Other Fourth of July celebrations nearer to Walla Walla took precedence in Sunday’s print edition but I came back with several additional images I like and want to share here.

UN-PUBLISHED: Nikon D700, AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 G ED at 24mm, f/2.8, 1/160 sec. and ISO 200.

When I first arrived most of the participants were shading themselves from the near 100-degree summer sun under huge tents. Three dressed-up teenagers were reclining in chairs chatting. I decided to try and take some photos of the kids being themselves before the grand entry and official start of the Pow Wow. When admiring their amazing clothing I found these great reflections in Zac Palmer’s neck piece. I waiting for a moment when I could see Shelby Snyder, one of the people he was talking to, and ended up with one of my favorite images from the afternoon.

UN-PUBLISHED: Nikon D700, Nikkor AI-S 50mm f/1.2, at f/1.2, 1/8000 sec. and ISO 100.

This frame was a difficult one to cut. The interaction between Peter Joe Olney (left), from White Swan, Washington, and Darrel Abrahamson (right), from Sacramento, California, is great. They are clearly happy to see each other again. I love the shallow depth of field at f/1.2 and the almost old feel it gives to some images like this as well.

UN-PUBLISHED: Nikon D700, ED AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 VR at 110mm, f/2.8, 1/4000 sec. and ISO 200.

Different groups of drummers began beating out rhythms one after the other as the Grand Entry to the Pow Wow began. Men, women and children of all ages walked and danced in a long procession behind tribal chiefs and elders. Perry Thompson, from Chinle, Arizona, kept his feathers flying the entire time. I wish I had shot this from the other side of the grounds to back light it and also take away the bright, distracting white and other colors on people in the foreground.

UN-PUBLISHED: Nikon D700, AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 G ED at 15mm, f/2.8, 1/1250 sec. and ISO 100.

This images provides a general view of the Grand Entry and a small selection of the amazing dress worn. I decided to lay in the grass and shot this really low to emphasize the detail in the outfits and feathers against the sky. That also had the added benefit of obscuring the bright tents behind the many people in the arena.

Nikon D700, AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 G ED at 24mm, f/2.8, 1/320 sec. and ISO 100.

As the Grand Entry came to an end I wandered around the outskirts and found this great moment between an uncle and his niece. Gary Olney, from White Swan, Washington, took a seat in the shade to cool off and his 3-year-old niece Analynn Olney decided to play among his feathers behind him. Analynn would casually walk below the headdress to play with the feathers and then tap her uncle on the back to get his attention. I knew immediately that this would be one of my favorite images from the day as well. I like the intimacy between family members especially considering the size of the event.

UN-PUBLISHED: Nikon D700, ED AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 VR at 160mm, f/2.8, 1/1250 sec. and ISO 100.

The Golden Age Men were the first to compete during the dance competition. I did not count, but anywhere from 15-20 men danced as one of the competition drum groups played and chanted. This is a simple image but I like it a lot. Unfortunately, after tracking down 4-5 other men for names after this dance, I was unable to find this man to ask for his name. C’est la vie! That’s the way the cookie crumbles. Insert whichever phrase you like here. (This was definitely a moment I wish I had the time to record some audio and video for a multimedia piece. Next year I will make the time.)

UN-PUBLISHED: Nikon D700, ED AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 VR at 180mm, f/2.8, 1/1600 sec. and ISO 100.

During the same dance Lee Sorrelhorse, from Lame Deer, Montana, performed covered in amazing feathers and a staff with a Bald Eagle head on it. As America’s national bird I thought it striking to see the head on a staff, especially on the Fourth of July. I thought the image perfectly underscored the intentions of the Pow Wow on Independence Day – to celebrate the sovereignty of both native peoples and the United States of America.

That’s the first thing I thought when I saw these two.

Jeff and I are kept busy enough that most of the random feature art we find are passing moments, usually spotted from our cars. Such was the case yesterday en route to the airport after a call came across the scanner that a twin-engine airplane with one engine out was going to attempt to land at the airport. (See my previous post for more on that.)

As I pulled up to a red light at the corner of Second Avenue and Rose Street I glanced to my left to see these two boys taking photos. Normally people take photos from a perspective they see the world from; usually either standing or sitting, especially kids.

