Scenes From the Sidelines: Oconee County Football vs Cherokee Bluff
Photos from the GHSA Region 8-AAA game between Cherokee Bluff and Oconee County.
Photography goals for the game
Try to capture a few exciting in-game, action photos (great catch, big hit, scoring a touchdown)
Capture interesting perspectives of the game (low, field angle, shooting through tight windows, pregame, crowd shots)
Manage photographing higher ISO while keeping a faster shutter speed (main setting: ISO 5000, shutter 1/1600, f/2.8)
Get some creative images (slow shutter, black and white, Olympic medalist)
Unfortunately, Oconee County did not win the game. Cherokee Bluff grabbed a hard-fought victory, 17-10 over the Warriors. And really the only photograph I did not accomplish taking was a slow shutter. The way I typically take those is that I’ll find a subject that is stationary and lower my shutter speed to at least 1/30 and let the fast action take place. I had my monopod with me, but had laid it down and didn’t want to trek all the way back to the entrance to the field.
As far as black and white photography, that decision was made in the edit. Many times I’ll choose to make a photo in black in white if the sharpness is not quite there. The ones here were in focus, but I like variety and the image of Oconee County linebacker, Zach Weeks pointing in the air felt like black and white would be appropriate. The other black and white image is of a Cherokee Bluff wide receiver catching the go ahead touchdown pass.
I did not anticipate being able to photograph an American hero when I got to Warrior Stadium, but OCHS graduate and hall of fame member, Jarryd Wallace was honored before kickoff. He won the bronze medal in the long jump during the 2024 Paris Paralympics!
Final Takeaways
My camera is a Canon EOSR, which is the first real mirrorless camera that Canon came out with years ago. It’s dated, but still is undefeated in ease of use, color science, and the quality of images it pumps out. The main lens I use - the only lens I used during this game - is the Canon RF, 70-200MM, f/2.8. I lived in the f/2.8 to f/4 aperture all night long.
I used to be wary of shooting at a high ISO because of the digital noise/grain that would show up in my photos. But thanks to the updates in Adobe Lightroom, which is the software I use to edit, the manual noise reduction function is phenomenal and it allows me to shoot with way more confidence at night and I’m able to freeze that action with a faster shutter speed.
As always, I appreciate the Oconee County High School athletic department for welcoming me on the field. Go Warriors!