When the ice forms…
One of the few things I can say for sure about working as a newspaper photojournalist is that when the folks on TV tell everybody to stay inside, that’s our cue to go outside. Jim Beckel, David McDaniel, Paul Hellstern, John Clanton and Steve Gooch grabbed their Class II reflective safety vests and headed out to cover the ice that had metro roads in terrible shape on Monday. I think they all made it through the day without falling or being involved in auto accidents. I hope most of you out there were as lucky. Check out some of the photos from the icy day below.
To see the full photo gallery of the winter weather, click here.
Teacher Ann Hawkins helps soften a student’s fall as he slips on the ice outside Chisholm Elementary School during winter weather in Edmond, Okla., on Monday, Jan. 26, 2009. BY JOHN CLANTON, THE OKLAHOMAN
Two motorists try to escape their car which overturned on the icy Turner Turnpike near the Wellston exit outside of Wellston, Okla., Monday, Jan. 26, 2009. BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN
Nikole Edwards scrapes ice from her car windows after she and other employees at Farmer’s Insurance at NW 23 and Villa were released early because of deteriorating weather conditions Monday, Jan. 26, 2009. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Walking cautiously on an ice-covered Broadway Extension, an unidentified women tries to keep her balance after the car she was in was involved in a minor accident near Hefner Road in Oklahoma City, January 26, 2009. BY STEVE GOOCH, THE OKLAHOMAN
A view of an accident in the 2700 block of west Britton Road due to the icy weather, Monday, January 26, 2009. BY DAVID MCDANIEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
A truck from the City of Edmond drops sand on 33rd street east of Boulevard during winter weather in Edmond, Okla., on Monday, Jan. 26, 2009. BY JOHN CLANTON, THE OKLAHOMAN
Check out the rest of the pictures here.
And be safe out there.
-Nate Billings
MD Anderson Cancer Clinic
When I left for Houston last Monday morning, I had a picture in my mind of what MD Anderson Cancer Clinic looked like. Jim Chastain had tried to explain what it was like. His wife Leann described it as “vast.” I had it pictured as one monster-sized building. I exited the highway, turned back to the west and found myself in a canyon of large buildings. “This must be downtown Houston,” I thought as I kept my eyes out for the large MD Anderson building. Then I realized that I wasn’t in downtown. I was in the medical district and most of the buildings around me were MD Anderson.
Construction on the MD Anderson hospital will double its size.
One view with a 24 mm lens can’t cover it all. All the buildings in this picture are related to the University of Texas’ MD Anderson Cancer Clinic. The building I’m standing on, the one next to that, and another across the street are part of the campus too. There’s another campus about a mile south of here, that has a few more buildings. I estimated for the representative from the communications office that if you combined Mercy Health Center, St Anthony’s Hospital, Southwest Medical Center, and OU Medical Center, you’d probably almost equal the size of MD Anderson. She pointed out that all those hospitals deal with gunshot wounds in their emergency rooms. They birth babies, run tests, and care for terminally ill patients. MD Anderson is that vast and all they do is deal with cancer.
Jim Chastain gets a CT scan at MD Anderson Cancer Clinic.
-John Clanton
Obama Inauguration in Oklahoma
Now that everybody has had a chance to see the national photos from the inauguration in Washington D.C., check out the photos from our photographers who covered the Oklahomans watching the inauguration here. Here’s some of the work from Jaconna Aguirre, Paul Hellstern, Chris Landsberger, Jim Beckel and Steve Gooch.
To see a gallery of more photos, click here.
Civil rights pioneer Clara Luper reacts to the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Luper was watching TV with Councilman Ronald “Skip” Kelly, her daughter Marilyn Hildreth and 9-year-old Alexia Grant at the Freedom Center at NE 26th and Martin Luther King Blvd. in Oklahoma City, January 20, 2009. BY STEVE GOOCH, THE OKLAHOMAN
American flags are poked into the blinds in Marie Grubbs’ classroom. Students and teachers at Boley Public Schools in the historically black community of Boley in Okfuskee County celebrated the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Philip Dunlap watches the inauguration of President Barack Obama while Phillip Gates cuts his hair at Gates Barber Shop at NE 26th and Martin Luther King Boulevard in Oklahoma City. January 20, 2009. BY STEVE GOOCH, THE OKLAHOMAN.
