Camera Combat

It’s one thing to go to school and learn the basics of television. How to shoot a sequence, where to put that microphone for good sound, how many lights does it take to execute proper three point lighting of a subject. But it takes a whole different kind of training for photographers to lug around their trusty weaponry. It takes someone with drive and determination. It takes someone who knows how to hold the camera properly. It takes someone who can work through lunch for a PKG. It take’s someone willing to throw caution in the wind for the money shot.

I am proud to call myself a photographer. Godspeed gentlemen, in your quest to become match fit, did you know?

L-I-F-E

What is life?

A condition of existence?

A period of one’s time?
To some fire is life. Its warmth provides comfort. Its heat can help provide nourishment. Its light can help provide hope. It is passion. It is something worth having. It is something that can be loss without hesitation.

What is life?

Life is short. It can pass you by. Years can flow like seconds if you don’t pay attention to it.

What is life?

Life is living to the fullest. Life is caring for others, whether you know them or not. Life is a precious gift, given to those from the most unlikely places. Life can be a second chance. It’s enjoying the small things that make you happy.

What is life?

Life is what you make of it.

Valley of The White Hat

Another Saturday in the Red Stick. It’s game day. Football and tailgating filled the southern sky with anticipation and hopes bigger goals in the future. It’s normally not a must win to those clad in Purple and Gold but after some lackluster efforts and questionable clock management one year ago the calls for blood were screaming across the airwaves. Naturally this becomes something of news interest. Which means yours truly is going to have to pay Death Valley a rare visit. There is just one problem. The last three times I have been in the vicinity of Tiger Stadium the outcomes were less than desirable. The UGA’s came in and blasted them, the Gators Tebow'd them, and the first time the previous coach, now wearing Crimson, came for a visit and walked away with a win. Leaving the Tiger faithful crying like a brides jilted on their wedding day. Heck I won’t even mention that obsessive Georgia fan’s liking to Mike the Tiger, God knows what twisted things were going through her mind that day. This was going to be different. This was going to be a good day for the Senator and all of the loyal followers. This would be the day that the White Hat will lead the troops on the gridiron then put together a dominate effort against the hated rivals from Oxford and exorcise the curse placed upon them by the Reverend Houston Nutt.
Then I realized that is not going to happen. This is the Mad Hatter. He has a modus operandi of keeping fans on the edge of their seat. He’s been doing this since 2005 should we expect anything else. I mean what’s the big deal it’s just another day at the office for the White Hat. While people claim that he is crazy one thing is usually on point…HE KEEPS ON WINNING! Quite frankly it baffles the mind of fact, logic, and what in the world is going on here. Granted they aren’t pretty wins but they aren't stacking the loss column either. Anyway I digress.

As I roam the sideline with XRAY TED, my objective is clear. Get a few plays, find some fans talking about the game, then get a live shot on the newscast afterwards. Simple right? Did I mention the Mad Hatter is coaching the team? Did I mention Ole Miss always give LSU problems? Did I mention that the every possible second is used in all these games? Did I mention that failure isn’t an option? Why am I always put under this pressure with these games? Next you'll tell me that I'm the chosen one. Maybe, but so was Anakin Skywalker and you saw how well that turned out. Whoa, calm down Senator your digressing again. (deep breath) Alright, what was I talking about, oh yeah.

So with some luck, 1:14 on the game clock, and a game winning TD, things fell into place. Manage to get some fans that are now riding a wave of euphoria with hopes of Championship Run, a decent bowl game in January, and a live shot on for the news. Two out of three isn’t bad.
As for me, I’m just glad that losing skid is finally put to rest. Last one of out of Death Valley, please turn off the lights. Won’t need the place again until 2011, did you know?

The Cat's Meow

As usual, things are done a little differently in the Free State of Livingston. Store clerks snatching guns from would be robbers, a local gang swiping large amounts of meat from a bunch of supermarkets, and cats, lots and lots of cats.

That’s right I said cats. Even I had to do a double take on that one. Over 70 of them have found a home thanks to a local dentist. We better watch our steps with this one. Never know what presents are being left on the ground.

However time, just like my new furry friends, won’t stand still. Good thing I have a lot of space on my capture card and that my friend Kiran Chawla, newest member of the Ways & Means to Make TV Interesting Committee, had a lot of patience with me for making her hold that pose for the tease. Even though it didn't have the same ring as 101 Dalmatians it was still an interesting story to help put together.

Stomp The Yard

Ask any well respected photographer and they will tell you that our best work is done behind the lens. Our sight through the viewfinder allows us to see better than the average person. We live behind the scenes and go unseen to the viewers at home. However sometimes, every now and then we have to step into the light. We must take off the cloak of anonymity and venture in front of the lens to better tell the story.

This is where fellow photographer Big Easy photographer Jim Pennison comes in. Always willing to try out new techniques to make every story that comes across the eye of his lens better. Even though the shots are nicely compose, the sound is incredible, the sequences are masterful he is always willing to add another dimension to his craft. In the world of fast pace newscasts, he and reporter Shelley Brown get the unique assignment of profiling a local dance group that is more than meets the eye to the peeps down in NOLA. Never afraid to try something new he once again raises his standards to provide quality television in the world. All while telling those who wonder of his methods...

...YOU JUST GOT SERVED!!!!!!

That's right. That's Jim in the the piece. Adding another tool to an already impressive run bag of tricks. Raising the the bar for the rest his peers to follow. Better start practicing my own moves before I challenge him on the dance floor.

Photos From The President

How cool is it to go to the Nation's Capital stand outside the gates of the White House pull out your point and shoot camera to document the occasion. Let me ask this, how cool would it be to be able to go around the White House chillin with the most powerful person in the free world and take their picture? Got your attention? Good. That has been the case for the last 50 years when a select few were given the honor to photograph some of the most powerful, captivating, and intimate moments of the President & The First Family. And you thought a tv news photographer had to be on top of their game.

From the time when JFK was hard at work and a little visitor peeked out the front of the kneehole panel in the the desk.
To a trio of Commanders In Chief sharing a story in the Oval Office before the next historic event was to happen.

Images that are once in a lifetime. Rarely seen but can still captivate emotion while standing the test the test of time. I wouldn't mind meeting some of these guys capturing momentous chapters in the lives of leaders. I would simply ask, "How cool of a job do you have?"