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Archive for the ‘Photojournalism’ Category

Elvis has not left the building

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism on August 14, 2010| 1 Comment »

Elvis lives.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to view the full photo gallery on ajc.com.) Dames Aflame showgirl dancer Tracy Sacan dances with Elvis impersonator Robby Dean off-stage as the band Kingsized performs "Polk Salad Annie" on-stage during the Elvis Royale show at Variety Playhouse on Friday, Aug. 13, 2010.

I had my doubts, when I was assigned to photograph an Elvis tribute concert on Friday night. How would I tell one “Elvis” from another? Aren’t tribute bands stereotypically notorious for being… well, not-so-good? Would this be just another concert where I’m ushered from the lobby to the pit to photograph three songs, and then booted out?

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Dames Aflame showgirl dancers Rebecca Crawford and Beth Del Mero wait offstage for their cue before dancing alongside Kingsized band singer Mike Geier during "CC Rider" the first number of the Elvis Royale show at Variety Playhouse on Friday, Aug. 13, 2010.

Turns out, I had no need to worry about any of the above. There weren’t too many Elvis impersonators, the band and dancers put on a great show and — a first for me — I had complete backstage access.

(more…)

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Honoring the Second Amendment

Posted in Atlanta, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism on August 14, 2010| 1 Comment »

Yesterday was Friday the 13th. And it was rainy, and there was bad traffic, and there was no way I was going to make it to an assignment on time. (In my defense, I left early enough to allow for the estimated driving time — as determined by Google Maps and my GPS — as well as an extra 40 minutes. That’s how bad traffic was.)

After I called my editors, I shot some rainy traffic photos. Then I drove around, got a little lost — and found an indoor shooting range.

So I walked inside and made some pictures. I figured if anything, the rain couldn’t deter business from this place.

Brandon Ball, of Lawrenceville, said this was his first time shooting a handgun.

(Left to right) Adam Donnelly, of Doraville, and his nephews Brandon and Aaron Ball examine the last target of the day. Aaron said he had just flown in from Florida, where he lives, for Brandon's bachelor party.

Empty shell casings litter the ground as Adam Donnelly, of Doraville, fires at his target.

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New kid on the block

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism on August 14, 2010| Leave a Comment »

On Wednesday, I photographed people preparing a furniture store that opened in midtown on Friday.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to view the full photo gallery on ajc.com.) Store designer Chris Bowers, of Chicago, arranges furniture and decor for furniture store CB2's storefront facing Peachtree Street in midtown Atlanta on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010.

“Furniture store? Business news photos? Eww!” one might say.

But I had fun. And I like furniture. Especially furniture I can’t afford — I mean, I can dream, right?

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. A worker enters the CB2 storefront, as seen from inside the Bank of America parking garage located between Peachtree Street and Crescent Avenue in midtown, on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2010 -- two days before the store opens for business.

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Puppies!

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism on August 13, 2010| 1 Comment »

Yesterday was a long day — I worked 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a two-hour break in the late afternoon. But the day began with horses and ended with puppies, so it’s all good.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to view the full photo gallery at ajc.com.) Nelly Segal, of Maine, walks her daughter's Bernese mountain dogs Molson and Jasper up and out of the Piedmont Dog Park on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010. Hundreds of dogs and their owners came to the park on its official reopening day.

Special thanks to Stephen, who helped me out last night after I circled around Piedmont Park and all nearby side streets, with no luck for parking, for 40 minutes.

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Atlanta legal

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism on August 11, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Within the space of a week, I was assigned to photograph two different brands of lawyers here in Atlanta.

First, the “boutique” law firm that won a $17.5 million case over the city of Atlanta, an advertising company and a local businesswoman:

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to read the relevant article on ajc.com.) (From left) Stephen Lowry, Jeff Harris and Darren Penn -- of boutique law firm Harris Penn Lowry, LLP -- stand for a portrait in their downtown Atlanta offices on Wednesday, July 28, 2010. Beside them are a few of many boxes containing roughly 150,000 documents relating to the Billy Corey case, which the law partners won in court this Monday.

That was a one-light set-up. Wish I’d had two. Then it could look even more like a TV show promotional.

Next: A lawyer who quit practicing law full-time and opened up her own restaurant. She still practices — on-call.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to read the relevant article on ajc.com.) Noon Midtown restaurant chef/owner Katie Birmingham lets 2-year-old Carter Loegel of Decatur choose his dessert from a platter of samples, during the lunch hour on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010.

