This is the second year I have photographed the Pleasant Grove high school football team. This year they are ushering in new uniforms. For whatever reason the majority or portraits (every photograph except one.) were taken in the old uniform, white and blue. After doing all of the individual portraits I worked with the team captains to create "The Captain's Shot." It's a fun project that involves a little creativity. We did the first two in the old uniforms. That was great for the first photograph I created in front of the blue "G" in the weight room. But they decided they wanted to do the last photograph somewhere in the stadium wearing their new uniforms. So while I hauled the photographic equipment outside to the field they changed clothing.

I was setting up equipment as they arrived on the field. Their new uniforms were black. The white helmets were awesome, with a raised area on top, making them resemble something out of Star Wars. What I really liked was the writing above the large number on the front of the Jersey. It simply said, "The Grove." It gave their team a since of credibility to me, like they were a force to be reckoned with.

I ran into a technical problem getting my flashed to fire so I had to go with available light on this one, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise keeping unwanted shadows off of their faces. Fortunately my Canon EOS R5 was up to the task and the sun was off of their faces so I had no odd shadowing. The afternoon light was contrasty, but as I said, the camera could handle the situation.

When I worked the final image in Photoshop I had to add some shameless advertising. Why not, after all, for the moment, I'm the team photographer. Naturally they are my team. I'll be watching them this year. Three cheers for coach Walkenhorst and THE GROVE!

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