American Football

[jjeling]

Out taking pictures one day at my University where I graduated. Wish I could get a job from my experience there instead of a couple photograph opportunities. Anyways, while I was there I wanted to get a few images of our main building. I pulled into the parking lot and then realized someone left the gate to the field open. I slipped in and it was quite eerie. I was the only one in the whole stadium! I smiled and did a few things you could only do in that situation, just to take advantage of it, then proceeded to shoot away. I ended up making it onto the field where I couldn't help but notice the famous 50 yard line. STOP! Had to take a few shots at it. Here is the result. Cheers!

[Marko]

What a great location!

I smiled and did a few things you could only do in that situation, just to take advantage of it, then proceeded to shoot away

Do tell -

[jjeling]

You asked for it. Remember, this was back in college. So, once I realized the end zone was WIDE OPEN, I grabbed my tripod, water, pack of smokes(the other stuff too). I proceeded to park my car fairly close to the stadium in case I needed to split in a timely fashion. It was hard deciding where to go first, the stadium was mine, except my batteries were getting low. I walked down the middle of the field feeling like a king. There was not a soul in the world that could have stopped me, even security, I'm just taking a few pictures anyways. Made my way to the nosebleed section, where I smoked a cigarette. Nothing too exciting there. Moved halfway down the bleachers, finished my water and had to use the john, BAD! Thinking critically, "If I'm in here by myself, when I know I'm not supposed to be, I cannot hold this all the way around the stadium for the bathroom. What do I do, oh yeah, lets take advantage of the situation, your a man, just go!" Thats what I did, without moving another foot, I went. It felt so good, it was cold out and that was the best relief. Afterwords, I sat down to finish my Amsterdam Special, found myself just wondering what to do. There was soooooo much to take a picture of and my batteries were just about dead. Well, they only lasted about a dozen more shots. Being completely devastated and not completely prepared for the situation, how could I be? I started walking back to my car and stepped out onto the 35 yard line and walked back. As I passed the 50 yard line I saw it, returning without that shot was not an option. The spare batteries died earlier because it was cold out. After being in a pocket for a few hours, there was enough charge in them to get a couple more shots out. Thats where this image came from. Something I will never forget a true college experience. Many of those things I have stopped doing since then, but getting back in the stadium like that, in a heartbeat!

[Marko]

Thanks for sharing that story, you made me laugh real good!

[jjeling]

Thanks Marko, I knew more than just a few photographs, it would be a good story to tell as well. I was playing with that image today and think I like the newer version a little better. What do you think?

[Mad Aussie]

Right jjeling ... your under arrest for Trespass on Private Property, Possession of an Illegal Substance, Urinating on Public Land, Holding Your Own on Public Land, and Mistreatment of a Minor (namely the batteries)!

And, due to your 2nd version being posted now .... be thankful I don't also take you for Failure to Burn Highlights and Excessive Use of Unnecessary Shadow as well.