Hoop Dreams

Roka

Hoop Dreams

I was taking some evening shots in an empty playground today when this kid came along and scrambled up and sat in this basketball hoop. The sun was just about to set and the moon hung in the southern sky – which was hazy and pink from the forest fire south of us. He seemed a bit surprised by how it felt to be up there and said he was going to go up there more often.

Eugene, Oregon

Challenge Winner – Good News Group – Best Candid Shot

Featured in Out of the Blue
and
_Good News Group

and
Cee’s Fun Artsy Friends
and
Once in a Blue Moon
and
Colors of the Rainbow – Blue

Published by Roger Ebert in his Chicago Sun Times Blog 10/5/09

Featured as Photo of the Week in JPG Magazine – December 9, 2009.

Hoop Dreams belongs to the following groups:

! 100% !, "Real" Life Photography (2 per day), All Oregon USA, All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Americas ~ Rural, Urban, Wild, Free, Backyard Photography (NO MACROS, DOGS, CATS, INSECTS, SKYSCAPES), Bits and Pieces , Cee's Fun Artsy Friends (no holidays cards or snapshots please), Creative, Talented, and Unknown, Everyday Life, Featured Features - For Featured Art, Photography, T-Shirts, Writing, Feminine Intent (LIMIT TWO IMAGES PER DAY), First Things, Friends of RedBubble, Good News Group - Sharing & Caring, Human and Nature, Live and Let Live, Live, Love, Dream: , Mood & Ambience - Strictly Photos, Out of the Blue (75%+ Blue), Pacific Northwest , PEACE, LOVE & TRANQUILITY, Personal Meaning Photography, Photography Fun, Purple Passion Gallery. 2 per day , Shoot The Moon, Sports Photography, The Woman Photographer **7 Submissions a week only please**, Tuesday Afternoon, Unconventional Artistry - 3 per day and Who are YOU to Judge? Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints and Framed Prints

Hoop Dreams by Roka
Hoop Dreams by Roka
  • poupoune

    poupoune

    Absolutely stunning!!!
    Love the composition and light!!!

  • Roka replied

    Thanks, my friend! Happy you like it!

  • Trudi's Images

    Trudi's Images

    Amazing lighting and mood Roka and you have captured it perfectly

  • Roka replied

    Aaw… thanks Trudi. So glad you like it! Cheers!

  • Tara  Turner

    Tara Turner

    an amazing capture!!!!

  • Roka replied

    Thanks, Tara… In the right moment at the right time.

  • Martina Fagan

    Martina Fagan

    A lovely capture

  • Roka replied

    Thank you, Martina! So glad you like it!

  • liamcarroll

    liamcarroll

    love that , fantastic shot

  • Roka replied

    Thanks, Liam. Happy you like it! Thanks for visiting.

  • autumnwind

    autumnwind

    Wow Roka!!! This is fabulous!!! xoxoxo

  • Roka replied

    Aaw… thanks, Shar! You know I always love your sweet comments.
    xoxo

  • Debbie Sandersfeld

    Debbie Sanders...

    Thank you for submitting this great work to our All Oregon Group, your support makes OUR group evolve into new areas & your hosts very happy.

  • Roka replied

    Thank you, Debbie.

  • NikonJohn

    NikonJohn

    Wow, nice moment!

  • Roka replied

    Yes… it was. So glad I was there with camera in hand!
    Thanks so much for you comment. And thanks for visiting.

  • Rebecca Cozart

    Rebecca Cozart

    Super cool…right place right time.

  • Roka replied

    Thanks, Rebecca. Yes… very lucky day! Cheers!

  • x- pose Klaus Wanjek
  • Roka replied

    Thank you!

  • vadim19

    vadim19

    Awesome!

  • Roka replied

    Thank you so much!

  • jacqleen

    jacqleen

    AWEsomeeeeeeeeeeeee…..Love this!

  • Roka replied

    Wow… thank you! Thanks for visiting!

  • -Lilith-

    -Lilith-

    WONDERFUL!

  • Roka replied

    Aaawww… thanks so much!

  • Tenee Attoh

    Tenee Attoh

    Such a strong feeling from this image

  • Roka replied

    Thank you so much… I really love this picture, too.

  • Bryan Freeman

    Bryan Freeman

    Awesome capture.

  • Roka replied

    Thanks, Bryan! Glad you like it!

  • vampvamp

    vampvamp

    how unusual & well done!

