Two 14-hour days of working poolside for the Ohio high school state swim meet produced more images than I’d like to count. We had kids from nearly 20 local schools competing this year, so it made for some hectic shooting. Without our trusty 200mm f1.8 lens this year, I had to resort to direct flash (yeck!) to help with some of the exposures. The tiny pool deck didn’t provide many shooting positions either.
Despite the limitations, I was firmly in my element at the pool. Since I grew up as a swimmer, lifeguard, and coach, I think there are probably still traces of chlorine in my blood. It was an assignment that I specifically requested and one that other photographers thanked me for taking. I had a good time shooting, and I hope that comes through in the photos.
Tags: canton, new albany, swimming, upper arlington, watterson, westerville, worthington
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I had the opportunity to photograph David Doubilet, one of the world’s top underwater photographers who primarily shoots for National Geographic, at the McCoy Center in New Albany last week. Doubilet shared several dozen of his favorite photos to the local middle school kids. He explained the significance of each photo, whether it be a rare mating session between sea turtles or a previously unphotographed species of aquatic life. Not just an eye candy lecture, he tried teaching a lesson as well. He warned the kids about never buying shark fin soup, as the harvesting of sharks for the Japanese delicacy has led to their near-existence. To back his claim, he showed an image of a giant shark on a Japanese dock with its fins cut off. Between giggles and oohs and aahs, his message was heard.
It was amazing to listen to the passion Mr. Doubilet has for sea life, and how me managed to turn that love of the ocean into a successful photography career. He started snorkeling when he was eight, and began taking a camera with him wrapped in a plastic bag before he was even a teenager. 50 years later, Doubilet has shot 40 assignments for National Geographic, including numerous cover shots. What I liked most was his passion to try to change the marine world with his pictures. It didn’t take more than a few minutes of seeing his pictures to realize that he has succeeded.
On an assignment related note, I shot the second image at the very beginning of the lecture. Immediately after hitting the shutter button, the spotlight on Doubilet went out. Dark. Fortunately, after shooting a few of his photos, he moved away from the back of the podium, so I could get the silhouette shot. I’d like to think it was just one photographer looking out for another. Thanks David!
Tags: david doubilet, national geographic, new albany, photographer, underwater
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Several local kids from New Albany took part in the Jensen-Schmidt Tennis Academy for children with Down Syndrome at the Wickertree Tennis Club. Tennis pros and other volunteers helped more than a dozen kids go through various tennis skill drills. This was one of those feel-good stories that make my job worthwhile. The kids had a great time, and I didn’t want to stop taking pictures.
Tags: down syndrome, new albany, tennis
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