Two Weeks of Tennis

Stanford's Mallory Burdette, bottom, is hugged by her sister as her teammates pile on as #8 Stanford beats #3 Florida 4-3 to win the NCAA Women's Tennis National Championships on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga. Burdette won over Florida's Marrit Boonstra 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 7-5.

Part of the reason i have been tardy at posting anything I've done lately was the NCAA 2010 Men's and Women's Tennis National Championships. (Or as Burks put it, two weeks of hell)

(Insisting on driving hours to see Dropkick Murphys is another reason but thats another story entirely. Someday I'll photograph them again)



Outside of University photographers & hobbists, and Jamie at NCAA Photos, I was it. I was the only press photographer there (Although Maya Sugarman of UCLA's Daily Bruin was there and cool to hang with for 3 days) with my own private air conditioner, a parking pass (Thanks Burks) and as much sunshine as i could suck down.

So what's a boy to do when he gets bored? Get creative! One day it was photographing nothing but obscure players from schools outside of a major conference. Another? Edge lighting. Another? Coming up with the most unpublishable photo that i could come up with. - Heard that idea years ago from Chip Litherland. Its what kept me going.

So here's the creative stuff. You want person hitting the ball against a black background? That's every tennis photo out there. (Although the AP graced me with awarding that top photo as "Georgia Associated Press Photo of the Month".)

Virginia's Jarmere Jenkins falls on his back as Virginia beats UCLA 4-2 during the quarterfinals of the NCAA Men's Tennis National Championships on Sunday, May 23, 2010 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.

Oklahoma's Ionut Beleleu serves as Georgia beats Oklahoma 4-0 in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Men's Tennis National Championships on Sunday, May 23, 2010 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.

Javier Garrapiz and Nate Schnugg, center, play as Georgia wins the doubles point over Oklahoma in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Men's Tennis National Championships on Sunday, May 23, 2010 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.

Groundskeepers work to dry the courts following thunderstorms that delayed the round of 16 of the NCAA Men's Tennis National Championships on Friday, May 21, 2010 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.

That was Day 1 for me. First match DELAYED by Thunderstorms for 3 hours.

Georgia's Javier Garrapiz celebrates his doubles win as #11 Georgia upsets #6 Florida during the round of 16 of the NCAA Men's Tennis National Championships on Friday, May 21, 2010 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.

Southern California's Maria Sanchez serves during the NCAA Tennis National Championships on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.

A national championship trophy sits near a window while players walk to court one during the NCAA Tennis National Championships on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.

Georgia's Nadja Gilchrest jumps in mid air during the NCAA Tennis National Championships on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.



Old Dominion's Nadine Fahoum returns a backhand during the NCAA Tennis National Championships on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga. (David Manning/Staff/david@david.manning@onlineathens.com) (Ed. Note - Shot with a special effect lens)

The NCAA logo is reflected on the court during a rainstorm that has delayed the finals of the NCAA 2010 Tennis National Championships on Monday, May 31, 2010 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.

Tennis umbrellas are reflected in a window during the NCAA 2010 Tennis Singles National Championship on Sunday, May 30, 2010 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.

Stanford's Hilary Barte serves during the semifinals of the NCAA 2010 Tennis Singles National Championship on Sunday, May 30, 2010 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.

Georgia's Chelsea Gullickson walks to her bench during the semifinals of the NCAA 2010 Tennis Singles National Championship on Sunday, May 30, 2010 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.

Flowers bloom while Southern California's Maria Sanchez plays during the NCAA Tennis National Championships on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Ga.