Pursuing my civic duty as an American, I went in to vote this morning in the Maryland primary. Very exciting, to say the least. For no reason than self-amusement I brought in my camera. As I left I decided to visually document the outstanding use of signage at Stoneleigh Elemnetary School in Towson.

(Nikon D2Xs, Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8 @ mm, 1/45th sec. @ f/2.8, ISO 400)  

Of course I drew concerned stares as I kneeled down to make this monumental document to American democracy in action.

Getting into the car before going to vote, a small trickle of ice on my snow-covered windshield caught my eye. Nothing spectacular but interesting.

(Nikon D2Xs, Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8 @ mm, 1/30th sec. @ f/10, ISO 100)

Since I am no longer on the daily beat, I am going to start carrying a camera with me more often than in the past. Just to try and see, a little differently, each day what is around me and what I might be missing. I have always liked doing this, and have let it slip recently.   

Posted by Christopher Assaf at 9:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

(Nikon D2X, Tokina 12-24mm @ 12mm, 1/125th sec. @ f/5.0, ISO 400) 

 

Santas swarmed, some naughty some nice, parts of the Inner Harbor for Santarchy: good natured fun while wearing Santa suits. Two, Elm Street Santa and Peace Santa (a.k.a. Gas Mask Santa) partook in scuffling near the Tuba Christmas festivities. It was a lighthearted pummeling Elm Street Santa inflicted, and the stirring did not last longer than a mouse in a house of cats.

 

Reporter Tom Pelton wrote a cheeky story which expertly expressed the anarchist attitude of the Santa revealers. The headline did the same, a great headline at that. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the photograph I made of the Santarchy event that was chosen for the front page of the Maryland section (shown at right) wasn't up to the quality of the story and headline; this one ran inside. That decision was made because the Santarchy story was running next to an obituary and above a story about a memorial service, and it was decided that the proximity of a photo showing the "fight" was inappropriate.

Posted by Christopher Assaf at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

(Nikon D2X, Nikon 500mm f/4, 1/1250th sec. @ f/4, ISO 320) 

The return to work, after the dazed tour of duty in Annapolis at the State House, was not bad at all. What could be better than San Diego in November? Unfortunately the game did not match the beautiful weather in the realm of perfection. The Chargers put the hammer to the Ravens in a 32-14 slop fest.

There will be a longer post for tomorrow, but for now the play that changed the mood and tempo of the contest: Kyle Boller being sacked by Shawne Merriman and fumbling the ball. This led to a Charger scoring tirade in the second quarter.

Fellow photographer Karl Merton Ferron positioned himself on the opposite end of the field, and I photographed from the side of the field with the sun to my back. This was necessitated by my choice of lens; the Nikon 500mm f/4. It is the same lens I used for part of training camp back in July.

In previous games, Cincinnati and Buffalo, a Nikon 400mm f/2.8 was the lens of choice. But, for some reason, I never really felt comfortable with it either time and not entirely happy with my results ... thus the switch to the beloved, razor sharp Nikon 500mm f/4.

 More to come on the Ravens debacle tomorrow.

Posted by Christopher Assaf at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

The Senate Chamber in the Maryland State House is, at best, a challenge. It is a deep, dim room with, I estimate, four different types of light from varied sources bouncing from the marble walls. The key illumination comes from three stories (I guess) high above through a colored-glass false ceiling. It is not even, it is not bright, and the shadows are where faces disappear and expressions are lost, never to be seen again.

The average exposure bounces around 1/60th second with the lens aperture set at f/2.8. The ISO on the D2X is set to H 1, which is equivalent to an ISO of 1600. Why they do not list it as 1600 is beyond me, but its effect, as far as I am concerned, is the same.

The photographers and videographers are limited to the front of the chamber, either to the left or right of Senate President's rostrum and the desks of the clerks, assistants and secretaries. There is not a lot of room for maneuvering in any circumstance, but adding six-or-more video cameras on sticks and it gets tricky. As in most cases, my movements are not hindered except by the all-important monopod.

There are two balconies above the floor, in front and back, which offer another vantage point. They can be good, to a point, but there is no leaning over the ledge. "They get upset," said the very nice Maryland state trooper as I moved in for the first time.  

This is my favorite from yesterday. It is not my intention to make anyone look bad, unless it is in keeping with the tone and tenor of the situation. As Sen. E.J. Pipkin (R) kept asking questions about the bill being read on the floor, Sen. James Brochin (D) let escape a yawn. Before and after this photograph, it was evident some people were getting weary from the long-winded questioning.

The moment also gives notice the session is a very harried, yet time-consuming, process that will challenge even the most diligent listeners, bargainers and tacticians alike. Many things are going on at once on the floor, and rarely is someone not speaking. Senators are conferring on the phone or in person to the side. Assistants are scurrying in and out shuffling papers. It is a frenetic place.

Posted by Christopher Assaf at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

(Nikon D2Xs, Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 @ 145mm, 1/80th sec. @ f/2.8, ISO 1600) 

The UniSun Gospel Celebration, earlier this month, was neat to cover. Last year's inaugural event was fun to attend, and I enjoyed it. I did not look as forward to the second, having done it previously, but I enjoy the music and the positive atmosphere.

Each performance is the virtually the same: People on stage, usually on risers, singing with someone leading. The picture possibilities are dependent upon the choirs' enthusiasm or limited choreography. This leaves me searching to make and create different pictures, with some inherent distinction, to differentiate each performance. The Web site gallery needed many pictures, and I do not want each photograph to look like the next, each performance to not have any distinction from the others. 

