THOUGHTS: I’ve been really focused on shooting with more emotion as of late (story of my life these past six months). I remember talking to my friend Sol Neelman about how a lot of times people crop too tight ridding themselves of valuable nuggets of information. I know, I know, a lot of sports photography is about peak action. And that old saying, “Tight is right,” normally applies in most sports shooting. However, what if photographers focused more on emotion along with the peak action? I suppose that’s what’s been on my mind.

Quite frankly I’ve been sick of my own work and wanted to move toward something that conveyed movement and emotion and light and…well I suppose I want it all now but know I have to be patient as I grow.

This game was pretty intense and I was looking searching and feeling for something new. I started thinking about incorporating motion and dropped my shutter speed bouncing between 1/6-1/10 of a second. Off to the sides are two B800 Alienbees were bounced off the ceiling. This gym is one of my favorites because it is very small making it relatively easy to light. I saw this foul happen as this Milford player was driving the lane. Promptly after, they crashed into the wall where I was standing, of which I took one step to the left and avoided workman’s compensation.

The results of the mixed light was fine in color but so many rich tones proved to win out my heart in black and white.

THOUGHTS: Whenever someone loses a life, it’s always tough to photograph. However, in my mind, creating social awareness is always a way to make something positive of a negative event. When we can see the repercussions of something, espically H1N1, the newest strain of the flu, it’s that much more important to tell the world about it. Loss is never easy but it is a part of this world unfortunately. And even worse, it’s even harder when you know the victim went before their time. I pray for people like the May family, their story breaks my heart. Not to be an advocate or preachy, please get vaccinated if you have not done so. For Justin’s sake.

THOUGHTS: These events are always hard to cover. Not is it emotionally hard to see into the spouses eyes but the children who are left behind are the ones who are hit the hardest. As a child, my dad was out of the picture for about three years, not by his own choice but by a painful divorce. When he was finally allowed to have us on weekends it was pure bliss. I can only imagine what Will in the photo could be thinking when he’s leaving and what it will be like when Sgt. Whitcher comes homes safely – bliss.

THOUGHTS: It was strange to find out Marlene Gallant does not like the media. She told me that she wanted to see the copy herself before it hit the presses. I explained to her that no newspaper in America let’s people see the story before its printing. She responded then, “Well you’ll just get it wrong.” I asked her, “I get the impression you don’t have faith in me.” A little dumbfounded she said, “No, it’s not you, it’s the media I don’t like.” I then told her, “The ‘media’ is people just like you and me. They are people trying to gain trust and tell the story accurately.” She got a little curt and said, “The media is not people.” Kinda made me tilt my head a little bit.

Anyhow, I like this quirky moment where she drew the cards of the winners just to see where they were. I like how the cupcake becomes her head. It’s the in-between moments of the obvious ones that piqe my interest. The odd quirkiness make scenes of everyday life become art and interesting.

I wrote on my hand 13 and 8 to see mentally if I could have chosen the correct cards, I was one off it was 13 and 9. Almost a potential millionaire, mentally 

THOUGHTS: This photo is pretty straight forward. Nothing too complex. I love reflection photos, I know they are cliché at times but I thought it was effective nonetheless. I waited by the banks of the other side of the river with my head down, to be on the horizon line, in the moist soil and leaves, avoiding to fall in the water. I waited for a pack of runners to be evenly spaced and in stride and snapped this off.

Cross country events are a challenge at times, this one was because they are so spaced out and if you don’t know the course can find yourself running alongside the entrants themselves.

On a side note, there’s no better place to be for a fall season than New England. What can I say, I love fall.

THOUGHTS: Today I had the privilege of shooting in the Bishop Guertin High School gymnasium. Yes, it’s a dungeon. Unfortunately the only decent place to plug in lights is at the south end of the bleachers. The other bad thing is that the nice backdrop is also on that end. While it could have been a problem, I decided to go with it and explore lens flair. Using my 70-200mm, I used a different range of zoom lengths. It appeared that around 100mm was the most interesting lens flair. The circular rainbow is caused by pointing the lens exactly at the light source. Rainbows high enough in an airplanes experience this circular rainbow effect. You can also see it too on full moons if you look close enough. Anyhow, I shot about 70 frames or so of this trying to perfect it the best I could. In the end my gut told me this was the best one. It might be a stretch for some but to me it’s a relief to see volleyball differently. And no I did not add anything heavy in Photoshop, that’s all in camera.

