Clarke vs. Cedar Showdown

Sophomore Herb Evans celebrates a fumble recover in the first quarter as the Clarke Central Gladiators beat the Cedar Shoals Jaguars 23-21 in Athens on Friday, October 24, 2008.

In my post-World Series jubilation, Ive actually got some time to update this bloggythinger here on the interwebs.

This week was the annual "Battle of Athens" between the two local high schools, Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals. And it rained again, once again that fine misty stuff that is blowing and completely soaks a camera in 5 minutes. Of course i only had one camera with me so thats another story for another day.



Senior Paris Allen extends the football over the goal line for the winning touchdown in thr fourth quarter as the Clarke Central Gladiators beat the Cedar Shoals Jaguars 23-21 in Athens on Friday, October 24, 2008.

If the weather had been better, i would have tried for more features. I don't want to change lenses in the rain. Instead i just focused on what was readily available by the field, like the bands and what fans i could see. They were all under umbrellas.



Cedar Shoals running back De De Lattimore stiff-arms defender Reggie Battle while he runs the ball in the third quarter as the Clarke Central Gladiators beat the Cedar Shoals Jaguars 23-21 in Athens on Friday, October 24, 2008.

All in all, a good game. Came down to the 4th quarter. Once again, missed the two plays of the game because of location. First one, defensive play by Clarke, i was 20 yards downfield shooting Cedar's offense. Second, a blocked FG. Dunno how i overlensed that; i was focused dead on the kicker to get a react and i noticed the ball coming back in the frame. The recovery happened with their backs to me, no clean shot at the ball.



Quarterback John Wilson, center, is tackled around the head by linebacker De De Lattimore as the Clarke Central Gladiators beat the Cedar Shoals Jaguars 23-21 in Athens on Friday, October 24, 2008.

The best jube happened in front of the line of TV cameras rather than back towards the Clarke bench like i figured. I got the shots i needed, like the game winning touchdown, some good jube and decent action from both teams. It worked - wasn't what i wanted - but it works and i made deadline by about a minute.




Clarke's band just gets down. Best high school band I think I've ever seen. Cedar is close on the music but Clarke's showmanship just blows everyone else away.

On Being a Fan....

As much as i love being a sports photographer and a photojournalist, sometimes i miss being a fan.

While the sidelines are great, being in the stands and being able to .... comment.... on the skills and abilities of the umpires and referees and yell and scream and rave are what makes sports entertaining.

I must confess that I am a true-believing Philadelphia fan, born out of the joy that was Carlton, McGraw and Mr. 548 Michael Jack Schmidt. I missed out on 1980 - too young. I remember the 83 series against the Orioles - living in Virginia we somehow got tickets but somehow at 8, i didn't get to go. Then came the down years with a bright spot in 1993, only to see the Phils blow it in Game 4 and finally run out of gas in Game 6. The dark times came and it was hard to be a fan of a team that consistently finished 20-30 games out of first while PESKY expansion teams from Florida was going to the show. I went to see Mike Scoscia night at the Vet (against the Dodgers) and then to see the First Place Phillies take on the Braves on Mike Schmidt night. Upper deck, last row, 700 level. Best seats I ever had. Little did i know that it would be a minor ice age before i would see my favorite team in first again.

Somewhere along this timeline, i had a chance to meet a shortstop through my work. Not just any shortstop (Like Cal Ripken, i met him in 83. Eh.) but THE shortstop, Jimmy Rollins. Walking into the Clearwater locker room was like entering a Cathedrial. For the first time in my career, my objectivity was totally gone. I wasn't an assistant or a photographer. I was an 8-year-old kid standing in the holiest of holys, the locker room of my favorite teams. (Naturally i didnt say anything beyond reeling of a litany of Phillies history to the guy i was assisting.)

Fast forward two years - got a chance to work two spring training games. Tried my best, maybe too hard, to try and make a portfolio picture out of them. Didnt happen.

