The Sharpe Image

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 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 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…)

Oct. 11, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers safety Charles Godfrey (30) and corner back Dante Wesley (21) celebrate against the Washington Redskins at the Bank of America Stadium. Final score Carolina 20 and Washington 17 Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com

Carolina finally won!!!  I am so happy!  It had to happen, if they had not won, shooting the rest of the season would be like getting a tooth pulled every time I would have had to show up at the stadium.  I think that they are a much better Team than what they have been playing like, it just seems as if it has taken them some time to really find and turn up the intensity………… (continue reading…)

Sept. 13, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Ellis Hobbs (31) against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Final Score Philadelphia 38 and Carolina 10. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com

This was the opening game for the Carolina Panthers.  The day was beautiful for Photography, but that is about all you could say.  The Panthers got beat 38 to 10……they seem to need a lot of work to get themselves to where they really need to be in order to be competitive.  But this is not about the Panthers playing skills, it is about the photography of the day.  I really did not feel too much on top of my game today.  Maybe it was because of the Panthers poor playing, I do not know.  But I did get some decent stuff from the day.  Please take a look.  Thanks!

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August 29, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers mascot outside the stadium against the Baltimore Ravens at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com

Well, as far as I am concerned…….fall is here.  Even though it is just a Pre-Season game, it is the first real game of the Season for me.  The Panthers did not look so well, but here again, they really did not play too many of their Top Play Makers.  The suffered a loss of 17 to 13, but hey, there is always next week.  It is only Pre-Season!  The above image of the stone Panther was taken with my D300 and my 70mm~200mm lens.  I shot at shutter speed 250 @ f20, this under exposed it by 2 stops.  I thought it looked pretty cool. (continue reading…)

Aug 7, 2009; Spartanburg, SC, USA; Training equipment awaits the Carolina Panthers during training camp at Wofford College. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com

I went down to the Panther’s Trainng camp on Friday.  It was a 9:10am Practice, so I had to get up at 4:30am………not my favorite time of day to do at all.  But I really wanted to cover it because I am excited about the Team this year.  So here it is, please check it out. (continue reading…)

The 2009 Carolina Panther's warm up during Training Camp

I love Football.  I grew up right outside of Washington DC, so when I was brought home for the Hospital, my Mom had me wrapped in a Burgandy and Gold blanket.  Needless to say that I love the Redskins, but I also love my hometown team……..The Carolina Panthers.  I had a chance to start to shoot the NFL about 4 years ago, and needless to say, I jumped at the chance.  It was a nice departure from racing, plus it gave me a chance to spread out into other Sports.  The other great thing about it, is the fact that I do not have to travel far to shoot games, just 20 mintues and I am at the stadium.  I love it!

This is the first time that I have ever shot a Training Camp, and I felt some frustration while doing it.  It seems as if the Panthers Organization is very strict on where they will let photographers go during the actual practice sessions.  It became a trick to get any kind of images at all.  I felt as if I was missing something, but since this was my first camp, I decided not to push the issue.  I am excited about the upcoming Season.  There are onle 3 home games that conflict with my racing schedule, and one of the races I think I can shoot on Saturday Night, get back from Richmond and still shoot the Sunday game.  Well, here is what I got from camp.  Please tale a look and let me know what you think.

Peace, Sam (continue reading…)