Back to Hockey!!

      8 Comments on Back to Hockey!!

It will probably come as a surprise to most of this blog’s readers to learn that “That Loud Redhead” actually started off as a way for me to show off showcase the pictures I take at my two sons’ hockey games. But it’s true–that’s really how it all began!

My hockey photography blog was still in its infancy when I started my health and fitness blog over at the Weight Watchers community site, and I felt like the WW site was the best outlet for that part of my life (since weight loss and hockey photography aren’t exactly kissing cousins).  But eventually, when I realized I couldn’t possibly stay within the narrow restrictions given to me by the Weight Watchers site, I decided it was time to merge both my “passions” so that I could write ridiculously long posts, add as many pictures as I want, and yes, even swear on occasion ;), without the fear that the the iron fist of censorship would stifle me. 😛

I had a few hockey photography posts this past spring when my blog really started taking shape, but then the season ended and I had no games to shoot. I’m happy to say that we are back into hockey, and I am eagerly taking pictures once more. (In fact, I took so many pictures at the first game, one of the new parents told me that he went to look at the pictures on the Shutterfly site I’d created…”I kept scrolling and scrolling and the album just never seemed to end!!” Okay, so maybe 500 pictures for one game is a bit much…)

DS#1’s team has had two scrimmages thus far, and it’s been fun to get back to shooting games.  The first rink was at one of my least favorites…it is ridiculously bright.  Everyone always comments to me how great it must be to shoot in such bright light (since, normally, hockey arenas are notoriously poorly-lit), but in that case, it’s really too bright. The light tends to bounce off the ice and the reflective ceiling at crazy angles, and it makes shooting pictures a real nightmare.

However…I have discovered something new since the spring: Lightroom.  This is a software program that a photography friend (and fellow hockey mom) suggested to me in the summer, and I am really starting to like it.  I’m still very much a novice, but I’m finding that it is great fun to play with the shots in Lightroom to try to bring them up to what I would consider decent quality.  Here are a few from that first game…

I especially love that third one with the puck on the end of my son’s stick! 😀

Although I know I have a lot to learn and to improve upon, I was pretty pleased with how many of these shots turned out.  For comparison, here is a split shot showing the original of that third one, alongside my Lightroom-edited version.

I think I’m starting to get better at this!  Considering that my lens is just average (maybe Santa will bring me a 2.8 for Christmas, ha ha!), I think I’m doing okay.

We won that first game 5-2, which was pretty exciting, considering that same team had beaten us 5-0 and 6-2 in the spring!

Our second game was against a Canadian team, and we didn’t fare quite so well. 😛  But they worked hard, and it’s always good to play against better teams to improve your skills. And the pictures turned out pretty well.

I love the “Great Stop” one, where you can see the puck bouncing up off the goalie’s pad, and the one with my son (#5) on the ice makes me chuckle.

Right now, besides my son, of course, I only have pictures of the two goalies, because those are the only parents that I have expressly asked permission for posting pictures of their kids.  I have had quite a few parents give me nice compliments about my pictures this week, so I’m hopeful that I’ll soon work up the nerve to ask those folks if they’ll let me post their kids’ pictures.  For being “That Loud Redhead,” I can actually be rather shy when it comes to my pictures. 🙂

I hope to continue to improve my hockey photography, and I feel that this blog is the best place for me to catalog my progression over time. 😀  If it you made it this far, thank you so much for reading!

8 thoughts on “Back to Hockey!!

  1. Bailey @ Onederland or Bust!

    Great pictures!
    I love how enthusiastic you are about your kids hockey. I grew up in a small hockey town and spent many, many evenings and weekends at the arena cheering on friends (and the cute boys 😉 ). There were always those parents in the crowd that were known for their over-the-top cheering and were so proud of their kids and the team.. Your posts make me miss those days!

    Reply
    1. steph Post author

      I LOVE knowing that you grew up in a hockey town–although, considering you live in Canada, I think that shouldn’t come as a surprise. I wish we Americans were more into hockey…it’s a GREAT sport, and so fun to watch! Thanks for sharing your memories…they made me smile. 🙂 And thanks for looking!

      Reply
  2. Jenn

    Way to go, Steph! The photos are fabulous and hurrah for hockey season starting. Here to a good season for DS and great photos for you!

    Reply
    1. steph Post author

      Thanks, Kelly! I will admit that if I knew more about how to TAKE the pictures, there would be less need to use Lightroom after the fact, but for now, I’m glad I can do some tweaking while I try to teach myself how to get better! Thanks so much for looking!!

      Reply

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