Jennifer Rachel Spencer

Lacrosse

2010-04-26T14:22:00.010-06:00

A few weeks ago I photographed my first Lacrosse game. I will be the first to admit that I know nothing about this sport other than it was invented by native americans. I went into it thinking it would be hard to photograph for two reasons, first because of the face masks and second because of the size of the ball and the pace of the game.

I was pretty happy with what I got but I'd love to hear from those of you who shoot this more than I do as well as players to see what you think.

Air Force Men's Gymnastics vs Illinois

2010-03-26T09:16:00.004-06:00

While I have had a chance to photograph women's gymnastics several times for the Academy, this was the first time I covered men's gymnastics.

U.S. Air Force Academy, CO- Senior Garrett Canter competes on the pommel horse during the Falcons home finale against Illinois-Chicago at the cadet gymnasium Mar 7. The Falcons set a new team record, beating their previous record of 342.55 which was set last year in Arizona, but fell to Illinois-Chicago 348.60 - 346.45. Canter scored two career best scores on the still rings (14.00) and the high bar (13.85). (U.S. Air Force Photo/ J. Rachel Spencer)

U.S. Air Force Academy, CO- Freshman Thomas Wilkinson competes on the pommel horse during the Falcons home finale against Illinois-Chicago at the cadet gymnasium Mar 7. Wilkinson scored a career-best 13.65 on parallel bars. He also set career-best marks in his other two events, Pommel horse with a score of 12.95, and high bar with a 13.85. The Falcons set a new team record, beating their previously set record of 342.55 which was set last year in Arizona, but fell to Illinois-Chicago 348.60 - 346.45. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ J. Rachel Spencer)

U.S. Air Force Academy, CO- Senior Garrett Canter competes on the still rings during the Falcons home finale against Illinois-Chicago at the cadet gymnasium Mar 7, scoring a career best 14.00. The Falcons set a new team record, beating their previously set record of 342.55 which was set last year in Arizona, but fell to Illinois-Chicago 348.60 - 346.45. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ J. Rachel Spencer)

Men's basketball vs San Diego Aztecs

2010-03-26T09:11:00.003-06:00

These are from a few weeks ago but here are a few shots I liked from the Men's basketball game vs the San Diego Aztecs.

U.S. Air Force Academy, CO- Avery Merriex, a senior guard for the Falcons drives toward the basket as San Diego’s Billy White, a junior forward, defends during the Falcon’s game against San Diego Saturday, March 6 at Clune Arena. Air Force fell to San Diego 61-42. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ J. Rachel Spencer)

U.S. Air Force Academy, CO- Evan Washington, a junior guard fights toward the basket as San Diego’s Kawhi Leonard, a freshman forward, defends during the Falcon’s game against San Diego Saturday, March 6 at Clune Arena. Air Force fell to San Diego 61-42. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ J. Rachel Spencer)

When the light isn't in your favor

2010-02-25T13:49:00.006-07:00

Freshman Britany Calley performs balance beam during the Falcons home tri-meet against Southeast Missouri State and Seattle-Pacific in the Cadet Gym February 20. Air Force placed second in the team competition with a score of 188.00. Southeast Missouri came in first with 194.05 and Seattle Pacific finished with 187.075.

What do you do when the light is against you? There are many situations which I find irritating as a photographer but crappy lighting is probably my least favorite situation to find myself in. Now some people would say that they don't mind bad lighting because they can creating their own lighting with strobes, and I don't really have a problem with that argument. Except in a few cases. This is one of them. I have a love hate relationship with Gymnastics at the Academy because of where they compete; the cadet gym, which is one of the worst lit locations I have every photographed in. To make this situation more difficult I can't light gymnastics in any way out of concern for the athletes safety (which is a totally legitimate concern, and I would not want to put any of our athletes in a position where they could become injured because of me). I wish though that the lighting were better for a sport that lends itself so well to great pictures. I'm not sure how to keep the quality of the image while overcoming the lighting issues. How do you handle tough lighting situations where strobes are not an option? (All photos copyright US Air Force Academy, J. Rachel Spencer 2010)