Fall back to September 2007. I'm waiting to photograph the Dropkick Murphys in Atlanta while checking my phone every 5 minutes for the scores. The Phillies get into first while I'm photographing on stage. The team comes up short as they win the east but get knocked off by ANOTHER PESKY EXPANSION TEAM in three games.

This brings us to 2008. I've followed every game. Every pitch. Every move. Written them off in late August as another team that came up short only to scoreboard watch in late September and listen to Harry Kalas when i was stuck in the car during games. I must thank Major League Baseball for scheduling around Friday Night Football.

Tonight, with a win the Phillies could clinch their second ever World Series. Journalistically, there's no other place I'd rather be. That's the career dream assignment - a Phillies World Series clinching game in Philadelphia. As a fan, there's no place i'd rather be then at that game. This game, this one singular game, means everything. But I am in Georgia and nowhere near this game. I'll be at a debate while my team starts the most meaningful game in 25 years.

The passions that i feel now for these Phillies are the same passions that fans feel for THEIR team, be it Georgia or a high school team. The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, thats what it's all about. Thats what my photos have to convey of the sports i cover. Because my readership is just a flip side of myself - same passions, different team. I just can't mail it in merely because I'm not into it or that it's raining or I'm sick or that I'm just not into it.

My job is to show the ebb and flow, the passions and the poetry and capture photos that makes someone hold up the front page and yell "Thats My Team!" Because come tomorrow, I'll be that guy holding up that page. What we do, what i do, I do it for the fans.

Friday Night Lights: McKay Matthews Edition

James Colquitt, center, stands in the rain before the coin flip as the Athens Academy Spartans beat the Athens Christian Eagles on Friday, October 17, 2008 in Athens.

Well it rained out Friday. Or should i say it rained all day and for 5 minutes of the game and then stopped. Very nice. Allow me to give a plug for my new favorite camera accessory, Think Tank's Hydrophobia Rain Cover. Worked perfectly, tho the eyepiece is still backordered. Either way, the rain cover worked great. Now if they could make ones for the 80-200 and the 17-35 lenses, I'd be set.



Wide reciever McKay Matthews yells as he runs into the end zone in the first quarter as the Athens Academy Spartans beat the Athens Christian Eagles on Friday, October 17, 2008 in Athens.

So after it stopped raining, a football game broke out for a few minutes between Athens Academy and Athens Christian. AA has a good running game and a decent play action pass while AC runs a decent passing game and can run the ball. This was your typical "David and Goliath" game, and a Goliath named McKay Matthews of Athens Academy stomped all over Athens Christian.

For once the plays just came to me. I was in the right spots and got the right pictures. Shooting from the end zone actually had good light from one corner and despite it being a home game for our paper, i focused mainly on Academy because they're ranked in the state and it take a miracle for Christian to keep up. I stayed on the line for AC's offense and stayed way back for the big play when AA had the ball. And it worked.



Running back McKay Matthews is tackled by Petyon Mapp and Jacob Holloman as the Athens Academy Spartans beat the Athens Christian Eagles on Friday, October 17, 2008 in Athens.

I really like this picture. It was taken as part of a sequence with the image thats two above. I like this one because you have the player out of focus in the background with his arms signifying a touchdown. You know exactly whats happening in this frame. Its a very quick read. I like the tightness of the celebrating above but i just like this frame.



Wide receiver McKay Matthews runs into the end zone after hauling in a pass in the second quarter as the Athens Academy Spartans beat the Athens Christian Eagles on Friday, October 17, 2008 in Athens.

This week comes the annual Clarke/Cedar rivalry game. And they're forecasting rain again.

Homecoming!

Georgia alumni cheerleader Bill Dunaway cheers before the #10 Georgia Bulldogs beat the #22 Vanderbilt Commodores 24-14 at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, October 18, 2008.

Nothing like shooting 2 football games separated by about 16 hours. (More on the prep game later.) Georgia played Vandy for their homecoming game, first time they've both been ranked teams when they played.



