I've Rediscovered the Mountains in the Winter

So, I wrapped up a week in Aspen at the X Games and I must say, I can't wait to shoot it again next year.  I probably wouldn't have said that two days into the event, but once I learned how to get around the mountain efficiently, I was a much happier camper.  Dozens of rides on snowmobiles and snow cats and bringing snacks up on the mountain with me made all the difference in the world.  Plus, being able to take chances to make unique and different photos paid off and I feel like I was able to shoot photos that went beyond the obvious.

Also, I've included a few pics from my feature project with the magnetic poetry.  I really think it was a success and I hope you get a good laugh out of them.

Enjoy the pics.  Off to watch the Superbowl!!!

-TSB2

This might be my favorite pic from last week...

On top of the world...

While I will try snowboarding, I don't think I'll be racing like this any time soon...

See what I'm talking about?  These people are wired a little differently.

Snowboarders are bringing back the 80's...

Ahhh, those silly snowboarders...

Handlebars and jawbones don't mix...

No, I didn't just turn the camera upside-down...he's actually flipping a 600lb snowmobile.

"Be quiet, I'm about to go skiing with a bunch of nutcases."

I know I posted an image like this in my last post, but this is what I've been looking to get all week...all of these guys in a group, flying together.  I love the color that their bibs add...

These people are totally crazy. Period.

Before I start, if any of you friendly do-gooders out there want to book me a massage at my favorite Denver spa, Glo, go for it.  I'm going to need it, big time.  I'll be back in Denver on Monday, so anything after Monday afternoon will work.

Yes, my body aches.  I'm getting over a cold.  My feet are killing me.  My face is slightly sunburned (we all know it will turn tan tomorrow with my skin).  In fact, curling my toes sends pain all the way up my calves, and my back feels like I've been toting around a 400mm lens on a snow covered mountain all day...oh wait, I have been doing that.  But it's been worth it.

While this has been some of the most challenging photography both mentally and physically, I've come to enjoy it.  I'm totally exhausted at the moment and really don't have it in me to write any more, so I'm going to hit the sack in a few minutes.

I hope you enjoy the pics.  I've put a lot of sweat into making these and I'm very proud of them.

Check out the TV coverage of Winter X 12 this weekend on ESPN/ESPN2 (I Don't know which one it's on). You won't be disappointed.  These athletes have some screws loose and do things that are incredible to see.

Oh yeah, you can also check out pics from ALL of the events here.  I'm working with some pretty talented photographers, so if you have a moment, give them their due and check out their stuff.  Just remember, I don't write the captions.  Sometimes, they're pretty funny though.

I hope all is well with everyone out there.  Please feel free to drop a comment below.

TSB2

PS-Honey, I'll be home on Monday!  I can't wait to see you!!!

Soaring among the Aspens...

I don't know how these guys see where they're going with all the snow flying around...

Snowboarding just looks cool...and I can't wait to try it one of these days...

See what I'm talking about???  These guys are CRAZY!!!

Tuckin'....or Truckin'.

Oh my god, he's traveling through time!

Chillin' on the sled.

Look at the snowboarder, here....

Duuuuuuude, greetings from Winter X 12

This week, I'm up in Aspen for the Winter X Games shooting for EXPN.com.  I got this opportunity through my colleague Brett Wilhelm who has been working as a photo editor at Winter and Summer X for the past 5 or 6 years.  This year, the EXPN crew has grown significantly because the web site has continued to draw more and more people to it, especially in the last year.  Thus, they've added more photographers, writers, bloggers, video people, and editors...about 30 people in all.

We had a large meeting this morning during which we 'brainstormed' (if you want to call it that) all the different stories we'll be covering this week while we follow around these nutcase athletes. The EXPN crew is a colorful, yet motivated bunch and I'm really excited to see the work that we're going to produce for the website throughout the week.

I've been assigned with another photographer to cover Skier/Boarder X (where 6 skiers or snowboarders race down a course at the same time) and the Snocross events where guys race snowmobiles around a track that is like a motocross track, but obviously made of frozen water that most of us refer to as 'snow'.  I'm really excited to shoot these events since there is a high 'wreck factor' in both of them and it will definitely provide tons of opportunities to make some sweet photos.

