High School Football: Gulf Coast Sharks at Lehigh Lightning

Friday night was "Homecoming" for the "Lightning" at Lehigh Senior High School. Half-time provided a band, a parade of floats, a "surprise" homecoming couple (at least that's what it looked like), and a lot of rain.

Sadly enough for Lehigh, there was more than rain on their parade. The "Lightning" was kept in a bottle, while the Sharks of Gulf Coast High attacked again and again. By the time it was all done, Gulf Coast had a 42 -21 victory. Click here to go right to the pictures.

And I think I've done enough word play.

I am sorry I didn't get these pix up sooner, but my schedule, being sick, and having to deal with less than ideal exposures from the rainy conditions, required more time to process the shots. I hope you enjoy seeing them, and please tell everyone who might be interested how they can see them on Naplespix.com!

Thanks,

Mike

Freshman Football: Barron Collier Cougars at Palmetto Ridge Bears

Well, Thursday afternoon started out gloomy, and became a torrent. Not just the weather, but the last game of the season for the Barron Collier Freshman Football team. It was not easy for anyone to sit through what became a downpour in the second half, but Bears fans enjoyed the team's effort.

I have many pictures from the game here.

Be sure to tell all friends, family, school and teammates about the website, and order Christmas and Birthday gifts with pictures on them to commemorate the Football season. On Naplespix.com, you can buydownloadable digital picture files for your computer, or many gifts from T-shirts to playing cards with your favorite picture on it.

I also have the ability to have hard or soft cover "books" produced with pictures from the website. Contact me for information.

Thanks for spreading the word!

Mike

Naplespix.com

PS: JV game pix still to come!

High School Football: Naples High Golden Eagles host Barron Collier Cougars

The much awaited showdown between Naples High and Barron Collier lived up to its billing as a top level event in High School Football. Both sides came out gunning, and both Golden Eagles Tailback Greg Pratt and Cougars Tailback Quin Thornton put on tremendous displays of running talent.

Both teams displayed talent and determination, both as Barron came back strong in the second half, and with Naples defense finally holding off a final Barron push in the red zone that could well have turned the game.

Enjoy this weeks pix. You can go directly by clicking here... or check out all our sports pix on Naplespix.com

Thanks,

Mike

Freshman and JV High School Football: Gulf Coast Sharks at Golden Gate Titans

I had not shot but a few frames of Freshman Football this season, but had several reports of how well teams had been playing from school yearbook photographers who had been assigned to games. So I have been looking forward to getting to a game.

I had a request a few weeks back to shoot Gulf Coast JV, and this Thursday was the best on my schedule, so I went over to Golden Gate High School where the Titans were hosting both JV and Freshman squads from the Sharks. With one troubling exception, both games were enjoyable for fans. The dark moment was when a player from Gulf Coast had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance with a possible neck injury. Our prayers are for his complete recovery. I can accept sprains, strains, and even broken bones as a part of football, but neck and head injuries while rare, are most upsetting, and the quiet fear of many parents.

Please look through and enjoy photos of both games. These players don't get the attention the Senior squads do, but also play their hearts out. I don't know how many chances I will have to shoot the JV's or Freshman this season, but I will try when I am able.

A link to the Freshman game is here. A link to the JV game is here.

Would you kindly email a link to our site to friends, family, teammates, and schoolmates who might not know about Naplespix.com? And remember, you can buy digital downloads and many gifts for Birthdays, Christmas, and other occasions with these pictures of your favorite players, cropped to your liking printed on them! Regular, large and extra large prints are also available of many pix... Even pictures printed on Canvas and mounted in frames.

Thanks,

Mike

Naplespix.com

Volleyball: Palmetto Ridge Bears host the Gulf Coast High Sharks

As I mentioned in the previous article, I went to the Volleyball match at Palmetto Ridge on Monday night, and caught some good action between the Bears and the Sharks of Gulf Coast High. Gulf Coast was quite succesful.

My interest in being there was to work on my Volleyball photography techniqe. The gym at Palmetto Ridge offered a high platform above the bleachers, which provides a very good location for many shots. This night I spent most of my time there, working to anticipate where the action would be. Focus is always a challenge when shooting indoor sports without a flash. Some of the reasons I try not to use a camera mounted flash include the way it can cast shadows behind players, creates "red-eye", and can be a distraction to players. There are times in which flash is valuable, and there are ways to utilize it that reduce those effects. But tonight I wanted to work without it.

The reason it affects focus, is because light level is low, and shutter speeds have to be high to stop action... then the appature on the lens has to be wide-open to let in the most light. This creates a shallow "depth of field", and means the focus has to be "spot on" the target, or your subject will be out of focus.

Okay, TMI I'm sure. But these are some of the things I take into account, and why I try different ways to bring you the best action shots I can.

Look for players you know... and tell them their picture is on Naplespix.com.

Thanks, we'll see you at a game soon!

Mike

Volleyball: FBA Middle School hosts Marco Island Charter

I wanted to try some more Volleyball pix, and since the rain cancelled soccer this afternoon, it seemed a good time to shoot a few at FBA where the Lions were hosting Marco Island Charter School.

I caught a few minutes of the B team action and then some of the A Team - Silver Division. (I was told there is also a Gold Division).

