I’ve photographed two Northwestern University basketball games in the last two days. For the majority of both games, I shot about 15 feet above the court parallel to the baseline on the first balcony.

Evanston, IL — December 18, 2011 — Northwestern forward John Shurna receives a pass during a game between the Eastern Illinois Panthers and the Northwestern Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Ray Whitehouse/The Daily Northwestern

I shot in a different location than the standard baseline position because I want to figure out where I can make the best pictures. It’s likely that sitting on the baseline is the best place to make pictures because that’s where most photographers sit. That said, I wanted to explore different options before I decided to go back to shooting where most other photographers sit.

In the two games, I haven’t come to a definitive conclusion. I’ve missed shots because of my location but I’ve also gotten shots I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.