David Manning Photoblog: f/8 and be there

2012 WDW Marathon

2012-01-30T16:43:00.001-05:00

Runners streak under the only light available at the start of the Walt Disney World half-marathon on Saturday, January 7, 2012.

Sunday, my good friend Dan ran a half-marathon at the Disneyland resort. Due to budgetary constraits, I wasn't there. However, three weeks ago, he ran a half-marathon at the Walt Disney World resort.

I was there to document some of the ~~carnage~~ fun.

Prerace.

The Main Street entertainment cast was out in full force.

Runners on Main Street.

More runners on Main Street.

Pirates storming into Epcot.

Toll Plaza from the monorail.

Dan at the start.

Dan on Main Street.

Dan fleeing Main Street.

Dan fleeing the castle.

Dan at Mile 12, running into Epcot.

The finish line.

Postrace.

Of course I'm obsessed with the balloons.

2011 Pictures of the Year

2012-01-28T10:55:00.003-05:00

Emily Cooper, Hailey Chapman, and Carson LeCroy sled through the snow at the University of Georgia on Monday, January 10, 2011 in Athens, Ga. Approximately five inches of snow fell overnight before changing over to sleet and freezing rain.

2011 Photos of the Year.

Here's one final Salute to my work in 2011. My favorite photos. A goodbye to a part of my life as I'm done working in Athens, Ga.

A man jogs through the slush on East Campus Road on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 in Athens, Ga. Athens continues to dig out from nearly nine inches of snow that turned area roads to ice overnight.

A penguin swims at the Georgia Aquarium in January 2011.

Fiera Luc'e performs to Lady GaGa as Effie's Club Follies and the Classic City Kings perform at New Earth Music Hall on Saturday January 1, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Fans cheer as the Drive By Truckers play the 40 Watt Club as part of their annual homecoming shows on Thursday, January 13, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

22-year-old Billy Joe Shealy, Jr., talks with Oconee County Sheriff's Sgt. Shane Partain after Shealy was arrested for having a meth lab in the back of his pickup on Thursday, August 11, 2011 in Watkinsville, Ga. The arrest lead to the discover of another meth lab in an auto shop on Statham, Ga., and arrested Shealy's father, Billy Joe Shealy Sr., 46, of Monroe, and Connie Lee Krachinski, 47, of Pinson, Ala., in connection with the case.

Senior Cassidy McComb, center, joins her teammates in a premeet ritual as Georgia beats West Virginia University in a NCAA Women's Gymnastics meet on Monday, January 17, 2011 in Athens, Ga at Stegeman Coliseum.

Gustavo Madrigal, right, shouts outside the admissions office during a protest at the University of Georgia on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 in Athens, Ga. The group protested a University System of Georgia Board of Regents policy that bans undocumented students from being admitted to UGA and four other competitive state colleges as well as Georgia's controversial immigration bill.

Clarke Central Gladiators running back Quenshaun Watson (24) lands on top of Cedar Shoals Jaguars defensive back Tomara Lowe as Lowe loses his helmet in the first quarter as the Clarke Central Gladiators beat the Cedar Shoals Jaguars on Friday August 26, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Carlynn Kenna performs with the Athens Vertical Pole Dance Academy during the Flagpole Music Awards at the Morton Theater on Thursday, June 23, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Children play with bubbles during the International Street Festival on Saturday, April 9, 2011 in Athens, Ga. The International Student Life association at the University of Georgia brought together more than 35 international and multicultural student organizations together to present the cultural and educational displays.

An unidentified woman twirls a hula-hoop while dancing on the beach at sunset on Sunday, March 13, 2011 in Treasure Island, Fla.

Arkansas' 4x400 meter relay team of Shelise Williams, Regina George, Gwendolyn Flowers and Whitney Jones embrace after winning on the final day of the Southeastern Conference's Track and Field Championships at Spec Towns Track at the University of Georgia on Sunday, May 14, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Shelby McLeod holds a sunflower on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 in Rutledge, Ga.

Georgia Theatre owner Wilmot Greene plays guitar on the stage of the Georgia Theatre during a sound check on Friday, July 29, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Athens-Clarke firefighters treat Luis Martinez after his trailer in the 100 block of Lombadry Drive caught fire on Saturday, February 12, 2011 in Athens, Ga. Martinez was cut while rescuing his father Jesus from a burning trailer. The elder Martinez was treated for smoke inhalation while the younger was treated for a cut on his arm.

Prince Avenue's Carter Patton yells in celebration as Prince Avenue beats Athens Academy 18-0 in a GHSA Region 8-A football game on Friday, September 23, 2011 in Watkinsville, Ga.

Jefferson's Issac Kelly is flipped on his back by Elbert County's Braxton Owens at the GHSA All-Class State Wrestling Tournament on Saturday, February 19, 2011 in Dultuth, Ga. Owens won the match as Jefferson won the team championship in Class AA.

Georgia Bulldogs tight end Orson Charles wrestles with South Carolina Gamecocks long snapper Walker Inabinet during a punt as #12 South Carolina faces Georgia in an NCAA college football game at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, September 10, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Sasha Stephens, in white, socializes during a Mardi Gras celebration for Family Counseling Services at The Melting Point on Friday, March 4, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Alabama freshman Olivia Carisella, center, joins her teammates in celebrating as they win the 2011 SEC Gymnastics Championships at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex on Saturday March 19, 2011 in Birmingham, Ala. Alabama finished with a 197.225 over Florida with a 196.975 and Georgia with a 196.625.

American Black Bear cubs Yonah, top, and Athena play together on a tree at Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 in Athens, Ga. The one-year-old cubs were rescued from the wild after a hunter killed their mother last year.

Jeff Huett, center, reaches for a foul ball in the bottom of the fourth inning as the Georgia Bulldogs beat the Florida Gators 7-2 in an NCAA baseball game on Saturday April 16, 2011 at Foley Field in Athens, Ga.

A bee flies around a flower at the State Botanical Gardens of Georgia on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 in Athens, Ga. Highs reached the mid-80s Tuesday with strong-to-severe thunderstorms predicted for midday Wednesday.

Carnival-goers dangle their feet from drop zone during the spring carnival at the Georgia Square Mall on Monday, April 25, 2011 in Athens, Ga. The carnival runs through May 8th.

Florida's Gray Horn lands in the sand during the long jump in the Men's Decathlon on the first day of the Southeastern Conference's Track and Field Championships at the Spec Towns Track at the University of Georgia on Thursday, May 12, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Kyle Kelsey performs a superman move during the Twilight BMX Jam on Saturday, April 30, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Baylor head coach Glenn Moore has water dumped on him by infielder Meagan Weldon after Baylor beats Georgia 9-2 in the final game of the NCAA Athens Super Regional to advance to the 2011 Women's College World Series on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at in Athens, Ga.

A goldfish swims in a bowl on top of a game at the spring carnival at the Georgia Square Mall on Monday, April 25, 2011 in Athens, Ga. The carnival runs through May 8th. Guests can win a fish as a prize.

Flroida State right fielder Shayla Jackson drops a fly ball in the top of the sixth inning as Georgia beats Florida State 10-2 to clinch the NCAA Athens Regional in the 2011 Softball Championship on Sunday, May 22, 2011 in Athens, Ga. Georgia advances to host the super-regional series next weekend.

Chisolm Thompson, left, and Pascal Cureton of Misfortune 500 perform at Arch Bar during the 2011 Athfest Music and Arts festival on Friday, June 24, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Paralyzed University of Georgia left fielder Jonathan Taylor talks with Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton before the Texas Rangers play the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on Saturday, June 18, 2011 at in Atlanta, Ga. Texas drafted Taylor in the 33rd round of the MLB draft after he was injured in a collision in the outfield against Florida State.

Reptar performs at the 40 Watt Club during the 2011 AthFest Music and Arts festival on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at in Athens, Ga.

Madeline Adams sings on stage as the first act to play during the reopening of the Georgia Theatre on Monday, August 1, 2011 in Athens, Ga. The Georgia Theatre burned down June 2009 after an electrical fire. The theatre was built in 1889 as a YMCA, served as several worship halls in the 60s before opening up as a concert venue in the 70s.

Josh Stough of Connected Houses plays Rye Bar on Saint Patrick's Day, Thursday, March 17, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback John Parker Wilson, left, fumbles as he is hit by Miami Dolphins cornerback Jimmy Wilson in the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 12, 2011, in Atlanta.

Kat Ding warms up on the uneven parallel bars before Georgia takes on Michigan in a Women's NCAA Gymnastics meet on Saturday March 12, 2011 at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga.

Space Shuttle Atlantis lifts off launch pad 39-A for the final launch of the shuttle era at Kennedy Space Center on Friday, July 8, 2011 in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is flying for a scheduled 12-day mission to the International Space Station which ends the shuttle program after 135 missions.

Two Months Later.....

2012-01-27T20:50:00.001-05:00

I do obsess over the balloons at Disney.

Alright. I moved to Florida. It happened. We're going for a big update from New Years of some of my Disney Photos. Why? Because its whats handy and on this laptop. Maybe Tomorrow I'll do my best of 2011.

Lets just look at the photos, shall we?

Christmas parade.

Balloo waving to guests at DAK.

Of course i blurred the carousel!

See, they really do have cheetahs on the safari ride.

More Chrismouse parade.

Ciara gets a button on NYE.

Random guests at the tree of life.

Dan, Jon and Nick admiring something. I forget what.

Dia de los muertos.

Dia de los Dinosaur.

Dia de duck.

Working on reflections.

Jon, right, and the Fairy Godmother.

Monorail & Spaceship Earth through the fog.

Main Street Reflection on NYE.

A hawk sat atop the christmas tree at DAK.

Mary Poppins.

A monkey with a stuffed tiger.

Morocco.

Main Street and Snow.

Dory during Turtle Talk with Crush.

Everyone reaches for the bubbles.

Dory chasing Marlin during the Nemo show.

More wonderful side lighting. Its the black and white mode in the D700 with a red filter.

Swordfighting.

Bruce.

Nemo.

Backstage during NYE.

Toy Soliders during the Christmas parade and lens flare.

You can sorta see the rainbow here at Splash Mountain.

NYE morning.

Tiger.

Another tiger.

Tigers at play.

Trolly show.

More trolly show.

Photoshelter Archive going up!

2011-10-21T16:42:00.000-04:00

I know I have a few fans out there who want to buy my work. Guess what? You can.

Wander over to photodave.photoshelter.com and search through the galleries and buy until your hearts content. Or license the image for use in your publication.

Back Porch Sessions: The Glorious Dead

2011-10-10T15:36:00.004-04:00

Local whiskey bar Blue Sky is starting a series of small, intimate shows on their back porch. The first night featured "The Glorious Dead" and Dustin Gannon.Photos after the jump.....
Full Disclosure: I am a regular at Blue Sky. I enjoy the whiskey there (Thanks Ali) and have become friends with the staff, so when I heard about this, I made time to go out and shoot it.

I shot the entire thing with an old manual focus lens in black and white mode on the D700 with the filter that mimics a Red 25 filter and then converted it in Photoshop that ended up adding a bit more contrast. The low light and High ISO give the music and the ambience a feel that almost emulates the music.

People always ask how I do this. Its a slow shutter where the camera is rotated around a center point.

Keelen Moore 1, Aaron Murray 0

2011-09-10T10:00:00.000-04:00

Boise State Broncos running back Doug Martin (22) runs in front of Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Branden Smith (1) for a touchdown as #5 Boise St. beats #19 Georgia 35-21 at the Georgia Dome on Saturday, September 3, 2011 in Atlanta, Ga.

Once more into the breech and another edition of college fooball, covering the oh-so-power-ranger looking University of Georgia.

Week one, we travel an hour and a half west to the ~~holy crap its dark as a hole~~ Georgia Dome to see Heisman Canidate quarterback Keelen Moore and Boise St. take on ~~the boy wizard~~ all-SEC quarterback Aaron Murray and Georgia.More photos after the jump...
Some initial thoughts. The Boise State Cheerleaders insisted on taking up 1/3rd of the shooting line in the end zone closest to their fans. They were rather obnoxious and acted very entitled. They are the only cheerleading squad I've dealt with that refuses to work with people at the game and play nice. We're WORKING here; we move with the play. They are the polar opposite of my experiences at Georgia or any in the NFL. Point being, if the Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders can work around the photographers and have zero problems, clearly Boise State can do the same thing.

The Georgia Dome. The end-zones are only a stop brighter then the average high school game that I shoot. Night games at Sanford Stadium are brighter. The NFL needs to do something about how dark it is.

