Chase Rome

On the 25th, I was sent out to photograph Rock Bridge High School senior defensive end Chase Rome. Rome recently signed to play football for OSU, and will be graduating early. He was recruited by MU, KU, K-State, Michigan, UCLA, and Syracuse, to name a few. Really nice guy.

It was an interesting shoot. I learned a couple of things:
1) If you're taking equipment that you've never used before, be sure to cover everything BEFORE you go. I ended up having to call in to figure out how to work the auto-focus for the Nikon camera I was using. I'm a Canon user, and with the Canon, you just hold the button half-way to auto-focus. With the Nikon, you have to hold down a different button.
2) I don't know how I feel about the mono-pod. I like the idea in theory, because it will help with arm fatigue. But I found it really cumbersome in trying to position myself for a shot.

Here are the shots that I captioned:

First, the Gatorade moment:

Rock Bridge senior defensive end Chase Rome rehydrates during practice on August 25, 2009. Rome has been playing competitively since the seventh grade, and was identified as a top prospect for college recruitment since the ninth grade. Rome recently committed to playing for Oklahoma State University.

Rock Bridge senior defensive end Chase Rome takes a break at practice on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009. Rome recently committed to playing for Oklahoma State University.

During an afternoon practice, Rock Bridge senior defensive end Chase Rome (#55) waits to head back out on the field on August 25, 2009. Rome was recruited by several top schools, including MU, but recently decided to sign with Oklahoma State University.

Senior Chase Rome, watches his teammates scrimmage during an afternoon practice on August 25, 2009. Rome recently committed to play for Oklahoma State University after his high school graduation, a decision which he says enables him to have a singular focus on the game.

Chase Rome (#55) practices throwing the football during an afternoon scrimmage on August 25, 2009. As a defensive end, Rome typically is responsible for blocking plays rather than getting the ball down field.

Chase Rome, defensive end for the Rock Bridge Bruins, listens intently during a post-practice meeting with Coach A.J. Ofodile on August 25, 2009. Rome serves as one of the Bruins' team captains.