The Sharpe Image

Here are some more of my favorite images from the 2009/2010. Like I said in an earlier Post, what I wild Season this was!I was so glad to see the Bobcats make the Play-Offs.  I think that they are a better Team that what they get credit for, and with Michael Jordan now at the helm as far as ownership, I expect really good things from them in the future.  All these images were shot with my D300.  I will most likely use this camera as well as a D700 for this season.  It all starts Oct. 29, and I am ready to be back courtside.

March 12, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace (3) while playing against the Los Angeles Clippers at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com

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March 9, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats forward Tyrus Thomas (12) slams the basket home while playing against the Miami Heat at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com

What a wild NBA Season! The Bobcats made the play-offs for the first time in the 6 year history of the Franchise, they beat Teams like the LA Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but then they lost to Teams like the New Jersey Nets. It was my first year shooting NBA Basketball, and I have to say that I loved it. I am finally glad to have the chance to shoot Sports other than the NFL and NASCAR Auto Racing. I went through my take for the whole Season and picked out some of the images that I really liked. There ended up being 71 images in total that I have posted here as favorites from the season, please take a look and feel free to leave comments, that is really the only way that I learn and improve……….. (continue reading…)

March 1, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Brendan Haywood (33) slams the ball home against Bobcats Forward Gerald Wallace (3) while playing against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mavericks win 89 to 84. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com

I got to tell you, I really thought that the Bobcats were going to win this game.  They really stayed within a few points of the Mavericks when they were behind, and they were up by as much as 15 points during the 1st half.  It just seemed as if the Bobcats grew “cold” in the 3rd period.  They threw nothing but “bricks.”  Could not hit the side of the barn……………. (continue reading…)

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…)