Fun in the Sun: Beach Volleyball Photos

By Brent Mullins
Outsports.com

Kodachrome
They give us those nice bright colors
They give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world's a sunny day, Oh yeah
I got a Nikon camera
I love to take a photograph

So mama don't take my Kodachrome away 

When I got a chance to shoot the Manhattan Beach and Huntington Beach AVP Volleyball Championships two weekends in a row this summer, it was a Kodachrome moment. 

Walking down along the beach to the pier… a brilliant blue sky, the green palm trees of summer, the hot sand, and even hotter guys doing what they do best.  Twist…turn…jump…serve…spike…dig…and yes, sweat.  Rivers of sweat pouring down their bodies, causing the sand to cling to them like they were cookies rolled in sugar. 

Speed.  Blinding, unbelievable speed—the ball whizzing past with bullet-like velocity and marksmen-like aim.  Contorting, flinging their bodies, making moves that you would need a super slo-mo machine to truly appreciate.   

Enthusiasm.  Determination.  Yelling out calls to their teammate, coordinating an attack, preparing a defense.  Oblivious to the heat, game after game, match after match.  All hoping to make it to the Championship Game, in the stadium, on national TV. 

The sand hosed down in a futile attempt to reduce the temperature on the players' bare feet. The MC coordinating cheers and introducing guests. The USC football team induced into [it didn’t take much!] going shirtless for a muscle show-down.  The ubiquitous thundersticks actually being drowned out by the wildly supportive, roaring fans.   A referee pulling rank so he can be on the TV side of the court.  Tanned bodies of the locals pushing their favorites to spectacular plays.  Boys and girls rushing to put up the umbrellas for the players during breaks.   

A TV cameraman asked me when I thought the match would be over.  “Never--I hope!”  I grinned, he laughed. 

The winners hoist the trophy over their heads, doing a 360 for the chanting crowd.  One thanked them for their support, then said he had to run and go pee.  That reminded me—I had been so caught up in the milieu, I hadn’t taken a break either.  I didn’t want to miss one Kodachrome moment.  With my Nikon camera. 

Wherever you are in the world, I hope you get a feel for what it was like to be there…. 

Makes you think all the world’s a sunny day, oh yeah!

All photos by Brent Mullins

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