flashnick visuals » south carolina

5 in 20 for 5 (Stephen Garcia)

Brett — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:58:39 +0000

Five years in Twenty photos for South Carolina Quarterback number Five, Stephen Garcia.

Yesterday the University of South Carolina football team announced that quarterback Stephen Garcia, a fifth year senior was off the team for good. If you live in South Carolina or went to USC, then you no doubt have heard about all of the trials and tribulations this guy has been through over the past five years. This year (2011) is the tenth season I’ve been photographing NCAA college football. That means more than 100 games, thousands of players, and at least 50,000 images. During that time I can’t think of a single student athlete which I have photographed that has been as controversial, both on and off the field as Garcia has. So with that in mind, I put together a gallery of 20 images taken over his five year college career at the University of South Carolina, from the first photo I took of him speaking to the media on August 5th, 2007, to the last photo I took of him leaving the field after his last play in the Gamecocks loss to Auburn on October 1st, 2011.

Once you’ve taken a look through the images in the gallery below, I would love to hear your thoughts on all of this. I’ll save any of my comments until everyone has had a chance to chime in, but most importantly I want a conversation to take place, and I want these photos to be a catalyst for that.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

-Brett

Over the Double Rainbow

Brett — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 20:21:09 +0000

A major storm rolled through Columbia, SC yesterday afternoon while we were editing images after an early morning assignment for an editorial client. Thankfully we only lost power for about 10 seconds, and had no other damage. After it was all over Brett saw this amazing double rainbow outside. He grabbed the Canon 5D MKII which still had the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L on it from the morning, and ran outside surprisingly fast for someone who had been up and working for twelve hours already, and managed to grab this image. Hope you enjoy.

Click “More” to see the technical details after the jump.

Technical Details
Camera: Canon 5D MKII
Lens: Canon 24-70 f/2.8L USM @ 24mm
Memory: SanDisk Extreme 8GB
ISO: 160
Shutter: 1/320
Aperture: f/4

Navy at South Carolina Recap

Brett — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 20:42:57 +0000

Last week, Brett was on the field at Williams-Brice stadium (with almost 79,000 fans in attendance) for the Associated Press to photograph the Navy Midshipmen as they rolled into Columbia, SC to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks for the first time since 1988. Here is a gallery of Brett’s ten favorite images from the Gamecocks 24-21 win over the Midshipmen. Hope you enjoy, and it helps to get you in the mood for tomorrow’s game against Vanderbilt.

Beginning the National September 11 Memorial

Brett — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:27:43 +0000

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.

Published – U.S. Army Toughens Fitness Test

Brett — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:22:55 +0000

Yesterday afternoon, I was fortunate enough to be the only photographer for a civilian media outlet on hand for a closed demonstration of the U.S. Army’s newly revised fitness tests for soldiers. Back in the days of print, I would wake up and head to the news stand to get a copy of whatever publication I shot for. These days all I have to do is open my Google Alerts, and I’m instantly notified of every publication in the world who used my images online. After more than a decade of seeing my images in print its still a pretty good rush when you open up your alerts and see double digits in the results.

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.

It Keeps Snowing

Brett — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 22:42:31 +0000

Snow blankets the banks of the Saluda River in Columbia, SC, following a snow storm on January 10, 2011.

I hope these posts about snow in Columbia aren’t getting redundant. I’m doing my best to mix it up and shoot new, and interesting things every time it snows here. I’m getting some really good practice in seeing the world a bit differently in similar situations. The fact is that I can’t remember a time in my 29 years of life that it has snowed three separate times in less than a year, much less two separate times in 15 days. This is something that is completely unheard of in the Palmetto State. I’m not going to speculate where all of this white wintry stuff is coming from, but rather enjoy the fact that I have the time, and the ability to photograph it. Click “More” below to see the gallery.

The past two times it has snowed in Columbia I have concentrated my efforts on photographing the scenes of the city. While these winter photo excursions have yielded some really nice results, I wanted to do things a bit differently this time and focus on one of my favorite things about Columbia… the rivers.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

I have spent a lot of time trekking up and down the banks of the Broad and Saluda Rivers during good weather, and know these locations very well. Getting to some of these locations can be treacherous in good weather, so to challenge myself a little bit, I decide to see if I could get there and make some nice images during bad weather. It should be said that no photo is worth risking your life or your safety, and I did take appropriate safety precautions. If I didn’t know these areas, and know how to handle myself in these kind of conditions, I would not have attempted it, and unless you know what you are doing both outdoors, and with a camera I would not suggest trying this the next time it snows. With all that being said, I had a lot of fun, challenged myself, and hopefully made some images you enjoy looking at.

Winter Fest Photography Mini-Workshop

Brett — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 14:54:48 +0000

A couple takes a photo on the grounds of the South Carolina Statehouse in Columbia, SC.

