Hispanic Mission

How ironic that my last assignment at the Port Huron Times Herald, prior to me leaving for Houston, TX, is of a dance at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Hispanic Mission. My mission is to make it to Texas with all my stuff and no automotive breakdowns, we'll see how that goes.

Detroit

I shot this last weekend while in Detroit. GM need not look any further than its own neighborhood because Cash City is only a short distance away. Problem solved.

I Do Too

This was today at a local church's community center and it seemed funny to me. Actually the concept seems funny to me. I'm sure this isn't the only copy of this poster around. Someone, somewhere thought that a good number of these posters should be created then printed.
When I saw this poster I was also looking for the one that said "I Wash My Hands Or Else I Get Germs". I didn't see that poster.

Wild America

I was loading some things into my car just now for my trip up north tomorrow, when in front of me waddled this plump beaver. It just shuffled past real slow. So I loaded my stuff into my car in the one direction and it kept walking in the other. Then I went inside to get my camera. I tried to get a few photos but it was so hard to focus in the dark. It's not like they're endangered or anything but it was still cool.

The place

Monica and I are similar in some ways and different in others. This photo that I took today kind of sums it up.
Separated by the door frame, the right side is my room and the left side is the hallway. Similar yet different. At times I'm kind of straight forward and simple while Monica's a little more eccentric. Guess who decorated which area?

Rehearsal

While shooting assignments, I'll occasionally encounter a person (usually a kid) where no matter how long I'm there and how inconspicuous I try to make myself, they are constantly aware of the camera. Tonight, while covering a play rehearsal, I encountered a child who was a tad camera-aware.

Flag

This was from an assignment today where a group puts flags out as part of a fundraiser.
I'm going to Houston to see Monica Thursday and I'll be back Monday so I won't have any photos in the meantime. I'll be taking my film camera so I can't wait to use it. For those of you that may remember, the tacos in Houston were absolutely incredible when I was there one year ago. I'm planning to visit my friend Jose at the taco stand again and making an order or two.....or three.

Morning brew

From this morning. Coffee you saveth my day.

Lions

This was taken today at a tailgate party at a local church. The Detroit Lions bring fond memories of years gone by. Watching Barry Sanders at the Silverdome. Eating chicken wings and drinking soda with friends. Now though, throughout the years of football hardship, the Lions stir mixed emotions of hope, anger and perplexity- not in that order.

Shooter

This was at a cross country meet today. What I enjoy here is that not only is he shooting pictures, but he's also wearing shooting glasses. Photography is similar to hunting in many ways and I guess this just proves it further.

TV Man

I was at a school board meeting and noticed about four local public-TV camera men around. This camera man was all business and focused on the task at hand, as he should be. Obviously my mind was wondering around looking for something different to photograph than a school board meeting. But I already had my shots I needed, I promise !

Groundhog

It's been rough lately for blogging photos and this post is no exception. It's a fat groundhog. But, I will say that one of the things I enjoy the most about my job is the variety and unexpectedness. Before coming to work I had no idea what I'd be shooting. But a half an hour later I'm outside, face to face with a groundhog while taking photos of local golfers during competition play.

From above

A city council meeting was five minutes from start time tonight on the forth floor of a downtown building. I was in my fifteenth minute of waiting and I looked down to see this guy waiting for his dog to take care of business in the grass. Not too crazy a photo but every once in a while it is fun to shoot things from a high up angle, even if it is of a guy waiting for his dog to go to the bathroom.

Irish!

Dang I can't believe its been so long since my last post. This was taken yesterday at a festival celebrating world cultures. This fella was Irish and proud of it. He'd been to Ireland three times and couldn't wait to go back again. On the front of his shirt it says 'Guiness' in support of the delicious stout beverage.

Dog Show

This was from a dog show I was at today. The combination of the dog's awkward look, the cigarette and the belt buckle drew me into that scene.
I'm not going to say I didn't notice those Fiesta Chips in the background of the second photo. My stomach usually gets the better of me but I stuck around to catch this picture. The woman is getting a "professional" portrait with her and her dog. I managed to slow the shutter down enough to use the photographers flash in my favor. The folks on the left side of the frame caught my eye also.

No Fire

It was late at night when the announcement for a "structure fire" nasally echoed from the scanner. I can't count how many times and wasted miles I've spent driving to fires that aren't a big deal but that's just the way it goes sometimes. Most times.

Action !

This was a small production for a movie that is being filmed in Port Huron by a local group.

Red White & Blue

This was last Thursday, we were taking photos of locals watching the democratic convention. This is a local bar.

evil eye

Pulled up next to this dog in the parking lot of a gas station today.

Country

This was taken the other day while driving down a country road not far from where I live.

Too cool for school

During a football practice recently, I noticed some storm clouds in the distance. I saw an overhang attached to a school that I was going to take advantage of should the rain become intense. Once the rain began to fall it was intense indeed. As I was shooting photos under the overhang this kid came walking up as nonchalantly as possible. Sunglasses and all. I took a couple photos then as the rain shortly after, it was back to football practice.

8

What an incredible achievement. Watching Michael Phelps win his eighth gold medal of these Olympic games has been fantastic and truly memorable.

Rocky Mountain High

This is what I get to look forward to (literally) when I visit my dentist every six months. Today I got the 'rocky mountains' room and last time it was the 'field of flowers' room. I walked out of the wilderness cavity free.

farmer

Monica and I stopped at this farmer's place up north just down the road from her house in Boyne City. He had a sign in his front yard offering "Eggs for sale" so we stopped. He not only sold us eggs but he gave us a tour of his farm which was super cool.