Additionally, they've asked all of the photographers to contribute a feature gallery of some sort.  While the other photographers are concentrating on everything from the newest fashion at the games to the hottest chicks (I'm not kidding...that's the level on which the fans who visit expn.com think),  I'm going to shoot something a little different.  Since these sports attract people who are three dead brain cells from being totally crazy, I want to get into their psyche and show it. Thus, I thought a creative way to portray this would be through magnetic poetry.  I cut small pieces of sheet metal into handheld size tablets on which fans and/or athletes will create poems that show just how idiotic they really are.  Just think about it for a second...If you've played with magnetic poetry on a friend's fridge, you've come up with some pretty weird stuff, right? Now, think about how weird it will be when you have snowboarders with 9 brain cells do it.

I'll be posting pics throughout the week.  I don't know if I'll have time to write very much, but please check back every day or two for some fresh pics.  Until then, enjoy a few pics that I shot today while scouting out various positions for the events I'll be covering.

Talk to you later!

-TSB2

My snowmobile ride to the top of the Skier/Boarder X course.  Yes, I almost fell off while taking this photo.

Some workers mounting the giant X games logo to the Skier/Boarder X starting gate...

The last drop on the Skier/Boarder X course...

Listen to KCUV...It's the Best Radio Station in Denver!

Over the past few months, I've been extremely fortunate to shoot some portraits of musicians who come into FM102.3 KCUV to play in the 'Music Loft'.  This is something I especially enjoy doing since it is a nice respite from all the services we provide for our main clients such as the Rockies and the NCAA.  Not that I don't enjoy handling the various tasks related to those clients/contracts, but we all need a little change every now and then to keep us fresh, don't we?

The portraits at KCUV provide that freshness every now and then because the musicians who come in to play in the Music Loft are always characters and don't give a damn about anything except the guitar in their hand...Or they're just totally pumped because the week before, they found a pair of boots in their friend's basement that they've been missing for two years.

Lost Highway Recording Artist Ryan Bingham is a perfect example of this 'it's all good' attitude that just about every musician picks up at Rock Star University.  He's a young fella with a hard nosed scratchy voice that is warm and inviting in his songs.  His lyrics reflect a childhood growing up in the middle-of-nowhere West Texas and Eastern New Mexico, a life in junior rodeos and drinkin' whiskey on the road. If you like Western guitarists with a little edge to them, you should check him out. His album Mescalito is very solid front to back and I can't stop listening to it.

Enjoy!

-TSB2

This explains his unique voice...and yes, those are the boots he was missing for two years...

Another Year, Another Convention

So, I finally got back home on Monday night from the annual NCAA Convention in Nashville. Despite not having diving catches, last second goals, or electrifying celebrations, the convention is something that I've come to enjoy for a couple reasons. First of all, since the NCAA is headquartered in Indianapolis, we primarily work with them over the phone or via e-mail. Thus, whenever we get to see them face to face, it is always nice to work with them side by side. Additionally, the convention has evolved a little bit over the years photographically, largely due to the fact that two years ago the staff at the NCAA News decided to put out a daily newsletter that is delivered every morning to the hotel room of each attendee who is staying on-site. They put out 4 newsletters throughout the 5 day event and it is a very nice tri-fold glossy newsletter with articles and photos from the previous day's 'action' (if you want to call it action). Because we don't want the newsletter to look boring and redundant, Steve (my colleague) and I are pushed to make creative images that keep the look fresh throughout the week. I'm not going to lie, it isn't easy. There's only so many ways that you can shoot someone speaking at a podium. Thankfully, there are some pretty neat events that take place within the convention that lend themselves to making more creative images.

This year marked the first annual Convention 5K. It was FREAKIN' FREEZING at 6am when it started, but I can definitely see it growing into a bigger race. Additionally, every year they have the Honors Celebration where the Association dishes out various awards to current and former student athletes for their various accomplishments. This is always a highlight as they usually honor some pretty big names such as Sally Ride or Paul Tagliabue. This year was no different as the list of honorees included Bob Woodruff (unfortunately, he wasn't there because he was on assignment), Robin Roberts, and the one and only John Glenn. Even more touching is the Award of Valor that is given to former student athletes who have given the ultimate sacrifice. This year they were given to Major Doug Zembiec and 2LT Emily Perez.

I've included some pics below from the week and I hope you can see that they're not just photos of people at podiums.

Next, I'm off to Aspen on Monday for a week in Aspen and the X Games which begin on the 24th.

Hope you're all having a great week,  TSB2

Division II President Chuck Ambrose silhouetted against the background...

The Honorable John Glenn speaking after receiving the Theodore Roosevelt Award...

Some lady speaking during a seminar.  I like the effect the ripples in the vinyl backdrop create.  They look like rays of light to me...

Sage Steele (right) of ESPN makes a point during a lecture on Minority Women in College Athletics...

Look at this party!  Pulled out the ol' levitation skills to snap this pic...

