The Duke Victory Through Our Eyes
We have finally completed editing all of our images from the ‘Canes 90-63 victory over the Duke Blue Devils last week, arguably the greatest game in Miami Basketball history. Here’s where you can find all of our edited material:
Time Lapse Video
HurricaneSports.com Cover Photos
One For The Ages
You can own a piece of Hurricanes Basketball history! This 15″ x 36″ panoramic print depicts a defining moment in ‘Canes history as the fans rushed the court after the dismantling of #1 ranked Duke by a stunning 27 points. If you were one of the 7972 fans in attendance or just watching on TV you’ll be able to re-live this moment for years to come. Printed on photo paper and shipped to you in a crush-proof tube, this print is priced at $49.99 + $7.00 shipping. Click here to order.
And So It Begins…Year 17!
Today was the start of my 17th season as the Hurricanes’ Team Photographer, and my 21st overall including my student years. Things have changed over that period of time, going from processing and printing film in my closet to digital processing and Photoshop work on a Mac. Photos that were distributed to primary clients via FedEx back then are done so via FTP today. Outside sales to editorial clients have been nearly entirely eliminated by agencies suck as Getty Images, who have largely commodified the market for stock photography, resulting in use fees at a fraction of what was realized in the past. In its place some photographers have moved to promoting themselves via websites and social media sites including Twitter and Facebook. “Caneshooter” has become my identity and my brand online and in social media after just being a nickname hurled at me by another photographer back in the late 1990′s. I spend more time promoting my brand than I do shooting photographs. I have over 91,000 photos online, of just Hurricanes Athletics. I have this blog, a Facebook fan page and a Twitter account. I hope I post interesting stuff, and that you’ll look at my website, my blog, fan my page on Facebook or follow me on Twitter. And I really hope you’ll buy a print or a download! ABOVE: Kenny Kadji poses earlier today during our basketball freshmen/transfer studio shoot at the School of Communication.
Here’s Looking at You, Reggie
Often we photographers will go to extremes to get a unique image. After recently acquiring a Canon G12 “point-and-shoot” consumer camera, I noticed it had a remote control port.
The bells went off in my head. Could I actually use a small consumer camera as a remote?
So for last night’s men’s basketball game vs. Maryland, I mounted the Canon G12 on the catwalk above the scoreboard at the BankUnited Center.
The Canon G12 is a 10mp consumer point and shoot camera with some pro features. Relevent to the image above, it has a 28-140mm f2.8-f4.5 lens, a hot shoe and the ability to manually expose and focus. But it’s main unpublicized feature is its ability to sync at a higher shutter speed than usual when using external flash due to its CCD sensor. With the right strobe and shutter speed, a photographer can overpower the sun on an outdoor shoot. That’s actually the reason I purchased one.
While mounting an overhead camera is nothing new, it’s the first time I’ve done it at the BUC. In the old Miami Arena, the catwalks were perfectly positioned above the rim on each end of the court. I often mounted a remote above one of the hoops there, as you can see from this shot of Darius Rice. In the BUC, the catwalks are farther out along the perimeter of the floor, with one climbing to a platform above the scoreboard. The view is at a slight angle, and through a hanging speaker assembly.
The next challenge was actually firing the camera. Using Pocket Wizard brand radios to trigger the shutter was easy, but the “shutter lag,” the time it takes for the camera to respond and fire the shutter, was my concern. Sure enough, it took an average of a second and a half between my pressing the button on my radio and the camera actually firing. While that may not seem like a long time to some, to me that’s the time between the ball leaving a shooter’s hands and it getting to the rim.
While I came up with six usable images, the “shutter lag” issue took some of my attention away from using my main camera. I just could not go from using my handheld setup to firing the radio in time to catch a rebound. So while this setup isn’t practical for every game use, it is workable for an occasional different look.
Image details: Canon G12, 140mm, 1/500 sec, f5.6 @ 200 ASA. Used with Speedotron 2401SX strobes, triggered via Pocket Wizard radios.
Major Wallpaper Update at Hurricanesports.com
Publications Coordinator Etta Schaller of the Hurricanes Media Relations department has created dozens of computer wallpaper graphics for your downloading pleasure over at Hurricanesports.com. Images include our work from the Coach Golden press conference and men’s & women’s basketball photo day and game action through this season. You may access the wallpaper section of Hurricanesports.com directly by clicking here.