The Chik-Fil-A people who stuffed all the photographers in the middle of a corridor? If you don't have enough room for every photographer you're credentialing, then maybe you shouldn't be credentialing everyone who applies. It was tight and overflowing with jock-sniffers and various other people not shooting for publications. Its really simple: The AP, AJC, ABH, Getty, USPW and SI cover Georgia on a regular basis as well as UGASports.com and DawgPost.com. We're the loyal and core media who covers them win or lose. We deserve to be treated better then stuck in a damn hallway and not have our workspace filled up with people bemoaning who won. Only two things matter to me: my photos and that I GET PAID. ("Look, I ain't in this for your revolution, and I'm not in it for you, Princess. I expect to be well paid. *I'm* in it for the money.")

I will give them props for keeping it to people with professional equipment and doing their best to weeding out people who shouldnt be there, but there were plenty who really didn't need to be.Parking was fantastic.

The GBI searched the car thoroughly, unlike anything I've seen since Pennsylvania Ave., in D.C. Although I was disturbed by the people tailgating in media parking.

Boise State Broncos quarterback Kellen Moore (11) warms up before #19 Georgia faces #5 Boise St. at the Georgia Dome on Saturday, September 3, 2011 in Atlanta, Ga.

Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Branden Smith (1) walks in the tunnel pregame as #19 Georgia faces #5 Boise St. at the Georgia Dome on Saturday, September 3, 2011 in Atlanta, Ga.

Cheerleaders pose with Russ, Georgia's interim mascot, as #5 Boise St. beats #19 Georgia 35-21 at the Georgia Dome on Saturday, September 3, 2011 in Atlanta, Ga.

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray (11) reacts after Georgia commits a false start penalty on the first play of the game as #5 Boise St. beats #19 Georgia 35-21 at the Georgia Dome on Saturday, September 3, 2011 in Atlanta, Ga.

Georgia Bulldogs running back Ken Malcome (24) runs onto the field pregame as #19 Georgia faces #5 Boise St. at the Georgia Dome on Saturday, September 3, 2011 in Atlanta, Ga.

Boise State Broncos cornerback Jerrell Gavins (4) and Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Tavarres King (12) fight for the ball in the first quarter as #19 Georgia faces #5 Boise St. at the Georgia Dome on Saturday, September 3, 2011 in Atlanta, Ga. The pass fell incomplete.

Georgia cheerleaders cheer before #19 Georgia faces #5 Boise St. at the Georgia Dome on Saturday, September 3, 2011 in Atlanta, Ga. They had some stage lights set up at a "Pep Rally" for the fans which made for some nice side lighting. I was trying to tilt out the lights from above.

Georgia game captians Ben Jones (60) and Brandon Boykin (2) walks down the tunnel pregame with offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, left, and defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, rear, before #19 Georgia faces #5 Boise St. at the Georgia Dome on Saturday, September 3, 2011 in Atlanta, Ga.

Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Brandon Boykin (2) runs for an 80-yard touchdown in the first quarter as #19 Georgia faces #5 Boise St. at the Georgia Dome on Saturday, September 3, 2011 in Atlanta, Ga.

Boise State players line up for warmups, showing off their day-glo shoes as #19 Georgia faces #5 Boise St. at the Georgia Dome on Saturday, September 3, 2011 in Atlanta, Ga.

Boise State Broncos quarterback Kellen Moore (11) hands the ball off to Boise State Broncos running back Doug Martin (22) in the first quarter as #19 Georgia faces #5 Boise St. at the Georgia Dome on Saturday, September 3, 2011 in Atlanta, Ga.

Fashion Shoot with Shelby McLeod

2011-09-09T10:00:00.001-04:00

On the hottest day of the year, I photographed a fashion shoot with local country singer Shelby McLeod in the middle of a sunflower field in Rutledge, Ga.It was hectic, fast, furious, sweaty and a lot of fun. Shelby was great to work with and did everything I asked for.

More after the jump....
The sunflower/hand shot above is my favorite from the shoot. It was exactly what I wanted but never made the magazine.

All of this was lit by one or two small strobes.

I wish i had gotten more of the trees behind her so the edge light really would pop.

The goal was to show as many sunflowers as humanly possible.

Early in the shoot, still feeling it out.

The tractor was just sitting there.....

....It just begged to be used in a shoot.

We were shooting indoors when i saw the sun setting and we ran outside and did this, amidst some huge beetles that were attracted to the stalks of the sunflowers.

By this point, we were thoroughly dehydrated.

My "Julie Andrews" photo.

Should have kept the grids on. Too much light bouncing around.

Postcards from Athens

2011-09-08T10:00:00.005-04:00

I have an on-going photo essay of iPhone photos that I call "Postcards from Athens" of general everyday life that occurs when i travel the streets between the office and the pizza place or the coffee shop. Here's the first edit.

More after the jump.....

Traveling! Depressurizing!

2011-09-08T00:57:00.006-04:00

Every now and again I will update this. I'm going to post some vacation photos... because if you cant post those, what can you post? If you can't have fun with photography, put down the cameras.

Thats my friend Jess. She insisted I photograph her with her parasol.

More photos after the jump

I walked around Epcot with a MF 24/2.8

The CM was new to being randomly photographed.

The Godzilla hand puppet was outside of the China pavilion, not Japan.

Everyone must record Illuminations.

Miss Jessica and her parasol.

People meeting Marie.

Morocco Pavilion. Layering.

More people staring at the camera even though I was photographing a mirror.

Fun with mirrors under Spaceship Earth.

I waited 10 minutes for this shot.

Stitch. He's Fluffy.

The CMs in the UK Pavilion always draw hopscotch.

Final Shuttle Launch: STS-135

2011-07-13T20:22:00.018-04:00

Wow, its been 5 months since I updated this. Lets start someplace fun..... like the final, historic space launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis. Here's the whole story:

This was pretty personal to me. I grew up watching the Shuttle program, mostly on TV From John Young & Robert Crippen's historic flight on April 20, 1981 with STS-1 on Columbia to Sally Ride on Challenger on STS-7, to Discovery's first launch, through fifth grade and the disaster of 51-L. I remember asking an assistant principal "What do you mean it just blew up?" I looked at all the photos in the Rogers Commission Report and knew I wanted to make photos like that; Some day I'd do it. I still wanted to be an astronaut but somehow knew it wasn't going to happen; I'd watched "The Right Stuff" too many times to know that it was very unlikely.

Later, the return to flight with STS-26, Atlantis and its DOD missions, Winning a reading contest in middle school and leaning up against the landing gear of Enterprise (oh come on, you'd do the same thing!) Endeavor and knowing that was it. College and STS-107, losing Columbia and shooting a basketball game that afternoon. Moving to Florida and seeing my first launch, STS-114 and the Return to Flight part 2 and deciding that somehow, I had to photograph it up close and personal. Shot 4 launches as a press photographer and decided that I had to be there when it ended.

I drove down two days early, L-2, or on Wednesday. Rolled in, got my credentials and found out that NPS had already lent out EVERYTHING they had, totally messing up my plans as one of my cameras is totally FUBAR and headed back to Melville for repair as we speak. Should have brought my D1x as it would have come in handy.

Drove out Thursday, complete with cooler and ice, lots of water, crackers, raisins, with the intention of sleeping in my car till the launch. Why? 1 million people expected, two roads to get there. 6 am rolls around and it was the Mos Eisley of photography. Ive never seen so many homebrewed contraptions for space launches in my life. I end up not making it on any of the first buses as they both were filled and made it out into the field at the "mound" as its affectionally known. My intentions were to set up 3 cameras - all D2x - on two triggers, one at the mound and one on the dyke to get water in it. (I borrowed one trigger from remote & NASA photography legend Scott Andrews of Canon Professional Services) This was the shot I was going for:

Its not artsy but i wanted something nice and tight and figured I'd do the artsy stuff elsewhere, not realizing the diving providence which would befall me.

Somehow i set the trigger sensitivity too low and the batteries died in the camera before the launch.

Our media escort Robert while others set up on the mound.

I'm setting up and moving out to the left near an AP camera when it dawns on me, I left my boots, stakes, and bungee cords back at the press site. NASA photo guru Ken Thornsley brought my stuff out to me and I bagged my camera and then was shuttled back to the press site as NASA decided to do RSS Rollback early to try and beat the weather. This didnt happen as a wicked thunderstorm rolled in. So i made my first of four trips to the NASA cafeteria.

Those are two British photographers as we're getting drenched outside the VAB.

That fiberglass shuttle is outside of the Cafeteria.

Overflow Media Parking Island.

The VAB reflected in a puddle.

After lunch, There were a few press availabilities in the Media Center. One made a photo.

Heather Paul, a NASA engineer for life support systems is reflected in the helmet of a space suit while she is interviewed at Kennedy Space Center on Thursday, July 7, 2011 in Cape Canaveral, Fla.

We went to RSS Rollback. Made Photos. Went back.

Framed between two photographers!

Astronaut Mike Massimino poses for a photo with Kanoko Nakashima while Space Shuttle Atlantis sits on launch pad 39-A as it waits for the final space shuttle launch at Kennedy Space Center on Thursday, July 7, 2011 in Cape Canaveral, Fla.

United Space Alliance put a banner on the gate for rollback. The RSS is the Rotating Service Structure, otherwise known as that clamshell thing that protects the Shuttle while it sits on the pad.

You can either shoot super wide or walk back and compress the image.

Obligatory Flag Shot.

Eventually, after much tenacity (or being a total PAIN IN THE ASS with NASA. In fairness, everyone did get their stuff set up in time.), I managed to hitchhike out to the field to set up my final cameras in a van with former Tampa Tribune shooter Michael Spooneybarger and they were headed into the pad perimeter.

After a quick pow-wow with my vanmates and some scrambling for sandbags, I set up my final two cameras inside the pad perimeter, on the eastern side of the launchpad, one on an 85/2 and the other on with a 35. Divine providence as I was able to scrounge up 3 sandbags and place my cameras. Here's what I was aiming for:

Something tripped the camera and I got this overnight on the wide. Very foggy out.

Somehow..... the focus on the 85 got knocked between setup and when the launch happened.

Spooney and his crew making last minute adjustments at a very close in position.

As soon as I got back to the press site, there's a sunset photo opp of the shuttle. Since i was trying to sell photos thru Zuma, i grabbed my cameras and it was back to the bus. Ran into old friend Jodie Fleicher (now with WSB in Atlanta, formerly WFTV in Orlando) and ended up holding a light while they taped a standup. Made more pretty photos.

The rain made for great reflection shots.

The "in case it gets delayed due to rain" reflection shot.

Timed it right to get that nice blue.

Went for food before Editing, transmitting, and bumping back into Smiley Pool of the Houston Chronicle before checking into Casa de Honda and setting my alarm for 5 AM. Had to use my sunshade to block out the TV lights from CBS News as they were on all night.

5 AM comes around and I step out of my car and feel this wonderful cool dry breeze from the southwest.

In my mind, the board is green and we're going to launch. Get in line for the bus for Walkout and end up at the end of the line, shooting long next to James Nielsen of the Houston Chronicle.

Fortune smiled on me as I got a good, clean shot of walkout....

Mission Specialist Sandra Magnus, left, and Commander Chris Ferguson, right, wave to the crowd as they head to Space Shuttle Atlantis for it's final launch at Kennedy Space Center on Friday, July 8, 2011 in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis is flying for a scheduled 12-day mission to the International Space Station which ends the shuttle program after 135 missions.

....and saw Uhura herself, Nichelle Nichols of Star Trek fame.

Actress Nichelle Nichols of "Star Trek" fame poses with a fan before watching Space Shuttle Atlantis for it's final launch at Kennedy Space Center on Friday, July 8, 2011 in Cape Canaveral, Fla.

I get back to the press center, go for breakfast, edit, send and set up for the launch itself.

Feature photo by the VAB. Can't resist.

Educator Bethany McCabe poses with her Space Shuttle socks outside the vehicle assembly building before Space Shuttle Atlantis lifts off launch pad 39-A for the final launch of the shuttle era at Kennedy Space Center on Friday, July 8, 2011 in Cape Canaveral, Fla.

While setting up, I run into the red, fuzzy Muppet himself ELMO. Yeah, I got all fanboy here for the first time in doing this professionally for a bunch of years. Of course I got a photo.

