Archive
A Baseball Byline.
"An Umpire's Attendant picks up a foul ball during a Major League Baseball game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland Friday, September 18, 2009."
I just wanted to make a quick post to document a new byline I’m adding to my portfolio. This time, it’s from Baltimore Magazine, which I’d never been published in before.
This is a photo gallery to accompany an article about the 20th anniversary of Camden Yards. The link to the gallery is here.
I shot photo numbers 20 and 24, and I scanned and edited the old, classic photos of Camden Yards from the Orioles archives season.
I must admit, it’s been a bit strange not working in Baltimore for the start of the season, as I had shot the past three Opening Days there. That being said, I’m so ready for the Red Sox to come to down for Opening Day at Fenway Parks this Friday.
Reflections: Year two at the Baltimore Orioles
"Baltimore Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis hits a home run during a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians Saturday, July 16, 2011."
I’m here at the yard for the last day of my second year as a photographer for the Baltimore Orioles. What can I say? It was another amazing summer consumed by two of my favorite things in life: photography and baseball.
I did a lot this year. Since I got here in mid-June, I shot 30 home games. I also traveled with players to various community outreach events throughout Baltimore City and County. Many of my photographs were published in this year’s third edition of Orioles Magazine, as well as several Baltimore newspapers and community publications. I also worked tirelessly on the Orioles photography archives, which are in the ridiculously long process of being categorized and converted to digital format. Over these past several months, I scanned, in their entirety, the files of 60 players dating back to 1954. In total, I scanned over 4,000 images, but likely closer to 4,500. I also fulfilled image requests from other departments, local media outlets, and other teams throughout the league.
It’s a little bittersweet now that it’s over. I love every second of being out there on the field right where the action is, and for me, shooting the games never gets old. At the same time, though, this job is intense, and can be extremely time consuming. Needless to say, I’m excited for a bit of a break after lots of hard work. I also know that I won’t miss much action during the offseason (besides the annoying sound of the scanners next to my computer all day long.)
What I will miss, of course, are the people who make this such an incredible experience for me. I owe my most sincere thanks to Todd Olszewski, the team photographer, for calling me back this year, imparting his photo expertise on me, and constantly inspiring me with his work. I also owe thanks to all the photographers I work alongside at each game for making work such an enjoyable place to come to every day, and for their advice and wisdom about this profession.
I’m not quite sure what’s next, but I know something great will come up. Until then, here’s to two seasons!
Baltimore Orioles Photography: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 vs. Boston Red Sox
"Baltimore Orioles first baseman Mark Reynolds is tagged out at home by Boston Red Sox catcher Ryan Lavarnway in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Baltimore."
"Baltimore Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis looks on in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Wednesday, September 28, 2011 in Baltimore."
Here’s two that I liked from Wednesday night’s dramatic final game of the season. These were taken, of course, before the ridiculous 9th inning walk off win, which I’ll show in a separate post.
A broken bat shot.
"Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters breaks his bat in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, September 27, 2011 in Baltimore."
I’ve been waiting all season for one of these to happen. Go figure it took me until game 161 to get it. I wish the bat had broken more, because I was all over this at-bat. This doesn’t look like much as far as broken-bat shots go, but I’m still happy I got one.
Baltimore Orioles Video Highlight Reel: My Time
Here’s my first video work published for the Baltimore Orioles. This video ran on the scoreboard at Camden Yards between innings throughout the last month of the season.
I owe a special thanks to Ben Epstein of Orioles Productions for his killer editing of this reel. Not all of the clips that appear in this video are mine, but most of them are. It’s a combination of footage I shot handheld with my Canon 7D and footage shot by the television camera crew.
As for what to look for, I shot about every photo that appears in the opening montage, and my video clips have a more handheld look and play with focus and depth of field a lot more. I’d say they make for about 80% of the video.
It feels great to have gotten some video published this season, and it was always wild to see my own work up on the scoreboard during games.
Photo: American League Wild Card chase – Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles.
"Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon celebrates after recording the final out of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles Tuesday, September 27, 2011 in Baltimore. With the 8-7 victory, the Boston remained even with the Tampa Bay Rays atop the American League Wild Card Standings with one regular season game remaining."
