! BTW...there where plenty of Lacey Underall's walking the course as it was Friday at the Nelson.

What a night......

2010-05-17T23:53:00.000-05:00

......I sat home and really thought about 6pm there was no way I would be shooting baseball tonight as 4-inches of rain hit the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington around 5pm....the outfield was underwater!!! Well, around 6:20 they announced game on! And not good for me I was totally out of sorts.....got there late, traffic was heavy, wasn't shooting where I really want to and the worst part-computer problems!! I did somtimes different tonight for the hell of it...shot upstairs the first inning I like the mound shot....I also brought the 11-16mm and got lucky near the dugout as the Rangers scored their only 4-runs while I was there..Guess what? I survived and all editted and time for bed...Here's 3....

The Streak....

2010-05-10T17:35:00.006-05:00

.....continues!!! Well, another high school sports season has come and gone.....as Keller lost on Saturday to Southlake Carroll 8-1; Dragons win the series 2-1. So the next time I will have a chance to shot a playoff win will be in early November when football and volleyball playoffs begin. I was 0 for KISD this season as not ONE team out of 15 or so that I shot won any of playoff games I was at. Ohhh well!!! First place Rangers a couple of times this week and Byron Nelson next....Here's three...nothing special.

You....

2010-05-06T19:32:00.006-05:00

...can't beat fun at the old ballpark! Had to shoot game one of the Keller vs. SL Carroll best of three playoff series today and where football is KING (Southlake) they don't have lights for baseball or softball...which is fine with me! Nothing better than a 4pm start for a high school baseball game. Made some nice images...one would have been really nice if I was vert and horz...but hell it was a play at the plate....I am think horizontal right? So, the playoff win streak isn't over yet, Keller has to win tomorrow at 7:30 or the rubber game on Saturday at 1pm back in Southlake....as always here's three....love the LIGHT!!!! Simple but so, so cool!!! You get an added pix....more errors...than runs! Go figure!

PLAYOFFS?!?!?!?

2010-04-30T16:53:00.003-05:00

.......Well the UIL softball playoffs beginning tonight and Keller has three teams in the first round....tonight Keller is action vs. Hebron and Central hosts Marcus, both games are at 7:30pm so I have opted to shoot the KCHS Chargers game because its closer to my house and Keller has a great chance of making it to state finals; so they should have many more games in the offing...Fossil plays Coppell tomorrow afternoon at 2pm. I have not shoot a winning playoff game since May 17, 2008 when Fossil Ridge beat Birdville. The following week Ridge lost to Cannon to end their playoff run. So, there it is two games this weekend...Central tonight, Fossil tomorrow...will I get happy faces for the first time in nearly two years? Here is a pair from 2 years ago win and lose!

Paulie....

2010-04-28T13:05:00.001-05:00

......Paulie Konerko! Everytime I see him playing all I can think of is sitting in an empty upper deck of new Comisky Park with Brittany on a rainy Chicago June day....and over & over & over again in her best over exaggerated Chicago accent she keeps saying, "Paulie. Paulie Konerko. Konerko-ders. Hey Konerko. Hey Paulie! How's yer Konerko?" Well, the White Sox were in town last night playing the Rangers not much for action, 4-2 but I shot Paulie, Ozzie and Vladie! So here's three "ie's" for ya!! You think Ozzie knew I was a Cub fan, he looks pissed?!?!

Internet....

2010-04-25T10:33:00.000-05:00

.....is back up!! Plus, something was wrong with the router as it took 30 minutes to upload 27 pictures via a wireless connection. Well, shoot a little Rangers vs. Detroit last night. Not there yet shooting wise on baseball, but nevertheless made some decent file images which always seem to get picked up. Love the pix of Johnny Damon...Time for coffee, ohhh wait coffee is for closers only! Here's 3.....I went portrait like...

Mo!!!!

2010-04-09T01:06:00.001-05:00

.....Well I can honestly say that I am not a huge Dallas Stars fan, but I have to admit tonight I witnessed one of the saddest nights in the franchises history. Mike Modano who moved with the than Minnesota NorthStars to Dallas back in 1993 to become the Stars might have played his last game for the only franchise he ever has known. The first time I saw Modano play was back in 1992 with Bob Chwedyk at the old Chicago Stadium as the Blackhawks were the one seed and the NorthStars the eighth and moving to Dallas, Minnesota won that game seven as the old barn saw it's last hockey game. I guess it's ironic Dallas fans tonight may have seen #9 for the last time and I was there....Here's 9....

