Happy Halloween
The Flaming Lips lead singer Wayne Coyne's displays his 500-pound human brain, Saturday Oct. 30, 2010, at his home in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
I spent Saturday evening photographing trick or treaters in Oklahoma City’s historic Mesta Park neighborhood. I also photographed Flaming Lips lead singer Wayne Coyne’s 500-pound brain at his Oklahoma City home.
See all the photos here
— Sarah Phipps
Alex Spiropoulos, 4, trick or treats, Saturday Oct. 30, 2010, in the Mesta Park Neighborhood in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Roderick Norwood Jr., 2, trick or treats, Saturday Oct. 30, 2010, in the Mesta Park Neighborhood in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Trick or treaters looks at the Flaming Lips lead singer Wayne Coyne's 500-pound human brain, Saturday Oct. 30, 2010, at his home in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Outside the Civic Center
Protester Anthony Slobodnik, a member of America Needs Fatima, holds a flag outside a satanic demonstration by members of the Church of the IV Majesties at the Civic Center Music Hall in downtown Oklahoma City on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Members of the Church of the IV Majesties, a satanic church based in Oklahoma City, held a satanic exorcism at the Civic Center Music Hall last Thursday night. I’ve photographed my share of protests and rallies around the state—some more emotionally charged than others—but with this one I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew the OKC police department would be organized enough to prevent any confrontations, and they were. Christian protesters were restricted to the east side of the building, while the satanic group entered the building on the north side. What I didn’t expect was the interesting and sometimes odd conversations I had with people on both sides of the Civic Center.
On the north side, I met a girl named Serra, who told me she was a “Traditional Satanist.” She stood near an old pickup truck outside the service entry with a kid who said he was so excited about the exorcism that he had hardly slept for two days. They were waiting for more ticket holders to show up. Serra told me about different denominations of satanism and that she believed Satan was a higher being, but that she had her own faith she was still cobbling together.
Eddie Harjo shows his necklaces as he enters the Civic Center Music Hall to attend a satanic demonstration by members of the Church of the IV Majesties at the Civic Center Music Hall in downtown Oklahoma City on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
I met Anthony, whose father leads a group of lay Catholics called America Needs Fatima. Based in Kansas, they crusade against blasphemy, so they’d driven nearly 6 hours to protest the exorcism. Anthony stood quietly, holding a flag outside the Civic Center. I had a conversation with an atheist who went to the exorcism on a whim; I waited for a woman to stop speaking in tongues so she could tell me her name; and I talked with a comedian who was looking for material for his act.
In the end, I didn’t take the best rally pictures of my career and the evening was fairly uneventful. I’ve seen more emotional scenes at health care rallies and anti-war protests. This job affords photographers who pay attention the opportunity to break down stereotypes, but also to meet the embodiment of the stereotype. You probably would expect fundamental Christians to rally and speak in tongues and carry signs outside the building, but you wouldn’t expect a satanist to be a teenage girl who says “yes sir” and “no sir.” You would expect a media circus around everyone, but you wouldn’t expect the comedian gathering material or the internet-ordained minister dressed completely in black talking about being truly tolerant. And you wouldn’t expect James Hale, the leader of the satanic group, to be the guy most thankful for the attention, but he was.
You can read Carla Hinton’s story about the event by clicking here.
Holding her ticket, Serra Jenkins poses outside the Civic Center before a satanic demonstration by members of the Church of the IV Majesties in downtown Oklahoma City on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Man’s best friend
Lucy welcomes home 1st Lt. Christopher Thomas following a welcome home ceremony for the Oklahoma National Guard's 1-45th Agri-Business Development Team, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, at the Norman Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Over the years, I have witnessed numerous homecomings for soldiers returning from deployment. I have photographed many fathers meeting their newborns for the first time. That image is always worth more than a thousands words.
On Sunday, I photographed a return ceremony for the National Guard’s 1-45th Agri-Business Development Team and witnessed a moment I have never seen before. Off in the distance away from the chaos of tearful family reunions, I noticed a soldier wrestling with his dog.
Lucy seemed to be grinning from her to ear as her master, 1st Lt. Christopher Thomas, hugged her after a year-long deployment.
A soldier and dog reunion is also a picture worth a thousand words.
See more photos here.
— Sarah Phipps
Lucy welcomes home 1st Lt. Christopher Thomas following a welcome home ceremony for the Oklahoma National Guard's 1-45th Agri-Business Development Team, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, at the Norman Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
The Cowboys and Sooners fall
Oklahoma's Landry Jones (12) reacts as he walks off the field after a Mossis Madu fumble in the red zone during the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Missouri Tigers (MU) on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010, in Columbia, Mo. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Oklahoman photographers were busy this weekend covering football games. Chris Landsberger covered the Sooners’ loss to the Tigers in Missouri, while Nate Billings, Sarah Phipps and Bryan Terry covered the Cowboys’ loss to the Huskers in Stillwater, Okla. Larry the Cable Guy was also in Stillwater to watch the Huskers.
