Alternate Crop » Jim Beckel

Suspect in Custody

john clanton — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:15:52 +0000

Officers arrested this suspect after searching door to door, looking in trash carts, parked cars, back yards and behind fences on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

Staff Photographer Jim Beckel left the office on Tuesday morning looking for weather art. Less than five minutes later, he heard an interesting call over his police scanner. Here’s what Jim wrote in his cutlines:

“Headquarters, Suspect in Custody.” Police officers converged on a northwest Oklahoma City neighborhood Tuesday morning, Nov. 10, 2009, after responding to a call of a suspicious subject. Officers said the subject then ran from them and attempted to break into an occupied residence. After searching door to door, looking in trash carts, parked cars, back yards and behind fences, an officer spotted the suspect hiding between houses near NW 81 and Harvey Place. The man ran again, sprinting across a park and into the back yards of neighboring homes. Within 5 minutes, the officer in pursuit radioed to headquarters that the suspect was in custody. He was arrested in the 300 block of NW 79, just a few blocks from where he was originally sighted.

A suspect runs through a northwest Oklahoma City neighborhood, trying to evade capture by Oklahoma City Police. Officers converged on a northwest Oklahoma City neighborhood Tuesday morning, Nov. 10, 2009, after responding to a call of a suspicious subject. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

Jim ended up with interesting pictures and an exciting morning, but we still don’t have any weather art.

-John Clanton

2009 Oklahoma State Fair opens Thursday

john clanton — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:57:22 +0000

Carnival worker Tyrone Mosley sets up stuffed prizes in his midway booth, Tubs of Fun. Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

For the last two days we’ve photographed vendors and business owners setting up for the 2009 Oklahoma State Fair. We’ll have a photographer at the fair everyday and Doug Hoke, the Director of Photography at The Oklahoman, wants to see a photo gallery everyday.

Josh Minshull, an employee of Express Ranch, uses a step ladder to reach the top of Troy, one of the Express Ranch Clydesdales during a bath before the 2009 Oklahoma State Fair at State Fair Park in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009. Troy, Minshull said it takes 20-30 minutes to wash each horse. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman

-John Clanton

The best rodeo in Oklahoma

nate billings — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 15:52:24 +0000

Austin Vincent, of Des Moines, New Mexico, jumps on his steer in the steer wrestling event during the International Finals Youth Rodeo at the Shawnee Expo Center on Friday, July, 17, 2009, in Shawnee, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

We cover a lot of rodeos at The Oklahoman. The one that our photo staff looks forward to the most every year is the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee. The great thing about the IFYR is that most of the competition happens during the day. Rodeo can make great pictures, however, most of the rodeos we photograph happen at night or in dark, dingy arenas.

The beautiful atmosphere of this rodeo really comes through in the sun. The daylight allows us to use higher shutter speeds to stop the action better as well. So, the IFYR is the best rodeo, for pictures at least, in Oklahoma.

Here are some photos and galleries of pictures from the competition.

July 13, 2009.

July 14, 2009.

July 15, 2009 in the evening.

July 16, 2009.

July 17, 2009.

July 18, 2009.

Cody Carlton of Mims, Florida, gets thrown off a horse during saddle bronc at the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Okla. Thursday, July 16, 2009. Photo by Ashley McKee, The Oklahoman

Tyler Taylor, of Stephenville, Texas., kneels down to say a prayer before his go in the bull riding event during the second day of competition in the International Finals Youth Rodeo at the Shawnee Expo Center on Tuesday, July, 14, 2009, in Shawnee, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

Landon Parrish, from Kayenta, AZ, holds on the shoot rail as the bull he was trying to ride gets out of the gate early at the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Wednesday, July 15 , 2009. Photo By David McDaniel, The Oklahoman.

Cole Miller, Lahoma, Okla., wears a friend's hat while that cowboy competes in bull riding during an evening session of the International Finals Youth Rodeo at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center in Shawnee, Wednesday, July 15, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

Bullfighter Rob Gann gets rammed by a bull at the International Finals Youth Rodeo at the Shawnee Expo Center on Thursday, July, 16, 2009, in Shawnee, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps,The Oklahoman

Stetson Cravens of Eufaula, Okla., falls to the ground after being dragged by a bucking bronc during the bareback bronc at the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Okla. Thursday, July 16, 2009. Photo by Ashley McKee, The Oklahoman

Taylor Hayes, of Bryan, Texas., tapes up his wrist as he prepares for his go in the bull riding event during the second day of competition in the International Finals Youth Rodeo at the Shawnee Expo Center on Tuesday, July, 14, 2009, in Shawnee, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

Cody Tyler White, of Choctaw, Okla., competes in bull riding during the final round of the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Okla., Saturday, July 18, 2009. By Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

-Nate Billings

Fourth of July wrap-up

nate billings — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:39:52 +0000

Fans watch fireworks at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, Saturday July 4, 2009, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

The photographers of The Oklahoman were out in force to cover Independence Day. The weather shifted from nice to muggy and then rain in the evening. I’m glad we got the rain, but just wish it had happened either the day before or the day after. The RedHawks didn’t play their baseball game, but did have fireworks. Other fireworks shows were postponed. Here are some of the photos from the day.

