Friday, May 30, 2008

Here are some more pics of beautiful British Columbia.  We had lunch and then took a drive through some of coastal communities.

A couple sits in a big, blue chair on top of a huge rock at the edge of Gonzales Bay, a spot that overlooks the bay and the view of the mountains in Washington state’s Olympic National Park.



Another view from the bay.  We couldn’t have asked for more beautiful weather for our trip!



Dozens of driftwood logs bleached from the sun and riddled with worm holes were washed up on the beach.  I loved this view with the picnic table in the background.



Me and my sis in the car!

My family and I have recently convened on Vancouver Island, British Columbia in Canada for my grandmother’s 80th birthday.  Arriving separately on three different flights in Seattle, we rented a car and drove to catch the BC Ferry from Tsawwassen to Victoria.  On the hour and a half ride I got some amazing photographs.  These are a few of my favorites.

A sailboat passes through a patch of sunlight on the water as the sun peeks out from behind scattered clouds.



This is the view from the front of our ferry as we pass between two islands.



One of the many beautiful waterfront homes we passed along the way, I couldn’t resist this one because of the lighthouse.



Just a shot of the parking level of the ferry.  I wish I would have gotten more photos of the ferry itself.  I plan to spend a bit more time inside on my 6am return trip next Tuesday and will hopefully have some more shots for you!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Thank goodness baseball is back.  I got to spend a couple of hours snapping pictures of the 2008 RedWolves interacting with each other and their fans during Media Day at American Legion Field in Florence on Tuesday, May 27, 2008.  These were some of my favorite photos from the shoot. The season starts Thursday with a home opener, so get to the ballpark and cheer on the RedWolves!

Members of the 2008 RedWolves add their autographs to several baseballs.



The setting sun almost silhouettes Rob Kumbatovic (35) as he autographs a baseball.



Tyler Bocks, 5, of Florence winds his way through the RedWolves as fans take to the field to meet their team.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

While shooting an assignment today on 20-year-old Jay Graves whose brother and sister performed life-saving CPR when his heart stopped while on a visit home during a break from school, I caught this photo of his face illuminated in the light from a nearby window. In color the photo did not look nearly as dramatic. 

I was shooting an illustration on picnic safety today when I had a visitor to my sandwich. See Saturday’s Morning News for the final photo. 

Monday, May 26, 2008

A future photographer!  This young boy was dressed head to toe in a sailor’s uniform and was snapping pictures of the bagpiper during today’s Memorial Day Observance at the Florence National Cemetery.  I forget to get his name after the cemetery was over and I could just kick myself for it.



The wind was not cooperating with the SFHS NJROTC as they posted the colors at today’s Memorial Day Observance at the Florence National Cemetery.  The flag blew around NJROTC Senior Chief Petty Officer Jackie Fancote and I loved the picture that resulted!

Saturday, May 24, 2008

An aerial view of the infield from the helicopter.


Me on the DC-3 yesterday.
I say it all the time, I truly love my job. I get to do some really amazing things everyday and this year’s May Fly, my first, was no exception. On Friday I rode in a Biplane and a DC-3 transporter, today I rode in a helicopter with the door off. Totally cool.

Robert Elliott of Lake City watches the MX-2 perform as part of the May Fly Air Show on May 24, 2008.

Monday, May 19, 2008

On Monday I had an assignment with reporter Dwight Dana to go to Hartsville and interview Franklin Hines, owner of Hines Funeral Home, about his new hearse. One of the things I thought was really neat was the 1930’s era Rolls Royce hood ornament. The car as a whole was a sight to see!





The hood ornament on Franklin Hines’ new hearse is from an early 1930s Rolls Royce, just one of many details on the hearse. John D. Russell/Morning News





Franklin Hines, owner of Hines Funeral Home, stands near his newest funeral vehicle, Monday, May 19, 2008, in Hartsville. Hines had the vehicle handmade by his specifications taking more than 2 years. John D. Russell/Morning News

Monday, May 12, 2008

I went out to the Galivants Ferry Stump this afternoon to take pictures for the paper.  I got some really great images!  Enjoy!



We didn’t have room for this photo in the paper, but I really love the moment.  This little boy was fascinated with the donkey. Brooks Foxworth, 8, of Myrtle Beach pets Andy the donkey during the Galivants Ferry Democratic Stump on Monday, May 12, 2008.



I worked this photo for about thirty minutes.  I wanted a shot of this lady, but it never quite worked out that I got a photo that would have read well in the paper.  I got a picture of another lady that worked much better in the paper. Bumper stickers an picket signs decorate a lattice fence as Nancy Anderson of Conway waves to a friend from the Horry County Democratic Party table during the Galivants Ferry Democratic Stump on Monday, May 12, 2008.



I turned this photo in, but they might not have room for it, so I posted it here just in case! David Smith plays the banjo and William White plays the mandolin as they perform with The Red White Family out of Conway during the Galivants Ferry Democratic Stump on Monday, May 12, 2008.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

I have been a fan of “Dukes of Hazzard” for as long as I can remember and have had a crush on Bo Duke since I was 6 years old!!  Today I got to meet him and get my picture taken with him!!!!  I’ve been on cloud nine ever since!

Trace Lowther, 8, right, and Konnor Harrell, 8, both of Ridgeland, SC race remote control cars at a vendor’s tent before the Dodge Challenger 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race at Darlington Raceway on Saturday, May 10, 2008.

Jimmy Jolly, right, and Robert Tomlinson of Custom Signs out of Darlington repaint the wall before the Dodge Challenger 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race at Darlington Raceway on Saturday, May 10, 2008.

John Schneider who played Bo Duke in “Dukes of Hazzard “ signs autographs before the Dodge Challenger 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race at Darlington Raceway on Saturday, May 10, 2008.

Business is booming at the Dale Earnhardt Jr. merchandise trailer before the Dodge Challenger 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race at Darlington Raceway on Saturday, May 10, 2008.

Hundreds of people descend on the track before the Dodge Challenger 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race at Darlington Raceway on Saturday, May 10, 2008.

Sometimes its just about the details

So I admit it, I got a bit caught up in the Jr buzz my first day in the garage.

Shawn Singleton’s face tells the story in this one.  It was nuts how surrounded he was by media, I’ve never really experienced that before.

These are some pictures from Tony Stewart winning the Diamond Hill Plywood 200.  The first one is from him taking his victory lap with the checkered flag before driving into victory flag.  Moments before this pic the checkered flag flew off the hood of his car and he had to stop and have someone run out on the track to grab the flag for him.










LOOK MA NO HANDS!!  I just missed this pic and by the time I switched to vertical the moment was gone.  live and learn, these things will happen and after all this is my first NASCAR event ever.