Arias Trial

I spend nearly four days waiting for the verdict in the Arias murder trial outside the Maricopia Superior Court. This is day four when the verdict was announced.  The first photo is of the victim's family lawyer giving a statement after the 1st degree murder verdict was announced.  The second photo is of the crowds that swelled from a dozen earlier in the day to about a 1,000 who were waiting for the verdict.

Mickelson

Phil Mickelson walks toward the flag at the WM golf tournament in Phoenix.  I was assisting a photographer who takes photos for charity events.  This was the Pro/Am charity event the day before the tournament started.  The sun was brutal that day but the shadow from the stands provided a good photo opportunity (Phoenix, 2012)

Mud ball

This is one of my early digital photos.  I spent two hours in a down pour to take pictures of a state championship playoff round.  Sideline footing was miserable.  Any quick movement would land you in the mud.  I've always liked this photo.  You can tell who had the most playing time by the color of their uniforms.

Futball (American Soccer)

This is one of the most difficult sports to photograph.  The action moves very quickly.  The players can be on one side of the field and a few seconds later they run to the opposite corner which generally puts them out of camera range.

Wrestling

The problem taking wrestling photos is they move around so much you usually get unflattering shots from behind.  It can be a very fast action sport and usually both faces tend to be covered.

Diamondback Pitcher

An Arizona Diamondback pitcher gets a workout in the annual baseball fall league.

Cricket

Pakistan

There is a Pakistani  Cricket league in metro Phoenix.  I happen to see them playing on a public school field a few years ago.

Basketball poster

A few years ago, I was asked to take a picture for a High School poster.  This is the one they selected.  I always liked this photo.  Their eyes are focused on the same spot.  I wonder if the little boy ever started playing basketball?  Kelvin was also a star football player and now plays for the University of Arkansas.

Softball

The problem with taking some sports pictures is to freeze or blur various actions. In this case,  the slight blur of the ball should give the illusion of ball movement.  Or do you decide to show bat movement?  One of the other problems with this and the next softball pictures is these were night games and you can't use flash to freeze action.  Also, I'm standing 60 feet away from the player.  Digital cameras really help solve those problems because of their high sensitivity.  This photo was taken and is owned by the local Tribune newspaper.

Softball slide

I was fortunate to to have coached varsity high school softball for a couple of years.  So when the Tribune called me to take photos of the state playoffs, I was really excited.  As you might guess the runner was out but her team still won.  I love aggressive softball.

Football

Working with a 300mm lens really enables a visual effect of being in the action.  This photo is uncropped.  The great thing about taking High School football photos is that I can shoot from most spots on the sidelines.  In college and pro sports you are assigned a spot to shoot from.

Football

Football is an exciting game in its own right.  Working as a freelance stringer of the Tribune really gives me the best seat in the house.  I've been taking football photos since I was in high school.  So far I've been very lucky not to be hit by the players.  I've come painstakingly close several times.

Goose

Capturing birds inflight with wings expanding can be fairly difficult.  I guess that's why I like posting them.  However, there is nothing as majestic as a bird in flight.

Hand

This photo came from an anti-war protest which focused on the drones the U.S. is using in Afghanistan.  The red symbolizes the blood which is on America's hand for killing innocent civilians.

Museum

A friend of mine had an exhibit at the the Tempe Art Center.  The problem is trying to find a way to make pictures on a flat wall interesting.  Then this couple walked up and were discussing if two of the children were related.

Dreamer

Early in the immigration debate, "Dreamers" held a rally outside Senator McCain's office.  The rally was ending and I saw this young lady.  She expressed the hope and dreams of these young people.

Hawk

I'm always been amazed what can be done with Photoshop.  I took the hawk's photo at a local Renaissance  Fair.  Actually, it's a small part of a larger photograph.  About 50 steps later, as I followed the tutorial, I have a Hawk peering out of a picture frame.  Hope he isn't looking my way.  04/21/2013

Jennifer

 

Jennifer Longdon was permanently injured in a random act of gun violence.  She is pictured here leaving a senator's office who voted against universal background checks.  She liked this photograph because it symbolizes her plight.  4/19/2013

Juggler

The Ren Fair is a wonderful location to photograph various costumed  performers.  The cast seems to enjoy having their pictures taken.

cactus

I though I would insert this photo before a series of political news photos I've taken.  Arizona sunsets are wonderful.

Gun rally

A few weeks ago, gun owners assembled at the state capital to show their support for second amendment rights and other issues.

John McCain

Even though his office was closed, Senator McCain stopped to thank a group who were expressing their support of his universal background check vote.  His vote split from his fellow Republicans.  4/20/2013

Cindy Sheehan

Activist Cindy Sheehan was in town as part of her Tour de Peace bicycle ride to Washington D.C.  She is hoping this will bring awareness to her anti-war views.  She took her Phoenix leg of the protest to Senator McCain's office.  However, on Saturdays the office is closed.  4/20/2013

Emotional moment

Jennifer Longdon was disabled during a random drive-by shooting that also seriously injured her fiancee several years ago.  She was part of a rally targeting Senator Flake for his vote against background checks.  She had just come from the Senator's office and is overcome by emotion.  The Senator wasn't there.  As a nation we seem to forget the faces of the victims who live with something they had no control over.  4/19/2013

Governors

Sarah Palin and Gov. Jan Brewer were featured in a march against child abuse by a local organization who seeks to raise awareness and funds to help those children.   04/13/13

Animal protest

First Friday is an art event in Phoenix. It was surprising to see a protest like this at an art festival.  However, there have been other protests at this event in the past. 4/6/2013

TSA

One of the most interesting protests I've photographed is at Sky Harbor Airport.  A group were objecting to TSA physical searches.   The man's costume is a reference to the comic movie character, Borat.

blueworks

I think just about everyone loves fireworks.  However, all fireworks photographs look pretty much the same.  I thought this was interesting because against the backdrop of smoke, I was able to take the photo just before the fireworks exploded into their brilliant colors.

