Clay Shooting Event

Last weekend we attended the Perazzi DTL Grand Prix at Byewell Shooting Ground. 

Byewell Shooting Ground

The event took place over 2 days and Xtreme Photo provided photography and on-site printing.  An on-line gallery was later made available where competitors could save their albums and send photo cards to their friends.

For us it is important to catch the competitors in action.  We don’t pose photographs, unless of course the squad asks for a group photo.  We take several photos including a full length, close-up and if possible “breaking the clay” shot.   We also provided photographs for many of the sponsors.

Clay shooting

Logistically this event was more challenging than some because not all of the competitors came through the same stands and up to 12 other squads were shooting at any time.  Many squads booked us to photograph them which helped with timings and, of course, sales. 

The prize stakes were high and some of the squads had come from as far as South Africa.  It is crucial that we don’t disturb their concentration or distract them during their shooting.   Safety is also a prime concern at events, but especially so at an event of this nature.  Having participated in clay shooting himself Martin was able to position himself and time his movements in such a way that he would not be noticed.  This was proved when many of the competitors later approached us to ask if we had photographed them! 

One member of a squad asked before he started shooting that we didn’t photograph his round as it would be distracting for him.  Whilst we knew this hadn’t been the case for others we respected his decision and stayed clear of his round.  We are there to capture the event but we certainly don’t want to upset anyones day by doing so.  Later the same competitor approached us to take a group photograph for him to take home. 

Not everywhere has space for a large set-up and in this instance we used a single table and viewing station.  Each event shall be different and our set-up judge on the venue and it’s requirements.

Xtreme Photo are available to photograph your event.  We can provide on-site printing and on-line galleries for your competitors and are also happy to photograph the prize giving if required.   Why not contact us and find out what we can do for you!

Junior Golf Tour 2009

As I have mentioned here, Xtreme Photo were asked by the Cocken Lodge Golf Club to photograph the first round of the Durham County Golf Partnership “Junior Golf Tour”.   We were then invited along to photograph the rest of the tour…

The tour was organised by the Durham County Golf Partnership which is a joint venture between the Durham County Golf Union, the Durham Ladies County Golf Association, the North East / North West PGA, the Golf Foundation, the English Golf Union and the English Women’s Golf Association.  It is aimed at young golfers between the ages of 5 and 11 and took place across four venues and five dates, during which time we took in excess of 1600 photographs of 57 kids.

I knew which photographs sold to the parents and children so for the first round of the tour I concentrated on capturing a photograph of every child on the first tee. 

Tee Shot

These types of shots impressed people the most and I was glad to have been able to capture every child in a similar pose throughout the course of the tour.  As the tour progressed though I wanted to capture shots around the course of chipping and putting – after all, it would be pretty boring for all to have 1600 photographs of children teeing off! 

I ventured out onto the course with the first group and found positions that allowed me to capture the shots I required without having to move too far.  That way I could be sure to capture a good variety of photos of every competitor.  Yes, it would have been easier to have had two or three photographers covering the event, but the kids were under enough pressure playing in some tricky conditions.  They became familiar with me and therefore relaxed at the site of the photographer.  I don’t think that it would have been appropriate for them to have the pressure of photographers at every hole or during every swing.

Putting

Again, these shots proved popular with many parents purchasing three photographs of their child, one tee, one putting and a chipping or group photograph.

It was great to see the same faces turn up at the last game as had been there at the first.  It took dedication on everyones part to play the 45 holes over the five weeks.

Whilst out on the course I also had time to capture the story of the tour.  Yes, the prime concern was to take photographs that sell because we were attending for free so the on-site printing or on-line sales were a must, but we were also donating the images to the EGU and others involved in the partnership for use on their websites and in promotional material for next years tour.  Here are some of those photographs, and a few of my favourites…

This photo really captured the spirit of the tour: 

Pink Caddy

Everyone between the ages of 5-11 years was able to enter, boys and girls.  Parents or grandparents were there to caddy!

A classic golf shot, with plenty of room for text.  This could be used as a background for posters or web pages:

Tee Shot Promo

Background photo

The tour was blessed with sunshine for 42 of the 45 holes, for the last three though we weren’t so lucky as it rained VERY heavily!  Thankfully the day was almost over as I wouldn’t have liked to have had a full days worth of photographs like this:

It wasn’t all easy going, strong winds proved tricky on the last day and of course there was the added hazards of water and sand:

In The Bunker

 

Another tricky bunker

Teamwork and concentration were all part of the game:

Teamwork

Concentration

I had a wonderful time photographing the tour, met some very talented young golfers and was very impressed by the event and all who competed in it.  The organisers did a great job of encouraging the kids to enjoy the competition and we look forward to covering the event again next year.

If you would like to view all of the images from the Junior Golf Tour then please visit our gallery page and type “junior tour” into the search box.

Xtreme Photo are able to provide photography for your event, promotional and corporate material, on-site printing and an on-line gallery.

For personal customers we are able to follow you through your competition and provide professional photographs, coffee table books, posters and gifts for you to remember your moment.  Our hourly rates are very reasonable.  Leave the photography to us so that you can focus on your event.