Women's Gymnastics

2010-02-08T08:49:00.000-07:00

Recently I got the chance to photograph women's gymnastics at USAFA which was both really irritating and very rewarding. I did get some shots that I liked, but the lighting in the gym they compete in is a photographers worst nightmare! Thank goodness for the D700 which made it possible to still capture a few shots. Here are some of my favorites. (All photos copyright US Air Force Academy, J. Rachel Spencer 2010)

U.S. Air Force Academy, CO- Head Coach Doug Day helps correct junior Brittany Dutton’s body position as she practices vaulting before the meet against UC Davis 30 Jan 2010 in the Cadet Gymnasium. Air Force lost the meet 191.575 to 185.300 despite two event titles. Sophomore Jenna Dudley took the title in the floor exercise with a tally of 9.775, and Dutton took the vault title with a 9.625. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ J. Rachel Spencer)

U.S. Air Force Academy, CO- Junior Holland Davis vaults for the Falcons during Air Force’s meet against UC Davis 30 Jan 2010 in the Cadet Gymnasium. Air Force lost the meet 191.575 to 185.300 despite two event titles. Sophomore Jenna Dudley took the title in the floor exercise with a tally of 9.775, and junior Brittany Dutton took the vault title with a 9.625. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ J. Rachel Spencer)

U.S. Air Force Academy, CO- Senior Michelle Denise (left) is embraced by teammate Holland Davis, a junior, after competing on the uneven bars during Air Force’s meet against UC Davis 30 Jan 2010 in the Cadet Gymnasium. Air Force lost the meet 191.575 to 185.300 despite two event titles. Sophomore Jenna Dudley took the title in the floor exercise with a tally of 9.775, and junior Brittany Dutton took the vault title with a 9.625. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ J. Rachel Spencer)

U.S. Air Force Academy, CO- Sophomore Jenna Dudley holds a pose while competing on the uneven bars during Air Force’s meet against UC Davis 30 Jan 2010 in the Cadet Gymnasium. Air Force lost the meet 191.575 to 185.300 despite two event titles. Dudley took the title in the floor exercise with a tally of 9.775, and junior Brittany Dutton took the vault title with a 9.625. Dudley finished in the top five of every event and placed second in the all-around with a score of 38.425. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ J. Rachel Spencer)

U.S. Air Force Academy, CO- Sophomore Jenna Dudley does a backflip while competing on the balance beam during Air Force’s meet against UC Davis 30 Jan 2010 in the Cadet Gymnasium. Air Force lost the meet 191.575 to 185.300 despite two event titles. Dudley took the title in the floor exercise with a tally of 9.775, and junior Brittany Dutton took the vault title with a 9.625. Dudley finished in the top five of every event and placed second in the all-around with a score of 38.425. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ J. Rachel Spencer)

U.S. Air Force Academy, CO- Freshman Tara Harris holds a pose during her floor routine during Air Force’s meet against UC Davis 30 Jan 2010 in the Cadet Gymnasium. Air Force lost the meet 191.575 to 185.300 despite two event titles. Sophomore Jenna Dudley took the title in the floor exercise with a tally of 9.775, and junior Brittany Dutton took the vault title with a 9.625. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ J. Rachel Spencer)

Air Force Boxing vs. Army

2009-11-20T16:54:00.000-07:00

When I got the assignment to photograph the Air Force Boxing match against Army on November 6, I hadn't heard a whole lot about the boxing team and with my perceptions of people in the Air Force versus people in the Army boxing seemed to be more in favor of Army. I was completely wrong! Our boxing team is one of the best in the country and Friday's match proved that. Here are some of my favorites from the night. Enjoy! All photos copyright USAFA Photos DenMar Services base photo lab J. Rachel Spencer 2009.

Falcon Football

2009-09-23T15:13:00.000-06:00

This is a little slow going up but here are a few selects from the opening football game this season at Falcon Stadium! Enjoy! All photos property of USAFA Photos DenMar base photo lab 2009.

AFA Women's Soccer

2009-09-18T10:34:00.000-06:00

There were a lot of sports events over Parents Weekend at the Academy, and I got the chance to run around to a lot of them. Here are a few from the woman's soccer match. All images copyright J. Rachel Spencer, USAFA base photo lab 2009.

