Walking into Hard Rock Stadium prior to the game felt different from other games. Maybe it was the Sunday Night Football vibe with their makeshift set sitting on the sidelines waiting for Mike Tirico, Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth to occupy. Or it could be the number of fans dressed in black and as pirates waiting for the team to run onto the field for warmups so they can cheer passionately. Either way, there is no better way to end a Sunday than with a game featuring the Dolphins vs Raiders.
The different feel continued when I stepped onto the field to photograph the Dolphins’ player entrances and the skies just opened up and dropped a copious amount of rain onto the field. As other photographers ran for shelter, I took a knee and wrapped my camera in my poncho and proceeded to press the shutter capturing the entrances. The way the smoke, rain and fire mixed was pretty amazing to see. It reminded me of a movie or a music video with all the theatrical production elements to it.
The game itself was exciting. Action up and down the field from both teams and as a photographer that is what you look for. You want the ability to capture the game with all the action. It was chaotic along the sidelines with the NBC crews with the camera rigs all over the place. Trying to squeeze in here and there to grab photos was a bit of a challenge, but when is anything ever easy.
The Miami Dolphins communications department handed us letters prior to the game mentioning the halftime show featuring DJ Irie who would be spinning a set with fireworks and laser light shows. I stuck around to watch it and it was awesome. Fireworks blasting up through the open roof while multi-colored lasers danced among the seats while smoke filled the stadium gave the performance a rock concert appeal.
Below are photos from the game. More can be found on my Instagram page
