Llamas!

Kim Kyst kisses one of her llamas as she hosts Jackson County's 4-H llama club at Chilean Farms on Friday, July 23, 2010 in Jefferson, Ga. Kyst originally got llamas as a way to protect a flock of ducks she raised.

There's a lady in Jefferson who raises Llamas and we went to cover them as part of a 4-H program where kids work with Llamas.

Mighty interesting, more after the jump.

Catching Up: John Isner

John Isner serves during his tennis camp at the University of Georgia's Dan Magill Tennis Center on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 in Athens, Ga. Isner set a Wimbeldon record last month with his five-set victory over Nicolas Mahut which lasted over 11 hours.

Wimbledon sensation John Isner came to UGA to hold his annual tennis clinic. The press availability - complete with TV cameras that insisted on getting in the way - lasted for about a 1/2 hour with him playing tennis with some sports anchor more than him playing with the kids.

I got so irritated that i went back to get the 400/2.8 out of the car.

Catching Up: July 4th Parade

The crowd gathers for the annual Colbert Independence Day parade on Saturday July 3, 2010 in Colbert, Ga.

As I'm catching up, I found the assignment from the July 4th parade (actually on July 3rd) in Colbert, Ga. My city editor freaked out because I just went for nothing but artsy photos instead of something more cliche. That made me happy.

All-in-all, it was your typical Americana. Lots of flag waving, lots of red, white and blue. Just tried to have fun with it. More photos after the break.

Catching Up: Little league

Gainesville pitcher Jonathan Gettys pitches in the top of the first inning as the Walton County All-Stars take on the Gainesville All-Stars in a little league game on Friday, July 2, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Earlier this month i went and photographed a game two innings of Little League. Good light, fun compositions. Missed a lot while i was trying funky stuff. Held the camera up over my head to get that shot.

More after the jump.

100 Degree Traffic Light

Traffic engineer Rodney Rogers works on a traffic light on Monday, July 26, 2010 in Athens, Ga. Temperatures are expected to rise into the upper 90s on Tuesday as highs have reached 99 degrees or higher every day since Friday.

As i step away from the music photography for a few (there will be something bigger on the horizon with that), it's been 100 degrees of late and by miracle of god, i found a weather feature earlier today.

I came in, nothing was on the books so i walked around downtown looking for people doing anything so i could try to make a photo of it. The key was to make it look HOT plus most people wont be out in 100 degree heat, so you have to go out and find people when you can.

The biggest thing I learned about shooting random features was from Scott Strazzante talking at NPPA about one day pulling over his truck along the side of the road to shoot a cold-weather picture. Shoot the pictures when you see them, don't wait for it to be there when you come back.

(Tech Specs: D700 1/1000 @ f/22 ISO 100, 155mm. WB Shade)

Venice is Sinking CD Release Show

Violinist Karolyn Troupe is seen in a multiple exposure photo as Venice is Sinking plays at the 40 Watt Club for their CD Release Party for "Sand and Lines" on Friday, July 9, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

So myself and VanHoose checked out Athens' lastest pop band 'Venice is Sinking' during the release of their latest CD "Sand and Lines."

It was a very good show and I got the chance to bust out as many tricks as i could. Great light, christmas lights from the ceiling & mirrors. What else could a photographer ask for?

More photo goodness inside.... As usual I try to avoid anything remotely "cliche" when it comes to concert photography....

Games Rednecks Play

Seven year old Cody Lee of Waynesboro, Ga., sits behind the wheel of the General Lee at the Summer Redneck Games on Saturday, July 10, 2010 in East Dublin, Ga.

So i took a chance and took - as Corrie Perrine said - a photo pilgrimage to see the Redneck Games as held in East Dublin, Ga.

The mud was exactly as advertised. Met a bunch of cool photographers, took a bunch of cool photos. Had a lot of fun. Swam in a river.

More photos and witty commentary after the jump

Thieves Market at Caledonia (again)

By now it should be pretty clear. I'm friends with these guys and they are the reason I've gotten into documenting the Athens scene.... one band at a time.

Lets just enjoy some more photos, shall we?

Jet W. Lee at Caledonia

While i was shooting Thieves Market at Caledonia (almost a month ago!), Jet W. Lee played afterwards.

I just tired to catch their energy. More after the jump

Los Meesfits at Caledonia

An hour after the Flagpole Music Awards, Los Meesfits went to play another show at Caledonia Lounge. I pushed my D700s as far as they would go and got a few decent shots.

For those whom are wondering, Los Meesfits are a Latin Misfits cover band, complete with standup bass, psychobilly style.

The Marler Brothers at Depalma's

The Marler Brothers played an outside gig at Depalma's on Timothy Road a week and a half back and i went there as a warmup for Athfest.

Photo yummyness after the jump.....

Athfest 2010

Spring Tigers lead singer Kris Barratt plays in the middle of the pouring rain during AthFest on Friday, June 25, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Last weekend was the annual Athfest music festival, a showcase of 150+ bands that draws indie rock hipsters crowds downtown to suffer heatstroke enjoy a variety of music on a couple of open stages and at a bunch of venues here in town.

Photos & stories after the jump