Unpublished
I sat down today with the idea that I would pick a handful of images I took in 2008 that were never published. In years past I would have dozens of images that were good, but there just hadn’t been enough room in the paper for them. These days, we have so many outlets where we can publish our pictures. We can put them in videos, slideshows, blog posts, or photo galleries. There is still limited room in the newspaper, but since we can publish our images online, most of my pictures have been published somewhere. Once I started looking through my archived pictures, I had to admit, the ones that weren’t published really didn’t need to be.
Gene Rainbolt, Sharon McLeod, Leslie Rainbolt Forbes, OU President David Boren and Sandra O’Brien (from left to right) get arranged behind the correct shovels before a groundbreaking ceremony outside Collings Hall on the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman on Monday, Nov. 3, 2008.
All I could come up with was an interesting view at some area groundbreaking ceremonies and a picture from a protester at the State Capitol.
A visitor to the Capitol passes by as Susan Mills, of Oklahoma City, sunbathes in front of the Oklahoma state Capitol in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, March 19, 2008. Mills is protesting the fact that legislators accept gifts from lobbyists.
-John Clanton
Red Andrews Christmas Dinner
BLOG NOTE: If you would like information about donating to the Red Andrews Christmas Dinner or volunteering at the 2009 event, click here for an article with all the info.
The annual Red Andrews Christmas Dinner is a tradition in Oklahoma City. And covering the dinner is the traditional Christmas morning photo assignment at The Oklahoman. This year Jim Beckel, as he has done many times in the past, photographed the event. Below are some of his shots. To see a photo gallery of more pictures from the event, click here.
Reaching up from her seat in her stroller, Hannah Thomas, 1 1/2, feels her way for another bite of food at the annual Red Andrews Christmas Dinner at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008. She was there with her mother, Shelby Thomas, Oklahoma City. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Thayne Holtsoi, 2, puts his face next to his piece of pumpkin pie so he can lick the topping while eating with other members of his family at the annual Red Andrews Christmas Dinner at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Jessie Ross, 7, smiles while having her picture taken with Santa Claus at the annual Red Andrews Christmas Dinner at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Volunteers assist diners as they move through the food serving line at the annual Red Andrews Christmas Dinner at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Volunteer Thomas Gosvener pushes coffee cart up and down the south hallway of the Cox Convention Center offering free beverage for those waiting in the long line to eat at the annual Red Andrews Christmas Dinner in downtown Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008. Gosvener has been volunteering at this event for six years. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Ray Fisher cups his hand behind his ear as he jokes with people in line waiting to be fed at the annual Red Andrews Christmas Dinner at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008. Fisher was greeting people at the entry to dining hall. He has been volunteering at this event for 17 years. He was kidding them by telling the kids in the group he wanted to hear them sing a Christmas song before he let them inside to eat. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Be sure to check out more of Jim’s photos at this address:
http://www.newsok.com/multimedia/photos/gallery/500287
-Nate Billings
Dec. 1 , 2009 UPDATE: If you would like information about donating to the Red Andrews Christmas Dinner or volunteering at the event, click here for an article with all the info.
Making Great Photos with Santa Claus
Santa Claus talks with Sienna Smithson, 2, at Penn Square Mall Friday afternoon, Dec. 12, 2008. Smithson is from Yukon, Okla. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Just in time for Christmas, staff photographer Jim Beckel shares with us the story of how he took an uncanny amount of good photos of children with Santa Claus recently. To see all the photos, click here.
Sometimes you just get lucky. Any photographer who’s the least bit honest will admit that luck can come into play when a “good” photo is taken. This was certainly the case when I visited Penn Square Mall recently to see what photos I could come up with of the mall Santa Claus and the children who come to see this jolly man every December. I began working on the assignment a week prior to shooting it.
First, I scouted several of the larger malls in the metro looking for a Santa who was good with children and who had the appearance of a traditional Santa. The third mall I checked offered just what I was hoping for, a Santa wearing a red suit and stocking cap trimmed in white fur with shiny black boots on his feet. He sat in a chair that resembled a throne, with a high back. He wore glasses that rested on the bridge of his nose. And he had a perfect white beard, that extended about 6 inches below his chin. He was jolly, too, often flashing a grin or sometimes a bigger smile. The next three days I made phone calls to mall representatives, seeking authorization to take pictures inside the mall.
Santa Claus waves to children waiting in line to see him at Penn Square Mall Friday afternoon, Dec. 12, 2008. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Most people probably don’t realize malls are considered private property and for newspaper photographers to take pictures in them, we must get permission. Mall reps were very helpful and told me there was no problem, but that I would also have to make arrangements with the agency that books the Santa. The agency is in New York! They, too, confirmed my request, but added that I would need to check in with guest relations at the mall and a security officer would escort me to Santa’s station in the shopping center.
When I arrived, there were about a dozen children with at least one parent waiting in line for the chance to see Santa Claus. They were very well behaved. I brought two camera bodies and three lenses, a 100mm, a 70-200 zoom and a 300 f2.8 on a monopod. Lighting was decent so I chose to shoot available light, setting my ISO at 800. The area was crowded and was set up for the Santa agency to snap pictures of kids and Santa to sell to the parents. Even though I was probably in their space, the workers were extremely nice to me and certainly more than accommodating to my needs.