Linebacker Darius Bewberry dives for the ball as he nearly intercepts a Mackenzi Adams pass as the #10 Georgia Bulldogs beat the #22 Vanderbilt Commodores 24-14 at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, October 18, 2008.

This is the first game I shot everything while kneeling. Football just looks better when you're looking at it from a slightly upwards angle, the players look more heroic or larger than life. It also cleans up the backgrounds so it gets just the crowd - not ugly white concrete or the benches - in your background. I had fun with it and my knees held up pretty well. I really tried to focus on putting myself in the right spot although i missed two touchdowns and several big plays because i let the side judge get in front of me. Yes, i got blocked but anymore i don't find that an acceptable excuse. I put myself in a bad spot and allowed myself to miss plays. You cannt do that and expect to perform at a big-time level.



Running back Knowshon Moreno tries to evade the tackle safety Reshard Langford as the #10 Georgia Bulldogs beat the #22 Vanderbilt Commodores 24-14 at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, October 18, 2008.

I get one more shot this season at Florida and i have to make it count. Maybe one more home game against Tech. I've made one or two nice pictures this season and the stuff is solid, it's just not outstanding and not whats going to get me a job at a major paper, not in this economic climate. I know i can be better..... (Anyone got a 400/2.8 they want to give away?)



Quarterback Matthew Stafford scrambles as he is chased by linebacker Patrick Benoist as the #10 Georgia Bulldogs beat the #22 Vanderbilt Commodores 24-14 at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, October 18, 2008.

I remember back to shooting a game back when i had an internship in York. Ohio St. v Penn State. Got a nice running play right off the bat that could have carried the page if necessary. Seemed so easy then.

Reverend Al

Rev. Al Sharpton before a rally to get out the vote at Clarke Central High School on Tuesday, October 14, 2008.

I've always enjoyed photographing and hearing political speakers. I enjoy the art form of someone communicating their message. So when i was told that i was going to get to hear Rev. Al Sharpton speak here locally, i was a little excited.



Rev. Al Sharpton stands in the Clarke Central football stadium before a rally to get out the vote at Clarke Central High School on Tuesday, October 14, 2008.

The event itself was billed as a non-partisan get out the vote rally which occurred exactly when a football championship was happening. After a bunch of snafus were sorted out, he spoke to the crowd inside the gym.



P.T. Chester, of Greensboro, uses a camera phone to photograph Rev. Al Sharpton before a rally to get out the vote at Clarke Central High School on Tuesday, October 14, 2008.

One self-described McCain supporter came up to Sharpton and engaged him in some 'heated discourse.' Cooler heads did prevail. (She asked that her name be withheld from the paper and i will continue with her wishes here.) Sharpton is a polarizing figure; everyone I know has an opinion on him, positive or negative.



A woman who asked not to be identified argues with Rev. Al Sharpton following a rally to get out the vote at Clarke Central High School on Tuesday, October 14, 2008. The woman, who said she supported Sen. John McCain, accused Sharpton of being biased in his speech at the nonpartisan forum. Sharpton did not endorse either candidate in his speech.

Photographically, it was a challenge. We were everywhere, from outside on a football field to inside a press box to inside a gym. Fading light, golden light and crappy light. Inside the gym presented a challenge not only with the light but to make a decent background. The best was either the red padding on the side of the wall but even with a 300, it just didn't work. I went for more of the 3/4-to-head-on tight to have blurred bleachers in the background rather than volleyball nets.




Rev. Al Sharpton speaks at a rally to get out the vote at Clarke Central High School on Tuesday, October 14, 2008.

I just tried to make good photos of him and everything that surrounds him and the history that is surrounding the current election.

Friday Night Lights - Commerce Edition

Running back Jon Cash drags a defender enroute to scoring a touchdown as the Commerce Tigers beat the Athens Christian Golden Eagles 49-20 on Friday, October 10, 2008.

