Yes, you read it right. The Brazil-2014’ometer has leapt from 0.2% to 98%. Flights are booked, accommodation is booked, registration with FIFA is complete courtesy of Focus Images, and things are looking good. I’m planning on being out there for the duration but it’s possible I’ll be flying back early once England get knocked out – depends on the demand from clients for coverage of other matches. More on this as the date approaches.
It’s unlikely I’ll be needing warm winter gloves in the middle of the Amazon. However, seeing as we’re still in the icy (and wet) grip of winter at the moment, here’s some glove information for you.
Sealskinz Sporting Gloves
Having searched the market for a couple of years now, and ending up buying gloves that were simply not quite right, I have finally found a pair that work. They are Sealskinz Sporting Gloves (£50 from Cotwswold Outdoor). The thumb and forefinger on each hand fold back allowing you to do delicate things like mashing the shutter button on your big DSLR while the rest of your hands and fingers stay cosy and warm.
Foldy finger fun
Previously I’ve tried folding mittens that result in the rest of your fingers getting cold, and being just cumbersome, and fingerless gloves that also result in cold fingers. These seem to be the best of both worlds. They are also waterproof (assuming the rain doesn’t flow in through the big holes resulting from folding the thumb and forefinger back).
Also, a big plus point is that the folded bits are secured back using magnets not velcro. Previous sets I’ve had used velcro which was forever sticking to the inside of camera bags, jackets etc in a very annoying way. Magnets are very good indeed.
Magnet madness
I used them in anger at Fulham yesterday to great effect. The only slight drawback is that typing on the laptop is not as good as I’d like with the non-folded fingers, but was manageable. So, a big folding thumbs up for Sealskinz.
Speaking of Fulham, I was there to shoot their clash with Southampton. I figured beforehand that I’d sit at the away end in front of the Southampton supporters. Luckily there weren’t too many of us there yesterday – about 14 I think, so there was plenty of space which is unusual. Rather than the usual pre-match “where shall I sit” mental torture that I put myself through, I just went straight to where I’d planned and booked my spot.
Happily, the first half was goalless, with Southampton piling on the pressure but being unable to break through and score. As the second half my plan started to come together as Southampton slotted 3 in at my end, and obligingly celebrated in the direction of the awaiting photographers. And it was the three England hopefuls Lallana, Rodriguez and Lambert who got the goals, so that added a bit more importance to the proceedings.
Often it’s a pain when you get goals in quick succession as you’re busy trying to get your workflow complete for the first goal and celebration when the next one goes in. Calmness and a systematic approach is what’s needed, which I must attain one of these days. With Jay Rodriguez’s celebration, he was running towards us and I was zoomed in quite close and I thought “he’s going to jump” so zoomed out and lo & behold up he popped like a surprised rabbit. Thankfully everything stayed focused and I got a nice few frames, one of which is below in the Star on Sunday, plus another in the Sunday Sun today. Must be my lucky gloves!
Nice full pager in today’s Star on Sunday