Camera: NIKON D3S

Shutter: 1/800 s

Aperture: f/5

Exposure Setting: Manual (Pattern Metering)

ISO: 160

Strobe Flash: Through The Lens (TTL) Fill Flash

Lens Focal Length: 17 mm

White Balance: Auto

Shooter's Comments:

It was a great turnout at H.O.P.E for Animals for the arrival of the Stanley Cup. It was sunny and bright and they had everything under giant white tents, which makes exposure a tricky thing. I usually try and find the light but I knew I needed the shots, so I went to the car and got my flash out. The dreaded five letter word - flash. It was a necessity today.

From going "indoors" (under the tent), to outdoors I didn't want to have to worry about using my flash in manual mode since I was bouncing back and forth rapidly between both. I set the flash to TTL and underexposed it using exposure compensation. I enabled the high-speed sync option so even in the bright sun, I could use my flash. That way everything remained consistent and when I went back indoors, I just opened up my shutter to let more ambient light in.

This was my first assignment where I had to fight my way through the crowd and other media. I was polite. You need the shots, we have a job to do and I wouldn't be very good if I didn't come back with "the shot."

I made my way through the huddle of people to the car where the cup was being unloaded and got low to try and clean up the background. As the cup came out, Rob Laird hoisted it up as people watched. Once I thought I had enough, I turned around and shot this reaction photo. Sometimes we forget to turn around. I've been making it a point to do it more and more. I love the excitement of the people watching. It makes a strong secondary photo accompanying the shot of the cup.

- Swikar Patel, Photojournalist