Alternate Crop » Feature photos

Pictures I like

john clanton — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:31:15 +0000

Looking through our archives at the pictures The Oklahoman staff photographers have turned in over the past 7 days, I realized that a few of my favorites were a good representation of the assignments we see in an average week. Sports, everything from high school to professional, features, news and a more in-depth feature.

Oklahoma City's Thabo Sefolosha (right) and Los Angeles' Kobe Bryant go after a loose ball during the NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman

Oklahoma County jail inmate Jesus Lucero rides in an elevator as he cleans along with a group of jail trusties on Tuesday, November 3, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry

Michael Meyers, of Norman, waves a flag during a rally on the north side of the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma CIty on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman

Jovia Franklin (21) of El Reno makes a catch over the defense of Kale Thaxton (20) of Duncan during the high school football game between Duncan and El Reno in El Reno, Okla., Friday, November 6, 2009. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

Cheri White Owl gives a hug to "Dan" at Horse Feathers Equine Rescue Facility in Guthrie, OK, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. By Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman

-John Clanton

March of 1,000 Flaming Skeletons

bryan terry — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:28:24 +0000

During the fall I spend most Saturdays at a football stadium. Last Saturday, however, I spent the evening covering the March of 1,000 Flaming Skeletons at the Ghouls Gone Wild Halloween Parade in downtown Oklahoma City. I interviewed Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips and put together an audio slideshow with some pictures from the parade.

To see the slideshow click here

Here are a few photos from the slideshow.

People dressed as skeletons march in the March of 1,000 Flaming Skeletons during the Ghouls Gone Wild Halloween Parade in Oklahoma City, Saturday, October 24, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry

A person, dressed as a skeleton, waits to participate in the March of 1,000 Flaming Skeletons during the Ghouls Gone Wild Halloween Parade in Oklahoma City, Saturday, October 24, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Madeline Zielinski and Nate Reed listen to Wayne Coyne speak before the March of 1,000 Flaming Skeletons during the Ghouls Gone Wild Halloween Parade in Oklahoma City, Saturday, October 24, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Dianna and Pete Rustin wait in line for their skeleton suit before the March of 1,000 Flaming Skeletons during the Ghouls Gone Wild Halloween Parade in Oklahoma City, Saturday, October 24, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

To view the entire slideshow click here.

-Bryan Terry

Smokin’ !!!

dhoke — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 04:26:40 +0000

Last night I was at the Douglass/Weatherford football game and while switching ends of the field going through the Trojan bench area I saw something amazing. Of at one end of the bench stood Nicholas Nealy and it looked like he was on fire! I’ve seen players steam before, but never rising as high and as fast as it was coming off his head. It looked like he was on fire. This photo didn’t make the paper, sp I thought I would share it with you here.

SMOKIN' Steam rises from the head of Nicholas Nealy as he rests on the sideline during the high school football game between Douglass and Weatherford at Douglass High School Friday, Oct. 23, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman

-Doug Hoke

Carnival workers at the Oklahoma State Fair

bryan terry — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:03:34 +0000

Every year that I cover the Oklahoma State Fair, the carnival workers want me to take their photograph. This year I decided to do just that. I interviewed some of the workers and put together an audio slideshow with the pictures from the fair.

To see it click here.

Here are a few photos from the slideshow.

Bryant Vest stands in his booth at the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, September 23, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Fairgoers stand in front of a game at the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City on Friday, September 18, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Carnival worker Charles Johnston works at the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City on Friday, September 18, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Carnival worker William Ekren stands outside his booth at the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City on Thursday, September 24, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

To view the entire slideshow click here.

-Bryan Terry

A New Way Of Looking At Something Old

chris landsberger — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:27:17 +0000

Fair-goers enjoy the 2009 Oklahoma State Fair. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

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

The Fair, Football and Rain

nate billings — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:50:04 +0000

Usually the start of the Oklahoma State Fair brings rain to Oklahoma City. This year the rain showed up a week or so early. I managed to get soaked at the Mustang at Edmond North football game last week. It took about two days to get my equipment dried out properly (even with protective gear) just in time for the OSU vs. Houston game. And since the fair began yesterday, something tells me we may have to deal with more weather on the sidelines the next two weekends.

Here’s a few pictures I like that we didn’t have space to put in the paper that are of the State Fair, football and rain.

Members of the Edmond North band cheer in the rain with other students and fans before the high school football game between Mustang and Edmond North at Wantland Stadium in Edmond, Okla., Thursday, September 10, 2009. The game was eventually postponed until Saturday due to the weather. By Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

A man climbs on a ladder up the face of a video board before the college football game between the University of Houston Cougars and the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, September 12, 2009. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

OSU's Dez Bryant (1) stands on the gate in front of the team before taking the field for the college football game between the University of Houston Cougars and the Oklahoma State University Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, September 12, 2009. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

Chandler Hardy, 2010 Miss Oklahoma State Fair's Outstanding Teen, talks with Kylie Hart, 4, and Kylie's mother, Jana Hardy, of Oklahoma City, during the Oklahoma State Fair at State Fair Park in Oklahoma Ctiy, Thursday, September 17, 2009. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

Regan The Entertainer, right, tries to get a reaction from eight-month-old William East, of Luther, Okla., as his parents, Rebecca East and Billie East, looks up during the Oklahoma State Fair at State Fair Park in Oklahoma Ctiy, Thursday, September 17, 2009. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

-Nate Billings

Football time in Oklahoma

nate billings — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 21:53:18 +0000

The Langston band performs during a college football game between Langston and New Mexico Prep at Langston University, Saturday, August 29, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

This week marks the official launch of football season in Oklahoma. Last week we had a warm-up with a couple of real games that we covered, courtesy of Langston University and Casady School. However, this week things are full speed ahead with a full slate of high school games and OU and OSU beginning their seasons. We’ll have updates from the college openers later this weekend and some more high school photos in our galleries too.

