Bay Bridge by Jed Kirschbam
(Nikon D2Xs, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 240mm, 15 seconds @ f/32, ISO 200)

The Bay Bridge has been photographed -- a lot -- over the years. Everyone who has worked at The Sun in some capacity probably had it as the subject, an element or in the background in some sort. But this picture is, in a word, beautiful. Made March 20, 2007, by long-time Sun staff photographer Jed Kirschbaum, a senior staffer who joined the Sunpapers on July 24, 1978.

Asked to photograph the bridge for a resurfacing story while returning from the Eastern Shore, Jed waited in Stevensonville nearly two hours for the light to change, the sun to set and disappear, and do justice to the architectural triumph. His previsualization bore fruit, and the time-exposure image was made.

Last week I was pushing him -- and some others -- to enter the Best of Photojournalism contest, in particular this image. Though this National Press Photographers Association contest wrongly has no pictorial category -- though there is a vexing one for "Field of Play," whatever that is -- and may not see the light of day outside the judging room, there is always a chance. Might as well put it in play.

Posted by Christopher Assaf at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

This is a delightful photograph taken last winter by fellow staff photographer Kim Hairston. The weather had turned the countryside into an icy cover not safe for the horses to go on the hunt. However, the dogs still needed to be exercised. The huntsman leads the hounds on frenetic 1-mile jaunts through streams and over dale.

Running ahead of the pack, Kim had some prior knowledge of the slipperiness on the other side of the fence; she fell herself as she went over the gate. Her photographic intuition -- and prayers to the gods of photo -- made her think the same might happen to those following her.

Posted by Christopher Assaf at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

The photojournalism contest sponsored by The White House News Photographers Association is one The Sun could not enter until three years ago. We were not accepted as members into the group. Dudley Brooks, former Assistant Managing Editor/News Photography and a member, worked diligently to make it so we could be part of the gang.

The Eyes of History contest is held in very high esteem. Nearly all entrants involved are heavy hitters. Photographers from Getty Images, Associated Press, Washington Post, Newsweek, Time, Agence-France Presse, and Washington Times are some of the entities involved, just to name a few. Photographs from around the country and the world are entered, along with those in the Washington arena of red velvet ropes and politics.

It is a nice contest in which to be involved and be recognized. The Sun had a strong showing, winning five awards in five categories. Staff photographer Monica Lopossay led the pack with three, Chiaki Kawajiri came in with one and yours truly nabbed one also.

Monica Lopossay, First Place, Pictorial

Monica Lopossay, Second Place, International News

Monica Lopossay, Award of Excellence, Domestic News

Chiaki Kawajiri, Award of Excellence, Portrait

Christopher T. Assaf, First Place, Feature

Awards are not everything and cannot be taken all too seriously. Many things can influence the judges, who carry their biases and experiences into the judging room. It is all subjective. However, it is really nice feeling to be recognized by your peers in the industry and at the office. It helps make the ordeals and frustrations melt away, ever so briefly, and helps one remember what is important: To make great photographs that tell stories and offer a distinctive insight into the world and its surroundings.

Posted by Christopher Assaf at 12:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
                    

What if a city had an election and no one voted? That is what appears to have happened on Sept. 11, 2007, as the city of Baltimore held a primary election and turnout was low. Very low. More people came to Mayor Sheila Dixon's inaugural then came to most of the polls.

Sun photographer Amy Davis made a really telling photo. Her caption reads: "Election judges James Moore and Regina Branche had a lot of down time due to the low voter turnout at Ward 12, Precinct 7, at the Barclay Elementary School. By noon, only 90 voters had come in to vote in the city primary election, though according to officials, this polling place has 1,224 registered voters."

Really nice, and I particularly like the way the floor tiles mimic the well-placed and lonely voting booths.

Posted by Christopher Assaf at 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

(Nikon D2Xs, Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 17mm, 1/320 sec. @ f/5.6, ISO 320)

Everyday life is great. Covering the little things that happen every day thrills me, especially when I can unearth a gem. The Wedding Chapel is not new to the pages of The Sun. Even so, I remember looking forward to my time there and hoping to get something different from past coverage.

Nereida Boyer and Eddie Diaz were kind enough to allow us to observe their wedding in the last chapel in Elkton. Before and during the brief ritual I peered into this intimate time with full welcome. Ceremony over, ride arrangements having been made with friends and relatives, the newlyweds walked out into the cold January air to face the future together.

They walked, uncertain in where to go to find their ride; the newly signed marriage license grasped in held hands. Like most people in a similar moment, they may not have known in which direction to go but they would learn the way together.

This photograph worked in color, but nothing in the muted spectrum popped and it did not have the impact intended. In black and white the intended drama is more apparent, the couple standing out more from the background and not blending in as much as in the color version.  

Posted by Christopher Assaf at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

(Nikon D2Xs Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 116mm, 1/640 sec. @ f/13, ISO 250)
Photo by Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun staff

This is a beautiful photograph by Sun photographer Lloyd Fox. It is from a very sad, difficult situation. Racheal Wilson, a firefighter recruit, was killed in a live-fire training accident on Feb. 9 that Baltimore city officials say went terribly awry. A three-volley salute was fired in her honor during the Feb. 16 funeral at the Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens.

The subdued color, only evident in the blue sky and the tint in the white gloves, creates a somber mood very easily conveyed. That mood is even more evident by dark funeral marker, the strategically included in the composition. Lloyd is an amazing photographer, and it is not surprising he made such a bittersweet image.  

Posted by Christopher Assaf at 12:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)