Andrew Weber Photography

Denver Nuggets at Cleveland Cavaliers

aweber2 — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:15:00 +0000

Sorry for the lack of posts, I have been extremely busy. Between winter condition for football, school work and covering a lot of local events lately I haven’t been able to cover the Cavs alot. But as soon as I heard that Jamison was traded to Cleveland I know I wanted to shoot the game. But when I got there I found he would not be dressed and would be sitting in the owners suite instead. But the Carmelo Anthony and the LeBron James battle was good enough for me. Here are my favorite photos from the game.

Check out more photos from the game at my Photoshelter gallery.

http://www.photoshelter.com/c/aweber/gallery/Denver-Nuggets-at-Cleveland-Cavaliers/G0000PbkE9×08jnk/

Rose Bowl: Ohio State vs Oregon

aweber2 — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:43:09 +0000

I got the opportunity of a life time to shoot one of the best college football bowl games around. The 2010 Roes Bowl, where Ohio State would face the Oregon Ducks.

Arizona Cardinals at Detroit Lions

aweber2 — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:21:43 +0000

The super bowl runner up Arizona Cardinals were in town playing the 2-11 Detroit Lions. When I first the game on the schedule, I was like this is going to be a blow out! I was wrong it was actually a pretty good game.

Arizona Cardinals QB Kurt Warner warms up prior to the game. I usually don’t like shooting photos of the players with out shoulder pads on because they won’t ever sell, but I have never shot Kurt warner.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/800th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

Warner headed back into the locker room and headed back to the field with his shoulder pads and helmet on.

Nikon D700, 14-24mm, 1/250th, f2.8, 4000 ISO

Cardinal cornerbacks and safetys huddle up prior to take the field.

Nikon D700, 14-24mm, 1/640th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

Larry Fitzgerald prior to the game.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/800th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

It was time for player introductions. The Lions run out of a giant helmet with smoke and blue lights which is cool. I got in the back of the helmet and shot with a flash since it was so dark and you can some nice stuff with all the smoke.

Detroit Lions linebacker Julian Peterson (59)

Nikon D700, 14-24mm, 1/200th, f2.8, 400 ISO with SB-800 flash

Cardinals didn’t wast any time score first.

Kurt Warner is under center and prepares to take a snap. I like all the Cardinals logos all lined up.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

Kurt Warner drops back to pass.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

Warner found wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald for a Cardinals touchdown.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

If you click on the photo you can see the whole sequence of the touchdown. It was tipped by the Lions defensive back and Fitzgerald was still able to make the catch.

Lets just say the Lions weren’t able to move the ball period. With first round draft pick Matthew Stafford out with a shoulder injury Daunte Culpepper got the call to start. That didn’t go over to well. After being sacked a few times throwing an interception, Lions head coach Jim Schwartz put in Michigan State quarterback Drew Stanton.

After throwing Daunte Culpepper threw an interception and LaRod Stephens-Howling celebrates with the ball in his hand. The next play Steve Breston dove for the pylon was just short.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

The Lions defense sacked Kurt Warner

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

Then Warner huddled up the offense to give them a little pep talk.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

Warner threw a pass intended for Anquan Boldin but Warner threw it short and he jumped up and down like a little girl.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

After a comfortable lead Warner looks on from the sidelines.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

Time for the Lions to insert Drew Stanton.

Stanton drops back to pass

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

Stanton rushed in for a touchdown and ran and celebrate with the fans.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

Before I switch gears here are a few photos that Fitzgerald was unable to catch.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

With the sun starting to set earlier and earlier Ford Field has this giant window and the sun was shining onto the field. Here is what it looks like from the field.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

I am a big sucker for nice light so I headed to the upper deck of the stadium to see what I could get.

here is how the light looks on the field from the upper deck.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

Then it was time to waiting for something to happen in the light. Like always, anytime I get nice light nothing happens.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/4000th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/5000th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1600th, f2.8, 800 ISO

Just my luck Larry Fitzgerald was running to the endzone and I had my settings way to dark, so I threw together some half assed exposure and was able to get the catch but he was ruled out of bounds.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/320th, f2.8, 800 ISO

I stayed up top for a couple more plays as Beanie Wells runs in for a touchdown.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/800th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

I headed back to the field with about 6 minutes left in the game and the Cardinals had the ball. They were just trying to kill the clock, but was still was gaining yards. A quick little pass to Fitzgerald for a easy first down.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

Beanie Wells rushes for a touchdown

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

The game was over and I ran out onto the field to get Kurt Warner talking with players.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/800th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

I am trying to work on Best of 2009 photo blogs and hope to get that done by this week. I will be back working full force on Dec 26-Jan 7th. Covering the Pizza Bowl in Detroit, Raiders at Browns, and the Cavs along with the Rose Bowl and the National Championship.