Gaylord Hall hosted a watch party for the inauguration of President Barack Obama Tues. Jan. 20, 2009 on the OU campus. BY JACONNA AGUIRRE, THE OKLAHOMAN.
UCO President Roger Webb speaks during an inauguration watch party for UCO officials and students at the Nigh University Center Constitution Hall on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla., Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN
Northwest Classen junior Yasmine Fields reacts on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, in Oklahoma City to the conclusion of President Barack Obama’s inauguration in Washington D.C. PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
To see all the photos, click here.
-Nate Billings
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Staff photographers Jim Beckel, Paul Hellstern and David McDaniel covered the Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities in the metro area. Jim Beckel said that the positive energy at the parade in Oklahoma City was as high as he has ever been around, no doubt due to the holiday’s proximity to the inauguration of Barack Obama as our 44th President of the United States.
Here’s a selection of their work.
To see a gallery of more photos from Martin Luther King Jr. Day, click here.
Barry Braxton holds a sign and American flags near the replica of the Liberty Bell outside the Oklahoma History Center during a bell ringing ceremony with Lt. Gov. Jari Askins and about a dozen children as part of local observances of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Oklahoma City, Monday morning, Jan. 19, 2009. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Dennis Lewis and his nieces Paula Jones, 8, and Nesha Henderson, 9, march in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in Oklahoma City, Monday, January 19, 2009. BY DAVID MCDANIEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Members of Zeta Phi Beta hold a banner as they walk in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in Guthrie, Okla., Monday, Jan. 19, 2009. BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN
Lynn Green waves a V for victory with a cutout of Barack Obama on the Oklahoma County Democratic Party float in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade, Monday, January 19, 2009. BY DAVID MCDANIEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
The Star Spencer High School marching band’s drum major Brandon Wright gets low with his baton while leading members of his marching band during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in downtown Oklahoma City, Monday afternoon, Jan. 19, 2009. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Oklahoma City civil rights pioneer Clara Luper waves after being introduced to crowd inside the Oklahoma History Center where march participants gathered following the walk. More than 300 people walked along the Clara Luper Corridor to the Oklahoma History Center where there were brief speeches and then culminated with a bell ringing ceremony for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Oklahoma City, Monday morning, Jan. 19, 2009. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
A view of the crowd at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in Oklahoma City, Monday, January 19, 2009. BY DAVID MCDANIEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Guthrie citizens march in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade as it passes down Oklahoma Avenue in front of the Masonic Lodge in Guthrie, Okla., Monday, Jan. 19, 2009. BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN
A silent march participant holds a sign inside the Oklahoma History Center after the walk ended there. More than 300 people walked along the Clara Luper Corridor to the Oklahoma History Center where there were brief speeches and then culminated with a bell ringing ceremony for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Oklahoma City, Monday morning, Jan. 19, 2009. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
To see a gallery of all of the photos, click here.
-Nate Billings
Walking with a suspected killer
As a photographer for The Oklahoman, I get to see a number of things that I would most likely never have the opportunity to experience if my career was not spent behind a camera. Every day for the most part is something different. Some assignments are good. Others great. And then, there are the ones that you just cannot believe are taking place. Over the last few days I have spent some time in El Reno, Okla., taking part in one of those unthinkable assignments.
A family photo of the five homicide victims, Autumn Rust, 7, Kirsten Rust, 7, Evynn Garas, 3, Teagin Rust, 5, and their mother Summer Rust who were killed on Monday at the Elizabeth Place Apartment Homes, in El Reno, Okla. Also pictured is Jason Garas, Summer Rust’s ex-husband and Evynn’s father.
On Monday, I got the call to go out to the Elizabeth Apartments in El Reno where the bodies of Summer Rust, 25, and her four children, Kirsten Rust, 7, Autumn Rust, 7, Teagin Rust, 5, and Evynn Garas, 3, were found dead. That day, like with most tragic situations I cover, was hectic. I tried to track down details and information from anyone who might know what happened and was willing to talk. There are always a number of unanswered questions, due to the lack of information being released, but by the ended of the day, fortunately and unfortunately, I end up knowing a lot of details of the situation I am covering.
