Tag Archives: Sports Photography

2014-2015 Green Bay Packers NFL Football Photos

To say I slacked at keeping my blog updated with photos from this NFL season would be an understatement. I blame it on a combination of busyness and laziness. I apologize to those of you who would visit regularly to see my photos from the games. I thought, with the Super Bowl being played this coming weekend, that now would be a good time to showcase some of my favorite shots from the season. I only missed two games this season because I had other assignments I had to shoot on game day. As always, it was a fun season and I am already looking forward to the next. Thanks for looking.

Matt

X-C Skiing Shoot With The Fujifilm X100s.

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Two of my favorite features of the Fuji X100s have to be the leaf shutter and built in ND filter. For anyone who works with strobes, these are two unbelievably useful features to have in a camera. If you aren’t familiar, ND filters reduce the amount of light entering the lens/camera. With out getting too technical, this is useful when you are shooting in bright light for example and you want to use a wider aperture. Without an ND filter, this is especially difficult to achieve if you are also trying to shoot with strobes in that same environment. When shooting with strobes, most cameras have a limited maximum shutter speed you can shoot with. Shooting faster than this shutter speed will result in the physical shutter of the camera showing up in the photo, cutting off some of the light produced by the strobe. This isn’t an issue with a camera that uses a leaf shutter as opposed to a focal-plane shutter. Leaf shutters allow you to sync a strobe at pretty much any shutter speed. The only limitation then becomes the speed of what you are using to trigger the strobes with from your camera, as well as the flash duration of your strobes.

This past week I set off to shoot a shot I have had in my head ever since I got the camera. I wanted to shoot a sunset cross-country skiing action shot lit with strobes. The X100s was the perfect camera to help me get the shot. I asked Phil Anschutz, a division 1 college skier, if he would help me out. He was onboard so we set out to shoot.

Canon 5d mk III 85mm 1/200 f5.6 iso 50

When we got to the location, the sun wasn’t quite as low in the sky as I wanted it, so we started by shooting a lit portrait. I shot the portrait with my Canon 5d mk III and an 85mm lens. I had to shoot with a –3 stop ND filter to be able to knock down the ambient light and shoot at a wider aperture. I lit the shot with Elinchrom strobes. The main light was a beauty dish set above camera in front of Phil. I then used two more strobes with high performance reflectors behind Phil on each side, rim lighting him.

Fuji X100s 23mm 1/500 f11 iso 200

After we had gotten the portrait shot, we moved on to shooting the action shot. I called upon the abilities of the X100s for this picture. I eyed up my shot and lit it very similar to the portrait. Beauty dish for a fill just left of camera with two strobes with high performance reflectors rim lighting Phil as he skied. The tough part was timing not only when Phil was in the light “sweet spot,” but also him making sure he was in a good looking physical position as he skied past the lights. The camera’s leaf shutter allowed me to sync my strobes at 1/500s, helping me to knock down some ambient light but also making sure I didn’t get any ghosting as my strobes froze the action. The set up worked flawlessly, helping me get the exact shot I was hoping for.

In my opinion these are some pretty powerful features to have in a compact camera that costs only around $1,200. This is just another reason why my X100s is one of my favorite cameras.

Basketball floor remote camera: A quick and easy way to shoot a different angle.

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Remote cameras are nothing new to sports photography. In fact, for major publications and news agencies, remote cameras are a regular part of shooting an event. A little over a week ago I shot a basketball game between UW-Green Bay and Valparaiso for UWGB. I had an opportunity to borrow a fellow photographers Canon 1Dx for the game, giving me three bodies at my disposal for the night. (I currently have two Canon bodies that I shoot with that are my own). I thought, what a good opportunity to set up a third camera as a remote for the game. I like to take every opportunity possible to give my client a different angle than what they are use to getting from shooting a basketball game.

The only issue I had that day with getting a remote set up for the game was the time crunch I was under. I started game day by waking up a 4am to go shoot B Camera video on a shoot an hour south of Green Bay. I knew as soon as the video shoot was over, I would only have a small amount of time to drive back home to shoot the basketball game. Normally one of my favorite remote camera positions is to shoot directly down on the basket from the rafters of the Resch Center in Green Bay. The only problem with this position is it takes about a half hour to get a camera set up, ready to shoot in that position. Instead I decided to take a quicker route and set up a floor remote.