I was surprised to see these two shooting photos from unique angles. One pushed up against the wall of the building to add a unique perspective while the other crouched down to shoot along a bench. Made me remember the days of photo class when I would shoot along benches and walls. Wait, I still do that sometimes. We’re all continually exploring and learning as we go.

UN-PUBLISHED: Nikon D700, ED AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 VR with Nikkor 1.4 II Teleconverter at 105mm, f/5.0, 1/125 sec. and ISO 200.

The airplane was about 10 miles out and was going to circle once before landing. Of course I was stuck at a traffic light downtown as I heard this and quickly calculated that I might have at very most five minutes before the plane lands to make the 10-minute trip to the airport. There’s no way that’s going to happen but I’ll get there when I get there.

I drove up past the airport terminal just as the airplane touched down.

Luckily experienced Walla Walla University Director of Aviation Training Shawn Dietrich along with student Jae Kong had the situation well under control in the cockpit of the Piper Seminole. The plane stumbled in for a safe landing and taxied over to the Walla Walla University hangar as emergency response vehicles slowly headed for home.

“The FAA requires we teach shutting down and restarting one engine. This time the starter would not re-engage. It’s happened before in piston-powered aircraft … it’s not uncommon,” Dietrich would explain later to U-B reporter Sheila Hagar and intern Luc Brodhead. For more on the landing see their story on the UB’s website.

As much as I would have liked it, I knew there was no chance of getting out onto the tarmac so I resigned myself to shooting through the chain-link fencing that surrounds the hangar area. First I found an angle of the airplane taxiing past the airports fire suppression vehicle. I knew if there was nothing else that this would have to work:

UN-PUBLISHED: Nikon D700, ED AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 VR with Nikkor 1.4 II Teleconverter at 280mm, f/5.0, 1/1600 sec. and ISO 200.

I wanted something more though and circled back and forth around several hangars as I determined where the plan would stop taxiing. The fence kept a mostly straight line with the edge of the hangars so I couldnt’ see around them too well. Luckily I found a spot where the fence jogged out towards the runway further providing just enough of a view of the plane in front of the hangar as pilot and student stepped out:

Nikon D700, ED AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 VR with Nikkor 1.4 II Teleconverter at 185mm, f/8.0, 1/800 sec. and ISO 200.

The well prepared Walla Walla University instructors credited experience and a focus on safety with the safe landing. It’s much the same with spot-news photography. The safety of everyone on scene always comes first and foremost. From there it’s all about being prepared for just about anything and everything with a camera and the right lens choice in hand.

I’m always hoping for the best while prepared for the worst. Luckily everyone walked away without a scratch and with an interesting story to share on this day.

LeGrand had just finished repairing his white picket fence from an accident months earlier after a passenger car crashed through the fence and into his yard and porch. “Last time a Honda Civic was on the porch about this far from the front door. This time they got my f*%@$!* tv … I don’t want to talk about my tv,” he said in disgust.

This morning two large trucks collided on Highway 12 near Sudbury Road and came to rest in LeGrand’s living room and yard. Luckily LeGrand, his wife Kellie and their three children were all out of the house at the time of the collision. No one was seriously injured. One of the truck drivers suffered minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital an EMT on scene said.

Nikon D700, Sigma EX HSM 14mm f/2.8 at f/2.8, 1/80 sec. and ISO 400.

Nikon D700, Sigma EX HSM 14mm f/2.8 at f/4.5, 1/320 sec. and ISO 400.

UN-PUBLISHED: Nikon D700, ED AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 VR at 130mm, f/2.8, 1/500 sec. and ISO 400.

UB Web Content Producer Jeremy Gonzalez produced a cell-phone video and is editing a higher-resolution video of the scene which can be viewed on his blog: The Jeremy Conspiracy.

There will also be a story and photos in Thursday, May 28th’s edition of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin.

UN-PUBLISHED: Nikon D700, Sigma EX HSM 14mm f/2.8 at f/4, 1/250 sec. and ISO 200.

It was worth it. It’s an amazing site to watch. Bees hung from each other creating a thick moving group that draped from several branches like fabric.