To see a gallery from events around the metro area, click here.

For former President George W. Bush’s Independence Day visit to Woodward, click here.

A gallery of photos from Edmond’s LibertyFest parade is here.

And Bryan Terry did a cool time-lapse video from the LibertyFest parade that we highlighted in this blog entry.

Jesse Hardiman and Ava Welch, 1, walk during Bethany's Centennial Freedom Festival, Saturday, July 4, 2009, at Eldon Lyon Park in Bethany, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Boy Scouts carry a huge American flag in the LibertyFest Parade in downtown Edmond, OK, Saturday, July 4, 2009. By Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman

Trent Nondorf, 4, left, and Ethan Nondorf, 2, wait for the start of the Quail Creek Fourth of July parade in Oklahoma City, Saturday, July 4, 2009. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

Kristen Gregory sported a festive Fourth of July headband during LibertyFest at UCO campus in Edmond, Okla. Saturday, July 4, 2009. Photo by Ashley McKee, The Oklahoman

Former President George W. Bush and wife, Laura, were given a warm reception when they arrived at Woodward's July 4th celebration and re-dedication of Crystal Beach Park. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

Lauren Atkins, 9, from Norman, eats free watermelon at the Norman Independence Day Celebration at Reaves Park in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, July 4, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

Darren Ransley slides on the tarp during a rain delay of the Oklahoma City RedHawks and Omaha Royals at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, Saturday July 4, 2009, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

-Nate Billings

A new award

john clanton — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:04:43 +0000

Brianna Zenzen, 8, looks up at her dad Todd as they wait in line during the Daddy Daughter Dance in Midwest City, Okla., Friday, Feb. 8, 2008. By Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

The Great Plains Journalism Competition, which is sponsored by the Tulsa Press Club, had their first awards ceremony on Saturday night in Tulsa. This competition was different than most of the ones we enter. Instead of awarding a first, second, third and honor mentions in each category, the Great Plains Journalism Competition awards only Finalists and Winners. Here’s how we did and some of the winning photos.

Winner in Sports Photo — Chris Landsberger

Winner in Web/Slideshow Photos –John Clanton

Winner in Spot News–Steve Gooch

Winner in Feature Photo, single — Jim Beckel

Winner in Photography Portfolio — Bryan Terry

Winner in News Photo –Paul Hellstern

Finalist in Feature Photography Multiple –Jim Beckel
Finalist in General Photography–Sarah Phipps

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford (14) is flipped upside down as he leaps over Oklahoma State's Orie Lemon (41) during the second half of the college football game between the Sooners and Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

President George W. Bush shares a laugh with a supporter, as he prepares to depart from Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City, OK, after a brief trip to the state, Friday, Sept. 12, 2008. Photo by Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman

Ryan Baker, 9, grimaces while he get his hair shaved during St. Baldrick's on Sunday, March 30, 2008, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Tressie Gilmore, 25, walks past the remains of her family's home on May,11, 2008, following a tornado that hit the area on Saturday. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman

-John Clanton

Sparks America Bikers Week

nate billings — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:21:37 +0000

I don’t think this photo by Jim Beckel will make it into the newspaper. However, it works perfectly well here. To see a photo gallery of other pictures from bike rally, click here.

A man reclines on his motorcycle while waiting to participate in bike games at the Sparks America Bikers Week in Lincoln County, June 19, 2009 . He is not identified, but people at the rally called him Nature Man. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

-Nate Billings

Oklahoma Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Service

dhoke — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:11:50 +0000

Jim Beckel covered the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Service this morning and came up with some nice photos.

