Jubilation and Dejection
The Oklahoma Sooners react after a loss against Alabama in the Women's College World Series softball championship at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 7, 2012. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
A week of shooting Women’s College World Series softball all led up to the championship game between OU and Alabama.
My favorite part about shooting sports is the whirlpool of emotions happening all around me.
Wednesday’s game was the the one the brought out the most powerful moments after OU lost to Alabama 5-4. Staff photographer Nate Billings and I tried our best to capture those moments.
Click here to view the rest of the championship game photos between OU and Alabama.
Alabama's Jackie Traina (33) hugs Cassie Reilly-Boccia (18) as she holds the national championship trophy after Game 3 of the Women's College World Series softball championship between OU and Alabama at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, June 6, 2012. Alabama won, 5-4. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Kayla Braud (1) hugs graduate assistant Whitney Larsen after beating OU in the Women's College World Series softball championship at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 7, 2012. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma's Destinee Martinez (00) wipes tears from her face after a loss against Alabama in the Women's College World Series softball championship at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 7, 2012. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Unexpected Surprises
Trevor Freshour, 3, of Midwest City, dances during a Concert in the Park in Midwest City, Thursday, June 7, 2012. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
A concert in the park doesn’t seem like the sexiest assignment.
Going into it, you know there are standard photos you have to get – The band, people in lawn chairs, etc.
I love going on assignments like these and making pictures that I’m proud of. It makes me feel like I’m not just putting forth medial effort.
The more senior photographers on staff will comment that assignments like concerts in the park are hard to make good photos out of, because they have shot them 1000 times before, but that’s something I will never understand.
People are what make good photos and each person has their own personality and their own story to tell.
As long as there are people, I will gladly shoot 1000 more concerts in the park.
Zo-E dances with her owner, Pam Haynie, during a Concert in the Park in Midwest City, Thursday, June 7, 2012. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Bonus Photo: Oklahoma City Skyline at Sunset
Rain Delays…
Fans hide from the rain at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, June 6, 2012. The final game of the Women's World College Series was delayed due to weather conditions. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
I’m sitting in the press room at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.
The Championship game was supposed to happen an hour and a half ago, but it won’t stop raining.
I’m sitting here geeking out with the rest of the photographers about gear and techniques.
I have drank 4 cups of Coca-Cola and I’m almost done eating my sunflower seeds. They are about to bring pizza in.
They won’t call the game until the delay goes past 9 p.m.
Also, The Thunder are currently losing 31-16 to the Spurs.
Here are some photos I shot of some dreary softball fans.
Lisa Haynes, of North Carolina, fixes Lindsey Haynes' poncho at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, June 6, 2012. The Women's College World Series softball championship game was delayed due to rain. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Alexis Gay, 6, of Washington, Okla., holds an umbrella at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, June 6, 2012. The Women's College World Series softball championship game was delayed due to rain. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Madison Banister, 11, of Arkansas, sits in the rain with her family at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, June 6, 2012. The final game of the Women's World College Series was delayed due to weather conditions. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Morgan Smith, of Sioux Falls, S.D., sits in the rain at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, June 6, 2012. The final game of the Women's World College Series was delayed due to weather conditions. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
WCWS Softball
OU mascot, Sooner, leads the crowd in cheer during a Women's College World Series game between OU and Alabama at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Monday, June 4, 2012. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
The NCAA Women’s College World Series of softball is held in Oklahoma City.
Most might think that 11 hours of softball in one day can be grueling work, but I actually really enjoy it.
I have spent the past three days in the sun, getting a bit of color, eating free food, and hanging out with photographers from every organization from the NCAA to the Associated Press.
Last night was the first of three games in the championship series between OU and Alabama.
Thankfully, OU won, so I got a big centerpiece on the front page of Sports this morning.
OU is currently 1-0 with Alabama. If they don’t win tonight, they will play again on Wednesday night.
Here are some WCWS galleries from the past week:
Finals Game 1 (OU vs Alabama) Photos by Garett Fisbeck
Day 1 Photos by Bryan Terry
Day 2 Photos by Bryan Terry
Day 3 Photos by Garett Fisbeck
Day 4 Photos by Garett Fisbeck
Oklahoma's Keilani Ricketts (10) celebrates as Alabama's Danae Hays (15) walks away during a Women's College World Series game between OU and Alabama at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Monday, June 4, 2012. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma's Lauren Chamberlain (44) slides into home during a Women's College World Series game between OU and Alabama at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Monday, June 4, 2012. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
D.J. Gasso and Brice Turang show their spirit during a Women's College World Series game between OU and Alabama at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Monday, June 4, 2012. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma's Brianna Turang (2) is tagged by Alabama's Kaila Hunt (10) during a Women's College World Series game between OU and Alabama at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Monday, June 4, 2012. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
OU mascot, Sooner, high-fives Blake Beste, 8, of Texas, during a Women's College World Series game between OU and Alabama at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Monday, June 4, 2012. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma's Keilani Ricketts (10) pitches during a Women's College World Series game between OU and Alabama at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Monday, June 4, 2012. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma's Lauren Chamberlain (44) slides into third base past Alabama's Courtney Conley (9) during a Women's College World Series game between OU and Alabama at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Monday, June 4, 2012. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Garett Fisbeck: Round Two
The sun sets on Oklahoma City, Friday, June 1, 2012. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Garett here.