Sesame Street's Elmo is interviewed by Spacefilght Now's Leroy Chiao before Space Shuttle Atlantis lifts off launch pad 39-A for the final launch of the shuttle era at Kennedy Space Center on Friday, July 8, 2011 in Cape Canaveral, Fla.

For 135 launches, ABC Radio has had the prime position.

ABC News Radio broadcaster Vic Ratner prepares to broadcast the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis from launch pad 39-A for the final launch of the shuttle era at Kennedy Space Center on Friday, July 8, 2011 in Cape Canaveral, Fla.

3 hours later..... it went. I shot with two cameras. A D7000 with a 400/2.8 & a 1.4 teleconverter as the prime camera.... as it was a crop body as well as my D700 was messed up. The D700 was put on a magic arm with an 80-200 & a polarizer on shutter release.

The general plan was to shoot with the 400 & push the shutter release until the Shuttle hit the clouds. At that point, I would grab the 80, shoot some of the crowd and then switch to a 35 and get more of the crowd around me.

One problem in my plan: Totally overexposed the shots with the 400 as I was exhausted and not thinking to put it on manual and shoot normally.

Space Shuttle Atlantis lifts off launch pad 39-A for the final launch of the shuttle era at Kennedy Space Center on Friday, July 8, 2011 in Cape Canaveral, Fla.

Maybe 15 seconds in before the 400's lens mount decided to keep me from shooting for 5 seconds.

Ascent and entering the clouds.

Liftoff from the wide.

Trying to shoot the crowd.

Al Diaz of the Miami Herald photographs Space Shuttle Atlantis as it lifts off launch pad 39-A for the final launch of the shuttle era at Kennedy Space Center on Friday, July 8, 2011 in Cape Canaveral, Fla.

Lidya Poljacek-Umphenour, of Anchorage, Ak., photographs as Space Shuttle Atlantis lifts off launch pad 39-A for the final launch of the shuttle era at Kennedy Space Center on Friday, July 8, 2011 in Cape Canaveral, Fla.

And all that is left is smoke.

From there, its quick edit, transmit, curse my mistakes and then make my final trip to the NASA cafeteria as it will be 3 hours before I can retrieve my remotes. Unbeknownst to me, only ONE worked correctly. But darn if it didn't give me some great frames.

Is this the end of Manned Space Flight? Lord only knows. Its about politics and funding. (No Bucks, No Buck Rogers.) A friend remarked to me that President Kennedy would be rolling over in his grave if he knew that 50 years later, it would just end. I agree completely.

I guess if it had to end, I'm glad i was there to document history.

Alon's Eatery

2011-02-28T09:00:00.002-05:00

Alon Wilson talks at his restaurant, Alon's Eatery, on Thursday, February 3, 2011 in Crawford Ga. Wilson, a former opera singer, used to be the head chef at the Cafe at the Georgia Botanical Gardens and opened his own restaurant after it closed.

After the cafe at the State Botanical Gardens closed, Chef Alon Wilson opened up his own cafe in Crawford, Ga.

Alon Wilson cooks at his restaurant, Alon's Eatery, on Thursday, February 3, 2011 in Crawford Ga. Wilson, a former opera singer, used to be the head chef at the Cafe at the Georgia Botanical Gardens and opened his own restaurant after it closed.

Womens Hoops: Georgia vs Mississippi State

2011-02-27T09:00:00.003-05:00

Georgia forward Porsha Phillips (21) is fouled by Arkansas guard Lyndsay Harris (33) with five-tenths of a second to go in overtime as Georgia beats Arkansas 57-54 in an NCAA Women's basketball game at Stegeman Colisuem on Thursday, February 3, 2011 in Athens, Ga. Phillips finished with 9 points and 18 rebounds while Harris had a game-high 22 points. Phillips' 18 rebounds is the most in Georgia history in an SEC game.

I shoot women's basketball differently from men's. Instead of shooting from the corners during men's (due to the phenomenon of "Ref Ass"), i like to shoot more form inside and under the basket as there seems to be less legs to shoot through. Its also a little more violent in the paint.

Georgia forward Porsha Phillips (21) looks up as the ball sails over Arkansas forward Ashley Daniels' (12) head with one second to go in overtime as Georgia beats Arkansas 57-54 in an NCAA Women's basketball game at Stegeman Colisuem on Thursday, February 3, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

The start of the play of from above.

Georgia guard Ronika Ransford (4) waits for the team to be introduced before Georgia plays Arkansas in an NCAA Women's basketball game at Stegeman Colisuem on Thursday, February 3, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Pregame. I always shoot this. I have a LOT of these.

Georgia guard Khaalidah Miller, center, and Georgia forward Jasmine Hassell, right, huddle with their teammates after Georgia beats Arkansas 57-54 in overtime in an NCAA Women's basketball game at Stegeman Colisuem on Thursday, February 3, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Postgame huddle.

Georgia guard Ronika Ransford (4) screams after hitting her head on the floor as Georgia plays Arkansas in the first half of an NCAA Women's basketball game at Stegeman Colisuem on Thursday, February 3, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Georgia forward Porsha Phillips (21) shoots overtop if Arkansas forward Jamesha Townsend (3) as Georgia plays Arkansas in the first half of an NCAA Women's basketball game at Stegeman Colisuem on Thursday, February 3, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Wrestling Portrait

2011-02-26T09:00:00.003-05:00

Clarke Central wrestlers Carlos Osorio, Devante Upshaw and Prince Hudson on Thursday, February 3, 2011 in Athens Ga.

Do I milk techniques way too much? Sometimes. I used the 12-24 again, only this time with the auto-crop off. Beauty dish overhead. Pressed for time tho in the weight room. Reds are too saturated.

Georgia / Mississippi State Basketball

2011-02-25T09:00:00.003-05:00

Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Kodi Augustus (24) goes for a rebound against Georgia Bulldogs forward Chris Barnes (4) as Mississippi State plays Georgia in the first half of an NCAA men's basketball game on Saturday, January 22, 2011 in Athens, Ga., at Stegeman Coliseum.

Basketball is about momentum and runs. Every team is going to make a run at some point. The trick is to get the important shots you need out of the way first so you can focus on the swings of the momentum and who is going to win the game.

When you shoot for a wire service, you need to move 3 or 4 photos at the half. You need one of each team, preferably general action, ball, and a player from each team in it.... which sounds very basic but its what is wanted for the wire.

Here's what i do. First 4 minutes, I shoot team 1. I switch ends during a media time out, get an action from the other team. Stay there for 4 minutes, and try to get a coaching photo. The first half is 1/2 way over and I should have the basics covered. Depending on which way the game is going, I will switch ends again or more likely stay put and switch back at the next media timeout.

Go back, send at the half, call New York, maybe eat a few chips and run back out.

Second half? Completely different. I'm following the game story and its a lot of guess work as to where I need to be for the end. I'm mainly focusing on action for the first 8 minutes. After that, its all reaction, benches, jube as they run back. The crowd will tell me if the guy makes the three, I'm staying with the shooter or looking at the bench for any sort of jube.

Final minute? If its a tight game, I'm staying put and just following my instincts. There's jube to be had, you just have to find it. If its a blowout, I'm shooting as little as possible and trying for any remaining jube.

Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Kodi Augustus (24) goes for a shot overtop of Georgia Bulldogs forward Trey Thompkins (33) as Mississippi State plays Georgia in the first half of an NCAA men's basketball game on Saturday, January 22, 2011 in Athens, Ga., at Stegeman Coliseum.

Georgia guard Gerald Robinson (22) celebrates on the bench as Georgia beats Mississippi State 86-64 an NCAA men's basketball game on Saturday, January 22, 2011 in Athens, Ga., at Stegeman Coliseum. Robinson finished with 17 points.

Its a blowout, thats as good as my jube got.

Georgia forward Trey Thompkins (33) high-fives fans after Georgia beat Mississippi State 86-64 an NCAA men's basketball game on Saturday, January 22, 2011 in Athens, Ga., at Stegeman Coliseum. Tompkins had 15 points in the win.

Star player running off the court is always a good idea.

Georgia guard Travis Leslie (1) goes for a layup in the first half as Georgia beat Mississippi State 86-64 an NCAA men's basketball game on Saturday, January 22, 2011 in Athens, Ga., at Stegeman Coliseum. Tompkins had 15 points in the win.

Prep Ball: Athens Academy vs Prince Avenue

2011-02-24T09:00:00.003-05:00

Athens Academy's Davis Finney goes for a shot between Prince Avenue's Quinn Adamson, left, and Daniell Howell, right in the first half as Athens Academy beats Prince Avenue 43-41 in a GHSA Region 8-A boys basketball game on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 in Bogart, Ga.

Rivalry prep hoops. Its a cross-town rivalry. The big question is "Which end to set up my lights on"

Athens Academy's Kalupe Booze, right, comes up with a loose ball with at the buzzer as Athens Academy beats Prince Avenue 43-41 in a GHSA Region 8-A boys basketball game on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 in Bogart, Ga.

Thats the game-winning rebound. There was a little jube, but not much in the sightline of my lights.

Athens Academy's Will Cox loses the ball in the first half as Athens Academy beats Prince Avenue 43-41 in a GHSA Region 8-A boys basketball game on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 in Bogart, Ga.

Prince Avenue's Henry Sizemore, right, and Athens Academy's Davis Finney go for a rebound in the first half as Athens Academy beats Prince Avenue 43-41 in a GHSA Region 8-A boys basketball game on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 in Bogart, Ga.

Prince Avenue assistant coach Brad Johnson plays with his son Max before Athens Academy plays Prince Avenue in a GHSA Region 8-A boys basketball game on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 in Bogart, Ga.

Honor

2011-02-23T09:00:00.001-05:00

I made this frame in the Butts-Mehre building at Georgia while waiting for a tour of the new football offices.

Happy 90th Birthday, Dan Magill

2011-02-22T09:00:00.004-05:00

Athens and University Legend Dan Magill turned 90.

I went to his birthday party.

Magill, a legend in the tennis community, was also the former head of Sports Information at UGA as well as being in the Marine Corps. He's the only person I know who can walk into my editor's office and just sit down unannounced. (In the interests of disclosure, he is a columnist at my newspaper as wel as being the son of a former editor at my paper way before i was born.)

Athens Music Landmarks (that are still left)

2011-02-21T09:00:00.003-05:00

The steeple from St. Mary's Episcopal Church where REM played its first ever show on Thursday, January 27, 2011 in Athens, Ga. Steeplechase Condominium Association, which owns the steeple, recently reviewed the ongoing costs for repairs and voted to destroy the structure.

There's a lot of local landmarks in this town and when it comes to the music scene around here, most of them are defined by the band R.E.M.

We did a story about how these landmarks are falling by the wayside as time passes on.

The thing with landmarks is that they're always there. Sometimes you forget to go out and photograph them before they are gone. Or you have an editor come to you asking "Hey, dont we have a file photo of this" and

We start our tour with Weaver D's.

Dexter Weaver, owner of Weaver D's Delicious Fine Foods, stands outside of his restaurant on Thursday, January 27, 2011 in Athens, Ga. REM named one of it's albums "Automatic for the People" after a saying from the soul-food restaurant.

Then there's the rebuilding of the Georgia Theatre. It burned down 18 months ago and its going to come back.

The restoration of the Georgia Theatre continues on Thursday, January 27, 2011 in Athens, Ga. Work on the legendary venue is expected to finish over the summer.

Also we have the famous Trail Creek Trestle, from the back of R.E.M.'s album "Murmur".

And then there's Wuxtry Records. A little independent record store where two of the members of R.E.M. first met. (Several of the founders of the local Popfest work there.

Special Needs Pageant

2011-02-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

Last month I was asked to shoot a rehearsal for a "Special Needs Pageant" as we would be unable to attend the actual event. I drove out to spend the afternoon with some very fun people.

More after the jump....

I wish i could have spent more time with these ladies. They were a lot of fun and full of life as they were learning all the blocking of how to walk in a beauty pageant.

Lincoln/Lee Papers

2011-02-19T10:00:00.001-05:00

They're celebrating the sesquicentennial of the Civil War and the University of Georgia has a lot of papers from the period.

To try and keep things balanced, I made sure I had a photograph with both a letter from Abraham Lincoln and a letter from General Robert E. Lee in it.

Beyond that, I'm not sure that a war that killed more Americans then any other was and brought our society to the bring is a cause for celebration.

Florida beast Georgia in 2 OT

2011-02-18T10:00:00.003-05:00

Georgia Bulldogs forward Trey Thompkins (33) is fouled hard by Florida Gators forward/center Patric Young (4) as Florida beats Georgia 104-91 in double overtime on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 in Athens, Ga., at Stegeman Coliseum.

