Three Tracks

"A NASCAR official pulls a crew member the #34 AccuDoc Solutions / GoDaddy Chevrolet driven by Danica Patrick (not pictured) out from under the car due to a safety concern as the crew member was inspecting damage on the car in the pits during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron's 312 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 4, 2013 in Talladega, Alabama." 

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This past month, I was on the road shooting NASCAR at three different tracks.

Every assignment I shoot is a challenge in some regards, but nothing has been quite as difficult as trying to understand and document the world of stock car racing - and I've shot a handful of races since moving back east.

I am not a motorsport fan, but my interest continues to grow for the left turning sport. In part, I credit that to the extremely talented photographers, teammates I humbly work alongside at Getty Images every weekend who visually document the sport in a way I never will be able to.

This sport is no different than any other - it's a team effort. Yet, images tend to be of the man (or woman) behind the wheel piloting these incredibly powerful machines.

Whether in the garage or on the track, I'm never quite comfortable at the races - and maybe that's a good thing. I'm continually out of my comfort zone and looking for the extraordinary in a foreign sporting world to my eyes.

Here are a few of my favorite images from the past month in Kansas, Richmond and Alabama. And as always, thanks to the amazing team for continually helping me during the weekends, especially after getting sick on the road. I'll spare that story and Kansas barbeque will never be the same.

Looking forward to more races on my schedule soon.

Baseball is Back

"Batter Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles hits the ground after a pitch is thrown in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 17, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland."

Baseball is back in Baltimore - I've been waiting for spring to return after a long winter.

Since the end of football season, sports in my life have been few and far between. Although, since my last post, I've been swamped shooting a full range of action on different fields and tracks.

I've mentioned it before - baseball is not my favorite sport to photograph, yet over the years it has really grown on me.

As the season goes on, I find myself really enjoying documenting the games. Whether it's the days getting long or the evenings being warmer, something really excites me to shoot games at the ball park.

It's still early in the season and much like the teams I'm covering, I'm trying to find my rhythm.

Here is to summer and sports.

Dover Solitude

"U.S. Army soldiers walk away from the transfer vehicle after they placed the flag-draped transfer cases containing the remains of Department of Defense Civilian Hyun K. Shin and U.S. Army Staff Sgt., Christopher M. Ward during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base, on April 8, 2013 in Dover, Delaware."

Last week I was on the tarmac at Dover Air Force Base covering a pair of dignified transfers.

These never get any easier to document. Of all I've had the opportunity to document, the transfer is performed nearly identical each time making you really think about making it different visually that also tells the same tragic story.

Although the media covering these transfers can range from a handful to only a few, it's a moment of solitude each time - much like everyone else, I find myself quiet the entire process from the minute we hit the runway waiting.

Sometimes we become numb to what we are documenting in front of us, but it's afterward we as photographers think about what we documented. Driving home I always reflect on what I saw and think about those that have served and lost their lives at the cost of war.

It's a difficult assignment in many aspects and I always think about the friends and families of those lost. I cannot imagine their grief, but they should also be proud of what their loved one gave for our country.

As always, thank you to the families for allowing us to cover this difficult day in your lives so that others can understand what is happening in our complex world.

Midshipmen

"Midfielder Bryce Dabbs #5 of the Navy Midshipmen and his teammates sing their school song after losing to University of Maryland Terrapins, 11-8, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on April 5, 2013 in Annapolis, Maryland."

This weekend I shot a lot of sports locally and I am trying wanted to get back on the routine of posting regularly here.

As I was covering an action-packed college lacrosse game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Navy Midshipmen, I kept noticing that Navy had a very strong bond amongst them. Everytime they scored, whether winning or losing, their bench reacted as if it was the game-winning goal each and every time.

I kept wanting to venture over there and get in the mix of the celebration to document their team support. But as the game went on, I wasn't sure how the image would translate if they did end up losing.

When time expired, Navy had lost the tight game. As I was walking off the field to go transmit, I overheard the Maryland coach telling his players to take off their helmets and show respect to Navy. I wasn't quite sure why. The Midshipmen walked toward the crowd and took off their helmets, too. Again, never covering Navy sports, I wasn't sure what was about to happen.

I quickly realized it was school pride gesture, as they placed their hands over their hearts and sung their school song. Despite losing, they were still proud of their effort and showed their class, respect.

Moments like this is why I love covering sports - sometimes it's less about the actual game than we often think.

Bird Man

""Mr.Tony" looks to the sky as he holds a handful of his pigeons that his raises and trains on February 9, 2013 in Baltimore, Md."

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Last year, while on an unrelated assignment, I met "Mr.Tony."

I was curious about Mr. Tony because his face artistically adorned a wall in his neighborhood. After talking to some of the artists of the art project I was covering, and those from neighborhood, I met the man on the wall.

From the minute I met Mr. Tony, he was open to sharing his life, and his birds, with me. However, after my first introduction and making some pictures, it wouldn't be until 2013 before I saw him again.

Recently, my editor at Baltimore Magazine asked if I wanted to do another visual essay much like my Smith Island piece and I instantly thought of the man with the birds. He is just one of many amazing characters here in Baltimore that we all live amongst - but we don't know much about.

A simple man, Mr. Tony has been raising and training pigeons since a kid and now houses more than 200 birds in a small unassuming shack behind his Station North home. With his eyes always looking to the sky, his birds know where their home is and he lives for their companionship.

Thanks to Mr. Tony for allowing me into his life and allowing me to document his days. Here are some of my favorite images from last year and this past February.

Same Place, Different View

"Maryland State Delegate Don Dwyer, Jr., speaks to other Second Amendment supporters as they rally against stricter gun control laws at the Maryland State House on March 5, 2013 in Annapolis, Maryland. If the Maryland Firearm Safety Act legislation bill is passed, it would require a license to purchase a handgun, ban the sale of assault style rifles and limit magazine size, among other provisions."

