The Matthew Stafford Olympics (.... or Georgia's Pro Day)

Former Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford stands on the field before he works out in front of over 40 NFL scouts during the University of Georgia's Pro Day on Thursday, March 19, 2009 in Athens, Ga.

Let me preface this by saying that my primary job was to create a video piece for our website on this event. In order to keep my sanity (as well as how often do you get to photograph the touted #1 draft pick) I decided to go with the 20/f11 for making shots at pro day.

This wasn't my first pro-day. I did one before at FSU a few years back. This one was all that you could imagine. There were upwards of 50 NFL scouts and front office people as well as countless Georgia people, media, friends, family and anyone else that could get in to see Matthew Stafford throw 50 passes. To call it a circus would be a disrespect to tent-carrying elephants everywhere. This was an entirely new level of hype and hoopla that you just don't see every day.









Stafford wasn't the only show in town.



Former Georgia linebacker Dannell Ellerbe runs the fourty-yard-dash in front of over 40 NFL scouts during the University of Georgia's Pro Day on Thursday, March 19, 2009 in Athens, Ga.




Former Georgia wide receiver Mohammed Massaquoi dives for a pylon during an agility drill in front of over 40 NFL scouts during the University of Georgia's Pro Day on Thursday, March 19, 2009 in Athens, Ga.

Swimming and Diving

Swimmers from the Athens Bulldog Swim Club work out at the Ramsey Center Natatorium in Athens, Ga., on Thursday, March 12, 2009.

I really regret not being able to photograph any of the University of Georgia's swim meets this year. They're pretty good.

But i did get a chance to shoot a little bit of diving after i finished doing an underwater shoot with a high school swimmer.



Olympic diver Chris Colwill at the Ramsey Center Natatorium in Athens, Ga., on Thursday, March 12, 2009.

$200 dollar weather feature.

Noah Welch, 15 leads his sister Hannah, 11, near the falls at Watson Mill State Park on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 in Comer, Ga. Tuesday's high of 82 at Athens-Ben Epps' Airport fell short of the record of 88 in 1974. The warm weather is expected to last until Thursday, which calls for high temeperatures to drop into the 60s with rain.

I went out to photograph a weather feature; its been nice of late with there being 4 seasons in 10 days. I headed out to Watson Mill State Park where there's an old covered bridge and a small waterfall. Hoped there would be some people there.

The last time i went out there it was dry as a bone. This time, quite the opposite. Came home with some nice shots and a handwritten welcome from the Madison County Sheriff's Office. The speed limit changed and i didn't notice until it was too late.

So this photo lead A1 the next day.



Nathan Welch, left, along with his siblings Hannah, center, and Noah, right, play in the water of the South Fork of the Broad River at Watson Mill State Park on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 in Comer, Ga.

20mm at f/11 Part 1

Sundial on UGA's North Campus

In a sense to try and recapture what i love about photography and photojournalism, I'm starting this crazy essay idea of shooting random stuff/features around town and the world with a 20mm lens and at f/11.

I miss black and white photography with a red 25 filter, and thankfully the Nikon D700 lets me have a similar mode in it. (IE, i put a red filter on it and shoot in a B/w mode)

SO from time to time i will be doing this. Shooting 20mm at f/11.



Berries on a Bush on North Campus.



City Hall.



War Memorial.



Downtown clock.



I work here.



I just really liked the windows.