Featured Photograph: Free Kick (Enlarge)

Though soccer can't claim to have the high-speed dynamic pace-changes that ice hockey can, it is still a fast moving sport. As I shoot more and more sporting events, I find myself drawn to subtle moments ... the pause before a free throw in basketball ... a faceoff in hockey ... a golfer who has completed their follow-through, watching the flight of the ball ... To me, it isn't a matter of f-stops and shutter speeds, it has more to do with the simplicity of a moment. To me, Free Kick fits into the same class.

In any given soccer game, there are lots of free kicks. Some are more exciting than others - this kick was taken just outside of the penalty area, towards the goal in a high-school playoff game. To these players, this moment was key, but was forgotten after the ball was struck and the players reacted. To me, and to anybody viewing this photo, this free kick is now timeless. Frozen. Of the two hundred + frames I shot on my first digital assignment, this remains my favourite. By the way, the defence broke up the play.