Following the advocates for stricter gun laws rally outside of the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Md., I was sent back for the stance a couple days later.

The assignment was exactly like the last - to document a gun-bill related rally. While their message was polar opposite of the last gathering (otherwise known as a Second Amendment right rally) it was almost identical in terms of visuals.

Both sides had signs, speakers and were in the same gathering area outside the State House.

I am not taking sides, but in terms of photographs, this group was visually passionate about their view point on firearms. In an attempt to not be redundant from the previous assignment, I removed myself from the large group to get more of an overall.

To repeat my last post, it will be interesting to see what the outcome of this bill is.

Right to Bear Signs

"Advocates of stricter gun control laws rally at the Maryland State House on March 1, 2013 in Annapolis, Maryland. Earlier this week, the Maryland Senate passed a gun control bill, which if passed in the House of Delegates, would require a license to purchase a handgun, ban the sale of assault style rifles and limit magazine size, among other provisions."

Last week, I was sent to Annapolis, Md., to cover a rally outside the Maryland State House.

The assignment was to document advocates of stricter gun control laws rallying with the Maryland Governor and others, as firearms have recently become a highly debated topic and focal point for both sides of the second amendment.

In Maryland, this topic is anything but silent in the news. The Maryland Senate passed a gun control bill, which if passed in the House of Delegates, would require a license to purchase a handgun, ban the sale of assault style rifles and limit magazine size, among other provisions.

From past assignments, it's always obvious that both sides are passionate about their stance. One thing I try not to photograph is signs when on these particular types of assignments, mostly in an attempt to stay unbiased. Also, signs sometimes display pictures or words not suitable for publication.

However, this event it unavailable. Nearly every advocate carried a sign and there weren't many moments aside from governement officials speaking, chanting that provided visuals otherwise.

Nonetheless, this above image I thought told the story of the morning. It will be interesting to see how the House votes on this in coming days, weeks.

Sand Meet Snow

"After a light snow blanketed the surrounding area overnight, a passerby and their dog walk down the snow covered beach on February 17, 2013 in Ocean City, Maryland."

This past weekend, I found myself in Ocean City, Md., for some business and pleasure.

To my surprise, the forecast called for a dusting of snow. In all my years traveling to the eastern shore in Maryland, I've never seen snow on the beach.

Late Saturday night, it began blowing, snowing and I realized that I may finally get to see the aforementioned once morning hit. 

I rose early before the sun and hit the beach to witness the magical scenery that is summer nostalgia meeting the reality of winter. Despite it being ice cold, it was worth getting out of bed for.

I knew I probably wouldn't see this again for a long while, so I decided to find a high vantage point in a nearby condo. While much warmer inside, it took some patience waiting for a human element to enter the surreal painting like view.

My waiting paid off, as this passerby walked toward me with their dog, and then a couple minutes later, a single person made their way south on the beach.

By mid-morning, all the snow had melted, but these pictures serve as proof that it does happen.

Ravens Return Home

"Linebacker Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens kisses the Vince Lombardi Trophy as he and teammates celebrate during their Super Bowl XLVII victory parade near M&T Bank Stadium on February 5, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland."

Two days following Super Bowl XLVII, I once again had the opportunity to document the city of Baltimore for Getty Images as the Baltimore Ravens celebrated their victory parade.

Paired up with a friend and Getty teammate, we split what we thought the most important parts of the parade would be. It's always a risk going into unknown situations, but we ended up with a great take and planned the route perfectly.

My role was to cover the parade downtown from and overpass and then do my best to get back to the stadium.

I was fortunate to be able to sprint around the block away from the crowds to catch up to the caravan of players as they entered near the pair of stadiums. This very brief moment of quietness, in what was nothing short of chaos as 200,000-plus screaming fans chased the players around, ended up being my favorite moment of the day.

As an athlete, I don't think there could be a greater feeling than knowing you've gone out on top before retiring - it was a good day for Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens.

Super Celebration

"A shirtless reveler climbs a television truck antenna, as he and other Baltimore Ravens celebrate in the streets after Super Bowl XLVII against the San Francisco 49ers in the neighborhood of Federal Hill on February 3, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl, 34-31, to capture their second championship title."

Instead of being plopped down on my couch watching Super Bowl XLVII, I had the opportunity to cover the city of Baltimore for Getty Images.

To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to being surrounded by crazy fans in bars downtown. But once I got to the Federal Hill neighborhood in Baltimore City, it was apparent that the energy was surreal and it would be fun night of coverage.

This area of the city is littered with bars, so I knew it would be perfect for reactions and emotions all night long. The night started slow, but after transmitting around half time, I found a bar that was unbelievable. Revelers were dancing on the bars, throwing drinks and simply going wild during every play.

I caught maybe five minutes total of the game and wasn't sure if the city would erupt with cheers and jubilation if the Baltimore Ravens won - or meltdown with tears and destruction if they lost.

In a close finish, after the Baltimore Ravens captured their second Super Bowl title by defeating the San Francisco 49ers, and the streets filled quickly. The blocks surrounding me were more of a friendly celebration than riot.

I knew I wouldn't get much on the ground in the start as the streets were filled like a chicken coop, so I made my way to the roof of Mother's Federal Hill Grille with help from a friendly employee.

As I skated around the icy roof shooting below, I knew this vantage was perfect. The above image wasn't my favorite of the night, but thought it showed the celebration as it was. I did shoot some other images that I thought were timeless and a better visual of how Baltimore will be remembered when looked back on celebrating this momentous occasion.

Alas, the above kept saying more about this super celebration.