Project Athena - Day 229 (Action)

A Beautiful Day for Some Lake Hockey

One thing I love about living in Northern Colorado is there is always some outdoor activity going on, no matter the season. Today I spotted this young hockey player out on City Park Lake in Fort Collins and stopped to watch him practice. His name is Zach and he plays in the NOCO Junior Hockey League. Having a love for the game, I found it refreshing to watch this athlete's impressive skating and puck handling skills. Thanks for the photos Zach and good luck to you in your aspiring hockey career.

Zach Practicing on City Park Lake, Fort Collins

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 55-200mm lens • 82mm • F/10 • 1/1250s • ISO 800

Project Athena - Day 228 (Action)

Catching Air

The thing about shooting action is that you get one chance, usually. There is no "command z" or redo. Just a moment in time when everything comes together and you hope you are in focus with the right exposure...or close to it.

Skater Getting His Fix

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 18-55mm lens • 38mm • F/5.6 • 1/2000s • ISO 800

Project Athena - Day 120 (Fun!)

Cheaper than therapy....

“I’ll tell you one of the great activities is skateboarding. To learn to do a skateboard trick, how many times do you gotta get something wrong til you get it right? And you hurt yourself, and you learn to do that trick, now you got a life lesson. Every time I see those skateboard kids, I think ‘those kids’ll be alright.’”
— Jerry Seinfeld

I've watched this kid several times in the skateboard park because he seems to be there almost every time I show up to shoot. He is super talented! He has a finesse and technique to his tricks that I find captivating. Today, I watched him take a fall that sent him to the sidelines for awhile but he eventually shook it off, got back up, and came right back to the place where he crashed to try that trick again. The last time I saw him skating a few weeks ago, he didn't have the wrist cast he was sporting today so I can only surmise that he is a determined soul, bent on mastering his art. He inspires me to keep working at my own art and I don't even have to risk broken bones. Thanks kid!

Skateboarder

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 55-200mm lens • 165mm • F7.1 • 1/2000s • ISO 320