Through the Lens: Basketballs to diamonds, Helen Comer's featured photos from March 2022
They say March comes in like a lion. I say it comes in like a bouncing orange ball and leaves with diamonds.
Of course, I am referring to baseball and softball diamonds.
I spent most of March working on the edge of basketball courts, trying to dodge players, balls, even referees.
At least two weeks of that time is spent in the Glasshouse. If you are new to Murfreesboro, the Glasshouse refers to Murphy Center, the on-campus location of MTSU’s basketball court in the Monte Hall Arena. The home of the TSSAA BlueCross Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball State Championships.
Teams from all around Tennessee gathered this year for 10 full days of basketball, spread out over the first two full weeks of March. An extra day was added this year due to the addition of the new 4A classification in high school sports.
In college basketball, with the Lady Raiders progressing to the WNIT semifinals and playing three of these games at home, I got to spend a little extra time there this season.
One might think that is a lot of basketball to cover, and they would be right.
However, every game is a challenge to create the most interesting and telling images to document moments for players, coaches, fans and even those that aren’t interested in sports.
When people find out I'm a photographer, they often ask: What makes a good photo? My answer is always emotion.
A good photograph should show emotion from the people in the image, as well as spark emotion or connection to the photo from the person viewing the picture. When you see that you know you have a keeper.
My definition of a team also extends beyond the 10 players on the court. A team also includes coaches, benchwarmers, managers, cheerleaders and even fans. All these people play their parts, adding motivation, energy and excitement to games.
Without this emotion, it might as well be a pick-up game at the local gym.
Although I shot a lot of basketball in March, I got to squeeze in a few other assignments. I documented the Rutherford County Schools’ Special Needs Prom and the start of baseball and softball seasons.
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: From basketballs to diamonds: Featured March 2022 photos