Ray Day

"Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to the stands during an NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts during the AFC Wild Card Playoff Game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 6, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland."

The year has kicked off and the first assignment is in the books.

I had the great opportunity to start off the year shooting the AFC Wild Card Playoff Game for Getty Images with season long football teammate Rob Carr in Baltimore, Md.

Prior to the game, Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens made the announcement that after 17 years in the NFL, that he was set to retire once the Ravens post season run ended. This turned a normal playoff game into a lot planning with question of what Lewis would do before and after the game - as it was guaranteed to be his last home game - win or lose.

Unfortunately, lots of preparation and hope for a compelling introduction image turned into disappointment when all of the photographers remote cameras had to be removed, aside from one pool remote image provided by the AP.

Still wanting to try and get something of Lewis' tunnel dance, I placed a remote in the 500 level seating and fired that as I attempted to shoot past a barricade of people, players blocking his dance from field level.

While everyone on the field level was blocked, including myself, I had to remember there was more than an introduction to my assignment and more importantly there was a game to be played, too.

Not much came my way action wise and I'm still missing a card with a touchdown and some other action on it. But I thought this intense face of football was telling of the day.

Alas, nothing like a little stress and excitement to get the year started. Now that it's out of the way, I hopefully can relax and get back into my groove for 2013.