Shooting.....

2010-04-06T14:42:00.006-05:00

....golf, one of my favorite things! Just got done making 1200 images today of the 5-5A district golf meet up in Fort Worth. It was a wind day, but very beautiful nevertheless. So guess I get to do tomorrow? EDIT!!! Off to go get Kate and have fun at the Blackhawks-Stars game. Here's 3!!! Hey I like to get creative on the course.

NO.........

2010-04-01T21:09:00.000-05:00

......MAS!!!! Please wind; stop blowing.....Well 3 1/2 hours at the Keller Invitational Track meet was enough for me today. I got there at 4pm to shoot pole vault and the 3200m. That was cool, but as the day wore on the wind from the southeast kept getting stronger and stronger, (ok, fellow photographers get ready to laugh) it was actually hard to hold the 300mm lens that the wind gusting so hard! I guess I am wimp.....In a great mood but I felt like going old school tonight all b&w's for the old blog. As always.....here's 3! Damn, my face hurts.

It was a.....

2010-03-30T22:34:00.005-05:00

.......beautiful night for soccer albeit a tad windy! The Keller Lady Indians took on the Plano West Wolves in Flower Mound on Tuesday night for a berth in the Regional Semifinals in Midland on Friday. And can you believe it my streak continues as Keller loses 4-1....and they were even up 1-0 early in the game. So, the last KISD playoff victory I shot was Fossil Ridge Baseball almost 2 years ago! It looks like Fossil and Keller will make the playoffs in softball and Central and Keller in baseball....so I got 4 teams in the month with a chance to break the losing streak!! Here's three....nothing special.....

HI BLOG!!!

2010-03-24T16:13:00.003-05:00

Long time no see! Yeah, I guess I went thru one of those stretches again when I don't blog...been busy and life is good. Well, I shoot my first baseball game in quite sometime last night and now I remember why I get so excited when I get a play at the plate or something great. Baseball is alot like golf......you get to be a bit artsy while trying to capture action. So, I tried my best with 9-0 game won by Keller Central over Fossil Ridge.....I am sure with acouple more games under my belt the images will get better and better..along with longer daylight...love the 7:15pm light a pitch facing the southwest though. Here's 3....

BYU....

2010-03-06T21:05:00.001-06:00

....the 14th ranked team in the country was in town to play TCU tonight and they showed why they are ranked 14th as they defeated the Horned Frogs 107-77 tonight in Forth Worth. These same two team will hook up on Thursday at the Shark Tank in Las Vega$ in the quarterfinals of the MWC tournament...and YES, I will be on hand! Here's three.....should I walk to Papa's? I think so!!!!

WHAT A.....

2010-03-02T23:01:00.004-06:00

....DAY!!!! It's was quite the day an emotional roller coaster for old Ray Ray! Some good, some bad, some ugly, some sad...but I guess as I write this about 10:49pm....it boils down to ONE thing when I am in the right frame of mind making images I am my happiness. It was a rough day early on and its got worse as I drove to TCU for tonight's woman's game vs. New Mexico which started at 6pm. Traffic was heavy and looked to take back roads; well it back fired and I ended up about 8 miles west of TCU....I couldn't cross the damn railroad tracks! I finally got there as they announced the starting line up's....but than I forgot to have a CF card in my one camera and then when I figured that out I forgot to format it....so I am done editing...TCU win's the MWC regular season championship....and as always here's THREE!!!

Four, three, two........

2010-02-24T10:24:00.000-06:00

.....One! I figure I only have about 4 more basketball games to shoot this season. Thursday, UNT; Friday, FWC; Saturday, TCU and Tuesday, TCU woman....and to be HONEST...I am glad. Kinda hooped out! Ready for March Madness on my couch but other than that NO MAS! Last night night Keller played Marcus in the first round of the playoffs and came up short 53-36. It was a decent effort by the Indians and their fans who brought out the "war paint" and crazy hair cuts....but just couldn't score! Only 6 and 4 points in the 2nd and 3rd quarters respectively. Here's three............

It's another....

