Now here are a few photos I shot solely for my own enjoyment. I was at an NBA game in Portland, having loads of fun.
I went to the game a week ago (Dallas Mavericks at Portland Trail Blazers), for only my second NBA game ever. My son and I got great seats; we were only five (VIP?) rows from the sideline, looking straight at the home bench.
I didn’t know how the rules were at the Rose Garden, if I were allowed to bring and use my camera or not, but I liked my chances and brought along my camera and two lenses. When I got inside I was asked by a security guard to open my bag, which I did, and the lady startled me a bit when she said “Oooh, I’ll have to take this home with me”. Of course my brain only registered the first part. She was only kidding, of course, and in I went. Nobody said a word or even gave me a second glance when I waved my camera around, taking photos of some of my favourite players..
Sure, some of the photos scream at you that they were taken from the stands (they have an out-of-focus head at the bottom), but I’m pretty happy with them nonetheless.
When I first got an SLR camera, and with it an 85mm f/1.8, I shot a lot of basketball games. I kind of miss basketball photography, as I think I’ve mentioned before. Shooting an NBA game from the stands was a thrill. I can only dream of shooting at a pro game with the big boys, but dreams can come true, can’t they?
I guess now I just have to figure out a way to get a seat with the other photographers – right at the baseline.