Ive been shooting a lot of basketball lately. High school, college, you name it. The shots are beginning to look the same after awhile; I'd really like to see a scramble facing me or something nice happen right in front of me without 12 pairs of legs in the way.

The worst part of sitting at the Georgia end in the Second Half is all the people who run out in front of you at the end of the game. Security, Police, and countless other people get in the way as really nice jube is happening at the other end of the court.

There's no reason I didnt get any of the game-tying jube to send it to a second OT other than no one expected the Florida kid to hit 40-foot shot at the buzzer. Still, being blocked isn't an excuse or one I'm willing to accept. I missed the shot.

Georgia Bulldogs forward Jeremy Price (50) dunks in the first half as Florida beats Georgia 104-91 in double overtime on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 in Athens, Ga., at Stegeman Coliseum.

Georgia Bulldogs forward Trey Thompkins (33) celebrates a basket in the first half as Florida beats Georgia 104-91 in double overtime on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 in Athens, Ga., at Stegeman Coliseum.

Georgia Bulldogs guard Dustin Ware (3) goes for a layup in the second half as Florida beats Georgia 104-91 in double overtime on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 in Athens, Ga., at Stegeman Coliseum.

Georgia Bulldogs guard Sherrard Brantley (23) shoots a three-point-basket in the first half as Florida beats Georgia 104-91 in double overtime on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 in Athens, Ga., at Stegeman Coliseum.

Gymdogs over Auburn

2011-02-17T10:00:00.003-05:00

Laura Moffatt flips upside down on the balance beam as Georgia beats Auburn in a NCAA Women's Gymnastics meet on Friday, January 21, 2011 in Athens, Ga., at Stegeman Coliseum.

Gymnastics had its second meet in 4 days, this time facing conference rival Auburn.

I really wanted to go for artsy and different this time, since it was the second time out in a week.

Cassidy McComb falls off the balance beam as Georgia beats Auburn in a NCAA Women's Gymnastics meet on Friday, January 21, 2011 in Athens, Ga., at Stegeman Coliseum.

The more artistic and framed shots seem to come before the meet, either backstage or during warmups. Everyone else goes and eats lunch, I go out and make photos.

Noel Couch, left, performs a premeet ritual before Georgia beats Auburn in a NCAA Women's Gymnastics meet on Friday, January 21, 2011 in Athens, Ga., at Stegeman Coliseum.

Christa Tanella warms up on the floor exercise as Auburn faces Georgia in a NCAA Women's Gymnastics meet on Friday, January 21, 2011 in Athens, Ga., at Stegeman Coliseum.

Head coach Jay Clark watches as Mariel Box warms up on the balance beam as Auburn faces Georgia in a NCAA Women's Gymnastics meet on Friday, January 21, 2011 in Athens, Ga., at Stegeman Coliseum.

Cheerleaders run into the arena before Georgia beats Auburn in a NCAA Women's Gymnastics meet on Friday, January 21, 2011 in Athens, Ga., at Stegeman Coliseum.

Lindsey Cheek performs her floor exercise as photographers watch as Georgia beats Auburn in a NCAA Women's Gymnastics meet on Friday, January 21, 2011 in Athens, Ga., at Stegeman Coliseum.

Pickin Party

2011-02-16T10:00:00.005-05:00

Juanita Hall, center, sits with her husband Richard at a pickin party on Thursday, January 20, 2011 in Jefferson, Ga. About a dozen musicians joined the weekly bluegrass jam session.

I've never been to a bluegrass house party but theres a first time for everything. Now when i see a Mandolin, 12-string guitar, banjo and stand-up bass, I tend to think punk rock ala Dropkick Murphys (Gratuitous Plug - new album 3/1) but this was a treat.

Clyde Beck plays the mandolin at a pickin party on Thursday, January 20, 2011 in Jefferson, Ga. Beck was recently inducted into the Atlanta County Music Hall of Fame.

I also shot some video with my iPod as I'm trying to do more of that.

BMX in a parking lot

2011-02-15T10:00:00.003-05:00

Jon Dowker does a BMX trick in the parking lot of Piedmont College on Thursday, January 20, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

On the way back from a farewell lunch for a coworker, I came across a guy doing BMX tricks in a parking lot.

The vignetting is from using a Nikon 12-24 f/4 DX lens on a full frame body and shot at 12 mm. Later I found out i could disable the auto DX crop instead of tricking the camera that the lens was on. Still it gives a very weird effect.

Gymdogs over WVU

2011-02-14T10:00:00.004-05:00

It seems like I haven't photographed the University of Georgia Gymdogs since their national championship of 2008. While thats not entirely true, I think it was one or 2 meets of the 12 home meets they have since then. So I was a little rusty.

One of the biggest lessons I've learned about sports photography is to be where someone else isn't. For whatever reason, the Gymnastics team seems to bring out a large contingent of photographers, most whom I've never seen before, and none of which are shooting for a newspaper or large media outlet... yet are all male and shooting with prosumer cameras and kit lenses. How they get passes, I have no idea.

I like to show the artistry of the events and shoot things with long glass. I want to show the crowd and get things that most everyone else doesn't. There's no point to getting the same photo as the guy next to you, even if they are working for some website you've never heard of.

Kat Ding reaches for the lower of the uneven parallel bars as Georgia beats West Virginia University in a NCAA Women's Gymnastics meet on Monday, January 17, 2011 in Athens, Ga at Stegeman Coliseum. Ding scored a 9.950, posting the high score of the meet.

Senior Cassidy McComb does a back flip on the balance beam as Georgia beats West Virginia University in a NCAA Women's Gymnastics meet on Monday, January 17, 2011 in Athens, Ga at Stegeman Coliseum.

Noel Couch flies through the air on the vault as Georgia beats West Virginia University in a NCAA Women's Gymnastics meet on Monday, January 17, 2011 in Athens, Ga at Stegeman Coliseum.

Hilary Mauro touches the vault with her fingertips as Georgia beats West Virginia University in a NCAA Women's Gymnastics meet on Monday, January 17, 2011 in Athens, Ga at Stegeman Coliseum.

Christa Tanella flies through the air on the floor exercise as Georgia beats West Virginia University in a NCAA Women's Gymnastics meet on Monday, January 17, 2011 in Athens, Ga at Stegeman Coliseum.

Shayla Worley performs on the balance beam as Georgia beats West Virginia University in a NCAA Women's Gymnastics meet on Monday, January 17, 2011 in Athens, Ga at Stegeman Coliseum.

Hilary Mauro jumps in the air during a premeet ritual before Georgia beats West Virginia University in a NCAA Women's Gymnastics meet on Monday, January 17, 2011 in Athens, Ga at Stegeman Coliseum.

Okay, its been awhile.... First Up - Drive By Truckers

2011-02-13T23:50:00.005-05:00

Patterson Hood sings as the Drive By Truckers play the 40 Watt Club as part of their annual homecoming shows on Thursday, January 13, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

So i took an unintentional leave from blogging. The truth? I've been out making photos. Daily assignments. Running all over the place. (We wont discuss the ridiculous amount of laundry)

We'll pick back up from last month; I got to photograph the Drive By Truckers on the first night of their annual homecoming shows at the 40 Watt Club in Athens. DBT is a little different when it comes to photographers - or so it was for this show. Usually it is 3 songs and out (I tend to push that when i can) but with DBT it was "stay the whole night" which meant I got a ton of photos. Even better, I managed to ~~steal~~ borrow my girlfriend's d300 so I had two bodies to shoot with.

Hit the jump for the insights....

I tend to take a different approach to concert photography. While i do love the "up close and personal" front of stage, wide angle shots, they bore me, especially if there is no barricade and i have to fight my way up there. I'm also loathe to even take the "Guy at Microphone standing in good light" photo. Neither do anything for me artistically.

What i want to see from a concert shot is the concert - the energy, the crowd, the light and the artistry. Thats how i approach it.

Snuck up to the back of the stage for the last song of the first set. Got lucky when Patterson turned towards me.

The hands. Its all about the hands.

Snowpocalpse: Day 2

2011-01-18T09:00:00.005-05:00

Kim Daniel walks on Prince Avenue after leaving Athens Regional Medical Center on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 in Athens, Ga. Daniel said she was involved in a car accident along with her father Monday night. Athens continues to dig out from nearly nine inches of snow that turned area roads to ice overnight.

By this point, the main roads had become passable. After walking countless miles the day before, I was willing to risk driving around own and then hopping out of the car to grab shots.

We made a conscious decision to avoid UGA as much as possible as that was where we spend all day Monday. We went up towards the Normaltown area when we parked the car and started walking and instantly found the woman walking in the middle of Prince.

From there we cut across town and hit the Five Points area. One general observation about the entire town - there were a LOT of people out and about. Lots of traffic and lots of pedestrians.

Mike Joyce stops shoveling from in front of his hair salon to let pedestrians pass in Frive Points on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Sean Ragsdale pulls his children Nora, 3, and Max, 2, in a wagon in Five Points on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Ice builds up on a streetlight on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

One of my favorite shots from this storm.

The Taylor-Grady house sits covered in snow on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Desegregation Anniversary

2011-01-17T09:00:00.004-05:00

January 9th marked 50 years since the first African-American students, Charlayne Hunter and Hamilton Holmes, were admitted to the University of Georgia.

50 Years Later, in the middle of a horrible snow & ice storm, Charlayne Hunter-Gault spoke about those times.

When I shot this, I had already walked about five miles for the day. I was in complete reflex mode and forced myself to be creative, despite being woefully underdressed for the occasion. Almost the entire audience walked to see Hunter-Gault speak. After listening to her speak, I'd walk five more miles to hear it again.

Student Leyu Wondwossen listens as Charlayne Hunter-Gault, one of the two students that integrated the University of Georgia 50 years ago, speaks at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education on Monday, January 10, 2011 in Athens, Ga. Hunter-Gault and Hamilton Holmes registered for classes at UGA on January 9, 1961 to become the first black students at UGA.

Charlayne Hunter-Gault, one of the two students that integrated the University of Georgia 50 years ago, gets a hug from Joshua Delaney, President of the Student Government Association before speaking at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education on Monday, January 10, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Framing.

More Framing.

Even more framing.

Snowpocalypse: The Day After

2011-01-16T09:00:00.005-05:00

Brad McCook shovels snow in front of the double-barrelled cannon at City Hall on Monday, January 10, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

After 5 hours of sleep, it was time to get going and go back out into the snow. We woke up to nearly NINE inches of snow and there wasn't a bad photo anywhere.

Mode of transportation? Footware.

We started with a quick walk around downtown for an hour, finding that photo of the canon and the ACC Public Works folks shoveling off the steps to City Hall as well as Mike shoveling off from in front of The Grill and then back to the paper to post a fresh photo and find/make a plan.

Owner Mike Bradshaw shovels snow in front of his restaurant on Monday, January 10, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Brent Hardman, left, photographs his son Walker in the snow on Monday, January 10, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

City Hall is covered in the snow on Monday, January 10, 2011 in Athens, Ga

Then we headed out for features and to find someone sledding. Which proved troublesome as the college kids were not out and about at 10AM.

A contractor with Harrison and Harrison plows Lumpkin Street for the University of Georgia on Monday, January 10, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Our first Snowplow.

A front end loader plows Sanford Drive in front of Sanford Stadium on Monday, January 10, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

UGA was crazy about plowing and clearing the snow.

Cars and trucks drive on Broad Street through the snow on Monday, January 10, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

There was an actual assignment I had to photograph that day as a speech commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the desegregation of the University of Georgia was still happening. (See tomorrow's blogpost for that) Once more we took to the streets and walked across UGA.

Emily Cooper, Hailey Chapman, and Carson LeCroy sled through the snow at the University of Georgia on Monday, January 10, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

These were the only people who had a real sled. This led A1.

University of Georgia senior Seth Hancock is pulled through the snow on a surfboard by his dog on Monday, January 10, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

It took forever for the dog to loose interest in a pile of snow and to start pulling him again. What was more amazing was that it took 2 days to get the sidewalks clear.

Students build a snow fort around a snowman on Myers Quad at the University of Georgia on Monday, January 10, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Calvin & Hobbes style snowman and fort.

University of Georgia freshman Zack Jarrett launches a kayak off a ramp in the snow on Monday, January 10, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Snowpocalypse: Day 1

2011-01-15T09:00:00.005-05:00

John Thrash cleans snow off his car as snow falls on Sunday, January 9, 2011 in Athens, Ga. A winter storm warning is in effect for the Athens area until 7pm Monday with up to six inches of snow are possible.

