Pictures I Like-Not counting football
We’ve had a good look at football this week. Now, here’s a collection of some non-football images from Merlin (our archive) that deserve a second look.
A crowd gathers near a flag before a ceremony to retire flags in Choctaw Creek Park, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Shannon Semet, of Oklahoma City, looks out of balloon artwork by artist Jason Hackenwerth during the Creativity World Forum at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
The Boys team from Oklahoma Christian Schools prays before their 3A race, during the State Cross County meet for Classes 2A and 3A at Gordon Cooper Vo-Tech in Shawnee, OK, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010. By Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman
Convicted embezzler Roger Melson gives his wife, Carol, a long hug, before leaving the courtroom after receiving his sentence from Judge Watson in his courtroom in the Oklahoma County Courthouse Tuesday afternoon, Nov.9, 2010, Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
From right, OSU's Taylor Mathews (10), Kyndall Treadwell (5) and Megan Marchesano (16) celebrate a goal by Marchesano as OU's Samantha Howell (17) walks by in the first half of the Bedlam women's soccer game between Oklahoma State and Oklahoma at John Crain Field in Norman, Okla., Friday, October 29, 2010. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Community Christian coach Josh Norman gets splashed with water as they celebrate the Royals win over Windsor Hills during the Christian Schools championship game at Moore High School's football stadium in Moore, Oklahoma on Friday, Nov. 12, 2010. Community Christian Schools won the game 64-0. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Of light and shade
Zach Truett, a sophomore, practices with the trumpet section during marching band practice at Edmond North High School in Edmond, Okla., on Monday, August 9, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
If it was possible, we’d only take pictures at dawn or at dusk when the light and the sky are perfect. Every building would have windows on all sides so that the perfect amount of sunlight could pour in and light up our subjects. But we work for a newspaper, so all too often we’re standing under ugly, noon light trying to figure out how to get a nice portrait of a high school athlete, or we’re sent out in total darkness to photograph a train derailment or, more likely, when the sun is setting, we’re inside a steel building with no windows photographing an event. Often, the challenge for news photographers is to either bring our own lights or try to find that perfect light where you wouldn’t expect to see it.
April Lott (left) dances with her daughter Cati Hill at the beginning of the city's second annual Gay Prom at Epworth United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City on Thursday, May 11, 2006. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Every once and awhile, though, an assignment or a self-generated project happens at just the right time or in just the right room (above) and we’re taking pictures in perfect light. I was thinking about this while I photographed high school band practice at Edmond North last week. The photo-geek in me got very excited about finding pretty pictures in those fleeting moments before the sunset.
Fairgoers enjoy midway rides at the Oklahoma State Fair Thursday night, Sept. 24, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
Speaking of pretty light, staff photographer Jim Beckel photographed a scene at the fair last year that won an award at the Great Plains Journalism Awards a few weeks ago. Here’s what the judges said about Jim’s picture:
“A very unique depiction of an ‘ordinary’
carnival ride. The black-and-white silhouette treatment makes this a stunning and very interesting image. Good eye!”
Maddy Kinder, 3, plays inside a moon walk during National Night Out at Park Lane Estates in Edmond, Okla., Tuesday, August 3, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
IFYR 2010
Josh Loftin of Collinsville, Oklahoma, competes in the bareback bronc event during the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Okla., Friday, July 16, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Yesterday was the last round of the weeklong International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Here are some of the pictures our staff took at the IFYR 2010, one of our favorite events to cover. Also, follow the links below for photo galleries from the competition.
