Memorial Day photographs from around the country
Jacob Long, of the Georgia Army National Guard, holds his 14-month-old daughter, Charlotte, while listening to the song "God Bless America" during a Memorial Day ceremony, Monday, May 30, 2011, in Roswell, Ga. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks)
News Photographers around the United States took pictures of Memorial Day ceremonies last weekend. Here’s a couple of pictures from Oklahoma City, Georgia,Virginia and Arizona. You can see more photo galleries by clicking here or you can follow this link to see more pictures from the ceremony at the 45th Infantry Division Museum Memorial Day Ceremony in Oklahoma City.
Laura Youngblood comforts her son Hunter, 10, and daughter Emma, 5, at the grave of her husband Travis L. Youngblood at Section 60 in Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, May 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Six-year-old Eric Kimbrough carries an American Flag during the 45th infantry Division Museum Memorial Day Ceremony on, Monday, May 30, 2011. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, center, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen, left, are listen to the playing of "Taps" during a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, May 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Jack Warren becomes emotional as he kneels at the grave of his father, Billy Warren, on Memorial Day at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, Monday, May 30, 2011, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, David Kadlubowski)
-John Clanton
Spring Jam Spencer Rodeo
The sun sets behind a calf roper during the Annual Spring Jam Spencer Rodeo in Spencer, Oklahoma on Saturday, May 14, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
I photographed a small rodeo in Spencer a few weeks ago. Former bull riding champion Danell Tipton puts the event on every year. I wasn’t there for the sports department, and I wasn’t looking for sports action pictures. There was no PR escort and no press pass that restricted me to a certain area. No deadlines and no story angle. The Spring Jam Spencer Rodeo is held in a small, outdoor arena. It starts as the sun goes down and I was welcome to wander around and photograph whatever I wanted. It was a chance to concentrate on seeing nice pictures.
A Pony Express rider flips her hat to a friend as she rides into the arena during the Annual Spring Jam Spencer Rodeo in Spencer, Oklahoma on Saturday, May 14, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Jake Nelson gives the signal to release the gate and start his ride during the bull riding event at the Annual Spring Jam Spencer Rodeo in Spencer, Oklahoma on Saturday, May 14, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Jamelle Knight prays underneath the announcer's booth before he rides a bull during the Annual Spring Jam Spencer Rodeo in Spencer, Oklahoma on Saturday, May 14, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Flag girl Kori Liddell gets into position as the Annual Spring Jam Spencer Rodeo begins in Spencer, Oklahoma on Saturday, May 14, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
DaDa Carter plays on the support poles holding up the announcer's booth as he waits for the Annual Spring Jam Spencer Rodeo in Spencer, Oklahoma to begin on Saturday, May 14, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Some overlooked pictures
Andre Sparks with UCO's Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity tackles Michael Atako during a game of football at Positive Tomorrows, Wednesday, May 18, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
In the last 30 days we’ve been so busy showing pictures from the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA playoffs and, more recently, with storm coverage, that we’ve glossed over some other events that made some interesting pictures.
Here are a couple of images from recent assignments. You can see pictures from The Oklahoman photography department by clicking on our galleries page. You can also look for Oklahoman Photography Department on Facebook.
Oklahoma's Brianna Turang hits the wall as she chases a ball in the outfield during the Sooners' game against Tulsa during the NCAA Softball Regional at the OU Softball Complex on the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman, Okla., on Sunday, May 22, 2011. The Sooners lost the first game to the Golden Hurricane 4-3 in 9 innings. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Kansas State University's Erik Kynard easily clears 6'11" at the 2011 Big 12 Track Championships at John Jacobs Track Complex at the University of Oklahoma on Saturday, May 14, 2011, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
Tanner Nelson (33) of Dale leaps the fence to chase a foul ball during the Class 2A high school baseball championship game between Wister and Dale in Shawnee, Okla., Saturday, May 14, 2011. Wister won, 4-2. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Last Thunder game of the season
Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant (35) stands in front of the crowd during game 5 of the Western Conference Finals in the NBA basketball playoffs between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Wednesday, May 25, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Staff Photographer Bryan Terry was in Dallas last night to photograph what turned out to be the last game of the season for the Thunder. Oklahoma City lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Western Conference Finals on Wednesday, which means Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks will advance to the NBA Finals.