You might remember me from last summer. I’m the photo intern.
I am excited for my second tour as an intern at The Oklahoman. This year’s intern group is a vibrant, talented group of young dudes and ladies and I can’t wait to see what kind of gems they come up with.
My role on this blog will be to provide you with a visual representation of my love for the state and the people of Oklahoma. I also like to share the stories behind my images, and the reasons I think they are special.
This is a beautiful state, and I hope I can show you why.
Shameless Plugs:
Alternate Crop Photo Blog (The Oklahoman Photo Blog)
Journalists get paid to do the silliest things….
Karson Wilkerson, 10 of Bethany, spends time kayaking with his mentor, Billy Swindell, at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City, Thursday, July 28, 2011. Wilkerson and Swindell have been together in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program for more than a year. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
I should first point out that I am an unpaid intern, but the headline stands; being a journalist allows you to go on some pretty cool adventures.
When I received my assignment Thursday to photograph children and mentors of Big Brothers Big Sisters kayaking, I expected to show up and photograph them getting into their boats and rowing off into the sunset.
Thankfully, this was not the case.
Dave Lindo of OKC Kayak was nice enough to offer to have one of his volunteers, Sharon, escort me around Lake Hefner to get a closer look at the action.
Kayak guide Sharon and I on our Lake Hefner cruise.
View from the passenger's seat.
I’ve done a lot of cool stuff in the last eight weeks, but riding in a kayak for the first time has all that other stuff beat.
Some of the guys on the beach threatened to pull my “man card” for not getting out and helping Sharon pull the boat back on shore, but I like my shoes and expensive camera too much to have any sort of pride in that situation.
Now that I have kayaking behind me, I’m hoping maybe horseback riding is next.
David Curtis, 8 of Oklahoma City, laughs as he paddles in his kayak at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City, Thursday, July 28, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Read about how Big Brothers Big Sisters lost federal funding here.
To see more photos, click here to see the gallery.
OKC’s Royals Living Life to the Fullest
Players of the Oklahoma City Royals pray before beginning a game at the Plex Sports Complex in Oklahoma City, July 5, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
For the last few weeks, I have spent some quality time with an extraordinary group of gentlemen.
The Oklahoma City Royals are a group of 75+ senior softball players that get together every Tuesday night to fellowship and play the sport they love.
Sports intern Tariq Lee and I worked on this story together. I produced a slideshow separate from his story and we somehow came out at the end of it with a great package that is featured in the sports section of the Oklahoman and on its very own nDepth page on NewsOK.com.
One of the most profound moments I witnessed while doing this project was when one of the guys pulled out a piece of paper with the name of a condition he had been diagnosed with. He had to write it down so he could remember what it was called and tell the other guys about it.
A player for the Oklahoma City Royals reads a new condition that he has been diagnosed with, Polymyalgia rheumatica, to his fellow teammates at the Plex Sports Complex in Oklahoma City, July 5, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
The condition was polymyalgia rheumatica, a syndrome with pain or stiffness, usually in the neck, shoulders, and hips.
I was inspired by the positive outlook of the players. I won’t ruin any more of the story for you, I’ll just say that I hope I’m this cool when and if I turn 80-years-old.
Check out Tariq’s story and my slideshow here: OKC’s Boys of Summer
Ray Rowland gets ready to bat during a game at the Plex in Oklahoma City, July 19, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Loal Buttram runs onto the field during a game at the Plex Sports Complex in Oklahoma City, July 5, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Harry Potter Premier
Michael Mccullough and his friends wait in line for the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 premier at Quail Spings mall in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, July 14, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
I was less than impressed the dedication of Harry Potter fans today at the Quail Springs mall.
I was expecting to see more people dressed up like HP characters, but this was nothing like a Star Wars premier. There were a few oddballs, but the majority of the people that decided to dress up, dressed up as Harry.
Nevertheless, hundreds of people lined the walls of the mall more than 9 hours before the midnight premier of the Deathly Hallows Part 2, and that’s something a fellow geek can admire.
International Finals Youth Rodeo
Bradney Tart of Benson, N.C. puts on his gear before competing in bull riding during International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Monday, July 11, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
I had the privilege to get a great assignment, covering the IFYR.
It was an excellent environment for action and feature shots and so far, my favorite assignment.
See more from IFYR here.
Justin Garrett Sibley of Perryville, Ark. falls off of a bull in a Bull Riding competition during International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee Monday, July 11, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Austin Walock of Denham Springs, La. takes a moment to pray before competing in bull riding, Monday, July 11, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
It is still unbelievably hot
Skyler Don Schmidt, 13 of Arcadia, plays with her dog Sadie at Arcadia Lake Saturday, July 2, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Dude, it is so hot.
I went to the park with a buddy of mine tonight and the temperature was still in the 90′s. Keep in mind that this was 9:00 P.M.
The heat hasn’t been all bad, though. I have been out looking for heat features with members of the photo staff and have been pretty satisfied with the moments I have captured.
Staff photographer Sarah Phipps and I even did a video of some young-ones playing at a splash park in Oklahoma City.
With that said, I’m sick of constantly being sweaty and I’m ready for Fall.
Stay fresh.
Click here for more photos from The Oklahoman staff photographers.