The weather reports of the snow starting Friday night left us with the following debate:

Me: "We're debating spending the night at the newspaper."

PJ Friend/Mentor: "We did that for a hurricane in Florida, but for snow in Georgia?"

The problem is that Athens does not own any dedicated Snow Removal Equipment. They have 2 giant road graders (for leveling gravel when you pave roads) and 4 trucks that can be outfitted with a sand spreader. So it wasn't a question of whether or not I'd be working - I would; there are no snow days in journalism - but it was a question of when I would get in and how easy it would be to get in.

A decision was made to stay at the paper & quickly amended to the hotel across the street. I set up a time lapse camera in the stairwell of our paper and started it right as the snow started falling. Grabbed snow gear and went out into the height of the storm to get a gallery and some video. Posted a gallery by Midnight and went to sleep for a few hours.

Amy Owen, left, throws a snowball at Lindsey Brown in front of the arch at the University of Georgia as snow falls on Sunday, January 9, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Iain Turnbull, foreground, makes a snowball as snow falls on Sunday, January 9, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

A woman walks on College Avenue as snow falls on Sunday, January 9, 2011 in Athens, Ga.

Baller. Shot Caller.

2011-01-14T09:00:00.001-05:00

Madison County junior point guard Molly Glaze on Thursday, January 6, 2011 in Danielsville, Ga.

Two more after the jump

Two lights. One with a 1/2 CTO with a Honl Travler8 Softbox at 1/4 Power from the side and one with 1/2 CTB with a Honl grid at 1/4 power.

I do like the high-pass/desaturated look sometimes.

Horiffic Crash, Minor Injuries

2011-01-13T09:00:00.004-05:00

Emergency workers carry 21-year-old Sabrina Williamson up an embankment after she crashed on the outer loop of the Athens Perimeter near Commerce Road on Thursday, January 6, 2011 in Athens, Ga. Sabrina Williamson, 21, was traveling west on the Perimeter, between North Avenue and Commerce Road, just before 12:30 p.m. when her car drove off the north shoulder and down an embankment, Athens-Clarke police said.

I had just started editing an assignment after getting into work when a call came over the radio about an accident with the car down an embankment and possibly into a retention pond. Another case of sprinting out of the office at full speed.

This was one of those times when I took every shortcut i could think of to approach the scene fast and from the opposite direction. This is one of those times having one of those federally-mandated yellow highway vests in the car paid positive results.

With this kind of chaotic spot news you need to remember two things: Stay out of everyone's way and park your car so it does not block any emergency vehicles. In this case i left mine on the entrance ramp and ran across the lanes of stopped traffic.

Traffic was stopping on the eastbound side as the westbound/outer loop was completely blocked with emergency vehicles as well as the median strip. The car had not reached the water but was within 20 yards of it. I found a good shooting position and decided to stay long as they extricated the victim. Afterwards as the situation calmed down, I was able to get close to the vehicle and the investigators.

By an absolute miracle, the victim suffered a minor head laceration after running off the road and head-on into a tree at highway speed.

Night Clerks

2011-01-12T09:00:00.004-05:00

Brij Shah writes down lottery information as part of closing at Sam's Food Mart on Atlanta Highway on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 in Athens, Ga. Shah worked at a convenience store on the south side of Chicago while going through college.

Recently we had a murder of a convenience store clerk so we decided to spend an evening with a local clerk to see what they do.

Mr. Shah was totally cool. Super nice guy. He told a few stories of working his way though college at a convenience store on the south side of Chicago. A slightly more intense environment then Athens, Ga.

New Year Travels

2011-01-11T09:00:00.003-05:00

I got an iPod Touch for Christmas and true to form, i made some photos with it while traveling.

The iPod/iPhone photos have been called 'The Brownie Camera of our Time' and I'm inclined to agree. I like trying to make images with it.

The kid kept straining to look out the window and I liked the curiosity.

She was wondering what i was taking a photo of.

Washington Dulles International Airport

There is no parking of airplanes there.

Its not a window seat, its an engine seat.

From Last Year: Barn Fire

2011-01-10T09:00:00.004-05:00

Doyle Johnson embraces his wife Chelsea as Athens-Clarke firefighters work to extinguish a barn in the 4000 block of Barnett Shoals Road on December 15, 2010 in Athens, Ga. No people or animals were hurt in the fire but antique furniture stored in the barn was lost.

I was listening to the scanner when I heard a call about a barn being on fire. I looked out the window and saw from 5 miles away that it was fully involved.

When you see thick, black smoke on the horizon, you have to have to temper the instinct to drive ~~like a maniac~~ incredibly fast - its still going to be on fire when you get there. You still have to obey the traffic laws despite hitting every traffic light red (you will) and drivers with no sense of urgency. I was able to follow a fire truck until we got to the Barnett Shoals/Lexington Road ~~nightmare~~ interchange and then they went through the red light and I had to stop.

Athens-Clarke firefighter Jacob Jones, center, works to extinguish a barn in the 4000 block of Barnett Shoals Road on December 15, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Spot news is interesting in that the best photos usually mean that something very bad has happened. With a barn fire, usually its just property loss. The horses were not in the barn and no animals were hurt. Unfortunately some antique furniture and other irreplaceable family heirlooms were lost in addition to several nearby canoes for a local Boy Scout Troop.

In the end, I'm very happy not to have covered any loss of life but I'm sad hear about the loss of family memories.

From Last Year: Naughty or Nice?

2011-01-08T09:00:00.003-05:00

Brandon Barnes, dressed as Santa, checks on Demarco Flemming after he was put in time-out during a holiday party at the Boys and Girls Club on Thursday, December 16, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

I found this feature at a Boys and Girls Club Christmas Party. Several kids were placed in "time out" and the man dressed as Santa came over to check on one of them.

From Last Year: Eclipse!

2011-01-07T12:48:00.004-05:00

One of the last things i shot for the paper last year was the only lunar eclipse that would happen on the Winter Solstice in my lifetime. Naturally the clouds would prove troublesome.

A composite of the first half of the eclipse.

Earlier in the evening, i shot a quick timelapse of the moon rising to test out how the moon would look, good focal length range, etc. I ended up putting a 2x teleconverter on a 400/2.8. I tried adding a 1.4 onto that but the images really lost sharpness detail.

Clouds are the bane of my existence when it comes to shooting the night sky. The eclipse would start around 1:45am (give or take a few) and i really wanted to do more than just "shoot the moon"; those photos tend to be bland. Instead my intent was to photograph the first half at home and then drive downtown to city hall and try to get the Christmas tree or anything in the foreground of the shot.

The clouds opened up and i started shooting on my back porch with 2 cameras; one wide to try and get the trees and environmental shots and one focused on the moon. Now the moon is moving; at 800mm the moon will go through the frame (top to bottom) in a few minutes. This eclipse was almost straight up and my little basic, Bogen tripod head kept slipping because of the sheer weight of trying to point a 400/2.8 + tc + D3 at an extreme angle. This resulted in a LOT of cursing, camera slippage, some blood and the occasional photo of the moon.

17mm/30 seconds on a D700 with the moon at total eclipse. Its magnitude appears not much brighter then the neighboring stars.

I got the entire first half of the eclipse. Here's where I messed up. Instead of making sure i had a dead solid, good exposure of the blood red moon, i booked down to City Hall and tried to make some more shots; some handheld with a 300. I rushed when i shouldn't have. I was fearing the clouds (rightfully so) as they rolled in fast after the moon went totally red. So instead of having 2 or 3 solid, good images, i have stuff that I'm not super happy with.

200mm handheld as seen through the lights of the Christmas Tree.

So where does this leave me astrophotography wise? For photographing the moon, I think a telescope with a camera adapter might be the way to go. 800mm just isn't good enough. As for trying to photograph some neighboring planets? That might be the "point & shoot through the eyepiece" method. I'm not sure, I don't have the budget of NASA. I think I'll still go with all the star trail photos.

The moon before eclipse surrounded by branches.

Photos of the Year

2010-12-26T14:24:00.009-05:00

Barrow County Sheriff's Deputy Chris Hulett, right, kisses his bride Keni Carter during their wedding reception at Athens Regional Medical Center on Fri., Jan 29, 2010 in Athens, Ga. Hulett was diagnosed with end-stage melanoma. Carter decided Friday morning that they should be married later that day.

Its time for my Photos of the Year. These 22 are some of the best and my favorites of the year, out of the fifty-some I narrowed it down to. I want to add some commentary and context to the shots as I go.

The shot about, Chris Hulett's wedding. We found out about a 1/2 hour before the wedding and we sped over like no other. I started shooting before the hospital PR people had people sign their releases but to no matter. I had the privilege to see a couple get married and have one of the happiest days of their life in the midst of some of their worst times.

A man walks through the snow on the campus of the University of Georgia on Friday, February 12, 2010 in Athens, Ga. The National Weather Service forecasted up to 3 inches of snow for the region.

Such is what passes for snow in the south.

Athens Clarke Firefighters extinguish a fire that consumed a Honda Accord that was traveling on the Athens Perimeter on Friday, February 19, 2010 in Athens, Ga. Traffic was stopped on the outer loop of the road for about 20 minutes while firefighters extinguished the blaze.

Spot news for my birthday. I had just dropped off the dog at the the kennel. Of interesting concidence, the last time i had dropped off the dog at the kennel (for Christmas 2009) I ran across a house fire. This time, a car-b-que. No one was hurt, traffic was backed up and I made a frame.

Eleven-year-old Kaden Campbell is silhouetted against the sun at the skate park in Southeast Clarke Park on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

I was told to go out and photograph skateboarders for a story of the anniversary of the local skate park. They PAID me to go do this. Without complaint, i managed to stretch this out for hours and walked away with a frame I always wanted to make.

Athens-Clarke Police Det. Rebecca Croxton carries Haley Grace Pope, the newborn baby of 29-year-old Leigh Pope, following a multiple domestic shooting after Pope was killed in Southeastern Clarke County on Tuesday April 20, 2010. Leigh Pope, 29, was shot and killed by her brother Richard Norred, 28 after Norred shot Pope as well as her sister Amy Norred, 31, and their mother Carrol Norred, 63.

I was getting coffee at the time. I got a call saying there might be a triple shooting and it was somewhere in the Southwestern side of the county and our cops reporter Joe Johnson was checking into it. I ran to the car called Joe and got a vague location as he wasn't at the scene yet. I followed a few PD command cars into the area. Parked a block away (always park so you can get your car out), came up with the 400 & a teleconverter and the first thing I saw was Det. Croxton carrying a baby. (She is a very good forensic investigator so her carrying a baby was a tad unusual). Somehow, I knew that this was "the shot" for this story. As it would turn out, the Popes were neighbors with a friend of mine. My heart goes out to David and his daughter.

Aerial dancer April Moore Skelton hangs from a ring as they rehearse at Canopy Studios for their upcoming show "Fractured Fairy Tales" on Tuesday, April 21, 2010.

Canopy is a wonderful place to shoot. The stage lights and the aerial dance make a good combination.

Female rider Theresa Cliff-Ryan looks up after crashing moments after winning the Womens Criterium event of the Athens Twilight Criterium on Saturday, April 24, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Rain and rain and rain. That's how you sum up Athens Twilight 2010. Despite being covered in raingear and having me cameras covered in raincovers, both me and my equipment got SOAKED. I walked the whole course and then spent most of the remaining time at the start/finish line. I followed the women's finish across the line, looked down and then heard the crash. Looked up, fired away some frames and the thing that gets me is the completely stunned look on the face of the Cliff-Ryan, who just won the event, as she looks up.

Kayakers paddle on the Middle Oconee River on Friday, April 30, 2010 in Athens, Ga. Temperatures soared into the lower 80s Friday and are forecast to remain that way through Sunday.

I turned a business story about Terry Stephen's kayak business (Big Dawgs on the River) into a weather feature. I enjoy the rich textures.

A great blue heron carries a fish out of a pond near the 13th green during the final round of the Athens Classic on the Nationwide Tour at the University of Georgia Golf Course on Sunday, May 2, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

The leaders were on the green behind me. Last group, final round. What am I doing? I'm photographing a bird fish. Better use of my time if you ask me.

Space Shuttle Atlantis lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center on Friday, May 14, 2010 en route to the International Space Station. Friday marks the last scheduled launch for the 25-year-old Atlantis.

