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A New Way Of Looking At Something Old

For this year’s State Fair I wanted to do a photo project that captured the sights and sounds of all the activities that take place during the ten day event. The thing that I wanted to do was display the package in a little different way than other projects are done.

The next thing was ‘how can I do this’. I thought about how digital cameras have made picture taking an instantaneous process these days. So this started me thinking about how in the ‘old days’ that instant photography was only available if you shot on a polaroid camera. The two of these processes quickly brought my idea together.

I would combine today’s digital photography with the ‘retro’ polaroid. Next, find a way to accomplish this. Since my digital SLR cameras can only do 35 mm format, I had to set them aside for this project and find me a digital polaroid camera? My search only had to go as far as my IPhone to get this done. I found an app that turned the built in digital camera into a digital polaroid. So now I was on my way. I grabbed my IPhone and my audio recorder , and was on my way to the 2009 State Fair.

As I walked through the fair I shot some of the little things I saw along the way, and recorded natural sound along with a few personal accounts of the thousands of people I saw enjoying themselves. In the end, I cam up with a slideshow that gives you a one minute and 30 second look at some of the things I saw at this year’s fair. Hope you enjoy. – Chris Landsberger

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Military Funeral

On Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2009, I covered the funeral for U.S. Army 1st Lt. David Timothy Wright II who was killed Sept. 14th by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. He was only 26 years old.

Unfortunately, I have had to cover many of these military funerals over the last few years, and over time I have developed a love/hate relationship with covering them. I hate to see another young military person passing away before their time, and the pain their family goes through. On the other hand I want to be there to cover these funerals, and capture these emotional moments to document, pay tribute to these fallen heros, and show our readers who this person was and what sacrifice this person and family paid for our country and each and every citizen of the United States.

Sometimes there is a big misconception that I, being part of the media, am there to exploit the situation. I can say for sure that the photographers I know and for myself, this is the furthest thing from the truth. When I am photographing a funeral, I have had many reactions to my presence. I am met with some that are very upset, and can not believe that I am there doing ‘this’ to the family. Others are of complete gratitude that I am there to remember the one that has fallen. The latter is always the reason that I am there. I never attend a funeral without the family’s permission, and in doing so I comply to the fullest extent to the family’s wishes. Each family is different, some have given almost full access, and others very limited to none at all. These request are absolutely fine with me, because these difficult situations are about the families not about me, it is a privilege for me to be there.

In doing my job I want to be able to do the best I can to pay tribute, and not let them be forgotten for what they have done for all of us. I admit it is not easy for me though. I am a husband and a father, and it is hard for me to see the pain these families go through. I see these difficult situations, and I put myself in their shoes at every funeral I attend.  I can not begin to comprehend the pain they are going through. It is an emotional roller coaster for me, because I do get emotionally involved, I have a job to do and it never gets easier. I am not afraid to say that I have had to take pictures through many tears that roll down my cheeks. All in all, I am always honored to be there, and always very sorry for the family’s loss.

I do want to say thanks to all the families for allowing me and my coworkers to be in attendance, and to say thank you to those that have fallen and to those that continue to serve on their missions. I wish you all God Speed.

-Chris Landsberger

Please take the time to view the slideshow from the funeral of U.S. Army 1st Lt. David Timothy Wright

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Bring On Summer

Well it is here, the unofficial first day of Summer has finally arrived for us here in Oklahoma. To kick off the season I had an assignment to go take pictures of 1400 third and fourth grade Oklahoma City Public School students taking a water safety class at White Water Bay. The result was this photo that ran on page 1 Friday.

After it ran in the paper I received a number of inquires about how I took the photo. So, I thought I would take a few minutes and give a run down on how it was taken.

