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| Julie Andrews, from the movie "The Sound of Music" (1965) |
A new location or a well known location, everything about arriving or even driving there excites me. I know 75% what I'm up to and I'm mildly nervous about the upcoming three hours. I'm looking forward to meet friends and to make new ones. I can't wait for an after bout beer and sometimes I buy some merch and/or donate a few bucks to organisations like the St. Baldrick's Foundation to conquer childhood cancer.
Usually I arrive as early as possible. For most events that is one hour before the bout, right when the doors are opening. I'm looking for a place where I can leave my gear, maybe locking it to a set of wall bars.
First thing (when the lights are on) is to set the white balance and make one or two shots with the colour reference card. Then making some test pictures when the teams are warming up on the track, maybe some shots of Derby people and taking group pictures of the refs and the NSO team.
The People
Derby people are best people. If you look around at an event you see a skaters family with homemade posters, the wolf pack (aka close friends) with some embarrassing DIY posters or toys, some fellow skaters from other leagues and Derby newbies.
Be prepared, there might even be a hilarious mascot or some male cheerleaders (Vienna Fearleaders).
You will meet people in all shapes, colours and sizes because Derby people accept you, no matter who you are or who you want to be. Not everyone, not every time even Roller Derby is not Shangri La. But I experienced it many times that Derby is giving a "home" to people that aren't accepted elsewhere.
The first time I met people who follow the "Derby Circus" I was a little concerned about all the tattoos and body modifications. But now I can honestly say that I know more idiots in a suit than ones with tattoos/mods.
Relax, be open minded, talk to each other and have fun!
Derby people are best people. If you look around at an event you see a skaters family with homemade posters, the wolf pack (aka close friends) with some embarrassing DIY posters or toys, some fellow skaters from other leagues and Derby newbies. Be prepared, there might even be a hilarious mascot or some male cheerleaders (Vienna Fearleaders).
You will meet people in all shapes, colours and sizes because Derby people accept you, no matter who you are or who you want to be. Not everyone, not every time even Roller Derby is not Shangri La. But I experienced it many times that Derby is giving a "home" to people that aren't accepted elsewhere.
The first time I met people who follow the "Derby Circus" I was a little concerned about all the tattoos and body modifications. But now I can honestly say that I know more idiots in a suit than ones with tattoos/mods. Relax, be open minded, talk to each other and have fun!
At a game last year there was a group of refugees (FreedomSkaters) including family and friends attending the bout. They all seemed to like it considering the amounts of selfies that were taken. ;)
Derby Love to the Karlsruhe RocKArollers for that support. Please check the Freedom Skaters FB page and maybe leave a "Like"?
Derby Love to the Karlsruhe RocKArollers for that support. Please check the Freedom Skaters FB page and maybe leave a "Like"? 