Congrats to Jim Beckel and Steve Gooch
Every month the Associated Press has a photo contest. All photos from Oklahoma members that are moved on the AP wire service are eligible to be the “Photo of the Month” for Oklahoma. For those of you not familiar with the news business, the AP is how we are able to get pictures and stories for the paper and NewsOK.com from national and international stories that we cannot cover ourselves. The Oklahoman is one of the members.
I am happy to report that in the contest for December, Jim Beckel finished first and Steve Gooch won third. Beckel won for one of the photos he shot of children with Santa Claus. He wrote about the experience of taking those pictures in a previous entry.
Here’s the winning photos:
Danny Nichols breaks into tears at the thought of sitting on Santa’s lap during a visit to Penn Square Mall in Oklahoma City, Dec. 12, 2008. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Trey Bowman, 7, of Houston, plays in an obstacle course in the Mobile Science Museum in Oklahoma City, December 30, 2008. Science Matters, a mobile museum with hands-on exhibits and activities for children, will debut Tuesday at Science Museum Oklahoma. The museum will travel to schools in rural Oklahoma, providing discovery learning opportunities in areas of the state where museums don’t exist. BY STEVE GOOCH, THE OKLAHOMAN
I will try to put up the pictures from our winning entries in future contests. If an Oklahoman photographer does not win, we will quietly pretend the contest doesn’t exist.
-Nate Billings
When the ice forms…
One of the few things I can say for sure about working as a newspaper photojournalist is that when the folks on TV tell everybody to stay inside, that’s our cue to go outside. Jim Beckel, David McDaniel, Paul Hellstern, John Clanton and Steve Gooch grabbed their Class II reflective safety vests and headed out to cover the ice that had metro roads in terrible shape on Monday. I think they all made it through the day without falling or being involved in auto accidents. I hope most of you out there were as lucky. Check out some of the photos from the icy day below.
To see the full photo gallery of the winter weather, click here.
Teacher Ann Hawkins helps soften a student’s fall as he slips on the ice outside Chisholm Elementary School during winter weather in Edmond, Okla., on Monday, Jan. 26, 2009. BY JOHN CLANTON, THE OKLAHOMAN
Two motorists try to escape their car which overturned on the icy Turner Turnpike near the Wellston exit outside of Wellston, Okla., Monday, Jan. 26, 2009. BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN
Nikole Edwards scrapes ice from her car windows after she and other employees at Farmer’s Insurance at NW 23 and Villa were released early because of deteriorating weather conditions Monday, Jan. 26, 2009. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Walking cautiously on an ice-covered Broadway Extension, an unidentified women tries to keep her balance after the car she was in was involved in a minor accident near Hefner Road in Oklahoma City, January 26, 2009. BY STEVE GOOCH, THE OKLAHOMAN
A view of an accident in the 2700 block of west Britton Road due to the icy weather, Monday, January 26, 2009. BY DAVID MCDANIEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
A truck from the City of Edmond drops sand on 33rd street east of Boulevard during winter weather in Edmond, Okla., on Monday, Jan. 26, 2009. BY JOHN CLANTON, THE OKLAHOMAN
Check out the rest of the pictures here.
And be safe out there.
-Nate Billings
Obama Inauguration in Oklahoma
Now that everybody has had a chance to see the national photos from the inauguration in Washington D.C., check out the photos from our photographers who covered the Oklahomans watching the inauguration here. Here’s some of the work from Jaconna Aguirre, Paul Hellstern, Chris Landsberger, Jim Beckel and Steve Gooch.
To see a gallery of more photos, click here.
