Yearning...for a treat.

Over the MLK holiday-weekend, I made a quick trip to Montana to do a little expedition/lifestyle photo excursion. I cajoled my friend (Vince) into a weekend of "hunting" and photography...the goal of which was to get duck and goose hunting photos, and to get his 3 yr. old son (Geordie) out....I wanted to incorporate the little-lad into some "fun" pictures.

On our last day, I decided it might be good fun to bring my dog (Jezebel), so that she could experience her first hunt. Vince's dog, Disco, if a phenomenal retriever--so, it seemed like a perfect way to get Jezebel "on the scent"...have the experienced dog teach the city-dog what life "on the farm" is like. (I'll spare you the diatribe about the endless folly of my misconception. ...good "retrieving dog" ≠ good "hunting retriever" )

So, that's the crew: Geordie (3yrs), Disco (black labrador, 5 yrs), Jezebel (chocolate labrador, 6yrs), Vince (hunter--he's got a gun, so I ain't sayin), and myself (photog; ha, sorry). We headed out for an afternoon hunt (shooting ends at sunset)...

Vince and Geordie set up some decoys...



Shortly thereafter, I set my gear spread and, and then I was charged with Geordie and the dogs (while the truck was "hid")....which was perfect: get the exposure and flash-power dialed in....get the dogs in various spots...get the "frame" I like...that way I am ready and the subjects don't have to wait on me. So, after the tasks were done, I decided to get a couple picts of Geordie-- by this day (I should tell you) G has had enough of me, my camera, and the shenanigans--he slips into his own little world..and as I'm watching, he starts giving me all these FANTASTIC candid posses.

...now, I did know what Geordie was doing (in this picture), but I had no idea about the rest of the frame...I knew the dogs were there, but I NO IDEA what was awaiting me when I chimp'ed the shot....



...I would love to know what my dog was thinking (at that moment)...

A. Hey, what the hell are you doin?
B. You're gunna share that, right?
C. mmm...Soooo tasty!

nonetheless... a great find.

Later, after the hunting commenced, my time was spent trying to get an image of Vince and Geordie "hunting"...
My favorite shot came toward the end of the evening--Vince called in a couple ducks, and said, "I'm going to take them"....he stood, took aim...and just before he shot, I took my shot (surprisingly, flashes do not scare ducks)...



What I like about this shot....The 2 ducks are in the scene, Vince is on the bird "up-top", and...Geordie is ON the duck at the lower left--he's got his toy side-by-side shotgun on that bird (what you can't hear is that he pulled the trigger). Needless to say, his dad was VERY proud!

...and, of course, the great hunter, himself.



A much needed little trip.

more to come.

The UW trio cover shoot

Loaded with background info and the expectations of the upcoming basketball season, I wanted to produce a cover that incorporated the psychology of the "game-personalities" and the attitude-- namely: 'The Pac-10 is OURS" (cover); and, "If you wanna challenge the axiom....we WILL bring it" (feature shot).

As you may have guessed, Venoy and Isaiah were definitely up to the task. The personalities they had displayed on the court are not contrived--put the ball in play, and the intensity might be amplified. (Isaiah was a natural in front of the camera...required little directions. Venoy was true to Venoy--intense.) I loved my role, which was to temper the enthusiasm--or to channel it, rather. But, I'd say the freshman may have felt overshadowed. To my recollection, Abdul did not smile one time while I was shoot them as a group. So, I improvised. I decided I'd shoot them each separately and then construct a composite--this would be for the inside copy.

One thing that I definitely learned from shooting for the Mag...you've got to visualize the text--and you MUST PLAN AHEAD for the gutter. It's not rocket science, but lack of foresight will cause an editor to pop a cork (really).

The final product and the final cover of Sports Northwest Magazine.

Stay tuned.

The Freshman: Abdul Gaddy

As is usually the case, the unknown impinges upon the "creative vision"...

Since I had been exposed to Venoy Overton and Isaiah Thomas, I had a distinct vision for the cover-shot I wanted to produce--I would be able to incorporate the "unknown 3rd" easily. Nonetheless, a hurdle remained: how to incorporate Abdul Gaddy into the "feature spread" ...with some character.

What I needed was information, so I had to do a little "google search" on this Gaddy fella. Turns out (surprise, surprise), Abdul Gaddy was quite the prep-sensation. According to "the establishment" and a Seattle times article, Gaddy was the top basketball recruit in the state (averaging > 25 ppg), and Abdul's commitment to UW was regarded as quite the coup. Yet, the best piece of information to come from my googlings....I had actually covered Gaddy when Bellarmine prep (Gaddy's alma mater) played Bellevue HS (in the Holiday Hoop Fest at UW).

It is amazing how the mind works...I only had to see the picts to remember the player...

Bellarmine Prep's No. 3.... a tall guard, able to draw the defense-- able to DISH the ball. Yet, (not so surprising) able to score when not covered. (...suppose one must be able to punish a team for lackadaisical defense to setup the pass. ...call me "Holmes")

Nonetheless, I had it...the final component to produce both the cover and double-spread for the feature pict!

2 follows 1, by sequence only (unless one counts in reverse)

What can be said about Isaiah? The more pertinent question might be; where to start? Probably the smile--if you study his smile...you can learn quite a bit about the man that hails from Tacoma, Washington. His smile is infectious smile. It's big smile. It's playful. It has attitude.

Even though, Isaiah started his freshman year with plenty of hyped-expectations, his body

language showed that his 5’8” frame was prepared for the challenge. Always a smile, always laughing, always having fun, but ALL business during a game….

…and a little ink (for spice).

Out of high school IT was billed as a scorer. Fast first-step, Strong to the hoop, ability to shoot, and tough were just some of the descriptions one would here around the press.

Did I mention the smile? Seems like most of the press talk centered around his basketball skills. But from a photographer’s perspective, Isaiah had personality that could play ball.

Sure, he had speed, toughness, and MAD ball-handling skills, but what he really had was the ability to have fun. Play hard and have fun— now that’s infectious.

That infectious smile played tough.

That smile made sure a big-man knew he’d been had.

That smile complimented the work-ethic established by John Brockman and helped to steer the Huskies to win their first Pac-10 title in several years.

Isaiah Thomas earned the moniker: Freshman Phenom.

We shall see if number 2 can bring a second title.

Will IT bring the same attitude, passion, and play? He has returned with a little more ink, a few extra pounds of muscles, and he has the same smile. (omens?).

(They just opened Pac-10 with a win over the Beavs...the first step.)

As a sophomore, Isaiah is definitely at the point...a position that he relishes.