Wednesday, February 06, 2008

These types of stories are why I entered into this career in the first place. When John called me last Thursday and asked me if I would rather go on a story about a giant mushroom or cover a press conference happening at the same time my response was a very quick “yes”. Mushrooms always trump press conferences. Dwight and I headed to the home of C.W. “Cam” Choate to see what was up with this giant mushroom he had found near his Florence home. Sometimes these types of stories don’t make the best photos yet there is something I like about this one. I have been told by a few people that its a “nothing” photo, however to me it was more about the opportunity I had to hang out with Mr. Choate and learn a little about his life. My favorite part of this job is getting to meet the different people in our community, it never stops amazing me how willing people are to allow me into their lives, tell me their stories and allow me to make their photograph. Some photos are good, some are great, and some just become favorites because of the people and stories they are associated with. This is the case here, I love this photo, “nothing” or not and I love what I do for a living everyday.

I always wanted to be a cheerleader when I was a kid. They just seem to have so much fun. As it always is things look different from the outside but as I watched the Wilson cheerleaders at last nights basketball game I wanted to be 16 again.

Monday, January 28, 2008

I was ten years old in 1986 sitting in Mrs. Solomon’s fifth grade class watching as the Challenger exploded. Tonight I went to Lake City to cover a candle light vigil honoring Dr. Ronald E. McNair who was killed that day; I can’t believe it was 22 years ago.

Tilted horizons often confuse viewers in the daily paper and as a rule I don’t shoot with my camera at any sort of angle, however rules are meant to sometimes be broken and tonight when I saw the lines set up in this photo I let the camera lean a bit. Thoughts welcome.

Morning News Photo/ Rebecca J. Ducker

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Clinton volunteers Victoria Johnson and Keire Stackhouse rally support for Senator Clinton at Five Points during the S.C. Democratic primary.

Joe Griffith and Marc Clinedinst, both volunteers with the Barack Obama campaign hit the streets in Darlington on foot to encourage people to get out and vote during the S.C. Democratic primary.

As I have mentioned before whenever I am out working I always try to take photos for myself that may not run in the paper sometimes there are no faces showing. This is the last photo I took today, three-year-old McKenzie Manning of Hartsville went to the polls with her mother Nikole Williams-Manning to support Barack Obama. I loved the way she was holding her mother’s hand.

Morning News Photos/ Rebecca J. Ducker

Poll workers Helen Harrison, Allan Anderson, and Tonya Small look over the newspaper while waiting for voters at the Poyner School in Florence during the South Carolina Democratic Primary.

Hillary Clinton supporter Leo F. James Jr., sits across the street from the Poyner School to show support for Senator Clinton. James, a Florence native was the first person to vote at the Poyner School arriving 10 minutes before the polls opened at 7 a.m.

Decked out in her red, white, and blue, 9-month-old Kimiya Douglas gets a hug from her mother Kim Rhodes before Rhodes casts her vote in the South Carolina Democratic Primary.

Morning News Photos/ Rebecca J. Ducker

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Harry Gause of Florence reads a sign inside the Maple Park Community Center, the voting location for Florence Precinct 11 on the morning of the S.C. Republican Primaries.

Poll worker Brenda Gibson sets up Rhonda Weatherford on a voting machine inside the Maple Park Community Center on the morning of the S.C. Republican Primaries.

Mark Weatherford prepares to vote in the S.C. Republican Primaries at Florence Precinct 11 on January 19, 2008.

Voters enter and exit West Florence High School in the pouring rain during the S.C. Republican Primary on January 19, 2008.

Voters wait to sign in at West Florence High School, West Florence precincts 1&2, during the S.C. Republican Primary on Staurday, January 19, 2008.

Voting machines sit under the West Florence Knight as voters cast their ballots in the S.C. Republican Primary at West Florence High School on January 19, 2008.

Morning News Photos by: Rebecca J. Ducker

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Ric Flair stands in support of Republican Presidential hopeful former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee at Powers Aviation in Florence on Thursday January 17.



Charlie and Ben Weaver proudly display their Huckabee bumper stickers at Thursday’s rally.



A Huckabee campaign worker waits by the exit of Powers Aviation after the Mike Huckabee rally on January 17.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Tomorrow in sports check out the prep page on Trinity Collegiate varsity girls basketball.
Whenever I am on assignment I try to find at least a few photos that are different from what is needed for the daily paper. They are photos I take just for me as a way to challenge myself to look harder, see more clearly, and take chances that I can’t always take for the published paper. It is these little moments which remind me everyday how much I love my job.

Monday, January 14, 2008

A little story about the little known Canine Courtyard dog park in Florence

Saturday, January 12, 2008

There has been a lot of attention swirling around Mr. Holmes and the recent ESPN article. When I had the opportunity to photography Mr. Holmes tonight I wanted to get a “coming out of the darkness” photo in addition to what we needed for the daily paper. Here is my favorite; sometimes you get what you want. I reserve my opinion about the ESPN story, however I do wish Mr. Holmes all the best. I hope he has the opportunity to once again rise above his current circumstances.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

MORNING NEWS/ REBECCA J. DUCKER


In front of the Myrtle Beach Convention Center members of Republicans for Environmental Protection, Conservation Voters of S.C., and the Back Porch Energy Initiative gathered to encourage Republican Candidates to make climate change a priority in the Republican party.

MORNING NEWS/ REBECCA J. DUCKER
Roaming the streets outside of the Myrtle Beach Convention Center is a feast for the eyes. Supporters representing each of the six republican candidates converged across the street, chanting slogans, carrying signs and speaking out for their causes.



STAFF/REBECCA J. DUCKER
Five month old Catey McCollum chew’s her mother Sarah’s
sign at a Global Warming awarness rally held in front of the Myrtle Beach Convention Center before the Republican Presidential Debate.


STAFF/REBECCA J. DUCKER
Sara Tansey, and Mary Rafferty line up across the street as part of a Global Warming awarness demonstration prior to the start of the Republican Debate in Myrtle Beach. During the event, the girls made phone calls to the Republican candidates offices to encourage global warming awarness.

Brian Frank, a Ron Paul supporter from Gaffney, S.C., wears a decorated shirt covered in buttons to pass out to any one interested in learning about Ron Paul.



Members of the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce prepare for a media and security lunch served before the Republican Debate.



Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Brad Dean greets visitors on the street in front of the Convention Center.



Ray and Faye Carter of Surfside Beach enjoy a picnic lunch in front of the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.







Finishing touches being placed on the giant sand sculpture featuring the Republican Candidates across the street from the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

MORNING NEWS/ REBECCA J. DUCKER