Police investigate a crime scene where an adult and four young children were found dead in an apartment at the Elizabeth Place Apartment Homes Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, in El Reno, Okla. BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
Then day number two arrived and it was back to El Reno with reporter Bryan Painter, videographer Tim Money, and we began the process of getting to know who these five individuals are who tragically lost their lives. The three of us spent the day talking to the children’s grandparents, friends, neighbors and teachers. With each conversation we learned more and more about the personal lives of the victims. I learned about their habits, activities, their favorite toys, food, nicknames, dreams, goals and how much they mean to those around them. As the day ended, the three of us got a personal look into the lives of five people we never met and will never have the opportunity to meet.
James Franklin shows off his favorite photo of his granddaughter Evynn Garas, 3, on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, who was killed on Monday along with her mother Summer Rust and three of her other children at the Elizabeth Place Apartment Homes , in El Reno, Okla. BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
Tears roll down his face as James Franklin stands outside the apartment on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, where his daughter-in-law Summer Rust and granddaughter Evynn Garas were killed along with three other children at the Elizabeth Place Apartment Homes on Monday in El Reno, Okla. BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
Amanda Tilley, longtime friend of Summer Rust, lowers her head on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, as she talks about Rust and her four children. BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
The third day brought a very late night as I sat outside the Canadian County Courthouse at 1 am trying to stay warm and waiting for Sheriff Randall Edwards to bring suspected killer Joshua Durcho from Texas to be booked for the murder of his former girlfriend Summer Rust and her four children. Just before 2 am deputies gathered the media to tell us where we could stand. Then I saw deputies take their weapons from their cars and within a few minutes Sheriff Edwards drove in with Durcho in the back seat of the car. As Sheriff Edwards opened the back door, Joshua Durcho stepped out with his head down, hands shackled, showed no expression and said nothing as members of the media asked him questions on his way into the jail. In the 30 feet or so he had to walk from the car to the door of the jail I got a very close look at an individual suspected of committing a horrific crime you never want to believe could happen.
Canadian County Sheriff Randall Edwards leads Joshua Steven Durcho, 25, into the county jail after Durcho was extradited from Texas on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, in El Reno, Okla. BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
Canadian County Sheriff Randall Edwards talks to the media about the extradition of Joshua Steven Durcho, 25, from Texas on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, in El Reno, Okla. Durcho is accused in the killing of Summer Rust and her four children that occurred earlier this week. BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
In this short time near Durcho, I saw a very ordinary person, someone who could easily be your neighbor or co-worker. Seeing this made me stop and think about just how many people I (and you) come in contact with each and every day that has an unthinkable side to them that you hope they never act upon. Just think, last week I was in sunny and warm Miami, Fla., covering OU playing for a national championship, and this week I am getting all the details I can handle in a five-person homicide. In this job, each day brings something different.
-Chris Landsberger
A look at photo editing
This photo appeared on the front page of The Oklahoman: Marching to chants of “Free, Free Palestine,” about 200 people gathered at the Oklahoma state Capitol Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, to protest Israel’s attack on the Gaza strip. Some protesters carried signs, some waved flags and some held small children as they shouted their support of a Palestine free of Israeli intervention at the noon rally. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Staff photographer Jim Beckel contributes this look at the process of how pictures get picked for the newspaper and some of the concerns of the profession:
A question I am frequently asked is “Do you choose the photos that go in the paper?” I always answer the same, “Yes and No.” Let me explain. At The Oklahoman, photographers edit their own images from a shoot. If I shoot 50 images at an event, I have the opportunity to select the images that I want to submit to the editors to be considered for publication. The editor(s) and page designers in charge of layout make the final determination as to which photo(s) will run. I bring this up because of a photo I took Jan. 5, 2009.
I had been assigned to cover a rally at the state capitol. Supporters of a free Palestine would gather at noon on the building’s south plaza to voice their concerns about recent attacks by Israel’s military in the Gaza Strip. At the peak of the protest, around 200 people had gathered; most carried hand printed signs. The protest was peaceful. Lots of signs, lots of chanting, group prayer at the end of the rally. Lots of opportunities for photos. I returned to the paper, edited my images and turned in eight photos to my editors.
Late in the afternoon, editors from each department gather in a large conference room just off the main area of the newsroom where they examine stories, photos and graphics available for the next day’s newspaper. I don’t attend that meeting. Doug Hoke, the paper’s director of photography, represents the photo department.
