Michael P. Hall - in print and online!

A very entertaining weekend, watching the OUA women's volleyball Championships. I submitted some of my work to The Hamilton Spectator and Ontario University Athletics and it was picked up.


My volleyball net-cam (mounted the camera on the pole opposite of the Head Referee) helped me capture a fantastic view of Nicole Symrnios (Western) and Heather Bansley (Toronto) jousting for the ball during the second set of a five-set thriller for the Bronze medal (Western won).

Here is a screen dump:



You can check it out at: http://www.oua.ca/multimedia/featured/?id=41
(If you keep looking around the OUA website, you will see more OUA photos that I have taken.)


My photo of Elise Michalowski, following McMaster's three set loss to the host York Lions, appeared in the February 23, 2009 edition of the Hamilton Spectator.


Here is the screen dump:


You can check the photo and the article at: http://www.thespec.com/Sports/article/518567

Check back soon for more updates and photos from the OUA Women's Volleyball Championships and more...


Until next time, keep the communication flowing...

Marauders - OUA Men's Volleyball Champions

McMaster was able to sweep Queen's 2-0 in a best-of-three series for the 2008-09 OUA Men's Volleyball Championships and a berth in the CIS National Championships in Alberta.

The Marauders won game two in front of their fans at home, with a 3-1 victory that included a 25-7 fourth set victory.

It was a pleasure to shoot for the OUA at the game. Here are a few of my favourites.

Tonight is the Women's Semi-Finals at York University. Another night of awesome action is upon us...........

Kawartha Classic Champions...

This past weekend, the Bishop Ryan Junior Boys' Basketball team took their game to Peterborough and the Kawartha Classic. Facing some tough teams, and running into a couple shooters that could not be stopped (Literally hitting from downtown with everyshot they took).

The boys got together and worked hard, eventually earning the 'B' division championships.

A special thanks to Mr. Peet for providing the room and board for the team. (Photos are being fixed right now)

Unfortunately, I left the tournament early to act as the Public Address announcer at the Marauders final home volleyball games. (No photos, a disappointment on senior night)

It was great to see the Seniors playing at home for the final time in a regular season game. Even better was that the photo presented to Ryan Hudson was taken by me. Glad to see that my work from back in the day is still shining through. (and continues to improve with every shot)

Both teams won their matches, with the women giving York, their first loss of the season.

Sunday was another learning opportunity, taking photos at the last Winterfest event for the City of Hamilton and taking my level 2 technical basketball qualification.

Backing the news delivery truck to last Thursday, the date of the HWCDSB Swimming Championships, I was able to capture some awesome individual images of Bishop Ryan swimmers as the combined to finish third in the overall team division. (This photo was inspired by Mr. Peet, discussing one that he had taken the previous year. He claims that there is steam rising from the water and has the better photo. - What a surprise, coaches being competitive about everything.)

(Alexa Merulla swims her way to GHAC.)

As for the equipment that I spoke of in my last post, I have added pocket wizards, and off camera flash cord and a bogen magic arm to assist in the creation of a remote camera set up. I'm looking for the behind the backboard basketball photo in the coming days, weeks and years.

In the coaching/teaching department, I have been given the opportunity to assist Mr. Kislinsky at Sir Allan MacNab with his volleyball classes. From noon until 2:00 p.m., five days a week, Mr. K. has the opportunity to teach volleyball. What a great opportunity that would be.

Time to get some sleep, big game on Thursday against BT.

Thats just me for now, stay out of trouble until next time...

More to come in the following 24 hours...

I have been busy, tackling some projects and researching equipment. I will be posting some photos and information in the next 24 hours.

That is me just now, stay out of trouble...

A photo from a friend...

I woke up yesterday morning to an E-mail with a photo attached. My friend Amy Danko, currently finishing her Masters in OT, took a photo down under in Australia and passed it along. Fantastic photo.Inspired by Miss Danko, I went outside in the snow and checked out the views from the Mountain Brow. I ended up at the Wentworth stairs and here is my favourite photo from the day.
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to capture some Winterfest scenes at Gage Park. The children seemed to be having fun on the toboggans and crazy carpets. Unfortunately, not everyone is excited to see children flying down the hills. I am, and so here are some photos of the fun.

My work as the personal photographer of Chimo allowed me to meet another kool kat, Mr. Drew Wannamaker, the coolest staff member of Hamilton's Children Museum.
I'm looking forward to the cold, followed by a few days of warm weather and perhaps some basketball, volleyball and final Winterfest photos this weekend.