Hockey is such a fast paced game, and as a photographer you do not have the luxury of bright sunlight that outdoor sports have.  So you will need to adjust your camera settings to make sure your camera is able to handle the speed of the game, and the low light of the indoor arena.  Below I have listed which settings I use when shooting hockey games.

To get best results for Ice Hockey Photographs (or other indoor sports) typical settings should be:

• Manual Mode (M)
• Small-medium f-number (f/5.6)
• Shutter speed 1/500s
• ISO level 800 – 1600 (go with a higher ISO level if the lighting is poor)

To view larger versions of the images please click here.

The USO of Illinois launched a revamped website to organize and promote their services, events and connect further with the community.  It was an unbelievable honor to be involved in a project like this.

The Vision of the USO of Illinois:

The USO of Illinois, in times of peace and war, delivers comfort and enhances the morale and well-being of the Active Duty, Guard and Reserve men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families through a variety of social, recreational, educational and entertainment programs and support services.

About the USO of Illinois:

The USO of Illinois is a civilian 501(c)(3) registered non-profit that is not government funded, but is supported solely by the generosity of the American people.

The USO of Illinois touches the lives of over 300,000 Active Duty, Guard and Reserve military and military families throughout Illinois and the Midwest region and offers over 300 programs and services offered year-round that enhance the quality of their lives, lift morale and provide unique recreational, educational and cultural opportunities. The USO of Illinois is powered over 300 volunteers giving almost 20,000 hours of service annually.

The USO is chartered by Congress as a non-profit organization. It is not part of the U.S. government, but is recognized by the Department of Defense, Congress and President of the United States, who serves as Honorary Chairman of the USO.

This past weekend a group of friends got together for our Annual Fredonia Hockey Winter Classic. I created a video of the event last year (click to check it out), and this year we wanted to step up the video and add two GoPro helmet cams, and a few other camera angels to produce something really unique (the final video has not been finished yet).

However, I was very excited to check out the footage from the GoPro Cameras and I quickly threw together a few clips in a short video. Aside from being washed up and needing to pick my head up more, I think it shows a unique point of view of the amazing game of hockey:

Very excited to be involved with this this project…

Duncan Keith launched his official website to promote his new charity, Keith Relief.

Website was designed and developed by FiveNineGroup.

Video I edited for FiveNineGroup and The Denis Savard Foundation.

Video of a recent road trip to Moab and Sedona.  Most of the video was shot with my new GoPro camera.

Shots are from mountain biking, camping, and four wheeling (atv).

Song is:
Drown in the Now by The Crystal Method Feat. Matisyahu

Nothing like playing hockey with some good friends on a cold winter night.

Thursday’s X Games events took place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and the Event Deck at L.A. Live (across from the Staples center).  Take a look below, and check out my picture documentary of the 2009 X Games.

Some of the athletes that participated in this years X Games include Ashley Fiolek, Andy Macdonald, Travis Pastrana, Nate Adams, Jake Brown, Bob Burnquist, Ryan Sheckler, Shaun White, Robbie Maddison: check out the full list of invited athletes here.

1. A picture of the Super X start at the L.A. Coliseum.

2. Travis Pastrana salutes the crowd after he lands his double back flip.  Watch it here.

3.  Nate Adams gives a fist pump to the crowd after his final run.

4. Jake Brown launches off of the mega ramp.  Jake won gold in Skateboard Big Air, which is his second gold in as many years.  Remember the biggest fall in skateboarding history?

5.  Freestyle Moto X semi finals.

6. Adam Jones taking a turn during one of his runs.

7.  Bob Burnquist gets some air on the mega ramp.

8. Bob Burnquist salutes the crowd after a great run.

8. Robbie Maddison launches off of a ramp during FMX semi final rounds.

9.  Maddo is attended to after a crash.  The crash took him out of FMX but he finished second in MX Best Trick a day later.

10. A look down the street at X Fest.

11. Live music at X Fest.

12.  Fans at the VIP section taking a look at the Skateboard big air finals.

13. A look at the mega ramp.

14. A few skateboarders taking a cart up to the top of the mega ramp.

15. Jake Brown getting ready to dive in.

16.  Jake taking a break after a fall during practice.

17. Ashley Fiolek on her way to a gold medal in Womens Super X.

18.  The start of Mens Super X.

19.  Travis Pastrana taking a victory lap.

20.  Skateboard street at L.A. Event Deck.

21. Pastrana was one of the only riders to make use of the wall in the middle of the FMX course.

22. Pastrana talking to the ground crew before one of his runs.

23. Ryan Sheckler after a run at Skateboard Street.

24. Sal Masekela looking over his notes before going on live TV.

25. Adam Jones adjusts his handlebars before hitting the ramp.

26. Unreal.

27. A FMX rider salutes the crowd.

28. Travis Pastrana entering the course.

29.  The Cat out preparing the course before FMX.

30. Ryan Sheckler during one of his runs to a gold medal.

31. A few of the skaters getting ready for Skateboard Street Finals.

32. A view of the L.A. Coliseum during sunset.

Check out my pictures of the 2009 X Games.

Need more?  Take a look at the 2010 Summer X Games Highlight Video.

Here is a full report of all of the 2010 X Games Results.