Civil rights pioneer Clara Luper reacts to the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Luper was watching TV with Councilman Ronald “Skip” Kelly, her daughter Marilyn Hildreth and 9-year-old Alexia Grant at the Freedom Center at NE 26th and Martin Luther King Blvd. in Oklahoma City, January 20, 2009. BY STEVE GOOCH, THE OKLAHOMAN
American flags are poked into the blinds in Marie Grubbs’ classroom. Students and teachers at Boley Public Schools in the historically black community of Boley in Okfuskee County celebrated the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Philip Dunlap watches the inauguration of President Barack Obama while Phillip Gates cuts his hair at Gates Barber Shop at NE 26th and Martin Luther King Boulevard in Oklahoma City. January 20, 2009. BY STEVE GOOCH, THE OKLAHOMAN.
Gaylord Hall hosted a watch party for the inauguration of President Barack Obama Tues. Jan. 20, 2009 on the OU campus. BY JACONNA AGUIRRE, THE OKLAHOMAN.
UCO President Roger Webb speaks during an inauguration watch party for UCO officials and students at the Nigh University Center Constitution Hall on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla., Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN
Northwest Classen junior Yasmine Fields reacts on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, in Oklahoma City to the conclusion of President Barack Obama’s inauguration in Washington D.C. PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
To see all the photos, click here.
-Nate Billings
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Staff photographers Jim Beckel, Paul Hellstern and David McDaniel covered the Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities in the metro area. Jim Beckel said that the positive energy at the parade in Oklahoma City was as high as he has ever been around, no doubt due to the holiday’s proximity to the inauguration of Barack Obama as our 44th President of the United States.
Here’s a selection of their work.
To see a gallery of more photos from Martin Luther King Jr. Day, click here.
Barry Braxton holds a sign and American flags near the replica of the Liberty Bell outside the Oklahoma History Center during a bell ringing ceremony with Lt. Gov. Jari Askins and about a dozen children as part of local observances of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Oklahoma City, Monday morning, Jan. 19, 2009. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Dennis Lewis and his nieces Paula Jones, 8, and Nesha Henderson, 9, march in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in Oklahoma City, Monday, January 19, 2009. BY DAVID MCDANIEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Members of Zeta Phi Beta hold a banner as they walk in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in Guthrie, Okla., Monday, Jan. 19, 2009. BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN
Lynn Green waves a V for victory with a cutout of Barack Obama on the Oklahoma County Democratic Party float in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade, Monday, January 19, 2009. BY DAVID MCDANIEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
The Star Spencer High School marching band’s drum major Brandon Wright gets low with his baton while leading members of his marching band during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in downtown Oklahoma City, Monday afternoon, Jan. 19, 2009. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Oklahoma City civil rights pioneer Clara Luper waves after being introduced to crowd inside the Oklahoma History Center where march participants gathered following the walk. More than 300 people walked along the Clara Luper Corridor to the Oklahoma History Center where there were brief speeches and then culminated with a bell ringing ceremony for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Oklahoma City, Monday morning, Jan. 19, 2009. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
A view of the crowd at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in Oklahoma City, Monday, January 19, 2009. BY DAVID MCDANIEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Guthrie citizens march in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade as it passes down Oklahoma Avenue in front of the Masonic Lodge in Guthrie, Okla., Monday, Jan. 19, 2009. BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN
A silent march participant holds a sign inside the Oklahoma History Center after the walk ended there. More than 300 people walked along the Clara Luper Corridor to the Oklahoma History Center where there were brief speeches and then culminated with a bell ringing ceremony for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Oklahoma City, Monday morning, Jan. 19, 2009. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
To see a gallery of all of the photos, click here.
-Nate Billings
A look at photo editing
This photo appeared on the front page of The Oklahoman: Marching to chants of “Free, Free Palestine,” about 200 people gathered at the Oklahoma state Capitol Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, to protest Israel’s attack on the Gaza strip. Some protesters carried signs, some waved flags and some held small children as they shouted their support of a Palestine free of Israeli intervention at the noon rally. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Staff photographer Jim Beckel contributes this look at the process of how pictures get picked for the newspaper and some of the concerns of the profession:
A question I am frequently asked is “Do you choose the photos that go in the paper?” I always answer the same, “Yes and No.” Let me explain. At The Oklahoman, photographers edit their own images from a shoot. If I shoot 50 images at an event, I have the opportunity to select the images that I want to submit to the editors to be considered for publication. The editor(s) and page designers in charge of layout make the final determination as to which photo(s) will run. I bring this up because of a photo I took Jan. 5, 2009.
