Daisy, a Cocker mix, belonging to Pam Lanman, rests after competing in the Look Alike category with Katie Thornton, 5, Pam's granddaughter during the Krazy Kids Dog Show at Shannon Miller Park in Edmond Saturday, September 24, 2011. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.

Riley Cranford, 2 1/2, plays with her wand during the Faerie Ball in the Paseo Saturday, September 24, 2011. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman

Amanda Lane watches her daughter play during the Faerie Ball in the Paseo Saturday, September 24, 2011. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman

Faerie dancer performs during the Fairy Ball in the Paseo Saturday, September 24, 2011. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman

To see a photo gallery from the Krazy Kids Dog show click here.

To see a photo gallery from the Faerie Ball in Paseo click here.

In all, it was a magical day taking photos.

-Doug Hoke…

Young girls work on their ballet routine during practice for Metropolitan School of Dance Saturday, May 7, 2011. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman

Donnavya Neal, 5, works on her ballet during practice for Metropolitan School of Dance Saturday, May 7, 2011. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman

Akia Johnson, 8, left, and Michelle Taffe, 9, during ballet practice for Metropolitan School of Dance Saturday, May 7, 2011. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman

Madison Edwards during ballet practice for Metropolitan School of Dance Saturday, May 7, 2011. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman

Thanks girls!!!

To see more photos click here.

To watch a video click here.

-Doug Hoke

 …

After looking back over the week, there was a very fun moment that I was able to witness. On the cold Tuesday March 29th night at the Bricktown Ballpark where the Oklahoma City Redhawks were playing an exhibition game against the Houston Astros. Baseball fan Mitchell Walser had put together a plan to take his girlfriend Heather Carlquist by complete surprise.

It was late in the game and the Redhawks were having fun with the fans by spotlighting couples with the ‘Kiss Cam’ to broadcast them on the outfield monitor. The fun was wrapping up when the camera targeted Mitchell and Heather as the last couple to give each other a kiss. Mitchell calmly gave Heather a kiss, stood her up, led her to the center isle, and to her surprise Mitchell got down a one knee and asked Heather the big question. In Heather’s reaction, all she could do was smile ear to ear and cover her face in her hands as she was presented the ring.

Heather Carlquist reacts as she is surprised with a marriage proposal by boyfriend Mitchell Walser during the exhibition game between the Redhawks and the Houston Astros at the Bricktown Ballpark on Tuesday, March, 29, 2011, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

By the way she did say yes! Congrats to Mitchell and Heather.
-Chris Landsberger…

Complete lunar eclipse Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.

Tuesday’s lunar eclipse was the first time that it has coincided with winter’s solstice since 1638, 372 years! A once in a lifetime occurrence, so I decided to stay up and take photos. First thing was look up the times that the eclipse would occur and hope that there were no clouds. I gathered my equipment and then took a nap for an hour, setting my alarm for 12:40 am., which was the start time. After waking and going outside to see if it was clear, I grabbed my camera gear.

Before the lunar eclipse Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.

To shoot the moon you need a long lens, 300mm minimum, the longer the better. I used a 300mm f2.8 Canon L lens and added a 2X extender to create a 600 f 5.6 lens. I then used a 50D body which has a 1.6 crop factor for the chip, which basically gave me a 960mm f 5.6 lens. Next thing to grab was the sturdiest tripod I had which had a Slik Pro Ball head on it. The eclipse was almost straight up, so the ball head worked well.

Start of the lunar eclipse Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.

Not having a remote cord handy, I set the self timer to the 2 sec. delay. That allows the camera to settle down after the shutter button is pushed. Next thing is to determine exposure. Because of the 2X extender, I knew I wanted to use f8 so that the lens would be stopped down one f-stop from wide open to improve sharpness. I started with iso 800. While the sun was still on the moon that gave me a shutter speed somewhere around 1/500. There were light clouds that cut the exposure down some.

About halfway to the lunar eclipse Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.