Cowboys listen to a meeting as they prepare for the International Finals Youth Rodeo, Sunday, June 11, 2010, Shawnee, Oklahoma. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Newt Brasfield from Lane, Oklahoma, finds his face buried in mud after being thrown from a bull during the first day of the week-long International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Oklahoma, Monday, July 12, 2010. Photo by Jim Beckel , The Oklahoman
Savanna Christensen, of Medicine Lodge, Kansas, participates in the pole bending event at the International Finals Youth Rodeo at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma, Tuesday, July 13, 2010. Photo by Miranda Grubbs, The Oklahoman
Lane Wilhelm, of Elk City, Oklahoma, takes a moment alone to get focused before competing in the bull riding event during the International Finals Youth Rodeo on Thursday, July 15, 2010, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Contestants wait for their event during the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Oklahoma, Friday, July 16, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
William Heinen of Jennings, Louisiana, jumps off his horse onto a steer in steer wrestling. The International Finals Youth Rodeo took place in Shawnee, Oklahoma, on Friday June 16, 2010. Photo by Mitchell Alcala, The Oklahoman
James "Colt" Kitaif of Tylertown, Mississippi, competes in bareback bronc during the final round of the International Finals Youth Rodeo (IFYR) in Shawnee, Okla., Saturday, July 17, 2010. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Clint Miller of Sulphur, Oklahoma, hits the ground while competing in bull riding during the final round of the International Finals Youth Rodeo (IFYR) in Shawnee, Okla., Saturday, July 17, 2010. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
In the rain
Tony Heavner holds an umbrella over the grill as he and his girlfriend April Mullins cook dinner outside their home in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, July 6, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
We’ve received a tremendous amount of rainfall in Oklahoma City over the last month. We’ve been photographing people in the rain, cars caught up in flash floods, and tragically, a drowning during a flash flood at Lightning Creek on the city’s south side. These are a few of the pictures that, for one reason or another, didn’t make it into the newspaper.
An Oklahoma City firefighter uses a pole to search water in Lightning Creek near SW 28 and Broadway. Oklahoma City firefighters and nearby residents searched the receding waters of Lightning Creek in south Oklahoma City Tuesday morning, July 7, 2010, searching for the body of a 13-year old boy who was swept away by the creek's flooding waters yesterday afternoon. The boy's body was recovered in the Oklahoma River shortly before 10:30 a.m. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
Abel Borrego mops muddy water from the floor of the living room in his house on the east bank of Lightning Creek near SW 28 and Santa Fe. Residents cleaned homes and yards in the area near Lightning Creek in south Oklahoma City, Friday, July 9, 2010. Heavy rains last night caused the creek to overflow its banks, flooding the areas on both sides of the creek. Staff Photo by Jim Beckel , The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City firefighters rescue a motorist after he ignored a roadblock and drove in to flood waters on SW 29th near Robinson in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma July 8 , 2010. Photo by Steve Gooch, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Pictures I Like-Summer version
Zachary English, 8, stands in the bed of a 1945 Ford fire truck during the LibertyFest car show on the University of Central Oklahoma campus in Edmond, Okla., Saturday, June 26, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
There have been some nice pictures hitting Merlin in the last week. I wanted to get a few published here, just in case either of you had missed them. Bryan Terry is putting on a clinic on proper use of a 50mm @ 1.4 (above). Our interns Miranda Grubbs and Mitchell Alcala are turning in some good work, and Jim Beckel got a classic summer-time feature. As always you can look at galleries of our pictures here.
Drag Queen Roxie Hart performs in platform heels during the Oklahoma City Pride Parade on Sunday, June 27, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Adrian Peterson high fives campers after a scrimmage at the Adrian Peterson Football Camp on the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman, Okla. Friday, June 25, 2010. Photo by Miranda Grubbs, The Oklahoman
Robert Channler of Car Cab Wrecker Service wades through the river after checking the vehicals VIN number. Cars were found in the Oklahoma River on Thursday June 17th, 2010. Photo by Mitchell Alcala, The Oklahoman
Nicole Blakley, left, and Blake Masterson of Oklahoma City watch the sunset at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, June 23, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Jerrod Williams, Jr., 2, is lifted into the air by his mother as a water-filled bucket is dumped onto him at at a spray park in Douglass Park, NE 10 and Carverdale on the first day of summer, June 21, 2010. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Photographing a funeral
Chelsie Jirtle, 5, holds a flag given to her by soldiers as the casket for her father, U.S. Army SPC Charles Scott Jirtle, is removed, Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in Lawton, Oklahoma. Hundreds of mourners came to First Baptist East Church in Lawton to attend the funeral. Jirtle, 29, of Lawton, was killed June 7, 2010 in the Kunar Province of Afghanistan. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
Last week, Staff Photographer Jim Beckel covered a funeral for Charles Scott Jirtle. He contributes these thoughts about the event:
As a father, this image of a young girl clutching an American flag behind her father’s casket was one of the most difficult photographs I’ve ever taken. When I was younger, it was easier for me to remain detached from my subjects at this type of assignment. The passing years have brought not only wisdom, but the understanding that as a person, the emotions of my subjects often affect my emotions, and as a journalist my job is more complicated than simply observing and documenting. I still do the same job, but now I sometimes have to focus my lens through the tears.
