A certain amount of luck is needed when cruising for feature photos. The trifecta of light, moment and composition is necessary for a great photo, though sometimes we have to settle for as few as one component.
The logistics of producing the daily paper means that the vast majority of these feature hunts take place during harsh midday sun. The numerous parks in town are always a good go-to, but we tire of photographing park activities, just as you probably tire of seeing them.
Aside from the parks, there are few areas with numerous people out and about. Add the sprawling layout of the Tri-Cities, and this means we drive many miles in search of something going on especially during school and work hours. Sometimes you spot something interesting only to have it end while you're finding a place to park.
During these miles, you'll notice some cool settings that may yield future features. You'll revisit these places many times in the hope that something will join this compositional element the next time you stop by.
The first such location I noticed as an intern in summer 2007 was Griggs Department Store in Pasco. Its bright paint job, wacky, yet simple, was an instant draw to my eyes numb from the earth tones that pervade the area.
The only problem was I had no idea what kind of picture I could make from it. Some cool spots stand out because they have pockets of light. And while my skill at fully utilizing these settings needs improvement, I at least know that a person walking through the right light or shadow will make a cool frame.
I continued to cruise by the spot regularly and finally found Hermenegildo Sanchez power washing the building and sidewalk in April:
And he was even wearing a yellow rain suit. Purple galoshes and golden light would have been even better, but I can't complain. Its not an amazing photo, but its simple, clean and colorful a nice departure from what I usually shoot. Maybe I'll have an opportunity in the future to make something better out there, but for now, it feels good to have lucked out and seen my no-plan to fruition.
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kyau@tricityherald.com
(509) 585-7205
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Ball Play
Ball Play
I love basketball. Growing up as Blazers fan, that love was estranged for some time , but it rekindled while covering games at legendary McArthur Court . I remember starting out at the Oregon Daily Emerald and eagerly shooting my first couple of games.
The energy of "The Pit" from my baseline seat on the floor was electric even during early season games and we even got free leftover hotdogs and pizza after getting a taste of being a working pro while trying to walk the line between schmoozing and annoying with local shooters Sol Neelman , Kevin Clark , Thomas Boyd and Chris Pietsch .
I was hooked.
Diamond and the Rough
Diamond and the Rough
In the wide world of sportraiture, I have always struggled with baseball . The culture of the diamond makes it hard to single out the gems on a team. While I am far from an expert, my theory is that baseball teams depend on depth more than any sport. You could have the best pitcher in history on your team, but he's only going to throw in a minority percentage of your games. This means teammates often jeer at whomever I'm photographing.
I was reminded of this during the Dust Devils' media day when Leonardo Reyes messed with Isaiah Froneberger while I was shooting head shots of all the players:
About Face
About Face
Humor is a good crutch to lean on for portraiture. If your subject is uncomfortable in front of the camera, crack a joke to loosen her up. Even terrible jokes can work if it makes someone realize the photographer is a bigger dork than he is. If there are multiple subjects, I like having them reminisce about funny situations to get a more spontaneous feel to the set-up situation.
It's an easy way to get a fun photo because even though some people look a little goofy when they're really laughing, there's always a certain charm to it.
Obviously, this technique isn't always appropriate, and our recent month-long series, Faces of Cancer , is a prime example.
Slight or Flight
Slight or Flight
We may all be unique snowflakes, but I guarantee everybody shares at least one pet peeve.
The annoyance of somebody telling me how to do my job is often made even more irritating by the fact that s/he is also toting a camera. Of course, I welcome suggestions and heads up on interesting people or scenes that I might have overlooked, but it's hard not to bristle when somebody tells me I need to get a photo of something.
Or even worse — what I shouldn't be photographing.
Sun Rise and Fall
Sun Rise and Fall
Last Friday was a mix of pleasure and pain. The Dust Devils' first game of their championship series against Vancouver spoiled what would have been a football-filled Friday, and their 6-3 loss seemed all the more sour after the Gravel Pit Championship between heavily favored Chiawana and Pasco was much closer than expected .
On the flip side, I had the rare opportunity to shoot a day game, as Kamiakin kicked off a double-header at 5 p.m. at Lampson Stadium in Kennewick by hosting Moses Lake .
Sure, Friday night lights may be fun to play under, and I certainly wasn't thrilled with hustling around in the heat, but I'll take that golden fading daylight any time. My eagerness to get there early to play in the pre-game light had to wait, though, as I had to slap together a quickie portrait at Southridge High School first.
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