Commentary on the news and sports photography of Kelvin Ma.
It’s been awhile since I posted anything from my collection of iPhone photos. They’ve pretty much been living on my phone for the last year, so I thought I’d put together something a little more comprehensive than a few scattered photos here and there.
Anyway, here’s a little indulgence for my artistic and spontaneous sides.
I don’t really consider myself a hockey photographer by any stretch. I didn’t grow up playing it, nor have I ever really found much enjoyment watching it. But, it’s not hard to understand why people like it.
The action’s fast, and there’s always a lot of contact — usually a good recipe for making decent pictures. I don’t photograph hockey very often. So, the few times that I do, it’s usually an exercise in patience and frustration as I try to fumble my way through a game trying to get something in focus.
This time around, I covered the NCAA Northeast Region Championship game at the DCU Center in Worcester, where Yale and Boston College squared off for a trip to Detroit to play in the Frozen Four. It was a high scoring, fast-paced game, with BC coming out on top, 9-7. Here are some selects from the night:
3.28.2010 — WORCESTER, Mass. — BC defenseman Carl Sneep, facing, is mobbed by teammates after scoring on a 150-foot shot against Yale in the NCAA Northeast Regional Championship at the DCU Center in Worcester on Mar. 28, 2010.
3.28.2010 — WORCESTER, Mass. — BC forward Cam Atkinson gets tangled up with the stick of Yale forward Denny Kearney in the second period of the NCAA Northeast Regional Championship at the DCU Center in Worcester on Mar. 28, 2010.
3.28.2010 — WORCESTER, Mass. — BC forward Brian Gibbons, left, is greeted by forward Cam Atkinson after scoring the first goal of the game against Yale in the NCAA Northeast Regional Championship at the DCU Center in Worcester on Mar. 28, 2010.
3.28.2010 — WORCESTER, Mass. — BC forward Cam Atkinson breaks away from Yale defenseman Tom Dignard to score in the third period of BC's 9-7 win in the NCAA Northeast Regional Championship at the DCU Center in Worcester on Mar. 28, 2010.
3.28.2010 — WORCESTER, Mass. — BC forward Ben Smith gets pinned against the boards by Yale defenseman Tom Dignard in the NCAA Northeast Regional Championship at the DCU Center in Worcester on Mar. 28, 2010.
3.28.2010 — WORCESTER, Mass. — The BC bench clears in the closing seconds of their 9-7 victory over Yale in the NCAA Northeast Regional Championship at the DCU Center in Worcester on Mar. 28, 2010.
So, the rain has finally stopped. Just my luck, especially since I was down to my last pair of dry socks yesterday.
After four straight days of rain, it’s not really any surprised that the waterways of Massachusetts have been stressed to their max. Governor Deval Patrick issued a state of emergency in Waltham, where I spent some time the day before, and took a tour of the Moody Street Dam, which was overflowing.
Here’s a little bit of what we saw:
3.15.2010 — WALTHAM, Mass. — Waltham firefighters assist Department of Conservation and Recreation Flood Control Director William Gode as he clears debris from the Moody Street Dam, which was overflowing due to the excess rainfall over the weekend, in Waltham on Mar. 15, 2010.
3.15.2010 — WALTHAM, Mass. — Governor Deval Patrick and Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy speak with reporters as they watch Department of Conservation and Recreation Flood Control Director William Gode clear debris from the Moody Street Dam, which was overflowing due to the excess rainfall over the weekend, in Waltham on Mar. 15, 2010.
3.15.2010 — WALTHAM, Mass. — Department of Conservation and Recreation Flood Control Director William Gode clears debris from the Moody Street Dam, which was overflowing due to the excess rainfall over the weekend, in Waltham on Mar. 15, 2010.
3.15.2010 — WALTHAM, Mass. — Waltham firefighters assist Department of Conservation and Recreation Flood Control Director William Gode as he clears debris from the Moody Street Dam, which was overflowing due to the excess rainfall over the weekend, in Waltham on Mar. 15, 2010.
Apologies for the Milli Vanilli reference. It had to be done.
Why? Because we’re in the middle of a stalled low-pressure system that’s drenching the region in what is now four straight days of rain. This is what happens when you have four straight days of rain when the ground is already saturated with snow melt off.
Now excuse me while I go put on some dry socks.
3.14.2010 — WALTHAM, Mass. — Residents of two apartment buildings on Linden Street in Waltham are evacuated via bulldover from their buildings, which were surrounded by water from the weekend's storm on Mar. 14, 2010. Though residents said water had not yet entered their building, evacuations to Waltham High School were ordered due to electrical risks.
3.14.2010 — WALTHAM, Mass. — Residents of two apartment buildings on Linden Street in Waltham express their gratitude to the firefighters who evacuated them via bulldover from their building, which was surrounded by water from the weekend's storm on Mar. 14, 2010.