‘Canes Hoops Open Season Friday
Both the men’s and women’s basketball season openers take place tomorrow at the BankUnited Center. The women tip off at noon and the men at 7:30pm. The women are led by juniors Shenise Johnson and Riquna Williams (below) and the men by sixth year senior Adrian Thomas (above).
Miami Arena? Yeah, I Miss It
Miami Arena? Yeah, I miss it.
With its small capacity and lack of suites a beancounter’s nightmare, they did get one thing right.
The catwalks. Rafters. Whatever you want to call them. Most of you never looked up there, let alone walked on them. But with their placement, they were perfect for us photographers. For basketball, they crossed right above the rim on both ends. Another pair even lined up perfectly over goal for the Florida Panthers’ first five seasons.
I often mounted a remote over the basket in those days, as evidenced by the shot of James Jones against Providence College in 2000. This image is one of 290 images from the 2000 season I recently uploaded to the Caneshooter Archive. The ‘Canes won the Big East regular season championship that year and advanced to the Sweet 16 in the tournament.
When the ‘Canes moved to the BankUnited Center on campus, our perfect overhead remotes were history. The new building’s catwalks span the outside perimeter of the floor, and only one crosses the court, right above the scoreboard. There is one location for an off-center view of the hoop, and I may try it out this upcoming season.
So despite the inch thick layer of dust, chalk marks of how many bolts were loose and occasional rat, I kind of liked the “old” place. I’m likely the only one.
Reggie Johnson Makes SI’s Breakout List
Sophomore center Reggie Johnson has been named as one of five breakout sophomores to watch by Sports Illustrated’s Luke Winn.
Winn has tested out a statistical method of identifying breakout sophomores based on a Basketball Prospectus study of players’ possession usage over their first three seasons.
Nebraska forward Christian Standhardinger, Texas forward Jordan Hamilton, Villanova guard Maalik Wayns and UCLA forward Reeves Nelson also made Winn’s list.
Read more at Sports Illustrated’s web site.
Durand Scott Named to ACC All-Tournament Team
Hurricanes freshman guard Durand Scott was named to the first team ACC All-Tournament for his performance in leading UM to the semi-final round in Greensboro this past week.
Scott is the first Miami player to earn first team ACC All-Tournament honors. Scott averaged a team high 14.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals in three games.
Durand Scott Named to ACC All-Rookie Team
Hurricanes freshman guard Durand Scott has been named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Rookie Team as voted on by 53 members of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association.
Miami’s first-ever All-Rookie Team pick, Scott was a UM-best four-time ACC Rookie of the Week selection and the league’s leading freshman in assists with a team-high tying 3.5 per game.
Read the UM SID press release here.
Hurricanes Host FSU in Regular Season Finale
Hurricanes seniors Dwayne Collins, James Dews and Cyrus McGowan will be honored before today’s game with rival Florida State in the 2010 regular season finale at the BankUnited Center before tipoff at 12pm in a nationally televised game on ESPN2.
Antoine Allen Named to All-ACC Academic Team
Hurricanes freshman guard Antoine Allen was named to the 2010 All-Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Men’s Basketball Team yesterday.
Allen is the eighth Hurricane to earn All-ACC Academic Team recognition since 2006, second only to Duke, with nine, during the same period.
Allen was among a group of 12 to earn the recognition this season, which requires a student athlete to earn a 3.0 grade point average for the previous semester and maintain a 3.0 cumulative average during his academic career.
Julian Gamble
Hurricanes forward Julian Gamble scored 13 points and grabbed 12 rebounds during Miami’s 74-62 victory over Virginia Tuesday night.
The ‘Canes return to action on Saturday against North Carolina State at the BankUnited Center at 4pm.
Collins Leads ‘Canes Past Hoos, 74-62
Hurricanes forward Dwayne Collins scored 18 points to lead Miami past Virginia 74-62 last night at the BankUnited Center.
The ‘Canes return to action on Saturday against North Carolina State at the BankUnited Center at 4pm.
Duke 81, Miami 74
Hurricanes forward Dwayne Collins tries to slide a shot past 7’1″ Duke center Brian Zoubek during the first half of last night’s game at the BankUnited Center. Duke rallied from a 12 point halftime deficit to beat the Hurricanes 81-74.
