Pushing Pixels

NASCAR driver Kurt Busch, takes the high line into turn 1 at Darlington Raceway, during the 60th running of the Southern 500, on Saturday, May 9, 2009, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick)

The clock showed it was 2am, as I made way home to Columbia in the back seat of Mary Ann’s car early Sunday morning, following the 60th running of the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, in Darlington, SC. I was completely drained from two non-stop days of making my way around the “Lady in Black” while on assignment for the Associated Press, but was content as could be, and didn’t mind the fact that it would be 3am or later before my head hit the pillow. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: ap, assignment, associated press, car, darlington, NASCAR, photography, photojournalism, race, racing, sport, tire, track, work.

As featured in the Oct. 30 - Nov. 6 MSNBC TWiP: As tears stream down his cheek, Quentin Patrick, center, clad in a red prison jumpsuit, signs paperwork during his bond hearing at the Sumter-Lee County Detention center, Monday, Nov. 3, 2008, in Sumter, S.C. (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick)

As I checked my Facebook page before heading out for a 12 hour photo day on Saturday, I was a bit perplexed when I saw that friend and fellow shooter Chris Keane had left me a note for me to check out MSNBC’s The Week in Pictures for Oct. 30 – Nov. 6, 2008.  Much to my surprise one of my images from the bond hearing of Quentin Patrick, who is accused of killing 12-year-old, trick-or-treater, T.J. Darrisaw, when he fired 29 rounds from his AK-47 through the front door of his house in Sumter, S.C., upon seeing the 3 masked figures, outside of his home on Halloween night, and thinking he was about to be robbed.  This image came from my second day of covering this extremely emotional tragedy for the Associated Press, and can be found in Oct. 30 – Nov. 6, TWiP at the following link http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27578284/displaymode/1107/framenumber/7/s/2/

Tags: ap, assignment, associated press, award, death, MSNBC, photography, photojournalism, SC, shooting, south carolina, sumter, TWIP.

When I was asked by a client to photograph the No.1 ranked team in High School Football, in the entire nation, I wasn’t sure what to expect, just another high school football game, or something unique.  What I saw, the players on the James F. Byrnes Rebels bring to the table is the simple fact that even those a the top of their game have an off night, it is just in how you handle those setbacks that seem to make the difference in champions and everyone else.  

The, Rebels, began their season ranked No.1 in the USA Today Super 25, and after last night’s game, now stand at 2-0.  But last night’s opponent, Ridge View, turned out not to be the pushover that many expected.  With six turnovers (4 of them by the quarterback Chas Dodd in the first half alone), the final score of the game was 45-20.  Even with the Byrnes offense not performing at their best, when things clicked, the athleticism and work ethic of these players really came out, and was something amazing to see.       

I don’t know if this will be my last high school football game or not.  I’m really starting to dread having to deal with the dis-organization, and egos, and professionalism (relating to the organizers, and officials) that go along with covering these sporting events.  Its really sad that all of the positive efforts put forth by these kids and their coaches, gets tarnished, because the adults involved can’t seem to play nice, be professional, or act their age.

Images from the Byrnes at Ridge View, are available for license for editorial use and publication, through my archive on Photo Shelter, at the following link http://pa.photoshelter.com/gallery-show/G0000iyrv9n9Cjd0 

Tags: action, assignment, byrnes, football, game, high school, locker, photo, prep, sport.