2011 was an interesting year, with a lot of changes. The collection of images in the gallery below is the best way for me to share that. I’ve been putting together galleries of my favorite images for the past seven years, and this gallery looks completely different than any other gallery I have shared before, and that excites me beyond belief for the potential to grow even more in 2012. I hope you enjoy looking through this gallery as much as I enjoyed putting it together.  I can’t wait to see what 2012 has in store for us.

-Brett

(click “more” to see the full gallery after the jump)

Auburn running back Onterio McCalebb, center, finds a hole in the South Carolina defensive line, during their game in Columbia, S.C., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011. (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick)

On Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, Flashnick Visuals owner and photographer, Brett Flashnick was on assignment for the Associated Press to cover the Auburn Tigers as they came to Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. to face the No. 10 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks, some of his thoughts and a gallery of his images are available after the jump.

Below are a few of my thoughts from the game, a gallery of 20 images and a list of gear used. If you’d like an actual recap of the game check out the article by my AP colleague Pete Iacobelli over at usatoday.com.

While going through my mental gear checklist before heading out to the field to cover the Auburn at South Carolina I checked in with my editor at the AP Sports Photo Desk in New York to make sure everything was set. At the end of our conversations he said “… One more thing, be prepared for an upset.”  Being a “neutral third-party” here to cover both teams I knew that was a real possibility, even though I always want to see the home team (especially one I grew up watching) do well.  With that in mind my game plan was to focus on South Carolina during the first quarter. Over the past four games, I knew that their offense had been struggling, and realized that if they were showing the same signs of weakness during the first quarter against Auburn, the defending BCS champions and a team they lost to twice last year (once during the regular season, and once for the SEC title game), I knew an upset was a real possibility even though this was a much younger, and less experienced team.

After a very long first quarter with South Carolina only up by 3, I made the decision to start focusing more heavily on Auburn.  This proved to be a good decision by the end of the first half Auburn led South Carolina 9-6. The Auburn defense had found a way to contain South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore and quarterback Stephen Garcia’s passing was everything except accurate. Auburn’s offensive line had started to wear down the Gamecock’s defense, and quarterback Barrett Trotter and running backs Michael Dyer and Onterio McCalebb were finding holes on almost every play.  I began to doubt this decision when Lattimore scrambled for a 21-yard touchdown during the third quarter, but a last minute, game-winning touchdown by tight end Phillip Lutzenkirchen, erased those doubts.

Its always stressful for a game to be this close, especially coming down the the last minute and thirty seconds. But thankfully my editor had prepared me for this possibility and I listened. Even though all of my friends here in Columbia, S.C. left the stadium feeling dejection, I was able to walk out knowing I delivered the images AP needed to tell the story of this game.

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Gear Used

Cameras: Canon EOS 5D MKII & EOS 7D (both cameras with their respective battery grips)
Lenses: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L, Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L, Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS
Camera Support: (w/ 300mm f/2.8): Manfrotto 679B
Memory: Sandisk Extreme 8gb CF & Lexar Professional 8gb CF***
Computer/Software: Apple MacBook Pro, PhotoMechanic (workflow), Adobe Photoshop CS4 (color correction, cropping, etc.)

Error Message re: Corrupted Lexar Compact Flash card

***Ever since I got these cards I have been having issues with my SanDisk CF readers (both the FW800 and USB 2.0) reading the cards accurately.  When inserted the read indication light will flash rapidly indicating an inability to read.  Typically this can be resolved by removing, and re-inserting the CF card into the reader.  However during my ingest of photos at half-time the card from my 5DMK II was corrupted during this process.  I have tried running Image Rescue 4 on the card to recover images to no avail. I am planning to give Lexar a call this morning to see if they can advise on this issue, and help me figure out a way to recover the first-half images.  I will update with a post in the “Gear” section as soon as I have a definite answer.

Four years ago I was asked to photograph the first of many structural beams for the National September 11 Memorial and Museum as they rolled out of Owen Steel Company Inc., in Columbia, S.C., on September 11, 2007. As I arrived on location along with a film crew just before sunrise the workers at Owen Steel were already busy preparing the rigging to lift two massive I-beams onto a 50-foot flat bed trailer for their journey across the United States. There had been many sleepless nights leading up to this moment as a sense of tension and accomplishment filled the air of the massive building, while officials with the NS11MM met with executives of Owen Steel to witness this process. After the beams were lowered onto the trailer and strapped into place, all of the employees made their way to the parking lot to watch the tuck depart and begin to make its way through downtown Columbia toward the unveiling at Finaly Park.