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears

aweber2 — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 07:32:05 +0000

I was suppose to have the weekend off, but after a phone call asking to see if I could possibly go to Minnesota to shoot the Vikings vs. Bengals. I quickly researched some flights and they were $600 round trip which is crazy not sure why. But our Chicago shooter head to Minnesota and I took his place in Chicago covering the game.

Chicago is about a 3 1/2 hour drive from Toledo, its an extremely easy drive just stopping and paying the tolls is a pain in the butt. I got to the stadium 3 hour prior to the game. When I have never been to a stadium before, I don’t like to feel rushed and I walk around a little bit to get a feel for things. Best way to get from the field to the media room and where the restrooms are and what not.

I headed out to the field and the Packers players were just starting to head to the field to get warmed up.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 640 ISO

Charles Woodson was heading back into the locker room while the rest of the players were coming out for some reason. I guess when you are the only defensive player ever to win the Heisman Trophy you can do what ever you want!

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 640 ISO

Aaron Rodgers makes his way onto the field.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/2000th, f2.8, 640 ISO

After Rodgers was on the field he was jut hanging out, throwing the ball around.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/2000th, f2.8, 800 ISO

I was looking for some kind of feature photo from the Bears and I was shooting the defensive lineman warming up and Alex Brown ran right towards me and I kept shoot and got a nice white sky which made for a cool photo.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/2000th, f2.8, 640 ISO

Both teams headed back into the locker room to get ready for player introduction.

For the Bears player intros they have smoke and fireworks and run out of a giant bear. Quarterback Jay Cutler runs out with a Bears flag.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/800th, f2.8, 1000 ISO

As I am writing this it is 1:58 am on December 18th and I am running out of creative ideas to finish writing the blog so I am going to just post the photos. If you have any questions about the photos please leave a comment or send me an email aweber2@me.com.

That wraps up another NFL game for me. This weekend I will be covering the Arizona Cardinals at Detroit Lions.

Here are some clips from around the internet.

Big East Championship: Cincinnati vs Pittsburgh

aweber2 — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:22:17 +0000

After shooting the Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers game Friday night, I was up at 6am to make the 3 hour drive to Pittsburgh to shoot the Big East Championship between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Pittsburgh Panthers.

I got into downtown around 9am, its has been a while since I have been to the city and I forgot about the confusing one way streets and how bad the parking is around the stadium. I didn’t have a media parking pass, so I ended up parking like a block away and had to hoof it to the stadium.

I found the media gate, picked up my credentials found the crowded media room, set up my laptop and I was off to the field to get to work. This being a huge game I had to make sure I got photos out fast. I was competing with 3 shooters from the AP, 2 shooters from Getty Images and a bunch of other photographers.

I took about five steps out of the media room and I saw Cincinnati Bearcats players walking out of the locker room to the field.

Senior Mardy Gilyard (1) pumps up the rest of his teammates and walk to the field.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/160, f2.8, 2500 ISO

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/160, f2.8, 4000 ISO

I followed the players to the field and as the huddled up I got right next to the players held my camera over my head and shot away! I came away with Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Charley Howard (87) pumping up the team.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/640, f2.8, 320 ISO

Pittsburgh was coming out of the opposite tunnel so I made a quick sprint 100 yards to the opposite tunnel and did the exact same thing as I did with the Cincinnati players. Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Steve Dell (6) pumps up the team.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/640, f2.8, 320 ISO

I headed back to the media room to transmit photos and warm up and get my snow pants on since the field was so muddy.

Pittsburgh got the ball first and the didn’t mess around scoring first. Pittsburgh Panthers running back Dion Lewis (28) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 1/2000th f2.8, 800 ISO

Of course just my luck it was on the opposite end of the stadium and the media room was 110 yards away so I ran to the media room to transmit the photo. By me getting photos out faster than any of the other photographers I was able to get this front page photo on ESPN.com, Yahoo Sports, and CBS Sports.

You might be thinking I would miss plays by running back to the media room and transmitting photos, but with the game being on TV they will cut away to a commercial break for about 45 seconds and I make it back on the field just as the return man catches the ball.