Immigration victory?

County supervisor, Mary Jo Wilcox,  reads to a crowd in front of the state capital.  The Supreme Court had just ruled on Arizona's controversial immigration law.  It seemed that both sides claim some sort of legal victory, even though, major provisions were thrown out.

The salute

This is a perfect example of being at the right place at the right time.  In 2010 a group was having a protest against the federal government's immigration policy 286g.  I watched as this man came from the opposite direction of the protestors..  Initially, he talked to security.  He continued on and gave this jester but I wasn't ready.  I lamented the fact I missed a great photo.  However, I put the camera to my eye and  repeated to myself  "one more time".  Guess what?  He repeated the motion.  I like this photo because it shows two completely different viewpoints of the same issue.

Santa Monica Pier tribute

Next to the Santa Monica Pier is a memorial to the American military who have died in the middle east.  It's a bit unsettling to see this tribute flanked by beach-goers and and an amusement park.

Sheriff Joe

The Unitiarian Convention took buses from the Phoenix Convention center to protest the conditions at 'Tent City".  Inside the facility, 200 feet from the tents, Sheriff Joe held a press conference.  The president of Amnesty  International  stands in the background.  The sheriff allowed him and a minister from the Unitarians to speak and voice their complaints.

Diving lady

4/2/2013  Three years ago, this animated neon sign which was built in 1960 came crashing to the ground during a violent windstorm.  The motel owners didn't have the finances to rebuilt.  Mesa community members formed a non-profit group to restore it and bring it up to code.  It contains 80 to 90 percent of the original parts.  The community watched  as the iconic sign's neon lights came to life.  Over four hundred joined the celebration.

Vegas begger construction walkway

In Vegas, while City Center was being built, the ground level sidewalks were covered during construction.  And, once again, many people begging for money could be found as the night crowds moved from casino to casino.  This photo and the next one, show the lonely desperation these people must feel.

Vegas begger

Vegas is know for the life styles of high rollers.  However, on the walkways that arch over the strip, you will find people begging for money.

Williams, Arizona

In 2010, there was a rumor that the Westboro Church would be in Williams, Arizona to protest the burial of a serviceman.  Their issues isn't with the serviceman but with their view of government policies.  The town held a parade that looked like Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, and the Forth of July all rolled into one.  Truly, an amazing show of support and rejections of the radical Westboro Church, who never showed up.

Rev. Jackson

This month will have more political photos of events I've attended.  This photograph was taken about midway through the Occupy Phoenix movement.  The Rev. Jesse Jackson came to Phoenix, lead a march, and spoke to the faithful.  I overheard he was going to speak from steps in the plaza.  I went over before he arrived and was situated about ten feet from him.

Golf course sunset

On the way to Tucson a new Casino was built replacing a much smaller structure a few miles away.  Near the Casino and resort is a golf course.  Arizona sunsets form a wonderful backdrop to this scenic portion of the landscape.

Silo sunset

Higley, Arizona was almost total farmland in 2000.  Now the former farms and cattle ranches have been replace by homes and track malls.  This grain silo's lights appear twice a day around sunrise and sunset.  The Arizona sunsets appear far more frequently.

Catcus Sunset

Arizona sunsets are some of the most beautiful in the world.  Sometimes colors are enhanced by the current crop of computer assisted software.  The problem is that most of the state are fenced off and it's difficult to move to the correct location to get a great picture. 

Night train

This is one of my first photos with my 5dm2.  It's actually two photos.  During the day the lights aren't on and at night the lights are wonderful but you have a hard time seeing the train.  I put the camera on a tripod and took the two photos two hours apart and combined them.  Now you have a photograph that looks like what your eyes would actually see.

bicyclist

Photographing a triathlon is not always the most exciting and presents some real challenges.  The day begins before the sun rises.  Activities continue until the late night.  This photograph is more of an accident than anything else.  I'd panned to freeze the bicyclist and provide a blurred background.  I hit a button that I had no idea what it did and I got this.  I've tried to recreate the process but this photo is by far the best.

Citizenship

In 2012, I had the privileged of attending a naturalization ceremony near South Mountain.  Watching people from virtually every country become American citizens is awe inspiring.

Roller Derby

Not that I've ever understood Roller Derby but it is an interesting activity to watch.  This was taken at a banked track that was constructed inside the Coliseum at the State Fair grounds.

Lioness

Wildlife is always interesting.  It's hard to believe that such a gentle animal can be so dangerous.  I like the way the afternoon light falls on the lioness.

Camp Verde historic house

This HDR photo was taken in Camp Verde at the Arizona Park.  They have preserved many historic building and artifacts.  When properly used HDR can simulate what the eye normally sees.

Performance Art poetry

I was at an art fair in Scottsdale.  It was mainly vendors which didn't interest me. I went to the nearby permanent art galleries, as I usually do, seeking inspiration. I walked by what I thought was a vacant shop and what appeared to be an artsy display in a building which was for lease.  I noticed a young woman moving very slowly at the back wall.  She move forward and sat down.  As it turned out it was a performance art dedicated to women poets.  You really can't tell but I had to take the photograph through very reflective glass.    3/23/2013

World Series of Poker

If you are planning on playing in the World Series of Poker and you do really, really well you may find yourself at the featured table. 

Lamp post

A couple of years ago, a deep fog covered much of the area near where I worked.  I thought this would be an interesting photo since the background and lamppost are immersed in fog.