  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much! So happy you like it! A wonderful moment when I downloaded it!

  • sonjas

    sonjas

    Great work. Well done.

  • Roka replied

    Thanks! I appreciate your sweet comments.

  • Megan Martin

    Megan Martin

    WOW! Guess you couldn’t have planned it any better yourself! Fantastic capture…totally the right place right time! =) Stunning!

  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much! Yes… I was sooo lucky!

  • reindeer

    reindeer

    This is so original!!! Grand capture.

  • Roka replied

    Thank you so much! Right moment – right time!

  • birdS

    birdS

    what a little dreamer. wonderful moment

  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much! He was a bit of a dreamer, I think.

  • Karen  Betts

    Karen Betts

    Stunning, you were in the right time and place. A fav.
    glad he did this as he will see the world differently.

  • Roka replied

    Thanks, Karen. I think he is glad that he did this. He kind of when into a zone when he up there… right about the time I shot this picture. I have many others – he was laughing and talking to his friend and me, but he seemed to go inside himself a bit about the time I snapped this one. Then he quietly said that he was going to do this more often.

  • lozzar

    lozzar

    Wonderful silhouette and character capture. Well done Roka.

  • Roka replied

    Thanks, Lorraine. So happy you like it.

  • tego53

    tego53

    That’s just a great shot!

  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much! Glad you like it!

  • Kaitlyn McLaughlin
  • Roka replied

    Thank you, Kaitlyn! Happy you like it! Cheers!

  • Nvision Ink

    Nvision Ink

    wow this is awesome nice capture!!:)

  • Roka replied

    Thank you so much! I’m so happy you like it. I was very lucky to be there with my camera!

  • rodeorose

    rodeorose

    I love this so much. Great image and nice story.

  • Roka replied

    Thank you so much! It was one of those “moments in time”. I love it, too!!! Thanks for visiting.

  • camera

    camera

    viewed in ‘real’ a great image and a powerful shot..you would have to be happy with that!

  • Roka replied

    Oh…yes… I’m thrilled with it. Thanks so much!

  • Susie Peek-Swint

    Susie Peek-Swint

    Terrific image ~ this should be sold to a sports company ~ good luck with it! susie

  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much! I do love it, too. It was quite a moment in time!

  • michalfanta

    michalfanta

    Perfect!

  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much! Glad you like it!

  • RachelJayne

    RachelJayne

    Great capture!

  • Roka replied

    Thanks, Rachel! So happy you like it!

  • Clare Colins

    Clare Colins

    You have my vote. this is a wonderful capture. Well done!

  • Roka replied

    Thank you, Clare! I’m so happy you like it. I appreciate your sweet comment.

  • Amy-lee Foley

    Amy-lee Foley

    wow this is awesome! perfect shot :o)

  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much! Glad you like it!

  • macro magnon

    macro magnon

    Splendid capture !

  • Roka replied

    Thank you! Glad you like it! Cheers!

  • lorilee

    lorilee

    WONDERFUL!!!!

  • Roka replied

    Thanks, Lorilee! I appreciate your support! Happy you like it!

  • Cee Neuner

    Cee Neuner

    Awesome capture. Perfect!

  • Roka replied

    Thank you, my friend. It was an awesome moment in time. Happy you like it!

  • Naveen Sharma

    Naveen Sharma

    fantastic shot….

  • Roka replied

    Thanks, Naveen. So happy you like it it. Thanks for visiting!

  • Jeff  Burns

    Jeff Burns

    Fantastic

  • Roka replied

    Thank you, Jeff. Glad you like it! Cheers!

  • trueblvr

    trueblvr

    Totally amazing. Up there closer to God…...This is prize winning, and I mean big other than bubble…. should be in a magazine. He is very at one with the hoop

  • Roka replied

    Wow… thanks so much! What a sweet compliment. I would love to submit it somewhere, but I don’t have a release. I tried to make him unrecognizable…. but the more I do that, the less appealing the photo is. Thanks!!!

  • aussiedi

    aussiedi

    This is a stunning capture Roka, well done.
    Di

  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much, Di. I was very lucky that day. Glad you like it!

  • Jane Brack

    Jane Brack

    Wow! What an amazing capture.

  • Roka replied

    Thank you, Jane! So glad you like it! Thanks for visiting!

  • Molly O'Bryon-Welpott

    Molly O'Bryon-...