I'm revisting Commerce as they play host to Athens Christian on Homecoming. Sofar I've been to two homecoming and home teams are doing better for me than they are for Rod Mar.



Quarterback Phillip Edwards runs for a touchdown in the third quarter as the Commerce Tigers beat the Athens Christian Golden Eagles on Friday, October 10, 2008.

The light is OK at Commerce but the sidelines are pretty narrow. The sideline rules are given a very liberal interpretation there.

As with most games when both teams are home teams, the big play always seems to happen away from me. Be it a kick return, a sweep that goes 85 yards or that big fumble, it always seems like its going away from me. I usually shoot whomever has the ball and this night, it didnt work all that much.





Junior Bree Hagard gasps as she is named "Miss Junior 2008" during homecoming ceremonies at halftime at Commerce High School on Friday, October 10, 2008.

She was very shocked that she was named as part of the homecoming court. Much better expression then who was named as homecoming queen.

Add in that our wireless card gave me fits. Hung up on me 23 times in the span of an hour. I missed deadline and that just pisses me off.



Linebacker Joey Moon raises a fist in the air after Athens Christian took a one point lead 14-13 as the Commerce Tigers beat the Athens Christian Golden Eagles 49-20 on Friday, October 10, 2008.



Quarterback Tyson Beacham loses control of the football as the Commerce Tigers beat the Athens Christian Golden Eagles on Friday, October 10, 2008.

Water into Wine

So my business editor walks into the photo office on a Tuesday and says that he needs a photo illustration on the rise of Northeast Georgia wine. Sounds simple enough. Oh yeah, and we need it by noon tomorrow. That sorta cuts down on our ability for creativity. Most simple thing i could think of was wine pouring down from a pile of grapes.

So one bottle of wine, two bunches of grapes, a boatload of photos and 3 glasses of wine later, this is what we get. Did that in my dining room. Thanks to David Hobby I threw a diffused flash under the wine to throw in some fill. Now the liquid sparkled more when i used cranapple juice during a test but the CabSav i was using was too dark to really shine. But it was tasty.

Off to Church.....

Pastor Jody Hice gives his sermon while seen through a window at Bethlehem First Baptist Church on Sunday, October 5, 2008.

One of the more interesting things I've shot lately is Pastor Jody Hice at Bethlehem's First Baptist Church last Sunday. Pastor Hice is at odds with the Internal Revenue Service over whether or not non-profit Churches can endorse/promote politics and political speech.

... and that's a debate I'm not going to have on this blog. I'm not touching politics or religion here beyond that the folks at the Church were a very nice bunch to meet. Pastor Hice's sermon was very good and very well delivered. He's an excellent communicator and delivered his message well (Although personally I am not a book-of-revelations kinda guy, more of the C&E club.)

I made a neat photo through a window that i think illustrates how really is at the center of controversy. I liked it....

The church asked me to try and not really move around the room while his sermon was happening, which normally I would try and talk my way around but the massive back-spasms i was having influenced the decision to go LONG and shoot with the 300 f/4 and a teleconverter all the whilst sitting in a comfy chair. Pastor Hice makes for good photos.



Pastor Jody Hice gives his sermon while discussing the book of revelations at Bethlehem First Baptist Church on Sunday, October 5, 2008.

Blackout! High School Edition

Apalachee wideout John Ansley ceelbrates after a 58-yard touchdown reception from Jon Lee as the Apalachee Wildcats beat the Winder-Barrow Bulldoggs in Winder on Friday, October 3, 2008.

Friday Night Lights got blacked out during the Battle of Barrow County this past week, featuring the visiting Apalachee Wildcats and the Winder-Barrow Bulldoggs. The Bulldoggs are modeled after the UGA team in colors, mascot and music from the band so it seemed fitting that they would "Blackout" their biggest game of the year.

... And it was every much as effective as Georgia's Blackout against Alabama as Apalachee went on to win 51-6.



