A Local Pilgrimage

For three decades I have watched the Good Friday pilgrimage to Immaculata Church on Mt. Adams in Cincinnati.  Through  stills and even a couple of previous videos, I tried, yesterday, to use my Canon 5D and some Final Cut software (thanks much Stacy Doose for some special tips and techniques) to give it a different look.

Line of sight

Seems like this idea of composition and patterns lending themselves to interesting photographs will always be with me.  Even on vacation, walking around in historic Charleston, SC, I couldn't resist a few photographs in the Battery and Atlantic Sts. area.

Internacional del ventilador

How about this fan?  A personal friend of Cincinnati Reds infielder Edgar Renteria came from Cartagena, Columbia to visit.  I like the reflection of "Champions" from the dugout painting in his sunglasses...a cool hat, too.

Great display despite space limitations

Despite tight space limitations in tough times for newspapers, The Cincinnati Enquirer, my newspaper, has reached deep and managed to provide space for photographs in the coverage of Spring Training and the run up to and including Opening Day of the Major League Baseball season.  While things are often grim for newspapers and the business of publishing them, there is still a commitment to the idea of the power of images displayed well on newspaper pages. Here are a few examples of what we in the business call "great photo play".

Right place, right time

Ramon Hernandez flips his batting helmet away as he prepares to celebrate with teammates waiting at home plate.

You never know where action at a baseball game might occur.  You can anticipate it and prepare yourself and hope for the best.  So, chilly hands in place I watched the Cincinnati Reds mount a rally in the home half of the ninth inning climaxed by Ramon Hernandez's three-run walkoff homer. 

My colleague Jeff Swinger, recovering from knee surgery, had mentioned a previous home plate celebration where former Reds catcher Dan Ross had flipped off his batting helmet as he approached teammates waiting at the plate.  Hernandez, also a catcher, provided the opportunity and I met the challenge.

Diptych....what's that you say?

Love the Lensbaby

I'm always searching for a unique way to shoot portraits and I have to say I love the Lensbaby.  My belief is that you always use what is available, light source, technique, location and lens choice to get the job done.  Here's a couple of portraits made at Spring Training in Goodyear, AZ at the Cincinnati Reds camp.

Jonny Gomes 2011

Scott Rolen 2011