2010-02-15T23:04:00.000-06:00

....playoff loss! The UIL girls basketball playoffs began here tonight in the State of Texas; I shot the Fossil Ridge vs. Southlake Carroll game at the new Byron Nelson High School in Trophy Club....yes, it's named after the golfer Byron Nelson, you think there will every be a Tiger Woods High School? Well, for a new high school the lightening SUCKED....the lights where bright, but some genius painted the ceiling of the gym and beam all BLACK!!! It sucked up so, so much light it was joke....so 3200 iso, 500 shutter, 2.2f with the 100mm and long 500, 2.8....Ohhhh yeah Fossil lost....so I think it's been now almost 22-months since I shot a winning team in a playoff game, the last was Fossil Ridge baseball! Still game up with a decent pair...

Never say....

2010-02-13T17:00:00.004-06:00

NEVER! I never thought I would see too much color at a basketball game, but today was the case...TCU vs. Wyoming and The Lady Frogs sported PINK uniforms...or should I say HOT PINK! WOW!! What color.....I guess I should have enjoyed it...up to North Texas in a few, for poor flat light! Here's three....one doesn't show much color, but I like the image....

OHHH NO....

2010-02-11T11:05:00.006-06:00

....SNOW! For the second time this winter the DFW area has gotten snow....took the kids to school and than drove around for awhile, here's my take on it....here's a few!

Chicks, Sticks and......

2010-02-07T10:48:00.001-06:00

.....Dicks!!! But I have to admit I love the fights makes a hockey game much more fun. This Stars vs. Coyotes game would have been a bore if it wasn't for the early third period fight. Stars won 4-0 and controlled throughout. The image of the stick in the middle of the frame was shot with my 11-16mm and I swear the stick must have been 4 inches from my lens! Nothing special, but it's pretty cool knowing how close it was.....Chicks, Sticks and Dicks, here's all three.....

Two nights....

2010-02-05T00:20:00.009-06:00

....in a row!!! WOW, how's that for bloggin? Well, shoot in the dungeon called "The Super Pit" up at UNT tonight, which I guess is a fitting name since it's dark like a PIT!!! Mike Jarvis, former St. Johns coach was in town now as he is the head coach at Florida Atlantic University. FAU they call it.....it's located in Boca Raton, FL...and their nickname "Owls"....so there's useless college info for tonight! Here's a couple of pics of a VERY ENTERTAINING Mike Jarvis

It's been....

2010-02-03T23:36:00.003-06:00

....awhile since I have BLOGGED! And I don't really know why....I guess I have been in a FUNK! Since my last post got a new (used, but new to me) Mark IIn, which I love! Got my Mark II back from Canon ($241.56) and bought a new 100mm F2 from on E-bay and the sent the other back to B&H...Shoot ok at TCU tonight as the Horned Frogs defeated the Cougars 64-40....here's a pair! UNT tomorrow, high school hoops Friday and Stars Saturday! The funk ends?!?!

Shot....

2010-01-17T10:21:00.004-06:00

...the Star and Red Wings yesterday at the AAC in Dallas. I shot OK...but still a bit miffed about my shutter going on one of my Mark II's it only has 87,000 actuations...and really shouldn't have gone so early. I think alot has to do with the defective 100mm F2 lens I had just bought from B&H....I kept getting "err 01" on every body and it locked up the mirror and shutter. Well, tomorrow is for calls to B&H, Canon and shopping on E-bay....Football today! Here's a pair from yesterday.

HEATH!!!!!!!

2010-01-14T09:20:00.002-06:00

A great night was had shooting TCU vs. Wyoming basketball on Tuesday night in Fort Worth. Not only was it a decent basketball game; Wyoming Head Coach Heath Schroyer is HILARIOUS! One of the most animated coaches I have seen in a long, long time! Here's a strip of Heath for ya! I need to do some editing of it, but my dad is here chopping at the bit to hit Lowe's, Home Depot and a place called Harbour Tools.

100mm F2.......

2010-01-09T09:07:00.002-06:00

......YES!!! What a sweet little lens that doesn't break the bank at $424 on B&H. Used it for the first time at Fossil Ridge last night shot at 3220iso, 640 (YES, 640 shutter) and F2.2. What really BLOWS my mind about this digital stuff is the images are actually brighter than the gym they are played in. It's freaking amazing....here are acouple...Still like my long stuff with the 300mm the best, but these are with the 100mm. Cowboys today?!?!

After....

2010-01-07T00:23:00.001-06:00

...shooting TCU vs. Air Force today I have realized that my 15 year old 70-200 2.8 is still pretty good! After shooting in a dark gym last night and dealing with slow focus, blur and other crap....I have learned (more or less been reminded) you can't get great images when it's dark! Daniel-Meyer Coliseum is REALLY bright....1600 iso, 1000 shutter speed and 2.8. So instead of a new 80-200 I thinks going to be a prime...85/1.8 or 100/2....let the shopping begin.