When the meeting had ended, I learned one of my photos from the rally had generated a spirited discussion regarding the photograph’s appropriateness for use on the front page. The photo shows a man marching, shouting while he leads a group of protestors carrying signs. Behind him is a sign held high with a graphic depiction of a swastika printed atop the Star of David. It was decided this photo was too inflammatory and another image was selected for the front page. The photo that appeared the next morning, seen at the top of this post, shows a wider view with more protestors and more signs. The sign in question can be seen, but it is obscured somewhat by another banner. The newspaper’s website, NewsOK.com, did use the photo in question that very day with reporter Michael McNutt’s coverage. The photo can now be seen as part of a gallery of photos posted from that event.
This image appeared on NewsOK.com, but was not used in the newspaper. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
My job is to cover events, producing photos that document, inform and hopefully, engage the reader. People with much higher levels of authority and responsibility than I are charged with the task of selecting images that are deemed appropriate for our newspaper. They consider a myriad of factors before choosing photos and stories hat appears on the front page.
Having explained the process, I am curious which photo you, the reader, would have chosen. Is the photo in question in poor taste? Is it, in fact, inflammatory? To what extent should a newspaper be concerned with a person’s or group’s sensibilities? Are we too sensitive or not sensitive enough? Would you have made the decision to publish the photo? It’s not as easy as it may seem at first. We are obligated to be responsible journalists. Critics accuse those of us in the media of being totally irresponsible, inconsiderate and uncaring. Many of the things I am assigned to cover with my camera are not pleasant, visually or emotionally. But I am certain of
this–I don’t create news, I report it so readers can see it. That is my job. This is my profession. Share your thoughts. What would you do in this situation?
To see a gallery of Jim’s photos from the rally, click here.
-Nate Billings
BCS, after the dust has settled…
OU’s Sam Bradford gets hit by Florida’s Dustin Doe, center, and Carlos Dunlap during the second half of the BCS National Championship college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the University of Florida Gators on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
Originally I planned to do a post about the BCS Championship football game directly after the game. When we didn’t get finished working until 3 a.m., plans changed a bit. The more I talked with Sooner fans, the more they didn’t want to talk about it. I figured waiting until Monday to post some pictures would work out best for everybody. If readers of this blog were frantically looking for photos here directly after the game, I apologize to both of you.
If you’re a careful reader, you will notice a common visual theme in coverage after a big loss: the pictures of the team walking off of the field. I think it is much easier to find good pictures of a team that has just won. There are many ways to show the joy of winning. Photos that show losing are not as plentiful. A great and unique picture of a dejected player is much more rare than a great celebration shot. Consequently, dejection pictures tend to involve players on the bench looking at the scoreboard or players walking off of the field. Below are some different pictures from the game, including the players walking off the field.
So, Sooner fans, I don’t expect you to enjoy these pictures. But now that the dust has settled a bit, I hope you can take a look.
OU’s Jermaine Gresham leaps over Florida’s Major Wright during the first half of the BCS National Championship college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the University of Florida Gators on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
OU’ Mike Knall flies through the air after being hit by the Florida defense on a punt attempt during the second half of the BCS National Championship college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the University of Florida Gators on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. Oklahoma lost the game 24-14 to the Gators. PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
A Sooner fan reacts to OU’s 24-14 loss to Florida during the second half of the BCS National Championship college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the University of Florida Gators on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. Oklahoma lost the game 24-14 to the Gators. PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
Florida quarterback Tim Tebow celebrates after the Gators scored the final touchdown in the fourth quarter during the BCS National Championship college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the University of Florida Gators on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Florida Gators won, 24-14. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
A Sooner fan reacts after Oklahoma fell behind against Florida during the second half of the BCS National Championship college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the University of Florida Gators on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. Oklahoma lost the game 24-14 to the Gators. PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
OU’s Chris Brown (29) walks off the field as photographers swarm Florida players after the BCS National Championship college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the University of Florida Gators on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Florida Gators won, 24-14. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
OU walks off the field as Florida fans celebrate in the stands after the BCS National Championship college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the University of Florida Gators on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. Oklahoma lost the game 24-14 to the Gators. PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
OU head coach Bob Stoops walks off the field after OU’s 24-14 loss to Florida in the BCS National Championship college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the University of Florida Gators on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
Florida quarterback Tim Tebow celebrates with fans after the BCS National Championship college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the University of Florida Gators on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Florida Gators won, 24-14. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
OU’s Sam Bradford walks off the field after the BCS National Championship college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the University of Florida Gators on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. Oklahoma lost the game 24-14 to the Gators. PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
To see even more photos from the game, click here.
