It’s that time of year again. Yeah we have the NFL Network and ESPN Classics to hold us over during those long summer month’s, but there is nothing like the real thing. Football and all it’s flavor is back and I couldn’t wait to shoot my first game at Norfolk State University. The Virginia Lottery Labor Day Classic featuring the Spartans’ of Norfolk State versus the Trojans’ of Virginia State University.
Norfolk State's new helmet logo.
The only bad thing about the game was it’s 6 PM kickoff and shooting in the dark at Dick Price Stadium on the campus of NSU isn’t fun. I tried to get enough shots during the pre-game and before half time. Since it was the first game of the season, my main focus was trying to get enough shots of the Spartan newcomers.
Because it was the first game and available light was definitely going to be an issue, I really had to concentrate on getting those newcomer shots early. I really wanted to venture outside of the stadium and get some shots of what was happening out there with all the vendor’s and tailgaters on hand, but I didn’t. I did smell the great food coming from those tailgater’s but it’s a long season and I’ll get my chance another time. I also got a chance to chat with one of my favorite photographer’s in the business Mr. Francis Curley of All-Pro Photography who was there covering the game for Va State.
Norfolk State’s “Spartan Legion” Band is perhaps my favorite of all MEAC bands. I didn’t say they were the best, but they are my favorite. I still get chills when they come into the stadium and do their pass and review. Kind of reminds me of the music from the movie Ben Hur. Behold the Green and Gold.
The Spartan Legion Band's Pass and Review.
The Spartan Legion Band. My favorite MEAC band.
The first important shots of the season came from the pre-game when they honored all the teachers in the Tidewater area. Group shots and individual shots were needed plus the coin toss which was sponsored by The Virginia Lottery. Once I got those shots everything else was gravy.
Tidewater Teachers. My first important shot of the season.
The coin toss.
This shot was from last year's game. Almost the same shot.
Va State won the coin toss and quickly marched down the field with surprising ease on the opening drive, but as common as rain falling in April, the “village idiots” had to put their stamp on the game too. The ref’s killed their drive with penalty after penalty and the Trojans’ had to settle for a field goal and a 3 – 0 lead.
Then it was the Spartans’ turn under the direction of Senior Quarterback Dennis Brown as he directed a 10 play, 54 yard drive which was capped off by his 10 yard TD pass to PJ Hayden. Of course I was screened in the back of the end zone by one of the “village idiots” who walked into my line-of-site and took my camera focus off during PJ’s initial catch. I was able to refocus as he came to the ground, so I did salvage a shot of him coming to the ground. I was also able to snap a few images of their celebration after the TD, which is always a good thing to do.
The photographer's worst night mare.
Most photographer’s in that situation would have stop shooting after the TD just to make sure they got something in focus because of the referee screwing up the initial shot. Chimp’n is what we photographers call it when a photographer immediately looks at his screen analyzing what he just shot right after the play. I try to teach new inspiring photographers to shoot through the play. That is where you capture all the emotion, which are GREAT shots and are portfolio winners. I also managed to get a shot of the fire coming out of one of the cannon’s NSU has perched behind the end zone, which they fire after every touch down.
The ol' cannon shot. Look at the fire..
Can't do a blog without including Mr. CIAA.
Norfolk State’s defense was the stars of the game though as they forced the Trojans’ into 5 turnovers. Pre-season MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and game MVP Terrell Whitehead got things stared with his late first quarter interception. Whitehead also finished with 6 solo tackles in route to the MVP award.
I didn’t shoot much in the second half because of the terrible lighting at Dick Price Stadium. You would think that if you have several night games every year that you would at least change the bulbs in your lighting system. Better yet, invest in a new system because shooting a night game at Norfolk State means a whole lot of time editing and color correcting images.
With my first game of the season under my belt my and getting everything needed I will now relax and start being creative with my shooting during my next game which is another night game at Norfolk State on the 19th of September. I have this weekend off as my oldest daughter’s Fall Basketball season kicks off with 2 games on Saturday, so until my next game, take care and keep on shooting.
Because of NCAA Rules, I’m not allowed to display images of student athletes who currently hold their eligibility. To view game action photos please visit the NSU website or click here.
Mark Sutton
suttonm.wordpress.com 