South Beach & the Sun Bowl…Again

South Beach & the Sun Bowl…Again

By Andy Lopusnak, AndysPictures.com

December 29-31, 2013

For the second time in the past three seasons, I ended the year with a Jets-Dolphins game in Miami and the Sun Bowl. Only this time the games were switched with the NFL game on 12/29 and the Sun Bowl as usual at high noon on New Year’s Eve. In 2011, I did the Sun Bowl that Utah won in overtime 30-27 on New Year’s Eve and then covered the Dolphins’ 19-17 win over the Jets on New Year’s Day 2012, which was the last NFL contest for future Hall of Famers Jason Taylor and LaDainian Tomlinson. This time, the Jets won and likely it will be the last game ever played by future HOFer Ed Reed, who picked off his 64th pass in the game.

JETS 20, DOLPHINS 7

New York eliminated Miami from the playoffs with the surprising win after trailing 7-0 then scoring the game’s final 20 points. Jets rookie QB Geno Smith surpassed the 3,000-yard passing mark on the season during the game. He ran for a touchdown in the game. Rookie defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson pounded in the other Jets touchdown giving him two on the season (I covered the other one at Carolina two weeks earlier) which tied William “Refrigerator” Perry for the most rushing scores in a season by a defensive lineman. The Fridge also did it in his rookie year (of 1985 when the Bears won the Super Bowl).

For the Dolphins, receiver Brian Hartline went over 1,000 yards for the second time, but was injured on the play and missed the rest of the game. Without his favorite receiver, Ryan Tannehill struggled and at one point threw three interceptions in the span of eleven pass attempts.

This game marked by 275th NFL contest that I’ve covered since “turning pro” in 1997. Additionally, this became my 30th Jets game covered. Here’s a look at the teams I’ve covered the most during my CBS tenure and their respective records in those contests.

TEAM	MOST CBS GAMES	RECORD
1. Baltimore	32	16-16
Houston	32	12-20
3. Cincinnati	31	9-22
4. NY Jets	30	14-16
5. Jacksonville	26	8-18

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PREGAME PHOTOS OF THIS GAME

SUN LIFE STADIUM TIME LAPSE

I’ve done two 50-yard line time lapses here in the past, so with it supposed to pour down rain I only put out the GoPro Hero 2 for a really unique shot. I place it in the low end zone behind the goal post and a tarp with the Dolphins logo. I was a bit scared that the camera might get stolen since it was literally in front of fans (see photo below). It worked out though and is truly a great time lapse.

As you can see, the clouds are amazing (though it was very overcast). You cannot see much game action because it’s so low but I think the sky makes up for it as does the moving tarp in the wind. Notice at the very end as the ground crew takes down the goal post.

THIRD SUN BOWL

In the past five years, I’ve now covered the Sun Bowl three times. My first trip to El Paso was in 2008 when Oregon State beat Pittsburgh 3-0 in the lowest scoring bowl game since 1959. In the game, Victor Butler posted four sacks and 11 tackles. It was also the 75th edition of the Sun Bowl. Three years later, I returned as Utah beat Georgia Tech 30-27 in overtime with Utes running back John White scoring the game winner to go with 115 yards on the ground.

2013 SUN BOWL: UCLA 42, VIRGINIA TECH 12

Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley had a career day on the ground rushing for 161 yards on ten carries with two scores. He had an 86-yard rushing touchdown and another from seven yards out. His previous career high was just 85 total rushing yards. Hundley also threw two more scores in the win.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY SUN BOWL PHOTOS

#1 PICK & HOFer ADDED

Bruce Smith, who played at Virginia Tech and was the #1 overall pick of the 1986 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, was at the Sun Bowl. Smith is the NFL’s all-time leader in sacks and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. With one photo, I added him to my collection of #1 overall NFL picks (CLICK HERE TO VIEW) and NFL Hall of Famers (CLICK HERE TO VIEW). Smith became my 22nd #1 overall pick I’ve photographed.

SUN BOWL TIME LAPSE

When I was here in 2011, I got a corner time lapse of the game (CLICK HERE TO VIEW); so I set up sideline shots in the broadcast booth as well as one in the end zone. This time, I set up three time lapses – one in the end zone, another at the 50-yard line and the third in the broadcast booth.

