Pictures I like
Looking through our archives at the pictures The Oklahoman staff photographers have turned in over the past 7 days, I realized that a few of my favorites were a good representation of the assignments we see in an average week. Sports, everything from high school to professional, features, news and a more in-depth feature.
Oklahoma City's Thabo Sefolosha (right) and Los Angeles' Kobe Bryant go after a loose ball during the NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma County jail inmate Jesus Lucero rides in an elevator as he cleans along with a group of jail trusties on Tuesday, November 3, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry
Michael Meyers, of Norman, waves a flag during a rally on the north side of the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma CIty on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Jovia Franklin (21) of El Reno makes a catch over the defense of Kale Thaxton (20) of Duncan during the high school football game between Duncan and El Reno in El Reno, Okla., Friday, November 6, 2009. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Cheri White Owl gives a hug to "Dan" at Horse Feathers Equine Rescue Facility in Guthrie, OK, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. By Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Thunder media day
Oklahoma City Thunder player Kevin Durant poses for Oklahoman staff photographer Chris Landsberger during media day for the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City on Monday, Sept. 28, 2009. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman
If either of you have looked in the paper and seen a nicely lit portrait of Sam Bradford, Dez Bryant or Russell Westbrook, chances are we didn’t take the picture the night before. We probably took the picture during the team’s media day. Professional and collegiate-level teams hold media days to try and meet a portion of media’s requests for access to players and coaches all at one time in one place. Basically, it’s a chance for still photographers, reporters, and video photographers to take pictures, ask questions and tape interviews so that later in the season we can concentrate on coverage of the teams. We usually archive the pictures so that when the sports department needs a nice portrait to augment a feature story, we can use a picture from media day instead of sports action photo from a game.
Chris Landsberger and I set up our station between the Associated Press and the official NBA photographers. We brought a backdrop, three lights, stands for the lights and background, pocket wizards, a pile of cords, battery packs for the lights and a partially filled basketball. The photographs that Chris took will be used throughout the season on NewsOK.com and in The Oklahoman.
Nick Collison talks with Thunder employees while staff photographer Chris Landsberger photographs another member of the team during media day for the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City on Monday, Sept. 28, 2009. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Thunder Super Fans
Thunder super fans, from left, Zeb Benbrook, Thunder Man, Derrick Seys, and Angela Love pose for a portrait outside the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
Here’s a little something that I wanted to share with you all from last month. Bryan Terry took photos of super fans of the Oklahoma City Thunder for a Jenni Carlson story. Originally, the editors just wanted to get pictures of the NBA fans cheering at the games. Bryan decided it might make more interesting photos to take portraits of the super fans outside of the Ford Center. He even lit them to give a super-hero quality to the shots.
Check out some of the pictures below, along with a couple of photos showing his lighting set up.
You can see a gallery of all of the photos here.
Thunder super fan Zeb Benbrook poses for a portrait outside the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
Thunder super fan Derrick Seys poses for a portrait outside the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
Thunder super fan Thunder Man, who keeps his real identity a secret, poses for a portrait outside the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
Thunder super fan Angela Love poses for a portrait outside the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
A wide shot of Thunder Man showing part of the lighting set up.
Here you can see all three lights used in the photo. Our intern, Brenda O’Brian, who assisted Bryan on the shoot, is on the left in the photo.
To see all the photos, click here.
To read Jenni Carlson’s story, click here.
-Nate Billings
Best seats
It would be hard to argue that photographers don’t have the best seat in the house for Thunder games. Our photo passes give us access to sit on the baseline. Last night, for example, I sat in front of Aubrey McClendon. We work hard to get good pictures for the paper, and the floor can get painfully hard after awhile, but we get a nice view of the action. Until the referees get in the way that is. I couldn’t get away from them last night. I managed to get some decent pictures, but here’s an example of a moment in the game that I didn’t see.
I think Nenad Krstic made this basket.
To see much better Thunder pictures try this link or this one.
-John Clanton
A good night in the OKC
Jenifer Borntrager, center, and her fiance Kenneth Kudulis celebrate as the The Flaming Lips perform during their New Year’s Eve Freakout!!! at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008. The couple drove from Alabama to see the concert. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Any night that the Oklahoma City Thunder can win a game or the Flaming Lips perform is a good night in Oklahoma City. When both things happen on the same night, that’s something special. It all happened in downtown on New Year’s Eve.
