Alternate Crop

A Visual Comparison

bryan terry — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:54:18 +0000

This weekend the photo staff covered a number of sporting events. I photographed two of them. As I was editing my pictures from the Winstar Casino Invitational PBR tour stop, I kept thinking back to photos from the Perfect 10 Challenge gymnastics event that I covered the night before. Below are some of the similarities I noticed between gymnastics and bull riding.

Left, Oklahoma's Sara Stone competes on the beam during the Perfect 10 Challenge. Right, Justin Koon flies off Sam during the Winstar World Casino Invitational PBR tour

Left, Oklahoma's Madison Mooring puts chalk on her feet before competing on the beam during the Perfect 10 Challenge. Right, Flames pour out of a prop bull's head during the introductions of the Winstar World Casino Invitational PBR tour.

Left, Oklahoma's Rebecca Clark competes on the vault during the Perfect 10 Challenge. Right, Austin Meier flies off Mulligan Man during the Winstar World Casino Invitational PBR tour.

Competitors stand during the national anthem before the Winstar World Casino Invitational PBR tour and the Perfect 10 Challenge.

You can see more photos from the Perfect 10 Challenge by clicking here or check out more PBR tour pictures from Saturday night here.

-Bryan Terry

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Trip to Tener’s for the Jim Thorpe winner

nate billings — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:25:51 +0000

Jim Thorpe Award winner Morris Claiborne, left, is fitted for a cowboy hat by Tener's Western Outfitters general manager Heath Jones in Oklahoma City, Monday, February 6, 2012. Tener's gives the recipient of the Jim Thorpe Award a pair of cowboy boots and hat each year. Photo By Steve Gooch, The Oklahoman

While the banquet for the Jim Thorpe Award is tonight, maybe the coolest part of the winner Morris Claiborne’s trip to Oklahoma City happened yesterday when he visited Tener’s Western Outfitters to receive his cowboy hat and pair of boots. Staff photographer Steve Gooch was there for the annual tradition.

Jim Thorpe Award winner Morris Claiborne looks for a pair of boots at Tener's Western Outfitters in Oklahoma City, Monday, February 6, 2012. Tener's gives the recipient of the Jim Thorpe Award a pair of cowboy boots and hat each year. Photo By Steve Gooch, The Oklahoman

-Nate Billings…

Cowboys upset the Tigers

sarah phipps — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:38:59 +0000

Staff photographer, Bryan Terry, photographed the Cowboys’ win over the Tigers at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla., Wednesday night. Here are some of the photos. To see more photos, Click here.

Oklahoma State's Le'Bryan Nash celebrates with fans following an NCAA college basketball game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Missouri Tigers (MU) at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla., Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. Oklahoma State won 79-72. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Missouri's Phil Pressey (1) and Oklahoma State's Keiton Page (12) fight for the ball during an NCAA college basketball game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Missouri Tigers (MU) at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla., Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Oklahoma State's Brian Williams celebrates with fans following an NCAA college basketball game between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Missouri Tigers (MU) at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla., Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. Oklahoma State won 79-72. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Click here to see more photos from the game.

— Sarah Phipps…

Border Collies in Norman

nate billings — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:47:31 +0000

Here’s a nice weather feature from Steve Sisney in Norman:

Lester Seat exercises his two border collies, Scout, 3, and Kitt, 18 months, as they take advantage of sun and moderate temperatures at Andrews Park on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

-Nate Billings…

Oklahoma National Guard homecoming

nate billings — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:02:38 +0000

Spc. Adam Nicely, Wagoner, is greeted by his girlfriend Shae Bellis, 20, as members of the Oklahoma National Guard are welcomed by family and friends on their return from Afghanistan on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

Steve Sisney covered the return of members of the Oklahoma National Guard from Afghanistan on Thursday.

Click here for a gallery with photos from this homecoming.

Richard Higgins greets his son Bryson, 4-months, as he and other members of the Oklahoma National Guard return from Afghanistan on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

Spc. Galen Scott is greeted by his six-month-old son Benjamin and his wife Jennifer at a ceremony where he and other members of the Oklahoma National Guard were welcomed by family and friends upon their return from Afghanistan on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

-Nate Billings…

Fiesta Bowl Champions

nate billings — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:52:18 +0000

Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden (3) celebrates with fans following the Fiesta Bowl between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Stanford Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

I was looking back through the photos taken at OSU’s victory over Stanford in the Fiesta Bowl a few days ago, and these are some of my favorites.

And, in case you haven’t seen it yet, here’s a gallery with even more pictures from the game.

