It has been a frenetic couple of days. Photos for the site come in thick and fast, despite them being pre-sifted before hitting our screens. I am helped by Rob, one of my best mates - we go way back to college days, and whilst here he keeps me going with wit and editing skills that make me very glad to know him. He is an artist, and designer, and the best computer games player I have ever met.
So, I haven't had as much time as I would like to post to this blog, and feel a little bad about that. Only a little though - it is not my primary 'job' while I am here. Still, I'd like to make a good job of it, and I will try to post a little more frequently over the next few days.
Today I am extremely glad the room is air-conditioned - outside the heat beats down on courts, players, and spectators, sapping everything of strength, colour, and the will to do anything but lie in a cool dark room. There is a lull at the moment - Rob and I have got well on top of the photo list, and so there is a little time spare to add a few images from previous days, and write some words to go with them. The photos below are from various matches, taken as I wander swiftly around the grounds. I have many more that I will post later.
- An umpire on Court 14, the curve of the No.1 Court roof behind her.
- Ferrer whips a serve towards his adversary on Court 18.
- Radek Stepanek plays an overhead shot... hit and hope...
- ... the hoping paid off, the shot was in, the rally continued.
- Tatjana Malek returns to Stosur on Court 18. I was shooting from the opposite end with my 300mm lens.
- Same court, and lens, different player. Bartoli powers a return back to Schiavone. Both players were very hyped up, playing imaginary shots between the rallies, trying to psyche each other out.
- Bartoli put up a valiant but ultimately futile fight, stretching for every shot.
- Bartoli, airborne in this shot, eventually lost the match as the sun fell behind the blocks of flats that overlook Court 18.
- Another player on 18, again shot with the 300mm. She is pulling a most scarily determined face, and I think the grunt that accompanied the serve could probably be heard right into the middle of next week.
- Petrova was wearing quite a fashionable outfit according to the pundits here. I wouldn't have known that of course, given that I am more sartorially challenged than the poet in residence who sits in the next room.
- Stosur leaps to smash another point home.
- Schiavone dabs a dainty forehand over the net. Shot close with the 300mm, fast becoming a favourite of mine. You are forced to crop in camera at this distance, which is tricky with a fast moving player, and so many of the photos I take like that are only good for the rubbish bin. I let this one slip through. Much like her opponent.
- Ivanovic turns to celebrate her win with a triumphantly raised fist.
- Squinting into the sun this player throws an energetic shape as he sends a backhand flying down the court. I can't remember his name. No doubt it will come to me just as soon as I hit 'Publish'.
More, in a little while...
So, I haven't had as much time as I would like to post to this blog, and feel a little bad about that. Only a little though - it is not my primary 'job' while I am here. Still, I'd like to make a good job of it, and I will try to post a little more frequently over the next few days.
Today I am extremely glad the room is air-conditioned - outside the heat beats down on courts, players, and spectators, sapping everything of strength, colour, and the will to do anything but lie in a cool dark room. There is a lull at the moment - Rob and I have got well on top of the photo list, and so there is a little time spare to add a few images from previous days, and write some words to go with them. The photos below are from various matches, taken as I wander swiftly around the grounds. I have many more that I will post later.
- An umpire on Court 14, the curve of the No.1 Court roof behind her.
- Ferrer whips a serve towards his adversary on Court 18.
- Radek Stepanek plays an overhead shot... hit and hope...
- ... the hoping paid off, the shot was in, the rally continued.
- Tatjana Malek returns to Stosur on Court 18. I was shooting from the opposite end with my 300mm lens.
- Same court, and lens, different player. Bartoli powers a return back to Schiavone. Both players were very hyped up, playing imaginary shots between the rallies, trying to psyche each other out.
- Bartoli put up a valiant but ultimately futile fight, stretching for every shot.
- Bartoli, airborne in this shot, eventually lost the match as the sun fell behind the blocks of flats that overlook Court 18.
- Another player on 18, again shot with the 300mm. She is pulling a most scarily determined face, and I think the grunt that accompanied the serve could probably be heard right into the middle of next week.
- Petrova was wearing quite a fashionable outfit according to the pundits here. I wouldn't have known that of course, given that I am more sartorially challenged than the poet in residence who sits in the next room.
- Stosur leaps to smash another point home.
- Schiavone dabs a dainty forehand over the net. Shot close with the 300mm, fast becoming a favourite of mine. You are forced to crop in camera at this distance, which is tricky with a fast moving player, and so many of the photos I take like that are only good for the rubbish bin. I let this one slip through. Much like her opponent.
- Ivanovic turns to celebrate her win with a triumphantly raised fist.
- Squinting into the sun this player throws an energetic shape as he sends a backhand flying down the court. I can't remember his name. No doubt it will come to me just as soon as I hit 'Publish'.
More, in a little while...
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