Another shot I've always wanted to make. Thanks to Scott Andrews of Canon Professional Services for hitchhiking along in his van during remote setup and Ken Thornsley of NASA for his help as well. This was my third try at remotes and finally got something I wanted.

Rob and Ronnie Sprague, Warner Robbins, Ga., do a belly-flop into a mud hole at the Summer Redneck Games on Saturday, July 10, 2010 in East Dublin, Ga.

The Redneck Games. Attractor of photojournalists everywhere. Fun time, got to meet Corey Perrine, Melissa Lyttle and Josh Ritchie. Great time, except for the speeding ticket. (And the fire ants; I still have scars)

An Athens-Clarke firefighter walks past a fireball erupting from the remains of J and J Chemical Company on Wednesday, July 28, 2010 in Athens, Ga. The fire broke out around midnight and flared up around 8:15 a.m. The Athens plant produces toilet bowl disinfectant.

They always tell you to fill the frame and and that "if you're photos aren't good enough, you're not close enough." I was plenty close, my face felt sunburned after this frame and I was at least 200 yards away. (I love the non chalent look on the firefighter.)

A boy tries to hold an umbrella over the head of a man he is walking with as rain falls on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

I was searching for a weather feature, trying to a reflection shot in a puddle when these two walked by. Saw it out of the corner of my eye.

Athens-Clarke Police Major Mark Sizemore, left and Capt. Clarence Holeman, right, try to console the friend of 20-year-old Chateaubrian L. "Toby" Bailey who was shot to death in the 130 building of Bethel Midtown Village on Friday, August 27, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

I was out getting coffee when I heard about a possible murder at the local housing project. I headed over and saw lots of police brass. The story would play out that t was an accidental shooting. Out of nowhere, this scene happened. Fired off some frames. The grief tells the story.

Harris Culley plays guitar for Bombtrack, a Rage Against the Machine cover band at Rye Bar in Athens, Ga.

This was one of those times when walking back and getting my camera paid off handsomely. Made some good frames. Love the colors.

Zach Yurchuck fishes from his kayak on Lake Chapman at Sandy Creek Park on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Getting up early for an assignment paid off. Cool morning made the steam come off the lake which just looked beautiful.

Kindergartner William Johnson works with paraprofessional Cindy Hawks at Ila Elementary School on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 in Ila, Ga. Ila Elementary School is one of only six schools in Georgia to receive a Blue Ribbon award from the U.S. Department of Education for academic achievement.

I'm always looking for something different when i go into a school. This one worked out well.

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Tyler Hansen (9) is held up by Colorado Buffaloes offensive linesman Ryan Miller (73) after scoring on a two-yard touchdown run in the third quarter as the Colorado Buffaloes beat the Georgia Bulldogs 29-27 at Folsom Field on Saturday, October 2, 2010 in Boulder, Co. (

The Colorado/Georgia game made for some great photos. This jube shot came from the length of the field with a 400 & a teleconverter on crop mode as there is no room whatsoever on the sidelines at Colorado. It was also the trip when I got to meet Jenn LeBlanc & Cora.

Supporters for Athens Mayoral candidate watch election returns at Cine on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Election returns. It seems more graphical then someone looking at a computer.

Tommy McNaull, center, and Erica Wilhelm react as they watch as the US falls to Ghana 2-1 in the World Cup at Lansdowne Road pub on Saturday, June 26, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

I have to give serious thanks to Dustin Karr, Vandi, Ali and the rest of the crew at Lansdowne Road for this. After all the help I've gotten there, they got my patronage.

The North Celestial Pole swirls above the Georgia Guidestones on Wednesday, December 1, 2010 in Elberton, Ga. The granite monument often referred to as the "American Stonehenge" have ten guiding principles engraves on them in eight different languages.

Of course it was 27 degrees out when I took this. I went and hid in the car during the long exposure.

Georgia Wide Receiver A.J. Green on Wednesday, July 28, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Little did I know that when I took this shot that we would make it out cover shot for our Gameday section two months later, after Green's tangle with the NCAA and a four-game suspension.

The Governors first speech

2010-12-23T18:58:00.003-05:00

Georgia Governor-elect Nathan Deal gives the closing address at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government's Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators at the University of Georgia on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

The Governor-elect came to UGA to make his first post-election speech.

For those playing the home game, that's Rep. Doug McKillip of Athens sitting in front of the podium. McKillip switched parties earlier this month.

Georgia Governor-elect Nathan Deal, center, along with Georgia Speak of the House David Rawlston, left, and Lt. Governor Casey Cagel greet University of Georgia President Michael Adams, right, at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government's Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators at the University of Georgia on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Chickens!

2010-12-22T18:50:00.002-05:00

Nicola Gleaton feeds his chicken in his back yard on Saturday, December 11, 2010 in Winder, Ga. Gleaton and another neighbor are in a dispute with the City of Winder over their backyard chickens.

I had a chance to photograph some backyard chickens the other week. It was all about making photos fast as I had about a half-hour before i had to drive back to Athens for a prep basketball game.

Nicola Gleaton feeds his chicken in his back yard on Saturday, December 11, 2010 in Winder, Ga. Gleaton and another neighbor are in a dispute with the City of Winder over their backyard chickens.

A Hen walks in a henhouse in Nicola Gleaton's back yard on Saturday, December 11, 2010 in Winder, Ga. Gleaton and another neighbor are in a dispute with the City of Winder over their backyard chickens.

Chickens walks across Nicola Gleaton's back yard on Saturday, December 11, 2010 in Winder, Ga. Gleaton and another neighbor are in a dispute with the City of Winder over their backyard chickens.

A hen lays in a egg-laying box in Nicola Gleaton's back yard on Saturday, December 11, 2010 in Winder, Ga. Gleaton and another neighbor are in a dispute with the City of Winder over their backyard chickens.

Clarke vs Cedar

2010-12-21T09:00:00.004-05:00

Cedar Shoals' A.J. Davenport gets a rebound in front of Clarke Central guard Jevron Thomas in the fourth quarter as time expires as Cedar Shoals beats Clarke Central 64-63 in an GHSA Region 8-AAAA boys basketball game on Saturday, December 12, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Prep Game 3 - Clarke Central vs Cedar Shoals. Its the crosstown rivalry that lives up to the hype.

Both of these schools are "home teams" as far as my publication is concerned. It came down to the last play & the last shot. Only problem was that the game-winning jube was at the far end of the court, far from my flashes.

Cedar Shoals' Tray Briscoe goes for a layup overtop of Clarke Central guard Mario Johnson as Cedar Shoals beats Clarke Central 64-63 in an GHSA Region 8-AAAA boys basketball game on Saturday, December 12, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Clarke Central guard Jacquez Dunn goes for a layup over Cedar Shoals' Tray Briscoe as Cedar Shoals beats Clarke Central 64-63 in an GHSA Region 8-AAAA boys basketball game on Saturday, December 12, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Cedar Shoals' Carl Clemons pulls up for a jump shot in the first quarter as Cedar Shoals beats Clarke Central 64-63 in an GHSA Region 8-AAAA boys basketball game on Saturday, December 12, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Sometimes the flash doesnt fire

2010-12-20T09:00:00.003-05:00

Athens Academy's Davis Finney, center, puts up a shot between Athens Christian's Garth Brown, left, and Zach Lillie, right, in the fourth quarter as Athens Academy beats Athens Christian in an GHSA Region 8-A boys basketball game on Friday, December 10, 2010 in Watkinsville, Ga.

Prep Basketball: Game 2, Athens Christian vs Athens Academy. Adventures of misbehaving equipment after the jump.

About a year ago, i dropped my SB-80, cracking the LCD display on the back of it. About all i can tell on it is the power it is firing in (1/2, 1/4, 1/8th, etc) and getting the optical slave on and off. What i can't do anymore is go in and adjust the standby mode, meaning it goes to sleep..... so sometimes the flash just doesnt fire.

You can see how this is a problem when shooting strobed basketball. Turnover at the other end, break back the other way, stop, pull up for the jumper, push button and side lighting galore. As luck will always have it, the light that won't fire will be the main strobe from the angle you are on.

Now the creative type will take this and turn it black and white, play with the contrast and just make it look like you meant it that way. (Because that green of the fluorescent and the white of the strobe just clash HARD)

Athens Academy senior Kalupe Booze celebrates as Athens Academy beats Athens Christian in an GHSA Region 8-A boys basketball game on Friday, December 10, 2010 in Watkinsville, Ga.

Athens Academy's Donta Eberhard puts up a shot over Athens Christian's Anthany Cosby in the fourth quarter as Athens Academy beats Athens Christian in an GHSA Region 8-A boys basketball game on Friday, December 10, 2010 in Watkinsville, Ga.

Athens Christian's Garth Brown goes up for a layup in the first quarter as Athens Academy beats Athens Christian in an GHSA Region 8-A boys basketball game on Friday, December 10, 2010 in Watkinsville, Ga.

Athens Christian's Garth Brown runs the floor in the second quarter as Athens Academy beats Athens Christian in an GHSA Region 8-A boys basketball game on Friday, December 10, 2010 in Watkinsville, Ga.

Strongest Dawg Competition

2010-12-19T09:00:00.003-05:00

Georgia junior Jordan Thomas competes in the bench press during the Strongest Dawg Powerlifting Competition at the University of Georgia's Ramsey Center on Wednesday, December 8, 2010 in Athens, Ga. Thomas lifted 255 kilograms in the dead lift competition, the largest weight in the competition.

The other week Georgia's Ramsey Center held a weightlifting competition. It made for interesting pictures.

The absolute challenge to shoot this was that there was not a clean shot. You had 3 judges - making sure the lift was clean - two spotters and four people putting weights on the bar. Add five photojournalism students and suddenly no one can see anything unless you go tight.

Georgia sophomore Jackson Govatos lifts the bar during the bench press during the Strongest Dawg Powerlifting Competition at the University of Georgia's Ramsey Center on Wednesday, December 8, 2010 in Athens, Ga. Govatos won the pound-for-pound competition, lifting a total of 527.5 kilograms while weighing 70.

Georgia junior Jordan Thomas yells as he deadlifts 255 kilograms during the Strongest Dawg Powerlifting Competition at the University of Georgia's Ramsey Center on Wednesday, December 8, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Softball Player of the Year

2010-12-18T09:00:00.002-05:00

Prince Avenue pitcher Alex Bettis on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 in Bogart, Ga. Bettis was named Softball Player of the Year.

On the absolute coldest sunny day I've ever photographed in, i took a very patient and cooperative softball player under the bleachers to make a nice photo as she was named player of the year. With the wind, it was in the low 20s.

We froze, i worked fast. Then i took it back and overprocessed the hell out of it, giving it a very gritty look.

North Oconee Girls Basketball vs Gainesville

2010-12-17T09:00:00.004-05:00

North Oconee's Jessica Watson is fouled by Gainesville's Hunter Pugh in the first half as the North Oconee Lady Titans face the Gainesville Lady Red Elephants on Friday, December 3, 2010 in Bogart, Ga.

Prep basketball has started again. My Fridays will now be spent indoors, with 1/4 power flashes lighting 1/3rd of the court. This started off defensibly with a low-scoring affair between North Oconee and Gainesville.

Most of the schools around here have a balcony that allows me to put light stands on (or super clamp) and light half the court. You use a couple of pocket-wizards (or trigger of your choice) and fire them on 1/4 power and aim them down on the court. Looks fantastic. Only downside is that you cant light the whole court..... unless you want to use zip cord.

I like to move around a lot. I will shoot for under the basket, from the corner, from the balcony and then in the crowd. If its a rivalry game, i love it because one team comes to me in the first half, one team comes at me in the second half.

North Oconee's Brooke Satterfield works the ball down low as the North Oconee Lady Titans face the Gainesville Lady Red Elephants on Friday, December 3, 2010 in Bogart, Ga.

North Oconee's Jessica Watson goes for a rebound against Gainesville's Mikalyn DeFoor in the first half as the North Oconee Lady Titans face the Gainesville Lady Red Elephants on Friday, December 3, 2010 in Bogart, Ga.

Gainesvilles Rebecca Webster goes for a loose ball as the North Oconee Lady Titans face the Gainesville Lady Red Elephants on Friday, December 3, 2010 in Bogart, Ga.

Skate Inn!

2010-12-16T09:00:00.002-05:00

The Athens Skate Inn was recent reopened after a near-15 year hiatus. Naturally i got to push the limits of what a Nikon can do in the dark.

