Gareth Bale #9 of the Tottenham Hotspur celebrates his goal by making a heart shape with his hand in the first half during the international friendly match against Los Angeles Galaxy at The Home Depot Center on July 24, 2012 in Carson, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

It amazes me how fast an image can reach the masses. Enjoy!

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Landon Donovan #10 of Los Angeles Galaxy slide into Dan Kennedy #1 of Chivas USA during the MLS match at The Home Depot Center on July 21, 2012 in Carson, California. The Galaxy won 3-1. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

My first assignment for Getty Images and the above photo made their Photos of the Week – Sports! ENJOY!

James Riley #7 of Chivas USA heads a ball against Landon Donovan #10 of Los Angeles Galaxy (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

Some screen grabs after the game:

(Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

Jimmy Wang of Chinese Taipei hits a backhand shot during the first round match of the Farmers Classic at the UCLA Tennis Center in Westwood, CA. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon SMI)

Photographed the Farmers Classic at The UCLA Tennis Center. I just wanted to photograph the event from a different angle. ENJOY!

Jimmy Wang shadow of Chinese Taipei (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon SMI)

Marcel Felder of Uruguay (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon SMI)

Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon SMI)

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14 July 2012: San Diego Padres left fielder Carlos Quentin (18) misses a fly ball during the regular season MLB game between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon SMI)

After over a month and a half hiatus from photographing baseball I returned to the mound with the Padres at Dodgers the Saturday after Friday the 13th. Enjoy!

- Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp (27) celebrates. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon SMI)

Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp (27) with Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier (16) celebrates in the 6th inning. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Icon SMI)

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(Photo by Ric Tapia)

Kelly Kulick during the Bowling’s US Women’s Open 2012 under the Reno Arch at in Reno, NV.

Reno just keeps on giving and giving (just don’t gamble in a casino). I photographed the Bowling Proprietors Association of America (BPAA) biggest event of the year. I had very good access (ALL ACCESS PASS!) and was for the most part able to find unique shooting postions (don’t get in the way of ESPN). The event started at 7pm and ended around 10pm. I wish there was a better sunset but you can’t control everything. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy!

(Photo by Ric Tapia)

Lynda Barnes

(Photo by Ric Tapia)

Missy Parkin

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(Photo by Ric Tapia)

Kash Koester during Steer Wrestling at the Reno Rodeo “Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West” at The Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center in Reno, NV.

Had one of the best times photographing The Reno Rodeo “The “Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West!” It was great to go back to Reno to see both my photo and non-photo friends. Up to this point I had never photograph let alone been to a Rodeo. One thing that was a surprise to me is the dress code (see photo below), Jeans, Shirt, Big Belt Buckle and of course a 5 gallon hat. Here are some of my favorites from a great weekend. Enjoy!

(Photo by Kevin Clifford)

The Dress Code

(Photo by Ric Tapia)

Bareback Bronc Riding

(Photo by Ric Tapia)

Luke Branquinho during Steer Wrestling

(Photo by Ric Tapia)

Trent Creager during Tie-Down Roping

(Photo by Ric Tapia)

Jesse Wright rides Shadow Dancer during Saddle Bronc

(Photo by Ric Tapia)

Bryan Richardson rides Super High during Bull Riding

(Photo by Ric Tapia)

Bareback Saddle Rider stretches before the Reno Rodeo

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(Photo by Ric Tapia)

Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23) and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) hit Phoenix Coyotes right wing Mikkel Boedker (89) during the NHL Western Conference Finals Game 3 between the Phoenix Coyotes and the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA.

I had the opportunity to photograph Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals between the Phoenix Coyotes and the Los Angeles Kings. During the regular season I am able to photograph NHL games at ice level through a hole in the glass. With the ice level position I use a Canon 1D Mark IV with a 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II. Since the media presence was so great I was only able to photograph the game from an elevated position with most of the other photographers.

(Photo by Ric Tapia)

The ice level positions were limited to The LA Kings Team Photographer, Sports Illustrated, AP, Getty Images, Reuters, LA Times and The Arizona Republic. I wanted to capture unique images. I decided to go to the other side of the rink. I had a 180 degree different angle then the other photographers on the other side and I was the only one who did this. This required much more walking/running. It doesn’t sound like much but every minute counts when you are on deadline and need to submit images in between the intermissions. I used a Canon 1D Mark IV and a 300mm f/2.8 IS.

(Photo by Ric Tapia)

I also decided to set up a remote camera at ice level next to a tv camera facing the net. I used a magic arm and safety cable with a lock. The Camera was a Canon 1D Mark IV with a 50mm f/1.4 set to f/4.

(Photo by Ric Tapia)

Here are two examples of the photos from the remote camera:

(Photo by Ric Tapia)

(Photo by Ric Tapia)

Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Michal Rozsival (32) hits Los Angeles Kings right wing Justin Williams (14) while Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41).

(Photo by Ric Tapia)

(Photo by Ric Tapia)

Los Angeles Kings center Jarret Stoll (28) celebrates with Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32).

In both causes the remote camera offers a better angle than my elevated position. It is always great to photograph the NHL and even better when its the playoff, because it’s the cup! Here are some more images from the game:

(Photo by Ric Tapia)

Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) makes a save against Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Rostislav Klesla (16).

(Photo by Ric Tapia)

Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23) runs into Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) while being hit by Phoenix Coyotes left wing Ray Whitney (13).

(Photo by Ric Tapia)

Phoenix Coyotes center Daymond Langkow (not pitcured) hits Los Angeles Kings defenseman Willie Mitchell (33).

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(Photo by Ric Tapia/ TapiaPhoto)

Aaron Greenlund poses for a portrait in Reno, NV. Greenlund is a senior at Bishop Manogue High School and starts at defense for the boy’s lacrosse team.

(Photo by Ric Tapia/ TapiaPhoto)

Ondra Berry poses for a portrait in Sparks, NV. Berry played for the University of St. Mary’s and also for the Reno High School.

(Photo By Ric Tapia/ TapiaPhoto)

Randy Tapia poses for a portrait shoot in Reno, NV at Digiman Studios on July 7, 2011. Randy is a Senior at Bishop Manogue High School and plays on the tennis teams as the number one singles player.

(Photo by Ric Tapia/ TapiaPhoto)

(Photo by Ric Tapia/ TapiaPhoto)

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