"Back To School"

Time again for the Exposed Photo monthly contest! This month's theme, well appropriately named the same as the blog's title. Winning 2nd and 3rd felt amazing, it really did - but I just want a little bit more. I think I can pull off a first prize worthy picture... maybe.

I like these contests because I feel as if it does push me to go out and get a great landscape shot when I am so use to pushing myself for an amazing action shot. It's hard when it states in the rules there can be no logos or brand names, ect. It takes away most of my stuff. However, I like challenging myself especially when I know I can do something.

So time to spread the word fellow followers - we have some work ahead of us. Let's get those votes!

Daily Times & Other Updates

What all started out as a project for my multimedia class has now become a possible job opportunity for the next couple of years. I did an interview of the publisher at the Glasgow Daily Times and razzled and dazzled him by my charming personality and winning smile all the way that got him to call me back for a job - I actually think it was our mutual disrespect for the pjs that come out of WKU.

Whatever it may have been - it got me a job.

Today, I was told that I would be working one day a week (Fridays) for $50 to sit there and update scores onto their paper's facebook page which is also linked to their twitter and paper website (no pressure on spelling or grammatical error.) Also, that I impressed the big boss so much that he was willing to offer me a full-time position by next year - enough time to get the ropes underneath my belt. Burton said their sports editor is also looking to leave and that is the position he'd be willing to give me. Sports Editor Megan Stearman - HA! Has a nice ring doesn't it?

Also been trying to get in touch with printing people to get my latest project printed off. Swim team poster fully equipped with schedule and photos by yours truly. Now the swim team will hopefully get a little of the recognition they deserve. If not, least I did something that impressed the coaches and the swimmers will enjoy.



Other than that, I have been dreading school to start because that means back to the classrooms...and back to...

photo.

Perhaps with the strength of my followers and the feeling of accomplishments under my belt from this summer I won't go in with my head hanging low as I climb over all the camera bags to sit in the back of the room. Perhaps this will be a good year and positive year for me in photo with Mr. B.

Right.

Photography Weekend

Oh what a grand weekend... I don't think I have ever had so much fun and enjoyed taking so many pictures. The weekend was just planned on going to the Indiana Fever game and sitting right behind their bench - excited much, why yes I was.



So we sat down in our seats - very very close to the bench. Dad saw there were athletes signing autographs, we get out of our seats to attempt to obtain a signature but we failed. "Autograph session is over, go back to your seats" the power hungry-yellow shirt old man told me. FINE! After adventurously walking around Conseco, I returned to my seat, picked up my camera ready to take pictures when another power hungry man (this time with a jacket that established his high security authority) came over and told my dad lenses no longer than six inches are allowed in the stands - really? Again, fine! I put it away disappointed and stubbornly refusing to use my "crappy" 70-300 lens because I knew I couldn't produce the same great shots that I could have with my 2.8 lens. My dad did most of the shooting in the first half because I wasn't finished pouting and evil-eying the security man.

I resumed shooting in the second half and figured to have semi-decent shots of some of my favorite players. Sure would have been a lot better had Mr. Security just minded his little corner and left me alone.

http://mnstearman.smugmug.com/WNBA/Fever-vs-Mercury/13355958_YT5Az#971036667_P97Hm



This is my little cousin being a beast on his football team. It was kind of fun just focusing on one player throughout the entire game. A major plus was no one to hinder my talents by taking away my right to use any size lenses...

The only downside was the heat. Miraculously the gray skies cleared up the minute we got to the field and the sun showed how hot and uncomfortable it can make everything and everyone. I felt so bad for all the little kids that had to play in it - they were tough cookies though. Got some decent shots out of the day too.

http://mnstearman.smugmug.com/Sports/Plainfield-Football/13339873_o7NRp#969689409_SiXrg



Ha ha, oh where to begin with reliving this day. My brother had extra tickets that he won from a golf tourney that was 11th row from the end-zone. After walking around the entire downtown of Indianapolis because of Ryan's genius shortcuts and far-away parking we finally arrived at the gates. I was patted down and walked through to the ticket scanner man and let into the stadium when I looked back to the pat-down woman who stopped Kristiana because the 2.8 lens wasn't allowed in the stadium - again no lens longer than six inches was allowed in the stadium - was this a known law in Indiana?! I have never had any trouble whatsoever before! I walked past the ticket scanner man to ask if we could simply agree not to use it like we did at Conseco and the women politely told me no that we would have to take it back to the car. I turn around to go get the keys from my brother but I am stopped and told that I cannot re-enter the stadium once my ticket has been scanned.