Hands are always interesting to me, subconsciously influenced by the fact I am missing part of my right ringfinger, and constantly scan for pictures where they are the center of interest. This composition came together quickly, the white of the projection screen contrasting greatly with the raised arms and hands. The light was difficult throughout the show, changing quickly and filtered heavily. Almost all of the exposures were made with a wide-open aperture and 1600 ISO. The shutter speeds dipped to 1/40th and peaked at 1/80th, creating a constant challenge.

Posted by Christopher Assaf at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

Another gorgeous day, but not gorgeous enough for the Ravens and the fans. The 19-14 loss on the road to the Buffalo Bills takes the buzz right off. Sunday saw the return of Willis McGahee to the place where he started in the league — and disparaged in recent public comments. His every move was watched closely Sunday — and booed often.

(Nikon D2X, Nikon 400mm f/2.8, 1/2500th sec. @ f/3.5, ISO 250)

With that knowledge in hand, and filling the stadium, McGahee becomes the well-known allegory for the game — and the focus of all eyes and lenses.

On the Ravens' sideline, it is my job to keep peeled for any storytelling images away from the action. Consequently McGahee is my pre-game target.

After taking the field with his teammates, the running back intimately huddled with Ray Lewis and Ed Reed as they waited to represent the team in the coin toss.

Walking off the field after the toss he is followed by a video cameraman, and more than likely every lens on the guest (Ravens) side of the field.

This photograph works as a representation of the attention McGahee had garnered the last few days, and now needed to put behind him to play the game. It might have worked, as he gained 1124 yards for the day and scored a touchdown. Look later Monday for a longer post about covering the game and making the photographs.  

(Nikon D2X, Nikon 400mm f/2.8, 1/1600th sec. @ f/4, ISO 250)

Posted by Christopher Assaf at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

(Nikon D2X, Nikon 85mm f/1.8, 1/8th sec. @ f/2.8, ISO 640, Nikon SB-800 Speedlight off camera)

The club was small, cramped and dark. It had been a long Saturday, and I had to spend some time photographing Shodekeh, a professional beatboxer. He performed with guitarist, saxaphonist and two deejays; the entire time with a microphone attached to his mouth (not unusual for a beat boxer) and standing near the staircase.

To light the room I used a Nikon SB-800 Speedlight clamped to a light rail and fired it with a PocketWizard remote unit. It was pointed toward the wall, bouncing the light throughout the room to look more natural.

Most of the time I photographed from the front, but as I neared the end of the shoot I moved behind the deejay, maneuvering Shodekeh in front of the light. Who knew what effect may happen, or if it would even work, but I tried it anyway. Doing this, I knew the Nikon Nikkor 85mm f/1.8 has some problems with direct light. My theory is it reflects off the sensor back onto the lens' back element and returns to the sensor. This makes a reflected image of the light. It can create some real problems, but also neat effects.

This image, in my mind, captures and represents more of Shodekeh than any of the more "straight" photographs. It also expresses more of my vision. The dual microphones, the reflected one embedded in his silhouetted profile, personifies how attached he is to the music for which he has given up everything to follow. His quiet demeanor disappears as he melds with his music.

Opening the paper Sunday, to the Arts & Living Today section, I soon learned this photograph did not get published.   

Posted by Christopher Assaf at 11:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
                    

(Nikon D2X. Tokina 12-24mm f/4 @ 24mm, 1/1000th @ f/5.6, ISO 250)

The day was beautiful. Clear skies and nice temperatures: If I'm going to be outside I wish it was always like this.

So I spent a lot of Saturday at Shawan Downs doing double duty, shooting for both the Maryland and sports sections. Therefore I had to get there early and spend a bit of time trying to find pictures of interest. One of my personal edicts, which I shared with the reporter, is to try and avoid children — not that there's anything wrong with children — because in slow or bland situations they can be used as a crutch. Turning to the children in situations where they have nothing to do with the story or events happening does a disservice to the readers.

Not that I do not like cute kid pictures, but there has to be a reason for me to use one. So when I perused the list of events for the day the Stick Pony Race between the third and fourth races a flag went up. It was a big part of the day, a lot of little ones were going to be taking part and I had not photographed it the last time I covered the race. So it became part of my storyline.

The race looked like it would be fun as the racers ponied up to the start line. I decided to get a low angle  — to remove the tractor parked right behind the start and ruining the clean background — and photograph the children as they raced past me. Then, as I waited, something startled me and about set me off. The starter decided to knock me on the foot with his cane as if I was doing something wrong. With camera no one has the license to touch me. It is the same without it. For some reason, because I am a member of the press and carry cameras people think they can treat me in a different manner than everyday citizens.

This about sent me through the roof. He would most likely have thought twice about smacking one of the parents with his cane. 

Posted by Christopher Assaf at 9:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

(Nikon D2X, Nikon 85mm f/1.8, 1/8th sec. @ f/2.8, ISO 640, SB-800 off camera)

While on assignment Saturday night at Dionysius in Baltimore, I noticed a young lady talking with friends at a table nearby. Behind her an improvisational group of musicians dabbling in "experimental fusion" played. On the left, and a little behind her, I mounted a Nikon SB-800 AF Speedlight. It was aimed at the wall to angle towards the group. Enough made its way to the woman to make nice rim light, the fill provided from the bounce on the opposite wall.

A delicate frame, with dreamy quality, even though the overall image has a low-key effect.   

Posted by Christopher Assaf at 2:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)