Favorites from the past couple weeks

I had the best intentions of writing an eloquent post on the photos below, but it's been a little hectic with a flurry of events and assignments to cover, the start of the boys' soccer practice and trying to fit it some of my own fun.  So I hope you enjoy some of my favorite images from the past couple of weeks.

goo, goo g'joob

Favorites from another busy summer weekend: 230 miles and 1,500 images

I have written before about the challenges I face when I cover annual events here in Grand County, or anywhere for that matter.  Coming up with something different from events that I have been to and photographed year after year after year...(you get the idea), presents the ultimate challenge as a photographer. It is so easy to shoot similar shots to what I have done in the past, but that is lazy.  

This is especially true at our county fair.  There are a limited number of events that will truly yield a good photograph, but I was committed to keep looking until I came up with images I hadn't shot before.

One key trait of a photojournalist is to be observant.  I make it a point when I am looking at the work of other photographers to pick up on tips and tricks they utilize to make interesting images.  I heard legendary Boston Globe photographer Stan Grossfeld speak when I was in college and he said to "never pass up a gift." I learned in recent years from Mark Rebilas to never pass up a reflection.  His work got it ingrained in me that if there a puddle, there is a potential reflection photo.  So when a rain shower passed through Kremmling prior to the Junior Rodeo at the Middle Park Fair, I knew if I was patient and looked long enough, an image would present itself.

I saw these three men standing by this building watching the beef judging.  In a perfect world they would be standing a little more to the left, but after looking at the photo again today while I was editing everything from the weekend, I was still happy with the image.

Ed Pickering, left, Leigh Murphy, center, and Eric Pickering look on during the beef
judging  on Friday afternoon at the Middle Park Fair in Kremmling.

I had somehow missed shooting the Demolition Derby over the years, but wanted to make sure I made it this year.  So glad I was able to cover it, because the theme/costume contest was hilarious, the crowd overwhelming and the action...well, there is nothing quite like the smell of burning rubber and engine coolant on a summer's eve.

I will admit that going into the Bret Michaels show at the Winter Park Music Festival, I was a little skeptical.  Sure I knew his music, but come on, what kind of a show would this guy put on having just flown into Denver from a gig the night before and he would be flying out right after this performance to get to Omaha for another show with Poison and Motley Crew that night?  In a nutshell, he nailed it.  He was full of energy, kept the crowd involved and sang the hits.  But man, it was tough to get a shot of him where he wasn't pointing at the crowd or had his hands in front of his face.

If you go back exactly one year, you might remember the photo I captured of Night Ranger guitarist Joel Hoekstra at last year's Winter Park Music Festival.  While not quite as good, this photo of "Dirty Ray" Scheuring got me thinking, what is it about me and musicians' hair on this weekend?

"Dirty Ray" Scheuring, bass player for the Bret Michaels Band

I was surprised to see this girl, who couldn't have been more than 8 years old, singing along to "Talk Dirty to Me"... 

A young fan looks on during Bret Michaels' performance
on Sunday afternoon at Hideaway Park in Winter Park.

and giving the devil horns...Ronnie James Dio would be proud.

goo, goo g'joob