    One of those images that you could have planned it any beter! A fav for me, he would probably LOVE to see it. Hope you go back and take more its AWESOME!

  • Roka replied

    Aaaww… thanks, Molly. I do hope I find him. Hope his parents don’t get mad at him for climbing up there! I was so lucky!

  • Jean M. Laffitau

    Jean M. Laffitau

    What a GREAT capture!!

  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much, Jean.. Glad you like it! I was very lucky to be there at the right time with camera in hand.

  • kathy s gillentine

    kathy s gillen...

    excellent capture

  • Roka replied

    Thanks! Happy you like it!

  • Blair Wainman

    Blair Wainman

    What an awesome image!! You were so fortunate to capture everything you did in this one…lighting angle and composition are all spot on!!

  • Roka replied

    aaaw… thanks so much, Blair! Soooo happy you like it. It is certainly one of my favorite shots.

  • Jan Timmons

    Jan Timmons

    Wonderful scene and lighting on his face and in the sky!
    This is beautifully exhilarating! You surely must submit to a gallery, Roka.

  • Roka replied

    Thank so much, Jan. I would love to, but I have to find him first! I was so fortunate to be there at the moment in time. Happy you like it. Your support is always waaaay more than welcome, my friend!

  • Deborah Parkin

    Deborah Parkin

    so beautiful – so serene and peaceful.

  • Roka replied

    Thanks, Deborah! Happy you like it! Cheers!

  • StarKatz

    StarKatz

    Fantastic! instant fav!

  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much! Glad you like it! Thanks for favoriting it as well.
    Cheers!

  • Auntymazza

    Auntymazza

    This is fantastic, what a great capture of a young soul looking at life

  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much! I do love this shot. Glad you do, too.

  • Barbara  Brown

    Barbara Brown

    Cool shot!

  • Roka replied

    Thanks, Barbara. One of my own faves.

  • Lewis Packman

    Lewis Packman

    Definitely one of my favourite photos on red bubble.

  • Roka replied

    Wow… Thank you, Lewis! I really appreciate your support and sweet comments. One of my faves, too! Thanks for visiting!

  • pat gamwell

    pat gamwell

    WTG! You got MY vote! Congrats!

  • Roka replied

    Wow! Thanks so much Pat. Happy you like it. I kinda like it myself…LOL.

  • Roka replied

    Another Wow… Hadn’t realized I won until now. WooHoo!

  • Jenni Atkins-Stair
  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much, Jenni. I am so honored! WooHoo!

  • luis ferreiro

    luis ferreiro

    Awesome capture, right place at the right time…...

  • Roka replied

    Thank you, Luis! So happy you like it. Yes… it was a lucky moment to have my camera with me.

  • nadine henley

    nadine henley

    congratulations on this stunning shot, roka! and all the well-deserved accolades

  • Roka replied

    Sweet..Nadine. Thanks so much! I really appreciate your support!!!

  • Cee Neuner

    Cee Neuner

    Congratulations!!! You have been featured in Cee’s Fun Artsy Friends Group

    Cee and Chris

  • Roka replied

    Thanks, Cee! What an honor!!!!

  • ellcot

    ellcot

    Wonderful capture!!!!!!! Glad it got featured so I could discover it! Congrats!!!

  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much! What a nice surprise that was! Glad you like it!

  • RRoca

    RRoca

    Fantastic capture!!!! Congratulations on your featureS!

  • Roka replied

    Thank you so much! So happy you like it! I’m thrilled about the feature! OH… I like your name!

  • PapasGirl

    PapasGirl

    great capture..

  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much! Happy you like it!

  • starikarp

    starikarp

    good creativity!

  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much! Glad you like it!

  • Georgie Hart

    Georgie Hart

    How extraordinary! This shot is just brilliant!

  • Roka replied

    thank you so much, georgie! i’m very happy about it! glad you like it!!!

  • TaniaLosada

    TaniaLosada

    absolutely marvellous! it has the “wow” factor!!!

  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much. I was extremely lucky that day.

  • Bruce Miller

    Bruce Miller

    How unusual! Good capture

  • Roka replied

    Thank you, Bruce. So happy you like it!

  • laureenr
  • Roka replied

    Cool! Thanks so much! It’s an honor!

  • annadavies

    annadavies

    WOW !! This says so many many man things when you look at it. Congratulations on a perfect shot. (and on the feature too) – An x

  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much Anna. I do love this image. Glad you do, too.

