Rock My Derby
I am like an official women’s derby photographer now. I am more than a little excited. I’m running and I won’t touch ground. Eva Menace, the PR person for The B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls, invited me into Saturday’s season opener on March 2, 2013 at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond, California. Now I can take photos of REAL LIVE DERBY GIRLS like Lulu Lockjaw. Lulu actually let me take her picture. Wow. What’s a boy to do?
I think I have a found my derby persona too. As I understand derby personas, they are like an alter egos. My derby alter ego uses the word “like.” He also has the exuberance of a respectful high school sophomore boy who happens to drop his camera and damage his lens. (Assuming this never happens again, it was worth it.) If you are one of the five people who read my blog, you know that I usually take my self way too seriously. My derby persona is still attracted to Kate Jackson (yeah right? Am I the only person who thought THAT ANGEL was the cutest of all the super detectives on Charlie’s Angels?) Actually, both my persona and the real Bryan Farley agree on this Kate Jackson pick.
But I digress… I am pretty sure that LeVar Hurtin is the head BAD Girls Derby photographer. He has grown into his derby name. When I am at the track, I look to him for guidance. I am still nervous to talk to him, but some day I hope he will be able to yell at me, “Hey so and so, get over here.” I would tell you what he will call me, but since my derby name has not been submitted yet, I don’t want to prematurely announce it. Anyone may guess from my references scattered throughout this post. You name it, I will claim it. Or do I claim it and then name it? I don’t know, this is my first hit.
As they say in derby, “We make hits that’ll rearrange your whole set.” The one above has been called “an epic hit.”
Everybody wants to be fast…
Lulu pushing the jammer close to the edge…
I owe a lot to trixie pixie who explained before the bout what she likes in a derby photo. I did not know much about her, except that she was really small. Then on Saturday night, I swear I could hear people chanting, there goes trixie on the hot track, skating like it’s hot wax … and the fans continued afterwards. Both sides, but especially those who loved the Green, serenaded “Can’t nobody hold me down… I got to keep on moving.”
Or maybe my persona imagined the singing.
Oh well, if you want to see more photos, visit the gallery here.
From,
So and So
I live these pictures, Bryan!
Thanks Karen!
Fresno has a local team. Have you watched them play yet? There was a national tournament at the convention center in December 2012. One of these days my schedule will allow me to see my old home town’s teams. (In case you are wondering, I have not watched them play yet.)
BF
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Oh man, I am so jealous! I wish I was cool (and fast and strong) enough to be a Derby Girl! I could use a few more exclamation points but then.. well .. you know I don’t want to get too carried away.
The pics are awesome. I feel like I was there!
Jessica
Jessica,
I consider myself cool, because I know a derby girl or three. If I meet a few more, maybe you can have some of my vicarious coolness. You live in Philadelphia, is that correct? There must be a team near you. Have you ever been to a local bout?
… and thanks for the compliments on the photos. I am glad you feel like you were there. When I look at the pictures, I think to myself, “I CAN’T BELIEVE I WAS THERE!!!” 🙂
bf
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Nice job Bryan … They had to cut me from the team this year cuz I got pregnant… Ill be back next year!!
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What is your derby name? (or what would you want as your name?) Remember, this is a family blog!
bf
Is there a la team.
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Aaron Farley There is an LA team! I think there is an entire league and traveling team. Check out the Angel City Derby Girls On March 16, they host Sacramento, their rival.
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My name would be *sassy pantz*
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Hey Jennifer Emerling, you are a great photographer and derby fan, perhaps you can help me improve my fledgling women’s flat track derby career. What do you think makes a good derby photo?
Hey Jennifer Emerling, you are a great photographer and derby fan, perhaps you can help me improve my fledgling women’s flat track derby career. What do you think makes a good derby photo?
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fans / getting ready / candid moments. see also: http://www.jenniferemerling.com/blog/2008/08/ventura-county-derby-darlins-disco-brawl/ and http://www.jenniferemerling.com/blog/2008/09/vc-derby-darlins-freak-show-fight-night-81608/ (password for both is: derby)
fans / getting ready / candid moments. see also: http://www.jenniferemerling.com/blog/2008/08/ventura-county-derby-darlins-disco-brawl/ and http://www.jenniferemerling.com/blog/2008/09/vc-derby-darlins-freak-show-fight-night-81608/ (password for both is: derby)
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so, pretty much everything at F16?
so, pretty much everything at F16?
hah! well I’d only recommend that if you can layer + you’re outdoors. indoors I say shoot more open because the light sucks. definitely at 24mm
hah! well I’d only recommend that if you can layer + you’re outdoors. indoors I say shoot more open because the light sucks. definitely at 24mm
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Jennifer Emerling Great advice. After I saw your images shot at F16 several years ago, I have tried shooting that way more often. You have a special ability that you may underestimate. You had a quote a few weeks ago about something that made you happy. I think it was something about an open road. Your photographs are an intimate, happy, open road. I don’t know how you do it.
So Mike Ko, you have been shooting derby for a while, what makes a good derby photo for you?
So Mike Ko, you have been shooting derby for a while, what makes a good derby photo for you?
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capturing the images of what is happening and telling stories without giving further explanation is a good derby photo to me. Sometimes you just have to watch the game through that small viewfinder for long time so when the moment comes you can start clicking it away. PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE! I’m still learning a lot from other photographers. check out their setup, position, equipments, and attitude. I think you are right on the track by asking other photographers.
capturing the images of what is happening and telling stories without giving further explanation is a good derby photo to me. Sometimes you just have to watch the game through that small viewfinder for long time so when the moment comes you can start clicking it away. PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE! I’m still learning a lot from other photographers. check out their setup, position, equipments, and attitude. I think you are right on the track by asking other photographers.
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it was really fun to meet you on saturday and thank you so much for these awesome pictures!! i love them!
what’s your derby name!! come on, tell us!
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trixie,
Since YOU asked, I will reveal.
Did you notice the quote, “there goes trixie on the hot track, skating like it’s hot wax?” I lifted that line from P Diddy’s first hit “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down.” Not that anyone would WANT to hold me down.
I am more Matthew Wilder than Puff Daddy, without the stride. You saw me before the bout. I was giddy… really giddy. From now on, you can call me
P Giddy
I LOVE IT!!!!!
perfect.
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[…] bouts, so many people missed one of the most exciting bouts of the year. I was still in my pre-PGiddy derby photographer days and covering the bout as if I were a real sports photographer, AND I STILL FELL IN LOVE WITH […]
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