Melissa Ploen (AKA Bustabitch Barbie) and Libby Claeys (AKA P.B.R) demonstrate a whip for the girls at Girls, Inc.

The Sioux City Roller Dames were at Girls, Inc. today skating with the girls and teaching them about the sport of roller derby. I’ve shot a few photos of the exterior of the new Girls, Inc facility at Cook park, but this was the first time I’ve shoot photos inside their new building. It’s an impressive facility, and a great place to shoot pics.

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Morningside’s Tanaeya Worden defends as Grand View’s Lindsay Hammon passes the ball during basketball action at Morningside College Tuesday, November 3, 2009. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)

I shot this photo at the Morningside basketball game tonight and I am still debating if I Like it or not. (Photo was taken with my 50D and 200/2 lens, exposure was ASA 3200, 1/640 second at f/2) I’d like to hear what you think of this photo, is it cool or is it crap?

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Heelan’s Nate Berger fumbles the ball as he is hit by Denison-Schleswig’s John Blum during football action at Memorial Field Monday, November 2, 2009. The ball was recovered by Heelen in the end zone for a touchdown.(Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)

Heelan’s first touchdown of the game reminded me a bit of Iowa Hawkeye football. It ain’t pretty, but it gets the job done.

The Light at Memorial Field is rather ugly, but I still avoid using flash. Photos were shot with my Canon 50D and 200/2 lens. Exposure for most of the pics were at ASA 3200, 1/640 second at f/2. For some of the shots I dropped the shutter down to 1/500 in the darker areas.

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Kristin Sjobom and Gaby Martinez of the Polar Molars from Siouxland Dental Health participate in the Polar Plunge at Brown’s Lake Saturday, October 31, 2009. The event was a fundraiser for the Iowa Special Olympics. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)

Every time I shoot the Polar Plunge someone asks me if I’m going to go into the water. Well, I would but luckily, er, I mean unfortunately my cameras are not water proof so I can’t. But I do have a lot of respect for the people who do jump in.

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Heelan’s Leisa McClintock reacts after scoring during volleyball action in LeMars Monday, October 26, 2009. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)

I don’t shoot at the LeMars High School gym very often. but it seemed a bit darker than I remembered. Photos were taken with my 50D and 200/2 lens at ASA 3200, 1/640 second at f/2.

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Jenna Mansker models a gown from Dave’s Bridal during the Bridal Fair at the Sioux City Convention Center Sunday, October 25, 2009. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)

After the fashion show at today’s Bridal Fair, a woman came up to me and asked me if I got any good photos. I said the light was a bit tricky, but hopefully I got something decent. Then she tells me that from where I was at the only thing I was going to get were photos of peoples backs.

I suppose I could have explained how backing off with a longer lens provides a more flattering perspective for the models. And if I were to shoot from up next to the stage with a wider lens, which could provide some artistic shots, it also creates wide angle distortion which is not very flattering for the models. Plus I’d be at an angle where I’d be looking up their nostrils.

But since I know I have a tendency to not be polite to people who annoy me, I decided the best thing to do was just smile, nod, and keep on shooting.

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Briar Cliff’s Jonathan Smith defends as Northwestern’s Caleb Van Otterloo reaches for a pass during football action at Memorial Field Saturday, October 24, 2009. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)

I like shooting sports on an overcast day. It gives me nice even light and I don’t have to worry about shadows. Just set my white balance to cloudy, set the exposure and shoot away. Photo above was taken with a Canon 50D and 200mm f/2 lens with a 2X Extender.

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Heelan’s Brady Van Dusen tackles Sgt. Bluff-Luton’s Ross Chettinger during football action in Sgt. Bluff Friday, October 23, 2009. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)

Holy cow, Chettinger can jump. Photo taken with a Canon 50D and 200mm f/2 lens with a 1.4 Extender. Exposure was at ASA 3200, 1/640 second at f/2.8.

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The first wave of runners make their way through Scenic Park as the sun rises during the Siouxland Lewis and Clark Marathon Saturday, October 17, 2009. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)

It’s almost a small miracle: me waking up before sunrise. But some assignments call fro extreme measures.

Many of the pics were taken with my Canon 50D and 200/2, mostly with the 1.4 extender attached. And the wide shots were taken with my 40D with a 17-40mm lens.

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Men’s marathon winner Tom Tisell approaches the finish line with his children Faith, 20 months, Andrew, 8, and Grace, 10.

Women’s marathon winner Connie Prince Houlihan approaches the finish line.

East’s Kyle Gogel grabs a facemask as he tackles West High’s Desmond Harsma during football action at Olsen Stadium Friday, October 16, 2009. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)

Well, it really wasn’t that bad tonight, it was only a light misty rain. And if this is the worse we have it for the season, then I’d call it a good year. But of course we still have a few more weeks to get through.

Shooting tonight with my Canon 50D and 200/2 lens. Most of the pics were at ASA 3200, 1/640 second at f/2.8. The light fades off near the end zones so some of the shots were taken at different exposures.

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