UP NEXT: Duke at Notre Dame Hoops

Next week, I’ll be making my third trip to South Bend, Indiana to cover the Duke-Notre Dame college basketball game. Aside from the NFL playoff game the week after ND, I’m now into basketball mode the rest of the way.

-- AndysPictures.com --

It’s Always Cold in Kansas City

It’s Always Cold in Kansas City

By Andy Lopusnak, AndysPictures.com

December 21-22, 2013

Kansas City is known for having the most fountains of any city outside of Rome, but when it’s cold outside said fountains are turned off. Thus, KC has no fountains when I've been here for my five Chiefs home games, all of which have occurred in late November or December. Saturday was overcast with freezing rain throughout the day that continued until Sunday afternoon, but was still overcast for my entire time in KC.

Since I couldn't get great shots of KC due to the weather, here’s a look at my favorite Kansas City photos.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY KANSAS CITY PHOTO GALLERIES

TRUMAN LIBRARY

Ten minutes from Arrowhead Stadium in Independence, MO is the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum. With the crappy weather, I figured that inside shooting would be best. This was the first presidential library and features a replica of the Truman Oval House and lots of exhibits showcasing his presidency. 

A lot happened in his first four months as president after taking over for FDR, who died in office. Both fronts of World War II ended and Truman made the decision to drop the atomic bomb twice in Japan.

In addition, Truman is buried in the courtyard and is now the 15th former U.S. Presidential final resting spot I’ve photographed.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY PRESIDENTIAL BURIAL SPOTS GALLERY

COLTS 23, CHIEFS 7

A week removed from his five-touchdown explosion, Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles popped off a 31-yards ground score to put the Chiefs up 7-0. However, the visiting Colts ran off the game’s final 23 points to win the game. The KC loss coupled with Denver win gave the Broncos at least the #2 seed in the AFC and the Chiefs clinched the #5 seed and will be on the road for the playoffs.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MY PREGAME SHOTS OF THIS GAME

ARROWHEAD STADIUM TIME LAPSE

I set up two cameras in the press box due to the cold and the lack of space in the end zone to put my cameras. The 40D with the Sigma 10-20mm lens was set up in the far left corner and the GoPro Hero 3 was at the 50-yard line. For the GoPro, I purchased the “frame” so I could hook up power since the battery sucks. It worked well and as did the press box set up.

UP NEXT: Miami & El Paso again

I conclude 2013 with a double dip in Miami for the Jets-Dolphins game on Sunday and the 80th Sun Bowl on Tuesday featuring the 8-4 Virginia Tech Hokies and the 9-3 UCLA Bruins. It will be my third Sun Bowl in the past five years. Interestingly enough, the last time I did the Sun Bowl (in 2011) my NFL game that week was also the Jets-Dolphins in Miami.

-- AndysPictures.com --

Carolina on my mind

Carolina on my mind

By Andy Lopusnak, AndysPictures.com

December 14-15, 2013

A lot has changed since the last time I did a game in Charlotte. It was over five years ago and the city as well as the Carolina Panthers look a whole lot different. The city skyline has three new skyscrapers that weren’t here back in 2009. As for the Panthers, former Heisman Trophy winner and #1 overall pick Cam Newton leads Carolina, which started this year 1-3 before winning nine of its last ten games.

Sadly, it was raining all day Saturday; which doesn’t make for great skyline photos with the washed out sky and low visibility. After checking in at the trucks, I drive 90 miles south to Columbia, South Carolina to get the state capitol building. Of course, the weather went from bad to worse overnight and there was fog so dense that you couldn’t see more than a hundred feet away. I was planning on getting sunrise shots of the skyline, but there was no skyline to be found Sunday morning until around 10am. 

STATE CAPITOL #41

And then there were nine. After the game, I drove to Columbia, South Carolina to snap a shot of the South Carolina State Capitol, which made it the 41st one in my collection. The remaining nine state caps I need are: Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Vermont. Though I’ve shot 41 capitols, I’ve been to 43 different states (Hawaii & Iowa).

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY STATE CAPITOL PHOTO GALLERY

Here’s a map of the states in which I’ve photographed their capitol buildings.

CHARLOTTE SCULPTURE AT AIRPORT

This great 15-foot sculpture of Queen Charlotte, who the city was named after, was moved from a high pedestrian part of the airport to the daily parking lots. It was a bit hard to find, but was well worth the effort. Charlotte was queen consort to George III, who was King of England during the time of the Revolutionary War.