Air Force Sports kick off

2009-09-17T13:24:00.000-06:00

Here are a few pictures from the Air Force Academy Prep School football game Parent's weekend. All photos are copyright J. Rachel Spencer, United States Air Force Academy base photo lab 2009

the Glo

2009-09-07T12:59:00.000-06:00

Every labor day weekend in Colorado Springs for the past 33 years the Colorado Balloon Classic ( http://www.balloonclassic.com/) is held in Memorial Park. It is the largest balloon event in the state and one of the largest in the country. It is so popular that parking around Memorial Park over the weekend is a nightmare, but it is well worth braving to watch either one of the mass ascensions in the early morning hours or coming out in the evening to catch the Glo.

This event marked the last day of my internship with the Gazette last summer and was one of my favorite things I had the chance to photograph during that internship. I only got to photograph the ascension last year and this year it was great to go back and photograph both an ascension and The Glo.

For those of you who haven't been to the Classic, the Glo is an event which happens two evenings when all the balloons are inflated but do not take off and then their pilots make them all glow on cue lighting up the balloons against the night sky. Here are some of my favorites from the Glo.

San Francisco Trip

2009-06-04T10:37:00.000-06:00

About a month ago I expierenced what every person who works with photos dreads, one of my hard drives crashed. Or at least so I thought. Actually what happened was I didn't take very good care of it and the casing was shot, but the hard drive was ok. So several weeks and 30$ later with my hard drive installed in a new case I'm back up and running. Up until this point I knew backing up my files was important but the feeling of thinking all these photographs were lost was one of the worst feelings I've ever had. I'm thinking now I might invest in a Drobo or buying some server space that backs up in several locations. Does anyone have something like that they're happy with?

Anyway, in celebration of getting these files back, here are a few shots from a trip to San Francisco in March.

Riding on a trolley downtown

Surfers at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Air Force Graduation

2009-06-03T09:58:00.000-06:00

Last wednesday I got the chance to photograph my first United States Air Force Academy graduation. With the lead up of a week of graduation activities I was excited for the day, although after a week of rain I was nervous with my assigment of being on the roof of the press box, photographing graduation and the air show from that vantage point. Bright and early on May 27th at 5:30am I looked out my window greeted by a cloudless sky. It couldn't have been a more perfet day weather wise and I made some images I really liked, let me know what you think.
All photos property of USAFA Photos DenMar Services/ J. Rachel Spencer

Back in Colorado

2009-05-20T20:26:00.000-06:00

I’ve made it back to Colorado. While I was biking with friends in the mountains around Breckenridge last summer I said that at some point I’d make it back to the Rockies and make Colorado my home. At that point I didn’t think it would be this quick, but it’s a welcome surprise! I’ve been bad about keeping up with my blog lately with graduating, moving first to Cedar Rapids Iowa and then very rapidly out to Colorado Springs, then being busy with finding a place to live and getting moved in. Now that the dust has finally settled I’m realizing it’s been months since I updated this and I really have no excuse and should immediately fix that issue.

Anyway, I think a brief explanation of where I’ve been is in order so here goes. I graduated at the end of winter quarter in March from Ohio University. A week before I left I was offered a six month internship with the Cedar Rapids Gazette in Cedar Rapids Iowa. I then left for a week of spring break/ graduation trip to San Francisco and Sacramento with my mom and grandmother. After getting back to Ohio I spent a day in Athens packing then drove out to Cedar Rapids. While I was at school I found out that a job had opened up at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs as a photographer and that I was being considered. I started work in Cedar Rapids that Thursday only to find out I got the job in the Springs. I stayed in Cedar Rapids for two weeks then moved to the Springs where I have been ever since.

Here’s some stuff from the past few weeks hiking in Garden of the Gods and driving up Pikes Peak- enjoy!

Some thoughts on audio

2009-02-25T20:40:00.000-07:00

I’ve been thinking about Colorado lately. I was listening to my iTunes on shuffle and a song came on that threw me back to the Springs. I was listening to a lot of Sugarland’s Enjoy the Ride while I was working out there this past summer, and for me some music can just instantly transport me back. I can smell the air, hear the trees, feel the wind and the sun.

