Sunday, October 29, 2006
Clovis News-Journal: Halloween theme
It was a long day, but kind of relaxed. I shot a couple of kids Halloween events. I finished the day with more college football.
Clovis News-Journal: Busy Friday
The day started early by following the Lt. Governor at a PR event. This was followed by more Friday night football. I didn't get any features I liked , but I got some better than average (for me) action shots.
Clovis News-Journal: Living with Autism
I had the opportunity recently to spend the afternoon with a father and his 12 year old autistic daughter, Darian.
Darian was diagnosed with autism at age 3. The first 3 years of her life were pretty normal, but her parents knew something was wrong. She was able to say simple things, like dada and mama. Her dad says, "it was almost as if a light switch was turn off." Since then she hasn't said a word. She spends most of her days moaning and trying to hum.
She is rarely quite. Andrew, her father, quit his job to take care of her because she need constant care. There are a few things that do calm her. Her father rocks with her on the swing in the front lawn. He will also hold her head and hum an E note into her ear. She tries unsuccessfully to recreate this note. "My day is her day. If she has a good day, I have a good day. If she has a bad day, I have a bad day," said Andrew.
Darian wears a soft protective helmet all the time, to protect herself. All the corners and sharp edges in her room are covered with soft padding. Usually she is violent. She bangs her head against the wall, she tries to bit people. Sometimes she is so violent her parents have to wrap her in a blanket and hold her down. After 30-45 minutes a switch flips and she's calm, like nothing happened.
This assignment was one of the best assignments I've done since I've been here. Overall it was hard, butt I was very touched how the father let me into his home and shared his life with me so openly. I was
truly touched by the experience. It made me re-realize that is why I do this job. Not to make pretty photos, but to tell stories. To share some one's life with everyone in way that they will make them better.
Darian was diagnosed with autism at age 3. The first 3 years of her life were pretty normal, but her parents knew something was wrong. She was able to say simple things, like dada and mama. Her dad says, "it was almost as if a light switch was turn off." Since then she hasn't said a word. She spends most of her days moaning and trying to hum.
She is rarely quite. Andrew, her father, quit his job to take care of her because she need constant care. There are a few things that do calm her. Her father rocks with her on the swing in the front lawn. He will also hold her head and hum an E note into her ear. She tries unsuccessfully to recreate this note. "My day is her day. If she has a good day, I have a good day. If she has a bad day, I have a bad day," said Andrew.
Darian wears a soft protective helmet all the time, to protect herself. All the corners and sharp edges in her room are covered with soft padding. Usually she is violent. She bangs her head against the wall, she tries to bit people. Sometimes she is so violent her parents have to wrap her in a blanket and hold her down. After 30-45 minutes a switch flips and she's calm, like nothing happened.
This assignment was one of the best assignments I've done since I've been here. Overall it was hard, butt I was very touched how the father let me into his home and shared his life with me so openly. I was
truly touched by the experience. It made me re-realize that is why I do this job. Not to make pretty photos, but to tell stories. To share some one's life with everyone in way that they will make them better.
Random Signs while on assignment
Over the past week I've started noticing more odd signs while I'm out shooting. Here are a couple.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Colorado Retreat: Day 3
Monday, the last day in town. We got up early so Laura could take Alyssa to daycare. Afterwards we went to the Garden of the Gods. That place is absolutely amazing. Plus we hit it during good light.
We finished there and I was dropped off at the Gazette. I met with one of the photo editors. He had some good things to say about my photos. Even though it was kind of a short meeting, it went well.
Afterwards, I met back up with Arielle and Laura downtown, where we had lunch and I entertained Alyssa while Arielle and Laura did a little shopping.
The trip was a great get away. I think Arielle and I both really needed it. Unfortunately we had to leave for Clovis and the real world.
We finished there and I was dropped off at the Gazette. I met with one of the photo editors. He had some good things to say about my photos. Even though it was kind of a short meeting, it went well.
Afterwards, I met back up with Arielle and Laura downtown, where we had lunch and I entertained Alyssa while Arielle and Laura did a little shopping.
The trip was a great get away. I think Arielle and I both really needed it. Unfortunately we had to leave for Clovis and the real world.
