Happy Halloween.

OK. So today is the real Halloween, so Happy Halloween. I am killin time, so I decided to upload a shot from kids trick-or-treating in Glenn yesterday.

Now go have fun and be safe!

Happy Halloween. (early)

I figured I'd jump to conclusion and wish all of my 10-readers a Happy Halloween. I used some creative lighting to do the (above) cover for our Halloween issue.

I also spent an hour or so covering trick-or-treating of children on campus. It was actually pretty cute, even though kids get on my nerves after 10-minutes. It kind of made me miss being a kid and actually trick-or-treating. O, well.

I'll link some of the shots of the kids up later.... Need to finish my feature story.

Also, David Hobby blogged on my photo, now I feel up to the challenge...[David Hobby's Blog]

Duo of native midwesterners.

Did a volleyball feature for Darnay today of Ally Perko and Maddie Haseltine.

I really wanted a picture of them both killing (spiking) side-by-side since that's what the feature was about, both "twins" outside killers (they not twins, people think they are). But that proved to be pretty tough.

We sat around for 10-minutes bullshitting after a couple different poses and I just wasn't happy with my shots (none of them stuck out like past features, none screamed "this is going cover today.")

So as they sat down and started goofing off, I was like BAM! Don't move.

I did some adjustments, and shot away.

After this, I knew it was a keeper. I should have completly underexposed the backround and powered up the strobes. But I eneded up just burning out the backround the best I could and then dodging the net a little more...

Not my favorite sports feature, but it works, and ranks over some of the other ones.

My favorite local photographer (David Hobby, aka The Strobist) gave me some great pointers and alsp gave me some recognition. It’s pretty reassuring that my shots are going well not only in my eyes.

Unbeaten Streak continues.

The men's soccer team is on fire. Ranked 20th, the Tigers edged over VCU today, 2-1.

Tigers points leader, [Sebastian Haensel] scored in the final 11 minutes along with teammate Kevin Ruck to bring the Tigers to victory.

The Tigers are now sitting at first place in CAA and extend their unbeaten streak to 11 matches in a row.

Fall time Rocks.

I love fall. I love everything from the slightly colder temperatures, to the changing of the leaves. Luckily for me, I live about five minutes from Rocks State Park. It is an awesome place to experience if you never have. If you have been, you know it's just a great place to relax, especially on a fall day.

Anyways, I figured I would drive my new car around all day, since I haven't had my own car since August, so me and [Kate] stopped by Rocks around 4PM.

It was nice to go out and just shoot off assignment like I used to, while relax all day on my first Saturday off in a month or so.

O' Canada

First. Fuck shitty weather. I am just going to stop hoping for sunny days on days of photo shoots. Anyways, I shot a feature for Kiel today of Nigel Marples, senior defenseman for the Men's soccer team.

I had a couple shots planned, if it had been sunny, and Kiel had an idea for a shot, but we couldn't find a Canadian flag. Stratch those ideas. Thanks rain. Thanks Maryland.

The shot above wasn't printed, it was just simple and exposed correctly. The main cover is [HERE].It just pisses me off, the strobes came out a bit hot, but luckily it prints a lot better. Shooting a defensive player is tough, because coming up with ideas is hard, sorry Kiel.

Perko/Haseltine feature shoot next week, I'll have to top Nigel's shoot.

Homemade.

I got really bored since all my classes were cancelled and there were no photo assignments today. So, I decided to make a home made studio. Cue: white blanket, full power strobe, strobe left w/soft white umbrella, and dog.

Ya, I am really bored.

Hosed on Homecoming.

The football got hosed by UMass yesterday on Homecoming, 35-0. I'd rather not go into details.

Other than that, I had a hard time choosing a photo to upload here. This one got the most talk in the office, even though no one ran it in their section… Oh, well. I had a lot of positive Tigers shots, but none of those ran, of course, because we got blown out.

Sledgehammer symbolizes strength...

As dumb as it sounds, I plan out what photos I am going to post on my blog everyday. I was so busy yesterday, on top of having a rough day, I never got to post my soccer photo(s) from the men’s last home game of the season yesterday.