No more....

2010-01-03T11:56:00.000-06:00

.....football!!! :-( Yes, shot my last football game for a while yesterday at The Cotton Bowl. It was a very, very boring first half and whacky second one with a TON of turnovers....here are acouple of pics....off to watch the Bears; is Lovie gone?

Happy....

2009-12-31T23:19:00.004-06:00

.....New Year and goodnight!!! Shooting a bowl game in weather that got increasing colder as the day went on and then a NHL hockey game all in the same day can be quite tiring....I think it will turn 2010 if I am up or not! MERRY NEW YEAR!! College football and the couch tomorrow.....

Yes, Tony was......

2009-12-24T13:20:00.000-06:00

.....right!! My knees are killing me!! Shot the Stars-Blue Jackets game last night at the AAC....and before the game he asked me if I had my knee pads to shoot on the ice...I said "I don't need no stink'n knee pads!" Well guess what the 13 year AP veteran was right..I NEED KNEE PADS!!! Merry Christmas kids!

From Roy to Isiah; to.....

2009-12-20T20:48:00.006-06:00

.....a basketball stud named Pittman to Jerry and his "World" which the Longhorns are making winning there seem easier than the real tenants, the Cowboys; it was a enjoyable weekend had by all! Damn that sounds horrible.....but you know what? I am tired....and the best part of it all I was too busy to watch the Bears get killed in Baltimore.....when does spring training start?

It's been...

2009-12-15T23:54:00.003-06:00

...42 years in the making, but I guess I am finally maturing! Tonight shot some basketball at Fossil Ridge, the 5-5A opener for both the the Lady Panthers and LD Bell. The light of course wasn't great....but what the heck can I do about it? Set up strobes? YEA!!! But than realistically I only get one or two frames each trip down court....and perhaps I am wrong, but it's a totally different shooting style...vs. 6-8 frames
per second. So I don't bitch suck it up and SHOT pics; no drama, no bitching my mantra! Here's a twofer for Tuesday....I like the hands and arms...and I know, I know...it's been done a ton of times...still looks kinda cool! Look out the Panther is going to get ya!

FUN, FUN, FUN.....

2009-12-12T20:47:00.000-06:00

.....TCU beats #5 Texas A&M 56-54 in an exciting come from behind victory in Fort Worth tonight. Edited and headed home! Good FUN!!!

Truth....

2009-12-10T23:02:00.006-06:00

....be told I was excited about shooting three basketball games tonight! After all is said and done, I am kinda disappointed. The first two were just 8th grade boys games at Indian Springs Middle School where the light is pretty good for a middle school gym 3200, 640 shutter and 2.8. Nice color balance too. Well than I get to Keller Central for a high school. THE LIGHT SUCKED! 3200, 250, 2.8 and that was stretching it...I thought I had some nice images prior to editing...but no such luck, motion blur, motion blur, motion blur!! Buy some f___ing LIGHTS!!!

A great night....

2009-12-08T23:35:00.001-06:00

....shooting college basketball at TCU! Not only great LIGHT...a pretty good college basketball game that saw TCU build an early 14 point lead on Texas Tech, which was whittled down to 4 just before halftime. The undefeated Red Raiders came out smoking and ended up winning 80-70, to move their record to 9-0 on the season...Thumbs Up Pat Knight!

Cold, damp & rainy......

2009-12-01T22:16:00.000-06:00

......it is one gross night in North Texas! Shot some high school basketball tonight...Keller vs. Arlington Sam Houston....The Texans came out on top 42-41 and their only lead of the night came with :07 left in the game. The worst part of shooting at Keller is the ugly, ugly backrounds......wide blue strips on yellow walls; plus doors and windows at the one end of the gym....So I went in the stands and got some decent cleaner stuff; like this one.......editing the rest in the morning!

Had a great weekend....

2009-11-30T10:19:00.002-06:00

...shooting the TCU game! Looking forward to hopefully a few more college football games over the next few weeks, but hockey and basketball are coming into focus; literally and figuratively. Here's my favorite photo from the weekend. I think more than just this little are scared of the Horned Frogs!!

Ya can't............

2009-11-24T23:33:00.000-06:00

......beat fun at the old college basketball game; UNT over Jackson St. 68-58. I will edit in the morning....goodnight John Boy!

It....

