11th Day of 'Canes-mas

James Jackson rushes upfield during the 2000 Gator Bowl against Georgia Tech, 10 years ago tomorrow.

10th Day of 'Canes-mas

Hurricanes Football head coach Randy Shannon poses in the studio before the 2009 season, with a retro look applied in Photoshop during post production.

9th Day of 'Canes-mas

The 2009 Miami Hurricanes Women's Tennis team poses with a little swagger for their poster shot at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center. I use this poster as a reference for my other clients to emulate, with varying degrees of success.

Below is Claudia Wasilewski, posing in the studio.

8th Day of 'Canes-mas

This HDR image of Alex Rodriguez Park was shot the day after opening night of the 2009 season. An HDR image is actually several images of different exposures merged together giving a greater dynamic range of luminances between the lightest and darkest areas of an image than standard digital imaging techniques or photographic methods.

7th Day of 'Canes-mas

This shot of Hurricanes Men's Basketball head coach Frank Haith, Anthony King and Anthony Harris was used on the 2007 Men's Basketball media guide cover. It was shot in the BankUnited Center using one White-Lightning 1600 strobe on the floor with a 30º grid, with no catwalk strobes and no curtain. The strobe was cranked up to its highest power setting, overriding the available light in the building to such an extent the background appears totally dark.

6th Day of 'Canes-mas

While I prefer to stay as low to the ground as possible while shooting sports, sometimes other perspectives make for interesting images. When the Hurricanes played in Miami Arena, the catwalks above the floor perfectly aligned with the baskets, so mounting a remote camera above the rim was possible.
When the BankUnited Center opened in 2003, the catwalks were configured differently than the old arena, thus eliminating the direct overhead view. Last season I mounted a camera over the Hurricanes bench and captured a strategy session during a timeout.

5th Day of 'Canes-mas

Jack McClinton poses during photo day before the 2008-09 season. The BankUnited center installed huge black curtains which can be lowered to hide a majority of the seats and to create a more intimate feel to lesser attended events and basketball practices. Using one as a background, I shot with four Speedotron lights in the rafters and one White-Lightning brand light on the floor level for fill. Jack did the rest.

4th Day of 'Canes-mas

For this shot of the 2009 Hurricanes Men's Basketball team, I used my arena game set up (five speedotrons, one in each corner and a fifth above this camera position for fill) and placed the camera body on the floor, with a slight upward angle. The majority of the light hits the floor and falls off before reaching the background, with some leftover light spill hitting the banners above. I then added my "grunged" Photoshop treatment for the finished image.

3rd Day of 'Canes-mas

This shot is of Hurricanes forward Dwayne Collins blocking a shot by North Carolina's Deon Thompson during a game at the BankUnited Center back in 2008.

I blogged about this shot on my other blog last March. I essentially set up a wide lens in front of my floor position and triggered it with a wired remote. The shot shows peak action, a full arena, and even a hint of how I light my basketball images.

2nd Day of 'Canes-mas

Sean Taylor, famous for his ferocious hits, wipes out Pitt TE Darryl Weston during the Hurricanes 28-14 victory over the Panthers in 2003.

You might remember seeing this photo from the opposite view. Rick Stewart of Getty Images captured this hit at nearly the same moment from the other end zone. (That's me in the green jacket right underneath Weston).


In 2003, Taylor was named a consensus first-team All-American, the Big East Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. He led the Big East Conference and ranked first nationally in interceptions with 10, tying the record for interceptions in a season with Bennie Blades. He finished first in total tackles with 77 (57 solos). He intercepted two passes during the Pitt game shown above. His three touchdown returns of interceptions is a Miami single-season record.

1st Day of 'Canes-mas

Over the next 12 days I'll talk about the 16 photos used in the flash movie on the home page of Caneshooter.com.