I like to think about that when I’m editing audio for my projects. I think good audio should do just what certain songs do for me, take you to the place they’re telling you about.

Recently I got to do an audio project on An Da Union a group from Inner Mongolia which does throat singing, which is one of the most unique sounds I've ever heard. I’d love to hear what you think.

Caring For Aggie

2009-02-14T17:51:00.000-07:00

Caring For Aggie from J. Rachel Spencer on Vimeo.

This was my first attempt at video fall quarter for my final photo class at Ohio University. I was introduced to Aggie after talking with The Appalachian Community Visiting Nurses Association about doing a project with them. I was interested in showing the relationships the nurses have with their clients and asked if they had anyone in mind who would be good for a video piece. They told me about Aggie. She lives in Albany, Ohio with two of her sisters, and although she has almost lost all mobility she's still just as sharp as she ever was. Before I even met her, Milena, my friend at the ACVNA described visiting her house as going to see the Golden Girls, and she was right. She and her sisters would banter back and forth giving each other a hard time every chance they got. It was a pleasure to get to document a little piece of her life.

As far as the technical aspect goes I'm still working on video. I definitely need to use a tripod more. More to come later.

Passonate Art Works

2009-02-11T19:53:00.000-07:00

I'm working on a project on Passion Works, a studio where artists with and without developmental disabilities make and sell collaborated work. I've shot there before and I'm always interested in meeting new people there. As Wendy, the artist in residence there told me in an interview, the artists there with developmental disabilities are unlike any other people you will meet, they don't judge you, they don't gossip, they are simply genuine people. Check back in awhile for the final project!

Athens ice storm

2009-02-10T17:43:00.000-07:00

Driving back to Columbus in the snow just after the ice storm in Athens

School was actually cancelled. After years of complaining about how Ohio reacts to weather, this, at least for the morning was actually deserved. While there really wasn't that much snow around, there was a good inch of ice covering everything in Athens. Not having class for the day allowed for time to sleep in till noon, watch at least 3 movies, and of course, head uptown to take a few pictures.

College Green covered in snow and ice

The top of Jeff Hill looking toward uptown

Sledding on Jeff Hill

Trees on College Green

not the best example of photojournalism, but here's what it looked like on the way out of Athens on 33 west

Finishing School

2008-12-29T13:21:00.000-07:00

After four years of preparation it is almost time for me to go out into the real world and get a job. This is not a promising idea in the current job market, but regardless of the state of the economy my graduation date is drawing ever nearer. I've kept myself busy in the past months surviving my last photo class at Ohio University, which while being the most challenging course I've ever gone through ended up forcing me to remember and use all the skills I've acquired while here and also showed me what I need to work on in the next three months. I'll post some of the work I did during that class and some more recent things soon! Good Luck to all of you out there preparing to enter the work world!

Pikes Peak Marathon

2008-08-23T21:28:00.001-06:00

The Pikes Peak Marathon is like no other marathon I've ever seen. Runners start at 7 am in Manitou Springs and head for Barr trail up Pikes Peak. They sprint up the mountain with an elevation gain of almost 6,000 feet and back down again. Thats 26.21 miles up and down one of Colorado's 14'ers. The only thing more amazing than realizing people actually do this is finding out that the winning time this year was 3:36:54 (which is apparently slow).

U.S. Senior Open Championship

2008-08-05T15:53:00.001-06:00

A mother deer and two fawns run across the fourteenth fairway during the U.S. Senior Open Championship at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs August 3, 2008.

Jay Hass tees of on the seventh hole of the U.S. Senior Open Championship at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs August 3, 2008.

Joe Ozaki marks his ball's place on the fourth green during the 29th U.S. Senior Open Championship at the Broadmoor Sunday, August 3, 2008.

John Cook hits across the water hazard on the eighteenth hole during the U.S. Senior Open Championship at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs August 3, 2008.

Juan Quiros and Greg Norman wait for the ok to continue play at the eighth after a short weather delay during the U.S. Senior Open Championship at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs August 3, 2008.

