Levi Alexander Cal-Rivera
Upset
In a last second upset, sophomore Katy Smith sprints from third place to first place at the Trinity Prep Invitational. Despite the sweltering heat she managed to pass her two opponents with a few feet left in the race.
Process
Now the setup for this photo was particularly tricky, especially since this was my first time covering track and it happened to be at the same time that the sun had started to set. Working with pro sports photographer Mike Carlson helped me get this just right as we had taken shots almost just like this one for almost an hour straight. With a shutter of 1/2000 Smith is frozen and crisp with an ISO of 320. Sports photography is more than the settings though, you have to know where to be. I patiently stood right by the finish line and waited until the runners faces turned the corner. If I had been anywhere else on the track I would not have captured the moment where Smith upset the score.
Sweaty Sax
Sweating profusely at band's annual Rhapsody concert, students like Jake Borgon plays a student produced pieces in the auditorium. Fellow peers conducted the pieces and there was minimal teacher involvement.
Process
Jake Borgon and I had been acquainted the year before in a concession stand. We spent hours talking as we served greasy burgers and cold sodas during a winter game. This photo of Jake tells the exact same story he told to me when we sat on drink coolers. This Jake is driven and just won't quit. Since our auditorium comes second for worst lit, it was a task to capture his drive (and sweat). I had sat directly in front of him and the crowd and quickly got to work the second a spotlight appeared on Borgon. Although he had been sitting down I left my shutter speed at 1/100 since I knew that when musicians get into their song they tend to move. Borgon did just that as the jazz piece reached his solo.
Off Guard
During the homecoming ceremony JROTC presents each flag individually. Breaking conduct, the subject is caught off guard just as the camera clicks.
Process
This was my first time attending my school's homecoming ceremony and I had no idea what to expect. Everything quickly began to happen at once, the band began to play as a speech began, to my right I could see the flags turning a corner. I quickly adjusted my settings that had previosuly been set to capture football. Since nobody was running a ball I could drastically lower my shutter speed as well as my ISO. This way the photos would remain well lit yet crisp. Through what felt like chaos, the steady marching of JROTC drew me in, which is where I met this boy within the sea of stone cold faces.
Ready, Set
Behind senior Rachel Matthiesen second base gets ready to take off. During practice after school the varsity girl's softball team brings it their all.
Process
I had been walking around the practice fields in an attempt to capture as much as my SD card would let me. Sometimes I would wander around our campus with a camera, some of my best shots have been a result of this. One instance happened when I walked onto the clay, I saw my old classmate Rachel Matthiesen. On social media I had seen just how fast she could pitch and I set up to get some good pictures. I positioned my telephoto lens through the metal fencing behind the player batting. I knew she would be moving fast so I moved my shutter speed to 1/2500 to capture everything down to the dirt by her feet. I also used this element to help diffuse the harsh lighting of the setting sun. Matthiesen has been pitching for years now and is committed to play softball at Rollins in Winter Park, Florida.
Pretty in Pink!
Backed by an ensemble, Leah Cherry preforms 'Sexy', from the musical Mean Girls. Although the performance was only a dress rehearsal she got the small group in the seats excited for the weekend shows.
Process
This production was Hagerty's biggest yet both physically and monetarily. There was a lot of pressure on these kids to bring it their all as there would be a judge in the audience on one of the four days they held the show. Since I had done a lot of work with the drama department, I was able to be on stage for dress rehearsal to capture this moment as it was their first dress rehearsal for their upcoming weekend of putting on Mean Girls. During the rehearsal I was able to go where photographers aren't typically allowed during shows such as directly in front of the stage with my camera rested on the stage. Since there were many moving parts my shutter speed had to be high. My aperture also had to be higher for that same reason, I had to make sure there was a lot in focus. The rest was left to my ISO since there were so many lights with a projector in the back. The students blew the roof off during the dress rehearsal and packed the auditorium every show.
Got It
Running the ball, the junior girls team practices for the annual powderpuff game. In a few weeks they will face the seniors for ultimate bragging rights.
Process
Most of the girls on the field that day were ones I had previously met, but I had no idea who was about to run the ball. I sat on the wet grass until most, if not all, of the team was acquainted and comfortable with the camera. I wanted to capture the fun the girls were having during their practice. It was different than a normal sports team since so many girls were involved who had never been part of organized sports, and both the newness and bond showed in this picture.
Didn't See That Coming
Cooling off, three students jump at the opportunity to finish band camp with a splash (only one of them is safe). The water fight is an annual tradition for the band which marks the end of their week and a half long summer band camp. This not only washes days of sweat off but, brings out the community of Hagerty High School.
Process
Band camp is both physically and mentally taxing for every single person involved. The early mornings and extreme heat are a true test of character, the splash of relief provides an end to the long week. I had to use a lens with a decent zoom in order to prevent the camera getting wet. With a shutter speed of 1/640, I had to make sure my shutter speed was high in order to capture this moment because I wanted the crisp effect of each individual water droplet for these photos.
Sing Your Heart Out
Senior Marcnelle Pierre sings during Hagerty's very first Black History Month Showcase. Students chose to perform songs, organize a fashion show, and read poems during the event.
Process
During its founding year, Hagerty High School's Black Student Union made their presence known. Although they held numerous events during the school year, this one brought together the Oviedo community. The auditorium was packed as they watched Marcnelle perform for one of the last times in their high school career. It was a new experience having a backlit subject but I knew that it would help to change the metering mode of the camera after learning about it at a Walsworth summer camp. After that it was a matter of changing my white balance to accurately capture the tones of the lights.
Push and Shove
Pushing his way to the next yard line, junior Anthony White takes down a player. Backed by senior Evan Lusher, the two carry on like there's no tomorrow with the game ending in a win (48-7).
Process
The Winter Springs game was the team's second game of the season and my second time on Hagerty's field. Being up close with the players was a very personal experience though the ability to use a telephoto lens only helped me get closer. It wasn't all magic though, I had to be in the right place which meant a lot of walking and bumping into sweaty football players. To capture shots like this one I had to set up almost perpendicular to the ball, but still so I would be facing players as they ran towards my direction. I would begin shooting before the ball left the ground and follow the ball until the players had untangled themselves.