The first photo you see when visiting the site is of Sebastian the Ibis running through the smoke at the Orange Bowl Stadium in 2002. Most photographers stand somewhere around midfield and shoot the players and coaches running towards them with a long telephoto lens. For a change of pace I stood in front of the cheerleaders and used a wide angle lens from ground level. You only have a couple of seconds from this location to get a shot before the "smoke" overtakes you.

Miami 87, FAU 69

James Dews scored 15 points and added nine rebounds and the Hurricanes defeated the Florida Atlantic Owls 87-69 at the Orange Bowl Classic at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise yesterday.

Dwayne Collins posted his second-straight double-double with 17 points and a game-high 14 rebounds and Durand Scott added 13 points and four assists for UM.

The Hurricanes improved to 11-1, with their lone loss a one-point defeat at Boston College on Dec. 6. They won for the 19th time in 20 games against the Owls.

FAU coach Mike Jarvis, when asked after the game about the Owls' dismal all-time record against the 'Canes, said, "We will play Miami until we beat them."

Albert Bentley Most Valuable Walk-On Award - Chris Ivory

Sophomore Chris Ivory, a walk-on who handled long snapping duties for punts in 11 games last season and every game this season, repeated as the winner of the Albert Bentley Most Valuable Walk-On Award. Chris won this award last season as a redshirt freshman.

Before coming to Miami, Chris was ranked as the No. 15 long snapper in the nation and No. 1 in Florida by the Chris Sailer kicking and snapping national event in Las Vegas.

Special Teams Player of Year - Matt Bosher

Junior K/P Matt Bosher earned UM's Special Teams Player of Year honors at the Hurricanes Football awards ceremony earlier this month.

Bosher has earned the ACC's Specialist of the Week honor twice this season, and currently has made 12 consecutive field goals, which ranks second both for a single season and a career, and 88 consecutive PATs, which ranks third all-time in school history.

Brandon Harris

Sophomore cornerback Brandon Harris has been selected an All-American by SI.com, the Associated Press and Phil Steele Magazine.

Harris, an All-ACC First Team selection this season, earned second team All-America honors from SI.com, third team honors from the AP and fourth team All-America honors from Phil Steele Magazine.

Harris is Miami's first player since safety Kenny Phillips in 2007 to earn All-America honors, who was an AP third team All-American.

Andre Johnson

Andre Johnson gained 193 yards on 11 receptions and scored two touchdowns as the Texans defeated the Seattle Seahawks 34-7 last Sunday. Johnson has 81 catches for a league leading 1237 yards and eight touchdowns on the season.

Strength Training Athlete of the Year - Allen Bailey

Allen Bailey is by far one of Miami's most physical specimens, as he runs a 4.65 in the 40-yard dash, has a 39-inch vertical (tied for 3rd on the team), benches over 400 pounds, squats in the mid 500's and power cleans in the upper 300's. Longtime UM strength coach Andreu Swasey gives Bailey perhaps the ultimate praise: "He is the freakiest of all the freaks since I've been here."

It is no surprise that Bailey took home UM's Strength Training Athlete of the Year award for 2009.

Walt Kichefski Hurricane Award - A.J. Trump

Hurricanes senior center A.J. Trump took home the 2009 Walt Kichefski Hurricane Award at last Sunday's awards ceremony. The award is based on commitment, consistency and work ethic.

James Dews

James Dews led all Hurricanes scorers with 20 points as Miami defeated South Carolina State 91-54 last night. Dews was six of seven from three-point range, a career high.

Chris Hayes nominated for Rudy Award

Hurricanes WR Chris Hayes has been nominated for the Rudy Award. Fans can vote for Chris here. Fan voting closes at 5:00pm Pacific Time on December 16, 2009.

Daniel ‘Rudy’ Ruettiger founded The College Football Rudy Awards in 2007 to honor Division I football players who brought that ‘something extra’ to the team. Rudy wanted to find the most inspirational and motivational players in America who best defined what he refers to as "The Four C's": Courage, Contribution, Commitment and Character.

