Tuesday, April 22, 2008

On Tuesday I went with reporter Dwight Dana to talk to photographer Milton Morris in Olanta. Morris grew up in Olanta on a farm and eventually headed off to New York City to learn his craft. As a photographer myself I was amazed by his large format camera. The camera is absolutely massive and I found it un-heard of that he occasionally takes it with him on some shoots. Here are two pictures from the interview. Check out the Morning News next week for the full story and other pictures.





Milton Morris talks about his 11x14 camera that he will occasionally use to take pictures with. The camera is at least 50 years old. Morning News/John D. Russell





Milton Morris sometimes uses an 11x14 Deardorff view camera that he had restored that is close to 50 years old. Morning News/John D. Russell

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Sisters Isis and Aijah Commander of Andrews, S.C. search for a way out of the Hall of Mirrors during the 20th Annual Hemingway BBQ-Shag Festival helpd April 17-19th in downtown Hemingway.

Friday, April 18, 2008

This morning I was 200 feet above the ground to take photos of the new sign at the McDonalds next to I95.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

I can’t think of anything better than taking pictures outside on such a beautiful day!  This story was to run inside the Sports section in black and white…so I kept this picture for the blog because the colors were gorgeous. Head softball coach Shirl Carter gives some batting tips to one of her Lady Cats during practice in Dillon on Thursday, April 17, 2008.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Briar Wilson, 2, of Darlington peeks into a tank of koi during the Southern Plant and Flower Festival at the Pee Dee Farmer’s Market in Florence on Saturday, April 12, 2008.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Several wrecks occured on or near Interstate 20 in Darlington County this afternoon.  These are pictures from three of those accidents.




Plywood covers the median as workers prepare to remove the wreckage of an overturned semi on the median of Interstate 20 in Darlingon County. Traffic was backed up for miles in both eastbound and westbound lanes.



Emergency workers take the driver of a wrecked semi to a waiting ambulance.



The contents of an overturned semi spill across the shoulder and into a ditch.



A severely damaged vehicle awaits a tow truck as traffic slowly passes in the eastbound lane.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

South Florence student Jason Owen plants a kiss on the cheek of Ashley Farrill during the South Florence Junior/ Senior Prom, held at the school on
April 5, 2008. See Sunday’s Pee Dee Living for the complete photo essay.

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Last night, everyone in country for the wedding went on a chiva parandera or “party bus.“  We had two buses to fit everyone who wanted to go.  Years ago, the chiva buses had a band seated in the middle of the bus.  The updated version of the bus has a DJ and bartender in the back of the bus, all of the seats have been removed and replaced with two long bench seats on both sides. These buses resemble the classic American school bus, only they are painted with elaborate designs and are covered with lights. The passengers dance and drink the night away as the bus drives them throughout Panama City.









Our chiva stopped at a place where we could overlook the bay of Panama and listen to a five-piece band play traditional Panamanian music.  Some of the chiva buses drive you to different historical sites around the area including the Panama Canal Miraflores Locks. At each stop the passengers pile out of the bus and dance some more.

I am currently on vacation in the Republic of Panama for a friend’s wedding.  I graduated from high school here and it has been almost 10 years since my last visit.  These are some pictures I have taken from the first couple of days, visiting the beach and doing the normal tourist things.



Playa Santa Clara on the Pacific side of Panama.



The mola is an intricate, hand stitched design that has evolved to the original geometric, symmetrical shapes into more elaborate creations of animals and even entire underwater scenes. The designs are used for clothing, decoration, and pretty much anything you can think of using them for.



A native Panamanian, a Kuna indian, sews a mola at an open air market.



These are hand carved tagua nuts represent the myriad of poison dart frogs that are found throughout Panama. The rock-hard tagua nuts have to be specially treated before they become soft enough to carve.

What an amazing day !!!!

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Went out to the new Science South facility today at Freedom Florence for kite-building workshops for local kids. 
It was a blast and kids really seemed to have a great time, luckily we had some great wind. 








Then I gave my camera to some kids and let them shoot some pics, hopefully some future photojouurnalists and photographers.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

I had the opportunity to cover the Florence County DSN Board’s Preliminary Talent Competition at the Matthew B. Wallace Center this morning. It never stops amazing me how full of life people are no matter what their situation maybe.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

I had a fun sequence from today’s baseball game and decided to play in Photoshop a little bit. I stitched three these photos together for a quick photo illustration.

Friday, March 21, 2008

FPD Cpl. Jerri James laughs as she gets caught buying donuts during the Special Olympics Cops on Doughnut Shops fundraiser at Krispy Kreme on West Palmetto in Florence on Friday, March 21, 2008.

FPD Cpl. Jerri James takes a bite of a donut to the amusement of Off. Tammie Durant and Lt. George Mack during the Special Olympics Cops on Doughnut Shops fundraiser at Krispy Kreme on West Palmetto in Florence on Friday, March 21, 2008.