Pictures I Like-from last weekend
Honor guard members carry the casket during the funeral for 1st Lt. Damon Leehan at Henderson Hills Baptist Church on Thursday, August 25, 2011, in Edmond, Okla. Leehan was killed in Afghanistan Aug. 14, when a military vehicle he was riding in struck an IED. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
There has been plenty to photograph and some sad and interesting news stories in the Oklahoma City Metro area in the last week or so. You can follow these links to read stories about Mississippi Kites in Noble, Oklahoma, Officer Chad Peery, who made an appearance at an Oklahoma City RedHawks game, and Byron Rivera, who talked to The Oklahoman for a story about his son Crystian Rivera.
You can click these links to see pictures from events like the Cardboard Boat Regatta, funerals for 1st Lt. Damon Leehan and 2nd Lt. Joe Cunningham or see all the galleries from the Photo Department at The Oklahoman.
Oklahoma City police officer Chad Peery and sons McKade, 6, left, and Morgan, 4, are greeted by members of the Oklahoma City RedHawks as Peery rolls down the third-base line in his wheelchair while rounding the bases after the third inning as part of the "Home Run for Life" promotion during the minor league baseball game between the Oklahoma City RedHawks and the Iowa Cubs at RedHawks Field at Bricktown in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2011. Peery was left paralyzed after being beaten while trying to break up a fight at bar earlier this year. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Kristy Wicker releases a recovered Mississippi kite at WildCare on Thursday, August 25, 2011, in Noble, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
Byron Rivera, the father of Crystian Rivera, reacts as he talks about his son during a meeting with Staff Writer Tiffany Gibson at The Oklahoman on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011. Crystian Rivera has been arrested in connection with the death of his ten-month-old sister. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Leah Sparks helps her son Kye Sparks, 6, out of their boat during Edmond's Cardboard Boat Regatta at Arcadia Lake in Edmond, Okla., Saturday, August 27, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Patriotism in general
Standing on a pedestrian bridge, Ted Krey, of Yukon, holds an American Flag over I-240 on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011. Krey says he will hold the flag over traffic from a different pedestrian bridge around Oklahoma City everyday until Sept. 11. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Driving west on I-240 last week I saw a flag poking out of the fence on a pedestrian bridge and out over traffic. As I pulled into a nearby parking lot, I guessed that Ted Krey was probably the guy holding the flag. You’ve probably seen Ted around Oklahoma City. He runs the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon holding the flag. I’ve photographed him at anniversaries for the Oklahoma City Bombing and a few other events. Krey is a retired Marine and was also a first responder in 1995 after the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Building.
On Wednesday, as he held the flag, drivers waved and honked as a show of support for Ted’s efforts, the troops overseas, or maybe just patriotism in general. Only one guy flipped him off.
You can read Staff Writer Bryan Dean’s article about Krey by clicking here, or you can see more pictures by The Oklahoman photo staff by clicking here.
Standing on a pedestrian bridge, Ted Krey, of Yukon, holds an American Flag over I-240 on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Recent unpublished pictures
The Honor Guard stands at attention as the casket of 1st Lt. Damon Leehan is unloaded from a plane at the Oklahoma Air National Guard near Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Sometimes there just isn’t enough room in the newspaper for all the pictures that we take. I’ve written about this before, but to put it in perspective, in the last 20 days, we’ve put roughly 1,900 pictures into the Merlin archive system. 1,400 or so were never published in the paper, although many of those have been seen online in our photo galleries, in blog posts or in slideshows.
Here are a few of the many pictures that you may not have seen in the newspaper.
Yukon's Derek Deeds reaches for the ball but comes up short during a high school football scrimmage at Putnam City in Oklahoma City, Friday, August 19, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Generals cornerback Cheyenne Williams (81) is greeted by his girlfriend, Claribel Zamudio, after a scrimmage at U.S. Grant High School on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011. Photo by Zach Gray, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Quick portrait of a street preacher
A portrait of Tim Beeson in Oklahoma City on Monday, Aug. 22, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Tim Beeson and I sat on unbalanced chairs under a faded white tent that was once used for old-fashioned tent revivals. He talked excitedly about his shop and his girlfriend; he told wild stories about his time in prison and what led to his ten-year incarceration; and he remembered a recovering alcoholic he’d helped out once upon a time. Then he closed his eyes and quietly sang a song that he’d just written about Jesus.