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Dance like no one is watching

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism on August 11, 2010| 2 Comments »

Last Tuesday was National Night Out, so five apartment complexes on the Franklin Road corridor in Marietta held their own “block parties” before joining together for a big party at the end of the night.

The story, which ran today (with an astonishing FOUR photos in print!), was about how that area of town is reviving after slumping into shabbiness and crime. The photo below isn’t very story-telling, but I transmitted it anyway because I loved the way this little girl was completely tuned to the music at the event. Much to my surprise, it was one of the four photos that ran in print.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to read the relevant article on ajc.com.) With a balloon on her wrist and sidewalk chalk in her hands, Jayla Gibbs, 2 of Marietta, dances to the deejays' music at the Casa Mia Trace apartment complex's tennis courts during the culminating National Night Out event on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010.

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Prop 8 rallies: Opposing views, opposite sides of the street

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism on August 7, 2010| 2 Comments »

Today, I shot two more Proposition 8-related rallies. They took place on opposite sides of the street.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.( Click on the image above to view the full photo gallery at ajc.com.) A rainbow flag flutters against the Central Presbyterian Church courtyard fence, across the street from the Georgia state capitol building where the National Organization for Marriage held a rally on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010.

One rally was on the steps of the Georgia state capitol building. It was held by the National Organization for Marriage, which is on its “Summer for Marriage Tour.” They had speakers and singers, and about 15 supporters showed up.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Dave Lenhart, of Cumming, Ga., holds up a National Organization for Marriage sign as singer Angelica Tucker performs at the podium in front of the Georgia state capitol building on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010.

The other rally was across the street. It was a silent protest by supporters of gay-marriage rights. About 150 people showed up for that one.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlantans Oscar Hdez and Luke Robuck join hands and cheer as R&B/gospel singer Vernessa Mitchell (not pictured) sings about unity while at the National Organization for Marriage podium in front of the Georgia state capitol building on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010. Hdez and Robuck said they have been partners for eight months now.

At the end, NOM packed up its merchandise and podium — and people on both sides of the street went their own ways.

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Usher + Justin Bieber + Bill Clinton

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism on August 6, 2010| 6 Comments »

When my editor assigned me to photograph Usher, Justin Bieber and Bill Clinton for tonight — well, I thought that was a pretty interesting combination of people to group together and cause the Internet to explode.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to view the full photo gallery on ajc.com.) Usher.

Turns out, though, that press photographers could photograph only the red carpet and the finale number. And that Bill Clinton would not be walking the red carpet (and, in fact, would be photographed only by the house photographer).

So my editor told me just to do the red carpet. So I did.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to view the full photo gallery at ajc.com.)

Some notes:

  • Usher is shorter than I expected him to be.
  • Justin Bieber is about as short as I expected him to be.
  • Some of the other photographers seemed to really enjoy shooting the red carpet. I’m glad they were having a good time.

If you ever do a red-carpet assignment, make sure you bring comfortable shoes and a small step-ladder. And make sure your flash has fresh batteries. And format your memory card before shooting.

Fortunately, I did all of those things. And I survived my first red-carpet photographer experience.

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Becoming Mister Mistoffelees

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism on August 6, 2010| Leave a Comment »

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to read the relevant article on ajc.com.) Close-up of actor Chaz Wolcott in his "Mister Mistoffelees" makeup, before hair and makeup supervisor David Hanson starts painting the nose, whiskers and mouth.

Earlier this week, a reporter and I went behind the scenes to see how the make-up is done for “Cats” the musical. The U.S. tour is in Atlanta until Aug. 8, which means every night until then, you can see audience members flocking to the Fox Theatre in costumes of various feline extremes. (No, really.)

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to view the full photo gallery on ajc.com.) Actor Chaz Wolcott, in full "Mister Mistoffelees" costume and make-up, demonstrates a few dance moves characteristic of the central character in "Cats" the musical.

Anyway. If you’re at all familiar with this 4th-longest running show in musical theatre history, you are aware of how intricate and elaborate the costumes and make-up are. (more…)

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Meat and cheese

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Food, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism on August 5, 2010| 2 Comments »

The worst part of photographing food for the newspaper is that it’s usually food I can’t afford to buy or make.

For example — a $1,000 picnic basket at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park. A picnic basket that includes two Maine lobsters, caviar, expensive steaks, cheeses, stuffed peppers and truffles.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to view the full photo gallery on ajc.com.) A New York sirloin Kobe-style Wagyu steak, served with grilled pineapple, as well as (not pictured) asparagus spears, a Maine lobster, a pan-fried rice cake and a baguette -- all part of the $1,000 platinum picnic basket, which is available at all Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and ASO Presents concerts at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park in Alpharetta.