Cincinnati couldn’t move the ball at all during the first half and was forced to punt and kick field goals.

After a punt Pittsburgh has the ball again and first play was a long pass to wide receiver Dorin Dickerson (2) but was unable to make the catch while being defended by Cincinnati Bearcats defensive back Aaron Webster (17). If the photo would have been a catch I would wait to see if Pittsburgh would score and then I would be back off to the media room.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 1/1600th f2.8, 800 ISO

Luckily Cincinnati held Pittsburgh to a field goal.

Cincinnati needed a score before half to be back in the game and they did just that.

Tony Pike dropped back to pas and found a wide open receiver for about 50 yards.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/2500th, f2.8, 640 ISO

I was all set up for the touchdown catch in the endzone, but because it was snowing I focusing on a snow flake instead of the touchdown.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 1/1600th f2.8, 800 ISO

After a huge run by Pittsburgh running back Dion Lewis (28), the next play Jonathan Baldwin (82) caught a pass for a touchdown.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/2500th, f2.8, 640 ISO

To start the second half Cincinnati would start with the ball after a huge kick off return my senior Mardy Gilyard.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/2500th, f2.8, 640 ISO

Tony Pike was rolling to pass was knocked down.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/2500th, f2.8, 640 ISO

Luckily Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Dom DeCicco (31) was called for pass interference in the end zone.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 1/1600th f2.8, 800 ISO

Next play Ton Pike rolled out to pass and threw a little screen pass to wide receiver DJ Woods (3) who found the end zone.

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 1/1600th f2.8, 800 ISO

Once again just my luck the media room was 110 yards away and I was off running back to the media room to transmit photos. After the Tony Pike pass my photo was on ESPN front page about 5 minutes after it was loaded on the site.

Pittsburgh would have to score to take the lead again. After a pass to wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin (82) the next play after Cincinnati Bearcats defensiveb ack Aaron Webster (17) intercepts a pass.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/2500th, f2.8, 640 ISO

Cincinnati had great field position after the interception but as Tony Pike (not pictured) dropped back to pass the ball was tipped and intercepted by linebacker Max Gruber (55).

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 1/1600th f2.8, 800 ISO

This was a huge turning point in the game, so I had to run back to the media room and transmit the photo and the photo replaced my other photo of Tony Pike on ESPN front page.

Cincinnati was down a touchdown and Tony Pike had to step up to his potential. He found wide receiver Mardy Gilyard who went for a touchdown.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/2500th, f2.8, 640 ISO

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 1/1600th f2.8, 800 ISO

Guess what…. back to the media room to transmit photos. Here are the photos online minutes after sending the photos.

Game was tied going into 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter and Cincinnati got the ball after a sack and forcing Pittsburgh to punt.

Cincinnati moved the ball right down the field with pass to DJ Woods (3) then with about 1 min 30 second left Tony Pike dropped back to pass and found wide receiver Armon Binns (80) for the game winning touchdown.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/2500th, f2.8, 640 ISO

As the ball was in the air I had to switch cameras and I wasn’t able to get the actual catch in focus but I was able to get Armon holding the ball in the air.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/2000th, f2.8, 1000 ISO

Teammates celebrate with Armon in the endzone.

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/2000th, f2.8, 1000 ISO

I headed over to the Cincinnati sidelines to get celebration photos. If you look in the background of the next photo you can see all the rest of the photographer shooting the head coaches shaking hands but that isn’t the important photo at this point in a big game.

Cincinnati Bearcats defensive back Brad Jones (25) celebrates with Kazeem Alli (8)

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/1600th, f2.8, 1000 ISO

Let the celebration begin!

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/1600th, f2.8, 1000 ISO

That wraps the second best college football game I have shot this year.

Here are the rest of my photos that appeared online and in LA Times and USA print edition.

Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers

aweber2 — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:18:08 +0000

I started my weekend shooting the Bulls Cavs game Friday night on ESPN. Being a ESPN game there are twice as many people on the baseline and ESPN camera crew every where. I really wasn’t to excited to be shooting the Cavs, I was all pumped up to be shooting the Big East Championship between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Pittsburgh Panthers the next day in Pittsburgh.

I was walking from the media parking lot to the media entrance and I fired off a few exterior photos of Quicken Loans Arena.

Nikon D700, 14-24mm, 1/100th, f2.8, 3200 ISO

Once I was all set up in the media room I headed towards the top of the arena to shoot a overall.