  • Deborah Eckroat

    Deborah Eckroat

    Wow – talk about being in the right place at the right time! This is fantastic, his expression is amazing. Good for you!

  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much, Deborah. It really was somewhat serendipitous. Glad you like it!

  • Evita

    Evita

    ♥ Beautiful image !!!Congratulations on your feature !! :D

  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much, Evita. So glad you like it! Cheers!

  • Taylor Sawyer

    Taylor Sawyer


    Congrats on your feature! You are now invited to enter
    this piece into Best of BLUE

  • Roka replied

    WooHoo! Thanks so much. What a no honor!

  • rubyjo

    rubyjo

    too cool, i love the feel of this image

  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much. (I love the feel of it, too). Thanks for visiting! Cheers!

  • gabbielizzie

    gabbielizzie

    congratulations on your feature

  • Roka replied

    Thanks! What a nice surprise it was!. Thanks for visiting.

  • Mari1980

    Mari1980

    STUNNING IMAGE…. STUNNING!!!!

    - mari

  • Roka replied

    WoW! Thanks so much, Mari. So happy you like it!

  • juellie

    juellie

    What a great shot! It’s amazing!!

  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much! So glad you like it.

  • Kevin McGeeney

    Kevin McGeeney

    I could jump this high in high school, but long ago lost my “hops” :) great shot and image!

  • Roka replied

    Ha… thanks so much, Kevin. I was thrilled when it presented itself to me.

  • maxy

    maxy

    WOW – he jumped pretty high I see!!! This is so unique! I love it! Congratulations on your feature – this is excellent and so well deserved! xoxo!

  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much, Maxy. I’m thrilled with it. Glad you like it!

  • BigD

    BigD

    Wow, awesome

  • Roka replied

    Thanks! Lucky me to have been in the right place and the right time WITH my camera!

  • Munggo

    Munggo

    Excellent shot.

  • Roka replied

    Wow.. thanks so much. Glad you like it!

  • Rosej

    Rosej

    What an amazing photo – completely love it.

  • Roka replied

    Thanks so much! So happy you like it!

  • collectivebydeb

    collectivebydeb 29 days ago

    such an engaging image Roka – love the comp & the natural light – instant fav :)

  • Roka replied 29 days ago

    Thanks so much for your sweet comments. Happy you like it!

  • mekea

    mekea 28 days ago

    Love everything about this photo! Lighting is beautiful!! Great shot!

  • Roka replied 28 days ago

    Thanks so much! It was an amazing moment. Cheers!

  • Alex Preiss

    Alex Preiss 26 days ago

    Excellent photo and concept!

  • Roka replied 25 days ago

    Thanks so much! Happy you like it! It was an amazing moment.

  • eelsblueEllen

    eelsblueEllen 24 days ago

    So wonderfully peaceful yet powerfully aspirational! :)

  • Roka replied 24 days ago

    Thank you so much. It was a powerful moment. Cheers!

  • Joanne  Bradley

    Joanne Bradley 23 days ago

    What an amazing shot! Perfect timing and composition!

  • Roka replied 23 days ago

    Aaaw… thanks so much. Cheers!

  • Silvijo Selman

    Silvijo Selman 20 days ago

    stunning…

  • Roka replied 20 days ago

    Thanks so much. It was my lucky day. Cheers!

  • Lorena Maria

    Lorena Maria 20 days ago

    just wonderful!

  • Roka replied 19 days ago

    Thank you, Lorena! So happy you like it! Cheers!

  • Vi Le

    Vi Le 19 days ago

    this is so beautiful ♥ great image.

  • Roka replied 19 days ago

    Aw… thanks so much. So glad you like it. Cheers!

  • BornToRoam

    BornToRoam 19 days ago

    make that good !! LOL

  • Roka replied 18 days ago

    Thanks so much! It was a goofy guy ;-)

  • photoloi

    photoloi 17 days ago

    Really excellent

  • Roka replied 17 days ago

    Thanks so much! Happy you like it. Thanks for visiting.

  • Georgie Hart

    Georgie Hart 8 days ago

    Just saw this again in a JPG email and recognized it – congrats on your ‘image of the week’ selection, this really is a stunner!

  • Roka replied 8 days ago

    Thank you, Georgie! Oh.. yes… I’m over the moon about the JPG selection.
    Thanks for your sweet comment.

Add your comment

You need to login or signup to add your comment to this work.