You've got to be kidding me. Not only did you just see me and scan my ticket, you never once tried to stop me from walking past and I seriously walked three feet to go talk to the lady. By this time everyone was pissed. And I was completely contempt with going home. But Ryan really wanted me to come especially since I have never been to a game. After agreeing to buy another ticket - I had an ingenious idea to just hide the lens under the separators in my bag.

Why didn't I think of this before you ask? Because all my good ideas come after I do something really stupid.

We walked around to find someone we thought would be a sucker and not ask us to take everything out of our bag. We found one and successfully (after spending $79 on another ticket in section 635) entered the stadium - me for the second time. I had a blast the entire game though. I shot near 600 pictures and overall satisfied with them because of the lens and our seats, I did well - even I will admit that.

Those pictures should be on smugmug soon once I find the time to go through them all. I shall let everyone know once they're posted.

Overall rating of the weekend: 10.8

Lochte vs. Phelps

Now for all of you that may have been like me about a week ago, I wasn't even sure who Ryan Lochte was except that you could text his name in to be eligible to win his shoe. Well shame on you! You all should know one of the Olympians that represented your country - and no, he may not have done as well as Michael Phelps with his 15 medals and Lochte's five... but that is not what is the matter at hand!

As my followers, you now know that I went out and shot the Nationals and the only big person I knew of because of the Olympics was Phelps. On the last day of the meet, I got my picture taken and was able to talk to Ryan Lochte - the man was a sweetheart. He signed a swim cap and one of my business cards for me and then let me get a picture with him. A couple hours later I saw Phelps walking around attempt number one fell short because I was warned by some man that Michael was not in a good mood because he had just lost his race to Lochte and the second time I tried one of Michael's teammates had to walk past Michael to tell me that he was in a rush and didn't have time - then he walked right past me once I went back to our tents.

Point being - Michael's out and Ryan is in - in my book at least. Michael may be one of the greatest swimmers in the world but Ryan is the one that actually cares about the people around him. And Lil Wayne made a special song for Michael which is sickening for me to think about because I wanted nothing to do with that man, ever again! I hope he loses every race to Lochte and then how are you going to pout Michael?! Turn down children who really look up to you?

Besides all that mess. I had a really good time (outside of the airports with all the looneys) and met a really nice photographer that works in Cali. He told me (afterward) there were a couple of Sports Illustrated guys that I should have gone up and talked too but we all know that my bravery doesn't exceed that high yet.

Took several of pictures - some have made way to my website, others I am still sorting through so patience is key! I know you all are dying to buy! Go check out the pictures and let me know what you think.

http://mnstearman.smugmug.com/Swimming/US-Nationals/13314895_i4Pbj#967732328_XccQL

Frontier Airlines

I was already awake and ready to go home when my alarm went off. I was really excited to get a head start and depart for the airport and get there with plenty of time to go eat and relax - so I thought. I waited outside our hotel for my shuttle where my driver just hated his job and life for doing what he does on a daily basis. Thankfully the ride was short because he was a delightful peach.

As I walk up to my gate, which was conveniently, located right behind the security area. I hear this man yelling into what I thought was his iPod headphones because that’s the type of Bluetooth set he brought – real cool mister.

By this time the man had caught my interest so I sit as close to him without seating too close. But I was close enough to read his oversized name-tag that deemed him Clayton. I couldn’t help but hearing because I was seated here eavesdropping into his conversation where he apparently seems to be yelling at whichever service drove him to the airport that was suppose to arrive at 7, but didn’t arrive until 7:10 and gave him only 40 minutes to do everything in the airport.