The rest of the morning was filled with incredibly intense emotion as police officers, firefighters, and family members of those who lost their lives in the attacks on the World Trade Center arrived to see the beams first hand. One family member even remarked how seeing and touching the gleaming white steel beams on a truck eventually bound for Ground Zero was incredibly important to them as a means of moving forward.  Its pretty amazing to think that in just 24-hours that all of the victims families might feel this same way, and in 48-hours when the NS11MM opens to the public everyone will get to experience that feeling for themselves.

For me this was an extremely meaningful event to be asked to photograph, and because of that I decided to capture these images in a very reactionary manner to convey the sense of awe and pride that I felt while witnessing this process. The images were originally captured in color using Canon 20D DSLR cameras and were converted to black and white in post production. I chose to make this conversion because I felt that it helped convey what I felt the first time I saw these freshly painted, gleaming white beams surrounded by the grit of an industrial metal fabrication facility, and the symbolism of that juxtaposition.

We would love to hear your thoughts, feelings and reactions to these images, as well as your reaction to finding out that the steel work for the National September 11 Memorial and Museum was handled by a company located right here in Columbia, S.C.  Feel free to share below.

Images are available for editorial license in our National September 11 Memorial & Museum archive gallery.

Here are a few of the outlets from Seattle on the west coast to NYC on the east coast that published my images last night.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/army-s-new-fitness-tests-add-taste-of-battlefield-1.2722013

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=13028950

http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/armys-new-fitness-tests-857171.html

http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/national/117202543.html

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2014368274_armyfitness02.html

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/03/01/national/main20037925.shtml

http://www.tdtnews.com/story/2011/3/2/72813

http://www.pjstar.com/news/x1512110234/Army-swaps-sit-ups-for-combat-run-in-new-PT-tests

http://www.statesman.com/news/nation/armys-new-fitness-tests-add-taste-of-battlefield-1290144.html

http://www.salon.com/wires/us/2011/03/01/D9LMNSTO0_us_army_new_fitness_test/

http://dailycaller.com/2011/03/01/army-swaps-sit-ups-for-combat-run-in-new-pt-tests/

http://www.newstimes.com/news/articleGallery/Army-s-new-fitness-tests-add-taste-of-battlefield-1036257.php

http://www.kansas.com/2011/03/01/1741926/army-swaps-sit-ups-for-combat.html

For those interested, and not inclined to read the full story by my AP colleague Susanne Schafer, here’s the caption version. The new set of standards now includes two separate fitness tests, one which resembles the PT tests of the past 30-years which includes pushups and a 1.5 mile run, while adding new elements like wind sprints, long jump, and a hybrid sit-up/leg lift called the rower.  The new test requires soldiers to don full battle gear and take on a 400-yard run, then immediately complete an obstacle course that involves balance, agility and strength.  The latter of the two tests seemed more like an agility drill from the NFL combine, rather than an Army fitness test.  This all made sense when I spoke with Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, who oversees all training in the U.S. Army.  Hertling said that the goal for these exercises, along with new nutrition guidelines is to bring today’s soldiers up to the level of elite athletes.

Here are the resulting pages from the November 2009 issue of Jolie.  While I’m still not a fan of the layout/design used, it was a great story that was and still am proud to have been a part of telling.

CSM King is in pretty good company this year.  The other nominees include the likes of Julia Roberts, Diane Sawyer, and Vera Wang.  You can check out the full list at http://www.oprah.com/world/The-2010-O-Power-List

]]> http://flashnickvisuals.com/2010/11/power-list/feed/ 0 http://flashnickvisuals.com/2009/05/lady-in-black-09/ http://flashnickvisuals.com/2009/05/lady-in-black-09/#comments Sun, 17 May 2009 16:50:49 +0000 Brett http://blog.brettflashnick.com/?p=205

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.

A crew member for NASCAR Sprint Cup series driver Michael Waltrip, inspects tires in the garage area at Darlington Raceway, before the 60th running of the Southern 500, on Saturday, May 9, 2009, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick)

For me, the spring race weekend at Darlington is one of those events that I look forward to every year. Perhaps its my male DNA, or my southern heritage, coming to the surface, but I love cars, and the idea of getting paid to photograph some of the fastest cars, and best drivers in the world for two solid days, just puts a smile on my face. This is my third consecutive year of photographing Darlington weekend, and it has somehow managed to fill the void of not being able to cover my other favorite May sporting event, the Kentucky Derby.  Working in an environment like a NASCAR track is something that you have to experience to truly understand.  When my friends who aren’t into cars, or car racing, see my excitement as Mother’s Day Weekend approaches every year, I always have to explain why I have so much fun taking photos of “guys driving in circles.”

