I admit it. As one Boulderite to another, I am addicted. The rapidity of the addiction is scary, and I caution all of you! Beware of the addictive Lady Buffs’ Basketball! After only ONE game, against UCLA, I have already gotten tickets for tomorrow, Sunday’s game. PAC 12 USC is visiting, hopefully for the lessons that our BUFFS are happy to teach them! There are many reasons for my sudden addiction, including discovering that I enjoy the superstar women’s play more than the men’s basketball games. I like the skill, the heart, the speed, and the vibes. I like the length of the quarters and the pace of the game. BOOM! I leave wanting more, not being glad it is finally time to go.

I do not have a white CU sweatshirt. I have not worried about “fitting in” for decades, and if my choice of dress was unusual, if it made me happy it was and is fine. BUT last night I found that I WANTED to be a Buff, including the proper attire. Buff official attire is of course available from the Buff Store and elsewhere. For tomorrow I’ll either break open my piggy bank and arrive early to buy a proper fan uniform, or I’ll at least find something white for a shirt. Even 45 years in criminal courtrooms did not leave me with a white shirt. I ALWAYS found more fun colors than white. I might have a white tuxedo shirt! That could be fun <G> My misplaced ego and out of control confidence would do just fine wearing a white tux shirt along with the cuff links (I make my own) and the studs (I am my own).

I learned today (happy ending) that if one buys their Lady Buff tickets from the university ticket site, they are $10 each. BUT if one is not careful, I did see prices up to $40+ per seat. While the game might be worth $80 for two, trust me. It is more fun for $23 for two.

Without press credentials (which are in the works) fans are not allowed to bring cameras to the games. Not only do I respect the rules of the host, I also certainly could not use even a phone photo for an AboutBoulder blog. Respect! And patience until I get proper credentials and can take real pictures with a proper camera for basketball. I have a ways to go. I’ve tried shooting basketball pictures since high school. With about zero success. My hope and fantasy is that with my current equipment and with my theoretically enhanced photo skills, and with my Photographer Of The Year award from AboutBoulder, and with a proper press pass/photo permission and access, I’ll have my own photos to post as the Buffs go through the season. I am thinking that if I take photos from ON the court, riding a bike, I will have unique results.

In the meantime, my best advice is GO TO THE GAME and see it live, with pictures being taken by the pros who can’t just watch and enjoy the game. Did you ever see an official photographer cheering? Or expressing dissatisfaction with the officiating? A few thousand people chanting “BULL****” in unison is truly inspiring <G>

Awaiting the proper press pass credentials and permission, I feel like a youngster with training wheels. At least I’m a youngster with training wheels seeing a great basketball game. But truthfully I do love taking pictures. And I do know more about how to do that than I did in 1967 when I got pretty bad results. To say those early basketball pics sucked is being polite. Lighting is tricky in color and in brightness. The action is fast, flashes are not used, and I don’t have a Canon that goes to 100,000 ISO (VERY sensitive chip for low light and fast shutter speeds). The good news is that the “film and developing” is basically free.

I shutter to think what I’ll come up with when I have proper credentials and equipment. THEN I’m only lacking excuses for bad pictures!

One of my favorite photo secrets is to push the shutter a LOT! Something is bound to work. And then it is not an accident, just merely part of the photo plan.

GO BUFFS!!!

May the wind be over your port bow and may your sunscreen be thick.

 

Leonard Frieling
  • Senior Counsel Emeritus to the Boulder Law firm Dolan + Zimmerman LLP : (720)-610-0951
  • Former Judge
  • Photographer of the Year, AboutBoulder 2023
  • First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
  • Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
  • Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
  • NORML Distinguished Counsel Circle
  • Life Member, NORML Legal Committee
  • Life Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
  • Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML
  • Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
  • Media work, including episodes of Fox’s Power of Attorney, well in excess of many hundreds media interviews, appearances, articles, and podcasts, including co-hosting Time For Hemp for two years.
  • Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
  • LEAP Speaker, multi-published author, University lectures Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels.
  • http://www.Lfrieling.com
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