The winner will have an academic scholarship awarded in his name to his university and will be presented the College Football Rudy Award by Rudy Ruettiger at the Third Annual College Football Rudy Awards Ceremony on January 11, 2010 in Orlando, Florida at the Orlando World Center Marriott. The two Runners-up will each receive an academic scholarship awarded in their name to their respective universities and the Runner’s Up Award.

For those of you who don't know Chris' story, ESPN produced a segment that aired on "College Gameday" back in October that can be seen here.

Brad Timpf

Three years ago yesterday, former Hurricanes basketball player Brad Timpf was murdered while leaving the Houston's restaurant parking lot in North Miami Beach.

Timpf lettered at "The U" from 1992-96, and after graduation attended Life University School of Chiropractic in Georgia, eventually practicing in his hometown of Coral Springs, Florida.

The crime remains unsolved.

Newcomer of the Year - Mike James

Freshman running back Mike James took home the Newcomer of the Year Award at last Sunday night's awards ceremony at Gusman Concert Hall in Coral Gables. James had 514 all purpose yards this season, rushing 15 times for 46 yards and a touchdown, catching 15 passes for 105 yards and returning 17 kickoffs for 363 yards (a 21.4 yard average) this season.

Bruce Johnson

Former Hurricanes DB Bruce Johnson got his most extensive work of the season for the New York Giants Sunday, recording seven tackles, five of them solo, as the Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys 31-24.

Offensive MVP - Jason Fox

Senior offensive lineman Jason Fox took home the Jack Harding Team MVP Award for offense at last Sunday's awards ceremony at Gusman Concert Hall in Coral Gables.

Defensive MVP - Darryl Sharpton

Senior linebacker Darryl Sharpton took home the Jack Harding Team MVP Award at last night's awards ceremony at Gusman Concert Hall in Coral Gables. Sharpton led the Hurricanes this season with 91 tackles and had a 73 yard interception return for a touchdown against Duke.

Stephanie Yderstrom

In only her second collegiate game, freshman guard Stephanie Yderstrom scored 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting during the 'Canes 76-71 defeat to the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Yderstrom scored five points in the waning moments to pull Miami to within three with 32 seconds to go. But the 'Canes turned the ball over on its next possession and Nebraska was able to seal the game with two Dominque Kelley free-throws.

Edgerrin James

On this date in 1998, Edgerrin James ran for a team record 299 yards to lead the Hurricanes to a 49-45 victory over the #3 ranked UCLA Bruins in front of 46,819 at the Orange Bowl. James' 39 carries also tied a single game team record for rushing attempts set by Ottis Anderson against back in 1978.

Lane Carico

Despite Lane Carico's match-high 21 kills, FIU slipped past Miami, 3-2 on Thursday evening in the opening round of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla.

For more on the match, go here.

Dwayne Collins

Dwayne Collins scored his 1,000th career point on this shot (above) with 1:54 left in second half to put Miami ahead for good during the Hurricanes' 63-58 victory over Minnesota last night in Coral Gables. The win moves the 'Canes to 8-0 on the season.

Brian Asbury

Former Hurricanes forward Brian Asbury is averaging 28 points per game over the first seven games of the season for his Israeli team Hapoel Kiryat Tivon, leading them to an overall record of 6-1. Asbury scored 48 points against Lev Hasharon in their 101-96 victory on October 27.

Matt Bosher

Yesterday was a big day for Hurricanes kicker/punter Matt Bosher. The junior from Jupiter took home All-ACC first team honors as a kicker, All-ACC second team honors as a punter, and Specialist of the Week for his efforts during the 'Canes 31-10 victory over USF last Saturday.

Bosher extended his streak of consecutive field goals to 12, which ranks second both for a single season and a career, and 88 consecutive PATs, which ranks third all-time in school history. Bosher also punted four times and totaled 179 yards for a 44.8 yards per punt average, and landed two kicks inside South Florida’s 20-yard line.