Congrats to Bryan Terry
I wrote a little bit about the monthly AP photo contest for member papers earlier when Jim Beckel and Steve Gooch placed in the December contest. Bryan Terry has now finished first in the January competition. Here’s the winning photo.
Stevie Stewart, mother of the conjoined twins Kylee and Preslee Wells who were separated by surgery earlier this week, is overcome with emotion as she speaks beside chief pediatric surgeon Dr. David Tuggle during a press conference in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
-Nate Billings
Lone Grove Tornado
So far, at least eight people, possibly nine, are dead after a tornado moved through Lone Grove, Okla., Tuesday night as part of the rare February severe storms that struck our state. Usually after a big news event, I feel like writing something about what it was like for us as photographers or how hard we worked to cover the story. We had people working Tuesday night and others starting before dawn Wednesday morning, but I don’t want to write about that today.
Right now, the details of how we spent Wednesday don’t seem very interesting compared to what the people and emergency workers in Lone Grove have been through or what many of them have lost. So, let’s keep the attention on them.
Here’s some of our photos from Lone Grove.
Lone Grove firefighter Greg Allen (top) and volunteer Jack Brown search through broken trees north of Highway 70 in Lone Grove following deadly storms the day before around Lone Grove, Okla., Feb. 11, 2009. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Margie Hughes, left, gets a hug from her sister Neda Wilson as they look at Margie’s destroyed home following deadly storms the day before around Lone Grove, Okla., Feb. 11, 2009. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman
John Taliaferro sees the remains of his furniture store in first light after Tuesday’s deadly tornado in Lone Grove, Okla., on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
A home on Highway 70 was destroyed in Tuesday’s deadly tornado in Lone Grove, Okla., on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
Lone Grove firemen search a home for unaccounted people on the north side of SH 70 in Lone Grove, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009. BY PAUL B. SOUTHERLAND, THE OKLAHOMAN
Trina Quinton sits with a lost dog at her cousin’s destroyed furniture store, John’s Furniture, on the north side of SH 70 in Lone Grove, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009. BY PAUL B. SOUTHERLAND, THE OKLAHOMAN
Searchers look through mobile home debris for four unaccounted for persons on Brock Road in Lone Grove, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009. The rails in the tree are the base of a mobile home. BY PAUL B. SOUTHERLAND, THE OKLAHOMAN
Deric Brawley, 12, sits with his dog on a friend’s couch inside their destroyed home following deadly storms the day before around Lone Grove, Okla., Feb. 11, 2009. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Gov. Brad Henry talks with Sue Rose while surveying damage at the Bar K Mobile Home Park in Lone Grove, Okla., Wednesday, February 11, 2009. On Tuesday, February 10, 2009, a tornado moved through Lone Grove killing at least eight people. Rose was unable to seek shelter in time to avoid the tornado and rode out the storm in a mobile home with four other people. The mobile home was damaged, however, the people survived. BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
Dennis Parker holds his granddaughter, Brooklyn Hickman, 3, while sifting through belongings from his destroyed mobile home at the Bar K Mobile Home Park in Lone Grove, Okla., Wednesday, February 11, 2009. On Tuesday, February 10, 2009, a tornado moved through Lone Grove killing at least eight people. BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
Tammie Rose searches for items to salvage from the destroyed mobile home in which her daughter, Shawna Inlow, used to live in Lone Grove, Okla., Wednesday, February 11, 2009. On Tuesday, February 10, 2009, a tornado moved through Lone Grove killing at least eight people. Inlow and her three boys were able to ride out the storm safely in Rose’s cellar. BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
Neda Wilson reacts as she looks at her sister’s destroyed home following deadly storms the day before around Lone Grove, Okla., Feb. 11, 2009. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman
To see a photo gallery of more pictures from Lone Grove and photos from damage in the metro area, click here.
-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
Walking with a suspected killer
As a photographer for The Oklahoman, I get to see a number of things that I would most likely never have the opportunity to experience if my career was not spent behind a camera. Every day for the most part is something different. Some assignments are good. Others great. And then, there are the ones that you just cannot believe are taking place. Over the last few days I have spent some time in El Reno, Okla., taking part in one of those unthinkable assignments.
A family photo of the five homicide victims, Autumn Rust, 7, Kirsten Rust, 7, Evynn Garas, 3, Teagin Rust, 5, and their mother Summer Rust who were killed on Monday at the Elizabeth Place Apartment Homes, in El Reno, Okla. Also pictured is Jason Garas, Summer Rust’s ex-husband and Evynn’s father.
On Monday, I got the call to go out to the Elizabeth Apartments in El Reno where the bodies of Summer Rust, 25, and her four children, Kirsten Rust, 7, Autumn Rust, 7, Teagin Rust, 5, and Evynn Garas, 3, were found dead. That day, like with most tragic situations I cover, was hectic. I tried to track down details and information from anyone who might know what happened and was willing to talk. There are always a number of unanswered questions, due to the lack of information being released, but by the ended of the day, fortunately and unfortunately, I end up knowing a lot of details of the situation I am covering.
Police investigate a crime scene where an adult and four young children were found dead in an apartment at the Elizabeth Place Apartment Homes Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, in El Reno, Okla. BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
Then day number two arrived and it was back to El Reno with reporter Bryan Painter, videographer Tim Money, and we began the process of getting to know who these five individuals are who tragically lost their lives. The three of us spent the day talking to the children’s grandparents, friends, neighbors and teachers. With each conversation we learned more and more about the personal lives of the victims. I learned about their habits, activities, their favorite toys, food, nicknames, dreams, goals and how much they mean to those around them. As the day ended, the three of us got a personal look into the lives of five people we never met and will never have the opportunity to meet.