Apalachee wideout John Ansley looks back at Winder Barrow's Erin Hendricks enroute to scoring on an option pass as the Apalachee Wildcats beat the Winder-Barrow Bulldoggs in Winder on Friday, October 3, 2008.



Qucravion Ash looks around after drawing a penalty on a punt during the second quarter as the Apalachee Wildcats beat the Winder-Barrow Bulldoggs 51-6 in Winder on Friday, October 3, 2008.

We saw the half-back option, a nearly blocked punt, nearly an interception, and a fumble in the end-zone for a TD. With the big-play nature of the game, i found myself completely out of position for some of them. Both teams were home teams which means i usually shoot who has the ball and will get in front of them by 10-15 yards so i can get a running play or crossing pattern. Not so in this game as after Appy went up 14-0, i just started focusing on them and hanging around the line when Winder had the ball. The fumble in the end zone was just bad luck, right spot but ball went to the far side so I missed most of it. Missed the jube when an Appy staff member decided to run on the field, right in front of me... not that i needed it as i already had the play of the game, a 58 yard halfback option from Jon Lee to go up big.

Once again, deadline is the key. I brought the laptop and a Verizon card to send from the parking lot, as it wasn't needed. I left with Apalachee up 35-0 to get some much needed food and beat that halftime traffic.

I really liked this Winder photo but due to the score, it quickly became photo gallery fodder.



Winder's Kendrick Davis stiff-arms Apalachee's Jeff Haney as the Apalachee Wildcats beat the Winder-Barrow Bulldoggs 51-6 in Winder on Friday, October 3, 2008.



Apalachee defender Joey Gebo drops an interception as the Apalachee Wildcats beat the Winder-Barrow Bulldoggs 51-6 in Winder on Friday, October 3, 2008.



Winder's Terrell Evans intercepts a pass as the Apalachee Wildcats beat the Winder-Barrow Bulldoggs in Winder on Friday, October 3, 2008.

Sportrait Roulette

Athens Academy quarterback Will Daniel on Monday, September 29, 2008. Daniel passed for six touchdowns in a 42-13 win over Prince Avenue.

I've been working on getting a different look for some of my sportraits of late. Beyond trying to get any sense of emotion out of a high schooler (everyone wants to look tough) I'm trying for something more interesting lighting wise and concept wise.

Once again, gotta reitterate about the ball on fire shots. Safety first. That's an f/22 shot with the ball on a light stand and about 3 feet between the two. I've seen that done before by a lot of people, including Pouya Dianat who works for the AJC. His had more flame and probably wasn't dealing with the wind that i was. Murphys law guaranteed that the minute we started playing with the fire, the wind would pick up quickly. And it did.



Jefferson Dragons running back Virgil Appleby on Monday, September 22, 2008. Appleby scored 4 touchdowns in Jefferson's 48-20 win over Oglethorpe County.

The other fun thing is that usually these things are scheduled for before practice, which means 3-3:30 PM. Hard to make things look dramatic with steep sunlight and 5-10 minutes with a player. I like the idea of building a plexiglass stage (or renting one) for some of the basketball ones, but these things take money.



Clarke Central Gladiator defensive end Terrance Bradshaw on Tuesday, September 30, 2008.




Athens Academy receiver McKay Matthews on Monday, September 29, 2008



Commerce Tigers lineman Austin Hanley in the weight room at Commerce High School on Tuesday, September 30, 2008.

Now this is history....

This is a copy of the First Edition (Volume 1, Edition 1) of "Stars and Stripes" from French North Africa in 1942. Interesting to note is the article on the Tunisian campaign yet no mention of Patton.

It was shown to me by an Army Air Corp veteran who was an intelligence officer (who's quite adamant about remaining anonymous) in the North African theater.

Friday Night Lights Continues

Franklin County's Dale Walker, left, Marcus Kelly celebrate a Walker touchdown catch as the Oconee County Warriors beat Franklin County on Friday, September 26, 2008.