I used the camera in manual mode and proofed the exposure on the camera monitor. Automatic will not work in a situation like this because of all of the black surrounding a bright white object. If your camera has a “spot” meter setting, this is the time to use it!

About 1/4 to go to the lunar eclipse Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.

Once the earth’s shadow had completely covered the moon, about 1:40 am, I had to move my iso to 2500 and slow the shutter down to about 1/2 sec. to expose the red glow of the moon. I was really  glad the Oklahoma wind was still, or everything would have been shaking at those slow shutter speeds. Next time there is a lunar eclipse, plan ahead and give it your best shot!

Down to the last sliver of moon left before the complete lunar eclipse Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.

-Doug Hoke…

With kindergarten teacher Tina Winkle watching (left) Itzel Chavez, a kindergarten student at Santa Fe South, reacts as she sees her gift during the annual Christmas Party and gift exchange at Santa Fe South High School in Oklahoma City on Friday, Dec. 3, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman

Itzel Chavez smiled, her hands clasped above her gift. She shook with excitement as she waited to tear into the red wrapping paper. Chavez joined other kindergarten and first-grade students in Santa Fe South High School’s auditorium in Oklahoma City as they unwrapped dolls, remote control cars, action figures and coloring books during the school’s annual Christmas party and gift exchange.
“Some of these kids don’t really have a lot. Some of them may not get another Christmas present other than what they get today,” said Sally Barton, a teacher at SFSHS who helped organize the holiday party.

Santa Claus waves to kindergarten students while high school students pass out gifts during the annual Christmas Party and gift exchange at Santa Fe South High School in Oklahoma City on Friday, Dec. 3, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman

The program paired a high school student with an elementary school student for lunch, presents and performances by high school choir and steel drum groups.  Santa Claus also made a special appearance, sitting under a banner that read “Welcome to the South Pole.”
“I think it’s a great opportunity for the high school kids who maybe didn’t have as much when they were younger to be able to participate and give back to the community,” Barton said.

John Moore, a kindergarten student at Santa Fe South, shows off a remote controlled toy he received during the annual Christmas Party and gift exchange at Santa Fe South High School in Oklahoma City on Friday, Dec. 3, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman

Nikko Taupule, a freshman at Santa Fe South High School, carries Xaria Smith, a kindergarten student, on his shoulders during the annual Christmas Party and gift exchange at Santa Fe South High School in Oklahoma City on Friday, Dec. 3, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman

Santa Fe South High School Senior David Olivas holds kindergarten student Vicki Mendoza as they talk with Santa Claus during the annual Christmas Party and gift exchange at Santa Fe South High School in Oklahoma City on Friday, Dec. 3, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman

A high school student helps her kindergarten guest open a doll during the annual Christmas Party and gift exchange at Santa Fe South High School in Oklahoma City on Friday, Dec. 3, 2010. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman

-John Clanton…

Chickasha players raise their helmets during the opening kickoff of the football game between Chickasha and Capitol Hill at Chickasha High School, Friday, Oct. 1, 2010. It was the first home game since the death of player Kody Turner. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

The Chickasha players silently raised their helmets adorned with the No. 74 during the opening kickoff against Capitol Hill last week at Chickasha High School.

It was the first home game for the Chicks since lineman Kody Turner died on Sept. 17.

The crowd stood silently as they watched the ball sail through the air into the arms of the Chicks’ return man.

Then on the first play of the game, the team honored their fallen teammate.

With a stillness in the air, Chickasha hiked the ball minus a left guard, Turner’s position. Then they took a knee.

The silence continued as quarterback Chase Rodgers handed the ball to head coach Rick VanCleave who then presented the ball to Turner’s mother, Crystal Coleman.

A somber crowd stood still as Coleman was also presented with Turner’s jersey.

The quiet continued as coach and mom embraced on the 50-yard line with the game ball in hand.

Then an emotional Coleman turned to the crowd and raised the ball in the air. The stadium erupted in a roar.