Nikon D700, 14-24mm, 1/400th, f2.8, 1000 ISO

Back on the court… LeBron was doing a little ritual of his by throwing a whole rack of basketballs from half court underhand seeing how many he can make.

Nikon D3, 80-200mm, 1/800th, f2.8, 1600 ISO

The last couple of balls on the rack he picked up and looked like he was about to play dodge ball and throw them at his teammates.

Nikon D3, 80-200mm, 1/800th, f2.8, 1600 ISO

Right before player introductions, the players run through a tunnel of little kids which is sponsored by Nike.

Nikon D700, 14-24mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 1600 ISO

LeBron is always called last and the crowd goes wild.

Nikon D700, 14-24mm, 1/800th, f2.8, 2000 ISO

The Cavs huddled up… I had to hurry up and get to my position to shoot LeBrons chalk throw. I have done it a few different ways and I am still looking for something different each and every time.

Nikon D700, 14-24mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 2000 ISO

I hustled back to my marked spot on the court and got to work covering the game. If you know anything about basketball or the NBA or even LeBron James you know how it works… So here are the rest of the photos from the game.

Nikon D3, 80-200mm, 1/800th, f2.8, 1600 ISO

Nikon D700, 14-24mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 2000 ISO

Nikon D700, 400mm, 1/800th, f2.8, 2000 ISO

After the game I spent the night with a friend and I woke up at 6am to make the 4 hour drive to Pittsburgh to shoot the Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Cincinnati Bearcats game in the snow.

Dallas Mavericks at Cleveland Cavaliers

aweber2 — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:59:20 +0000

Took a little bit of a break from football and I shot my first Cavs game of the year. Covering the NBA is way different than covering college basketball and high school. Its fun, but in the end its still basketball. The reason I only go and cover the Cavs is… LeBron James who won the MVP last year. My focus is pretty much on him the whole game unless I see something different or funny. So here are my favorite photos from the game.

Thanksgiving Day NFL

aweber2 — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:57:30 +0000

Being a sports photographer you work strange hours including holidays. The Packers were playing the Lions on Thanksgiving Day. The Lions have been playing on Thanksgiving day for almost 70 years and I was happy I covered this game because it paid off in the end.

I got to the stadium, set up in the media room and got straight to work. At Ford Field there are these stairs the visitors team walks down to get to the field. Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) walks down the stairs prior to the game.

Nikon D700, 14-24mm, 1/250th, F2.8, 4000 ISO

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers headed down to the field with the wide receivers.

Nikon D700, 14-24mm, 1/250th, F2.8, 4000 ISO

The offensive lineman for the Packers were walking down the tunnel and there is this sign that says 5 MPH and I thought it would be funny to show the big slow lineman walking by this sign.

Nikon D700, 14-24mm, 1/250th, F2.8, 4000 ISO

The Lions offensive lineman were walking down to the field.

Nikon D700, 14-24mm, 1/250th, F2.8, 4000 ISO

Matthew Stafford looks to pass during the first quarter.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

Aaron Rodgers looks back to pass during the first quarter.

Nikon D3, 400mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

Nikon D700, 80-200mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1/1000th, f2.8, 2500 ISO

Here are some of the 20 clips I had online during the game.

Browns at Lions

aweber2 — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:33:38 +0000

After a horrible game on Monday in Cleveland, I was up in Detroit covering the Browns Lions game. It was being a pretty hyped game. It is for the #1 overall draft pick in the 2010 NFL draft and both teams have nothing to lose so they will try just about anything to try and win. It was a extremely exciting game, with a lot of big plays all the way to the last seconds of the game where the Lions won on a 1 sec game winning touchdown with QB Matthew Stafford having a separated non throwing shoulder. To me that shows you want to win and that feeds directly to your teammates.

Favorite photos from the game.

Here are some of mg photos that appeared online through out the game.

Monday Night Football: Ravens at Browns

aweber2 — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:19:19 +0000

Little over a month ago, I was in Cleveland to cover Monday Night Football. Since the Browns are having such a horrible season it was strange seeing them playing on Monday night, and I hope the NFL realized that you can’t have the worst team in the NFL playing on Monday night and expect people to watch the game. I hope you enjoy the photos from the game.

That wraps up another NFL game for me! The next game is the show down! Battle between the Browns and Lions and stay tuned for that one.

Also here are a few clips from the game.