I had been assigned to cover a rally at the state capitol. Supporters of a free Palestine would gather at noon on the building’s south plaza to voice their concerns about recent attacks by Israel’s military in the Gaza Strip. At the peak of the protest, around 200 people had gathered; most carried hand printed signs. The protest was peaceful. Lots of signs, lots of chanting, group prayer at the end of the rally. Lots of opportunities for photos. I returned to the paper, edited my images and turned in eight photos to my editors.
Late in the afternoon, editors from each department gather in a large conference room just off the main area of the newsroom where they examine stories, photos and graphics available for the next day’s newspaper. I don’t attend that meeting. Doug Hoke, the paper’s director of photography, represents the photo department.
When the meeting had ended, I learned one of my photos from the rally had generated a spirited discussion regarding the photograph’s appropriateness for use on the front page. The photo shows a man marching, shouting while he leads a group of protestors carrying signs. Behind him is a sign held high with a graphic depiction of a swastika printed atop the Star of David. It was decided this photo was too inflammatory and another image was selected for the front page. The photo that appeared the next morning, seen at the top of this post, shows a wider view with more protestors and more signs. The sign in question can be seen, but it is obscured somewhat by another banner. The newspaper’s website, NewsOK.com, did use the photo in question that very day with reporter Michael McNutt’s coverage. The photo can now be seen as part of a gallery of photos posted from that event.
This image appeared on NewsOK.com, but was not used in the newspaper. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
My job is to cover events, producing photos that document, inform and hopefully, engage the reader. People with much higher levels of authority and responsibility than I are charged with the task of selecting images that are deemed appropriate for our newspaper. They consider a myriad of factors before choosing photos and stories hat appears on the front page.
Having explained the process, I am curious which photo you, the reader, would have chosen. Is the photo in question in poor taste? Is it, in fact, inflammatory? To what extent should a newspaper be concerned with a person’s or group’s sensibilities? Are we too sensitive or not sensitive enough? Would you have made the decision to publish the photo? It’s not as easy as it may seem at first. We are obligated to be responsible journalists. Critics accuse those of us in the media of being totally irresponsible, inconsiderate and uncaring. Many of the things I am assigned to cover with my camera are not pleasant, visually or emotionally. But I am certain of
this–I don’t create news, I report it so readers can see it. That is my job. This is my profession. Share your thoughts. What would you do in this situation?
To see a gallery of Jim’s photos from the rally, click here.
-Nate Billings
Red Andrews Christmas Dinner
The annual Red Andrews Christmas Dinner is a tradition in Oklahoma City. And covering the dinner is the traditional Christmas morning photo assignment at The Oklahoman. This year Jim Beckel, as he has done many times in the past, photographed the event. Below are some of his shots. To see a photo gallery of more pictures from the event, click here.
Reaching up from her seat in her stroller, Hannah Thomas, 1 1/2, feels her way for another bite of food at the annual Red Andrews Christmas Dinner at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008. She was there with her mother, Shelby Thomas, Oklahoma City. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Thayne Holtsoi, 2, puts his face next to his piece of pumpkin pie so he can lick the topping while eating with other members of his family at the annual Red Andrews Christmas Dinner at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Jessie Ross, 7, smiles while having her picture taken with Santa Claus at the annual Red Andrews Christmas Dinner at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Volunteers assist diners as they move through the food serving line at the annual Red Andrews Christmas Dinner at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Volunteer Thomas Gosvener pushes coffee cart up and down the south hallway of the Cox Convention Center offering free beverage for those waiting in the long line to eat at the annual Red Andrews Christmas Dinner in downtown Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008. Gosvener has been volunteering at this event for six years. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Ray Fisher cups his hand behind his ear as he jokes with people in line waiting to be fed at the annual Red Andrews Christmas Dinner at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008. Fisher was greeting people at the entry to dining hall. He has been volunteering at this event for 17 years. He was kidding them by telling the kids in the group he wanted to hear them sing a Christmas song before he let them inside to eat. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Be sure to check out more of Jim’s photos at this address:
http://www.newsok.com/multimedia/photos/gallery/500287
-Nate Billings
Making Great Photos with Santa Claus
Santa Claus talks with Sienna Smithson, 2, at Penn Square Mall Friday afternoon, Dec. 12, 2008. Smithson is from Yukon, Okla. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Just in time for Christmas, staff photographer Jim Beckel shares with us the story of how he took an uncanny amount of good photos of children with Santa Claus recently. To see all the photos, click here.