Saw this in the mirrors on the doors of one of the conference rooms...

Watch out buddy!  You're about to get trampled by those cross country runners behind you!

I think my fingers froze to my camera while shooting this...

College Kids Like to Sleep...A LOT.

Well, I'm back in Nashville again, this time to shoot the annual NCAA Convention.  This is the 4th year that I have covered this event and I must say, while it might be the least exciting photography I do every year, I've come to enjoy the event because I get to see all of my favorite people from the NCAA.  Additionally, this year marks the launch of a new quarterly NCAA magazine called 'Champion', and this morning I had the opportunity to photograph the cover for the second issue which will come out in April.

One of the things that the NCAA really tries to get across in their PR is that the athletes are STUDENT-Athletes.   Shan Foster, a basketball player at Vanderbilt University is no exception to this theory.  Besides being a total stud on the court, Shan (pronounced Shane) happens to be a very accomplished piano player.  Thus, for this shoot, the folks at the NCAA wanted to show these two elements of his life.

We showed up at 8:45am to meet our contact Rudy at the Blair School of Music at 9:00.  Since Rudy wasn't there yet, Arnel (the art director from Sport Graphics) called to ask him if we could start setting up in the amphitheater since we found an open door.  Now, if you've never dealt with Theater-Folk here's a little tip.  Never, and I mean NEV-ER, go into a theater to set up for a shoot before the manager is there. When Arnel asked him if it was cool to set up before he got there, Rudy blew not just A gasket, he blew SEVEN THOUSAND gaskets.  Upon Rudy's arrival, we calmed him down by telling him that we just meant if it was okay to unload our stuff from our car into a hallway near the back of the building.  He promptly relaxed and was a pleasure to deal with the rest of the morning.

So, we proceeded to set up for the shoot and 10am (start time) rolls around...No sign of Shan.

10:20...Still no sign of Shan.

10:30...Vanderbilt's Sports Information Director and Assistant Sports Information Director are working the phones trying to find Shan.

10:45...Still no Shan.

10:50...Shan is woken up in his dorm room by a teammate.  I wish I could have seen his face when he realized he was almost an hour late.

11:15:...Shan shows up and proceeds to apologize a billion times over.

Anyway, he got there and we shot for about an hour and forty minutes.  We got a ton of stuff and Arnel was very happy with the images.  I've included a few that I just quickly grabbed so you can see what we did.  The last two probably won't see the light of day since there isn't a piano in them, but I shot them anyway since I saw this beautiful hallway in the building the day before when we scouted the location.

Hope you like them and please feel free to add comments at the end of the post.

See ya next time!

-TSB2

Oh my god, it's Usher's twin!

Even though this doesn't show his friendly personality, I really like this pic...

One of the last pics we shot.  Right up my alley...architecture, geometry...

I really dig his look here...

Dos Para Pescar

If you live in Denver and haven't been to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, you need to find the first nonstop flight you can to Cancun (preferably on Frontier since they go there all the time) and get down there!  We stayed at a house with my parents, my brother and his wife Meghan, their 3 daughters, Addie and twins Emmy and Gigi, and their babysitter Michele.

We had a great time, ate well, relaxed and I even got out to shoot a little bit which was great.

I think what I love most about Playa is that it is a nice mix of authentic Mexico with all the amenities you need as a tourist.  You can walk into town and go find some fine fashion at any of the boutiques that line the main drag, or you can get off the beaten path and flirt with getting a date with Montezuma's revenge by sampling some of the local fare at any of the dozens of carnicerias in town.  You do have to be a little careful in doing this since many of them wouldn't even come close to passing the health standards that we have here in the US, but there are several that are safe to try (at least I thought so and I haven't met Montezuma since I got back).  One morning I had some of the most delicious cheese empanadas I've ever tasted and washed them down with some orange juice that I watched a little boy and his father squeeze right there at a cart on the sidewalk.

I have loads of pics from this trip, so here is the first group.  I shot a bunch with a 90mm tilt shift lens and fell in love with the various effects you can get with the lens.

Enjoy the pics!

-TSB2

The yummy cheese filled empanadas I ate for breakfast one morning...

The orange peeling contraption used in making the OJ...

Snapped this from the plane heading down there.  I like the river that you can barely see at the bottom of the frame...

A local butcher getting his delivery in the morning...

Stray dogs catching some Z's....

Wool sweaters for sale in the street...

Portrait of a Mexican man who asked me about my camera...

My mom will want this for her bathroom...

Kristin with Addie on the beach...

Meghan reading by the pool...

Bonefishing with Dad...