FACE OFF 5.45 - Wildcats V Phantoms

When I finished uni I made a deal with myself - to shoot one thing a month for myself.
Its important to shoot 1 - different things to what your usual is occasionally and 2 - things for yourself, not working from any one else's brief or instruction.

Enter my January shoot: Swindon Wildcats v Peterborough Phantoms.

Ice hockey has been on my list for a while, the Wildcats home rink is just an hour away in Swindon so I went to take some photos and see what it was all about. And what a game it is! fast, full contact and played with no fear. The crowds really get behind their teams creating a fantastic atmosphere, its great entertainment for an evening out. Everyone seemed friendly, good banter between supporters and the players mingle with their fans after the match. What a brilliant way to spend a saturday evening.

You are a piece of plexiglass away from the action, (granted shooting through the screen wasn't the clearest but ok so long as you picked your spot) The standing tickets we got meant I was free to wander so I also headed up onto the balcony, knowing the high viewpoint would give me a nice clean background on the ice.

The International

The International at Cheltenham, Dec 12th & 13th.

I have only shot a few point to point race meets before so jumped at the chance to go and shoot with the Echo at Cheltenham Races.
Theres a lot to keep an eye on, besides getting the shots I wanted. The last fence is the place to stand as they jump it twice. It pays to decide on what you want and stick to it, long, short, close, head-on. There is definitely no time for changing your mind once they're racing! This is a selection of shots from the two days.

I should of walked down to the previous fence, i really like the shot but the big screen ruins it, the previous fence would of had the sun in the same spot and would of probably had a cleaner background. 

A different crop on it is unusual but i quite like it.