Sometimes you just get lucky. Any photographer who’s the least bit honest will admit that luck can come into play when a “good” photo is taken. This was certainly the case when I visited Penn Square Mall recently to see what photos I could come up with of the mall Santa Claus and the children who come to see this jolly man every December. I began working on the assignment a week prior to shooting it.
First, I scouted several of the larger malls in the metro looking for a Santa who was good with children and who had the appearance of a traditional Santa. The third mall I checked offered just what I was hoping for, a Santa wearing a red suit and stocking cap trimmed in white fur with shiny black boots on his feet. He sat in a chair that resembled a throne, with a high back. He wore glasses that rested on the bridge of his nose. And he had a perfect white beard, that extended about 6 inches below his chin. He was jolly, too, often flashing a grin or sometimes a bigger smile. The next three days I made phone calls to mall representatives, seeking authorization to take pictures inside the mall.
Santa Claus waves to children waiting in line to see him at Penn Square Mall Friday afternoon, Dec. 12, 2008. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Most people probably don’t realize malls are considered private property and for newspaper photographers to take pictures in them, we must get permission. Mall reps were very helpful and told me there was no problem, but that I would also have to make arrangements with the agency that books the Santa. The agency is in New York! They, too, confirmed my request, but added that I would need to check in with guest relations at the mall and a security officer would escort me to Santa’s station in the shopping center.
When I arrived, there were about a dozen children with at least one parent waiting in line for the chance to see Santa Claus. They were very well behaved. I brought two camera bodies and three lenses, a 100mm, a 70-200 zoom and a 300 f2.8 on a monopod. Lighting was decent so I chose to shoot available light, setting my ISO at 800. The area was crowded and was set up for the Santa agency to snap pictures of kids and Santa to sell to the parents. Even though I was probably in their space, the workers were extremely nice to me and certainly more than accommodating to my needs.
Santa Claus holds 3-month-old Luke Pidek at Penn Square Mall Friday afternoon, Dec. 12, 2008. His parents, Eric and Mindy Pidek, Oklahoma City, brought their newborn son to see Santa for the first time. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
I was still getting my equipment ready when I looked up and saw a pint-sized Santa snuggling up to the real Santa. Almost in a panic, I pulled a camera with the zoom lens to my face, made a quick light reading and pushed the shutter. My exposure was close, so I continued to shoot as Santa held the baby for his portrait. The baby started to drool so Santa handed it back to the parent. Before the next child came forward, I made adjustments to my exposure and while balance on both camera bodies. Now I was ready, bring on the kiddos!
Andrew Sharp, 2, of Moore, Okla., and Santa Claus enjoy a face to face chat at Penn Square Mall Friday afternoon, Dec. 12, 2008. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Over the span of my two decade career as a news photographer, this was not the first time I drew the assignment for Santa at the mall. I knew the determining factor as to how long I would be on this job would be what kind of children would jump up on his lap. It’s all about the child’s reaction to Santa. I’m not really looking for pictures of Santa, although that’s what my assignment suggests. What I’m keeping my eyes open for is a cute or unusual response when they are put on or beside the man in the red suit. And this day, the gods were smiling down on me. I could have left after the first three kids–I knew I had a good enough picture. But I still had some time and when I looked down the row of little ones waiting in line, I saw several that drew my interest. A couple of girls were dressed in beautiful red and green dresses trimmed in black velvet. Someone, probably their mother, had invested quite a bit of time and effort curling their long hair. They wore cute smiles. I photographed one child after another, each just a little different than the previous. Another infant was delivered to Santa. He, too, was dressed in a Santa suit. Wow!, I thought to myself. What are the odds of two babies wearing Santa suits coming to see Santa while was here? Very unlikely. But there it was. I couldn’t believe my luck.