ASPIRE STATUE

I love this sculpture. Located at Central Piedmont Community College, Aspire is bronze-cast sculpture created by Greg Wyatt.

LAKERS 88, BOBCATS 85

After the production meeting, I got the chance to shoot the second half of the NBA game between the LA Lakers and Charlotte Bobcats. Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant earned his first victory since returning from a torn Achilles. Bryant had a season-high 21 points and hit the game-deciding free throws with 37 seconds left.

In a losing effort, Kemba Walker posted 24 points and eight assists for the Bobcats, whom have lost five of their last seven games.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MY GALLERY FROM THIS GAME

PANTHERS 30, JETS 20

Carolina never trailed as the Panthers won their tenth game of the season thanks to Cam Newton’s monster first half completing 80% of his passes with a 72-yard touchdown to DeAngelo Williams, who also ran for 81 yards on the day. The Jets were essentially eliminated from the playoffs with the loss.

This is just my fifth Panthers home game. My previous time here was in 2008 when Carolina beat Denver 30-10. I was here twice in 2000 (my first year traveling for CBS), once in 2001 (with FOX) and another in 2000. The Panthers are 4-1 in these contests.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MY GALLERY FROM THIS GAME

BANK OF AMERICA STADIUM TIME LAPSE

With CBS Sports being the home of the AFC, I never thought when I started doing time lapses in 2010 that I’d complete the NFC circuit before getting all the AFC stadiums. With Carolina, the NFC is complete and all I need are four more stadiums to get at least one in all 32 NFL home venues (I also have a time lapse from Wembley Stadium in London). The now elusive four are: Cleveland, Jacksonville, New England and San Diego. I haven’t been to Jacksonville or Cleveland since 2008; New England since 2009 and San Diego since 2007. There’s a chance that I might be able to get New England or San Diego in Week 17; but nothing for Cleveland or Jacksonville. I set up two SLR cameras (Canon 40D with Sigma 10-20mm lens at the high sideline & Canon 20d with Canon 17-40mm L lens with the tight end zone) and two GoPro cameras (GoPro Hero 2 at wide end zone and GoPro Hero 3 in the corner).

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL MY TIME LAPSES

UP NEXT: Indianapolis at Kansas City

In what could very well be a preview of a wild card weekend playoff game, the Chiefs host the Colts. I love KC, but it seems every time I’m here it’s in the winter and I never get to see the city that boasts the second most fountains in the world behind Rome. I snagged two time lapses at Arrowhead Stadium last year and plan on getting a few more from different vantage points. Also, I’m planning on driving to Independence, Missouri to get shots of Harry Truman’s grave to add to that collection. I currently have 14 shots of Presidential graves.

-- AndysPictures.com --

Hoops/NFL Double Dip – Mizzou & the Nati

Hoops/NFL Double Dip – Mizzou & the Nati

By Andy Lopusnak, AndysPictures.com

December 5-8, 2013

For me, a tradition like no other is the college basketball/NFL double dip weekend the first weekend of December. This is my third straight year (fourth overall) doing the CBS opening tip game and then doing a football game the next day. My previous three opening tip/NFL double dips started out at Kentucky; and the last two both ended in Miami. Here’s a look at my four such weekends and how the teams fared.

YEAR	HOOPS GAME	NFL GAME
2013	MISSOURI 80, UCLA 71	CINCINNATI 42, Indianapolis 28
2012	Baylor 64, KENTUCKY 55	New England 23, MIAMI 16
2011	KENTUCKY 73, North Carolina 72	MIAMI 34, Oakland 14
2009	KENTUCKY 68, North Carolina 66	Oakland 27, PITTSBURGH 24

WOW! JUST WOW!

Columbia, Missouri is in the middle of nowhere and I had to fly into St. Louis then drive two hours to get there. However, since I was in St. Louis anyway; I stopped at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. This Catholic church is breathtakingly beautiful. I’ve photographed numerous churches all over the world and easily my favorite. Pope Paul VI called this place “the outstanding cathedral of the Americas.”