Santa Claus holds 3-month-old Luke Pidek at Penn Square Mall Friday afternoon, Dec. 12, 2008. His parents, Eric and Mindy Pidek, Oklahoma City, brought their newborn son to see Santa for the first time. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
I was still getting my equipment ready when I looked up and saw a pint-sized Santa snuggling up to the real Santa. Almost in a panic, I pulled a camera with the zoom lens to my face, made a quick light reading and pushed the shutter. My exposure was close, so I continued to shoot as Santa held the baby for his portrait. The baby started to drool so Santa handed it back to the parent. Before the next child came forward, I made adjustments to my exposure and while balance on both camera bodies. Now I was ready, bring on the kiddos!
Andrew Sharp, 2, of Moore, Okla., and Santa Claus enjoy a face to face chat at Penn Square Mall Friday afternoon, Dec. 12, 2008. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Over the span of my two decade career as a news photographer, this was not the first time I drew the assignment for Santa at the mall. I knew the determining factor as to how long I would be on this job would be what kind of children would jump up on his lap. It’s all about the child’s reaction to Santa. I’m not really looking for pictures of Santa, although that’s what my assignment suggests. What I’m keeping my eyes open for is a cute or unusual response when they are put on or beside the man in the red suit. And this day, the gods were smiling down on me. I could have left after the first three kids–I knew I had a good enough picture. But I still had some time and when I looked down the row of little ones waiting in line, I saw several that drew my interest. A couple of girls were dressed in beautiful red and green dresses trimmed in black velvet. Someone, probably their mother, had invested quite a bit of time and effort curling their long hair. They wore cute smiles. I photographed one child after another, each just a little different than the previous. Another infant was delivered to Santa. He, too, was dressed in a Santa suit. Wow!, I thought to myself. What are the odds of two babies wearing Santa suits coming to see Santa while was here? Very unlikely. But there it was. I couldn’t believe my luck.
Lanae McWethy, 4 months, of Moore, with Santa Claus at Penn Square Mall Friday afternoon, Dec. 12, 2008. This Santa Claus has been playing the “jolly man” for more than 20 years, he said. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
When I was finished, I had photographed nine or so children. I had a good variety. I even had shots of a little boy who was traumatized at the thought of sitting on his lap and he broke into sobbing complete with tears. I felt sorry for him. Most kids enjoyed their time with the bearded benefactor. A few were perplexed as what to do once they were on his lap. And there was plenty of coaching and coaxing, both from adoring parents and from the woman behind the camera who patiently worked to get the most flattering picture of Santa and child. I finally called it quits. I felt confident that I had some good pics. Hopefully, my photos capture a wide range of emotions that will trigger a variety of memories when the reader sees them in the newspaper. All in all, it was a good shoot. I got lucky. Once again.
Danny Nichols, of Oklahoma City, cries during a visit to Santa Claus at Penn Square Mall Friday afternoon, Dec. 12, 2008. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Be sure to check out the rest of Jim’s photos at this address:
http://www.newsok.com/multimedia/photos/gallery/500280
-Nate Billings
The Thunder get their second home win
I have the dubious distinction of being the only photographer for The Oklahoman to photograph The Thunder winning a game. I was there when they beat the Timberwolves at the Ford Center on Nov. 2 and there for the win last night, Dec. 19, over the Raptors. In between I, along with our other photographers, shot quite a few of their losses too. I hope this will get the ball rolling for the team. It’s always a lot more fun to cover a team when they are winning. Here’s a few shots from the latest win.
Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook reacts after a play in the first half during the NBA basketball game between the Toronto Raptors and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Friday, Dec. 19, 2008. BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
Oklahoma City’s Desmond Mason dunks the ball over Jamario Moon of Toronto in the first half during the NBA basketball game between the Toronto Raptors and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Friday, Dec. 19, 2008. BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
Toronto’s Chris Bosh grabs a rebound in the second half of the NBA basketball game between the Toronto Raptors and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Friday, Dec. 19, 2008. The Thunder won, 91-83. BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
Oklahoma City’s Desmond Mason (34), Jeff Green (22) and Kevin Durant (35) celebrate late in the fourth quarter of the NBA basketball game between the Toronto Raptors and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Friday, Dec. 19, 2008. The Thunder won, 91-83. BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
To see a photo gallery from the win, go to:
http://www.newsok.com/multimedia/photos/gallery/500274
-Nate Billings
Obama Merchandise
Around the time of the election, I noticed there was Barack Obama merchandise everywhere. Button, t-shirts, stickers, hats, anything you could wear had his image on it. I don’t remember seeing that many presidential items for Clinton or Bush. After I saw a table full of buttons for sale outside the Oklahoma County Election Board, I started collecting pictures of Obama paraphenalia around OKC.
I put together a slideshow with people’s thoughts on what the Obama Merchandise means to them.
http://downloads.newsok.com/flash_video/theoklahoman/slideshows/ObamaMerchandise/
-John Clanton
Owning Sam Bradford’s Bedlam Flip
We’ve gotten a lot of calls and e-mails about how people can order copies of the pictures of Sam Bradford’s flip by Chris Landsberger during the Bedlam game. The Oklahoman does not sell photos of current college athletes. We do sell reproductions of our newspaper pages. To order a poster of the page from the Bedlam game, go to: www.newsok.com/posters
Here is the page that featured the flip.
-Nate Billings
