Shadows lengthening on county grounds

Ah, wrong sport ...

However, with evening friendlies at this time of year, there is always the chance of some decent light and shadows to add something to the normal action shots. The sun sets behind the large main stand at Prescot, which casts a long shadow across the pitch. The slide show I create is very much for the Prescot supporters and players, and is designed to highlight our players, so here are a couple of shots where I enjoyed the light, but did not make it into the show for that reason.

Within the game, there is always a bit of time to try something a bit more unusual, so I took the chance to break all the rules and shot into the setting sun. It came as no surprise that most of the shots were washed out, but this one of Cables' Freddie Potter gave the effect I was looking for.

The game also saw Cables' new floodlights turned on for a match for the first time.

We will look at floodlights, and their effect on photos in a later post, but the old lights, which had been in place for about 20 years failed their two yearly test, and were replaced over the summer. We could have managed without them at a pinch, but even in the twilight it was clear that they cast a much more even light than those they replaced, so I am looking forward to photographing when they are lit in earnest.

You can see the slide show from the game here.

Final score Prescot Cables 1 Bala Town 1.

Pre season friendlies kick off

It was a belated start to Prescot Cables' pre season schedule, with the weather at Hope Street being the opposite of the disruptive rain at Chadderton the previous week.

Alongside the usual new faces were many of last year's team returning for duty, including the two winners of the Player of the Year awards – Players' Player of the Year Liam Hollett, 

and Supporters' and Manager's Player of the Year Joe Gibiliru.

There are new faces to recognise, and I try and get individual shots for the webmaster's player profiles for those players who stay for the regular season, and the usual slide show for the forum and website. We will be talking about what I look for in photos for each of these in future posts.

The visitors were gap Connah's Quay, better known to many as Connah's Quay Nomads. With the opposition in all white, on a bright sunny day, there is always the temptation to get arty with black and white.

You can see the full slide show here.

Phew, football's back again!

Pre season friendly games can be a moving target. Cancellations and changes happen for many reasons, particularly in July. Opponents may not be able to raise a side, or pitches may not be ready for play. The internet has made finding your game easier, but is not proof against the sudden downpour. Playing on a still-growing pitch in heavy rain can cause damage lasting all season, so it makes sense to call some games off, as happened to Prescot Cables at Chadderton at the weekend.

However, there is also the chance to visit other local clubs, and watch opposition you would not normally see. With Prescot's not having a midweek game, I went to Marine, who were playing Tranmere Rovers.

Marine have a constricted site, between two streets of terraced houses. The covered standing on the open side is popular with home and away supporters. I have taken pictures from here, and it is as close to the action as you are likely to be anywhere, but I prefer the terraces at the ends. The impressive main stand is at the College Road end, and there is an uncovered terrace giving a good view of the wing and dugouts and a clear view of the goal. At the Crossender Road end, the terracing is 4 or 5 steps high for the full width of the ground, so there is plenty of choice of vantage points.

Not having followed a summer sport this year, I was feeling a bit rusty (remember, point the big round thing on the front in the direction of the action and press the button on the top, point the big round thing …). Still, all good practice for the coming season, and you can see the results here.

Getting started

I am pretty clueless when it comes to talking about football. I have been watching the game at grass roots level for 20 years, without picking up much grasp of tactics. However, I have always enjoyed the atmosphere, and the people you meet around the game.

A few years ago, I found I had a bit of a knack for taking pictures, starting out with a small compact camera taking a few snaps for a couple of fellow supporters, later getting a SLR, and adding a couple of lenses. I also started posting a link on the forum for Prescot Cables, of the EvoStik League, and now take many of the website photos for the club.

Professional clubs have their photographers on hand, taking pictures for programmes, websites, promotional materials, and will have the press too. At EvoStik / Ryman level and below, like all the other tasks in running the club and getting games played every week, it falls to the volunteers. This blog is for people like me, regular supporters of their clubs, with a camera to hand, and for those who look at the photos on their club's forum and website, and wonder what goes into creating them. It is a few tips and tricks I have picked up along the way, and a few observations as I travel around.