John Clanton covered Opening Night festivities with the Flaming Lips, while Sarah Phipps was at the Thunder game. I welcome Sarah to the exclusive club of photographers from The Oklahoman who have photographed a Thunder win. The club’s membership is now two.
For a gallery from Opening Night, click here.
To see the Thunder’s fourth win, click here.
Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant (35) is fouled by the Warriors’s Ronny Turiaf (21) during the NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City. By Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Wayne Coyne performs during The Flaming Lips New Year’s Eve Freakout!!! at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook (0) dunks in front of the Warriors’s Marco Belinelli (18) during the NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City. By Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
The Flaming Lips perform their New Year’s Eve Freakout!!! at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Happy New Year.
-Nate Billings
The Thunder get their second home win
I have the dubious distinction of being the only photographer for The Oklahoman to photograph The Thunder winning a game. I was there when they beat the Timberwolves at the Ford Center on Nov. 2 and there for the win last night, Dec. 19, over the Raptors. In between I, along with our other photographers, shot quite a few of their losses too. I hope this will get the ball rolling for the team. It’s always a lot more fun to cover a team when they are winning. Here’s a few shots from the latest win.
Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook reacts after a play in the first half during the NBA basketball game between the Toronto Raptors and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Friday, Dec. 19, 2008. BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
Oklahoma City’s Desmond Mason dunks the ball over Jamario Moon of Toronto in the first half during the NBA basketball game between the Toronto Raptors and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Friday, Dec. 19, 2008. BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
Toronto’s Chris Bosh grabs a rebound in the second half of the NBA basketball game between the Toronto Raptors and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Friday, Dec. 19, 2008. The Thunder won, 91-83. BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
Oklahoma City’s Desmond Mason (34), Jeff Green (22) and Kevin Durant (35) celebrate late in the fourth quarter of the NBA basketball game between the Toronto Raptors and the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Friday, Dec. 19, 2008. The Thunder won, 91-83. BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
To see a photo gallery from the win, go to:
http://www.newsok.com/multimedia/photos/gallery/500274
-Nate Billings
Thunder Opening Night Part III
Some photos from inside the Ford Center before and during the game.
NBA commissioner David Stern addresses the Thunder fans before the first half of the opening night NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008, at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
Oklahoma City mayor Mick Cornett salutes the Thunder fans during the opening NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, October 29, 2008. BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
The opening NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks tips off at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, October 29, 2008. BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
Earl Watson (25) of the Thunder scores the first basket past Charlie Villanueva (31) of the Bucks during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008. This was the regular season debut of the Thunder. BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (12) of the Bucks saves the ball from going out of bounds in front of Johan Petro (27) of the Thunder during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008. This was the regular season debut of the Thunder. BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
Desmond Mason (34) drives to the basket against the Bucks during the opening NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, October 29, 2008. BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
The Thunder Girls perform during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008. This was the regular season debut of the Thunder. BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
Fans cheer during the opening NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, October 29, 2008. BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
The Bucks won the game, 98-87. However, it was good to get this one in the books and get the season started. I feel like we’ve been waiting for this opening day for a long time.
-Nate Billings
Thunder Opening Night Part II
Well, I thought we would have time to do some blog updating just before the game. It did not end up happening. Instead I offer this late update from the game.
Josh Newby, of Ada, stands outside the Ford Center in his Thunder costume before the opening night NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008, at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
Micah Kee, 13, of Woodward, Okla. enjoys the outdoor fun before the opening night NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008, at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
Kala Mogg, of Oklahoma City, shows off her painted belly outside the Ford Center in downtown Oklahoma City on Wednesday, October 29, 2008. Mogg is expecting a baby girl in 3 months. BY JOHN CLANTON, THE OKLAHOMAN
Thunder fans have their tickets scanned as the doors open for the opening night NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008, at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
-Nate Billings
Opening night for the Thunder
Tonight Oklahoma City’s NBA franchise plays its first regular season game. We’ll have a team photographers covering the event. I’ll update the blog with photos throughout the day. John Clanton gets the award for first picture back.
Andrew Seinfeld, a student at Oklahoma State University, moves his ladder as he helps hang an opening night banner on the south side of the Cox Convention Center as preparations continue for the first regular season game for the Oklahoma City Thunder in downtown Oklahoma City on Wednesday, October 29, 2008. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
