Freezing the Ball: Catching the Pitcher’s Pitch

There’s nothing more satisfying that capturing a photo you’ve wanted to get for a long time. For me, it was freezing a ball tack sharp between the pitcher and the batter with both out of focus. On Thursday I shot the Blaine vs Lynden Christian varsity boys baseball game for The Bellingham Herald. There was not a lot of action on the field, so I concentrated on the pitchers.

Total Concentration

Blaine pitcher Brandon Watts (12) pitches to Lynden Christian third baseman Colby Flint during the first inning on Thursday afternoon Mar. 30, 2017, at Lynden Christian High School in Lynden, Wash. Blaine defeated Lynden Christian 12 to 5. (© Paul Conrad/The Bellingham Herald)

Lynden def. Black Hills in Distrcit 2A Playoff

With the Lynden Lions leading the Black Hills Wolves 17 to 14 at the end of the third quarter, I had to leave as my afternoon deadline for The Bellingham Herald was looming. As Lynden was playing well, I did not want to leave.

Up and Over

Up and Over – Black Hills’ Ethan Loveless (4) stops Lynden’s Brody Weinheimer (35) during the third quarter of the 2A state first round playoff varsity football game on Saturday afternoon Nov. 12, 2016, at Civic Stadium in Bellingham, Wash. (© Paul Conrad/The Bellingham Herald)

Squalicum Storm Lose 24-7 to Bonney Lake Panthers

It was a rainy Friday night at Civic Field in Bellingham, Wash. The battle for dominance begins. A Storm was about to hit. The Squalicum Storm hosted the Bonney Lake Panthers in the first round of the Division 3A state playoffs. The Storm lost 24 to 7 to the Panthers.

Eyes On

Eyes On – Squalicum’s Damek Mitchell (8) catches a 5 yard pass from quarterback Garrett Sorenson (10) against Bonney Lake during the second quarter in the 3A state playoff game on Friday evening Nov. 11, 2016, at Civic Stadium in Bellingham, Wash. Mitchell ran the ball for an extra 10 yards. The Storm’s 24-7 loss to the Panthers ended their running in the Class 3A state playoffs. (© Paul Conrad/The Bellingham Herald)

50th Annual Chuckanut Foot Race

I’ve been a bit busy with assignments and personal projects. I’ve a lot of blogs or maybe just a few big ones to write so I can play catch-up. First, I’ll post a few quickies from weekend shoots.

On Saturday July 9, 2016, I photographed the 50th annual Chuckanut Foot Race for The Bellingham Herald. It’s a 7 mile run that starts at Fairhaven Marine Park and ends at Larrabee State Park. The faster runners do it in about 35 minutes, while most average about an hour.

Synching Timers –

Dillon Quintana (291), left in orange, and other competitors start their personal timers at the beginning of the 50th annual Chuckanut Foot Race on Saturday morning July 9, 2016, in Fairhaven, Wash. (© Paul Conrad/The Bellingham Herald)

Be Smart While Photographing on a Tight Deadline

With the first game starting at 6:30, the second at 8, and my deadline at 9:30, making deadline would be tight. How I beat the deadline with time to spare.

Time Management is crucial. Simply, during some assignments, I do not have the time to pause and watch the games, chat with other photographers, or drive to a local coffee shop to meet the deadline. I had to edit and submit while sitting courtside.

The Cloud 9 Sports Christmas Classic was at Lynden Christian High School last week. I covered the Lynden Christian boys and girls games on Tuesday and Wednesday for The Bellingham Herald.

Fighting for the Rebound

Lynden Christian’s Grant Rubbert (35) captures a rebound against Granger’s Jake Slade (22), left, and Jay Ramirez (1) during the second quarter in the Cloud 9 Sports Christmas Classic on Tuesday evening Dec. 29, 2015, at Lynden Christian High School in Lynden, Wash. Lynden Christian defeated Granger 65 to 33. (© Paul Conrad/The Bellingham Herald)