Scenes from the fair
Visitors to the fair walk the midway at the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City, Sept. 26, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
It’s fun to walk the midway at the fair. Chaotic lights, interesting people, wonderful, bright scenes that pass you by in an instant leaving you to wonder about their stories. ‘Why is that kid wearing a mask?,’ ‘What’s she telling the police?’ Sunday at the fair, instead of worrying about composing pictures and trying to get people’s names, I just took pictures. From the hip, sitting at a table or on a curb or moving through the crowd on the midway. I clicked hundreds of pictures without looking through the viewfinder, hoping that when I looked at the images, I’d have a few frames that captured the feeling of the fair. The colors, the rides, the crowds, and hopefully, in the layers of pictures, people’s interactions with each other.
Visitors to the fair walk the midway at the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City, Sept. 26, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Visitors to the fair walk the midway at the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City, Sept. 26, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Visitors to the fair walk the midway at the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City, Sept. 26, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Visitors to the fair walk the midway at the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City, Sept. 26, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Pictures I Like-The last 11 days
Dillon Slater, 12, of Oklahoma City, (front) and Nate Elix, 16, help carry a dove during the Pinwheels for Peace Festival at Plunkett Park on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Well, the last 11 days not counting college football. Here are some images from a peace rally at UCO, the State Fair, a high school game and more. There’s a page on Newsok.com that we call a story wall featuring images and stories from the Oklahoma State Fair. Go here and then click on the images to see the full version. Also, as both of you know, you can click here to see photo galleries by staff photographers at The Oklahoman.
Elaf Alshak, left and Fatemah Alaslman ride the Enterprise at the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City, September 20 , 2010. Photo by Steve Gooch, The Oklahoman
Yvonne Underhill kisses her grandson Jeremy Underhill, 7, after school in their Choctaw, Okla., home on Thursday, September 9, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Painted pink for Win-Win Week, Moore senior Garrett Scaggs, 18, left, and junior Nick Harschfeld, 16, cheer during the football game between Moore and Southmoore on Thursday, September 17, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Monday Morning Photo Editor
OSU's Michael Harrison (7) is tackled by James Roberson (4) of TU during the college football game between the University of Tulsa (TU) and Oklahoma State University (OSU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Saturday, September 18, 2010. OSU won, 65-28. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
It’s fair to say that there were more people observing college football on Saturday night than were observing the moon. Nate Billings and Sarah Phipps covered the game in Stillwater between Oklahoma State and Tulsa, while Steve Sisney, Chris Landsberger and Bryan Terry observed the game in Norman between OU and Air Force. I always look forward to looking through the archives to see what our photographers got from each game. Maybe it’s because I haven’t photographed a college football game since 2008, but I’m always extremely impressed with the quality of the pictures and the amount of work they put into covering the games. My favorite this week is Steve Sisney’s picture of one of the OU coaches celebrating with his players. I’ve seen many reaction photos over the years, but I don’t think I’ve seen a coach reacting that far off the ground. Take a look for yourself at the images and see what you think. Photos from the OU game are here, while the OSU gallery is here.
Javon Harris (30) celebrates with a coach after the Sooners recover a fumble during the second half of the college football game where the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) defeated the Air Force Falcons 27-24 at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
OU's David King, right, and Jeremy Beal force Tim Jefferson of Air Force to fumble during the second half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Air Force Falcons at the Gaylord Family - Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Observing the Moon
The Moon, as seen from The Village in Oklahoma City on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
According to National Geographic, last night was International Observe the Moon Night. So, I stepped out in the backyard to do just that a little after 7pm last night. For the ‘tight’ picture (above) I used a Canon 5d mark II, a 300mm lens and a 2x converter. To be accurate, though I also took the same picture with a 5omm lens, to get a little bit closer to what the moon actually looks like from my backyard.
The moon, photographed on Sept. 18, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
There’s alot to catch up on here at Alternate Crop. In the meantime, did you know that you can click on the pictures on our blog to see a bigger image?
-John Clanton
Scott Myers Living for Friday Night
Moore head football coach Scott Myers talks with quarterback Vova Razryvin before a game at Norman High School in Norman, Oklahoma, on Friday, Sept. 10, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Here’s a story worth checking out. Moore head football coach Scott Myers is continuing to coach the Lions as he battles renal kidney cancer. John Clanton worked with Jenni Carlson on an nDepth piece about Myers. Click here to watch John’s audio slideshow and read Jenni’s story.
Moore head football coach Scott Myers watches a ball fly downfield as his kickers warm up before a game at Norman High School in Norman on Friday, Sept. 10, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Moore head football coach Scott Myers celebrates a touchdown against Norman High School on Friday, Sept. 10, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
More football action
OSU's Justin Blackmon (81) stiff arms Donnell Golden (40) of Troy in the first quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Troy University Trojans at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Staff Photographers from The Oklahoman covered home football games in Stillwater and in Norman. To see more pictures from the OSU game, click here. For more pictures from the OU game, click here.
Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones is sacked by the Florida State defense during the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Florida State University Seminoles (FSU) on Sat., Sept. 11, 2010, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
OU's Jonathan Nelson knocks down a pass intended for Florida State's Taiwan Easterling during the second half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Florida State University Seminoles (FSU) at the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
DeMarco Murray (7) is tackled by Greg Reid (5) as Christian Jones (7) leaps over them during the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Florida State University Seminoles (FSU) at the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 11 2010, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
Donnell Golden (40) of Troy intercepts a tipped pass by OSU's Brandon Weeden (not pictured) in front of OSU's Bryant Ward (37), Troy's Jonathan Massaquoi (94) and Xavier Lamb (25) in the third quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Troy University Trojans at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010. OSU won, 41-38.
OSU's Kendall Hunter (24) scores a touchdown as Troy's Donnell Golden (40) tries to tackle him during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Troy University Trojans at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Pictures I Like-Sunny Days Version
August Minter, 12, of Edmond, does a back flip off the rock wall during the last day of the season at Pelican Bay Aquatic Center in Edmond on Monday, Sept. 6, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Here’s a few pictures that you may have missed in the newspaper over the last few days, including a deployment ceremony, high school football and pictures of the last days at local swimming pools. A memorable assignment from last week was a memorial service for Cheyenne Wolf. A local preacher read a story in The Oklahoman about Cheyenne and was so moved that he held a memorial service for the girl, who’s body is still unclaimed at the Oklahoma County Medical Examiner’s office. You can read more about Cheyenne Wolf and the memorial service for her by clicking here. Take a look at some of our photo galleries by clicking here.
Friends take pictures of from left to right Everly Goodfellow, 5, Spc. Amanda Kennedy, Hezekiah Goodfellow, 3, and Hattie Lou Goodfellow, 2, following a deployment ceremony for the 2-45th Agri-Business Development Team with the Oklahoma National Guard, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010, at the Mustang Armed Forces Reserve Center in Mustang, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Doc Holiday (bottom) and other dogs swim and play during the Dog Park Pooch Pool Party at Westwood Swimming Pool in Oklahoma City on Sunday, August 29, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Del City's Quinn Ashford loses control of the ball as he is hit by Cortrez Colbert of Midwest City during a high school football game in Midwest City, Okla., Friday, September 3, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Jack Werner (left) along with Tim and Jenny Findley (second row) and Brian Maughan and his girlfriend Misty Garrett listen to a memorial service for Cheyenne Wolf at First Unitarian Church in Oklahoma City on Thursday, September 2, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Black mud and minnows
Liberty Samuels, Amanda Matney and Sydney Beam (from left to right) play at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Do clams live in a lake? Maybe it’s oysters. Maybe they’re the same thing. Marley Compton is pushing mud out of the way, forming holes full of black water. She gently lowers her minnows into the murky water, then she scoops them out and puts them back into their live tank. Amanda Matney wades out almost to her knees to find “caramel and fudge” rocks. They are two-toned. Black and brown. There’s some excitement that one of the girls found a sea cucumber, but after some discussion, that claim seems highly unlikely. Their hands are covered in black mud and their feet stick as they walk along the receding shoreline on the west side of Lake Hefner.
Justyce Samuels wades through mud as she plays with her friends on the shores of Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Sydney Beam, Justyce Samuels, Liberty Samuels and Marley Compton (from left to right) play in the mud on the west side of Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010. The girls collected clams and rocks and kept bait minnows alive in small pools they formed in the mud. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Amanda Matney shows off a "caramel and Fudge" rock at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Champagne for the RedHawks
Oklahoma City's Esteban German (left) and Guillermo Moscoso celebrate their playoff berth with champagne after their game against the Omaha Royals at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City on Sunday, September 5, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Sunday evening I photographed the Oklahoma City RedHawks as they celebrated a berth in the playoffs with champagne. At the same time, Esteban German was celebrating news that he’d been called up to the major leagues. Since the 2010 regular season is over, I’ve put together a gallery of some of our best images from RedHawks games during this season. Take a look at it by clicking here.
-John Clanton
Limited Practice
SeeWorth Academy is in class 3A, so they’ll play teams like Jones and Millwood this year. Ten days before their first game, only five players showed up to practice. Two more players came in late, but that means they were still four players short of the absolute minimum by the time practice ended. The team practices on a tiny field that reminded me of the field where I played baseball and football with my brother in rural Sapulpa. Receivers run their routes at full speed just a few feet away from a storage shed and an old trailer, and footballs that go over the fence are lost forever.
Three players rest between drills during football practice at SeeWorth Academy in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, August 25, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
I thought the best approach to tell the visual side of the story was to just be there and document a practice. I kept an eye out for moments with the coaches and the players, but I also watched for how they related to the field and their environment. It was nice to spend an afternoon on a sports-related documentary assignment. Here’s a couple of pictures from the assignment, most of these weren’t used in the newspaper. To read all of Bob Przybylo’s story about SeeWorth Academy, click here.
Marcus Smith, runs passing drills past an equipment shed and other equipment during football practice at SeeWorth Academy in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, August 25, 2010. The team practices on a small yard on the southeast side of the Seeworth campus. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Coach Robert Walker (left) leads his players, including David Johnson, Marcmichael Hall, and Rontrell McCoy (from left to right at center) in a team chant following football practice at SeeWorth Academy in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, August 25, 2010. With ten days before their first game, only seven players came to Wednesday's practice. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Marcus Smith sits in the basketball gym to change into his cleats before football practice at SeeWorth Academy in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, August 25, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