Though the basilica was completed in the 20th century, the inside is designed to look like the greatest example of Byzantine style under Roman emperor Justinian in the sixth century. It has nearly 42 million individual mosaic glass pieces with a range of over 8,000 different colors that were installed by Tiffany & Company. When I was in Istanbul this past May, there are two former churches (the Hagia Sophia & Chora Church) that were clearly the inspiration for this magnificent place of worship.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY CATHEDRAL BASILICAOF ST. LOUIS GALLERY

MIZZOU 80, WEST VIRGINIA 71

I got into town a day early to ensure I was there early for my photo shoots with the teams on Friday; so I photographed the Thursday night Mizzou game against West Virginia and also get three time lapses of the game. Missouri dominated from the opening tip. The final score wasn’t indicative, as the Tigers failed to hit free throws down the stretch. And yes, the final score of both Mizzou games were the same.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY GALLERY OF THIS GAME

MIZZOU ARENA TIME LAPSE

Using my spare Canon SLRs and the GoPro Hero 3, I covered three different vantage points for the time lapse. The 20D was set up with the Canon 17-40mm L lens in the corner, while the 40D was high up in the rafters behind the boards using the Sigma 10-20mm lens and the GoPro was at midcourt. Below is a combination time lapse of these three views.

PHOTO SHOOTS

For the first time since the 2013 Final Four, I lugged out the lighting gear and shot some sportraits of Missouri and UCLA. I photographed six Tigers and nine Bruins. Looking ahead to the 2014 NBA Draft; nbadraft.net has two of these student-athletes as potential picks. On that site, they have Missouri’s Jordan Clarkson going #24 overall and UCLA’s Kyle Anderson at #31

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT MY SPORTRAITSPHOTO GALLERIES

MIZZOU 80, UCLA 71

Three Missouri players posted at least 20 points as the Tigers continued their NCAA active streak of 24 straight home wins to stay undefeated by beating the previously unbeaten UCLA Bruins. This game marked my first in Columbia since the 2001 college basketball season when I did two games at Mizzou within a month. Back then, the Tigers played at the Hearnes Center, before the Mizzou Arena was built three years later.

FAUROT FIELD AT MEMORIAL STADIUM

The Missouri football team’s stadium is under renovation, but I still managed to sneak in and got some shots of the empty stadium. It’s a horseshoe-shaped stadium with seating in the opening end with a grass berm in the curved end that has a giant block “M” that’s made out of pained white stones.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY STADIUMS & ARENAPHOTO GALLERIES

BENGALS 42, COLTS 28

The Ginger Gunslinger, Andy Dalton, completed 69% of his passes for 275 yards with three touchdown strikes and another on the ground to lead the Bengals to their ninth win of the season. Cincinnati jumped out to a 21-0 lead with ten minutes to go in the second half before Colts QB Andrew Luck threw the first of his career-tying four touchdown passes; but it wasn’t enough for Indianapolis.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY GALLERY OF THIS GAME

FIRST FOR EVERYTHING

Since the game was in Cincy, I knew I could get out Sunday night and not waste an entire day of travel since I’ve been away from home since Wednesday night. I rushed to the airport only to find out that my flight was delayed, but would still get me home on time. However, that all changed when the incompetent ground crew apparently forgot that it was cold outside and wasn’t ready for us when the plane needed to be de-iced. It meant that with the extra hour on the tarmac that I missed my flight from Salt Lake City home to San Jose. Strangely enough, I’ve never had to stay overnight because of a plane issue in my more than 1.2 million miles on Delta/Northwest, or any airline for that matter. Once, it would've happened when I was living in Grand Rapids, but I just drove home. To add salt to the wound, I could see my actual plane leaving the gate when I arrived – it was in the opposite terminal. To cut the wound even deeper, Delta put me on a 3:00pm flight home on Monday. Luckily, I did manage to get them to change it to a morning flight, but to Oakland. Ugh.

UP NEXT: NY Jets at Carolina

Much like the Titans home game in Week Four, I’m beyond stoked to do this game. I had it circled when the schedule came out for a multitude of reasons. 1). I get to do my 28th out of 32 NFL home venue time lapses, 2). Photograph Cam Newton in an NFL uniform (I do so at the 2010 Iron Bowl when he was at Auburn), and 3). I will drive to Columbia, South Carolina Saturday after the production meeting to photograph my 41st U.S. state capitol building.

