Staff Photographers Chris Landsberger, left, and Sarah Phipps gather around James Nachtwey after he spoke at USAO in Chickasha, Okla., on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009. Photo by James Plumlee.

James Plumlee and I were worried that we hadn’t left Oklahoma City early enough to get good seats. As we opened the doors of Te Ata Memorial Auditorium on the USAO campus, we relaxed a bit. We were an hour early and were the first ones there. James Nachtwey, one of the greatest war and conflict photographers of all time, was speaking at USAO in Chickasha, Okla. Nate Billings had heard about the free event on NPR and we threw together a group of photographers including Sarah Phipps, Chris Landsberger, Nate, myself and former staff photographer James Plumlee to drive to Chickasha. We sat on the front row and talked while the entire auditorium filled up behind us. Nachtwey opened his speech by saying that this was his first time to visit Oklahoma.

If you’re reading Alternate Crop, you’re either related to a staff photographer at The Oklahoman or you have at least a passing interest in photography. Either way, you should be familiar with James Nachtwey’s work. There was a documentary about him called War Photographer. And he’s one of the founding members of VII Photo Agency. I’ve seen the movie, poured over his books and I keep the VII website bookmarked on my computers, but hearing the stories first hand and seeing the pictures on a big screen gave me plenty to think about. We hung around afterward, met Nachtwey and asked a couple of questions. I asked him if we could buy him dinner or coffee.

Every description I type and re-type about his presentation seems inadequate. Nachtwey’s photographs are heart-wrenching and inspiring. His stories from seeing war and famine around the world are chilling, but I think I liked his thoughts on journalism the best. He talked about journalists being involved in the community, locally or overseas, and about contributing to society by highlighting problems in our communities. I’m glad the five of us made the trip to USAO in Chickasha. He said, no, by the way, to dinner. I told him we’d do it the next time he came to Oklahoma.

-John Clanton

I wish it could stay fall forever. Bring on the hot chocolate, apples, nutmeg, cinnamon and pumpkins. I am ready to leave summer in the dust.

Here are some pictures from my fall night at the Shawnee vs. Carl Albert football game.

The Shawnee Wolves run onto the field before the high school football game between Shawnee and Carl Albert Friday, 0ct. 2, 2009, at the Jim Thorpe Stadium in Shawnee, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

The moon rises over Jim Thorpe Stadium

Shawnee's Dakota Blanchard cheers before the start of the high school football game between Shawnee and Carl Albert Friday, 0ct. 2, 2009, at the Jim Thorpe Stadium in Shawnee, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Gabrion Frazier (1) is brought down Carl Albert defenders during the high school football game between Shawnee and Carl Albert Friday, 0ct. 2, 2009, at the Jim Thorpe Stadium in Shawnee, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Shawnee's Gabrion Frazier (1) and Carl Albert's Dwight Dobbins (2) get tangled up following a play during the high school football game between Shawnee and Carl Albert Friday, 0ct. 2, 2009, at the Jim Thorpe Stadium in Shawnee, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

The Shawnee Wolves run onto the field before the high school football game between Shawnee and Carl Albert Friday, 0ct. 2, 2009, at the Jim Thorpe Stadium in Shawnee, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

James Krick, a veteran from Shawnee, Okla., looks at The Moving Wall exhibit, a replica of Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC, at Woodland Park in Shawnee , Okla., on Sunday, August 23, 2009. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman

When I was a kid, my father, a Vietnam Veteran, took his family to see The Moving Wall when it came to Veteran’s Park in Tulsa. I was young, and I’m sure I didn’t fully comprehend or appreciate what I was seeing. My dad, like many Vietnam veterans, knew people back in 1968 whose names are now on the wall. I remember thinking that for such a large exhibit, the names were very small.

A bottle of beer left near a flag at The Moving Wall exhibit, a replica of Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC, at Woodland Park in Shawnee , Okla., on Sunday, August 23, 2009. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman

I’m 23 years older, with a family of my own now, so the wall was infinitely more meaningful to me, seeing it at a park in Shawne, Okla., on Sunday afternoon. Most people around me were in their church clothes, looking at the wall, touching it and taking pictures. Photographing it for the newspaper, I wanted to keep in mind the small type on the wall, and how many names it takes to fill the panels.

Mary Morse, of Shawnee, is reflected in The Moving Wall exhibit, as she look at the memorial, a replica of Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC, at Woodland Park in Shawnee , Okla., on Sunday, August 23, 2009. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman

-John Clanton

Jake Witcher of Mustang, Okla., falls in mud during the MDA M.U.D.D. volleyball tournament at the Silver Stallion Club, Saturday, July 25, 2009, in Mustang, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps,The Oklahoman

Mud splatters during the MDA M.U.D.D. volleyball tournament at the Silver Stallion Club, Saturday, July 25, 2009, in Mustang, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps,The Oklahoman

Players play volleyball during the MDA M.U.D.D. volleyball tournament at the Silver Stallion Club, Saturday, July 25, 2009, in Mustang, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps,The Oklahoman

As photojournalists we often put ourselves in dangerous situations.  We risks ourselves and camera gear to chasing storms. We risk getting tackled by football players while on the sidelines or being hit by a foul ball. In the winter, I always carry a bag with a pair of dry socks, waterproof pants, extra gloves and other various winter items. Last week during the scorching heat wave I carried extra water to stay hydrated. As photojournalists it is important we prepare ourselves for the worst.