I didn't get many, but take a look if you have girls on either team. I am working on "technical" aspects. Today I was shooting "vertically" to try and get more of the action larger on my sensor. I was also using a faster shutter speed for better stop action, but pushing my ISO sensitivity higher. For you, I was trying to get a visual relationship between players and the ball.

Later Monday night I shot some High School action at Palmetto Ridge. The play itself is more "verticle" with higher jumps and shots. I also noted more rhythm to the play, as more often than not, each side used its three touches to set up strategic returns. The younger players have not yet achieved that level, and as a result, the play is a bit more erratic, and for the photographer, harder to anticipate for shot making.

If you see some student you know, let them or their family know you saw it on Naplespix.com!

Thanks,

Mike

High School Football: Gulf Coast Sharks host Barron Collier Cougars

Friday night the Sharks were laying it wait for the Barron Collier Cougars, perhaps hoping that by wearing black for the night game they could surprise the cougars. It didn't work. In an important district game, the Cougars defeated the Sharks 38-20.

At first it looked like the Sharks plan was going to work. They scored first on an interception. A blocked field goal and blocked extra point didn't help though. Then Barron and Senior Quin Thornton combined with Cougar Quarterback Nate Garland and the offense managed to gain 433 combined yards.

If you look through the pictures on Naplespix.com, you'll see one of those blocked kicks, along with many other heroic efforts by both teams on both side of the ball.

Please pass along the link, and tell all teammates and families where to look for pix!

Thanks,

Mike
Naplespix.com

Barron Senior player Quin Thornton rushed 23 times.

Football: Marco Island Eagles at FBCN Beacons

I think if the truth were told, most boys would thrill at the opportunity to play outside in the rain, slip and slide on wet grass, splash in puddles and wallow in mud. Watch almost any boy when his mother is not around, (and plenty even with mom around), and the puddle is target one.

Today, in the middle of the afternoon, the Senior Divisions of the Marco Island Eagles Football teams, and the Beacons of First Baptist Church of Naples Outreach got the chance of a boys lifetime. They got to run, hit, and tackle one another during a deluge, as the field at First Baptist began to flood with inches of rainwater. It was not as much fun to be a spectator, although a surprising number persevered. Eventually lightning forced a premature end to the sodden spectacle, but not before everyone was soaked to the bone. (If you look closely at the picture above, you might wonder if anyone drowned... fortunately not!)

I have finally been able to post pictures from all games! Those who attended the morning session, but left before the rain came may enjoy looking at the Senior game gallery. You'll be thankful that your laundry will be less challenging than for those Senior players.

I hope you will follow the link to naplespix.com, and look for pictures you would like to save. Remember that there is a wide variety of types and sizes of prints and other merchandise from which you may choose. There is also the option to download a digital file of pictures you want to keep for your computer.

By the way, my sneakers kept opening the dryer door, and slowed their eventual drying significantly.

Thanks,

Mike

Football: Naples High Golden Eagles host the Gulf Coast High Sharks

It started out looking like it would be a high scoring game, but perhaps because of a blizzard of penalty flags throughout the game, after initial scoring, Naples High and Gulf Coast were locked in a 13-6 battle for a long time. Then as time was winding down, the Gulf Coast Sharks managed to tie the Golden Eagles at 13 each. It led to a double overtime, in which each team had a chance to score within four downs from the 10 yard line. Eagles and Sharks traded scores in the first overtime, but a Shark turnover in the second gave the Golden Eagles a chance to kick for a 3 point win after they were rebuffed in three tries.

See the action on Naplespix.com.

Thanks,

Mike

Golf at the "Quarry" in Naples. Golden Gate vs. First Baptist Academy

I had the pleasure of being invited to take pictures during a golf match between Golden Gate and First Baptist Academy yesterday afternoon at The Quarry. I had never been to the Quarry before, and may I tell you, I was blown away by how beautiful it was there!

As a former working quarry, there are a couple of huge man-made lakes on the site, and at times (I think on the second hole) where I felt like I was in Savannah. Then on the third, with stands of pine in the distance, I could have been in North Carolina. Of course it was a gorgeous sunny day, and the humidity was down, so that added to it as well. It is worth a visit, and It looked like a great course to play too.

I, on the other hand, was there to take pictures of these fine young golfers. I am sure I would have been distracted by having some guy snapping away for a couple of hours during my golf match, but they were all gracious as could be. I hope the results are pleasing to them.

Even though you may not know any of these players, you might enjoy a few of the shots. Perhaps you're looking at a future PGA, or LPGA tour player.

Let me know if your league want photos taken, and we'll see what we can schedule.

Thanks,

Mike

Football: Barron Collier Cougars JV host the JV Indians of Immokalee High

Thursday night at Cougar Stadium, Barron Collier's JV Football team hosted the JV squad from Immokalee High. Much to my surprise, it was a low scoring event, with Barron coming away the victor 6 to nothing. Immokalee had a touchdown called back on a penalty, and the Cougars defended the goal line against several Indian assaults from the red zone in the final two minutes of play.

I have some pictures on the website, so check out naplespix.com to see the action shots.

Tonight I expect to cover the Naples Golden Eagles as they host the Sharks of Gulf Coast High. It should be an exciting game, so look for pix over the weekend.