McClinton’s Jersey Heads to Rafters Tonight
During halftime of tonight’s game versus Duke, three former Hurricane greats will be paid tribute to with the institution of “honored jerseys,” as Jack McClinton (2006-09), Don Curnutt (1967-70) and Dick Hickox (1958-61) will have their jerseys raised to the rafters of the BankUnited Center. McClinton and former Hurricane great and NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry will be on hand for the celebration, while the late Hickox will be represented by his wife, Sylvia. A bout of the flu has prevented Curnutt from traveling for the festivities.
McClinton will also be raising money for the relief effort in Haiti by selling two commemorative T-shirts which can be purchased around campus and outside the stadium tonight for $10. Jack will be on hand to sign autographs for all those who purchase a shirt.
Dews’ Buzzer Beater Downs Georgia Tech
James Dews, avenging a missed front end of a one-and-one just seconds earlier, hit a jumper at the buzzer to lift the Hurricanes over Georgia Tech 64-62, last night at the BankUnited Center.
Dwayne Collins led the Hurricanes with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Adrian Thomas scored 12, all on 3-pointers, and Malcolm Grant scored 11. Reggie Johnson came off the bench to score 10 points and tally seven rebounds in 16 minutes.
The Hurricanes (17-7, 3-7 ACC) won for only the second time in the past eight games, and improved to 11-1 at home this season.
Boston College 79, Miami 75
Despite redshirt freshman Reggie Johnson’s season high 15 points and nine rebounds, the ‘Canes fell to Boston College 79-75 last night at the BankUnited Center.
Miami blew a 17 point lead as the Eagles trailed 58-41 before a 22-7 run got them back in the game. The Hurricanes shot just 10 of 29 from the floor in the second half.
Dwayne Collins
Leading scorer and rebounder Dwayne Collins and the #23 Hurricanes visit Virgina tonight at 8pm. The game will be televised nationally on ESPNU. Collins leads the ‘Canes with 12.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Against Wake Forest last week, Collins had 11 rebounds and a season-high 23 points.
Miami 67, Wake Forest 66
Dwayne Collins had 11 rebounds and a season-high 23 points to lead the Hurricanes to a 67-66 win over Wake Forest in their ACC home opener last night. The Hurricanes (15-1, 1-1), are off to their best start in 50 years.
Dews leads ‘Canes into ACC slate
Hurricanes Men’s Basketball hosts Wake Forest in its ACC home opener on Saturday at the BankUnited Center at 6 p.m. The game will be televised nationwide on ESPNU.
The ‘Canes (14-1) completed their non-conference schedule with a 14-0 record, going undefeated in non-league play for the first time in school history. The lone loss was against conference foe Boston College last month.
James Dews leads Miami in scoring this season, averaging 12.7 points per game. Dews ranks 3rd in the conference from behind the arc, averaging 48.6%, and is 4th among active ACC players with 147 career three-point shots.
12th Day of ‘Canes-mas
HAPPY NEW YEAR ‘CANES FANS! HERE’S SOME CELEBRATIONS!
Hurricanes WR Andre Johnson holds up the Sears Trophy after Miami’s defeat of Nebraska to win the 2001 NCAA National Championship.
Hurricanes pitcher Tom Farmer celebrates after Miami’s defeat of Stanford in the College World Series to win the 2001 NCAA National Championship.
Hurricanes forward Jimmy Graham celebrates after Miami’s defeat of Maryland during the 2009 season.
7th Day of ‘Canes-mas
This shot of Hurricanes Men’s Basketball head coach Frank Haith, Anthony King and Anthony Harris was used on the 2007 Men’s Basketball media guide cover. It was shot in the BankUnited Center using one White-Lightning 1600 strobe on the floor with a 30º grid, with no catwalk strobes and no curtain. The strobe was cranked up to its highest power setting, overriding the available light in the building to such an extent the background appears totally dark.
6th Day of ‘Canes-mas
While I prefer to stay as low to the ground as possible while shooting sports, sometimes other perspectives make for interesting images. When the Hurricanes played in Miami Arena, the catwalks above the floor perfectly aligned with the baskets, so mounting a remote camera above the rim was possible.
When the BankUnited Center opened in 2003, the catwalks were configured differently than the old arena, thus eliminating the direct overhead view. Last season I mounted a camera over the Hurricanes bench and captured a strategy session during a timeout.