O’Reilly 200
This weekend I got sent to the O’Reilly 200, part of the 212 NASCAR Craftsman Truck race series. The race for me consisted of two days of shooting. The first day was the practice rounds and pit crews preparing their vehicles. Tragically, one of my disks containing my truck fixing photos was corrupt by a faulty card reader. I was pretty upset, but theres nothing I can do about it now really. We’ll see when I go into the office if they’re salvageable.
These guys were with HAAS racing, and they had a ton of tires to clean before the start of the race.
Pit Crews took time to chill out before the start of the race. I didn’t realize until I shot this race just how physically demanding it is to be a part of the pit crew. This whole experience has definitly given me a better respect for racers, and pit guys.
Before the start of the race, teams lined up with their gas tanks in front of the SUNCO gas truck to fill up.
There is no amount of words that could have prepared me for what it felt like to be standing next to the wall as a ton of trucks flew by at over 100 mph. It makes the ground shake, and I almost fell over from the wind.
203 laps later, Ron Hornaday Jr, no 33, claimed his 36th victory in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck race series.
Working It Out
This guy Greg that I met today is training for some upcoming mountain climbs that he will be doing as a benefit to raise money for charity. We talked about climbing, and he let me photograph him in his sweaty moments. Sometimes I think I need to remember what its like to be on the other side of the camera, it must suck.
He trains at his local gym in his hiking gear with his 50 pound backpack.
“This is my wife, she is my everything, my cheerleader. She gets me everywhere that my legs can not.”
I didn’t realize it was possible to take so many pictures of a guy working out…
The Beale Street Blues
I’m starting a photo essay/story on the lights, music, and people of Beale Street. My idea is to center it around the Blues (both lights and music). Heres what came of my first night, which I really just wanted for the purpose of seeing what I had to work with.
Other non-story related photos that I’m posting anyways:
Every Wednesday night is Bike night, so I’m also considering that as a possible angle for my story if the Blues thing doesnt work out.
Spot News Attempt
Spot News is personal weakness of my, so per suggestion of one of the staffers, I let the assigning editor know that I wanted to be sent out on spot news chases, and he sure hasn’t let me down. And there is plenty going on here in Memphis.
Yesterday a Bus T-boned into a pick up truck. No one was seriously injured, but in bus crashes people try and file for insurance claims so most people are taken to the hospital anyways. 8 People were taken away for this case.
I haven’t really succeeded at getting a portfolio picture at spot news yet, but the more I try, the better I’ll get at covering it, which is really more of the point anyways; to learn.
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