NAACP Convention in Orlando

Hazel Dukes, a member of the board of directors of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), cheers at the end of a speech by NAACP president Benjamin Jealous  to the 2013 NAACP convention in Orlando, Florida July 15, 2013. In the wake of the George Zimmerman murder trial, civil rights leaders, including Jealous, are urging the Justice Department to pursue federal civil rights charges against Zimmerman.  REUTERS/David Manning 

Stepping back into my role as a press photographer, I spend two days at the NAACP convention in Orlando, mostly for NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous.

As always, hit the jump for more photos

Eric Holder at NAACP (laterpost)

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder speaks at the annual convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in Orlando, July 16, 2013.  Holder on Monday called the death of Martin, an unarmed black teenager, "unnecessary," raising questions about whether he believed Zimmerman, acted in self-defense.  REUTERS/David Manning 

I'm working in reverse order on my posts.... 

Last week I went to the NAACP convention for two days; the first day for Benjamin Todd Jealous and the second for Attorney General Eric Holder.

Some thoughts after the jump....

My Night with Bill (or .....sometimes you have to be in the crowd)

President Bill Clinton speaks at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, September 5, 2012 in Charlotte, NC. 

Sometimes, you have to put the cameras down and just experience the moment.  Such was my adventures over the past 10 days doing PR work around the Republican and Democratic Conventions. Alas one night, I was able to get away and actually attend for an evening and see what all the hoopla was about.

The night's speaker: None other than President William Jefferson Clinton.

The Governors first speech

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.

Election Night in Athens. Part 1.

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.

Candidate Nathan Deal in Watkinsville

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.

Reverend Al

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

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



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

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



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

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



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

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




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

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

Quick Catch-Up

Ken Young, chairman of the Barrow County Republican Party talks before candidates in the August 5th runoff election speak at a meeting of the Barrow County Republican Party at the Winder Womens' Club in Winderon Monday, July 21, 2008.

Wow. I havent updated this in like forever. Life has been hectic (saw Batman 3 times) and had to go to SEC Media Days. I like the one above because of the juxtaposition of the guys eye's and "Less Government." Makes me chuckle.

Here's some fast photos.



Sarah Reed, center, joins fellow UGA garduate Brooke Hilliard, right, and student Mallory Hansen, left, in an inflatable swimming pool as they wait in line for the opening of Chick-fil-a on Barnett Shoals Road in Athens on Wednesday, July 16, 2008. The first 100 people in line win a years worth of food from Chick-fil-a.

(Shouldn't everyone have an inflatable pool everywhere they go?)






Megan Tyrrell shows off her tattoo of "Batman" villians at Pain and Wonder in Athens on Tuesday, June 15, 2008. Tyrrell said it took three years to have the tattoo completed.

(Yeah, I've seen "Batman" 3 times. Well worth it.)

Attack of the Debaters

Okay, I'm delving into political territory here. Had to photograph a debate the other night. I saw one crazy lady, two toy trains, one awful combover and tried my darndest to get get some decent photos out of the deal.




Pretty much, i tried to do whatever i could to frame or make otherwise good composition beyond the standard "guy and microphone" shot. I liked the one above where you could look in from the bar with the TV screen above. Naturally they didn't run it.





I'm not going to name this politician because he is still running and i don't want this to be influencing the outcome, but suffice to say that combover just doesn't work whatsoever. Its just ridiculously bad. I'm not trying to make fun of him but its just awful. So kids, when you run for political office - Don't do that with your hair. Actually, when you leave the house in the morning, don't do that with your hair.