Dumpster Diver

Ever since I moved into my apartment two years ago, I've had more than a fair share of run ins with this black-eyed bandit. When I worked the night shift for a number of months, this raccoon would occasionally be waiting in the dumpster to scare me. Sometimes he'd do it by sticking only his head out and one time he did it when I threw a bag of trash into the dumpster and it spooked it. Anyway, the other night after I came home from a night on the town I heard him in the dumpster.I got my camera gear out of my car to capture this beautiful portrait.

Election

It's that time of year again so that's what I was shooting tonight.

tennis

One of the bigger (if not biggest) local tennis tournaments began today so this is from that.

Turtle power

Today I came face to face with this guy while shooting photos of a local golf tournament.

somethin' brewin'

This was from the Port Huron to Mackinac race last Saturday. As we were going out to Lake Huron it was obvious that there was rain coming. The rain was pouring quite heavily for a while but it left almost as fast as it came.

Sailing

It was the 84th annual Port Huron-to-Mackinac sailboat race today and I had the chance to cover it from a boat. This is way better than last year when I only covered everything from shore. Some storm clouds came through and brought some super heavy rain. Once the rain was gone mama nature left some dark clouds behind and a little bit of sun.

R Street

Ok, some may think this is a stupid. But it's not your blog...it's mine : ) I was in Boyne City visiting Monica and her parents and while driving through town I saw this street sign. 'R Street'. I just think it's interesting that a street starts with a letter. That's all.

Family Night

It's been a busy week with our Port Huron to Mackinac boat race coming up this Saturday. This is one from today which was Family Night (carnival, food, boats, etc.-all by the Black River). Family Night is nice, it's just a lot going on at one time which is always tough for me to wrap my head around. Last year I was taking photos of Aerosmith stage-side so I had raised the bar pretty high.

imagination

I took a photo of this boy today and he couldn't stop talking about how much he loved his pond in his yard and the creatures under (and above) its surface. His mom said he had "an imagination that just won't quit". It was a last minute assignment and I wasn't sure what I'd be getting into when I arrived. This was a last minute assignment and although the meeting with the person was quick and brief, won't soon be forgotten.

Grandfather

My grandpa loves to tinker around and invent things, he was an engineer during his working days. So he didn't let retirement let his mind slow down as you can see. The wooden alligator is named "Woody" and it's got reflectors for eyes and the rest is from a tree that was on his property. For a number of years now it's been adorning his front yard and welcoming visitors as they turn into the driveway.
The pond is another story. He loves frogs and they've been sparse lately he said so he placed a plastic pond in his yard with some plants and tadpoles. There's a large street light in the middle but the bulb is only a nightlight bulb and he says it's just enough to attract bugs toward the water for the frogs. Genius !

The Cup

This is from the Red Wings parade from a few weeks back but I just got the film developed so here it is. I knew my friends were working, I knew Detroit would be absolute madness with the people and the construction and I knew it would be hot. But since I've never been to a Red Wings Stanley Cup parade I decided to make the trip. This was the stop I found that I waited in for hours but it was worth it to be part of such a fun event.

Lost

This is something that caught my eye as I was leaving a library during shoot today. It's a bummer that there wasn't an available photo around when this flyer was created but I'd give it an 'A' for effort.

da club

It's been busy since my last post so here's one from a shoot recently. This is a local club that they've tried to get going for the local kids so we'll see how it goes. Hopefully everyone's having a good summer.

Free As A Bird

Since I began working at the Times Herald almost two years ago I've passed this farm that advertises 'fresh eggs'. I never stopped until this Spring and now this is the only spot I get them. There's a definite difference in the egg in its color and taste because the chickens are so happy. If low stress levels equal good eggs than these eggs are top notch. The chickens have it good. This is a free ranger I found while leaving the small farm.

Curling

This is from today's curling finals at a local rink. It's the first time I've ever witnessed the sport up close and what you see is what you get. I didn't get to try it but I'm sure its harder than it looks. I personally don't have the patience for such a sport but it was enjoyable taking photos of something new today.

Wings' fans

I was in downtown Detroit last week for the sweltering Red Wings celebration. This is a group of people waiting for the parade to begin at the corner of Gratiot and Woodward which is where I was standing. Once the parade began and players started going by, it was absolute mayhem. However, I got there two hours early and had an ok spot. It was shaded by the buildings, it was next to an emergency exit which had to be kept clear (which was nice) then they set up a free water bottle station right there. It was a sweet spot ! Anyhow, I should have some better photos on my other roll of film, but I've yet to get the roll developed.

Storm

This was last evening when some high winds came through blowing trees over. I went to document the situation and saw this little fella here who fit right into the scene with his green coat, green shorts and green stuffed critter in hand.

The Lost Whale

This is something that makes me laugh every time I pass it. It's a condominium but it's called Lost Whale Condos. Hilarious. Someone even took the time to carve a 'lost whale' out of wood to put above the name.

I Want Stanley

This was at a local bar during the Detroit Red Wings game five Stanley Cup final game. I spotted this gentleman at the bar with his hat saying "I Want Stanley" on a pin. We want it indeed sir. As I am posting this, I'm not sure what the outcome of the game will be. I had to come back to the office because of our deadline but hopefully our wishes will be granted.

Organic

It was frustrating today because my paper wants us to do multimedia projects so badly, and today I drove 45 minutes to a farm that would've been a perfect subject, with decent light outside, and I was only able to stay for 20 minutes due to other work stuff. It's not the first time and I'm sure it won't be the last, it's just so frustrating.

Palm trees & crossing the road

The palm trees are from my Vegas trip and the couple were just crossing the road the other day and I had my film camera with me so I took their photo.