Tom Watson putts on the fourth hole during the U.S. Senior Open Championship at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs August 3, 2008.

Eduardo Romero embraces Fred Funk after winning the U.S. Senior Open Championship at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs August 3, 2008.

State Games of the West Triathlon

2008-07-27T21:24:00.001-06:00

Saturday I covered the State Games of the West Triathlon which along with being a great event to cover photographically offered something unique, there were two blind athletes competing. My first reaction to the assignment was "How?" I guess I underestimated them. Accompanied by a helper for each section of the triathlon Gil and Ivan were amazing.

pixie bikes

2008-07-23T17:11:00.001-06:00

Hill Climb 2008

2008-07-21T20:23:00.003-06:00

Hill Climb Fan Fest

2008-07-19T09:26:00.000-06:00

Sky Sox and Hill Climb

2008-07-18T21:48:00.000-06:00

Thursday morning my alarm clock went off at 2:15 am and after dragging myself out of bed, at an hour that many people around me were just calling it a night, headed off to Pikes Peak for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb practice. The Hill Climb is a race up to the top of the peak along the road that visitors drive daily making the ascent in about an hour and a half. The racers do it in around 10 minutes. Despite being deprived of sleep it really was worth getting up to the 16 mile point of the race to shoot as the sun was coming up.

Sky Sox

Points West

2008-07-17T16:11:00.000-06:00

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb

Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo

US Air Force Academy Field Day

Downtown Colorado Springs Cattle Drive

Grass Fire

Baseball and Burritos

2008-05-04T21:38:00.001-06:00

Chipotle's grand opening at their Athens location on Court Street was Friday, April 4, but the day before they officially opened they gave away free burritos trying to set the record for most free burritos given away in a single day.

Spring sports

Around Georgia

2008-03-30T13:37:00.000-06:00

These snapshots were taken on Tybee Island and in Savannah just walking around

Tybee Island, Georgia

2008-03-29T14:57:00.000-06:00

I spent spring break in Georgia with my family on Tybee Island. The first few days we were there it was incredibly cold and windy, which although not ideal conditions for a beach vacation were good conditions for kite surfing, giving me an opportunity to shoot a sport which up until a few days ago I didn't even know existed.

Snow in March

2008-03-10T21:50:00.001-06:00

cat wanting in out of the snow

MEPA

2008-02-21T18:03:00.001-07:00

Wrestling

2008-02-21T07:01:00.001-07:00

water and air

2008-02-13T12:19:00.001-07:00

I used to swim in high school, yet taking pictures of swimming is still a challenge for me. At least to try and get something which hasn't been done before. I've seen most of the pictures I've taken done before by other photographers, from the iconic butterfly shot to the close up of any stroke coming up to breath. Imitation is a step in learning anything.

I stopped swimming after my junior year in high school because of heart problems. The thing I remember most vividly is the constant smell, not just around the pool but everywhere, after months of practicing several hours a day in the pool; swimming was life, and you sweat chlorine.

Sports and Art

2008-01-25T17:44:00.000-07:00

Here's some recent work that I've done for The Post.

Angelo Vermeulen checks part of the Biomodd installation during the exhibit's opening night yesterday at Union Arts. The installation incorporates recycled computer parts along with living organisms.

Ohio's Leon Williams, a senior from Baltimore, Md. shoots to score during the second half of saturday's game against Miami University. Ohio won the game 72-63.

Ohio's Leon Williams, a senior from Baltimore, Md. fights to get to the basket during Ohio's game Saturday, Jan. 12 against Miami. the Bobcats won the game 72-63.

