Shoot the side show

Please view this one large and look at the raw emotion on the faces of these high school basketball fans.

 

All too often, I attend some type of event with the intent of photographing the main show, but I end up shooting the side show. The side show is often a unique thing that relates to the main event, but is different and more compelling for me. The catch is that you have to search for the side show. It doesn't just jump out at you.

 

Take tonight for example. I attended a high school basketball championship game. One team had more screaming fans, and most of the guys stripped their shirts off and painted their upper bodies blue and their faces white - the team colors. I couldn't help myself, and instead of shooting the game, I threw on my wide angle lens and jumped down from the stands onto the court level and walked up to this group of kids. I raised my camera at them and they started to scream and bang their drums. I nailed twelve shots rapid fire and hoped for the best. The moment was over in about four seconds, but by far this moment was for me the highlight of the night. Yes, there was some amazing basketball being played during this championship game, but once again, I have shot the side show, and not the main show. Go out there and look for it....shoot the side show!

Done