Which apparently he was able to do because he’s pacing in Gate 5 – but no no not enough. They have to pay for his flight because he “missed it” or pay for him to get a hotel and all other accommodations because he just so happens to be out of money along with being stranded in the airport – poor fellow.

His antics and over enthused behavior seems to have everyone staring and he kept looking for people sitting next to him for support. I thought these people would be crazy to console this wacko who’s wearing a black FBI hat yelling like a banshee. NO! They were playing for the bad guys and actually consoling this guy. And now he has the woman that was seated across from him acting as his attorney on the phone with the supervisor – now the question is, is she really an attorney? Doubtful.

Anyways, their team seems to be losing and not getting what they want. Sure will make the time go by a little by quicker with Santa Ana’s version of Freaks of Our Lives.

In some odd way I feel as if I should admire these folk for their audacity to stick it to the man and fight for something they believe they’re in the right for. Because I know that I could never do that but then again I really wouldn’t rely on anyone else but myself to get me somewhere at time.

Now I don’t know who to root for…

Airport

As I sat in terminal A8 waiting for my plane that was delayed 20 minutes I take the extra time to do one of my favorite pastimes – people watching.

When we first originally walked back I saw a woman in a green Air Force hat that seriously looks like the gothic girl from the breakfast club – no joke – sitting my one of the two pillars in the wall paying no attention to the others as they walk past.

I soon checked out everyone else as I sat down. We had a woman who was sitting with the expression on her face that stated, “even think about looking at me and I’ll kill you.” Friendly character she was. My smile as she passed me didn’t even help my chances. There was a man that was having fun with his phone and playing some game on it, man was he into bubble breaker.

I was soon bored with everyone’s presence because they weren’t entertaining and kept to themselves as we all sit at least 20 seats away from each other.

Then he walked in.

A very happy Chinese man just smiling at everyone pulling his little black bag behind him walking in circles looking for something. He just kept smiling as I watched him look at all of us, brushing his hair back his hand and continuing to walk in circles looking for something. He had on a very shiny silver / gray shirt that said Panasonic so this man was down with his technology.

Out of all the happy-go-lucky folks I have around me, he chose to go sit by breakfast club girl only because he needed her – for the outlet she was sitting by.

By this time I was far to fascinated in this man. So I watched as he sat down, unzipped his laptop case and pulled out his tiny tiny laptop. While many think this laptop would be far too feminine for such a happy Chinese man as himself – he pulled it of very nicely.

He was pushing the cord behind the chair when he leaned too far forward and had his computer fall out of his and onto the floor. Did he yell profanities or do anything to alarm the other Continental Airline passengers?

No not at all.

He just sat there, heard the clunk it made as it hit the floor and formed an “ooh” formation with him mouth but never uttered a word. A hand to the forehead or both hands grabbing his head would have been priceless but entertaining nonetheless.

Thank you sir for shortening the time I had just to listen to my music and stare off into the distance. You have truly made my day that much more special.

Nerves!

As we have reached the under '5 days till Cali' mark I can easily say that the nerves in my stomach are growing rapidly. Rather it be butterflies from the possibility of flying out by myself rather than with one other swimmer, shooting with some big shot photographers who have been published in many high end newspapers and magazines where Nationals is going to be a piece of cake for them, not knowing whether I am going to check a bag (yes, this unanswered question puts strain on me), or not having a single thing ready for this trip and basically going in blind. It could be any or all the above I guess.

I feel like I don't know what I am doing. I have basically two telephoto lenses and if I need any that exceed 300 mm and if the media area isn't as close to the pool as I have been able to get before - that's going to be completely embarrassing and pointless for me to even be there.

I don't know I feel an immense amount of pressure because the school is waiting on my pictures for a gallery for their website, our coach is banking on me to get good shots because that's the reason I am there, and I feel like I need to do this for myself.

Maybe I am just panicking. I have had a lot of time to myself and my brain begins to wonder and start to doubt myself. I can do this, I can do this - or at least I hope I can.