Oklahoma State's Markelle Martin (10) tackles Stanford's Ty Montgomery (88)during the Fiesta Bowl between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Stanford Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Monday, Jan. 2, 2012. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon and coach Mike Gundy celebrate after winning the Fiesta Bowl between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Stanford Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2012. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden (3) scores a touchdown during the Fiesta Bowl between the Oklahoma State University Cowboys (OSU) and the Stanford Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Monday, Jan. 2, 2012. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

-Nate Billings…

Scenes from Arizona

sarah phipps — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:29:19 +0000

A cactus is pictured at sunset in Paradise Valley, Ariz.

Oklahoma's Trey Millard (33) leaps over Iowa's Jordan Bernstine (4) during the Insight Bowl college football game between the University of Oklahoma (OU) Sooners and the Iowa Hawkeyes at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz., Friday, Dec. 30, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

OU won the Insight Bowl against Iowa yesterday. Here’s a gallery from the Sooners’ 31-14 victory.

Click here to visit the Oklahoman photo galleries page to see other pictures related to the Insight and Fiesta bowls in Arizona.

The Stanford tree cheers with fans during the Fiesta Bowl parade in Phoenix, Ariz., Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

The Oklahoma State band marches in during the Fiesta Bowl parade in Phoenix, Ariz., Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Click here to go to our photo galleries page to see pictures more related to the Insight and Fiesta bowls in Arizona.

— Sarah Phipps

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I root for good pictures.

nate billings — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 01:33:34 +0000

Kendrick Perkins (5) celebrates along with fans and head coach Scott Brooks, right, after Kevin Durant (35), left, hit the game-winning shot as time expired in an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. Oklahoma City won, 104-102. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

I’m often asked when photographing sports who I’m rooting for. I always give the same selfish answer, “I’m rooting for good pictures.” It’s nice to see the local teams I cover do well because it’s good for our community and our business here at The Oklahoman and NewsOK, but what I really want are exciting plays that make compelling pictures.

Last night’s game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks put me through the typical thought process I have during a close game that would probably seem completely foreign to most sports fans. With 1.4 seconds left, Vince Carter hit shot to give the Mavericks the lead. At this point, things looked grim for the Thunder and fans were probably not feeling too great about the team’s chances, but I felt good because I had a nice shot of the Mavericks celebrating. If the Thunder go on to lose, I’ve made a compelling picture of the key moment of the game. If Oklahoma City pulls out a win, I’ve got a chance for more exciting photos.

Vince Carter (25) and Jason Terry (31), right, of Dallas celebrate a shot by Carter with 1.4 seconds left to give the Mavericks a 102-101 lead in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. Kevin Durant hit a shot as time expired to give Oklahoma City a 104-102 win. In the background is Jason Kidd. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

Kevin Durant’s buzzer beater made the above photograph worthless for the next day’s paper, but provided some nice reaction too.

Oklahoma City fans react after Kevin Durant (35) hit the game-winning shot as time expired in an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. Oklahoma City won, 104-102. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

Part of being a sports photographer is sometimes making good pictures that end up being worthless because of the outcome of the game. Sometimes what we wish could be the play of the game just turns out to be another dunk, turnover or touchdown, a nice shot graphically without much meaning to the story of the game. Lucky for me, in the process of ruining the need for my Dallas celebration shot, Kevin Durant gave me the opportunity for some new nice pictures.

If you’ve got the time, check out this photo gallery from the game.

-Nate Billings

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Welcome back NBA

sarah phipps — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:57:08 +0000

Kevin Durant (35) celebrates a basket during the opening day NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma CIty Thunder and the Orlando Magic at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

The Oklahoma City Thunder kicked off their season Christmas night with a win over Orlando.

See all the photos by clicking here

Oklahoma City Thunder's James Harden (13) celebrates a 3-point shot during the opening day NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma CIty Thunder and the Orlando Magic at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant (35) celebrates a basket during the opening day NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma CIty Thunder and the Orlando Magic at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

See all the photos by clicking here

— Sarah Phipps

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Afternoon at the Oklahoma City Zoo

nate billings — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 23:45:46 +0000

A cormorant takes flight with a white pelican in the background at the Oklahoma City Zoo lake during its migration south in Oklahoma City, Thursday December, 8, 2011. Photo by Steve Gooch, The Oklahoman.

We’ve been a little behind on posting here lately. I hope this will start things back up.

Steve Gooch spent some time at the Oklahoma City Zoo earlier this month and made some nice pictures of birds at the lake. Here’s some of his shots, and you can see more in this photo gallery.

White pelicans make a stop at the Oklahoma City Zoo lake during its migration south in Oklahoma City, Thursday December, 8, 2011. Photo by Steve Gooch, The Oklahoman.

A group of white pelicans make a stop at the Oklahoma City Zoo lake during their migration south in Oklahoma City, Thursday December, 8, 2011. Oklahoman Photo by Steve Gooch

A cormorant takes flight at the Oklahoma City Zoo lake during its migration south in Oklahoma City, Thursday December, 8, 2011. Photo by Steve Gooch, The Oklahoman.

-Nate Billings…