Macro photography-Bug version
A butterfly steps over to another flower to eat in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, June 22, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Readers of Alternate Crop will remember a few macro photography posts like this one a few weeks ago, or my first one last summer. If I’m not careful this is going to develop into a hobby. I’m not really a huge fan of insects or flowers. I think my interest in macro photography comes from an effort to slow down and take a closer look at everyday things. It’s also quite challenging to sneak up on a butterfly—a very different kind of effort than this job usually requires.
You can see more interesting pictures by clicking here. And remember you can click on any of the photographs featured on Alternate Crop, including these, for a closer view.
An insect rests on a wildflower in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, June 22, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
A spider walks on his web strung between two windows at a home in The Village on Thursday, June 16, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
A ladybug crawls across a stone wall on the north end of Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, April, 26, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
A butterfly rolls up its tongue after feeding on a flower in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, June 22, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Looking for pictures
Sarah Johnson (center) and Jadyn Barefoot (CQ) Barefoot, react as they learn dance steps during Hearts for Hearing Camp at the Oklahoma City Museum Of Art in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, June 21, 2011. Two Thunder Girls taught dance to the kids who are deaf or have hearing loss. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
The summer interns are probably already sick of hearing my speeches about looking for pictures that connect with readers. Pictures that tell a story or a convey a mood instead of simply proving an event happened. On Tuesday, I looked for kids’ reactions as they learned dance moves from Thunder Girls. Bryan Terry got a picture at a dive-in movie, recently, that really feels like summer. Here are a few pictures we’ve taken in the last couple of weeks.
For more pictures from The Oklahoman photo staff, click here. Also, if you haven’t seen the slideshow page recently there have been a few additions.
Swimmers watch Space Jam during Dive-In Movie Night at Pelican Bay Aquatic Center in Edmond, Okla., Wednesday, June 16, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
James Duncan kisses his great grandchild Bryson Jetter, 2, as his daughter Amby Duncan holds her during a Father's Day picnic at The Edmond Senior Center on Thursday, June 16, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Paralympic rower
Paralympic Rower Tony Davis gets his oars into place as he practices with rowing partner Jacqui Kapinowski on the Oklahoma River in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, June 14, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Tony Davis was a Rescue Diver in the US Navy. A crewman aboard the SeaHawk, the Navy’s version of the BlackHawk helicopter, he served overseas for 18 months only to be paralyzed in a car wreck on his way home to Washington state. We talked last week as we walked through the Devon Boathouse as Tony headed to rowing practice on the Oklahoma River. He told me that the feeling he got gliding across the water was similar to the feeling he got back in that SeaHawk helicopter. A BlackHawk helicopter flew over the boathouse as we walked out into the light of the morning sun. Tony the SeaHawk for several seconds and pointed it out to his rowing partner and his coaches as he followed them down to the river.
You can see more images from Tony’s practice by clicking here or you can click here to read Ed Godfrey’s story.
Tony Davis practices with rowing partner Jacqui Kapinowski on the Oklahoma River in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, June 14, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Tony Davis carries his oars toward the Devon Boathouse after practice with rowing partner Jacqui Kapinowski on the Oklahoma River in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, June 14, 2011. A car accident left Davis, a former Navy Rescue Diver, paralyzed. He taught himself to walk again by watching his son learn to walk, and has been rowing for two years. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Pictures I Like-Early summer version
Bill Zitzow, of Oklahoma City, holds an historic 15 star flag during the Flag Day Celebration ceremony at Midwest City Elks Lodge #1890 in Midwest City, Okla., on Sunday, June 12, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Some interesting pictures have been turned in by staff photographers at The Oklahoman over the last week or so. With only one exception, this collection of pictures was never published in the paper. There are galleries with more images from the Flag Day Celebration, the endeavor games, the Ozarka Oklahoma City Nationals Drag Boat Races, Mugglefest, the Mission Academy Graduation, and pictures from the last day of the NCAA Div. 1 Men’s Golf Championship at Karsten Creek.
The main dish at the Crawfish Festival in Yukon, June 4 2011. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman
Richard Browne, Endeavor Games athlete from Jackson, Mississippi practices the high jump in Edmond, Oklahoma , Friday, June 10, 2011. Photo by Steve Gooch, The Oklahoman
Team Oklahoma's Taggart Lockhart of Talihina, left, collides with Daniel Green of Team Texas during the Faith 7 Basketball Bowl at the Noble Complex on the campus of Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Okla., Saturday, June 11, 2011. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
The 2011 graduation class gathers in prayer with Oklahoma Outreach Foundation Board of Director Karen Mather during the Mission Academy graduation at the OPUBCO Auditorium on, Tuesday, June 7, 2011. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
-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
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
Pictures from outside Oklahoma
Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Corey Patterson reaches for a bouncing ball hit for a double by Detroit Tigers' Brandon Inge during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Friday, May 6, 2011. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)
I looked through Merlin this morning for pictures from around the United States and the world. There’s been plenty happening since May 1, including Osama Bin Laden’s death, tornadoes and storms in the South and fighting continues in Libya.
A little bit closer to home, The Thunder won in Memphis on Monday night. Check Alternate Crop late tomorrow night for pictures from game 5 in their NBA playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies. You can also see galleries by Staff Photographers at The Oklahoman by clicking here.
Iness Martez, left, of Newark, N.J., sells American flags at ground zero following the announcement of the death of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, Monday, May 2, 2011, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Rebel fighters celebrate after coming back from the front line against Moammar Gadhafi's forces, in Ajdabiya, Libya, Monday, May 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
Canadian popstar Justin Bieber takes his glasses off during his "My World Tour" concert in Manila, Philippines on Tuesday May 10, 2011. Bieber is in the country for a one-night concert. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Jimmy Talley looks over the destroyed home of his brother, David, and sister-in-law, Katherine, on Tuesday, April 26, 2011, in Vilonia, Ark. Both David and Katherine Talley were killed when a tornado hit Vilonia. The couple had taken shelter in a metal utility building, but they died when the building was blown across a pond. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Thabo Sefolosha, of Switzerland, left, guard Russell Westbrook (0) and James Harden, right, celebrate after beating the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 4 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series on Tuesday, May 10, 2011, in Memphis, Tenn. Oklahoma City won 133-123 in triple overtime. (AP Photo/Lance Murphey)
-John Clanton
Day of prayer
First Lieutenant Montana Dugger, with the Oklahoma National Guard, bows his head in prayer during the National Day of Prayer at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City on May 5, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
The second floor rotunda at the Oklahoma State Capitol is not well lit. Not much is at the capitol. I watched a sunbeam move across the floor in the minutes before the event started, but it never passed over anyone. Instead, I dialed the ISO on my cameras to 4000 and looked for nice moments under the best light I could find. Here’s a couple of my favorite images from the event.
You can see a few more pictures by clicking here or take a look at all of our photo galleries.
Carol Hardin, of Madill, Okla., (center) bows her head in prayer as she watches the National Day of Prayer from the third floor at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City on May 5, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
