Evil.

So i got a call from my boss an hour and a half before my shift starts. Turns out that today is the day that they're going to hear the guilty plea of serial killer Gary Michael Hilton for the murder of Meredith Emerson. He showed no emotion except for looking down once. He offered no remorse.



He is an absolute scumbag and the judge wanted to execute him right there on the spot. (I don't think anyone would have disagreed with it.) The judge allowed two TV cameras in the jury box but none of us 4 photographer were allowed anywhere near that. Maybe it had something to do with the 3 GWC's (guy with cameras) in the gallery as well.

All four of us got bad shots in the courtroom; we were blocked by other people and were in a bad spot against the wall. Secuity was very tight. The swat team was out and had snipers on rooftops, which amused us.



And in the end, the local Sheriffs ran him from the courthouse, up a set of stairs and to an awaiting cop car.

Spot News out the Window

So I was getting ready to walk out of the office when i look out the window and see the ACC Police pulling these two gentlemen out of their car right in front of our office. So i sprinted down there and go so-so spot news photos, especially knowing what i saw from my window. Had i had my camera actually with me, rather than in the car, i should have gotten something better.

These two gentlemen were riding around in a green Lincoln that was BOLO'd as being stolen the night before.

Hoops. Hoops. Hoops.

After looking at many people's work, i'm really wanting H.S. Hoops to be in black and white but strobed. I just like the contrasts and the feel of the photos. There's some serious warmth in the photos, or thats how i look at them.

Anyways, this was my 2nd take on H.S. basketball and again its mainly the ladies. Made for good photos.

Globe-al Warming.....

I was asked by the BOSS (big boss, not little boss) to do a simple illustration of global warming. He wanted to do a play on words and literally have a globe being warmed, kind of looking like Kenny in South Park.

Tech Specs - Three white lightnings. Softbox Camera right, 30 degree grid left (to fill in some shadows) and a rimlight from behind. And a PITFA smoke machine that doesnt always want to work.

I took the illustration a step farther and tried to morph it to our model's face.

Everyone who's seen it finds it disturbing in one form or another, tho my boss and the BOSS liked it. Global warming should be disturbing i suppose.

Of course this was on "The Day of The Portraits" where i did this, a business portrait and the Hangin' With that's below.

Random Equipment Complaining....

So in their infinite wisdom, Nikon has come out with a full-frame sensor camera that does incredible things in the dark but also costs $5000. No noise at ISO 3200, minimal noise at 6400 and 12,500. Finally we have a tool that is slightly better than Canon. Its taken 8 years but finally, its there.

The problem is, its $5G. Five large. Over ha;f my established credit limit. Takes amazing pictures that blow away anything else on the market. Its just expensive. And my employer can't afford them. Heck, our employer has us running around with 10 year old 17-35s and 80-200s. Its nice and i'm a big believer in making do with what you have and that a camera is just an extention of yoru own creativity but %$@# I'd really like to be able to compete on even ground with the kids coming out of college that only have a Canon 5D and a 28-70. Heck, i've got a 24-85 f/2.8-4 (its nice, really) but hey, a Canon kid drops $3500 and they get a Nice 5D (full frame camera) and a 28-70 while to get the same in Nikon, you're dropping $6800. Thats pretty much twice the price.

Our industry keeps getting the most out of people for the least amount of money. Its the New American Way (unintentional Murphys reference), i suppose. We nearly had layoffs at our paper and our editor did a little raindance and saved everyones jobs. When i tell people what i make, they're shocked given the effort i put in. (I take that as a compliment) I guess with the continuing desire for profit margins by my employers, i shouldn't be shocked by getting the short end of the stick. I suppose that's my the Murphy's music appeals to me. I just want to get paid for somewhere close to the effort i put into it.

So what are the odds of actually getting updated equipment? Slim. There's a chance, because it comes out of another budget. Really. I make do with my stuff and i supplement it with my own stuff. Lightstands, lenses, pocket wizards, softboxes and all the other sundry equipment. And i'll continue to make do. I'd just be doing much easier if my pay went up.

Hangin With.....

Athens Academy Spartans senior Claire McDonald on Wednesday, January 23, 2008.

Every Friday our Sports section runs a feature called "Hangin With" wherein they have a silly-ish Q&A with a high school athlete. They want a portrait that's a little more unusual or goofy or silly or something that shows some personality. I ran out of creativity so i went for the multiple-exposure trick and i think it works well.

Post 71: UGA vs Arkansas Men's Hoops

Billy Humphreys goes up for a layup.

Well its a heck of a Tuesday. I'm 0-for-2 on breaking/spot news today. But here's photos of this weekend's men's game. I went with 3 remotes - one backboard, one floor and one pole one that i forgot to triple-check the focus. Hense 400 out of focus remote shots... not like thats the first time i've done that.



Arkansas' Steven Hill blocks the shot of Georgia's Jeremy Price.



Georgia's Chris Barnes gets trapped in the corner.



Dave Bliss goes for a layup.



Billy Humphreys celebrates a three-point-shot.