On Monday afternoon, I finally stopped and talked with Tim, who works under the tent set up in front of the old Owl Court on Route 66, or Britton road in Oklahoma City. I pass by the tent every day on my way to and from work. Beeson, who says he is a preacher, sells fruit, plants, and vegetables out of his roadside tent. He said he tries to give back to needy people who stop to buy vegetables. Beeson leans through a haze of smoke to poke twigs under a 65-pound pot of soup inside his smoker. He talks about giving back 60 percent of all the money he makes by giving customers bowls of vegetable soup and free produce.
Interesting and unpredictable conversations with people like Tim Beeson are still a part of what I enjoy about news photography. Remember that you can click on any image featured on Alternate Crop for a closer look. You can also see more pictures by photographers at The Oklahoman by clicking here.
-John Clanton
Pictures from Libya and around the world
Relatives of a rebel fighter mourn his death during a funeral in the rebel-held town of Benghazi, Libya, Friday, Aug. 19, 2011. Four rebel fighters who were killed on the frontline of Brega were buried Friday. (AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini)
Last week I spoke with an Oklahoma City resident who has family in Libya. Mohamed Elyazgi said communication in his hometown had been cut off, so he couldn’t speak with his brother and sister who still live there. He hoped that the rebels would eventually be victorious and end Moammar Gadhafi’s regime. This weekend, rebel forces got a step closer to that by moving into Tripoli and capturing Gadhafi’s son and one-time heir apparent, Seif al-Islam.
You can see more pictures from this weekend’s fighting in Libya by clicking here. Follow this link to see more images from events around the world, or click here to see images by photographers at The Oklahoman.
A child dressed as Hindu god Krishna takes part in Janmashtami celebrations to mark the birthday of Krishna in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Monday, Aug. 22, 2011. Bangladeshi Hindus took to streets for the celebration.(AP Photo/ Pavel Rahman)
Pope Benedict XVI, center, celebrates mass at the Cuatro Vientos airbase outside Madrid, Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011. The Pope arrived in Madrid Thursday for a four-day visit to celebrate the church's World Youth Day. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
Model Naomi Obata prepares make-up before a show at the Tokyo Fashion Fuse event in Tokyo Saturday Aug. 20, 2011. The event is a merger of music and fashion featuring top models and international DJs. (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
-John Clanton
Finding common ground
Imam Arif Abdullah (left) and twins Isaiah (right) and Isma'il Calhoun greet friends before prayer during the Langston Ramadan Iftar Dinner 2011 at Langston University OKC campus in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
During Ramadan, Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and sex during daylight hours. After the sun sets, they break the fast with a meal called Iftar. The breaking of the fast could happen at home with friends and family or in a more formal, banquet setting. Religious groups in Oklahoma City gathered this week for inter-faith Iftar dinners that featured local officials and community leaders.
At Langston University’s Oklahoma City Campus on Tuesday, Imam Arif Abdullah, from Masjid Mu’min, a Mosque in Northeast Oklahoma City, and Pastor George Young of Holy Temple Baptist Church, both spoke of togetherness and of finding common ground. Mohamed Elyazgi, an Oklahoma City resident who grew up in Libya, told me how fasting in the daylight hours helps remind him of what others don’t have. It’s a reminder to give to charities and appreciate God’s gifts.
Wednesday night, the Inaugural Capitol Interfaith Iftar featured perspectives on fasting by Rabbi Abby Jacobson, Pastor Young and Imam Imad Enchassi along with speeches by local political officials. Here are a few images from two of the recent Iftar ceremonies. You can always see photo galleries from The Oklahoman’s staff photographers by clicking here.
