Steven Limentani Photography

Wanee, Soccer and Bicycle Racing

Steven — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:37:43 +0000

On April 13th I began a period of shooting so many events that there was no time to even think about editing until it was all over. It all began on Saturday morning with the Manchester Cup. Rich Posipanko and Winthrop University put on this showcase tournament every spring.

This shot was from the first game between Winthrop and Furman.

Five games between 10:45 and about 3 PM, great quality of play even though many teams have a tough time fielding players in the spring. The weather also cooperated with a bright, sunny day. I also had the opportunity to see Clemson’s new uniforms. What a great color in bright sunlight!

After finishing five games I rushed home to get downtown for the Presbyterian Criterium. I had never been to a bicycle race before so this was a first. Also tired after the soccer games so I just brought my Canon 1DX and my 70-200, 2.8. Of course, I now know that a 24-70, 2.8 would have been great, but who new, this was for fun. I don’t wish this on the riders, but a wreck would have been fun to shoot. The women were first:

And then the men

To be honest, after you have seen a few laps, not that interesting….oh well. But happy with the pics for just playing!

Three days later, it was get in the car after work on Tuesday and start the drive to Live Oak, Florida for the Wanee Music Festival. Headliners were The Allman Brothers Band and Widespread Panic. Arrived on Wednesday after a 500 plus mile drive and learned that the hotel, the “festival hotel” was 30 miles away from the festival….brilliant! But the music was great!

Devon Allman and the Royal Southern Brotherhood played Thursday night and out came his dad Greg Allman, very cool. Later it was the Greyboy Allstars, Robert Walters below:

Although Thursday was a long day, the first big one was Friday. Rain was supposed to come on Saturday, but oops, there it was on Friday with the opening of the larger Peach Stage. Widespread Panic was great, to me, better than the Allman Brothers:

THE RAIN!

The Allman Brothers Band

Saturday evening was going to be the same as Friday, but interestingly the rain never came, sunny skies but chilly. I had never seen Michael Franti and Spearhead. I have shot soccer games that did not have this much action! His involvement with the crowd, the movement, absolutely amazing show, to me the highlight of Wanee!

So 520 miles back to Charlotte, all pics posted and editing done. Time for a little R & R before the next one, a few more favorites below:

Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival

Steven — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 02:16:31 +0000

Returned from Bear Creek on Monday and by Thursday was in the OR having back surgery….oh well. In spite of back pain it was a great festival with great results. I set up remote cameras on two different stages. This shot of Umphrey’s McGee with a Canon 5D Mark III, 14 mm lens, 1/160, f4, ISO 6400.

Or this shot with a Canon 5D Mark III an 8-15 fisheye set at f 4.5, 1/160, ISO 6400.

The overall festival was great! Great vibe, great location, great music. Many good pictures. Would have been better without the back problems, but next time.

American Idol?!?!?!

Steven — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 22:13:38 +0000

Well, after shooting multiple festivals, etc I end up shooting last years winner of American Idol, Phillip Phillips! Seems like a nice guy, but most importantly, and in spite of the screaming young girls, he is actually really good!

Ooops, that wasn’t Phillip, well could have been, we would never know, Phillip below!

I can breath again!!!

Steven — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 01:32:54 +0000

The last ten days have been crazy. Started with the rush to Jomeokee on Friday evening. Brand new festival, what a great time!

Jimmy Herring, not only an unbelievable guitar players, but a try gentleman.

Steven Marley, great show, great sound!

Other performers included Del McCoury, 73 years young, Yonder both nights and of course Lettuce, jazzfunk at it’s best!

Pictures processed, sent to jambase. Then Ahrnes, Georgia for Galactic. First effort with remotes at a concert. Worked OK and a lot learned.

Now back to soccer, Winthrop Tuesday night! Head still spinning.

Charlotte men’s soccer wins again!

Steven — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 16:44:06 +0000

The Charlotte 49erss did it again at Transamerica Field on Wednesday night! A 3-2 victory in a hard fought game against the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. Charlotte played well but the Gamecocks goal keeper Alex Long kept coming up big. Including an amazing kick save with his right foot.

As they have done in the past, the 49ers won in overtime. Seems like a recurring theme. However, from my perspective, where they do the best is with work rate. I have yet to see a team either this or last season that has put in a bigger effort. That will help them go far!

Now, tonight, Jomeokee!

Busy, busy, busy

Steven — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:35:56 +0000

The last few weeks have been crazy! Drive by Truckers at the Georgia Theatre. Never heard them before that night, a great band. So crowded, it was hard to shoot. Learned something about the theatre. If it is sold out ++ get to the front of the stage early. Thankfully Tom Lewis and David Barbe gave me access to stage right where I got this shot.

Charlotte vs Coastal Carolina, two top 20 teams. Tough contest with a red card to Coastal Carolina in the first half. No score after regulation with Charlotte winning 1-0 in overtime. Coastal Carolina now ranked number 5 in the nation.

And the Darkstar Jubilee at Buckeye Lake in Ohio. Donna Jean Godchaux, Dark Star Orchestra, etc. Marred by rain, but the DSO show on Saturday night was like being back in the day! Donna Jean and Lisa Mackey together on the stage. Jeff Mattson has mastered the Jerry role.

Tomorrow night it’s back to Transamerica Field for the Charlotte 49ers vs the USC Gamecocks. The following night, Pilot Mountain and Jomeokee! That will be a shoot for Jambase. The following week, the Georgia Theatre and Galactic…..excited!!!

Winthrop vs UNC Greensboro

Steven — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:51:55 +0000

Its always fun to shoot a tight soccer game. Even better when overcast sky gives you great light. That was the case last night at Eagles Field in Rock Hill. Coach Posipanko has his Eagles well prepared for the upcoming season. In addition to a high level of skill, the work rate and challenges for 50-50 balls are great. A fun team to watch with a bright future for the season.

Back to soccer

Steven — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 00:18:31 +0000

Spring and summer have found me shooting concerts with more to come. But soccer season is finally upon us….thank god. Back to Winthrop University last night to shoot the Eagles against defending national champions UNC. Winthrop still has players that must go through the NCAA clearing house before they take the field. But in spite of this, the game was close with UNC winning 1-0. Of course August in North Carolina would not be complete without torrential rains that came during the first half. Good to be back on the soccer field!

Cosmic Charlie

Steven — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 00:45:25 +0000

Jerry Garcia’s birthday is August 1st. If he were still alive he would be 70 years old. Of course August 9, 1995 will be remembered when the lives of dead heads changed. Jerry died that day. Members of the dead continue to tour, dead cover bands are everywhere. With that in mind, I spoke to Jam Base friend Chad Dickens and he hooked me up to shoot the dead cover band Cosmic Charlie at the Georgia Theatre. Great band, great setting, great time!

Lessons from The All Good Music Festival

Steven — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 00:38:25 +0000

When shooting a rock festival and this many bands, there is a lot of editing. Meaning about 7000 images, 130 GB of disc space…ouch!

The Allman Brothers may be a different band, but they still rock! Add Roosevelt Collier to Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks and you have a hell of a sound.

Greg Allman looks amazingly well for a guy who has had his recent medical issues (a liver transplant in June, 2010).