Project365 - At the Game

Introduction

OK - let's try this again. I have recovered from the shock I had yesterday of discovering the forgotten last pictures of our Mother... I have always wanted to tackle the challenge of taking photos at the hockey games. Unfortunately, the Scotiabank Saddledome has a policy which prohibits "professional-looking" cameras. But not photography in general. If you use your phone's camera or your "point & shoot" camera, that's completely acceptable ! I know, right ? Bizarre...

So I took the "point & shoot" camera to the game, to see what I could capture. It's a Nikon Coolpix L122 - I don't understand the model numbers, but hey - It's a camera.

The Setup

Nothing to write home about... It's a Nikon Coolpix "point & shoot" camera. Everything is fully automated, with the exception of being able to disable the flash. It saves all images as JPEGs, so there's little opportunity for post-processing. It has a digital zoom feature, which allows it to get a little closer to the action, but it is slow to change.

The Photos

There is a significant delay between when I depressed the shutter, and when the photo was captured. I always felt like I was missing the shot - because I was !

I can't say that I am thrilled with the White Balance on this camera. Look how yellow the ice is ! Remember, the Saddledome has bright white phosphorous lighting. This should have been almost blindingly white.

Since the camera runs on a fully automatic setting, I was disappointed at how MUCH blur there was. Set manually, I would've had these at 1/500 of a second or faster. These were all shot at less that 1/80 ! No fast-action shooting here !

Overall, I was remarkably underwhelmed by this camera. Frankly, it makes me appreciate my DSLR a whole lot more. Perhaps that's WHY the Saddledome permits "point & shoot" photography - they know the photos will be Sh!t !

Lessons Learned

In photography, you truly do get what you pay for. Using a cheap "point & shoot" camera will get you mediocre photos. If you want better quality - you need to pay for it. Please note: this is NOT a comparison of Canon vs Nikon - that would be an unfair comparison. Both manufacturers build excellent DSLR cameras, which can produce some stunning images. This is merely an entry-level, consumer grade device. Which, when put in the hands of an advanced novice (me), fell way short of my expectations.

 

Project365 - My Heart Stopped !

Introduction

For a very long time, our family has been fans of the WHL Calgary Hitmen hockey team. They are the junior league, with 17-21 year old players who are taking their shot at the NHL. It is fantastic hockey, and yet still highly family-oriented. Needless to say, we always enjoy the games.

Photographers will tell you that shooting hockey is tough. The high speed nature of the game, coupled with the bright lights and the effect of the reflection off the ice surface is especially challenging. It's one I have wanted to tackle for some time. Alas, the venue for our beloved Hitmen, the Scotiabank Saddledome, specifically prohibits the use of "professional-looking" cameras at the games ! But there's no similar prohibition against camera phones, or "point & shoot" cameras. I know, right ? Stupid policy...
Anyway, in the items rescued from my mother's belongings at the Retirement Castle before she died was a "point & shoot" camera. I figured "What the heck !" Let's give it a try. So I took it to the game & took a few photos.
The Setup
Camera - a Nikon Coolpix L22, Venue - the Scotiabank Saddledome
The Photos
I shot off a couple of dozen photos with this camera. After my Canon 60D, I can't say I was very impressed ! The camera kept entering "sleep" mode; there was a VERY noticeable lag between depressing the shutter and the photo being captured - I kept feeling like I was missing the shots; the recovery time between photos til I could shoot the next was about six seconds ! It made me recognize JUST how much I like my Canon !
But it wasn't until I downloaded the photos that my heart stopped...

I hadn't thought to check or clear the memory card on the camera. These are the last known photographs of our Mother when she was alive. They are dated Dec 6, 2011 - about two months before her stroke and Dad's passing.

I'm extremely happy that the last photo I have of our Mother is one of her smiling, accompanied by the wonderful caregivers at Trillium Ridge Retirement Community. This is how I want to remember her...








Lessons Learned
I have no idea - I'm still blown away to have found these !