-- AndysPictures.com --

Buffaloed Again

Buffaloed Again

By Andy Lopusnak, AndysPictures.com

November 2-3, 2013

Two months after starting the 2013 NFL regular season in scenic upstate New York, I’m back in Buffalo for the Week Nine matchup against the Bills and the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. When I was here right weeks ago, I shot a bunch of new things that you CAN READ ABOUT BY CLICKING HERE. 

There was some stuff I missed out on. However, much like the previous Saturday I was in Buffalo, it was rainy and crappy making my photographic journey a bit gloomy.

Check out my expanded Buffalo galleries BY CLICKING HERE.

CITY HALL OBSERVATION DECK

After checking into the hotel, I walked the block and a half to the Buffalo City Hall to go to the 28th floor observation deck. It’s free and open whenever the building is open. Previous, it was only Monday through Friday, but the city added Saturday hours this past summer. I hope next time I’m in Buffalo, the weather is good because this is a great spot.

ST. ADALBERT’S BASILICA

This 1891 Polish Cathedral style church was designated America’s first Basilica in 1907. However, the Vatican decided to merge two parishes so it’s only open on special occasions. I was lucky enough to be there when one of someone was dropping off stuff for one of the rare masses and he let me take a few shots of the interior.

St. Adalbert’s Basilica is a brick exterior church with 36 stained-glass windows. The church’s namesake, Adalbert of Prague, is the patron saint of Bohemia, Poland, Hungary and Prussia.

MCKINLEY MARKER

I searched for the exact place where President McKinley was assassinated back in 1901, but couldn’t find it last time. After some research online, I found that there’s a small marker in the middle of the road marking the spot where the Temple of Music once stood (that’s where he was shot). I drove by it numerous times before finally finding it. If you’re ever in Buffalo and looking for it, the McKinley historical marker is located in front of 30 Fordham Drive.  

I AM NUMBER ONE

The Chiefs has the worst record in the league last year and were rewarded with the first selection in the 2013 NFL draft. They selected Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher. After snapping a few pics of him on Sunday, I added Fisher to my #1 Overall NFL Draft Picks collection. I now have 21 former overall #1 picks, including the last 13. This game featured three former #1 overall selections. In addition to Fisher, there were the top picks in 2005 (Alex Smith) and 2006 (Mario Williams). CLICK HERE TO VIEW MY GALLERY OF #1 OVERALL NFL PICKS.

CHIEFS 23, BILLS 13

Kansas City’s defense had two returns for touchdowns, including Sean Smith’s 100-yard interception for a score, to beat Buffalo 23-13 to go to 9-0 on the season. The Chiefs outscored the Bills 20-3 in the second half despite allowing 470 total yards. It was Kansas City’s first win in Buffalo since 1986, which was the fourth NFL start of eventual Hall of Fame QB Jim Kelly who threw three interceptions

For the Bills, undrafted rookie QB Jeff Tuel became the third different Bills starter this season and looked good early with a 59-yard touchdown strike to Maquise Goodwin, but was picked off twice. Buffalo RB C.J. Spiller had 116 rushing yards on 12 carries. 

TIME LAPSE: HIGH SIDELINE & HIGH END ZONE

I got two really good time lapses last time I was here and decided to go with a high sideline view this time. In addition, I returned to the high end zone; but with the Hero 2 (because the battery is so much better). Hopefully, I won’t be back in Buffalo in 2013. The stadium is getting a $130-million renovation before the start of the 2014 season; so it’ll look a little different next year (which is beyond a good thing since Ralph Wilson Stadium looks more like a high school venue than an NFL one). You can read all about the renovation BY CLICKING HERE.

UP NEXT: Cincinnati at Baltimore

It’s back to Baltimore (again) for the Bengals-Ravens marking my fourth game covering these two division rivals. I’ve photographed the Charm City so many times that I truly hate getting a game here. Sadly, I’ve already been assigned another game in Baltimore in two weeks (vs. NY Jets).

FALL BACK

I hate going back to Standard Time. Yes, I get an “extra” hour of sleep before the Bills game; but the hassle over the next six months is just not worth it. Studies show that a majority of Americans hate it too and yet other studies show that it doesn’t save electricity (the main reason it was implemented after World War I). I’m just glad I don’t live in the most northeastern parts of the USA, where the sunset will now be at 4:26pm (and as early as 4:02pm by early December). There’s no reason to have the sunset before 5pm.

BEST OF THE BLOG

Here’s a collection of my top shots from Buffalo….

 

-- AndysPictures.com --