Here’s some photos shot during the games last night and another I liked from Casady’s first game last week. To see a gallery of more of our photos from last night, click here.

Casady quarterback Cale Shivers (9) dives for a touchdown in the second quarter during the high school football game between Casady and Fort Worth All Saints at Casady School in Oklahoma City, Friday, August 28, 2009. By Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

Norman High School players take the field to play Norman North in high school football at Gaylord Family -- Oklahoma Memorial Stadium§on the campus of the University of Oklahoma (OU) on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009 in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

Putnam City's N.J. Ape (18) makes a touchdown catch in front of Choctaw's Dylan Sigman (2) during the high school football game between Choctaw and Putnam City at Putnam City Stadium in Oklahoma City, Thursday, September 3, 2009. By Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

The Putnam City pom squad dances during the high school football game between Choctaw and Putnam City at Putnam City Stadium in Oklahoma City, Thursday, September 3, 2009. By Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

Edmond Memorial's Blake Umberham throws the ball past Southmoore's Mason Myers, left, and Kimes Gilbert during the high school football game between Southmoore and Edmond Memorial at Wantland Stadium at UCO in Edmond, Okla., Thursday, September 3, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Edmond Memorial fans cheer for their team during the kickoff before the high school football game between Southmoore and Edmond Memorial at Wantland Stadium at UCO in Edmond, Okla., Thursday, September 3, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Timberwolves' Jamar Harrison loses the ball as he is tackled near the end zone by Rashad Parker (4) as Norman High School plays Norman North in high school football at Gaylord Family -- Oklahoma Memorial Stadium§on the campus of the University of Oklahoma (OU) on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009 in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

-Nate Billings

Great Ball of Fire!!

dhoke — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:01:53 +0000

When I left the office tonight (Sept. 1) at Britton and Broadway Extension a little after 7:00, I noticed the sun was a big red ball in the sky. Knowing the conditions for this type of sunset are rare I kept an eye on it while looking for something to put in front of it during the drive home. As it fell lower and lower, it opened up a lot of opportunities. As I headed west on 33rd toward Coltrane I spotted the tall grass I put in the foreground, which luckily was right by a turn-off in the road. I whipped the car in and jumped out to get my Canon 40D and 300mm f2.8 lens and plopped on the ground and started shooting. For situations like this, I like to shoot in the jpeg + raw mode which allows quick editing for the newspaper deadlines, but also gives me more detail if I need it. The great thing about these type of sunsets is the exposure is so close to the ambient light, thereby maintaining detail in the sun. I varied the size the sun appeared by using different f-stops. The larger the aperture, the larger the sun. This frame was shot at iso 200 1/1600 at f2.8 to give the sun its maximum size. I think it was worth pulling over for and I hope you do to.

Tall grass is silhouetted against the setting sun along 33rd street in Edmond near Coltrane Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.

-Doug Hoke

Just a lightning strike away…

dhoke — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:11:01 +0000

Hugh Scott doesn’t get many bylines in the paper because most of his work is for the advertising and marketing departments at OPUBCO. But he has a collection of lightning photos that is insane! Here are a few from an early August storm. Seems like we’ve had more than normal for this time of the year.

Lightning strikes over the OPUBCO Communications building late Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009, night as storms rolled across central Oklahoma. Photo by Hugh Scott, The Oklahoman.

Lightning strikes over the OPUBCO Communications building late Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009, night as storms rolled across central Oklahoma. Photo by Hugh Scott, The Oklahoman.

Lightning strikes over the OPUBCO Communications building late Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009, night as storms rolled across central Oklahoma. Photo by Hugh Scott, The Oklahoman.

Lightning strikes over the OPUBCO Communications building late Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009, night as storms rolled across central Oklahoma. Photo by Hugh Scott, The Oklahoman.

-Doug Hoke

MUDD Volleyball

sarah phipps — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 01:31:29 +0000

Jake Witcher of Mustang, Okla., falls in mud during the MDA M.U.D.D. volleyball tournament at the Silver Stallion Club, Saturday, July 25, 2009, in Mustang, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps,The Oklahoman

Mud splatters during the MDA M.U.D.D. volleyball tournament at the Silver Stallion Club, Saturday, July 25, 2009, in Mustang, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps,The Oklahoman

Players play volleyball during the MDA M.U.D.D. volleyball tournament at the Silver Stallion Club, Saturday, July 25, 2009, in Mustang, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps,The Oklahoman

As photojournalists we often put ourselves in dangerous situations. We risks ourselves and camera gear to chasing storms. We risk getting tackled by football players while on the sidelines or being hit by a foul ball. In the winter, I always carry a bag with a pair of dry socks, waterproof pants, extra gloves and other various winter items. Last week during the scorching heat wave I carried extra water to stay hydrated. As photojournalists it is important we prepare ourselves for the worst.

So, last weekend when I was assigned the MDA MUDD Vollleyball tournament, fellow staff photographer Nate Billings warned me to wear clothes that I did not care about. It was the best advice I have had in a while. I had no choice but to put myself in the line of fire of flying muddy water in order to get the pictures I wanted. My old jeans I wore are now a nice rust color. At least I got some decent pictures.

See all photos

-Sarah Phipps