The Sharpe Image

January 5, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) drives against Gerald Wallace (3) while playing the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Bobcats win 113 to 108. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com

This was a close game.  The Bobcats trailed all night long until the last 3 minutes of the game, then they really started to figure it out.  I was jazzed to be able to shoot this game.  I grew up watching Michael Jordon, so there is a certain air about the Bulls………….. (continue reading…)

Now normally, I do not do Weddings.  As most of you know, I am a Sports Photographer.  But it just so happened that a close friend of mine from Sprint Cup Racing has a step daughter that was getting married.  Joni called me up about 8 months ago and told me to block off January 13, 2010 on my calendar………………… (continue reading…)

December 22, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey (3) drives past Nazr MoHammed (13) while playing the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Bobcats win 88 to 76. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com

Well, it was getting towards Christmas, and the weather was freezing outside, but the Bobcats have been on FIRE!  I’m glad, because after the Season that the Panthers have had, it is about time that someone in this town started winning.  It just makes things that much more pleasant when it comes to doing my job.  All the images that I am about to show you were shot with my D300.  I am using a 70mm~200mm lens, and my 17mm~35mm lens for right under the basket.  The above shot was taken with my 17mm~35mm lens.  I love this angle, a lot of the time the Ref gets in my way with it, but when it works out, it is sweet…………….. (continue reading…)

January 3, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Mike Goodson (33) plows for yardage against Anthony Hargrove (69) while playing against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium. Panthers win 23 to 10. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com

Well, this was the last game for the Carolina Panthers.  Since they did not make the playoffs, their season ended right here at the Bank of America Stadium.  They did win the game, but New Orleans did not play Drew Brees. It was not a real exciting game other than the fact that the Carolina Panthers won……………….. (continue reading…)

December 1, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats guard Ronald Flip Murray (22) against the Boston Celtics at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com

OK, I have just started to shoot NBA, so this is all somewhat new to me.  I have never shot a Basketball game until November 25, 2009.  It is something that I have always wanted to do, and being a professional sports photographer, it is something that I should do.  I have always been a fan of the NBA, growing up in Washington DC, it was all about the Washington Bullets.  That’s right, I STILL think of them as the Bullets.  So I have a handle on what the sport is all about.  I have always said that to really shoot a sport well, you have to understand the sport.  I understand basketball, but to say that I was a bit nervus when I went onto the court is somewhat of an understatement.  Fortunately for me, my friend Chuck Burton (head of AP in the Carolina Piedmont Region) was there to give me some pointers………………. (continue reading…)

December 6, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; The Carolina Panthers rally against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com

I love football, and I love the Panthers.  I grew up in Washington DC, so I grew up loving the Washington Redskins.  I gotta tell ya, both of those Teams (and I still love my Redskins) are hard to be Fans of.  You just NEVER know what to expect out of either one of them.  After watching the Redskins for years, you would think that I would have learned how to deal with this, but the Panthers still keep me guessing every time I watch them play.  It always make for an interesting time every time I have the pleasure of covering them.  Keeps me on my toes…………… (continue reading…)

November 22, 2009; Homestead, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (48) during the Ford 400 at Homestead Miami Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com

Well, the last race of the season came and went in Miami.  I think that everyone knew that Jimme was going to again win the Championship about 4 races ago.  To say that this Team is STRONG is an understatement.  These guys know what they are doing, and I’ll bet they may pull it off again next year.  Since everyone knew that Jimmie had it wrapped up, the whole weekend was somewhat boring, but hey, I was in Miami, so there is always fun to be had……….. (continue reading…)

November 15, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Richard Marshall (31) makes an interception against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. Final score Carolina 28 Atlanta 19. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com

The Panthers played really well this game.  I was happy to see them win.  It was a great day to shoot, the light was just about perfect.  I really did not feel as if I was hitting on all that I could have, I feel that I could have done better than what I did.  I did get some cool stuff, I just don’t think that I could have done as well as I maybe should have……………… (continue reading…)

October 25, 2009; Martinsville, VA, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) during the Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com

Denny Hamlin wins the TUMS Fast Relief 500!  He had to battle all day against Jimmie Johnson to do it, but he was able to pull it off at the end.  I was glad to see this.  Jimmie has won this race the past 4 times that it has been run.  I was glad to see someone else win besides Jimmie.  Martinsville has become a very difficult track to photograph in the past few years……….

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October 17, 2009; Concord, NC, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (48) wins the NASCAR Banking 500 at Lowes Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com

This race was not the best race that I have ever seen at LOWES Motor Speedway, but it did have its moments.  After being dominated by Jimmie Johnson and the #48 LOWES Team, it is really hard to pick those moments out and remember them.  The above image is about as good as it gets for a celebration.  One thing is for sure about the LOWES Car winning at LOWES Motor Speedway, it is a Dream Come True for capturing an image that really makes the LOWES Corporation happy.  I know all too well about that, I shot for LOWES for years.  This image that is above always made them smile.  To bad Jimmie has forgotten how to really celebrate when he gets out of the car……………

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