-Nate Billings
Documentary
Photographers don’t have an assigned beat like reporters. Part of the fun of the job is the different kind of work we could see during the average week. In the last two weeks I’ve photographed everything from The Flaming Lips and Thunder basketball to pole aerobics and the Oklahoma River after the water was drained.
My favorite pictures, though, come from more documentary kinds of assignments. Those are the assignments where we get invited into people’s lives and get to document how they live. They’re not always huge, involved stories, sometimes they only take a day or so, or maybe only a few hours. Sometimes they are lighthearted subjects, and sometimes they’re serious, but what they all have in common is that for awhile, we get to witness how that person is living and use pictures to help tell their story. A couple of my favorite documentary stories over the last three years have included Love Street Ministries, Bear’s Den Boxing and the Hurricane Gustav evacuees.
With documentary pictures there’s a new photographic equation: The access the subject gives you is directly proportional to how good your pictures will be. The people I take pictures of for these stories are comfortable enough with me around to go about their lives, even though I’m taking pictures and sometimes recording audio and video.
Jim Chastain recovers from the effects of chemotherapy treatment at his home in Norman, Okla, Wednesday, January 7, 2009.
Since November of 2008, I’ve been working on a story about Jim Chastain and his family. Jim has terminal cancer and invited reporter Ken Raymond and me to document the next few months of his life.
Maddye Chastain hugs her father, Jim, during his birthday party at Full Circle Bookstore in Oklahoma City on Dec. 10, 2008.
I don’t have to get Kevin Durant to trust that I’ll do a good job before I can get a good picture at a Thunder game. I don’t have to have long, emotional talks with Wayne Coyne before I photograph a concert. But with documentary stories like ‘Life is Real,’ access is everything.
-John Clanton
It’s BCS time
We’ve arrived at the stadium and have been outside taking pictures of fans. Here’s some pictures from before the game. Enjoy.
Dylan and Rachel Cole of Moore, Okla., take their photo outside Dolphin Stadium before the BCS National Championship college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Florida Gators (UF) on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
Maria Hayes of Altus, Okla., shouts at Florida fans before the BCS National Championship college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Florida Gators (UF) on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
Sooner fans Alex Eppler, Rick Perry and Jordan Eppler, from left, pose for photos before the BCS National Championship college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Florida Gators (UF) on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
Fans walk outside the stadium before the BCS National Championship college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Florida Gators (UF) on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
OU fan Johnny Lane, left, and Florida fan David Baghdassarian, both of Coral Springs, Fla., talk while tailgating together before the BCS National Championship college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Florida Gators (UF) on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. Lane is originally from Ardmore, Okla. The two are best friends who typically root for each other’s team until this game where the two teams are playing for the first time. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
Flags for the United States, University of Oklahoma and University of Florida fly in the parking lot before the BCS National Championship college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Florida Gators (UF) on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
Sooner fans William Winfree and Andrew Hajek, from left, sit on the curb as they wait to get in the gates before the BCS National Championship college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Florida Gators (UF) on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
More after the game.
-Nate Billings
Welcome to Miami
OU football fans travel along I-75 from Fort Myers to the Miami area. By Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
The Oklahoman’s photography crew touched down in Florida yesterday to cover today’s BCS National Championship game between OU and Florida. For the trip we’ve brought three still photographers, Bryan Terry, Chris Landsberger, and myself, along with videographer Damon Fontenot. We ended up flying into Fort Myers and then driving across Alligator Alley on I-75 for two hours to get to the Miami area. I was disappointed that I did not see any actual alligators. Maybe we’ll get lucky tomorrow on the drive back to the airport. Yesterday it was overcast and raining. So far today the weather is sunny and beautiful.
I have photographed every OU bowl game since 2002. After the last couple of Fiesta Bowls, I hope the team can win this one. As I’ve written before, I think a winning team makes better photos. And everybody back home will be a lot happier if the Sooners get their 8th national title. I will update this blog with photos of fans before the game and then will have another update from the game after it is all over.
-Nate Billings