See more OU photos here
See more OSU photos here
OSU's Brandon Weeden walks off the field after OSU's 51-41 loos in the college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Nebraska Huskers (NU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma's James Hanna (82) catches the ball for a touchdown during the second half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Missouri Tigers (MU) on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010, in Columbia, Mo. Oklahoma lost the game 36-27. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
OSU's Justin Blackmon (81) makes a catch next to Prince Amukamara (21) of Nebraska on the way to an 80-yard touchdown in the second quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Nebraska Huskers (NU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman ORG XMIT: KOD
Nebraska fan and comedian Larry the Cable Guy waves to fans during the college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Nebraska Huskers (NU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Nebraska's Niles Paul slips past OSU's Quinn Sharp as he returns a kickoff for touchdown during the college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Nebraska Huskers (NU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
See more OU photos here
See more OSU photos here
— Sarah Phipps
October sports highlights
Aaron Williams (4) of Texas tries to make an interception but cannot hold on to a pass intended for OU's Ryan Broyles (85) in the second quarter of the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Texas Longhorns (UT) at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010, in Dallas, Texas. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
I’ve been meaning to put some sports pictures up for a few days. With staff photographers covering football, volleyball, softball, and now Thunder basketball, we’ve had some remarkable pictures to look at in Merlin. Here are some of my favorites from the last few weeks. Most of these you may not have seen because they weren’t published in the newspaper. After the games that we cover, we always post a gallery full of images, you can see all the photo galleries by clicking here.
Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant (35) is introduced before the preseason NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and CSKA Moscow in Oklahoma City, Thursday, October 14, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Micha Hancock gets a hug from assistant principal Carrie Higdon afyer receiving her championship medal during the 6A Volleyball state championship game between Edmond Memorial and Edmond Santa Fe at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
OSU's Dan Bailey makes the game-winning field goal during the college football game between Texas A&M University and Oklahoma State University (OSU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
OU's Jonathan Nelson (3) reacts after the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Texas Longhorns (UT) at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010, in Dallas, Texas. OU won, 28-20. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
OSU's Josh Cooper (25) tries to get past Cody Davis (16) of Texas Tech in the second quarter during the college football game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and Texas Tech University Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas, Saturday, October 16, 2010. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Yukon's Kendall Smith, center, celebrates Yukon's win over Jenks during the Class 6A fast-pitch softball championship at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
‘…in our hearts’
Duncan Boatner (center), Daniel Dingal and Jeff Billingsley (left), a member of the Downed Bikers Association, lift candles during a candlelight vigil for William Davis at Mathis Skate Park in Edmond on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010. Davis was killed in a motorcycle accident on Oct. 9, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
The sound of skateboards clicking on concrete was silenced when Duncan Boatner walked to the top of a short hill and began to speak. Over one hundred people, most in white t-shirts, gathered around and younger skaters watched through a chain link fence as Boatner tearfully remembered his best friend during a candlelight vigil at Mathis Skate Park in Edmond on Tuesday. “We loved Will, and he loved us,” said Boatner as he held up his candle. “We’ll never forget him. he’ll always be in our hearts.”
Andy Trent, (at left) join friends and family during a candlelight vigil for William Davis at Mathis Skate Park in Edmond on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010. Davis was killed in a motorcycle accident on Oct. 9, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
William Davis was killed in a motorcycle accident last week. His funeral is Saturday in Edmond. You can read the story by Diana Baldwin by clicking here.
-John Clanton
Kent Collins
Kent Collin holds his son, Jack, 3, Friday, Feb. 26, 2010, at their home in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Ten months ago Kent Collins was a broken man, literally.
His elbow was shattered into 15 pieces. His pelvis was crushed. Parts of his back were broken. His wrist and upper arm were broke. All injuries from a 20-foot fall while installing Christmas lights at a local church.
But, Collins spirits were not broke.
“It really made me appreciate what faith can do. What strength, hope and God can do for us,” he said. “So it has taught me not fear as much with changes in life, and that I can get through just about anything and that my family can get through just about anything.”
Collins was determine to return to fire fighting. The doctors knew he would be able to walk again, but his left arm was severally damaged. It was the limited mobility in his arm, not a broken pelvis or back, that could end his fire fighting career.
“My doctor told me if you get to a point to where you can feed yourself and wash your hair with your left arm, that is the most you will be able to hope for,” Collins said.
Collins endured several surgeries and months of grueling rehabilitation to put his body back together. Nine months ago he was bound to a wheelchair.
Thursday he walked into Oklahoma City Fire Station 34 to report for full firefighter duties.
“I kind of feel at home. I have been a firefighter for 17 years. So a lot of who I am is tied up with being a firefighter. In all that time off, I never felt like a firefighter because I wasn’t sure if I was going to be back.” Collins said.