Endeavor Games
Miranda Grubbs photographed the Endeavor Games at the University of Central Oklahoma this weekend.
Cody McCasland, 8, of Colleyville, Texas, celebrates with his mom, Tina, after swimming a race at the Endeavor Games on the UCO campus in Edmond, Okla. Sunday, June 13, 2010. Photo by Miranda Grubbs, The Oklahoman
I mentioned a few posts back that Miranda is one of the Photo department’s summer interns this year. Click here to see more of her pictures from this weekend’s Endeavor Games, as well as images from Staff Photographer Jim Beckel.
Brady Murphy, 23, of Sioux Falls, S.D.., participates in the backstroke during the Endeavor Games on the UCO campus in Edmond, Okla. Sunday, June 13, 2010. Photo by Miranda Grubbs, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Remembering D-Day
U.S. Army veteran Art Levine in a moment of silence during the Memorial Day observance at the 45th Infantry Division Museum at NE 36 and MLK in Oklahoma City, Monday, May 31, 2010. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
Staff photographer Jim Beckel met Art Levine, a World War II veteran, at a Memorial Day Ceremony this year. Jim learned Levine was a paratrooper during the invasion of Normandy and decided to go back and do a story and a video for the anniversary of D-Day. Below is Jim’s story about Art Levine’s experience of D-Day:
Art Levine was face-to-face with an enemy solider less than an hour after he parachuted onto French soil June 6, 1944, during the D-Day invasion.
“He was a German sergeant and he ran right into me.” Levine said.
He recalls in vivid detail the historic day when American troops joined Allied forces in staging a massive invasion at several points along the French coast. This would mark the beginning of the end for the German war machine and within a year, bring to a close Adolph Hitler’s reign of terror in Europe.
It was 3 a.m. and dark, but there was a bright moon and the air was misty. A German soldier was running down the road toward him, Levine said.
“He was a big, fat guy and he was huffing and puffing,” Levine said. Levine could see he was red faced, and was probably tired from running.
“We were about 10-feet apart when I raised my M-1 carbine and squeezed the trigger several times”, hitting him below his left shoulder, but above the heart. “What saved me was the luck of the Lord.”
The German couldn’t get his holster unsnapped to pull his weapon, so Levine fired first. Both soldiers tumbled to the ground. Levine moved toward the wounded man and snatched his weapon, a P-38 pistol. “It was a fine weapon. Better than what we had,” he said.
It was to be Levine’s first enemy trophy of the war.
Art Levine rests against a jeep in the 45th Infantry Division Museum in Oklahoma City after recalling his experiences as a paratrooper in the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Photographed on June 3, 2010. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
Only three month earlier, Levine answered a company memorandum seeking volunteers for soldiers wanting to become paratroopers. He attended “jump school” at Ft. Benning in Georgia and after training was shipped to England. It was there that the patch of the 101st Airborne Division was sewn onto the shoulder of his Army uniform. To this day, Levine regards that moment as one of the proudest in his 88 years. He became a member of the Army’s elite division of specialty soldiers that bore the distinctive moniker, Screaming Eagles.
He decided to join the ranks of the airborne units because they “got paid 50 bucks more a month in pay.” With a smile, he said, “50 bucks was a lot of money then.” He also enjoyed the fact that paratroopers wore boots. He didn’t care for the leggings the infantry wore on their feet. And, Levine admits, he also did it “for the adventure.” Back then, Levine proudly admits he was “full of piss and vinegar.”
But he had no idea of what kind of adventures he would experience in the months ahead.
The day before he and thousands of other paratroopers climbed into the airplanes that would take them to their assigned drop zones, Levine knew something big was in the works. Five-star Army General, Dwight Eisenhower, visited his base and spoke plainly and honestly to the troops. Never had Levine seen a five star general, who at the time, happened to also be Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe. What he recalls most about “Ike”, as the general was more commonly known, was the way he smoked one cigarette after another. Levine wonders now if Eisenhower was nervous because he knew what these boys would be up against in coming days and weeks.
The general spoke solemnly about the upcoming mission. He didn’t speak in great detail, but told the soldiers they were going to take part in a “great event.” Levine remembers being told that this mission would be “something big, monumental.” Levine still remembers Eisenhower’s warning as he looked at the men and said, “lots of you won’t be making it back.” Levine knew he would be dropped into France but he still wasn’t aware of the scope or the historical significance of the assignment.