Lanae McWethy, 4 months, of Moore, with Santa Claus at Penn Square Mall Friday afternoon, Dec. 12, 2008. This Santa Claus has been playing the “jolly man” for more than 20 years, he said. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
When I was finished, I had photographed nine or so children. I had a good variety. I even had shots of a little boy who was traumatized at the thought of sitting on his lap and he broke into sobbing complete with tears. I felt sorry for him. Most kids enjoyed their time with the bearded benefactor. A few were perplexed as what to do once they were on his lap. And there was plenty of coaching and coaxing, both from adoring parents and from the woman behind the camera who patiently worked to get the most flattering picture of Santa and child. I finally called it quits. I felt confident that I had some good pics. Hopefully, my photos capture a wide range of emotions that will trigger a variety of memories when the reader sees them in the newspaper. All in all, it was a good shoot. I got lucky. Once again.
Danny Nichols, of Oklahoma City, cries during a visit to Santa Claus at Penn Square Mall Friday afternoon, Dec. 12, 2008. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Be sure to check out the rest of Jim’s photos at this address:
http://www.newsok.com/multimedia/photos/gallery/500280
-Nate Billings
It’s time for the Red River Rivalry
Jan Gillespie from Norman, Okla, yells at Texas fan Sam Hilpirt, from Denton, Texas, in the West End District of Dallas, October 7, 2005. BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
As the annual big football game between OU and Texas approaches, I thought I’d post some pictures from previous years. The set today is of the fans. Although the action of the game is always good, the fans really make the atmosphere.
By the way, the woman in the above photo, Jan Gillespie, is such a vocal fan that we seem to get great pictures of her every year. I put a second picture of her in this collection because her screaming is just that good. Enjoy.
Oklahoma RUF/NEKS President Sean Hood shaves the hair of Silver Spur Byton McCaffree after OU’s win over Texas at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Oct. 7, 2000. BY TY RUSSELL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Alan Simpson of Norman, Okla., shows his support for OU over Texas, with his tattoos, prior to the University of Oklahoma Sooners college football game against the University of Texas at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Saturday, October 8, 2005. BY STEVE SISNEY, THE OKLAHOMAN
Oklahoma fans taunt the Texas flag corps during the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the University of Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007. BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
Fans wait for the teams to arrive before the football game between the OU Sooners and UT Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, in Dallas. BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
A group of OU fans stop at the Texas state line the day before the Oklahoma vs. Texas college football game, Friday, October 8, 2004. BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
OU fans reach out to celebrate OU’s 12-0 win over Texas with Cory Bennett (97) Saturday, October 9, 2004, in Dallas. BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
A screaming OU fan gives the inverted ‘Horns sign during the OU-Texas game, October 11, 2003. OU beat Texas, 65-13. BY JIM BECKL, THE OKLAHOMAN
Sooner fan Jan Gillespie, of Norman, Okla., greets the players as they get off the bus before the game between the Oklahoma and Texas at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, in Dallas. BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
-Nate Billings
Midwest City Firefighter
As I was looking through our photo archive this evening I saw this picture by staffer Jim Beckel and thought I’d share it with you all.
Midwest City firefighter Corey Shafer lifts a tool used by firefighters while children from Good Shepherd Lutheran School hang on while learning about equipment on a fire truck as part of the department’s Fire Prevention Month activities Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 8, 2008. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
-Nate Billings
