8,572 moments and counting
Left: Upset that her father is leaving, Siera Gose, 7, of Enid, is comforted by her father David Gose, a member of the Army National Guard's 1345th Transportation Company during a deployment ceremony at Midwest City High School's J.E. Sutton Field House in Midwest City, Friday, March 24, 2006. Right: April Lott (left) dances with her daughter Cati Hill at the beginning of the city's second annual Gay Prom at Epworth United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City on Thursday, May 11, 2006. Photos by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
It’s been five years since I joined the photo staff at The Oklahoman. I scanned through Merlin and looked at the 8,572 pictures I’ve turned in since Nov. 1, 2005. I enjoy looking through the archives, but I hadn’t done it in awhile, a walk down memory lane. There were photographs from stories and projects that I remember fondly, and there were a few that I wished I’d handled differently. There were pictures I’d forgotten about and pictures from events that I’ll never forget. People whose lives I’ve invaded for 20 minutes or less and people I spent months getting to know so I could tell their story. I was reminded of the wonderful moments I’ve been a part of but also of the people who invited me in at the lowest points in their lives. Photojournalism is about people and about the moments they share with each other. It’s about storytelling. Sharing all those moments, the beautiful moments and the sad moments in the hope that the stories touch someone else’s life.
Left: Bob Schwarz, an employee at the Salvation Army in Lawton, Okla., sweeps the floors of the church during his work day on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2007. Right: Dennis Lewis, of OKC, (right) holds two American flags while in the background Edward Johnson holds a portrait of Martin Luther King Jr., as they wait for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade to begin in Oklahoma City, Okla., Monday, Jan. 21, 2007. Photos by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Left: Gerald Duncan holds his Bible that he takes with him everywhere as he poses outside the former Lucent Plant near Reno and Council in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008. Right: Jim Chastain watches a nurse begin his chemotherapy treatment at OU Physicians Hospital in Oklahoma City on Dec 1, 2008. Photos by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
When I take pictures, I always keep my eye out for those moments that readers can relate to. Those fleeting moments that we’ve all felt and that we always remember. Comforting a child, a hug, a helping hand, a moment of resignation or a moment of resolve.
I picked out two pictures from each year that I’ve been at The Oklahoman. Some of these would be in my portfolio, if I had one, and some are pictures that I enjoyed taking or they’re from events that I have a fond memory of. Hopefully, when you click on the pictures, both of you will see common threads. You’ll see those moments that tell the story.
Left: Antonio Aguirre fulfills a promise as he and his family visit the National Shrine Infant Jesus of Prague at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Prague, Oklahoma on Sunday, August 2, 2009. Right: Christina Andrews looks on as Jay Andrews touches his son Gavin at his bed in Christina's apartment in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009. Photos by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Left: Ana Gonzalez (right) and a friend join hundreds of other participants as they watch a performance during a street show before the Oklahoma City Pride Parade on Sunday, June 27, 2010. Right: James Bowman gets a hug from one of his caregivers, Sherry Spangler, at a home he shares with roommates in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, August 25, 2010. Photos by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
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John,
5 years of wonderful photos and stories. It’s always a pleasure and an inspiration to see your work John, keep up the great work sir.
Mitch