Monticello, Georgia

I've been trying to find photos to enter in a contest/show called Slow Exposures, which has one my photos from last year's contest on their homepage. The theme is "Southern Faces, Southern Places," and I thought this fit the description. I saw it while driving from Madison back to Griffin today. I was a little nervous asking the guy if he minded if I took his picture (I should be used to it by now). He agreed and I took a few frames. Let me know what you think.

Drive-in restaurant

Crazy day at work — a guy backed his Mercedez into a wings restaurant this afternoon, pinning another man under the car. Police officials said an over-sized floor mat somehow depressed the accelerator as he was backing out of a parking space. The victim was taken to the hospital, but we didn't know his condition. He had to be going 30 mph or more to make it that far into the restaurant. All I can say is stay away from over-sized floor mats.

Memorial Day

Though I was off today, I shot the Memorial Day service here in Griffin, mainly because I thought I needed to. It was the least I could do to support our veterans who have died while serving our country. I tried to find a nice clean picture, but no matter which way I pointed my camera, the background was cluttered with cars or buildings. The only way I could clean it up was to use the sky as the background.

Fighter

It was just splendid — seeing my grandmother sitting there with her perfectly-round perm, greeting everyone as they made their way past the green-bean casserole, baked beans, dressing, and deviled eggs.
You see, today was a day for family at my Aunt Mary's house, and while I knew my grandmother was going to be there, I didn't expect her to look this good. Granny has been living in a nursing home since surgery in October to remove colon cancer, and her health has been a roller coaster ever since. She now has lymphatic cancer, and many of us didn't think we would ever see her outside of those nursing home walls.
She's fought with all the strength her 90-pound body could muster, and pulled through, even when it seemed impossible. While the battle can't be won, you'd never know it from talking to her today.
"I've gained five pounds," she said with the enthusiasm of a fifth-grader who just made honor roll. "I've been up and walking and doing all kinds of stuff."
It was such a blessing to see her today, and to see the wonderful family she's created — laughing, acting silly, just being family.
I love you Granny. You're definitely a fighter.

Graduation

I shot Griffin High's graduation tonight with the goal of getting something different — meaning, not a sihlouette or anything else I've shot before. Anyways, I liked this moment. Here's the caption: Chafin Beckam, 17, reacts as she sees a friend while waiting to march onto the field at Memorial Stadium for Griffin High School's graduation Friday night.

Little rose

Well, it doesn't look that small in this photo, but this little guy is about the size of a silver dollar. And I know, macro shots of flowers are extremely cliché, but I've never shot one, so it's O.K.

Coming home

Earlier last week, I went to the home of Lance Cpl. Jeffrey Walker's parents, who learned that Walker was killed by a sniper while serving in Iraq. I thought that was hard — but it paled in comparison to photographing his casket arriving on Saturday at Falcon Field Airport in Peachtree City. All I can remember is watching his mother's legs shake to the point where relatives had to hold her up. And I'll never forget the sounds of the women wailing as the Marine Burial Detail carried Walker's casket to a waiting hearse. He was 21 years old.

Football's already here

I shot the annual Silver/Gray spring scrimmage today at Spalding High. It's hard to believe that football is already here, but before you know it, it will be time for Friday night games.

Remembering Lance Cpl. Jeffrey Walker

I had a pretty hard assignment today — to go into the home of parents who just lost their son to the war in Iraq. It's difficult to take pictures of people when they're grieving. The only thing you can do is be as sensitive as possible and hope your not intruding too much. Well, it went as well as it could today — I took as few pictures as possible while at least getting a few frames I thought portrayed the grief this family is going through. It brought tears to my eyes. Here's the caption: Teresa Rutledge, mother of Jeffrey Walker, a 21-year-old Marine who was killed Monday by a sniper in Iraq, and Dana Young, Walker's 18-year-old girlfriend, talk about Walker and his life on Wednesday. "His niece asked why he was a soldier, and he told said 'So that you can play on the playground,'" Rutledge said.

Tire store

A few months ago, I took my camera to my stepfather's tire store — an old wood-paneled, cigarette-stained institution in Madison, Ga. — hoping to capture some of its character. It was sort of difficult, considering both my stepfather, Hollis (on right), and his right-hand man, George "The Professor" Tiller, are both grumpy old men. But I tried, and here's what I came away with.

Dying duck

I ran across this the other day, and I had to stop and photograph it. This bank, BB&T, was deflating a huge duck because it was apparently violating some city ordinance, which I didn't find out until I stopped. In case you're wondering, the duck was put up to advertise for a "Duck Derby" fundraiser for a local special-needs school. It was funny because a big-wig at the bank came out to see who I was taking pictures for. The conversation went something like this:

bank big-wig: Can I help you?
me: No
bank big-wig: What purpose is it that you're taking pictures?
me: myself
bank big-wig: (gives puzzled look)
me: (blank stare)
bank big-wig: I thought you were a city employee coming by to gather evidence
me: No
bank big-wig: What are you going to do with the pictures?
me: maybe put them on a blog
bank big-wig: (more puzzled looks) O.K.
me: O.K.

JROTC banquet

There was some screaming light tonight at the Griffin High School JROTC Banquet. I worked it for a couple of minutes, but this was the best image I came away with. It's just several cadets looking forward during the presentations.

I think I can …

This little guy, who was arguably the smallest guy on Griffin Christian's squad, was giving his all trying to bring down a player twice his size.

Wedding gallery

Hey guys and gals, check out my latest wedding gallery by clicking on the above image. I posted a couple of images from Rocco and Shannon's wedding on here last week, but this gallery has a few more images. Let me know what you think.

New skate park

A skate park opened Saturday in Griffin. Skate parks are a great thing if you ask me — it gives kids a place to skate so they're not getting in trouble skating on private property. Skateboarding is not a crime.

Say your prayers

Today is National Day of Prayer, so I covered a prayer ceremony on the steps of the Spalding County Courthouse. Here, Tracey Moss, one of about 20 who showed up, kneels in prayer.

Anger management

Spalding player Denny Jones, right, reacts after Columbus player Logan Mayes (23) shoved him during their state playoff match Wednesday. Mayes' teammate, Chad Braxton (8) and a referee (black socks) talk with Mayes after the incident.

Special Olympics

You can't go wrong when you photograph kids and bubbles — and especially when it's at the Special Olympics. This child, 3-year-old Marquarious Blackshear, was having so much fun at the bubbles station in the developmental events. I always enjoy the Special Olympics.