Oklahoma County Sheriff's Deputy Leroy Scott touches the brim of his hat as he lowers his head while standing among honor guards from police departments throughout the state.at the 41st annual Oklahoma Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Service on the grounds of the Department of Public Safety offices at NE 36 and MLK, Friday morning, May 8, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

Chris Haney, Lighthorse police chief, shows his son Austin, 8, names on one of the memorials after the ceremony. Lighthorse is the police agency for the Seminole Nation. Fallen law officers were honored at the 41st annual Oklahoma Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Service on the grounds of the Department of Public Safety offices at NE 36 and MLK, Friday morning, May 8, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

Honor guards from police departments throught the state honor fallen comrades at the 41st annual Oklahoma Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Service on the grounds of the Department of Public Safety offices at NE 36 and MLK, Friday morning, May 8, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

Honor guards from police departments through out the state honor fallen comrades at the 41st annual Oklahoma Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Service on the grounds of the Department of Public Safety offices at NE 36 and MLK, Friday morning, May 8, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

To see the complete gallery click here

-Doug Hoke

A busy week

john clanton — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 21:42:35 +0000

There was plenty to cover this weekend in Oklahoma City with the Festival of the Arts and the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon in full swing. Here are just a few images, to see more of these events or to see other galleries we’ve made, click here.

With two of his bottom teeth loose, Ryan Jones, 6, struggles to get a good bite into this ear of roasted corn at the Festival of the Arts in Oklahoma City Thursday, April 23, 2009. The festival ends Sunday. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

Sonya Thapa, age 5, of Norman, plays with other children at the Creation Station during the final day of the Festival of the Arts in downtown Oklahoma City on Saturday, April 26, 2009. Photo by John Clanton

Truman and June Garland, of Moore, hold hands as they walk past artwork during the Festival of the Arts in downtown Oklahoma City on Wednesday, April 22, 2009. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman

Marathoners make their way up the Walnut street bridge during the Memorial Marathon, Sunday, April 26, 2009, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Runners make their way past the OKC National Memorial at the beginning of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Sunday, April 26, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman

The men's marathon winner Jordan Kinley crosses the finish line at the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Sunday, April 26, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman

-John Clanton

Oklahoma Wildfires

nate billings — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 07:38:42 +0000

High winds and dry conditions led to wildfires that swept across parts of Oklahoma on Thursday, April 9, 2009. Here are some of the photos of the wildfires from the staff of The Oklahoman.

To see a gallery of more photos, click here.

Paul Norwood watches helplessly as his neighbor's home is destroyed by wildfires in eastern Oklahoma County, Thursday, April 9, 2009. These homes are in Oakwood East Addition, near SE 15 and Westminster. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

Rescue workers treat a firefighter who was injured during a grass fire in Wellston, Okla., April 09, 2009. Photo by Steve Gooch, The Oklahoman

Flames leap out of a broken gas line in Midwest City, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Firefighters direct water to fires on both sides of Westbury Street in the Oakwood East addition in Midwest City, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel

Paul Norwood helps a firefighter with a fire at a neighbor’s home in the Oakwood East neighborhood in Midwest City, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

John Brewer holds a wet towel to his face after battling wildfires in his housing addition in Midwest City, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

This burned home was in the path of wildfires which destroyed 12 structures in Lindsay, Okla., on Thursday, April 9, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

A firefighter runs past a house as it burns in the Oakwood East neighborhood in Midwest City, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Spencer firefighters rest after extinguishing flames at this house in the Oakwood East Addition in Midwest City, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

To see a gallery with more photos, click here.

-Nate Billings

Remote Camera at the Capitol

john clanton — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:45:02 +0000

Gov. Brad Henry is joined by state lawmakers in applauding for First Lady Kim Henry after he introduced her at her seat in the gallery at the beginning of his State of the State message to the 52nd Legislature at the Oklahoma State Capitol, Feb. 2, 2009. Senators joined state representatives in the House Chamber to hear the Governor’s speech. By Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

Staff photographers Jim Beckel and Chris Landsberger teamed up to get pictures as the Oklahoma Legislature opened a new session at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City on Monday. Jim had the idea to set up a remote camera behind Gov. Brad Henry to get a picture (shown above) that we haven’t seen before. Photographers are only allowed on the floor for the first five minutes of the session, then they are asked to retreat to the balcony. Without a remote camera, this picture would not be possible.

Jim talked with officials at the capitol about the idea of a remote camera on Friday and got permission to go ahead with the set up. On Monday morning Chris and Jim arrived at the capitol early and began getting the camera set up. They used a Canon 5D Mark II, a 16-35mm lens and shot at 4000 ISO, 100th of a second at f4. Beckel used a Pocket Wizard radio remote control to fire the camera when the Governor turned to his right. Originally, the idea was that Brad Henry would turn all the way around and wave to people behind him, showing more of his face, but, Jim was ready with the shutter button when he turned to his right.

You can see the remote camera near the Lt. Governor in the picture below.

This is a cropped picture, showing the remote camera behind Gov. Brad Henry.

To see all the photos that Chris and Jim took during the State of the State address, click here.

-John Clanton