The set up I used is fairly simple. I use a ground level light stand with a ball head attached. I set up my Canon 1D mkIV with my wide angle zoom lens and set up the camera to fire every time my main camera fires. I used Pocketwizards to trigger the camera remotely. I composed my frame, locked down my focus and was ready to shoot. I like this set up because not only is it quick, but it’s also easy to set up. It also allows the remote camera to sit next to me while I shoot the game. I can keep an eye on it, making sure it is triggering and its not getting messed with by fans.

A frame from my main camera, a Canon 1Dx with a 70-200mm lens.

The corresponding frame from the remote camera. Canon 1D mkIV shot at 17mm.

The floor set up worked out very well for the game. This angle allowed me to piece together in Photoshop, a 7 shot sequence of UWGB’s Keifer Sykes on a break away dunk all in one shot (first photo of the post). It was a picture that my client had never gotten before and they were very excited about it.

UWGB Phoenix vs Wisconsin Badgers NCAA Mens College Basketball

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Back in November I was assigned to cover the UWGB vs Wisconsin men’s college basketball game here at the Resch Center in Green Bay. This game has become a regular pre-season match up for the past few years, and has historically always been a close game between the two schools. This years game was no exception. The lead changed multiple times during the game which ultimately lead to the Badgers wining by only a margin of three points. UWGB’s Keifer Sykes had an opportunity to tie the game up in the last second but unfortunately the shot he put up didn’t go in. This matchup is always a great game to cover. Not only is there a good deal of action, but the atmosphere is electric. This year the game was a sell out, packing the Resch Center with the biggest crowd I have ever seen at a UWGB mens game. Since this game the Phoenix have been on a roll and are currently in first place in the Horizon League conference. As for the Badgers, they have fallen from third in the AP top 25 pole to currently not even being ranked in the pole. Still, there is a lot of basketball left to play this season and things can change quickly in only a matter of a few games. Here are my favorite shots from the game. Thanks for looking.

Matt

P.S. I also shot a cool time lapse of the game for UWGB. You can find it at their web site by clicking the link below.

http://www.greenbayphoenix.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?db_oem_id=22500&id=3106036&catid=39907

Green Bay’s Keifer Sykes reacts in front of Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky after dunking on the first possession against Wisconsin.

Wisconsin’s Nigel Hayes and Green Bay’s Alec Brown fight for a loose ball.

Wisconsin’s Wisconsin’s head coach Bo Ryan reacts to a foul call against the Badgers.

Green Bay’s Keifer Sykes drives to the hoop while being guarded by Wisconsin’s Traevon Jackson (12) and Frank Kaminsky (44).

Wisconsin’s Josh Gasser is fouled by Green Bay’s Kenneth Lowe.

Wisconsin’s Ben Brust drives to the hoop past Green Bay’s Greg Mays (left) and Keifer Sykes.

Green Bay’s head coach Brian Wardle argues a call with an official.

Wisconsin’s Ben Brust shoots over Green Bay’s Jordan Fouse (4) and Carrington Love (12).

Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky posts up against Green Bay’s Alec Brown.

Green Bay’s Keifer Sykes shoots a last second shot to try to tie the game while being guarded by Wisconsin’s Traevon Jackson (12) and Frank Kaminsky (44).

Green Bay’s Keifer Sykes shoots a last second shot to try to tie the game in front of a sell out crowd at the Resch Center in Green Bay WI.

Green Bay Packers vs San Francisco 49ers NFL NFC Wildcard Football Photos

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Here are my favorite shots from the NFC Wildcard game between the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers a couple weeks back. The 49ers ended up beating the Packers with a field goal in the last seconds of the game. It was another fun season of covering the Packers, I can’t wait for the next. Thanks for following along.

Matt

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh throws passes during warm-ups.

San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald kneels in the end zone prior to the start of an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers.

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy rushes against the San Francisco 49ers.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is hit during a run by Green Bay Packers nose tackle Ryan Pickett.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree makes a catch while being covered by Green Bay Packers cornerback Micah Hyde.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree can’t pull in a pass while being covered by Green Bay Packers cornerback Davon House.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks to pass against the San Francisco 49ers.