A group prays during the Capitol Interfaith Iftar at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, August 17, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Muslims pray while their Christian and non-Muslim guests get their meals (background) during the Langston Ramadan Iftar Dinner 2011 at Langston University OKC campus in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Swim bike run
Athletes race into the water to start the Arcadia Lake Triathlon and Aquabike at Arcadia Lake in Edmond, Oklahoma on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
It’s not often that I get to work as the sun rises while wearing crocs and swim trunks, but if there’s a triathlon in one of the area lakes, I get to do just that. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the Arcadia Lake Triathlon and Aquabike in Edmond last weekend.
You can see more images of the triathlon by clicking here, or you can follow this link to see more photo galleries from assignments around the Oklahoma City metro area. Remember that you can get a closer look at any picture featured on Alternate Crop by clicking on the image.
Spectators watch a close race as Brad Steele (left) and Boz Anderson (#218) sprint toward the finish lineduring the Arcadia Lake Triathlon and Aquabike at Arcadia Lake in Edmond, Oklahoma on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Boz Anderson swims toward shore during the Arcadia Lake Triathlon and Aquabike at Arcadia Lake in Edmond, Oklahoma on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Macro photography-the practical application
A grasshopper sits in tall grass in northwest Oklahoma City Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Until last week, my experiments with macro photography were just for fun. An interesting challenge that made popular blog posts on Alternate Crop, but that were rarely used in the newspaper. When I saw that the City Desk made an assignment to get pictures of grasshoppers for this story, I knew my chances of getting a picture of an insect in the paper had increased dramatically.
To get these pictures, I used a reversed 50mm macro lens and walked through a field in northwest Oklahoma City. I didn’t have to walk very far for the grasshoppers to fly away from me so I could follow them to their next hiding place. I didn’t know that grasshoppers came in such a variety of colors, or that if you sneak up slowly enough, some of them will hold still for as long as it takes to get good pictures.
As always, you can see more photo galleries by The Oklahoman photo staff by clicking here.
A grasshopper sits camouflaged in tall grass in northwest Oklahoma City. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Grasshoppers like this one are being driven into cities from rural areas during the drought to look for food. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Rowing on the river
Rowers compete during the USRowing Masters National Championships on the Oklahoma River, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Staff Photographers covered the USRowing Masters National Championships on the Oklahoma River over the last weekend. You can watch a video of the competition by clicking here, or you can click here to see more images from The Oklahoman’s photography department.
Rowers compete during the USRowing Masters National Championships on the Oklahoma River, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Marilyn Faranzen with the Minneapolis Rowing Club cheers on rowers during the USRowing Masters National Championships on the Oklahoma River, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
A team from Fairmount/Nashville after winning the Men's Heavyweight AA 2x Final during the USRowing Masters National Championships on the Oklahoma River on Friday, Aug. 12, 2011. Photo by Zach Gray, The Oklahoman
A member of the Malta Boat Club team hangs his head after breaking an oar in the Men's Lightweight C 2x race final during the USRowing Masters National Championships on the Oklahoma River on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011. Photo by Zach Gray, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Pictures I Like-getting caught up
Honor guard carries the flag draped coffin during the funeral for 2nd Lt Jered Ewy, 33, of Edmond, at Henderson Hills Baptist Church, Thursday, August 11, 2011. Photo by David McDaniel, The Oklahoman
In the last 12 days, the War in Afghanistan has affected families close to home, we’ve had swings in the weather between extreme heat and severe storms, OU and OSU started up the football season, students went back to school and grass fires started around the Oklahoma City Metro area.
Here’s a couple of pictures that stood out over the last two weeks. You can see all of our photo galleries by clicking here.
Music teacher Amy Thomas greets students arriving by bus as a thunderstorm moves through on the first day of school at Rose Union Elementary in the Deer Creek School District in Oklahoma City Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011. Photo by Paul B. Southerland, The Oklahoman
Norman firefighters work to put out a fire that totally involved numerous apartments at 1111 Oaktree Avenue on Friday, August 5, 2011, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
Scott Sanchez prays over Manuel Garcia, a homeless man, after providing him with water from the City Rescue Mission in Oklahoma City Friday, Aug. 5, 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Two women walk to further inspect a large fire in Edmond on Saturday, August 6, 2011. Photo by Zach Gray, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