2009-11-21T21:18:00.000-06:00

.....was a fun day up at North Texas shooting Army vs. The Mean Green. Really cloud and overcast; by the time the 2nd half started the light was non-existent! Action was also pretty slow too....17-13 was the final not much happened exciting. Edited, caption, upload...time for beer and pizza! WOW....I am not much for words tonight.

HOOPS....

2009-11-17T14:02:00.000-06:00

....are back!!! Well, it's been about 2 years since I shot basketball, because last season I enjoyed Brittany's final year of playing high school basketball by watching the games and not shooting them. Perhaps it's just me, but I find it impossible to watch your kid play and make pictures at the same time. There is so much action off the ball that you miss when shooting. So, I often found myself trying to do both and it didn't work! So I sat in the stands and watched. Glad I did....damn time flies......Well, I didn't do great last night....but not too bad for being off 2 years! Wednesday night shooting UNT @ UTA......at Texas Hall, for out of towners wait til you see this set up!!!

I forgot the....

2009-11-15T03:14:00.001-06:00

That was one long day! I am freakin sore and tired....12 hours of shooting three football games...now almost done editing two of them...That's it for the night! I guess the only sad part is that I got so into editing that I forgot to pour my whiskey to sip on! SHIT!!! That's the only reason I do it; for the WHISKEY!

FIRE......

2009-11-10T22:36:00.001-06:00

....ANTS!!! I decide to go out & shoot an 8th grade football game tonight, just minutes from my house and my daughter Claire wanted to go to game as it was.....so it beat sitting home watching TV....But I was certainly in for a surprise as I knelt down on the grass....I put my knee right in the middle of fire ant mound and those little suckers did a number on me! OUCH!!!! Pretty unsightly too! Than I thought about it......out of all the games I have shot this fall only four have been on real grass, 3 of which were at TCU which is in great shape...no mounds there!

Kinda some cool actions tonight and they wore "throw back" jersey's too...DIG THAT YELLOW!!

There really...

2009-11-07T21:16:00.000-06:00

....is nothing better than shooting day college football! It was a chamber of commerce day in Dallas at the SMU game; 75 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. Happy Homecoming to the Mustangs, who beat Rice 31-28 and with one more win become bowl eligible. Edited and time for a BEER and PIZZA!!! Go BEARS!!!

DAMN.....

2009-11-07T01:44:00.000-06:00

.......I missed the gatorade bucket shot....darn kids did it before the game even ended....I was able to pull this frame; I think it works.....GOODNIGHT!!

A great game...

2009-11-06T17:39:00.001-06:00

....on tap for tonight! You know that team I talked about acouple of weeks ago...Fossil Ridge, who was 0-6....well now they are 2-6 and believe it or not with victory tonight over crosstown rival Keller their in the playoffs. To add to the drama, Keller also needs that same victory to secure the final playoff spot in district 5-5A. So there you have it....one game...one team advances to the UIL playoffs a game next Saturday at the new Cowboy's Stadium in Arlington, TX. (pictured to the left; Fossil Ridge coach Tony Bacarini)

The worst part......

2009-11-06T11:47:00.003-06:00

....about not being around other photographers is the editing process (atleast for me)......we all go out and shoot images; come back and edit. Than the fun starts....which ten are the best, what ones tell the story better, too many wide, too many vertical the questions abound!!!!

Today, I got to shoot Maddux getting his first haircut....well, I got 40 or so really nice images for the parents....now what are the ten best?

Here are a few........

0-10 get me a pix.....

2009-11-05T22:49:00.003-06:00

Northwest Texans junior QB Jacob Jones takes a knee in the endzone as the stadium lights are turned of at Keller ISD stadium on Thursday night as the Keller Central defeated Northwest 34-7, making the Texas 0-10 for the season.

What JOY!!!

2009-11-03T22:55:00.003-06:00

Can you believe a HS gym with ISO 3200, shutter speed 1000, f 2.8? Yeah I could have shot at ISO 1600 but I love to stop that damn volleyball....nothing worse than motion blur!! Well, kudos to the new Timber Creek High School in Keller, TX; it gets the award for the brightest high school gym I have ever shot in. BTW the stand were full...and no drop there either....

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-30T09:09:00.003-05:00

Time to run to the store for pumpkins and get things in order for the kids; as it will be a fun weekend of shooting Colleyville vs. Keller and than tomorrow (6) TCU vs. UNLV, who is brutal....but hell a high school and college football games on Halloween weekend can be pretty interesting!!! Looking forward to the tailgate shoots before the game tomorrow!