So, last weekend when I was assigned the MDA MUDD Vollleyball tournament, fellow staff photographer Nate Billings warned me to wear clothes that I did not care about. It was the best advice I have had in a while. I had no choice but to put myself in the line of fire of flying muddy water in order to get the pictures I wanted. My old jeans I wore are now a nice rust color.  At least I got some decent pictures.

See all photos

-Sarah Phipps

Austin Vincent, of Des Moines, New Mexico, jumps on his steer in the steer wrestling event during the International Finals Youth Rodeo at the Shawnee Expo Center on Friday, July, 17, 2009, in Shawnee, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

We cover a lot of rodeos at The Oklahoman. The one that our photo staff looks forward to the most every year is the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee. The great thing about the IFYR is that most of the competition happens during the day.  Rodeo can make great pictures, however, most of the rodeos we photograph happen at night or in dark, dingy arenas.

The beautiful atmosphere of this rodeo really comes through in the sun. The daylight allows us to use higher shutter speeds to stop the action better as well. So, the IFYR is the best rodeo, for pictures at least, in Oklahoma.

Here are some photos and galleries of pictures from the competition.

July 13, 2009.

July 14, 2009.

July 15, 2009 in the evening.

July 16, 2009.

July 17, 2009.

July 18, 2009.

Cody Carlton of Mims, Florida, gets thrown off a horse during saddle bronc at the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Okla. Thursday, July 16, 2009. Photo by Ashley McKee, The Oklahoman

Tyler Taylor, of Stephenville, Texas., kneels down to say a prayer before his go in the bull riding event during the second day of competition in the International Finals Youth Rodeo at the Shawnee Expo Center on Tuesday, July, 14, 2009, in Shawnee, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

Landon Parrish, from Kayenta, AZ, holds on the shoot rail as the bull he was trying to ride gets out of the gate early at the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Wednesday, July 15 , 2009. Photo By David McDaniel, The Oklahoman.

Cole Miller, Lahoma, Okla., wears a friend's hat while that cowboy competes in bull riding during an evening session of the International Finals Youth Rodeo at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center in Shawnee, Wednesday, July 15, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

Bullfighter Rob Gann gets rammed by a bull at the International Finals Youth Rodeo at the Shawnee Expo Center on Thursday, July, 16, 2009, in Shawnee, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps,The Oklahoman

Stetson Cravens of Eufaula, Okla., falls to the ground after being dragged by a bucking bronc during the bareback bronc at the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Okla. Thursday, July 16, 2009. Photo by Ashley McKee, The Oklahoman

Taylor Hayes, of Bryan, Texas., tapes up his wrist as he prepares for his go in the bull riding event during the second day of competition in the International Finals Youth Rodeo at the Shawnee Expo Center on Tuesday, July, 14, 2009, in Shawnee, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

Cody Tyler White, of Choctaw, Okla., competes in bull riding during the final round of the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Okla., Saturday, July 18, 2009. By Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

-Nate Billings

Virgil "Cowboy" Kalbaugh places his hand against a panel of the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall on the name of Brent Street, Sunday, July 5, 2009, in Piedmont. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Here’s some interesting pictures from the staff over the last couple of days. Some of these were published in the paper and some were not.

Michael Roeder hits the water as he goes down on his wake skate run during the first day of the Air Nautique WWA National Championships on Wednesday, July 8, 2009, on the Oklahoma River in Oklahoma City, Okla. by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

Oklahoma City's Steve Murphy (21) breaks his bat in the seventh inning during the minor league baseball game between the Omaha Royals and Oklahoma City RedHawks at the Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City, Monday, July 6, 2009. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

Jacquelyn Renner, 9, places her nose against the chalkboard to experience older forms of student discipline during 1889 School Camp at the 1889 Territory School in Edmond, Okla. Tuesday, July 7, 2009. Photo by Ashley McKee, The Oklahoman

-John Clanton

Fans watch fireworks at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, Saturday July 4, 2009, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

The photographers of The Oklahoman were out in force to cover Independence Day. The weather shifted from nice to muggy and then rain in the evening. I’m glad we got the rain, but just wish it had happened either the day before or the day after. The RedHawks didn’t play their baseball game, but did have fireworks. Other fireworks shows were postponed. Here are some of the photos from the day.

To see a gallery from events around the metro area, click here.

For former President George W. Bush’s Independence Day visit to Woodward, click here.

A gallery of photos from Edmond’s LibertyFest parade is here.

And Bryan Terry did a cool time-lapse video from the LibertyFest parade that we highlighted in this blog entry.