100 Years

2008-01-16T09:16:00.000-07:00

Rolf Morral is 100 years old, and the living definition of a patriarch. Over the past few months I've started the process of gathering images and audio to try and tell part of this amazing man's story. I do not remember the first time I met Rolf, because I've known him my entire life. For as long as I've known him, he has lived in the house next to my grandmother's in Upper Arlington. My mother remembers his wife, Lily as her "second mother" as the children of both households basically grew up as part of both households. I've been blessed to have grown up as a pseudo-grandchild in this amazing family. Rolf has been able to keep close family ties spanning not only several generations, but also spanning several continents. He was born in Spain, and Lily was born in Sweden, so he has family scattered around the globe. In a time when the nuclear family is the norm in America, and usually families only (sometimes even begrudgingly) get together on holidays, the Morrals show a completely different family life. They get together, often, sometimes for no reason at all other than to talk and get a quick bite to eat. And its not just a few of people, since much of the family now lives in and around Columbus, it is fairly common to see them eating breakfast together at First Watch, or going out for tapas (Spanish appetizers) at Rolf's favorite restaurant Maca. I can only begin to scratch the surface of Rolf's story here, but I just wanted to share some of his story. I think the two things that amaze me the most about Rolf are his ability to keep his huge family so connected and devoted to each other, and his physical and mental vibrancy even at the age of 100. At a point in my life where my grandmother is beginning to show the early signs of Alzheimer’s, being able to listen to Rolf tell stories about skiing in the Alps as a teenager is stunning to me.

Rolf at his grandaughter Julia's house visiting his great grandson, Nicolas

Rolf riding an exercise bike during a physical therapy session

Rolf's family spends time together at Maca, a tapas restaurant in Powell.

Rolf holds his grandson, Nicolas

It's been awhile

2007-11-17T16:39:00.000-07:00

It’s been awhile since I've posted on here, the first quarter of school tried its best to destroy me, but here I am, as Rolf would say, "still kicking!" I thought this quarter would be easy, with two 101 classes, but I didn't take my two upper level classes into account, or the amount of work I'd have with Reach Out on Campus and the Post, and trying to find internships for next summer (which reminds me I have a ton of work to do once the first week go break.)

I have been shooting for the Post but not doing nearly as much photo work as I would like, although this quarter has not been a total loss, as I took one of the most interesting classes I've taken in my time at OU, History of the Middle East from 1800 to present. I think everyone should take that course, because you really need a little history to understand the situation in the Middle East today.

It’s so easy to just make assumptions about people you don't know, about a culture you don't understand. I consider myself to be a fairly open minded person, but I realized I was stereotyping without even realizing it. When all the stories you hear coming from the middle east have to do with terror attacks and protests, its hard not to have this very negative image which in no way reflects the entirety of the population. Ask yourself this question: how much do you really know about the news you hear/read/watch?

Just something to think about

Last night in Scotland

2007-08-16T11:35:00.000-06:00

Arthurs Seat, Edinburgh

I have been incredibly lucky to have spent the last 5 weeks in scotland with some truly amazing photojournalists. I've realized yet again that this is definitly what I want to do with the rest of my life and I am so glad to be a part of the viscom program at Ohio University because of the talent which is there. Although we are all great friends we're also incredibly competitive and push eachother to photograph better than ever. I've improved the way I shoot and go about photographing a situation so much over this trip that most of my portfolio will be turned over from this trip and what isn't will soon be replaced in the following months.

North Berwick Highland Games

Terry says he takes the field school to Scotland because there are hundreds of good pictures to be made, Its not like its hard to find a story or great light here, the challenge is to shoot in ways that we've never shot before and at a level that is much higher than our normal shooting. I have been stunned by the work that has come out of this program.

William Kerr, has been a piper for 40 years

Our last day in Edinburgh Sara and Kristin and I walked down the royal mile and princes street, picking up a few presents for friends and family back home. Its weird to look back and remember coming into town right after we arrived and figuring out how to get around this city which I'm very comfortable in. I have to say though that knowing that our last ride back to Queen Margaret College on the 26 bus was over was a relief as the buses have become slower and slower since the festival started. Its going to be odd coming home and not seeing men in kilts walking down the street everywhere you look and not being able to hear bagpipes 24/7.

The Fringe Festival on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Thistle

Cheers!

Linlithgow and the Burry man

2007-08-12T14:57:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite places in scotland I ended up at by accident by missing my bus to where I was going, so I decided to make the best of it and just photograph the city I was in, Linlithgow. I ended up lucking out because the day I came they were having the Linlithgow scotch hop, which is a huge dance in the palace Mary Queen of Scots was born in and then having retreat that night with their pipe band. The palace there is beautiful because it sits right on the loch.

