It isn't just a game anymore. It's a full scale production.

Throughout my still-somewhat-young photography career, time and time again, I'm blown away by the production side of the events that I've covered.  What gets lost in the newspapers, telecasts and internet is how much goes into putting on an event like the World Series or the X Games. Hundreds, if not a thousand or so, people make these events go off without a hitch.  Security guards, caterers, radio hosts, TV techs, editors, web techs, writers, photographers, janitors, garbage men, beer men, souvenir vendors, broadcasters, etc...are the ones who make these things happen and bring them to the masses.  I love being a part of it and here is a sampling of photos that show some of the things we don't normally notice when events are going on.

Hope all is well with everyone and enjoy the pics...

TSB2

Someone is flipping that light switch...

Rockies groundscrew members pull the tarp over the field in the rain...Yup, I shot it from the nice dry dugout.

An usher at Coors Field cleans the seats in her section before game 4 of the NLCS this past year...

Trainers tending to Matt Holliday after his famous 13th inning slide in the Wild Card Play-In game vs. the Padres last season.  Without trainers and team physicians, these athletes would fall apart.

Pregame ceremonies are a highly choreographed series of events.  This is a classic example...the flag is unfurled quicky before the anthem and the jets always flyover at the very end of the anthem.

Who else is going to entertain us during timeouts?

I told you to tune in to 102.3 KCUV three weeks ago. Have you done it yet?

Since I got back from the X Games, I've been filling my time with taking care of nagging loose ends here at work and just getting back on track after being out of town for two weeks in January.  I've also paid a couple more visits over to my favorite radio station, 102.3 KCUV, to shoot a couple of portraits of visiting musicians who've played in the KCUV Music Loft.

In honor of Fat Tuesday, they brought in Doug Kershaw, a 72 year old firecracker whose played with the likes of Johnny Cash, Willy Nelson and Charlie Daniels to name a few. He was quite an act to see and he even did it with 6 stitches in his pinky that he cut when he picked up an empty wine glass that broke in his hand at his cajun restaurant up in Greeley the other day.

Another musician I had a chance to photograph is a guy named Chuck Prophet who just came out with a new album called Soap & Water.  He played a song called "Freckle Song" that is from the new album and I really dug it.  He has some bluesy tendencies in his music with some different lyrics that take you through everyday experiences that confront everyone.  He just has a unique way of observing simple things and turning them into songs and I'm looking forward to exploring his music a little more.

Enjoy the pics!

-TSB2

The 72 year young firecracker.  He actually played his gig in the Music Loft with a protective golf glove that he cut every finger off of except the pinky to protect the little guy with stitches. Look at the fiddle!  I think he told me he's had that thing since 1965!

Chuck Prophet on the roof of the KCUV Studio.  Doesn't he just look like he writes different songs?

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...