Also — ricotta cheese. And not the kind that you buy in a tub from the grocery store.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to read the relevant article on ajc.com.) Homemade ricotta cheese, topped with olive oil and herbs, served on an appetizer plate with prosciutto, bread and pineapple mostarda.

As Jeff and my family can confirm, I’m not a big fan of cheese unless it’s melted. But this — this was just tempting.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Ricotta cheese, topped with a slice of fig, served with ricotta poundcake as dessert.

Food photography. I love it, and I hate it. But mostly I love it.

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Victory over Prop 8

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism on August 4, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Last-minute rally. Last-minute assignment.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to view the full photo gallery on ajc.com.) Art Izzard, an organizer for Queer Justice League of Atlanta, waves a rainbow flag at the corner of Piedmont Avenue and 10th Street on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010, after a federal judge overturned California's gay-marriage ban. Izzard acknowledged that Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker's ruling is the first of many steps before gay marriage is legalized but said each step is reason to celebrate.

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Lock-jaw at the Which Wich

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Food, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism on July 27, 2010| 4 Comments »

Careful what you eat — your first bite might just be your last!

One fellow found that out the hard way. He started to take a bite of his Which Wich ‘wich… and then couldn’t close his jaw for 14 hours.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to read the relevant article on ajc.com.) Chad Ettmueller of Cumming takes a bite out of the double meat wicked sandwich at the Which Wich sandwich shop in Cumming on Monday, July 12, 2010. Ettmueller ordered that sandwich in March, dislocated both joints of his jaw while taking the first bite and paid about $4,000 out of pocket for the medical services needed to correct his jaw.

And then his best friend ended up eating the ‘wich.

Read the story. It’s just fun.

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Walking to a DREAM

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism on July 27, 2010| Leave a Comment »

I’ve lived 18 of my 22 years in Houston, Texas — so it’s odd that the first time I worked on any aspect of an illegal immigration story was this summer.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image to read one of several relevent articles on ajc.com.) Jessica Colotl stands behind Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights president Teodoro Maus during a press conference in Plaza Fiesta on July 15, 2010. Colotl has become the poster child of illegal immigration conflict after her illegal alien status came to light in March.

I’ll be updating this blog steadily over the next few days. The past almost-two-weeks have been abnormally busy, so I’m now finally getting around to keeping my blog current and updating my portfolio.

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Food, glorious food!

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Food, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism on July 15, 2010| 9 Comments »

If you were reading/following/occasionally checking my blog this spring, you would’ve noticed quite a bit of food photography.

This is because the photojournalism department chair, David Rees, had our capstone class do two one-photo-a-day-for-30-days blog challenges — and eventually, I resorted to photographing the food that Jeff and I were making. Because everything else was getting boring.

But I’d like to thank David, as I am now a legitimately prolific food photographer: Half of my assignments this week for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution have been of food.

Here’s what’s been published so far:

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to read the relevant article on ajc.com.) A slice of frozen mocha toffee-crunch terrine. Shot with one light.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to read the relevant article on ajc.com.) Hummus made with sprouted chickpeas and a little jalapeno. Shot in natural light, in the shade.

(more…)

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All dressed in white – for free

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism on July 14, 2010| Leave a Comment »

I’ve already alluded in this blog to the fact that I’m not the girliest girl. That said, I absolutely love weddings — and wedding dresses.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to view the full photo gallery on ajc.com.) Bridal consultant Amanda Bauer helps Katy Kennedy of Savannah into a dress in Wedding Angels Bridal Boutique in Roswell on Tuesday, July 13, 2010. Kennedy's wedding will be in Charleston next summer.

Yesterday, I followed four soon-to-be military brides as they tried on wedding dresses that they would receive for free, thanks to the Brides Across America program. Each girl was completely thrilled about her dress, and photographing that excitement was a real pleasure.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Leah Owens (center) looks at a dress brought to her by bridal consultant Amanda Bauer (right) as Owens' 3-year-old daughter Alissa and soon-to-be mother-in-law Rebecca Wood (left) observe, in Wedding Angels Bridal Boutique in Roswell on Tuesday, July 13, 2010. Owens, who is six months pregnant with her and her fiance's second daughter, had to make sure her dress could be altered to fit after she gives birth in November.

A side note. I’m finding myself increasingly attracted — as a photographer — to “girl culture” with every “girly” assignment I complete. (Bra-fitting, makeup session, hair salon and now this.) Having pored through her books during downtime when I did work-study at the journalism library, I know photographer Lauren Greenfield has covered this area extensively. But the culture of femininity is very much a fascinating thing to me, especially since I don’t understand it very well — and I hope I can develop something out of it.

