For Mick: As always, you've caught some wonderful action shots. But I am especially taken by the close-ups which show a rare level of artistry. It takes a certain depth of seeing to capture photos that reveal the complexities of the human condition, and you seem to do this naturally.
My son and I were seated directly behind CSUN's bench, so we had an intimate experience of their head coach's most heated reactions to his players' performance. In all my years of being a sports fan, I've never witnessed a coach hurling such extreme verbal abuse at his athletes (and I've seen and heard a lot of colorful words and questionable behavior in my decades around college athletics.) This was so personal and degrading that I couldn't fathom how it could motivate the guys to play better.
As a mother of (now adult) sons, I felt protective of the team and couldn't help but imagine how such treatment might affect these young men in their future lives. In my estimation, it was unmerited, and I was left feeling they deserved so much better. The whole scene caused me to wonder what private burdens the coach carried inside. During the time I watched the scene unfold, I didn't feel so warm and fuzzy about this man.
When I saw you walk behind the team with your camera and pause to consider the best shooting angle, I knew you'd end up with some poignant photos. And I was struck by the discretion you displayed in so doing. This is truly admirable and, I believe, rare.
As I perused the gallery of your work from last night's game, I was moved by the close-ups of CSUN's head coach in the heat of his barrage and was humbled to notice some things I was unable to recognize as I witnessed the unfettered rage he aimed at his charges. In your photographs, I saw a complex individual with a deep passion for basketball and a sincere love of his players, but also an underlying fire that had likely been burning a very long time. He reminded me of my dad, who carried his own heavy load that affected our entire family. Through your sensitivity, you were able to offer a broader perspective of a man giving the best he had available in the midst of a stressful moment, albeit falling short from my admittedly fierce and shielding mama bear viewpoint.
In a world where there is so much division between people--where judging others without knowing their stories runs rampant--your ability to focus a compassionate lens on a messy and very human happening is a breath of fresh air. Remember this, my friend. God speaks through those who are willing to listen. It takes a finely tuned heart to hear that Still, Small Voice, and you've been richly blessed. You have given me a welcome lesson today, and I am grateful. I can stay aware when I see or hear something that doesn't feel right, but I can do so with a kinder and more understanding heart.
Just ridiculously fantastic photography
For Mick: As always, you've caught some wonderful action shots. But I am especially taken by the close-ups which show a rare level of artistry. It takes a certain depth of seeing to capture photos that reveal the complexities of the human condition, and you seem to do this naturally.
My son and I were seated directly behind CSUN's bench, so we had an intimate experience of their head coach's most heated reactions to his players' performance. In all my years of being a sports fan, I've never witnessed a coach hurling such extreme verbal abuse at his athletes (and I've seen and heard a lot of colorful words and questionable behavior in my decades around college athletics.) This was so personal and degrading that I couldn't fathom how it could motivate the guys to play better.
As a mother of (now adult) sons, I felt protective of the team and couldn't help but imagine how such treatment might affect these young men in their future lives. In my estimation, it was unmerited, and I was left feeling they deserved so much better. The whole scene caused me to wonder what private burdens the coach carried inside. During the time I watched the scene unfold, I didn't feel so warm and fuzzy about this man.
When I saw you walk behind the team with your camera and pause to consider the best shooting angle, I knew you'd end up with some poignant photos. And I was struck by the discretion you displayed in so doing. This is truly admirable and, I believe, rare.
As I perused the gallery of your work from last night's game, I was moved by the close-ups of CSUN's head coach in the heat of his barrage and was humbled to notice some things I was unable to recognize as I witnessed the unfettered rage he aimed at his charges. In your photographs, I saw a complex individual with a deep passion for basketball and a sincere love of his players, but also an underlying fire that had likely been burning a very long time. He reminded me of my dad, who carried his own heavy load that affected our entire family. Through your sensitivity, you were able to offer a broader perspective of a man giving the best he had available in the midst of a stressful moment, albeit falling short from my admittedly fierce and shielding mama bear viewpoint.
In a world where there is so much division between people--where judging others without knowing their stories runs rampant--your ability to focus a compassionate lens on a messy and very human happening is a breath of fresh air. Remember this, my friend. God speaks through those who are willing to listen. It takes a finely tuned heart to hear that Still, Small Voice, and you've been richly blessed. You have given me a welcome lesson today, and I am grateful. I can stay aware when I see or hear something that doesn't feel right, but I can do so with a kinder and more understanding heart.