A photo of Art Levine take during World War II and his vest-sized Bible of Old Testament Scripture that he carried with him during battle.
Levine was not a big person, weighing only 125 pounds. He carried 80 pounds of gear, supplies, weapons, ammunition and rations when he boarded the airplane for the two-hour trip across the English Channel. Thousands of paratroopers would descend onto French soil that day. As they neared the target, Levine said he was “ready to get out of that plane. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. The anti aircraft flak was heavy and many planes had been hit and were on fire.”
With a shout of “Geronimo,” Levine stepped out of the plane and floated through the night sky to the ground. “I had lots of gear on my back. I fell fast, but I landed on my feet”, he said. An accomplished paratrooper always wants to land on their feet. This is how the Army had trained him.
“I was ready to fight,” he said, also admitting being scared and apprehensive. This was his first combat mission.
After his encounter with the German sergeant, Levine regrouped with other American soldiers and entered the French village of Ste Marie du Mont. They encountered slight German resistance in the town. A sniper had picked off a member of his unit. Levine isolated the building where the gunfire had poured down on his friend. Levine entered the building, tossing a hand grenade into the room where the sniper was crouched, killing him and a woman who was with him.
This photograph taken on June 7, 1944 shows PFC Art Levine (far right) with other soldiers from the 501st regiment of the 101st Division being welcomed by townspeople in the French village of Ste. Marie-du-Mont after American forces drove German troops from the city. Levine said only a few hours after this photo was taken, a German sniper killed the soldier in the center of the photo, talking to the women. Levine isolated the building where the sniper fire came from and went into the building, tossed a grenade in a room where he was hiding, killing the German soldier.
Levine has fond memories of the townspeople of Ste Marie du Mont. They welcomed Levine and his buddies as liberators. He and the other American soldiers were given a hero’s welcome. “They gave us hot meals and wine. The women hugged us and gave us all kisses.” He credits the French resistance for confusing the Germans and assisting in the success of Allied troops in their country.
He doesn’t see himself as a hero, though.
Nearly seven decades after the Normandy invasion, Levine speaks with humility of his role in this historic event.
“I’m not a hero. I did what every other soldier did. I did my job.”
Art Levine still reads from the vest-sized Bible of Old Testament Scripture that he carried with him during battles as a paratrooper in World War II. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
Today, Levine is two inches shorter than he was in 1944. His shoulders are stooped and he walks with a cane. His back hurts and he still suffers from wounds received in the war. He is proud of his war service and often gives talks to military groups, school children and veterans organizations. He is proud of his country’s role in defeating Hitler and bringing democracy to much of Europe.
He entered the Army as a private but retired at the rank of major. With a baseball cap bearing the words World War II Veteran perched atop his balding head, Levine looks out from beneath the cap’s bill and proclaims, “It’s been a good career. I wouldn’t trade it for nothing.”
Click here for a video by Jim Beckel of Art Levine talking about his D-Day experiences.
-Nate Billings
All hail breaks loose
Riley Thompson, 8, of Edmond, Okla., plays on mound of hail stones in the Sam's Club parking lot on Penn Avenue near Memorial Road, Sunday, May 16, 2010 in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
It seems every couple of years we will get a hail storm that makes some some surreal pictures and gives photographers an opportunity to photograph their own hands. Yesterday’s storm did not disappoint in either department.
Check out our gallery from yesterday here.
Nichols Hills resident Tommy Dumbell looks at his two cars which had their windows knocked out by up tennis ball-size hail after a severe thunderstorm moved through Nichols Hills and NW Oklahoma City , Sunday, May 16, 2010. By Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman
Walking through fog created by the hail and warm temperatures, Louise Vandaveer walks past debris on Huntleigh Street in The Village as she checks on her neighbors following a storm in the Oklahoma City metro area on Sunday, May 16, 2010. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Click here for more photos of the storm.
-Nate Billings
Oklahoma Tornadoes
Last night members of the photo staff were out capturing images of aftermath caused by the tornadoes that hit central Oklahoma. View the images in the gallery here.
A woman injured on SE 84th street is attended to north of Highway 9 after a tornado touched down Monday, May 10, 2010, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
