Ice Skating in Grand Rapids

I love Grand Rapids. I've only been there a handful of times, but every time I go, I have a great time. A couple weekends ago was no different - I joined several young journalists at the Michigan Press Association conference at the Amway Grand Plaza. On day two, I saw some people ice skating as we walked toward Amway, so I figured I'd take some photos real quick before the luncheon. I have a good sequence of a wipeout, but it's taking way too long to upload photos with the connection I have right now, so I may do it later.

Next up... Mikado.

Martin Luther King Unity March

I haven't updated in a long time. I apologize, for the precious few who happen to look here every now and then.

I spent the fall updating the football blog (http://cmlife-football.blogspot.com) and following the CMU football team, which prevented me from getting time to update this blog. I've taken photos over the time, at a couple football games even, so I might post those soon.

Either way, here's some photos from the MLK Unity March on campus in late January. Nothing special, but it's an update. I plan on posting more soon, including a local Saginaw band that I started shooting last month. (Note: Above photos unedited.)

My first football shoot

I had the privilege to shoot my first football game while I was at the University of Georgia last weekend... the first time I got to really test out my 70-200mm f/2.8 lens.

Overall, I had a great time, despite Central Michigan losing 56-17. I had to run back and forth from the press box to the field about three or four times, because I was reporting AND shooting, but even through that hectic mess, I felt like I took some good photos for a first time through. Although being a newbie at this whole photography thing, I know these aren't mind-blowing. Some of these photos are a little off-focus in critical areas.

But you know what? Practice makes perfect, and I would greatly encourage any feedback from you photo nuts on maybe what I can do the next time I shoot football or any sport, for that matter. Any photo tips, in general? Thanks a bunch, in advance, and I hope you enjoy these.

Playing with a 70-200mm lens

Prior to the big football game earlier, I took my camera for a spin with the Canon 70-200mm lens around the office...

In order of appearance: Brad Canze, CM Life Lifeline editor; Beth Kieda, Senior Mentor; Jake May, editor-in-chief... and lastly, Jake May's head with a hippo on top of it.

Michigan weather patterns

I took a trip back to Saginaw last weekend to attend my friend's college graduation party. It had been storming the entire drive home and through the first hour of my time there, so once it cleared up, I took some pictures:

Getting the lightning in a shot was tough since I'm only getting started at photography. After about a half hour of trying, I got the last picture. Not bad, huh?

...And His Armada

I moved back into Mount Pleasant last Saturday... after a day of carrying a bed, an entertainment center, several shelves and a lot of boxes from my house to two cars and to the apartment, I unwinded with a little concert that took place at The Forum behind Wendy's.

...And His Armada:

Singer Jason Horrocks and drummer Marc Van Horn were my freshman and sophomore year roommates at CMU, in Larzelere Hall. Others: Kyle Tipton at guitar and Eric Sprott at bass.

Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with them. They just got together over the summer and had a very nice set going with a few dozen attendees. And the hot dogs were pretty good, too. Be sure to say hi to these guys if you're in Mount Pleasant and see them.

Memories

It's amazing what one scene can do to provoke a plethora of thoughts and feelings.

I took a different route to my Taymouth Township board meeting today, crossing through Albee Township when I came across Albee Elementary, a school in the Chesaning Union Schools district. Next to it were four old baseball fences, with nothing that resembles a field in front of each. You couldn't even tell where home plate was.

After my meeting, which didn't last too long, I traveled back to the area:



The first thing I thought about was the last time these fields were used. It had to have been years, maybe decades. I thought about the kids that would play in the fields, perhaps for gym class. It made me think of playing sports like that in elementary school, too. The soccer fields at my elementary school, which I abused during my hey-day, are nothing but poles now.

I'm very sentimental when it comes to the past. I always think about what could have been... and the images of my past that I wish I could fully remember, or even live for even a day. The peace and quiet at this field, with nothing but insects chirping, echoes that, in a way. I'm looking forward to my future, especially as a journalist, but I always miss the past, and memories you store away only turn less vivid as you age.

I also took some close-ups on a couple wild flowers. Just trying to get used to the new toy.

Rock Band

Some video games can bring out the best in people. Or, in this case, the singer:

Credit to Brendon Fabish, 22, of Carrollton, singing "The Kill" by 30 Seconds to Mars. He's also a DJ, so you are bound to see some pictures of him at work sooner or later!

(Note: I used flash in the last 3 pictures because of how bad the lighting was in the room. See the first 3- those are some of the better-lit pictures I took. I'm still working on getting the right lighting with my camera, it's going to take practice.)