So,instead of soccer from yesterday, I am just going to post my Jermon Bushrod feature photo from today. I was so pissed that it was rainy/overcast when I left this morning, having scheduled the shoot for noon. This not what I had originally planned for the shoot (as I was expecting glooming, sunny weather). Well, as always, I worked with the environment and came up with some great shots.

The sledgehammer symbolizes the strength of the Tigers offensive line (or something...). There is more to it than that; a whole feature story as a matter of fact by Kristi. So read it tomorrow in The Towerlight.

Anyways, the above shot was not the cover. This was[THE COVER SHOT]

Zidane Head butt Volume.2

I must say, I was going to leave after the first half of the soccer game today against University of Delaware, but about five minutes into the second half a awesome event occurred. Michael Bratus of Delaware committed a vicious foul again Towson’s Rob Nwosu. Nwsou retaliated while Bratus was lying on the ground with a diving head but to Bratus head. It was intense! I didn’t think anyone actually had the balls to pull a Zidane head butt (post world cup) so blatant during a game.

Anyways, Kyle made a comment during halftime saying, “Any SPJ winners?” referring to my shots from the first half.

Well, I must say, the game turned out to produce a bunch of SPJ nominee shots. Some times games are slow and boring, but the game today was very eventful and I produced lots of great shots. I’ll have to upload a bunch and edit this with a link to all the games shots.

Until then here is literally one second after the head but. I was busy “chimping” (sorry, only real photog’s know what chimping is…ha) but when I saw the foul happen, I started shooting away. Just look at the reaction on the UDel bench.

[CLICK HERE FOR THE HEAD BUTT PHOTO]

Four and "O", no more...

"TOWSON, Md. - Turnovers hurt but sacks can be painful too as Maine demonstrated to Towson Saturday afternoon when the Black Bears used nine of them to thwart the nation's top passing attack in a 28-7 Atlantic 10 Football Conference victory over the previously unbeaten and 17th-ranked Tigers in Johnny Unitas Stadium." - Towson Athletics

Yep, Tigers lost, no more winning streak. I was just pissed that it rained none the less.

Joe Mauer.

I was just looking through Sports Illustrated (that was suppose to be my neighbors, but it was in our mail) and I saw an article on Minnesota Twins catcher, Joe Mauer.

"Joe Mauer went 2-for-4 Sunday as the DH to finish the season with a .347 average, ahead of New York's Derek Jeter (.343). Mauer was honored to join Ernie Lombardi (1938 and 1942) and Bubbles Hargrave (1926) as the only catchers to win it. He was the first in the AL. "That's something you can never take away when you're the first," Mauer said. "It's unbelievable the things that happened." -Sportsline.com

I then realized I had a shot of him when the Twins were in town a couple weeks ago when I covered the Orioles game.

I just love the beautiful bokeh on the 70-200.

Ehrlich visits Towson.

Today, Governor Bob Ehrlich visited Towson University to speak in Professor Vatz's (far left) communication class about political rhetoric.

Even though I am in Vatz's Persuasion class, I guess I lucked out and got to shoot all class rather than listen. I am not big into politics, and when I am shooting, I really don't listen to much going around me.

I just hope there is not a quiz next class on it. Ha

BMA...Free?

Yep, the BMA is now 100% free. Pretty cool.

I went down there yesterday with Rob to shoot an assignment for the Arts section. It was a nice little festival and it was such a nice day. I also used the assignment to test out the new 17-55. Pretty damn sharp in comparison to the 18-70 kit lens (which is for sale...someone buy it).

Anyways, don't forget to check past months posts! Some people forget to do this. The links are on the right for September and August. Enjoy!

Update?

It feels like I have not updated this in months. When in reality, it's been maybe four days.

Let's see. First, here is just a picture from the girl’s game yesterday; they were down 1-0 @ half when I went back to the office.

Second, I got a new piece of glass. I really wanted to save for the 300 or 400 2.8 VR, but I opted for the 17-55 2.8. I know I already have a 18-70, but I needed something a bit faster of course sharper. I figure this will work well with my 70-200 2.8 for winter season sports which are all indoors.

Third, in light of recent events, I am the new Photography Editor at The Towerlight. I am fucking excited. Everything for my first day as the new role went perfect. I hope it continues to go that way.

Now, I am out. Shower, to the Towerlight, then back home to finish this feature article and Broadcasting term paper.