You might recognize some of my favorite spots in the photos below. The windmill shot is the first time I’ve ever had good light in that location – and it was pretty special this time.

Okay, I might have found the tastiest iPhone photo app yet. It’s called Hipstamatic. The interface is really easy to use and it allows you to select several different combinations of film and lenses. How cool is that? Plus, they have a store with more lenses and film available. I’m going to resist spending more money until I figure out these choices first.

Happy New Year! I think I’ll celebrate with the Powers Irish Whiskey I got as a holiday gift.

• know the sport (anticipate the action)
• know where to stand (be in best spot to get the action)
• know where not to stand (so you don’t get killed by the action)
• and most important – get the action in focus

The first 3 items came pretty quickly. It’s the last one that’s a little tricky. Sometimes you think you nailed the focus, but after a closer look you see you have a sharp cheerleader and the game-winning catch is a big, fat blur. Damnit. I guess if I shot football 3 times a week, I would get much better much more quickly. But it still drives me crazy.

Here’s an example of a missed focus that actually turned out to be a better photo because I screwed up. The QB crossing for the TD would have been nice, but the receiver’s reaction to the TD tells a better story. Lucky Doug. You can more photos from the Free State High School home opener here.

I neglected posting images from the Liz + Dave wedding I shot late this summer. Liz is the daughter of my bowling-baseball buddy Dave Wagner (I also bowl with the groom Dave Arndt). I’ve only shot several weddings now – so I haven’t reached the point where it gets a little easier. My photo buddy Bruce (veteran wedding pro) would probably tell me it never, ever gets easier. But it was a lot more comfortable shooting with people I’ve known for a long time. It was great fun, and I hope I captured the happy mood of the day. Congrats Liz and Dave. I hope you have many, many wonderful years together.

What strange summer weather we’ve had. I’m not complaining about 75-degree temps in August, I just can’t remember this ever happening in my lifetime. Evidently, the sunflowers were perplexed, too. I made my yearly trip to photograph a field near Reno, KS – and found some strange looking sunflowers. Lots of rain and cool temps aren’t the ideal weather for our sunny friends. I spent about a 30 minutes trying to compose a decent shot – and I didn’t get ‘r done. Better luck next year.

Below is what it looks like when you get heavy-handed with the “300-look” in Adobe Lightroom.  Makes for some really bad-ass sunflowers.

I can’t think of many things I like better than football. It’s even better when I get to watch my son Connor (he’s #20) play. But shooting photos and actually watching the game is – well– above my pay grade. So I usually miss something. But I lucked out and got a couple good shots at scrimmages last week.

If I could shoot anything I wanted for a day job – it would be sports. With football, you have to think and move and react quickly. You get some time to regroup between plays – and then it starts all over again. It’s a lot like playing football, but without getting your bell rung every play. Perfect for a washed-up football player who still loves to be close to the action.

The Free State Firebirds open the season this Friday on the road against Olathe East. Should be a fun season.