Assassination City Roller Derby

Downtown Showdown

Fair Park Coliseum - Dallas, TX

Brian Ullrich of f-stopme photography contacted me about Shooting this event as the guests of Mickey Mayhem of Viva La Revolution.  It was certainly a pleasure to hook back up with Brian and catch up on each other.  Haven't really seen him since High School.  I also had the pleasure of meeting his son Nick, who was also shooting the bouts. A great kid with a really great eye for composition.

This nights action packed line-up featured in Bout 1 - Deadly Kennedys vs. Lone Star Assassins, and in Bout 2 - Bombshell Brigade vs. Viva La Revolucion.  I was so inthralled by the action, I didn't remember to make note of the final scores.  BB did win their bout handily over LR.  I   LOVE  THIS  SPORT!  Oh  - almost forgot, when the Bombshell Brigade were announced, as they made their entry lap, they threw dog tags out to the crowd.  Guess which photographer caught one?

The halftime show featured music by Local Dallas band - THe BAcksliders.  If you get a chance, please check them out - they really rocked the house!

Shooting a fast moving event in less than ideal lighting conditions presents several issues.  I tested several settings and set ups till I found one I was reasonably happy with.  I hope you agree.  I have since communicated with several derby shooters and have received various tips on how to eek out better quality.  I want to particularly thank Bill from Austin for his brain dump of C&C and tips and suggestions. I think he said that he covers 3 leagues down there. Check out his Flickr, he gets some amazing captures. The photography community is typically a very creative and helpful species.  I have helped a ton of people better their skills, and I have been helped by a ton of people.


There is another match coming up on June 23rd.  Hopefully I am going to be able to make it.  See you there?

Showing the space that is the Fair Park Colliseum.

Trigger Mortis giving Small Block the cold sholder!

The Dixie Witch contemplating mayhem!

The mayhem.



Gloria Vanderbitch of the Bombshell Brigade giving me an
over the sholder pose.



Viva La Rev.

Dirty Mouth Dell apparently lending Dimentia 13
a helping hand.



Red Hot Rage stacking up the points. 
This was my favorite shot of the evening as I was allowed to shoot from the infield for a few minutes.  And yes, I was given the full rundown of safety precautions.  The things that stuck in my head was that the ref's do not watch where they are skating, they are watching the action.  They will run you down.  You will get hurt if this happens.  I was VERY watchful of the ref's!  lol!



This one made me smile.  Love the socks!

Brian and Nick Ullrich with Mr. and Mrs. Mayhem.

Glowing Orbs of Fire... Spinning burning steel wool.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE - if you are looking for a tutorial on how to do this, please Google "spinning burning steel wool".  Please read all that you can and follow all of the safety rules and precautions. 


     Last night Todd and I went out for an experimental foray, to spin burning steel wool and capture it on 'film'.  The plan was to go to one of our lake locations and spin over the water.  This would accomplish several points; to catch the reflections from the sparks in the water and to have a safety zone for the sparks to fall.  Water would be good for that.  Well, plans are made to be spoiled.  We last minute changed lake locations due to timing with sunset.  Unfortunately, the area we wound up in was a little too populated, and we had gotten 'Rick rolled' by the park rangers.  Not too defeated, as we got some cool sunset shots.

     With no real previous thought as to a plan B, other than a left handed comment from the initial planning stages 2 weeks ago, we decided to go to out favorite abandoned grain mill silo complex.  This turned out the be a stellar idea as the process of the spinning sparks blended well with the grungy abandoned sites we visited.

     So without further ado, here is my first attempt at spinning burning steel wool.  Please feel free to comment below about this set if you wish.  I always enjoy peoples reactions to my work.

This shot was the second attempt.  I liked the way the sparks flew off of the orb.

With this attempt, I purposely spun a little harder.  I almost hit Todd's camera.

This one we played around a little with alternate lighting.  The red gelled lights in the fan coverings in image right and a blue and purple gelled light in the huge fan shroud in image left.

The next set is a different location, about a quarter mile from the images above.  I love the concrete pilasters.

Something a little different.  I walked the spinning rig.  This kinda reminds me of a theatrical stage.

I really had a blast with this.  I hope you enjoyed looking at these as much as I enjoyed shooting them.  And please, share your thoughts in the comment section below.  Thank you and now off to bed!