I’m still trying to accept the fact that the most important games in baseball, or perhaps in all of sports right now, are being played in Baltimore. Last night, the American League Wild Card race continued at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, where the Boston Red Sox held on to an early lead to defeat the Baltimore Orioles 8-7 and remain tied with the Tampa Bay Rays atop the Wild Card standings.
This race is so close that it’s literally going to come down to tonight’s game, the 162nd and last of the season. It could even require an extra one-game playoff to decide the winner.
I shot lots of good action from the game last night, but decided to only post this photo of Papelbon celebrating a Red Sox victory, as that’s the main story line right now. I don’t want to post too much until this series is over and we’re able to see where everything stands. Regardless, this is the closest thing to playoff baseball Baltimore has seen in awhile (even though it’s not for the home team), and I loved the energy out there last night.
Tonight should be more of the same. ESPN is in town to broadcast the game, the phones are ringing off the hook here, and the photo pits will be packed. So, here’s to my last game of the season (maybe)!
Baltimore Orioles Photography: Monday, September 26, 2011 vs. Boston Red Sox
"Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero tips his helmet to the crowd after hitting a single in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Monday, September 26, 2011 in Baltimore. This was his 2,587th career hit, moving him past Julio Franco as the all-time leader in hits by a Dominican-born player."
"Baltimore Orioles outfielders (L-R) Matt Angle, Adam Jones, and Nick Markakis, celebrate a victory over the Boston Red Sox Monday, September 26, 2011 in Baltimore."
"Baltimore Orioles second baseman Robert Andino reacts after receiving a shaving cream pie to the face after defeating the Boston Red Sox Monday, September 26, 2011 in Baltimore."
We’ve reached the last three games of the 2011 regular season at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. This is always a busy week around the stadium, but there’s a particular buzz in the air this time around. The American League Wild Card chase is on, and the Boston Red Sox, in the midst of an historic end-of-season collapse, play their final three games in Baltimore. This year’s playoff scenarios are coming down to the wire, and I’m pumped at the possibility of them being decided in Baltimore.
The Sox were unable to beat the O’s last night, moving them into a tie with the Tampa Bay Rays for the AL Wild Card spot. I’ve got lots of good photos from last night, but I want to be careful about what I post, as there’s still lots of baseball left to be played.
Last night’s game had a bit of everything: Playoff implications, a Dominican baseball record broken, a drunken fan running across the field, an inside the park home run, and a pie in the face, to mention a few.
This game’s “Thing I Learned:” Last night’s lesson will carry over for the entire week. Big time games call for big time photos! I shoot better pictures when there’s something at stake. I like the added pressure.
Time for game two!
Baltimore Orioles Photography: Sunday, September 18, 2011 vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
"Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy warms up in the on deck circle in the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Sunday, September 18, 2011 in Baltimore."
I’ve gotten the chance to go through all of my images from this weekend’s three games, and I’ve realized that I really didn’t have a great stretch shooting-wise. I managed to get some nice features, like this one, as well as some portraits, but when it came to action, I was a bit off for one reason or another.
That doesn’t bother me much, though, which brings me to this game’s “Thing I Learned:” Like anything in life, in photography there are going to be days where you don’t shoot as well as you set out to. It’s just a part of it. I take it in stride and move on!
Baltimore Orioles Photography: Saturday, September 17, 2011 vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
"Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters stands on home plate during the National Anthem before the start of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Saturday, September 17, 2011 in Baltimore."
"Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero jokes before the start of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Saturday, September 17, 2011 in Baltimore."
Again, there wasn’t much high action to be shot during last Saturday’s game, so I fooled around a bit and tried to look for something new.
This game’s “Thing I Learned:” After I take pictures of whoever is singing the National Anthem before each game, there’s always an awkward minute or two where I’m caught behind home plate with nothing to do but wait for the anthem to be over. So, this time I decided to make myself useful and try to make another picture to avoid yet again standing on the field doing nothing but awkwardly staring at the ground.
Baltimore Orioles Photography: Friday, September 16, 2011 vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
"Baltimore Orioles second baseman Robert Andino turns a double play in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Friday, September 16, 2011."
There wasn’t too much action from this game. Sometimes, that’s just the way baseball is.
I was very happy with this photo, though.
Washington Capitals’ Ovechkin visits Camden Yards.
"Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin plays catch before throwing the ceremonial first pitch at Oriole Park at Camden Yards Friday, September 16, 2011 in Baltimore."
"Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin signs autographs before throwing the ceremonial first pitch at Oriole Park at Camden Yards Friday, September 16, 2011 in Baltimore."
I don’t know much about hockey, but having lived in Baltimore, I know that Alex Ovechkin is a big deal within the hockey world. He came to Camden Yards last Friday to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Here’s two of many that I shot of him.
Baltimore Orioles Photography: Wednesday, September 14, 2011 vs. Tampa Bay Rays
"Baltimore Orioles third baseman Chris Davis prepares to field a ground ball in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, September 14, 2011 in Baltimore."
"Baltimore Orioles left fielder Nolan Reimold catches a fly ball in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, September 14, 2011 in Baltimore."
"Baltimore Orioles pitcher Jeremy Guthrie pitches in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, September 13, 2011 in Baltimore."
This series finale was extremely slow in the way of action, so I continued on my trend from the night before and shot the game from some new angles.
This time, I went all the way up to the upper deck for a few innings for a bird’s eye effect. I think this was an impulse I had that was a result of looking at so many pictures of tennis players shot from the upper deck in Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
This game’s “Thing I Learned:” The lesson here is essentially the same as the last game I shot. Shooting sports from different angles of the stadium gives you different results. It sounds obvious, but sometimes it’s easy to get caught in a rut and shoot the same things over and over again. I like the look the upper deck provides. It makes the ordinary – an infielder getting set, an outfielder catching a fly ball, or a pitcher pitching – a more creative feel.
Tampa Bay Rays.
"Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Johnny Damon flexes his muscles before a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles Tuesday, September 13, 2011 in Baltimore."
"Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria throws to first base in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles Wednesday, September 14, 2011 in Baltimore."
"Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon talks with fans before a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles Tuesday, September 13, 2011 in Baltimore."
Here are a few of my shots of some of the notables on the Tampa Bay Rays.
Baltimore Orioles Photography: Tuesday, September 13, 2011 vs. Tampa Bay Rays
"Baltimore Orioles third baseman Robert Andino jumps as he throws to first base in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday, September 13, 2011 in Baltimore."
"Baltimore Orioles second baseman Ryan Adams attempts to tag Tampa Bay Rays center fielder B.J. Upton in the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, September 13, 2011 in Baltimore."
"Baltimore Orioles right fielder slides into second base in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday, September 13, 2011 in Baltimore."
Yesterday I hopped off the bus at Penn Station in Baltimore and headed straight to Oriole Park to shoot the game against the Tampa Bay Rays. I can’t remember beginning any other day shooting at the top of the Empire State Building and ending it shooting a professional baseball game in Baltimore.
After looking at so many pictures over the past two weeks, I was excited to be shooting again, and I got some frames I was really happy with. I was only gone for two weeks, but it felt like I hadn’t missed a day.
This game’s “Thing I Learned:” I left the photo pits and shot action from the concourse for the first time this season. We’re at the point where we’ve only got a handful of games left, so I want to mix things up and shoot from some different angles. I’ve shot from above before, but I was reminded last night that it’s important to get some different looks, especially when you shoot the same thing day in and day out. Shooting from above really accentuates a baseball field’s clean lines.
Earthquake trembles warehouse at Camden Yards in Baltimore.
"Clouds form over the warehouse at Oriole Park at Camden Yards Monday, August 22, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland."
Here’s my account of the 5.8 magnitude earthquake that was just felt up and down the East Coast:
I was sitting at my desk in the Warehouse at Oriole Park at Camden Yards scanning photographs from the 1960′s of former Orioles’ player Dick Brown, when we felt some shaking coming from upstairs. We work in a warehouse, so this type of noise is commonplace. The noise quickly got louder and louder, though, until the entire building was shaking violently. It was at that point when I heard the receptionist scream “Everybody out!” and we knew that was the cue to go.
Everyone evacuated quickly and calmly, and we were out of the building within seconds. As we waited outside, nearly everyone was on their smartphones, tweeting, texting, and calling as word quickly spread that there were reports of the tremors as far north as Toronto.
It was incredible to see how rapidly the Twitter world exploded! Within seconds there were reports coming in from all over the world. Behold, the power of social media.
Feel free to share your experiences here if you’d like.
