Leicester Tigers - Strife Through a Lens

By Ian Birks
July 17 2004

My involvement with this website began tentatively at the beginning of the 2002/03 season and managed to combine three areas of interest: photography, computers and last but not least, rugby.

2003/4 Tigers Season In Pictures

Sat 13 Sep

London Irish (H)ZP

 W 29-19 16,029

{Mapletoft kick}

Getting the timing for a kick is still a bit hit and miss, even with the camera on 'continuous' shooting. Still, gratifying when it works out with the kicking tee still in mid-air.

{LI tackle}

Capturing the tackle is not that tricky, but luck plays a big part in which way the players are facing.
I was very fortunate to get the impact 'head-on' in this shot

Sat 11 Oct

Gloucester (A)ZP

 L

24-3

 11,000

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This is one of my favourite photo's!
Full size it is very sharp (for a 2M pixels camera) and there is another shot taken a fraction of a second before this one where the pass is being prepared.
When I took this, I was concentrating on the timing to capture the pass, and completly missed the 'sportsmanship' taking place around the fringes. Very pleased to get this one.
Pity the result was not so good on the day .

Sun 19 Oct 14:30

Leeds Tykes (A)ZP

 L

39-16

 4,073

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Just makes my eyes water!

Sat 25 Oct

Northampton Saints (H)ZP

 L

15-32

 16,815

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Anticipation is very important. You cannot follow the game, you have to be lining up the next picture, sometimes five or more seconds ahead: who is going to tackle? Will we kick or pass or run it?
With practice, you can preempt the play. On the ocasions when you've guessed right, you're in with a chance of getting in on the action.

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Preparing for impact - just out of shot, a Tiger is lining up the tackle.

Sat 1 Nov 14:15

Bath (A)ZP

L

31 - 17

9,980

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Part of the attraction of taking these pictures is in the framing of the shot. Below are lots of players supporting these two in mid-air, but if you include them, they ony serve to distract you from the competition for the ball

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This shot of Ollie Barkley just before he strikes the ball is another of my favourites. Keeping his eye on the ball, placing the right foot, balance, timing and technique all comes together, and in a moment that fraction of a second is all gone.
I am very pleased to have captured this 'slice of time'.
The trick is to use the 'continuous' function on the camera.
All I do is point and press, and witin two seconds I have up to four sequential pictures. Again, luck plays a big part.

Sat 8 Nov

London Wasps (H)ZP

 W

32 - 22

 15,384

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Stimmo's last appearance at Welford Road

Sat 29 Nov

Bath (H)ZP

 L

12 - 13

 16,815

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Sometimes bad pictures intrigue me. Probably because I was losing the light, all of the players are blurred, suggesting movement, but the ball, which is moving looks sharp by comparison -
I just find this very odd! As a sport photo, a dismal failure, but I like it

Sat 6 Dec

Stade Francais (A)HEC

 L

26 - 15

 11,848

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'Ah! Paris - Paree. What pictures of gaiety those two cities conjour up, down, and sideways, Paris, city of Napoleon, the revolution, the Mob, the blood, the head rolling. Alas, those happy days are gone, yet Paris, the Queen of cities calls to us all' - Spike Milligan

Sat 27 Mar

NEC Harlequins (A)ZP

 W

20-23

 7,871

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So, how many Quins does it take to tackle a Jonno? Just count 'em!

Sun 4 Apr 14:30

Newcastle Falcons (A)ZP

 D 25-25 10,541

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Again, I missed the Flying Falcon in this shot until I got home and down loaded the picture - 'Gwarrrn Deacs'

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I missed the first Henry charge of the day - was it Jamie Noon who came off worse in that encounter? Still, ever obliging, it wasn't long before Henry gave me a chance get the shot again.

Sat 1 May

Rotherham (H)ZP

 W

75-13

 16,815

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This was a line out during the Rotherham game.
I think the Titan's jumper wanted to compete for the ball!

Sat 8 May

London Wasps (A)ZP

 W

17-48

 10,000

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Sat 15 May

Harlequins (H) Wildcard Semi

 W

43-26

 12,004



Big Jase in his last appearance at Welford Road. What a legend.

Sat 29 May

Zurich Wildcard Final

 W

48-27

 Lots

Jonno jump

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