You can read my co-worker Sheila Hagar’s impressions on the swarm at her blog here. You can also check out a larger selection of photos, including some of how I got this photo. A larger selection of photos will appear in Sunday’s Union-Bulletin and here after that.

Both photos are from the wedding in Tucson. I decided to really put myself and the camera to the test, shooting my first pictures on it in total darkness during the reception. As much as I wanted to jump out in the middle of the ceremony to take a few photos with it, I figured that was bad form since I was best man and in charge of holding both their rings and all.

This first image was taken from atop a set of stairs as the happy couple walked around talking to family and other guests. If I remember right it was something like a 15-20 second exposure, hence all the blur.

The second frame was a shorter exposure but also in the 10-second range. Although no where near as old, the motion reminds me some of old Daguerreotype images I’ve seen where subjects moved slightly during the long exposure, creating a kind of ethereal look.

I think it’s the motion, the grain and some of the scratches, but these two photos definitely have the “oldest” feel from the group. The roll still has a few other frames to scan when I find some more time. I also have one roll of 116 film left, but with it comes the major dilemma of deciding what’s special enough to use it on.

Stay tuned for further attempts at reviving some of my old camera collection once I find film.

The camera is an original No.1-A Autographic Kodak Jr. camera. The camera was designed to take 116 sized autographic film, developed by Kodak in 1914 according to Wikipedia. A small window on the back of the camera allows photographers to write in the margin of the film at the time of exposure and then read the notes next to each image after the film is developed.

Size 116 film is no longer produced but the morning of his wedding I went searching around Tucson, Ariz. and happened across an old camera shop that had two rolls, more than 30-years expiried, sealed in original boxes. I bought one for $10 thinking maybe the film will still produce something, probably not. Got back to the car and ran in to buy the second roll as well after I realized I might never come across this film easily again. (I would also have two spools to try and roll another type of film onto for use inside the same camera later.)

Six months later I finally found the means to develop the first, and only roll I’ve shot with the camera. Whitman College senior Nick Matisse offered to help me develop the film in one of the college’s darkrooms.

The film lasted better than I would have ever expected. A few are hard to believe actually. Only adjusted slightly for contrast. I’m hoping to have higher resolution scans made at some point down the road.

Here are a few scans of the negatives. I left the edges of the negatives visible because on film this old they tell part of the story too. Some sections are not straight, others slightly exposed to light at some point:

A little accidental double exposure. (Hey, it’s kinda lame, I know, but this was the first time I’ve had to remember to wind film in 10-years.) Oh, and everyone say hi to my wife Maggi.

And of course I took a few photos with the camera during the wedding. I really wanted this frame to turn out for them, especially since I decided to leave it in fate’s hands and not shoot a digital version as a back-up for this shot. As it should be, the added pressure of no back-ups or duplication or chimping on the back of the camera. And the satisfaction knowing it all turned out.

It’s not Friday yet but I found a random photo of the week.

Friends usually ask why I carry my camera everywhere with me, even when I’m supposed to be taking time off. The Boy Scout motto of “be prepared” springs to mind. (And yes, I was a Boy Scout).

Some friends, my wife and I were out braving the crowds and tasting a little wine on Spring Release Weekend (May 2-3). Driving back after tasting at several wineries near the airport we chanced upon this group of fellow oenophiles rolling a wine barrel down the street.

Now I’m assuming the wine tasting had something to do with everyone’s enjoyment of this scene, especially for the group rolling the barrel. But, I couldn’t help but think of Spring Release in another way as I took a quick photo as our designated driver drove slowly passed.

I heard this story from the winemaker at Garrison Creek when I asked about t-shirts he had for sale:

Several years ago a group of wine tourists were reluctant to visit Walla Walla despite its growing reputation for wine. Friends had told them about how much fun Spring Release weekend is and that they needed to plan a visit during that time.

It seems, though, the Washington State Penitentiary loomed larger in their minds than a few bottles of wine. When they finally made it to Walla Walla they were surprised to learn that Spring Release was in fact not a weekend where inmates of the Penitentiary were released into the town, but instead, a weekend where wineries release their new vintages to the public.

When I chanced upon this scene I had to wonder how far off those tourists’ concerns really were.