What is there to do in Columbia on the first Sunday of 2011 after church ends, and before the first kickoff? If you found a digital camera under the Christmas tree this year, and aren’t sure how to get the most out of it for your family pictures, it might be a good idea to stop by the South Carolina State Museum at 1:30 or 3. Didn’t get a camera this year, but want to learn some tips to improve your digital photography? You’re invited too!

One of the great things about digital photography is that the cameras have become so advanced they can do a lot of the work for us, but thats also a tremendous drawback, because we tend to be lazy and forget the basic fundamentals of taking a good photograph. During these 1 hour mini-workshops, I will be covering some basic tips and tricks that you may have forgotten, or never learned to help you get the most out of digital photographs, all geared towards helping you record your family history.

If you want to learn more come by the South Carolina State Museum this Sunday, January 2, 2011 at 1:30pm or 3pm. The best part about this is that since its the first Sunday of the month admission is only $1, and the seminar is free with the price of admission. Trust me when I say its a much better value than the $1 double cheeseburger at the McDonald’s up the street.

While you’re at the Museum don’t forget to stop by the Lipscomb Gallery on the first floor to check out the amazing work of 24 South Carolina photographers featured in the Palmetto Portraits Project exhibit (in full disclosure I am one of the photographers). The exhibit runs through (closes) on January 9, 2011 so this may be your last chance to see this amazing collection of more than 240 portraits from around SC. For more information on the PPP visit http://palmettoportraits.musc.edu/ and for more information about exhibits and programs at the South Carolina State Museum visit http://www.museum.state.sc.us/

Winter Fest Press Release PDF

A White Christmas (almost)

Brett — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 02:45:24 +0000

Snow clouds pass over the skyline of Columbia, SC, during a snow storm on December 26, 2010.

Its pretty rare for us to get snow in South Carolina, its even more rare for us to get snow twice in one year, but snow on or around Christmas here in Columbia is pretty rare. The only time I’ve ever seen a “White Christmas” was when my family took a trip to the mountains for the holiday when I was in elementary school. Not sure when I would ever see snow around the holidays in Columbia ever again (even though it was minimal) I took my cameras out for a ride, and this is what I saw. See more of my images from the day after Christmas below.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

The Power List

Brett — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 18:15:57 +0000

I just found out that Command Sergeant Major Teresa King, who I spent a day photographing back in September of 2009, after she was named the first female commandant of the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School, was named to Oprah’s “2010 O Power List”. Congrats to CSM King, who is an amazing person. It doesn’t hurt knowing that you beat the queen of all media to the punch by an entire year either!

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

Palmetto Portraits Project IV

Brett — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:54:53 +0000

Perry Dozier Jr. - Columbia, SC 2009

Looking back on my email box, I found the first correspondence letting me know that I had been selected to participate in fourth series of the Palmetto Portraits Project a year ago today. Less than five days from now, on Wednesday, September 16, 2009, the exhibit will open to the public with a reception at MUSC’s new James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, located at 29 Bee St. in Charleston, SC.

The PPP was started a little over four years ago by the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), in partnership with the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston, and the South Carolina State Museum. The goal of the project was to commission approximately twenty noted and emerging photographers from across South Carolina to focus on portraying South Carolinians in the Lowcountry, the Piedmont, and the Upstate—reflecting the full range and diversity of the state’s citizens, occupations, and recreational activities. Creating a collection of art to display within MUSC’s educational and clinical buildings, the University hopes to remind students, faculty, staff, and visitors of those they serve at MUSC and throughout South Carolina. MUSC and the selected photographers have broadened the impact of the project by donating an identical set of photographs to the permanent collection of the South Carolina State Museum in Columbia.

This was an amazing project to be invited to be a part of, and am still humbled to this day to have had the opportunity to work with so many great photographers. While the past year of my life has led me in a in a direction that I never saw coming, both personally and professionally, I am deeply thankful for the people I have had the opportunity to meet while working on it, and the new way in which it has taught me to look at my native state. I don’t feel I can ever thank those who have supported me, and helped me with this project over the past year enough. I will be eternally grateful to all of you!

If you don’t have the opportunity to make it to the opening on Wednesday, but find yourself in Charleston, SC the project will be hanging in James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, located at 29 Bee St. for the foreseeable future. Please stop by and take a look at all of the amazing work of the series IV photographers. It will give you a new appreciation for the people and places of this state.

for more information on this project, please visit the official project site at http://palmettoportraits.musc.edu/

*Update* Check out the review of the show in the Charleston City Paper.

little background on the project.

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), in partnership with the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston have developed a multi-year collaboration called the Palmetto Portraits Project. Noted and emerging photographers from throughout the state of South Carolina have been commissioned to focus on portraying South Carolinians in the Lowcountry, the Piedmont, and the Upstate—reflecting the full range and diversity of the state’s citizens, occupations, and recreational activities. In creating a collection of art to display within MUSC’s educational and clinical buildings, the University hopes to remind students, faculty, staff, and visitors of those they serve at MUSC and throughout South Carolina. MUSC and the selected photographers have broadened the impact of the project by donating an identical set of photographs to the permanent collection of the South Carolina State Museum in Columb