Jesse Hardiman and Ava Welch, 1, walk during Bethany's Centennial Freedom Festival, Saturday, July 4, 2009, at Eldon Lyon Park in Bethany, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Boy Scouts carry a huge American flag in the LibertyFest Parade in downtown Edmond, OK, Saturday, July 4, 2009. By Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman

Trent Nondorf, 4, left, and Ethan Nondorf, 2, wait for the start of the Quail Creek Fourth of July parade in Oklahoma City, Saturday, July 4, 2009. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

Kristen Gregory sported a festive Fourth of July headband during LibertyFest at UCO campus in Edmond, Okla. Saturday, July 4, 2009. Photo by Ashley McKee, The Oklahoman

Former President George W. Bush and wife, Laura, were given a warm reception when they arrived at Woodward's July 4th celebration and re-dedication of Crystal Beach Park. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

Lauren Atkins, 9, from Norman, eats free watermelon at the Norman Independence Day Celebration at Reaves Park in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, July 4, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

Darren Ransley slides on the tarp during a rain delay of the Oklahoma City RedHawks and Omaha Royals at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, Saturday July 4, 2009, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

-Nate Billings

Pictured Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at Camp DaKaNi in Oklahoma City. are: front left to right Kylie Moates, 9, Colby Moates, 12, and Lauren Cochell, 7. Back left to right Jake Prior, 15, Lisa Cochell and Derek Moates. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

A move to Dallas has not kept Lisa Cochell and her family from their tradition of attending Camp DaKaNi in Oklahoma City. Cochell starting attending the camp in 1973. Her little brother and sister joined soon after.

She now spends her summer vacations at the camp with her son, nieces and nephews. They have been attending since 1997.

The turtle and frog races have always been a favorite highlight at the camp.

“I love watching their faces. They are all so excited. I had a little camper today, she gave her turtle to the office because we had two turtles in the same category and her turtle won second. Even though it wasn’t for our group, she was like ‘My turtle won second’ and that is the best feeling. That is why I take my vacations to do this, ” Cochell said.

The night before the races, Cochell and several of the others counselor catch frogs on the pond at Camp DaKaNi. It is an activity they have done for several years.

“My son is great at catching frogs and it is because he has been doing it since he was four years old,” she said.

The family is pictured in this 2002 Oklahoman photo. Bottom, l-r, Derek Moates, 7, and Jake Prior, 8. Top row, from left, are Colby Moates, 5, Sarah Kerr, 4, and Jared Kerr, 10. Staff photo by Jim Beckel.

Lauren Cochell, 7, poses with a frog after the frog and turtle races, Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at Camp DaKaNi in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Derek Moates, 14, poses with his bull frog after the frog and turtle races, Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at Camp DaKaNi in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Jake Prior, 15, poses with his bull frog after the frog and turtle races, Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at Camp DaKaNi in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Colby Moates poses with his bull frog after the frog and turtle races, Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at Camp DaKaNi in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Kylie Moates, 9, poses with a bull frog after the frog and turtle races, Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at Camp DaKaNi in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Camp counselor Lisa Cochell poses with a bull frog after the frog and turtle races, Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at Camp DaKaNi in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Click play to see all frog racing photos and to hear audio from the race.

-Sarah Phipps

Brianna Zenzen, 8, looks up at her dad Todd as they wait in line during the Daddy Daughter Dance in Midwest City, Okla., Friday, Feb. 8, 2008. By Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

The Great Plains Journalism Competition, which is sponsored by the Tulsa Press Club, had their first awards ceremony on Saturday night in Tulsa. This competition was different than most of the ones we enter. Instead of awarding a first, second, third and honor mentions in each category, the Great Plains Journalism Competition awards only Finalists and Winners. Here’s how we did and some of the winning photos.

Winner in Sports Photo — Chris Landsberger

Winner in Web/Slideshow Photos –John Clanton

Winner in Spot News–Steve Gooch

Winner in Feature Photo, single — Jim Beckel

Winner in Photography Portfolio — Bryan Terry

Winner in News Photo –Paul Hellstern

Finalist in Feature Photography Multiple –Jim Beckel
Finalist in General Photography–Sarah Phipps

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford (14) is flipped upside down as he leaps over Oklahoma State's Orie Lemon (41) during the second half of the college football game between the Sooners and Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman

President George W. Bush shares a laugh with a supporter, as he prepares to depart from Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City, OK, after a brief trip to the state, Friday, Sept. 12, 2008. Photo by Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman

Ryan Baker, 9, grimaces while he get his hair shaved during St. Baldrick's on Sunday, March 30, 2008, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Tressie Gilmore, 25, walks past the remains of her family's home on May,11, 2008, following a tornado that hit the area on Saturday. By John Clanton, The Oklahoman

-John Clanton

Dave Nelson of Omaha, Neb., shows his tattoo he got before traveling to Oklahoma for his first Endeavor Games at Edmond North High School in Edmond, Okla., Sunday, June 14, 2009. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

View Sunday’s pictures

View all Endeavor Games photos

-Sarah Phipps