Photo focus: Oct. 9

October 9, 2012 / P.J. / Leave a comment

(Photo focus will run every two weeks or so on Rattling Chains. The idea is to focus on disc golf photographs submitted by staff members and readers. To see the guidelines for submitting a photograph for this feature, click here.)

The silhouette of a disc golf basket at sunset (photo by P.J. Harmer).

Taken in a field in Meredith, New York.

Story: I have often seen some incredible photographs taken with disc golf basket silhouettes. I’ve also seen silhouettes of people or discs and everything else in regard to the sport.

I’ve just never had the chance to get anything cool.

Living in an area with mountains and valleys, it’s often tough to capture a good sunset. You have to be on a peak of a hill at the right time and sometimes it’s tough to find that one spot. Two of us — myself and Rattling Chains staff member Darren Dolezel — were heading back to town after a day of shooting some urban golf. Knowing the sunset was going to be good and knowing we had a portable basket with us, we went to a spot we thought would work.

The sunset was awesome. I just had to rush to set things up. With no real level ground, you get the tilted basket, which I’ve grown to really like about this shot. I took as many as I could — both with my tripod and without — in hopes of getting one. This was the best one and it’s an image that I truly love.

I will look to get more images at sunset involving disc golf. But this was a good way to start and figure some things out. I have ideas. Now I need to find a course within driving distance where I can accomplish said photos!

Techie info:

Camera: Canon 7D
Exposure: 1/400
Aperture: F/10
Focal length: 40mm
ISO: 800

If you have any comments, questions, thoughts, ideas or anything else, feel free to e-mail me and the crew at: pj [at] rattlingchains.com. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook!

Rattling Chains Photo of the Week: May 19

May 19, 2012 / P.J. / Leave a comment

Nathan Rabideaux and his dog, Bear, with a great disc golf bag!

Couldn’t resist with this one.

Several weeks ago, a few of us went to a local course in the Albany, N.Y. area. After playing, I was doing some other photos of the 18th basket and getting ready to take some video for an upcoming disc review.

That’s when this photo unfolded.

Three guys were heading to the first tee to play and one had this pooch — and the dog was carrying discs. Too cool. So we asked if he wouldn’t mind being on the blog.

I’ve seen a lot of people bring their dog when they play disc golf, but this is the first time I witnessed a dog also being used as a disc golf bag.

So, this is Nathan Rabideaux with his dog Bear, a black lab/German shepherd/husky/dalmatian mix (wow)! Rabideaux, originally from Minneapolis, Minn., lives in the Capital Region in N.Y., and that’s also where Bear came from.

Rabideaux has only been playing the game for about a year and it tries to get out once a week or so to play.

Bear’s pack is a dog backpack from REI. There are a few companies that make packs for dogs and they aren’t really made for discs, but it works out wonderfully, Rabideaux said. He bought the bag, originally, so Bear could haul his own gear for hiking and camping, but now it’s used for other things, including disc golf.

Techie info:

Camera: Canon 7D
Shutter speed: 1/1600th
F-stop: F/4
ISO: 100

Why we chose to use this photo:

Just because it’s a different take on disc golf and shows a way that people can also involve their dogs when out playing!

Have some great images you want to share with the Rattling Chains readers? Please e-mail pj [at] rattlingchains.com with the subject “Photo of the Week.” Please note that we can’t guarantee all images will be used. Send as many as you would like as if the photos are top notch, we’ll use more than one from you!

When sending in images, please remember to send the story about the photo, the location and any technical information possible! The story can be as long or as short as you like, but please make sure you give some details!

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Rattling Chains Photo of the Week: April 15

April 15, 2012 / P.J. / Leave a comment

Photo by Jenny Cook

Jenny says:

Winter version of a pull cart – I call this: Brilliant! We are the pioneers of disc golf and with that comes something new to be seen at almost every tournament I attend.

From backpacks, to rain hoods, to “golden retrievers,” I feel the need to capture these innovations (big or small) and people that make them happen. He, along with about 30 other brave souls, made it out that day to the 2012 Ice Bowl at
Jericho Lake in Aurora, Il.

Techie info:

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T1i
Shutter speed: 1/160
F-stop: F/11
ISO: 200

Why we chose to use this photo:

This is the way to play disc golf in the winter! Personally, I don’t dig flinging plastic when there’s snow on the ground. But when you decide to do so, why not do it in a way like this? Kudos to the person pulling the sled. Keep the bag as dry as possible and go do your thing.

Nice capture, Jenny!

NOTE: We’ve received some photos for the photo of the week contest, but there’s no information attached. We need info about the image to the best of your ability. Also, if you have a good shot — please send it in! We can’t continue these features without the help of disc golfers!

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook!

Does it rattle the chains?

March 17, 2012 / P.J. / Leave a comment

Well?

It’s awful nice out this weekend. Everything I’ve seen is great weather.

In other words, as much as we love for you to be reading us, get outside and play some disc golf! We’ll be here waiting when you get back!

I’m actually playing in a tournament this weekend (eek! First of the year) and being that’s the case, I wanted to get something fun up.

Last weekend, I did some photos of disc golf things. And I was trying to capture certain things. But a series of shots I got with this Vibram putter of mine really came out cool.

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