James Franklin shows off his favorite photo of his granddaughter Evynn Garas, 3, on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, who was killed on Monday along with her mother Summer Rust and three of her other children at the Elizabeth Place Apartment Homes , in El Reno, Okla. BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
Tears roll down his face as James Franklin stands outside the apartment on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, where his daughter-in-law Summer Rust and granddaughter Evynn Garas were killed along with three other children at the Elizabeth Place Apartment Homes on Monday in El Reno, Okla. BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
Amanda Tilley, longtime friend of Summer Rust, lowers her head on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, as she talks about Rust and her four children. BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
The third day brought a very late night as I sat outside the Canadian County Courthouse at 1 am trying to stay warm and waiting for Sheriff Randall Edwards to bring suspected killer Joshua Durcho from Texas to be booked for the murder of his former girlfriend Summer Rust and her four children. Just before 2 am deputies gathered the media to tell us where we could stand. Then I saw deputies take their weapons from their cars and within a few minutes Sheriff Edwards drove in with Durcho in the back seat of the car. As Sheriff Edwards opened the back door, Joshua Durcho stepped out with his head down, hands shackled, showed no expression and said nothing as members of the media asked him questions on his way into the jail. In the 30 feet or so he had to walk from the car to the door of the jail I got a very close look at an individual suspected of committing a horrific crime you never want to believe could happen.
Canadian County Sheriff Randall Edwards leads Joshua Steven Durcho, 25, into the county jail after Durcho was extradited from Texas on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, in El Reno, Okla. BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
Canadian County Sheriff Randall Edwards talks to the media about the extradition of Joshua Steven Durcho, 25, from Texas on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, in El Reno, Okla. Durcho is accused in the killing of Summer Rust and her four children that occurred earlier this week. BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN
In this short time near Durcho, I saw a very ordinary person, someone who could easily be your neighbor or co-worker. Seeing this made me stop and think about just how many people I (and you) come in contact with each and every day that has an unthinkable side to them that you hope they never act upon. Just think, last week I was in sunny and warm Miami, Fla., covering OU playing for a national championship, and this week I am getting all the details I can handle in a five-person homicide. In this job, each day brings something different.
-Chris Landsberger
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
Early Voting
In January of this year I got an assignment to photograph a little restaurant on the city’s northeast side. I enjoyed talking with the owner, Florence, so much that I went back several times, got lots of pictures and turned the assignment into a slideshow. During the course of our conversations, Florence told me about her father who was at that time, 102 years old. She said that if Barack Obama got the Democratic Party’s nomination to run for President that her dad wanted to be first in line to vote for him.
I knew right then what I’d be doing on election day.
By November, Robert Jones, a black man born in Oklahoma, was 103 years old. He was still excited to get to the polls and vote. The week before he voted, he fell in his home and was taken to the hospital, but that didn’t stop him from going into the Oklahoma County Election Board to vote early on Nov. 1, 2008.
Here’s a link to the page on NewsOK.com about Robert. The video is embedded on this page.
http://newsok.com/richmedia/robertjones?custom_click=lead_story_photo
To me this story has little to do with the politics of the man getting the vote. If our job is to document history, then I witnessed something special last Saturday. Our country is just over 200 years old. Robert Jones has been alive for almost half of that. He has never had a chance to see a man of his race run for president. In our history, I doubt a black man will ever have to wait 100 years to vote for a black candidate again. As a 33 year old white man, that really made me think. I was born into the majority, until last week I’d seen nothing but people of my race and gender running the country. Robert enthusiasm to vote was contagious. The best part of the morning though was how Robert was treated by everyone in line. Robert’s granddaughter saved him a place in line. One woman, who had been there since 3 a.m. and was first in line, stood up, and applauded when Robert approached. “Praise God,” she said, “Praise God.”
Robert Jones, 103, is surrounded by friends and aquintances outside the Oklahoma County Election Board in Oklahoma City after he voted on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman
And if your interested, here’s the slideshow from Florence’s restaurant.
http://downloads.newsok.com/flash_video/theoklahoman/slideshows/Florences/
-John Clanton
Flag line for Chief Warrant Officer Brady Rudolf
The hearse carrying the body of Chief Warrant Officer Brady Rudolf passes by Chase Smith, 6, a friend of the family, as Smith stands in a flag line outside the Oklahoma Air National Guard base at Will Rogers World Airport for the return home of Chief Warrant Officer Brady Rudolf’s body, in Oklahoma City, Friday, September 26, 2008. Rudolf was killed in a helicopter crash Sept. 18 in Iraq. BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
Here are some photos I took on Friday from a flag line to honor Chief Warrant Officer Brady Rudolf who died in Iraq on Sept. 18. One of these photos appeared in our bulldog edition. The others were unpublished in the paper because of space constraints.
-Nate Billings
Best of The Week 9/15/08-9/21/08
Here are the selections for this week from The Oklahoman Photo Staff. I am finally getting on track and making this happen at the first of the week instead of the end. Practice, practice and more practice to develop the habit. Thanks for looking. 
-Chris Landsberger
Best of the Week 9/8/08-9/14/08
Here are my selections for this week. We have a lot of variety this week, you can see the how each day brings the unexpected for each one of us on staff. Take a look and let us know your thoughts and enjoy.
Seen through a ripped screen still clinging to a front window, Megan Bridges looks through the remains of her grandparents’ home in rural Harrah Wednesday morning, Sept. 10, 2008. The 3,200 square foot home at 19620 SE 38 was destroyed by fire Tuesday afternoon. No one was injured in the fire. BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN
-Chris Landsberger
