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.
A stroll in the park
Firefighters battle hot spots after a grass fire burned on the OPUBCO campus, Saturday, July 2, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Spot news can be a tricky thing. Sometimes it can be 50 miles away, and you try your hardest to get there in time to make a good picture.
It’s always nice when the news happens within walking distance.
When I pulled into work today, I noticed some smoke south of the OPUBCO building.
I grabbed my equipment and ran that way, which was actually a pleasant experience. If you haven’t seen the OPUBCO campus, it’s really quite lovely.
I called the Oklahoma City fire department, and waited around for about 15 minutes for them to arrive. All the while I was taking photos, of course.
I couldn’t help but take some humorous photos of the firefighters battling the blaze with the glorious OPUBCO building in the background.
Good times.
Facebook for journalists
Facebook + Journalists. What could be better, right?
Actually, there are some people that I’m friends with that get upset when I clutter their newsfeed with newsok and UCO360 links.
Facebook came up with this new feature that allows journalists to create a page for their professional work.
From what I’ve been reading, it’s an attempt to get more actual news in peoples’ newsfeed.
I’ve had mine for a total of about 5 hours now, and I’m really starting to like it.
For those who like seeing my photos and links, they can just follow my page. Those who don’t, DON’T HAVE TO. So, it looks like everyone wins, I suppose.
In the news business, we talk a lot about whether or not journalists should separate their personal and professional social media. Well now it looks like I don’t have to worry about that.
Or maybe this is just another attempt to boost my ego…. Who knows.
Kevin Durant basketball camp
Kevin Durant takes a break from a shootout during the second day of the Kevin Durant basketball camp at Heritage Hall in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 30, 2011. (AP Photo/The Oklahoman, Garett Fisbeck)
Basketball season is over, but Kevin Durant is by no means finished being a superstar.
For the last two days, I have covered the Kevin Durant basketball camp at Heritage Hall in Oklahoma City.
I have to say, I admire Durant’s ability to stay positive after a tough loss to Dallas and while staring in the face of an NBA lockout.
These kids seemed to have had a memorable experience during their sessions. The “ooh’s” and “ahh’s” after every basket Durant made alone told the excitement of these young ballers.
I have nothing else to say, except that Kevin Durant is just an all around good dude. I’m proud as an Oklahoman to say that Kevin Durant represents my city.
For more photos, go here.
Camp participants listen to Kevin Durant speak during the second day of the Kevin Durant basketball camp at Heritage Hall in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 30, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Children participate in dribbling drills during the Kevin Durant basketball camp at Heritage Hall Wednesday, June 29, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Kevin Durant participates in a shootout during the second day of the Kevin Durant basketball camp at Heritage Hall in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 30, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Kevin Durant answers questions from children during the second day of the Kevin Durant basketball camp at Heritage Hall in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 30, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Kevin Durant goes head-to-head in a shootout with Jake Cochnauer, 8 of Minnesota, during the second day of the Kevin Durant basketball camp at Heritage Hall in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 30, 2011. (AP Photo/The Oklahoman, Garett Fisbeck)
Food Photography
Owner Greg Gawey poses for a photo at Jamil's Steakhouse in Oklahoma City, Monday, June 20, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Over the last few weeks I’ve shot many assignments that were physically strenuous.
I’ve shot three straight games of softball in 105+ degree heat. I’ve been sand-blasted down on the Oklahoma River in the horribly offensive wind. I’ve even gone running into wildfires, breathing what I am sure was toxic smoke….
Nothing seems to compare to the one food assignment I had to shoot.
For what felt like hours, I had my face about 6 inches from the dishes at Jamil’s Steakhouse. I was sweaty, my spine was contorted, and I was trying desperately to hold a light over my head to illuminate the dimly-lit room.
At the end of it all, I was winded and sweaty. People think I’m ridiculous for saying this, but that assignment took a lot out of me.
All in all, it was a great learning experience and I got to eat some of the delicious food that I shot.
Tabouli, a cabbage roll and relish at Jamil's Steakhouse in Oklahoma City, Monday, June 20, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Cabbage roll at Jamil's Steakhouse in Oklahoma City, Monday, June 20, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Hummus and pita bread at Jamil's Steakhouse in Oklahoma City, Monday, June 20, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Steak and baked potato at Jamil's Steakhouse in Oklahoma City, Monday, June 20, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Steak and baked potato at Jamil's Steakhouse in Oklahoma City, Monday, June 20, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Snicker Pie at Jamil's Steakhouse in Oklahoma City, Monday, June 20, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Special thanks to Nate Billings.
A good old taste of Blanchard
BLANCHARD, OK, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2004. Erin and Matt Cosby stand by their sign outside of their restaurant, the Burrito Grill in Blanchard. Oklahoman staff Photo by Ty Russell.
I did a search on my hometown, Blanchard, Okla., in The Oklahoman archives and I came across these photos of Burrito Grill shortly after it opened in 2003.
First of all, $3.25 FOR THE SUPER VALUE MENU?! I can’t imagine such a perfect world. That price has since gone to $5.59, which devastated my bank account when I was in high school. I say “devastated,” because it was an addiction that I had to support daily if I didn’t want to shake during Senor Brown’s Spanish II class.
Burrito Grill is owned by Matt and Erin Cosby, a nice couple that wanted to start up their own business after a fast-paced modeling career in Europe. They have a high standard of quality and a goal to make “awesome, fresh food.”
It is, by far, one of my favorite burrito joints. And when I say favorite, I’m also considering places like Chipotle and Freebirds.
The Blanchard Burrito Grill is the only BG in existence, so I encourage all readers and especially my fellow interns to try this place out if they get the chance. These photos and the article that ran with them are still hanging on the wall.
Tell them Garett sent you. It’s been a while, but I’m pretty sure Matt still knows who I am.
You can click here to see a photo of me during my senior year of high school… in complete ecstasy.
BLANCHARD, OK, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2004. Erin Cosby puts together a burrito at her restaurant the Burrito Grill in Blanchard. Oklahoman staff Photo by Ty Russell.
BLANCHARD, OK, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2004. Matt Cosby tosses some chips at his restaurant the Burrito Grill in Blanchard. Oklahoman staff Photo by Ty Russell.
