The fun part about photography is where it takes you. A few days ago I caught a retweet from a friend of mine about one of his friends who just joined a roller derby team.. I asked my friend if he would like to go to the next roller derby bout (which is what they call them). He agreed and last Saturday night I went to a CNY Roller Derby bout in Rome, New York with camera in hand.
Not sure how many remember roller derby as it was big back in the 1970’s when I was a kid watching it on early morning Sunday televsion. The current roller derby I witnessed was a real sport. There is still the showmanship of the old roller derby thrown in for fun.
A jammer, the skater with the star on her helmet, works her way through blockers to score points during a roller derby bout in Rome, New York.
The main event was the Utica Clubbers (black uniforms in the photos) agains the New Hampshire Skate Free or Die! (in pink). The women skaters have colorful names like Roxie Rolln’, Tank’d Girl, Freak’n Sweet, Hotcakes, BamBam Thunderjam and Doris Doomsday. I think you get the picture these women mean business. While rough, there is none of the shenanigans of the old style roller derby. Referees keep the action fast, furious, fair and safe.
This is a jammer coming up on the gaggle of blockers she has to get past in order to score points for her team.
As you can tell, the lighting conditions were far from ideal. My camera was underpowered for such so I reverted to panning to try and get a few keepers like the one below of a jammer at full speed as she tries to catch the pack of blockers ahead of her.
Panning technique was used to capture the action of a roller derby skater whizzing by me.
I had a lot of fun and was impressed with the agility and speed of the competitors and sport of roller derby. The men and women looked like they were having a great time.
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You have caught the speed in these images Scott. Very well. -If you had lots of light then you might have missed the action?
Interesting sport. As far as I know we don’t have such events here. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.
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I got the speed but I need to work on the colors. I’ll get there. I think is is pretty much an American sport.
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Colors can be tricky. The camera has a different way of adapting to the ambient light. You could try disabling the automatic white balance and calibrate with a piece of white paper. – Or use RAW recording and adjust the balance in the RAW-converter. Maybe adding a little green here and there vill remove some of the magenta from the skin and black areas.
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Nice shots! Really got the speed and excitement of the game!
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Thank you for your comment! It is pretty fast for a flat track.
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My ears are pinned back in amazement.
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LOL Come on, Gerry, you could get out there and show those young’ens. 🙂
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Yes, I too like the way you captured the speed. One technique I need to work on.
Linda
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Next time you see me, ask. Panning is easy once you know a few tricks and practice a bit.
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I didn’t realize roller derby still existed! If nothing else, they are certainly a colorful group!
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I reacted the same way when I saw the tweets about it. Just knew I would have to check it out.
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Wow interesting shots. It’s true about photography, where it takes you :). It reminds me of the movie Whip It with Ellen Page and Drew Barry more.
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Don’t know that movie. Will have to check it out. Very true, photography does send you in directions you never would have considered.
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Scott, looks like loads of fun, but I don’t think I would last a second in there. 🙂
I love the panning and motion in these shots.
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Thanks, Nye! It was fun to watch.
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This certainly was an interesting day, even with people flying at us. Course, you didn’t get my “favorite”, but that’s okay. lol
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Next time but I need better equipment. Panning is fun but I would like to get some stop action. There were a lot of great expressions in the middle of those packs I wish I could have gotten.
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