Are you a momarazzi in training?

It's in all of us...the desire to capture our children doing what they love to do! If you share this desire to capture moments in time with your digital camera, you are a momarazzi.  If you're a dad, we'd like to call you a dadarazzi, since the obvious could have a negative connotation!

Last year a fellow momarazzi and I were asked about what it takes to become a momarazzi...some of our suggestions are included below:

First, the right camera can do amazing things...but only if you know how to use it!  Take advantage of digital camera lessons whenever you have the opportunity to. This momarazzi learned from other photographers, as well as good 'ole "trial and error."  For a typical football game, I can take upwards of 800 photographs (thank goodness for a memory card!!).  In the end, after reviewing all the photos, I am lucky to end up with about 250-300 usable photos.  I don't always have my settings right and often need to play a bit to ensure the lighting works for the different angles I may shoot from.

Second, the right editing tools will make you look FABULOUS!  There are so many fantastic editing tools out there that you can pay for--Adobe Photoshop is by far my favorite. However, there are also *free* tools out there that you may actually already have on your computer!  Microsoft Office Picture Manager (part of the Microsoft Office Tools group) is a great place to start if you've got the Office software on your computer.  If not, my favorite choice is Picasa, a Google product that is downloadable for free.  Picasa has wonderful editing tools and also allows you to create online photo albums, share photos and albums via email, and create simple movies of your photos with your favorite music added!  Don't assume a poorly lit photograph has to end up in the "deleted photos" list.  Editing truly will be your best friend in photography!

Third, for any sports photographer a monopod is a must! Portrait photographers use a tripod...action photography demands a monopod! They are very inexpensive and will add so much to creating a crisp photo, free from your shaking arms!  The stability of the monopod has improved my action photos ten-fold!

Finally...just get in there and try it! Different sports require different levels of light and position.  When my boys were very young, I liked to sit on the ground and capture photos from a low point of view. Now that they are older, standing along the sidelines or field fences works best--as does my zoom lens!

It's in all of us...the ability to become a momarazzi. And the biggest reason you'll find success? You know your young athlete's personality...you know what to look for and what to capture! Take a chance and try all sorts of ideas, positions, and options!  You'll be surprised at how well you can do!

See you at the rink & fields!