The Burry Man

The burry man is a tradition which goes back hundreds of years in Queensferry where during the summer one day a man dresses up in all burs and walks through town all day and is offered whiskey and money. The money is given to charities although it used to be to pay the two people who help him by holding poles covered in flowers which the burry man holds onto because he has to keep his arms outstretched the entired day. He drinks the whiskey, which you can imagine gets interesting after several drams and no way of going to the bathroom the entire day. The burry man and his whole family are all really nice people and the whole community knows them so they make stops throughout the day to just talk with people.

Scotland

2007-08-12T13:46:00.001-06:00

I've been in Scotland for the past five weeks and I cannot even begin to describe what the expierence has been. This is an amazing country which continually stuns me with how beautiful it is, and the people are willing to let you into their lives like no one else I've ever encountered. I've been living in Edinburgh and most of my time has been spent in and around the city although I have had a chance to travel to several other parts of the country including St. Andrews, Inverness, North Berwick, Pittenweem, Dundee, and Dunbar.

The Fringe Festival is going on in Edinburgh right now which is advertized as the largest arts festival in Europe and it lives up to the hype with around 50 street performers daily, many shops and hundreds of shows going on, not to mention the thousands of people who've come into the city over the past two weeks to see it and Edinburgh's Military Tattoo.

Edinburgh from Carlton Hill at sunset

Amelia and Francisco are street performers from Seville, Spain who are in Edinburgh for the Fringe Festival. I have had such a great time talking with Amelia about the fringe and being a street performer.

Elaine Davidson is the world record holder for body piercing and is from Edinburgh. She doesn't like photographers that much which I couldn't understand at first but another one of the photographers who is here in the same program I am talked to her and she doesn't like photographers because she feels like they use her, just taking her picture and then not giving her any money. Many people watch the performances of the street performers and then dont give them any money, not realizing this is how they make all their money

Linlithgow retreat

Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Linlithgow Castle and loch

Why I'm a Photojournalist

2007-05-21T18:53:00.000-06:00

I am a photojournalist for a lot of reasons, although sometimes I forget why I do it. Ultimately it’s because of the people I meet because of my work. Everyone has a story, and I am continually amazed by the stories I get hear and to be a part of telling.

The Post at Ohio University is doing a series of stories on OU graduates including Rick Hicks, a 44 year old music education major who came back to Ohio University after working for several years. He took classes for one year at OU after graduating high school but wasn't able to stay because of financial issues, and five years ago he decided to come back to finish what he started.

He is married and has five adopted children including triplet sons, and is one of the most easy going friendly people I've ever met, as well as an amazing trumpet player. He's going to be a high school band director.

Entering my third decade

2007-05-04T14:57:00.000-06:00

so yesterday was my 20th birthday and it was amazing! It may sound cheesy but more than cards and flowers the best present I got was being able to spend time with my friends going out to eat, and seeing spiderman 3, and the next two days are going to be more of the same. I can't think of anything better.

of course, flowers are pretty great to get too.

WGI World Championships

2007-04-27T08:27:00.001-06:00

Last weekend I was able to photograph at WGI World Championships for the second year for Innovative Percussion, and as always it was a great experience. As a former bass drummer it's always great to be able to come back and be around indoor again. For more pictures check out www.innovativepercussion.com

The Beginning

2007-04-24T21:14:00.000-06:00

So with all the blogs going up from diffrent photographers from commerical photographers to photojournalists I thought I would join in for several reasons; first of all it's a great way to get input on what I'm working on as well as keep up to date with what projects others are working on. That said, I hope you enjoy it!

I've been working on a few things lately but one of the most meaningful to me was photographing the candle light vigil Ohio University had for the victims of the Virginia Tech shooting. As a photojournalist I've learned to distance myself somewhat from my subjects, because in my line of work sometimes things can just get too intense, but when I first heard about Virginia Tech I didn't feel anything, it wasn't until the Wednesday after when I watched a presentation someone made which was simply the names of the victims with snapshots of them that it hit me; these were college kids, just like me. My prayers go out to all of their families and friends.