Here’s a couple of pictures from last night’s game that you may not have seen in today’s newspaper. You can see all the pictures that Bryan turned in from the game by following this link to the photo gallery.
Jason Terry (31) of Dallas goes between Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (0) and Kevin Durant (35) during game 5 of the Western Conference Finals in the NBA basketball playoffs between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Wednesday, May 25, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Shawn Marion (0) of Dallas dunks the ball over Oklahoma City's Kendrick Perkins (5) during game 5 of the Western Conference Finals in the NBA basketball playoffs between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Wednesday, May 25, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Jason Kidd (2) of Dallas and Dirk Nowitzki (41) celebrate during game 5 of the Western Conference Finals in the NBA basketball playoffs between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Wednesday, May 25, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Storm coverage in Oklahoma
Miranda Lewis makes the best of a bad situation as she models a dress that was undamaged by Tuesday's tornado that destroyed her family's home west of El Reno, Wednesday, May 25, 2011. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Staff Photographers at The Oklahoman went out Tuesday night to photograph the severe thunderstorms east of the metro area. Early Wednesday morning, the same photographers went back out to the areas most affected by the tornadoes hoping to meet people and help tell their stories.
We made a photo gallery with 73 pictures that were sent in on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. You can see photographs from Wednesday, or look at any of our photo galleries by clicking here.
A family photo is stuck through the wall in the home of Robert Todd west of El Reno, Wednesday, May 25, 2011. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
A half-mile-wide tornado moves north in Canadian County having just crossed SH 3, the Northwest Expressway, west of SH 4 moving towards Piedmont Tuesday, May 24, 2011. Photo by Paul B. Southerland, The Oklahoman
Sonny Hale comforts his mother Debra Lee after a tornado swept through the area, tearing the roof off of their house on Tuesday, May 24, 2011, in Newcastle, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
Branches of a tree are snagged in the wires of this bent utility pole on SH 74 near Cashion, Oklahoma after a tornado touched down in the area on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Game four loss for Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant (35) reacts late in overtime during game 4 of the Western Conference Finals in the NBA basketball playoffs between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Oklahoma City Arena in downtown Oklahoma City, Monday, May 23, 2011. Dallas won in overtime, 112-105. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
The Oklahoma City Thunder lost game 4 of the Western Conference Finals to the Dallas Mavericks at the OKC Arena in Oklahoma City on Monday, May 24, 2011. Here’s a few pictures from staff photographers at The Oklahoman. You can see more images by clicking here, or read more about the Thunder by clicking here.
Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a turnover in game 4 of the Western Conference Finals in the NBA basketball playoffs between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Oklahoma City Arena in downtown Oklahoma City, Monday, May 23, 2011. Dallas won in overtime, 112-105. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Tyson Chandler (6) of Dallas, gets an elbow in Kendrick Perkins' face and is called for a technical foul during game 4 of the Western Conference Finals in the NBA basketball playoffs between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Oklahoma City Arena in downtown Oklahoma City, Monday, May 23, 2011. The Thunder lost game 3 to the Mavericks 112-105. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka (9) reaches for the ball behind Tyson Chandler (6) of Dallas during game 4 of the Western Conference Finals in the NBA basketball playoffs between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Oklahoma City Arena in downtown Oklahoma City, Monday, May 23, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
A Dallas Mavericks fan walks past Thunder fan Meghan Dailey (left) as she makes her way to the OKC Arena before game 4 of the Western Conference Finals in the NBA basketball playoffs between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Oklahoma City Arena in downtown Oklahoma City, Monday, May 23, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Westbrook the photographer
Before the start of game 3 of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA basketball playoffs Russell Westbrook walked by my remote camera and pressed the shutter button.
It was nice of him to make sure my camera was working before the start of the game. Below is a picture I took of him taking a picture and the photo he took with the remote camera.
See our photo gallery of game 3 by clicking here.
Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook takes a picture with Oklahoman photographer's Sarah Phipps' remote camera before the start of game 3 of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA basketball playoffs between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the OKC Arena in downtown Oklahoma City, Saturday, May 21, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook takes picture on Oklahoman photographer's Sarah Phipps' remote camera before the start of game 3 of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA basketball playoffs between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the OKC Arena in downtown Oklahoma City, Saturday, May 21, 2011. Photo by Russell Westbrook, Alternate Crop special contributor
— Sarah Phipps
So you think you can dance…
I had a fun assignment Wednesday night in Edmond. Hundreds of Thunder fans gathered together for a “flash mob dance” tribute for Ellen DeGeneres. In case you didn’t know, the Thunder have been trying to get Ellen to commit to supporting the Thunder for the playoffs and get her court side for a game. Oklahoman Kristin Chenoweth was on her show and brought along Rumble to load Ellen up with Thunder gear.
The mob dance was organized by the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City to post on the “Let’s Make Ellen our #1 Thunder Girl” Facebook page. Thunder Girls taught the crowd a dance routine that goes with a Thunder song. If I hadn’t been there and seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have thought you could teach several hundred fans of all shapes and sizes a dance routine in 30 minutes, but they did. I was amazed at how in synch everyone became in such a short time. Great team work!
Tania Way-Garcia, left, and Ashlee Paul practice the dance moves during a Thunder mob dance to send to Ellen DeGeneres at Hafer Park in Edmond Wednesday, May 18, 2011. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.
The crowd practices the dance steps during a Thunder mob dance to send to Ellen DeGeneres at Hafer Park in Edmond Wednesday, May 18, 2011. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.
Girls with Ellen on their shirts learn the dance steps during a Thunder mob dance to send to Ellen DeGeneres at Hafer Park in Edmond Wednesday, May 18, 2011. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.
The crowd practices the dance steps during a Thunder mob dance to send to Ellen DeGeneres at Hafer Park in Edmond Wednesday, May 18, 2011. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.
Leah Sparks learns the dance steps with an Ellen mask on her head during a Thunder mob dance to send to Ellen DeGeneres at Hafer Park in Edmond Wednesday, May 18, 2011. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.
A lot of energy and fun! To see more photos click here.
To watch video of the mob dance click here.
Go Thunder!
-Doug Hoke
King of the prom
Glenn Wright is crowned King of the annual prom at the Oklahoma Foundation for the Disabled in in Oklahoma City, Thursday, May 12, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Nearly everyone in the room made their way to the dance floor when it was time to vote for the King and Queen. Even dancers who didn’t have a date paired off so they could be a part of the voting. It took two rounds of cheers and applause by the remaining audience to narrow down the field. In the end, Glenn Wright and his date, Naomi Gray, were crowned with a sequined hat and a green and gold tiara.
Here’s a couple of pictures from this year’s prom, or you can click here to see a video from last year’s prom at the Oklahoma Foundation for the Disabled.
Lamarr Jones dances with friends during the Mardi Gras-themed annual prom at the Oklahoma Foundation for the Disabled in in Oklahoma City, Thursday, May 12, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Three photographers and thousands of Thunder pictures
Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant (35) dunks the ball as Russell Westbrook (0) celebrates near Mike Conley (11) and Shane Battier (31) of Memphis in the fourth quarter during game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference semifinals between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the OKC Arena in Oklahoma City, Sunday, May 15, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday at the OKC Arena. They’ll advance to the Western Conference Finals against the Dallas Mavericks. Three photographers covered game 7 for the Oklahoman. Using remotes, hand held cameras and one photographer roaming the OKC Arena for pictures of fans reacting to the game, we took a total of 8,916 pictures. Then we spent several hours sorting through the images that we use to tell the story of the game.
You can see all of our final images by clicking here or read more about the Thunder and their win over the Grizzlies by clicking here.
Wearing a foam finger and cheering from Loud City, Sabrina Darville, of Oklahoma City, celebrates a Thunder basket during the second half of game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference semifinals between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the OKC Arena in Oklahoma City, Sunday, May 15, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (0) takes the ball to the hoop past Marc Gasol (33) of Memphis in the first half during game 7 of the NBA basketball Western Conference semifinals between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the OKC Arena in Oklahoma City, Sunday, May 15, 2011. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