It reminded me of the old-school roller skating rinks, long before the advent of in-line skating. It was the old days of the disco lights and dee-jay; the luke-warm pizza and sixth-graders holding hands. (Disclaimer: I did not eat the pizza at the skate inn; that is what i remember from my youth)

And no, I did not go out and skate with the camera. Although i was tempted.

Frost

2010-12-15T17:58:00.002-05:00

It has been unseasonably cold here. Its just a detail of some frost moments before it was scraped from my car.

M-O-O-N

2010-12-12T09:00:00.002-05:00

Just a random Moonshot.

(400mm + 1.4 teleconverter from the parking lot of our newspaper)

Trees for Troops

2010-12-11T09:00:00.003-05:00

Georgia National Guard Sgt. Raymond Collins, center, and Eddie Hardigree, left, load Christmas trees as part of the "Trees for Troops" program at Greenbriar Creek Farm on Thursday, December 2, 2010 in Bishop, Ga. Over 800 Christmas tree growers nationwide are donating trees for military families as well as troops deployed overseas.

Tis the season. I would have jumped into the back of the truck, but the bed of the military truck was 5 feet off the ground. Couldnt get myself in easily.

Georgia Guidestones

2010-12-10T18:06:00.005-05:00

The North Celestial Pole swirls above the Georgia Guidestones on Wednesday, December 1, 2010 in Elberton, Ga. The granite monument often referred to as the "American Stonehenge" have ten guiding principles engraves on them in eight different languages.

With this horrifically cold weather, its made for some crystal clear nights. I decided to take advantage of this and truck out to the Georgia Guidestones to make a star trail shot. It works but i almost wish i had shot it tighter. We shall see as life goes on.

ISO 100, 17mm @ 2.8 for 15 minutes. (Converted from Raw) No idea what is reflecting in the lower right.

Clarke Central wins Region 8AAAA Championship

2010-11-23T11:08:00.003-05:00

Clarke Central defensive lineman Devonte Yearby kisses the Region 8 Class AAAA championship trophy as the Clarke Central Gladiators beat the Flowery Branch Falcons 21-0 on Friday, November 5, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

This was a cold, disastrous game from a photo standpoint. Windchill was below 30 and i froze.

What made it a disaster was the company-issued laptop that took an hour and a half to ingest 2 cards, open & tone 5 photos. Usually this takes 5 minutes. Missed deadline by an hour & a half.

Sports Illustration: Jordan Pierce

2010-11-14T09:00:00.002-05:00

Clarke Central linebacker Jordan Pierce on Thursday, November 4, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Yeah, its an illustration. You don't see sunsets like that here in Georgia. The why and the how after the jump.

Two factors led me to take this from a conceptual sports portrait into an illustration.

First, i had one light with me. No pocket wizards, no stand, no nothing. One SB-800. I was originally going to use Nikon's CLS and using my recently fixed D700 in commander mode. Nothing would fire right, so i went back to f/18 & full power on the flash.

Second, I had this nice gradient with the clouds until 5 minutes before practice was over. I had some nice clouds and flipped the WB to cloudy and was going to do something similar to what i ended up with. Then it cleared. And I've shot so many portraits lately of a kid outside against the sky with the sun behind his head. So i said the hell with it, toned the sky the way i wanted it to look, cleaned up a power lines & called it an illustration.

Ethics-wise, a photo like this could only be in a contest in the illustration category. Its not photojournalism, its not a documentary portrait; its just an illustration.

Election Night in Athens. Part 1.

2010-11-13T09:00:00.007-05:00

Supporters for Athens Mayoral candidate watch election returns at Cine on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Its election night. It happens every year. The main thing i covered was 2 of the 5 Mayoral race candidates, which meant that 2 people would more than likely be heading for a runoff in a later election, leading to very little jube/deject shots.

I had to hit 3 parties that night. One for a State Represenative in Watkinsville (very nice people there) and two mayoral races here in town, which vied for who would end up in the runoff.

So 745-830 at first party, 9-930 at the second, 945-1015 at the third. So i did the smart thing. Got one good jube & deject photo of each candidate & went back to make deadline. We weren't going to get anything insane because the returns came in slow & it was going to end up in a runoff.

In the end, it all comes down to what can i frame the scene and how can i compose this so that it goes beyond "candidate, hug, bounce-flash"

Athens Mayoral candidate Spencer Frye looks at returns alongside his wife Gretchen at Cine on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 in Athens, Ga. Frye finished third behind former Mayor Gwen O'Looney.

Athens Mayoral candidate Gwen O'Looney checks results on her phone during a party for her supporters at Little Kings on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 in Athens, Ga. O'Looney finished second behind former tax commissioner Nancy Denson and will face her in a runoff.

University of Georgia Anthropology professor Steve Kowalewski watches election returns on a laptop at a party for Athens Mayoral candidate Gwen O'Looney at Little Kings on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Athens Mayoral candidate Gwen O'Looney looks at election returns alongside Bertis Downs at Little Kings on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Georgia House of Representatives candidate Hank Huckaby talks with his wife Amy, left and supporter Jim Parker, right at Your Pie on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 in Watkinsville, Ga. Huckaby will be filling the seat vacated by Rep. Bob Smith, who is retiring.

Supporters of Georgia House of Representatives candidate Hank Huckaby watch election returns at Your Pie on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 in Watkinsville, Ga. Huckaby will be filling the seat vacated by Rep. Bob Smith, who is retiring.

Cupcake Scheduling

2010-11-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

Our weekly Gameday story was on the new scheduling philosophy, leading into the week where they faced Football Championship Subdivision (formerly 1-AA) school Idaho State where they paid ISU $525,000 to come to Athens.

Its referred to a "buy" game or more commonly known as a cupcake. Georgia's new philosophy is to get away from scheduling bigger, out of conference opponents and face more mid-major and 1-AA schools.

So how did we illustrated this? We went to the grocery store and pointed out the complete obvious.

Georgia v Florida Redux.

2010-11-11T09:00:00.004-05:00

Florida Gators kicker Chas Henry (17) celebrates after kicking a 37-yard field goal to win the game as the Florida Gators beat the Georgia Bulldogs 34-31 in overtime at Everbank Field on Saturday, October 30, 2010 in Jacksonville, Fl.

Its the annual Georgia/Florida game, Formerly known as the Worlds Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. It was my fourth time since 2005, and it came down to the last play. Best college game I've seen in person.

Tale of this road trip after the jump.

This is what we do: We get in the car, we drive for six hours. We get to the hotel, get dinner and Go to sleep. We get up, we get in the car, we drive to the stadium and work for 12 hours. Then we get in the car, get dinner and go to the hotel. Then we get back in the car and go home. It doesn't matter the city, we don't have much time to play, if at all. We barely have time to eat.

Usually the game is a media nightmare on the sidelines. Not so much this year, a you can tell by the ~~ESPN~~ Four-Letter-Network Radio guy celebrating with the Florida team at the top. In one of the secondary photo work rooms - the one closest to the field - were Me, the AJC, St Pete Times, Florida Times-Union, Orlando Sentinel, the Macon Telegraph, Georgia's college paper and UGASports.Com. And we were comfortable.

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Tavarres King (12) celebrates his 61-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter as the Florida Gators beat the Georgia Bulldogs 34-31 in overtime at Everbank Field on Saturday, October 30, 2010 in Jacksonville, Fl.

Majorette Colleen Murphy performs on the sidelines before the Florida Gators beat the Georgia Bulldogs 34-31 in overtime at Everbank Field on Saturday, October 30, 2010 in Jacksonville, Fl.

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray (11) yells as he runs into the endzone for a two-point conversion to tie the game at 31 in the fourth quarter as the Florida Gators beat the Georgia Bulldogs 34-31 in overtime at Everbank Field on Saturday, October 30, 2010 in Jacksonville, Fl.

UGA VIII rubs noses with Hairy Dawg on the sidelines of the annual Georgia-Florida game at Everbank Field on Saturday, October 30, 2010 in Jacksonville, Fl.

Side note - I really like UGA VIII. He's pretty friendly and very energetic.

Georgia Bulldogs tight end Orson Charles (7) has the ball hit off his hands in the end zone in the third quarter as the Florida Gators beat the Georgia Bulldogs 34-31 in overtime at Everbank Field on Saturday, October 30, 2010 in Jacksonville, Fl.

I shoot with 3 cameras for this reason. There's always a wide around my neck for this shot. I prefocus it and leave it on aperture priority so i can just get the camera up in a hurry in case something important happens right in front of me. Like this one.

Georgia Bulldogs running back Washaun Ealey (3) celebrates after a four-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter as the Florida Gators beat the Georgia Bulldogs 34-31 in overtime at Everbank Field on Saturday, October 30, 2010 in Jacksonville, Fl.

The frame before this was better. It also backfocused. Murphy's Law, i guess.

Florida's bench empties as they celebrate safety Will Hill's interception in overtime as the Florida Gators beat the Georgia Bulldogs 34-31 in overtime at Everbank Field on Saturday, October 30, 2010 in Jacksonville, Fl.

Florida Gators wide receiver Chris Rainey (3) is tackled in the first quarter as the Florida Gators beat the Georgia Bulldogs 34-31 in overtime at Everbank Field on Saturday, October 30, 2010 in Jacksonville, Fl.

(This was Rainey's first game back after being arrested on domestic violence charges.)

My biggest mistake(s)? Forgetting kneepads. Big problem. In the first half, I chased the team up and down the field, missing A LOT. In the second half, I let Georgia come to me and it worked a lot better. Overtime? That was a different story. I chose the wrong spot when Georgia had the ball and missed the interception. I moved to the sideline from the endzone when Florida had the ball, assuming rightfully so that it would be a field goal to win it and there would be giant jube right in front of me.

I just didnt count on a radio guy running out there to celebrate with the kids.

Candidate Nathan Deal in Watkinsville

2010-11-10T09:00:00.004-05:00

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Nathan Deal walks off a bus past U.S. Congressman Paul Broun, right, as Republican candidates stop for a rally as part of a state-wide bus tour at Harris Shoals Park on Thursday, October 28, 2010 in Watkinsville, Ga.

I haven't had much of a chance to cover the major political races here in Georgia this election cycle, mainly because Athens is a major Democratic stronghold in a largely Republican state. The Republican Gubernatorial candidate came to the area and I tried to make some nice photos.

Politics is theater. Everything is stage managed, right down to what candidates eat in front of the press. This particular appearance was meant to be a picnic. Naturally, i try to break away from the very helpful PR staff and get something creative.

The major down side was the lack of people holding signs, cheering crowds, etc. It was a very low key, intimate event. It cuts both ways.

Georgia gubernatorial candidate Nathan Deal waives to the crowd as Republican candidates stop for a rally as part of a state-wide bus tour at Harris Shoals Park on Thursday, October 28, 2010 in Watkinsville, Ga.

Yes, its a standard political shot. Yes, you need to turn it in.

Fill Flash!

The light filtering through the trees made for a few nice shots, like Deal looking at Paul Broun.

The angle of the light brought out the texture in his face. I'm not sure how much i like this, looking at it a week later.

Sandra Deal, wife of Georgia gubernatorial candidate Nathan Deal, wears an elephant pendant as Republican candidates stop for a rally as part of a state-wide bus tour at Harris Shoals Park on Wednesday, October 28, 2010 in Watkinsville, Ga.

North Oconee Defense

2010-11-09T12:10:00.003-05:00

North Oconee defensive coordinator Bob Krieger is surrounded (l-r) Trent Mattox, Trey Reed, Sean Olinger, and Greg Hall on Thursday, October 28, 2010 in Bogart, Ga. North Oconee's defense has not allowed a point in their past three games.

As usual, I'm asked to do a group portrait involving the defensive coordinator. These are HARD because I need to highlight one person out of a group. How I did this after the jump....

My main idea was to flip it to tungsten & put a CTO Gel on a grid and shoot that, letting the players be in a different color temp. Once again, this was scheduled for before practice, which was around 4pm. The sun was still pretty high in the sky which meant shooting around f/16-f/18 at ISO 100 and blasting the SB-800 at full power.

I should have put secondary flashes to throw some light on their faces instead of lightning them in photoshop. It just doesnt look right that way.

It was a daily portrait. It told the story, it carried the page.

Chariot Races!

2010-11-01T09:00:00.003-04:00

Matt Shanks, center, runs with his teammates as they win a chariot race on Saturday, October 23, 2010 in Athens, Ga. Entrants had to navigate two laps of their homemade chariots on the College Avenue course.

