Beware the cowboys ..

I've probably told you that I play badminton. Unfortunately, I'm the man who put the bad in badminton as, despite all the years of trying, I'm still absolutely hopeless at it! I sweat, I strain, I try to take on the advice of fellow players and yet nothing improves my game. I am not a natural sportsman. I just can't do it...

But the thing is, I look like a badminton player! I've got the expensive racket and the fancy 'wick' sports shirt, not to mention the serious looking strap to keep my tennis elbow in check, so when I turn up on the court I look like I know what I'm doing. A bit like all these people who say they are Wedding Photographers, in fact! Good camera = proficient photographer, eh? Not so! The thing is, I've joined yet another Wedding site on Facebook and am encouraged to see a lot of posts from Brides-to-be about the dangers of 'cheap photography'. Don't tell me the message is finally getting through!??..

I thought this shot of a 'cowboy' atop a Wedding cake would illustrate today's blog perfectly. Now where's me shuttlecock?...    

Getting the call ..

I've never been good at sport! I admit it, I hold my hand up! When the footy captains picked sides before a game when I was at school I was always the last person to be chosen. "Oh.." one chisel-jawed skipper would say to the other "You can have him!" "No.." the second wind-swept stud would say "It's ok! You have him..."  So imagine my delight when I got picked last night to play a league badminton match at the club I play at. Ok, I was substitute on the D team .. and I'm not joking .. but it all counts and, for the record, I lost five games BUT WON ONE!..

The thing is, playing in a 'proper' match gave last night's games such an exciting 'real' edge - a thrilling purpose I've just never got from playing at my usual level. It was 'do or die' .. in or out! Well, I was out, obviously, but it made me think how exciting it is to be a Wedding Photographer. I think Wedding Photography is the only thing in my life that really gets the adrenalin going. The only thing that's 'real', 'do or die' .. in or out! Of course, all my photography gets me excited, but it's not all at the same high-speed, ever-changing, get-it-right right now level! I get such a buzz from shooting Weddings. Just as well, 'cos I don't think I'll be getting another call from the club anytime soon ..  

Ps: Today's picture is from 1979, when I went to White Hart Lane to cover Altrincham FC's amazing 1-1 draw against Spurs in the FA Cup. Spurs walloped them in the replay! I just liked the analogy!...

©Martin O'Neill 2014