Sunday, November 15, 2015

Barnstorm XXVIII


The opportunity to attend the Eddie Adams Workshop in breathtaking upstate New York could not have come at a better time. A few months before my approaching December graduation, 99 fellow students and a bounty of professional faculty immersed ourselves in everything photojournalism in the Catskill Mountains during the 28th annual workshop. 

For me, the workshop was a reaffirmation of my individual knacks within the craft of photojournalism, and a reminder that they are totally unique (as they should be). The industry has come to cultivate a culture of competition, especially as traditional photojournalism jobs become less and less, and those that remain become more demanding than ever. With competition comes frequent comparison-- Comparing photos, networks, even our identities. At the end of the day you can't be something you are not, as a human and as a journalist. I'm coming to terms with my interests as a photographer and how those intersect with my skill set and personal life. I'm working diligently on the journey toward finding my vision and identity as a visual journalist, learning how that eventual discovery will affect my career goals. Legendary presenters, faculty and fellow students at Barnstorm reminded me that this is a fluid, never-ending process that I must be patient but persistent in moving through. While my best skills as a photographer are technical, hence my attraction to sports and social media, I hope to become more comfortable expressing my beliefs and passions in future endeavors.

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Pictured above is the EAW XXVIII blue team after our shoot, sweat-soaked jerseys included. Back row, from left: Toni Sandys Mallon, Brad Smith, Al Bello, Robert Caplin. Front row, from left: Isaac Hale, Tim Tai, Matt Hecht, Michael Reaves, Michael Yanow, me, Brian Davidson, Steven Ryan, Dougal Brownlie, Anthony Geathers.

Below are a few of my images from our group photo shoot at the Monticello High School football game, alternating with personal images from our downtime taken on my Nikon FM film camera.

 
















Tuesday, August 25, 2015

"Shoot for the steak sauce"

Even in the digital age, it's still rewarding to see your pictures in print. They say a photographer should always shoot like the photos are running on A1 (hence the steak sauce, ha ha). Here's a few favorite print layouts from my summer at the Indy Star.

Click here to see front pages from all 50 states on the same-sex marriage ruling. Thrilled to be a part of that list!








Monday, August 24, 2015

The Racing Capitol of the World

During my ten weeks in Indianapolis, I experienced the culture surrounding "the Racing Capitol of the World." After covering several races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, my pictures offer a tiny slice of life from IMS-- From rubber-spitting track side action, to Carb Day debauchery on the infield, all the way to sacred victory circle.

Spectators look eastward toward the Indianapolis skyline during the Indy Legends Pro-Am Charity Race, Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.




Honorary steward Tom Sneva waves the green flag
at the start of the race.

Mechanic Tom Albe wipes rain from the hood of a
1965 Cobra, number 28, before the race.
Right, co-owner Toni Meyer stands with various checkered merchandise for sale at Three Sisters and a Trunk boutique, during the seventh annual Hauler Parade featuring NASCAR Sprint Cup semi-truck haulers along Main Street in Speedway, Thursday, July 23, 2015, Indianapolis, Ind.
Fans react to Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (48) during his driver introduction at the Jeff Kyle Brickyard 400, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sunday, July 26, 2015, Indianapolis, Ind.
Driver Bob Lazier wears a gold medal and holds milk
in the winner's circle at the Indy Legends Pro-Am
Charity Race, Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Indianapolis
Motor Speedway.
Juan Pablo Montoya poses as his wife takes
a selfie of their family after Montoya won
the Indianapolis 500 in Indianapolis, Ind.,
Sunday, May 24, 2015.
(From left) Winners Jim Caudle and Bob Lazier drink celebratory milk in the winner's circle after the Indy Legends Pro-Am Charity Race.
Jeff Gordan (24) watches as his crew works to repair his car in the garage during the Jeff Kyle 400. Gordon was out of the race due to the crash.
Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) signs an autograph for a young fan during driver introductions at the Jeff Kyle 400. Busch won the race.
A group of people dance in a line at the turn 4 infield stage during O.A.R.'s performance at Carb Day, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Friday, May 22, 2015.
Juan Montoya in victory circle after winning
the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500.
Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18), son Brexton
Locke and wife Samantha celebrate on the bricks
at the finish line after Kyle won the Jeff Kyle 400.
Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) receives the checkered flag after winning the Jeff Kyle 400.
Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (18) squeezes the cheeks of son Brexton Locke next to wife Samantha on the finish line bricks after winning the Jeff Kyle 400.
Juan Pablo Montoya, the winner of the 99th Indianapolis 500, shows the prize watch his children in victory circle.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

East Coast Fog

An early morning frame shot in Duck, North Carolina during a family trip to the Outerbanks.


Thursday, May 14, 2015

Cuisine Culture

My first semester photographing for Kent State's dining services marketing department has come to a successful end. My images will be used on social media, in freshmen welcome dining pamphlets and probably in some pretty dining hall pictures. Important lessons include checking the chef for gloves before lifting the camera (even if they're just plating for a picture- it looks bad if gloves aren't involved), learning how to avoid less-than-attractive eating faces, and knowing that chefs are much more comfortable being photographed behind a grill than in front of a backdrop. As always, learning the niches of cooking culture and food photography is a work in progress.

A food prep demo in Eastway Cafe.



Malaysian Chef Sam Abraham.


Kent State chef Claudia Peck.



Customers wait in line for food from Kent State's dining truck, "Fork in the Road."



Homemade pasta is rolled in Prentice Hall.

Eastway Market




Rosie's Diner