Last week, it was Franklin County at Oconee County featuring Georgia committed QB Zack Mettenberger (an ESPN touted QB nonetheless) and the spread offense.

First half, nothing for Oconee. Great jube by Franklin County but nothing at all for Oconee. Second half, lots of offense by Oconee.



Franklin County's Dashan Merritt celebrates his touchdown-run with no time remaining in the first half as the Oconee County Warriors beat Franklin County on Friday, September 26, 2008.

The thing is that when we shoot Friday nights, we have a deadline. Unless its a playoff game, i will have to leave or otherwise stop shooting in time for my deadline. So i missed a tremendous comeback by Oconee and I apologize for that (but I leave by 9:45-10 and if your game isn't ending by then, you need to run the ball more and pass less if you want the end to make the paper.)



Wide reciever Burnie Pritchard celebrates after a 59-yard touchdown catch as the Oconee County Warriors beat Franklin County on Friday, September 26, 2008.

Once again, another football field where i am shooting 500@2.8. It helps but I really have to remember that the side lit images from the end zone need to be opened up a third or a half a stop since no school that i know of has lights facing in from the end zones.



Wide reciever Burnie Pritchard breaks the tackle of Franklin County's Matthew Jackson as Pritchard scores on a 59-yard reception as the Oconee County Warriors beat Franklin County on Friday, September 26, 2008.



Quarterback Zack Mettenberger passes as the Oconee County Warriors beat Franklin County on Friday, September 26, 2008.

And I just liked this photo. Interesting Symmetry.



A dancer with the Oconee County Band as the Oconee County Warriors beat Franklin County on Friday, September 26, 2008.

Friday Night Lights redux

Cedar Shoals' band dances as they perform Michael Jackson's "Thriller" on Friday, September 19, 2008. (Turns out Halloween is a Friday night and if you get to see Cedar Shoals' band perform Thriller that night, it's bound to be fun.)

Working as a newspaper photographer for the past 4 years means that every Friday night in the fall means Friday Night Football. I remember my high school days and going to the games and rooting for my school. I wasn't crazy enough to paint my chest or face or anything else but i went to cheer and to watch the band.

Now i photograph such craziness. (As I'm playing "catch-up' with posting, I'm going to post one game today and one game tomorrow.)


Rod Mar of The Seattle Times has a take on prep football and the new Nikon sensors. While he's rockin' a D3 and a 400VR, I'm going with the D700 and the regular 400. Either way, the high ISO capabilities makes shooting high school football much easier.

Two weeks ago it was Madison County playing Cedar Shoals. Madison County turned the ball over 4 times in the first half, two returned for touchdowns. Since they're both local teams, i did a few wind sprints to try and get jube but completely missed out.



Senior Bubba Freeman celebrates with De De Lattamore, left, after a hit as Cedar Shoals beats Madison County on Friday, September 19, 2008.



De De Lattamore runs for a touchdown in the third quarter as Cedar Shoals beats Madison County on Friday, September 19, 2008.



Senior Deunta Jennings yells after a traditional touching of the rock before Cedar Shoals beats Madison County on Friday, September 19, 2008.



Cedar quarterback Martay Mattox breaks the tackle of Madison County's Matthew Dean as Cedar Shoals beats Madison County on Friday, September 19, 2008.

I generally do not photograph cheerleaders looking cute. I will photograph cheerleaders when they are doing something interesting. Jumping in a nice silhouette (earlier this month) or throwing someone into the air will do.



Madison County cheerleader Allison Tyner is caught by her squadmates before the Cedar Shoals vs. Madison County game on Friday, September 19, 2008.



Madison County's Bracken Turner deflects the ball away from Cedar Shoals' Charmarcus Pittard as Cedar Shoals beats Madison County on Friday, September 19, 2008.



Madison County majorette Bethany Poole twirls a baton at halftime on Friday, September 19, 2008.