Kody Turner's mom, Crystal Coleman, shows the crowd the game ball before the football game between Chickasha and Capitol Hill at Chickasha High School, Friday, Oct. 1, 2010, in Chickasha, Okla. It was the first home game since the death of player Kody Turner. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Chickasha lines up without a left guard on the first play of the football game between Chickasha and Capitol Hill at Chickasha High School, Friday, Oct. 1, 2010, in Chickasha, Okla. It was the first home game since the death of player Kody Turner. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Chickasha head coach Rick VanCleave leads the team in prayer before the football game between Chickasha and Capitol Hill at Chickasha High School, Friday, Oct. 1, 2010, in Chickasha, Okla. It was the first home game since the death of player Kody Turner. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

TJ Filer touches a poster honoring Kody Turner before running onto the field at the football game between Chickasha and Capitol Hill at Chickasha High School, Friday, Oct. 1, 2010, in Chickasha, Okla. It was the first home game since the death of player Kody Turner. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

See an audio slideshow of the game here.

Read more about the game from Oklahoman reporter Bob Prybylo here.

– Sarah Phipps…

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 …

Rev. Pam Normile blesses a cocker spaniel named Sipsey, during a Blessing of the Animals service outside First Presbyterian Church in Norman on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman

Visually, the service was very interesting. A semi-circle of chairs in a half empty parking lot,  a small table with a cross and dogs running around everywhere. You can watch a slideshow of the service by clicking here.

Miniature schnauzers Stella and Laney get their owner Charlie Crane, of Norman, tangled up in leashes during a Blessing of the Animals service outside First Presbyterian Church in Norman on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman

-John Clanton…

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

…

Michele Wright kisses the top of her son's, U.S. Army 1st Lt. David Timothy Wright II, casket as her husband Moore Police officer Tim Wright wipes the tears from his eye during graveside service at IOOF Cemetery on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, in Norman, Okla. Wright was one of two soldiers killed Sept. 14th by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

On Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2009, I covered the funeral for U.S. Army 1st Lt. David Timothy Wright II who was killed Sept. 14th by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. He was only 26 years old.

Unfortunately, I have had to cover many of these military funerals over the last few years, and over time I have developed a love/hate relationship with covering them. I hate to see another young military person passing away before their time, and the pain their family goes through. On the other hand I want to be there to cover these funerals, and capture these emotional moments to document, pay tribute to these fallen heros, and show our readers who this person was and what sacrifice this person and family paid for our country and each and every citizen of the United States.

Sometimes there is a big misconception that I, being part of the media, am there to exploit the situation. I can say for sure that the photographers I know and for myself, this is the furthest thing from the truth. When I am photographing a funeral, I have had many reactions to my presence. I am met with some that are very upset, and can not believe that I am there doing ‘this’ to the family. Others are of complete gratitude that I am there to remember the one that has fallen. The latter is always the reason that I am there. I never attend a funeral without the family’s permission, and in doing so I comply to the fullest extent to the family’s wishes. Each family is different, some have given almost full access, and others very limited to none at all. These request are absolutely fine with me, because these difficult situations are about the families not about me, it is a privilege for me to be there.

In doing my job I want to be able to do the best I can to pay tribute, and not let them be forgotten for what they have done for all of us. I admit it is not easy for me though. I am a husband and a father, and it is hard for me to see the pain these families go through. I see these difficult situations, and I put myself in their shoes at every funeral I attend.  I can not begin to comprehend the pain they are going through. It is an emotional roller coaster for me, because I do get emotionally involved, I have a job to do and it never gets easier. I am not afraid to say that I have had to take pictures through many tears that roll down my cheeks. All in all, I am always honored to be there, and always very sorry for the family’s loss.

I do want to say thanks to all the families for allowing me and my coworkers to be in attendance, and to say thank you to those that have fallen and to those that continue to serve on their missions. I wish you all God Speed.

-Chris Landsberger

Military personnel salutes the casket for U.S. Army 1st Lt. David Timothy Wright II during graveside services at IOOF Cemetery on Tuesday,

…