Colorado Retreat: Day 2
After being total losers and going to bed at 9pm the previous night, we were total losers and got up around 9am Sunday morning. I think it was a combination of the cold, in the 20s, the elevation, 9600 feet and olny getting 4 hours of sleep that did me in.
We go up Sunday at a leisurely pace after which we headed out for breakfast and more wandering. We then headed down the mountain back to Colorado Springs. On the way, we stopped at the top of Hoosier Pass and ran around in the snow like idiots. I consider this to be one of the highlights of the already very fun trip.
We go up Sunday at a leisurely pace after which we headed out for breakfast and more wandering. We then headed down the mountain back to Colorado Springs. On the way, we stopped at the top of Hoosier Pass and ran around in the snow like idiots. I consider this to be one of the highlights of the already very fun trip.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Colorado Retreat: Day 1
This past weekend, Arielle and I went up to Colorado Springs to visit her high school friend Laura and her husband Vinny. Since it's about a 7 hour drive, we took a long weekend and headed out after I finished shooting football on Friday. We got in town about 4 am hung out for a bit then went to sleep. Promptly at 8am, Arielle and I were woken up by their 4 year old daughter Alyssa. Luckily I was able to get another 30-45 minutes of sleep while Arielle kept Alyssa busy.
After breakfast we loaded up the car and headed up to Breckenridge, a ski town about 2 hours away. Vinny's parents own a condo up there, so we went to hang out. On the way we went through Hoosier pass. This was a twisting stretch of road with tight turns and steep hills. Lucky for us it snowed earlier that week and the road was covered in ice.
After we got in town we hung out, warmed up since the high that day was in the mid 20s, then headed out to check out the town.
After breakfast we loaded up the car and headed up to Breckenridge, a ski town about 2 hours away. Vinny's parents own a condo up there, so we went to hang out. On the way we went through Hoosier pass. This was a twisting stretch of road with tight turns and steep hills. Lucky for us it snowed earlier that week and the road was covered in ice.
After we got in town we hung out, warmed up since the high that day was in the mid 20s, then headed out to check out the town.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Clovis News-Journal: Day 106, part 1
Over the weekend Clovis actually had a bit of culture.. I was shocked! The culture consisted of the Fiery Film Festival. Apparently there was supposed to be an art show or something like that to go along with the film festival, but that must have been canceled. I guess the town can't have too much culture all at once.
Clovis News-Journal: Day 105, Part 2: Friday Night Lights Part 8
Another Friday, andother football game. It was a lot more fun to shoot. The visiting team liked to air it out so Clovis got down quick and was forced to (you need to sit down for this) throw the ball. The visiting defense also held Brian Mead (28) to only 189 yards rushing. Which is like 1/2 his normal total.
Clovis News-Journal: Day 105, Part 1: Death to the great pumpkin
I shot some photos for a story about the pumpkin harvest on Friday. I think the story was supposed to run on Saturday, but the writer seemed to really mess things up. Apparently, they did a story about pumpkins and left out the whole harvest part.
It was pretty fun to hang out and watch them make pumpkins levitate (see the second photo). Too bad I couldn't hang out there all day.
It was pretty fun to hang out and watch them make pumpkins levitate (see the second photo). Too bad I couldn't hang out there all day.
Clovis News-Journal: Days 102, 103 and 104
Mostly a lot of features. Some high school and college sports, but nothing worth posting.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Clovis News-Journal: Day 101: Friday Night Lights, Part Saturday?
Arielle and I went to Albuquerque so I could shoot the high school football team. When we got to the stadium the sunset was amazing. Her sunset shot blew anything I had out of the water.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Clovis News-Journal: Day 100, grip and grin/dog and pony day
Today was a rally at for the democratic party followed by the tour/press conference at Southwest Cheese. Unfortunately they didn't allow cameras on the tour.
Clovis News-Journal: Day 99, part 2
This is how my day started. This guy is a pretty average golfer, but recently he hit 2 hole in ones in a week.
Clovis News-Journal: Day 96, College Football
Another Saturday, another football game. I'm sure going to miss daylight saving time. Football won't be nearly as interesting without the awesome sunsets. I need to start compiling my kick ass sky photos with something happening in front of them for a photo essay. Maybe I'll start on that this week.
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