“But the fact that I am here I feel like I can say ‘yep I am firefighter’”
Around 3:30 p.m, Thursday, the station’s radio squelched out.
“Engine 34 respond on a medical call … ”
Collins sprung to action, grinning from ear to ear, Collins pulled on his medical gloves as the fire engine raced across the Northwest Expressway.
“I’m back, ” he said.
You can see an audio slideshow about Collins here:
David Miller with Valir Health helps Kent Collins learn maneuver out of his wheelchair, Friday, Feb. 26, 2010, at his home in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Kent Collins climbs into a fire truck, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010, at Oklahoma City Fire Station 34. Photo by Sarah Phipps
Kent Collins walks with for the first since his accident, March 12, 2010, at Valir Rehabilitation Hospital in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps
Kent Collins in front of a fire truck during a medical call, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps
Kent Collins goes through rehab on his left arm at Valir Hospital, March10, 2010, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Kent Collins looks at tools on fire truck, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010, at Oklahoma City Fire Station 34. Photo by Sarah Phipps
Be sure to check out the audio slideshow from this story here:
— Sarah Phipps
Pictures I Like-Back to September
Breanna Jay, age 10, and other children, react to getting splashed by water as dogs jump into a pool during a performance at the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City, Sept. 26, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
I looked through Merlin for some nice images we took in September. Here’s a couple that you may have missed, or that deserve a second look. I remembered the picture of Breanna Jay at the Oklahoma State Fair, because it ran perfectly in the newspaper. That is to say, it was big, in color, and uncropped. Of course, you can always click this link for galleries of images from The Oklahoman photographers.
Piedmont's Hunter Edwards directs the band during the Putnam City Marching Classic, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010, at Putnam City Stadium in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Holly Heiner, 7, sits with her Lhasa apso , Taffy, during the Krazy Kids Dog Show in Edmond, Okla., Saturday, September 25, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Back in the office
Bentley, owned by Jeff Hamman and David Maxwell, puts his head through a cut-out during Homeward Bound Pug Rescue's Puggerfest event, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010, at Stars and Stripes Park, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
I’m back in the office today after using two weeks of vacation time, so I searched through Merlin to see what the photo staff had been up to while I was out. I thought maybe I could get caught up with a single “Pictures I Like” blog post, but there are just too many good pictures and interesting stories. So, look for several “Pictures I Like” entries over the next week or so. We have to get caught up on the regatta at the Oklahoma River, OU Texas weekend, military deployments and Thunder media day, just to name a few. If you want to get a sneak peek, take a look at the photo galleries by clicking here, and hopefully you already watched this.
-John Clanton
Honoring Kody Turner
Chickasha players raise their helmets during the opening kickoff of the football game between Chickasha and Capitol Hill at Chickasha High School, Friday, Oct. 1, 2010. It was the first home game since the death of player Kody Turner. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
The Chickasha players silently raised their helmets adorned with the No. 74 during the opening kickoff against Capitol Hill last week at Chickasha High School.
It was the first home game for the Chicks since lineman Kody Turner died on Sept. 17.
The crowd stood silently as they watched the ball sail through the air into the arms of the Chicks’ return man.
Then on the first play of the game, the team honored their fallen teammate.
With a stillness in the air, Chickasha hiked the ball minus a left guard, Turner’s position. Then they took a knee.
The silence continued as quarterback Chase Rodgers handed the ball to head coach Rick VanCleave who then presented the ball to Turner’s mother, Crystal Coleman.
A somber crowd stood still as Coleman was also presented with Turner’s jersey.
The quiet continued as coach and mom embraced on the 50-yard line with the game ball in hand.
Then an emotional Coleman turned to the crowd and raised the ball in the air. The stadium erupted in a roar.
Kody Turner's mom, Crystal Coleman, shows the crowd the game ball before the football game between Chickasha and Capitol Hill at Chickasha High School, Friday, Oct. 1, 2010, in Chickasha, Okla. It was the first home game since the death of player Kody Turner. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Chickasha lines up without a left guard on the first play of the football game between Chickasha and Capitol Hill at Chickasha High School, Friday, Oct. 1, 2010, in Chickasha, Okla. It was the first home game since the death of player Kody Turner. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Chickasha head coach Rick VanCleave leads the team in prayer before the football game between Chickasha and Capitol Hill at Chickasha High School, Friday, Oct. 1, 2010, in Chickasha, Okla. It was the first home game since the death of player Kody Turner. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
TJ Filer touches a poster honoring Kody Turner before running onto the field at the football game between Chickasha and Capitol Hill at Chickasha High School, Friday, Oct. 1, 2010, in Chickasha, Okla. It was the first home game since the death of player Kody Turner. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
See an audio slideshow of the game here.
Read more about the game from Oklahoman reporter Bob Prybylo here.
– Sarah Phipps