Kids be safe out there!

I.....

2009-10-24T00:33:00.001-05:00

....love being artsy at football games! Fossil Ridge is a loser no more! They win 31-17 on homecoming night in Keller, TX. Goodnight John Boy!!!!!

Hey Annie it's CRAP!!!

2009-10-23T18:22:00.002-05:00

I am wondering what I did wrong....I was just on Yahoo.com to see the Obama's official family photo was released. It was done by Annie Leibovitz & released by White House Photo Office. IT SUCKS!!!! There is too much space between the married couple....the kids are crowding an individual parent...looks like a divored couple getting together for a photo. Ok now lets get all the shit going on in the backround....we will start from (l-r) nice door frame coming out of the daughters arm, the picture on the wall in the daughter head is really distracting, notice the top of the chair back in the center of the pix, another door coming out of Michelle's head and the other daughter looks like she is getting a horse back ride from her mom, notice alos dark colors on one set and light ones on another set. A pretty shitty job if you ask me....and what really pisses me off about stuff like this is that Annie had FULL ACCESS, a TON helpers and this is what she pulls off? WHAT CRAP!!!!

What......

2009-10-23T17:10:00.002-05:00

.....a lazyFriday! Off to shoot the "O-For Bowl" Yes, both teams Fossil Ridge, who I don't think is that bad of a team is 0-6 and Northwest is 0-7.....so somethings gotta give. I actually think it will make for some great pixs......probably will be the only game one of these teams wins all season.

Pix above is from last night's game.......

I talked....

2009-10-22T22:41:00.002-05:00

.....about the new lens I bought about a month ago. It's starting to pay major dividend! Keller hits a game winning FG for the victory 17-14 and clinch a playoff birth. Above is kicker S. Wicks as he is carried off the field. Cheers!!! Off to sip whiskey and edit all the rest.

Well.....

2009-10-22T17:38:00.003-05:00

......I really thought it would easy to write something everyday on my blog.....I thought wrong! A ton of "drama" has gone on since my last posting. Thus, I have made up my mind that I am not going to stand for it anymore.....so note to all when you are around Ray you are entering a "drama free zone." In the words of Brad Hamilton; "Learn it. Know it. Live it."

Here's a pix from golf this Tuesday...shot over 2200 frames...edited it down to 450 or so....some pretty nice images. The full gallery can be seen at www.rtcarlinphoto.com

Off to shoot football....Keller vs. LD Bell, a white out they say...we will see.

2009-09-30T16:50:00.000-05:00

Happy Hump Day.....

2009-09-30T10:52:00.000-05:00

It's Wednesday and I got a new lens today.....the Tokina 11-16 F2.8, just arrived from Japan......it should be a fun lens to do some creative stuff with......so STAY TUNED!!! damn is makes me look uglier and my house great! Go figure.......

Ray's World......

Hoop.....

Football season is...

Gary, Gary, Gary.........

WEEEEEEEEE........

Greetings.....

Basketball....

J-I-M-M-E-R!!!!!!

PLAYOFFS!!!!!

Great.....

I hate this gym.....

New for me.......

It was three for all.....

Portraits....@&*#)*%^*$>~%!

I feel guilt.....

Here's my take on Romo......

3 down, 1 to go.....

Hockey?

Let's go B&W......

Tropical Storm......

BEAVER!!!!!!!

Week One.....

FOOTBALL.......

It's been....

Danny Noonan.....

What a night......

The Streak....

You....

PLAYOFFS?!?!?!?

Paulie....

Internet....

Mo!!!!

Shooting.....

NO.........

It was a.....

HI BLOG!!!

BYU....

WHAT A.....

Four, three, two........

It's another....

Never say....

OHHH NO....

Chicks, Sticks and......

Two nights....

It's been....

Shot....

HEATH!!!!!!!

100mm F2.......

After....

No more....

Happy....

Yes, Tony was......

From Roy to Isiah; to.....

It's been...

FUN, FUN, FUN.....

Truth....

A great night....

Cold, damp & rainy......

Had a great weekend....

Ya can't............

It....

HOOPS....

I forgot the....

FIRE......

There really...

DAMN.....

A great game...

The worst part......

0-10 get me a pix.....

What JOY!!!

Happy Halloween!

I.....

Hey Annie it's CRAP!!!

What......

I talked....

Well.....

Happy Hump Day.....

Portraits....@&#)%^*$>~%!