2008 Arkansas State Cross Country Championships

I got a call Friday from a photographer friend of mine, asking me to help him out this weekend. He needed to be in two places at once, so it was my job to make that happen. Between the two of us, the State Dance competition and the State CC Meet had to be covered. Of course, he managed to assign himself to the dancing girls, leaving me with the short-short-wearing high school boys.

Fine with me, I had just got done learning the tricks of making running look good.

I had never been to a Cross Country meet before, so I had no idea what to expect. All I knew was this was the perfect excuse for me to give myself the go-ahead on my next gear purchase. I had been pining for the Canon 2x Lens Extender all football season, and had just decided to hold off.

I don't spend money on photography, unless I make money on photography. It's a self-funding hobby. For instance, with the football coverage I did this season, PLUS this job, I now have enough "saved" up for my heart's desire.

I picked it up Friday afternoon, giving me plenty of time to have no idea how to use it for Saturday morning. :)I got to the locale, Hot Springs' jewel, Oaklawn, at 7:45am on Saturday morning. There was a nice building in the infield, with a desk with my "name" on it. What I mean is, at 7:45am, it's pretty easy to put your "name" on just about anything. :)

I set up my 12" Powerbook G4, which would be a workhorse for me today, and got to work metering the field. Races started at 9am, with races beginning every 45mins, all day long. I quickly got my plan of attack, and began a long day behind the lens.

My new toy worked like a charm, and I shot 5583 photos, in just over 7 hours. That's an average of one photo, ever four seconds, all day. I would stop every two races, for a 4min break. My memory card, when full, takes 3mins to transfer to my Powerbook. I would fill it and dump it every hour and a half.I had an absolute blast. I worked tail off, and got results that show it. I am proud of the photos that I was able to give my friend, and I hope that he will remember me the next time he gets in a pinch.

A sports shoot is just what I needed. The LORD provides. I was wanting some sports photos Wednesday, when he gave me the Soccer game to shoot. It was through this Soccer game that I was prepared for a photo assignment that did not exist yet.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11