Recently, a beverage company (They're not giving me any money, therefore they don't get mentioned, much like that shoe company doesn't give me money either) sponsored a goofy chariot race, Ben-Hur style, in the middle of downtown Athens. Chaos ensued. More after the jump

The typical goofy team names were presented, several unpublishable, and usually involved some of sexual reference. Hence why they were left out. Beyond that it was fun.

Matt Shanks, center, runs with this teammates during a chariot race on Saturday, October 23, 2010 in Athens, Ga. Entrants had to navigate two laps of their homemade chariots on the College Avenue course.

There were crashes.

Rae Moore, right, joins her teammates in trying to fix their chariot after it flipped during a chariot race on Saturday, October 23, 2010 in Athens, Ga. Entrants had to navigate two laps of their homemade chariots on the College Avenue course.

... and more crashes.

A chariot entered by the staff of Barcode flip over during a chariot race sponsored by Red Bull on Saturday, October 23, 2010 in Athens, Ga. Entrants had to navigate two laps of their homemade chariots on the College Avenue course.

.... and a sandbox....

Members of the Chi O sorority pull a sandbox during a chariot race on Saturday, October 23, 2010 in Athens, Ga. Entrants had to navigate two laps of their homemade chariots on the College Avenue course.

... and even a cooler.

Loftin Johnson, center, climbs into a cooler during a chariot race on Saturday, October 23, 2010 in Athens, Ga. Entrants had to navigate two laps of their homemade chariots on the College Avenue course.

Cedar Shoals upsets Apalachee

2010-10-31T09:00:00.002-04:00

Players celebrate after the Cedar Shoals Jaguars beat the Apalachee Wildcats 28-21 on Friday, October 22, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

What a difference a year makes. Last season, we followed the Apalachee Wildcats religiously as they went undefeated. This month, i managed to watch Apalachee play both of Athens' High schools, Clarke Central & Cedar Shoals.

Cedar was winless in the division coming into the matchup, with Apalachee looking to bounce back after losing to Clarke.

It was a game of turnovers - blocked punts, fumbles and an interception.

Apalachee defensive back Andwon Tyson and Cedar Shoals Orlando Wheeler dive for a fumble in the second quarter as the Cedar Shoals Jaguars beat the Apalachee Wildcats 28-21 on Friday, October 22, 2010 in Athens, Ga. Apalachee would throw an interception on the next play.

Apalachee wide receiver Jermaine Smith catches a pass in front of Cedar Shoals defensive back Rodney Moss on the Cedar Shoals 10-yard-line to set up a touchdown with less than a minute to play as the Cedar Shoals Jaguars beat the Apalachee Wildcats 28-21 on Friday, October 22, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Apalachee made a good attempt at a comeback, moving the ball 95 yards in less then a minute.

Apalachee running back Stanley Williams breaks a tackle in the third quarter as the Cedar Shoals Jaguars beat the Apalachee Wildcats 28-21 on Friday, October 22, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Jersey pull photo? Check.

Cedar Shoals fullback Charmarcus Pittard and Apalachee defensive lineman Rakimn Peters dive after a fumble before Peters recovered it with less then two minutes to go in the game as the Cedar Shoals Jaguars beat the Apalachee Wildcats 28-21 on Friday, October 22, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

I usually avoid the cheerleaders, but this made me chuckle.

Again.... i try the silhouetting the full moon photo. I was too close to the subjects for everything to be in focus, even at f/32. The light and the angles didnt quite match up.

(PS - If you kid has a uniform with a number on, make sure his name is on the roster!)

The Daily Deli

2010-10-30T09:00:00.002-04:00

Kathleen Anderson serves lunch at The Daily Deli on Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Bogart, Ga.

You can tell you've been here awhile when you start meeting the same people you met 3 years ago. Such is the case with my restaurant feature last week; I photographed The Daily Deli when it first opened 3 years ago and the newspaper themed deli is going strong.

Part of photographing every day is constantly looking for ways to compose every day life. Its become second nature to instantly look for a frame or a shaft of sunlight or ANYTHING that is a unique way of showing things. In this instance, it was waiting for a cook to get in the window and show off the newspaper motif.

Barbara Bass makes a sandwich at The Daily Deli on Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Bogart, Ga.

Kathleen Anderson prepares food in the kitchen of The Daily Deli on Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Bogart, Ga.

Yeah, i was trying to layer the reflection with another person in the foreground but it didnt work. I stuck with this instead.

Emilee Greer cuts a piece of cake at The Daily Deli on Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Bogart, Ga.

Emilee makes some ridiculous desserts. That is just a sampling of what she makes.

Sportrait: Chandler Gunn

2010-10-29T09:00:00.003-04:00

Athens Academy wide receiver Chandler Gunn on Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Watkinsville, Ga. Gunn went from being the teams kicker 2 years ago to its leading receiver.

I do this every week. I've photographed at least 100-125 high school athlete portraits in the past 3 years. That is a lot of practice at being able to do a simple, well-executed lit portrait in a short amount of time. More after the jump.

When photographing HS kids, I'm usually limited to whatever we can fit into before practice, be it 5 minutes or 15. Coaches have limited time with their players per week and I understand that they don't want their kids off with a photographer instead of practicing.

I found these milkweeds right outside the locker room door. I decided instantly that I was going to photograph him right there, with him in the weeds. I tried it long, it wasn't clean enough and didn't give the right feel. Went in with the 35, shot up and voila.

Its pretty, simple & well executed. Framed the subject within the existing environment.

Tech specs:
1/250th @ f/16, ISO 100.
Key light : SB-80 (direct) @ 1/2 power, 5 feet away.
Rimlight: Sun @ full power, 93 million miles away.

Chef Jon Ashton

2010-10-28T09:00:00.004-04:00

Celebrity Chef Jon Ashton was in town for an event for breast cancer awareness month (Full Disclosure: The event was sponsored by my employer) and i had a chance to work with him in the studio last month.

Very nice guy, very down to earth. Try his bread recipe.

Street Hockey

2010-10-27T14:37:00.004-04:00

Mark McCoy jumps over the boards during an adult street hockey game at the YMCA on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

So there's an outdoor street hockey league here in Athens.

More photos after the jump...

It was a lot of fun to watch but the light was awful.

Brian Davidson makes a save during an adult street hockey game at the YMCA on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Rick Gerhold, left, stickhandles behind the net while being chased by Riah Kilpatrick, right, during an adult street hockey game at the YMCA on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

The light made for some fun shadows.

Robert Rysiaw, left, John Devine and Tyler Henry cool down after playing an adult street hockey game at the YMCA on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Gray Patisaul kicks the ball while being defended by Eric Somerville in an adult street hockey game at the YMCA on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Players run during an adult street hockey game at the YMCA on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

(Homage to Strazz)

Riha Kilpatrick, center, and Rich Gerhold wait to play an adult street hockey game at the YMCA on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 in Athens, Ga

Gameday Cover: Aaron Murray

2010-10-25T09:00:00.001-04:00

Every week, we put out a publication called "Gameday." Its our weekly college football preview special section. My job is to somehow pull off a cover shot every Tuesday or Wednesday.

This particular shoot involved quarterback Aaron Murray inside Georgia's weight room.

I like to show up to my shoots about an hour early, which is this care is always good. I've worked with Murray before and he is habitually early, which is fantastic. It makes up for the hours I've waited for athletes in the past.

Anyways, i went into it with the strobist/small ball concept. I made room in the corner of the weight room and thought about trying to incorporate the mirrors or somehow show off the the area where we were shooting.

I went with all 5 flashes. Two behind at 10 & 2, both gelled red to give a sense of separation from the background. Why red? Two reasons: First, its Georgia's main color. Second, its one of the colors that people's eyes immediately go to. Its eye catching. I put a 3rd red flash aimed at the background to try and show some of the room. To light Murray, i went with two flashes at 4 & 8 with 1/4 Honl grids.

Now i need to get several (or at least 2) photos out of a 5-10 minute shoot. One for the cover, one for the inside. I tried him sitting and standing for the cover, going with a very simple, vanilla pose. (Big time football programs like simple stuff) Afterwards i went wide and tried to show off the area and tried to play with the mirrors. Its just OK but it worked and these two are the photos we went with.

Georgia vs Tennessee

2010-10-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Matt Simms (2) is hit as he runs for one-yard in the first quarter as the Georgia Bulldogs beat the Tennessee Volunteers 41-14 at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, October 9, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Will the real Georgia football team please stand up? After a few weeks of nailbiting games where my game comes down to whether or not I get one play, it was refreshing to see a blowout.

Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Blake Sailors recovers a fumble by Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Eric Gordon (24) as Gordon pulls on his facemask in the second quarter as the Georgia Bulldogs beat the Tennessee Volunteers 41-14 at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, October 9, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Here's the play: Georgia punts, Gordon calls for a fair catch. Gordon fumbles it, Sailors recovers and tries to rip Sailor's head off. There wasn't a penalty called on the play.

Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Justin Hunter (11) makes a 19-yard catch from Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Tyler Bray (8) in the fourth quarter as the Georgia Bulldogs beat the Tennessee Volunteers 41-14 at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, October 9, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Despite Tennessee getting blown out, they still made some nice plays.

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray (11) runs in the second quarter as the Georgia Bulldogs beat the Tennessee Volunteers 41-14 at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, October 9, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Georgia Bulldogs running back Washaun Ealey (3) jumps over Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Raiques Crump (50) for a 13-yard-gain in the fourth quarter as the Georgia Bulldogs beat the Tennessee Volunteers 41-14 at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, October 9, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Cheerleader's celebrate Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Rantavious Wooten's 9-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Aaron Murray in the first quarter as the Georgia Bulldogs beat the Tennessee Volunteers 41-14 at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, October 9, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

I'm not a big 'photograph the cheerleader' kinda guy. Too many other photographers are known for that, I'm more interested in the game.

Clarke beats Salem

2010-10-23T09:00:00.000-04:00

Clarke Central quarterback Martay Mattox is tackled in the end zone for a touchdown as the Clarke Central Gladiators beat the Salem Seminoles on Friday, October 8, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

I've been waiting for a pylon photo like that for a few seasons now. Unfortunately, there's no light coming from the end zones in Prep Football. While i like shadowy, i would prefer some more light.

A few more photos after the jump.

Clarke Central wide receiver Carlton Heard catches a 45-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Martay Mattox in the first quarter as the Clarke Central Gladiators beat the Salem Seminoles on Friday, October 8, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

He was so wide open, i started the sequence too early. I got jumpy as the nearest person to him was me.

Clarke Central wide receiver Amir Williams is interfered with by Salem cornerback Breon Prad in the end zone in the second quarter as the Clarke Central Gladiators beat the Salem Seminoles on Friday, October 8, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Clarke Central's marching band enters the stands before the Clarke Central Gladiators beat the Salem Seminoles on Friday, October 8, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Pretty light, balloons and one bad-ass trumpeter.

Education Ralley

2010-10-22T09:00:00.001-04:00

A student eats during a Rally for Higher Education on the campus of the University of Georgia on Thursday, October 7, 2010. The rally was part of a planned national day of action to defend higher education to defend educational rights nationwide.

On October 7, there was an attempt for a "National Day of Action" for promoting higher education. A handful of people from the 36,000 enrollment University of Georgia attended a rally there.

Junior Matt Carey holds up a sign against education cuts during a Rally for Higher Education on the campus of the University of Georgia on Thursday, October 7, 2010. The rally was part of a planned national day of action to defend higher education to defend educational rights nationwide.

Juniors Ande Stone, left, and Jess Wise hold signs against education cuts during a Rally for Higher Education on the campus of the University of Georgia on Thursday, October 7, 2010. The rally was part of a planned national day of action to defend higher education to defend educational rights nationwide.

By my estimate, there were less than 50 people there during the hour I photographed. My DC experiences with riot police and the secret service have left me with a different definition of the terms 'rally' and 'protest.'

Tony Bennett

2010-10-21T09:00:00.002-04:00

Tony Bennett performs at the Classic Center on Wednesday, October 6, 2010 in Athens, Ga. Bennett is promoting his latest album "Tony Bennett Sings The Ultimate American Songbook" as well as a six-song EP released on iTunes from a live performance at London's Roundhouse.

The biggest difference between the local bands i shoot and major names? Access. With Bennett, its the typical "3 songs and out" even though if you had an iPhone and were in the front row, you could get really good stuff and even record video and put it on YouTube.

Alas, the jazz crooner put on a good show for the 10 minutes i was able to see it.

Star Trails

2010-10-20T09:00:00.002-04:00

Another star trail shot from my backyard.

Damm lens flare from a streetlight.