The pit crew for NASCAR Sprint Cup series driver Joey Lagano, works to complete a pit stop, during the 60th running of the Southern 500, at Darlington Raceway on, Saturday, May 9, 2009, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick)

To me working a NASCAR race is the closest you can come to photographing a riot or working in a war zone.  Its one of those places, where you have to work with your head on a swivel, especially in the garage area while the practice sessions are going on.  During the few hours these teams have to get their cars dialed in for the track conditions before qualifying it is pure chaos, as cars are constantly coming in and out of their designated garage stalls, all rushing to get the most they can out of their machines, with little regard for anything other than that.  One of the most difficult things about working in the garage area is that you can’t hear anything due to the ear plugs you are required to wear to salvage your hearing.  You can’t understand how loud these cars are until you are around 5-10 of them starting up simultaneously.  During the practice sessions the mood of the garage area changes from pure chaos, to hurry up and wait, as drivers take the track to see if the adjustments their crews have made, make the difference they need to push their cars to the edge.

NASCAR Sprint Cup series driver, Clint Bowyer, center, talks with his crew, during the practice session for the Southern 500, at Darlington Raceway, Friday, May 8, 2009, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick)

The crew for NASCAR Sprint Cup series driver, Matt Kenseth, wait on their driver to return to the garage area, during the practice session for the Southern 500, at Darlington Raceway, Friday, May 8, 2009, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick)

As day turns to dusk, the chaos of practice wraps up, and gives way to the much more organized qualifying sessions (which were cancelled for the NASCAR Nationwide series and postponed for the NASCAR Sprint Cup series this year due to a passing series of thunder storms this year). Once all drivers are qualified for the race, and have their assigned starting positions for the week, the Nationwide series

Drivers make their way around Darlington Raceway, as a full moon rises over the front straightaway stands, during the 60th running of the Southern 500 on Saturday, May 9, 2009, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick)

race can begin.  By the time that relatively short race is over, and the images are transmitted back to AP in New York, it is just after 12:30 am before you pack up, and head home after a 15 hour day, only to be back at the track 8 hours later for festivites for the main event.

Saturday morning at the track is a completely different atmosphere than Friday morning, which gave me time to take in the sights a little bit.  As I leasurely walked around the track making images of pre-race features, I visited the FOX broadcast compund to chat with a friend who was working as the technical director for the days broadcast, had some interesting coversations with some of the races past winners including Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, and David Pearson, made friends with fans who were just waking up from the revelry the night before, and snapped some photos with my BlackBerry 8900 for a few twitter and faceook updates.  During my exploration, I noticed some changes that made this weekend feel a little bit more like the races of old, than the new world of corporate sponsorships.  This year, NASCAR and Darlington decided to go old school, and revive the name of the Southern 500, which used to be the fall race held at the track.  They also decided to paint the wall the retro red and white candy stripe to coincide with the 60th running of this event.  After dropping off my pre-race photos to be transmitted to AP in New York, I grabbed a quick bite to eat at the press center, and geared up for driver introductions, and the start of the race.

The sun was just starting to set over turn four as the green flag droped, and the 37 cars in the field charged down the front straightaway.  After capturing the start of the race, I began moving around to the positions I had scouted earlier in the day to begin making the images that I wanted.  First up was the outside of turn one, where I was blasted with little bits of rubber, and sprayed with grease and oil as the pack charged past me at well over 100mph.  After a making a few images from that position I was happy with I made my way back to the media center for my first card drop of the night, and then began floating around the pit area making images of the leading drivers and their crews as they came in for fuel, fresh tires, and minor adjustments.  As the night wore on, and the full moon begain to rise over the stands, my lack of sleep didn’t seem to phase me, as I was running on pure adreniline.  After 500 miles around the Lady in Black, several dramatic crashes, and lead changes, previous Southern 500 winner, and 50 year old driver Mark Martin, took the checkered flag in distinguished fashion, with no burnout and a simple victory lap.  It seemed like a fitting end in to an evening that was 60 years in the making, and as my head hit the pillow in Columbia three and a half hours later, I couldn’t have been happier that I was there to witness it with my own two eyes, and the two camers over my shoulders.

Fans watch drivers make their way around Darlington Raceway on the jumbo screen, during the Diamond Hill Plywood 200, Friday, May 8, 2009, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Brett Flashnick)

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/