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy is hit during a run by San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson performs a Lambeau Leap after scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers.

San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore scores a touchdown while being pulled down by Green Bay Packers free safety M.D. Jennings.

San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis is hit after making a catch by Green Bay Packers cornerback Davon House (31) and outside linebacker Andy Mulumba (55).

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson makes a catch while being covered by San Francisco 49ers defensive back Perrish Cox.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick tries to scramble past Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Daniels.

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy gets hit during a run by San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers tosses the ball to running back Eddie Lacy.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick runs past Green Bay Packers nose tackle Ryan Pickett.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree is hit after making a catch by Green Bay Packers cornerback Davon House.

San Francisco 49ers tight end Garrett Celek is hit after making a catch by Green Bay Packers inside linebacker A.J. Hawk.

Green Bay Packers running back James Starks is hit by San Francisco 49ers defensive back Perrish Cox.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh yells to his team.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb is hit after making a catch by San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid.

Green Bay Packers vs Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Football Photos

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It’s again an exciting time for Packers fans here in Green Bay. The team has finally gotten back two of their star players back after about 6 weeks with out them. Last weekend the Packers beat the Chicago Bears to determine who would be the NFC North champs and earn a spot in the playoffs. And for me that means covering another home playoff game at Lambeau Field. I’m not sure if the 49ers are ready for the frigid temps we are supposed to have this Sunday, but I know it won’t slow the Packers down while they try to make their way to another Super Bowl.

Here are my favorite shots from the last two home games against the Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers. Enjoy.

Matt

Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn is sacked by Atlanta Falcons defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi (96) and outside linebacker Paul Worrilow (55).

Green Bay Packers cornerback Micah Hyde is hit during a kick return by Atlanta Falcons defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi (96) and defensive end Cliff Matthews (98).

Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn fumbles the ball after being hit by Atlanta Falcons strong safety William Moore.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson is pushed out of bounds by Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert McClain.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn and head coach Mike McCarthy talk on the sidelines.

Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (56) and cornerback Robert Alford (23) celebrate scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn and Atlanta Falcons strong safety William Moore reach for a loose ball.

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy rushes against the Atlanta Falcons.

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy is hit during a run by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Corey Peters.

Green Bay Packers tight end Brandon Bostick reaches to try to make a catch while being covered by Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon.

Atlanta Falcons strong safety Zeke Motta gets his head bandaged up on the sidelines.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan huddles up with the offense.

Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Mike Neal hits Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) while being blocked by Atlanta Falcons tackle Ryan Schraeder (73).

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger looks to the stands prior to the start of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn hands the ball off to running back Eddie Lacy.

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jarrett Boykin makes a catch for a touchdown while being covered by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cortez Allen.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn slides while Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons jumps to avoid hitting him.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn gets up after getting sacked during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy reacts after rushing for a first down against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy jumps over Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor to score a touchdown.

Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Daniels sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham kicks a field goal against the Green Bay Packers.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger rushes for a touchdown while being pursued by Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Jamari Lattimore.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin argues a turnover call made by officials.

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy rushes for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Matt Spaeth is hit by Green Bay Packers safety Sean Richardson.

Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Andy Mulumba reacts after making a play against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Ryan Clark sits on the field after a play agains the Green Bay Packers.

Green Bay Packers fullback John Kuhn rushes for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Green Bay Packers fullback John Kuhn performs a Lambeau Leap after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger calls out signals at the line.

Green Bay Packers cornerback Micah Hyde.

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel (99) and strong safety Troy Polamalu (43) both dive to make a tackle on Green Bay Packers running back James Starks.

Snow falls at Lambeau Field during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings NFL Football Photos 2013

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Here’s another quick blog post of photos from the Packers last home game against the Vikings. Things haven’t been looking good for the Packers since Aaron Rodgers injury. Hopefully he will be back, ready to play this weekend against the Falcons. At least the games have been still good for photos. Here are my favorites. Thanks for looking.

Matt

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers stretches his arm during warm ups.

Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder.

Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews flexes his muscles after sacking Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones is hit after making a catch by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Scott Tolzien dodges Minnesota Vikings defensive end Brian Robison.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Scott Tolzien dives into the end zone while getting hit by Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Chad Greenway (52) and free safety Andrew Sendejo (34).

Green Bay Packers quarterback Scott Tolzien throws a pass while being pursued by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Brian Robison.

Minnesota Vikings strong safety Jamarca Sanford breaks up a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jarrett Boykin.

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is hit during a run by Green Bay Packers free safety M.D. Jennings (43) and cornerback Tramon Williams (38).

Green Bay Packers defensive end Datone Jones tries to get his hands on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Greg Jennings.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier slaps hands with guard Charlie Johnson during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers.

Green Bay Packers running back James Starks stiff arms Minnesota Vikings safety Robert Blanton.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn passes the ball before being taken down by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen.

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes breaks up a pass intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jarrett Boykin.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn scrambles past Minnesota Vikings defensive end Brian Robison.

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) is hit during a run by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Chris Cook (20) and Robert Blanton (36).

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder gets the ball away just before getting hit by Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn.

Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears vs Philadelphia Eagles NFL Football Photos

Green Bay Packers vs Cleveland Browns NFL Football Photos

Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions NFL Football Photos

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This past Sunday the Packers defeated the Detroit Lions at home. The game was pretty one sided with the Packers controlling the ball for the majority of the game. Hopefully they can keep this home game winning streak alive. It definitely makes for good photos. Here are my favorites from the game. Thanks for looking.

Matt

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb catches passes in warm-ups.

Green Bay Packers inside linebacker A.J. Hawk .

Green Bay Packers linebacker Andy Mulumba hits Detroit Lions wide receiver Micheal Spurlock.

Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Brad Jones and defensive end Johnny Jolly celebrate a sack against the Detroit Lions.

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy rushes against the Detroit Lions.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson lets a pass slip through his hands.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers picks up one of his teammates helmets.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is sacked by the Detroit Lions.

Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley breaks the tackle of Detroit Lions free safety Louis Delmas.

Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley celebrates a first down against the Detroit Lions.

Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy rushes against the Detroit Lions.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones lets a pass slip through his hands while being covered by Detroit Lions cornerback Chris Houston.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers passes against the Detroit Lions.

Green Bay Packers inside linebacker A.J. Hawk hits Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson leaps to make a catch while being covered by Detroit Lions strong safety Glover Quin.

Green Bay Packers cornerback Tramon Williams, inside linebacker A.J. Hawk, strong safety Morgan Burnett and nose tackle Ryan Pickett swarm Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush.

Detroit Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew hurdles Green Bay Packers cornerback Davon House.

Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews hits Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb runs for a long gain against the Detroit Lions.

Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley gets hit after making a catch by Detroit Lions strong safety Glover Quin.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones runs a catch into the end zone for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb celebrates with wide receiver James Jones after Jones scores a touchdown.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers scrambles with the ball against the Detroit Lions.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson talks with teammates on the sidelines.

Green Bay Packers guard Josh Sitton on the sidelines.

Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley watches the scoreboard on the sidelines.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones catches a pass while being covered by Detroit Lions cornerback Chris Houston.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones and wide receiver Randall Cobb celebrate scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions.

Green Bay Packers fullback John Kuhn watches the scoreboard from the sidelines.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and head coach Mike McCarthy talk during a time out.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford shake hands after the game.

Matt Ludtke | Photography Blog

Green Bay WI Commercial and Editorial Photographer Matt Ludtke | www.ludtkephoto.com

Tag Archives: Sports Photography

2014-2015 Green Bay Packers NFL Football Photos

X-C Skiing Shoot With The Fujifilm X100s.

Basketball floor remote camera: A quick and easy way to shoot a different angle.

UWGB Phoenix vs Wisconsin Badgers NCAA Mens College Basketball

Green Bay Packers vs San Francisco 49ers NFL NFC Wildcard Football Photos

Green Bay Packers vs Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Football Photos

Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings NFL Football Photos 2013

Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears vs Philadelphia Eagles NFL Football Photos

Green Bay Packers vs Cleveland Browns NFL Football Photos

Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions NFL Football Photos