3.14.2010 — WALTHAM, Mass. — Residents of the apartment on Linden Street in Waltham wait to be evacuated from their building, which was surrounded by water from the weekend's storm on Mar. 14, 2010.
3.14.2010 — WALTHAM, Mass. — Residents from two apartment buildings on Linden Street in Waltham are evacuated via bulldover from their building, which was surrounded by water from the weekend's storm on Mar. 14, 2010.
In case you haven’t heard, the Red Sox beloved former shortstop Nomar Garciaparra announced his retirement today.
Here’s a photo from the archive that any Red Sox fan who followed the team in the late 90s should appreciate. One of the highlights of my first season with the Cubs came at the trade deadline, seeing a flood of new players in the dugout basically overnight. But Nomar in particular was a treat, since I got to see him bring to Chicago all the weird habits and mannerisms that I grew up watching — and imitating on occasion — back in Boston.
I got a kick out of this fan’s sign during Nomar’s first at-bat in a Cubs uniform:
8.1.04 - CHICAGO - Cubs shortstop Nomar Garciaparra adjusts his gloves in his first at bat in a Cubs uniform while the Chicago fans remind him that he isn't in Boston anymore on Aug. 1, 2004.
Of course, the Red Sox went on to win the World Series, breaking the famous “Curse.” I ended up wearing my Nomar jersey through the front office at Wrigley the day after, and then-Cubs president Andy MacPhail had a good laugh about it.
Thanks, Nomar!
8.27.04 - CHICAGO - Chicago Cubs shortstop Nomar Garciaparra starts toward first after making contact on Aug. 27, 2004.
It shouldn’t be much surprise to know that at this time of year, basketball is something that I get to photograph quite often. They don’t call it March Madness for nothing, after all.
Here are some photos from the second round of the MIAA High School Boys basketball playoffs, featuring a matchup between North Reading and Wayland.
2.26.2010 - WAYLAND, Mass. - Wayland forward Zack Miles looks to the home crowd after sinking a 3-pointer against North Reading in their MIAA Division III playoff matchup on Feb. 26, 2010. Wayland won, 62-45.
2.26.2010 - WAYLAND, Mass. - Wayland guard Jeff Brewington (2) steals the ball from North Reading guard Nicholas Rosano (23) in their MIAA Division III playoff matchup on Feb. 26, 2010. Wayland won, 62-45.
2.26.2010 - WAYLAND, Mass. - Wayland forward Zack Miles (3) goes up for a jumpshot in front of North Reading center Jeffrey Tyner (32) and forward Benjamin Makowski (43) in their MIAA Division III playoff matchup on Feb. 26, 2010. Wayland won, 62-45.
2.26.2010 - WAYLAND, Mass. - North Reading guard Robert Rosano (3) fights for a rebound with Wayland forward Jamie Mordas (5) in their MIAA Division III playoff matchup on Feb. 26, 2010. Wayland won, 62-45.
2.26.2010 - WAYLAND, Mass. - Wayland guard Adam Lewin (4) and forward Ian Bonner (21) celebrate after scoring against North Reading in their MIAA Division III playoff matchup on Feb. 26, 2010. Wayland won, 62-45.
Here’s a benefit of being a photojournalist in the community where you grew up. Last Monday, I photographed a playoff basketball game involving my alma mater, Algonquin Regional High School, and our rivals, Westborough, for the MetroWest Daily News. (My contract with MWDN has a 1-week digital embargo, hence the late post).
Despite having a hapless ref trip over me in the beginning — an occupational hazard, but still better than that time I had my foot crushed by Glen “Big Baby” Davis — it was a phenomenal game with ARHS coming out on top to advance. They ended up getting knocked out the next round, but it was nice to see ARHS pull off the upset.
2.22.2010 — WESTBOROUGH, Mass. — Algonquin guard Bobby Reynolds (12), with Kyle Whitney (15), screams out beating Westborough in their MIAA Central Mass Division 1 first-round matchup on Feb. 22, 2010. Algonquin won, 37-36.
2/22/2010 — WESTBOROUGH, Mass. — Westborough guard Isaac Mutesasira (20) drives toward the basket past Algonquin guard Brett Sexton (14) in their MIAA Central Mass Division 1 first-round matchup on Feb. 22, 2010. Algonquin won, 37-36.
2.22.2010 — WESTBOROUGH, Mass. — Algonquin guard Bobby Reynolds drives toward the hoop past Westborough guard Brian Orlando (14), left, Chris Armand (23), center) and forward Nick Mastrogiacomo (21) in their MIAA Central Mass Division 1 first-round matchup on Feb. 22, 2010. Algonquin won, 37-36.
2.22.2010 — WESTBOROUGH, Mass. — Westborough guard Nick Flahive (10) fights for possession against Algonquin guards Matt Feldman (10) and Bobby Reynolds (12), far right, in their MIAA Central Mass Division 1 first-round matchup on Feb. 22, 2010. Algonquin won, 37-36.