On a side note, I’m really enjoying this “shooting for me” mentality on assignment. I don’t know why I didn’t focus on it sooner but I think it’s yielding some pleasing results.

THOUGHTS: I was on assignment today to cover our promotional event. They are effective because they keep our presence in the community and build relationships, business and communicative. I suppose while some cringe at such events, I like them because I understand them and, yes, I’m a sucker for animals. Besides kids are cool and say the darnedest things. Derek Small, the wildlife educator for the Wildlife Encounters traveling zoo based out of Rochester, brought out this huge python. I like snakes, not the small ones because those seem to be the most feisty. I like the big ones like this one shown because they are slow, surly and know they are the bomb. They have nothing to prove. All day I was continuing to say to myself mentally, “Breathe, feel, focus on emotions, shoot.” As he handed the snake this young boy looked up. The light was horrid and I underexposed for the light. When he did, I came off with this frame. It didn’t run because I gave the desk the more crowd-pleasing shot. But for me it was a small victory as it was for Captain America.

THOUGHTS: After a recent talk with a well-respected colleague, I’ve been compelled to focus more on feeling while shooting. I think all too often I get stuck in this inside-the-box thinking. Newspapers, with all their rules, can do that to the best of us. Today, as I was passing this sign it struck a chord in me so I decided to stop. I think too often I don’t pause and listen to my instincts on things I omit as non beneficial to the newspaper. However, I’m doing my best to listen to my heart, feelings and mind to stop anytime something catches me, newspaper or not, on the clock or not. Just trying to remember why I hold a box of light and truth everyday.

THOUGHTS: This photo was used during my year-long project Senior Class at the Nashua Telegraph. I’ve been following seniors for the last year because I’m showing the community visually that they count. I’m also showing that they are just as human as the next person in their “golden years.” I think post WWII decades there has been a shift on how we perceive the elderly. This is my humble attempt to provoke change one week at a time.

My impressions on Bruce were impressive. Such a class act kind of guy. After being a witness to his physical and mental demeanor, I know he’s proof that old age or the phrase, “I’m too old.” Is 90% mental. I hope to only some day be as half as good as shape when I’m 63.

The following is the story I wrote on Bruce:

When Bruce Wasson, 63, attends a body building competition, you could say he’s alone at the top. That’s because he’s almost always the oldest to enter his division. And because there are usually no competitors in his age category, he has to bump down a class.

For the past nine years, he’s been lifting and winning against considerably younger entrants.

“It’s like a piece of candy, I couldn’t stop doing them,” Wasson said. Five years ago he came in first place at a competition in Manchester and has placed multiple times along the way. “At my age, everybody should have a hobby,” Wasson said. “Some go golfing, some go fishing. Me? It was coming to the gym.”

However, it wasn’t always looking up for Wasson’s health, for years he was out of shape and a small 133 pounds. To make things worse, small flakes appeared on his nose that would turn out to be diagnosed as lupus, a treatable connective tissue disease that causes his joints to ache considerably. In talking with a doctor, he was weaned into the gym to help fight the disease. When he got back, after a 20-year absence, he reconnected with an old friend. “It’s a second home; if you treat it good, it’ll treat you good. Just don’t try to be a hero and lift 1,000 pounds,” Wasson said. Now, a stout 153 and with the body of a 40-year-old, he has more bounce in his step.

Wasson’s wife, Betsy, “loves it.” His five children? Always support him 100 percent. They all cheer him on at shows. However, this looks like it will be the last year of competition for the old
iron man. But that doesn’t mean he’s going to stop lifting. “It just takes a lot out of you,” Wasson said.

In the end, the Souhegan High School building supervisor, who strives for improvement, wants to train others.

“I just want to enjoy it. It’s not a headcase thing where it’s ‘Wow look at me,” Wasson said. “It’s just that it’s good for you. And I’m going to keep doing it until I can’t do it anymore.

My impressions on Bruce were impressive. Such a class act kind of guy. After being a witness to his physical and mental demeanor, I know he’s proof that old age or the phrase, “I’m too old.” Is 90% mental. I hope to only some day be as half as good as shape when I’m 63.