If you have any suggestions or feedback or anything, I’d love to hear what you’d like to share!

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Root job

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism on July 13, 2010| 1 Comment »

Last week, I was assigned to go to a hair salon and make pictures. Could’ve been boring. But I had fun.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to read the related article at ajc.com.) Roswell resident Cheryl Jones gets her roots colored by Fantastic Sams franchisee Helen Nguyen at Fantastic Sams in Roswell on Friday, July 2, 2010. The Roswell location opened at the end of Aug. 2009 and already has a regular customer base.

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Fastlife Fridays at the speedway

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism on July 13, 2010| Leave a Comment »

On Saturday, I got muddied at the Redneck Games.

On Friday — the day before — I got soaked to the skin at the Atlanta Motor Speedway while photographing Fastlife Friday.

I photographed some of the performers and a few of the vehicles in queue on the track… and then it began to rain. By the time I made it to a concession stand — the closest shelter — I was thoroughly wet and my hair was dripping buckets.

But I kept making pictures.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to view the full photo gallery at ajc.com.) R&B artist Justin Crowder, who performs as part of Swagg Team, lifts his 4-year-old niece Zoe Tolbert into the air and waits with others under a concession stand while a thunderstorm soaks the Atlanta Motor Speedway on Friday, July 9, 2010. The storm canceled the remainder of Fastlife Friday activities that night, including all the races that were scheduled.

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Photographing the 2010 Summer Redneck Games

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism, Travel on July 12, 2010| 7 Comments »

Saturday was a little messy…

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to view the full photo gallery at ajc.com.) A girl batters around inflatable boxing gloves in the mud pit in the Summer Redneck Games in East Dublin on Saturday, July 10, 2010. Saved for last, the mud pit is the most popular and anticipated event in the Redneck Games.

…which is a given when you photograph the Summer Redneck Games.

It’s a one-day event in East Dublin, Ga., that began in 1996 after Atlanta hosted the summer Olympics. The self-proclaimed rednecks put their own spin on competitive sports and just have a good time.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to view the full photo gallery on ajc.com.) Becca Bostwick of Thomaston throws a toilet seat as part of the Redneck Horsehoe event during the Summer Redneck Games in East Dublin on Saturday, July 10, 2010. Each year, the event features competitive events including watermelon seed-spitting and toilet seat-throwing.

It was definitely a cultural experience. After the ceremonial torch — consisting of a six-pack of Budweiser cans — was lit, I asked the torchbearer a few questions. When another reporter asked if he considers himself a redneck, the man responded, “Of course I am! Anyone born in Georgia, Alabama — any of the southern states — is a redneck.”

The day was hot and sunny, and I sustained severe tan lines, muddied clothes and camera, physical threats and a few come-ons. By far one of the more memorable and exciting assignments I’ve done so far for this internship!

Be sure to check out the full photo gallery!

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This is why I can’t have nice – oh, shh

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Photography, Photojournalism on July 11, 2010| 4 Comments »

This is what happened:

I have a lot of cleaning to do.

And yes, it had to happen.

And yes, this happened while my face was getting muddied up, too.

My white rainjacket is also pretty splotched over.

Full details once the powers-that-be publish the photo gallery.

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The 41st annual Peachtree Road Race

Posted in Atlanta, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism, Sports on July 10, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Last week, on the Fourth of July, I was one of three AJC photographers to cover the 2010 Peachtree Road Race. Bob would spend the day in the helicopter to get aerial photos, and Jason would be along the 10K race itself and in the media truck.

This meant I had finish-line and post-race duty.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (Click on the image above to view the full photo gallery at ajc.com.) Duane Morrow of Hoschton, Ga., is cheered on by volunteers after completing the AJC Peachtree Road Race on Tuesday, July 4, 2010.

My editors gave me a few warnings:

  1. It’s 55,000 participants. That’s a lot of people.
  2. The wheelchair racers are super fast. (They were.)
  3. It’s 55,000 participants. That was definitely a lot of people.

© 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Masses of participants continue to cross the AJC Peachtree Road Race finish line as finishers (in the foreground) make their way toward the exit and the nearest MARTA station on Sunday, July 4, 2010.

But it was a lot of fun. And waking up at 3:30 a.m. to be at work at 5:30 a.m. meant I was done for the day at 1 p.m. Which was kinda nice, in a weird way.

Be sure to check out the full staff photo gallery!

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