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