Overall, it was not very different from most other assignments that I go out on each day. The only difference was the equipment used to take the photo. Instead of the normal cameras I use from day to day, I used a Canon G9 point and shoot camera and an underwater housing that allows me to take the camera up to 140 feet under water. Luckily I did not have to go diving that deep in order to get the photo.
The next step was just trying to get a photo that I liked. As any of you who have been around a lot of kids playing and have a great time at a swimming pool know, it is chaotic to say the least. Knowing this, I settled in to be patient, and wait and shoot and wait and shoot……well you get the idea, till I got the photo that would work. I set the camera to a wide angle setting, and put the camera half way into the water with half the lens above the water and half under. From there I hoped to capture kids swimming above and below the surface. It took me about 45 shots or so till I got the one I wanted, which I believe was the 43 photo I took. As they say patience is a virtue.

–Chris Landsberger

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Storm Clouds Build

-Chris Landsberger

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Double Takes……..Another Look.

Each month I am part of the team that puts together the publication OKC Nstyle. I provide the photography that makes up the visual elements of the monthly featured fashion spread, and the oh so important cover.

When the photo shoot is done for each issue, I go through hundreds of photos, and edit out photos that I feel best represent the section. Some of the photos are to run for the inside spread, and then there are others those that are potential cover options. The cover options are a little more difficult to edit out. They have to meet a very specific size constraint that is very narrow, but also keeps the visual requirements of artistic value, composition and content. In the end there are usually between 7-12 photos that make the cut as options for the cover.

From there section designer Suzanne Green takes these options and makes up a few mock cover choices for the team to look over and proof.

As with all committee type input sessions, everyone has different cover options that are their favorite(s). After everyone has their input and offers up critiques, sometimes the cover that is chosen is the one we were hoping for, and other times it is not. Maybe next time right?

So after thinking about it for a while, I thought why can’t the next time be now. Why not provide a little behind the scenes look at some of the hard work that goes into the other cover options, and keep them from being lost in the mix.

To provide for your visual consumption, Each month when the new OKC Nstyle is published I will post the 2-4 cover options that did not make it to the presses. As and added bonus for the first installment there will be cover options from the last few month that differ from those that were actually published.

Hope you enjoy another look.

 

Don’t for get to check out the online version of  April issue of OKC Nstyle at okcnstyle.com, and fashion editor Linda Miller’s blog at Fashion Matters.

-Chris Landsberger

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OU Men’s Road Comes To An End

Well, with the help of Blake Griffin the University of Oklahoma men’s basketball team had a great run to the NCAA Elite 8. I missed out on covering them in Kansas City, but was able to pick up with them in regional action played in Memphis. The Sooners had an impressive win over Syracuse, but just did not have the fire power to keep up with a North Carolina team with weapons that could score at will.

Below are a few of my favorite photos from the week in Memphis.

To see a gallery of photos from the loss to North Carolina, click here.

To see the win over Syracuse, click here.

-Chris Landsberger

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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

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Best of The Week 9/15/08-9/21/08

Here are the selections for this week from The Oklahoman Photo Staff. I am finally getting on track and making this happen at the first of the week instead of the end. Practice, practice and more practice to develop the habit. Thanks for looking.      

 

-Chris Landsberger 

www.highvelocityphoto.com 

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Best of the Week 9/8/08-9/14/08

Here are my selections for this week. We have a lot of variety this week, you can see the how each day brings the unexpected for each one of us on staff. Take a look and let us know your thoughts and enjoy. 

Seen through a ripped screen still clinging to a front window, Megan Bridges looks through the remains of her grandparents’ home in rural Harrah Wednesday morning, Sept. 10, 2008. The 3,200 square foot home at 19620 SE 38 was destroyed by fire Tuesday afternoon. No one was injured in the fire. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN

 

-Chris Landsberger

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Was not much of a challenge

Well the return trip to the Northwest was much better for the Sooners this timearound. Was not much of a challenge for them in the 55-14 rout. All in all was probably a good trip for the team to go on the road and dominate a team likethey did on Saturday. Nate Billings and I have had a good trip so far, Seattle is a great city, and letme tell you the Washington fans have the best tailgating set up I have ever seen.

 Check out the images for the game in the slideshow below.

http://downloads.newsok.com/flash_video/theoklahoman/slideshows/OUvsWASHINGTON/ 

-Chris Landsberger

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