Chet Gordon • Photographer

"They're just 'Hammers & Nails', man..." (Part 2) 24•Jan.•12

2012-01-24T14:32:00.006-05:00

Packing up the hardware for a junior college basketball game between two local rivals tonight:

Here's a few favorites from the night, which included working with four cameras (one as a remote installed in the bleachers & aimed down toward a basket), two Dyna-Lite Uni-Jr. strobes clamped high in the stands in either corner of the gym, and just as importantly - gaining permission to edit and transmit my first 5 images on deadline from a coaches office after the game. That alone saved a lot of time and stress before packing everything up and loading the car to head back to the office, only a few blocks away. (Ironically, this is the same college gym where I'd installed the backboard remote and made the image that appeared in Popular Photography Magazine and subsequently their how-to book, "TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT: Essential Tips & Tricks For Shooting Amazing Photos" I'd written about a few days ago as well... ~cg.

"They're just 'Hammers & Nails', man..." Jan. 2012

2012-01-24T09:30:00.006-05:00

My gear used to cover Boys HS Varsity swimming between Monroe-Woodbury & Kingston High Schools at Monroe-Woodbury Middle School in Central Valley, NY on Tuesday, January 17, 2012. © www.chetgordon.com/blog

Now that covering the indoor sports seasons are finally in full swing for me again, here's a brief look at what I go through as far as camera & lens selection, lighting equipment, the whole bit. There are a few more big basketball games coming up (both HS & college) in the next few weeks, so now is as good a time as any to continue getting the bugs out of my equipment systems, and shake the rust off while actually working these games. Thanks for looking... ~cg.

Cameron Meyer of Kingston swims the 100 meter freestyle to finish second at 53.9 during their Boys varsity swim meet against Monroe-Woodbury at Monroe-Woodbury Middle School in Central Valley, NY on Tuesday, January 17, 2012. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Elijah Ghrael (#22) converts his second free throw to put NFA ahead by one point, 65 - 64 in the closing seconds of their game against Middletown in Newburgh, NY on Thursday, January 12, 2012. Ghrael had 15 points as NFA defeated Middletown 65 - 64. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

"Another One in the Books..." 19•Jan.•12

2012-01-19T14:55:00.022-05:00

A favorite sports photograph of mine (above right) was published again, this time in sort of a how-to book presented by the editors at Popular Photography Magazine: "TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT: Essential Tips & Tricks For Shooting Amazing Photos" It's actually a pretty decent looking soft cover book, easy to read, nice simple diagrams, and edited for everyone from serious amateurs to working pros. ~cg.

*This image has truly "grown legs" as we say in the business about a story or photograph. Below are the earlier posts again on the background history of the image and what it took for me back then to make the picture in 2008... ~cg

In all the craziness of this year's HS playoff basketball tournaments the past few weeks, I've just gotten around to writing about the above piece in Popular Photography magazine. A photo of mine with an accompanying story was published last month. (March 2010 - page 42.) Click HERE. It was actually a file photo from a HS basketball playoff game here in my coverage area made 2 years ago, and I've previously written extensively on the preparation and execution in making the image here on the blog. Click HERE to view those earlier links. (now posted below as well.) The real interest in the image itself was that not only was the image made from a remote camera mounted behind the backboard glass - that camera also fired the arena (studio) strobes a colleague and I installed the night before in the college gym for the weekend's playoff games. Professionally for me and extremely gratifying was the exposure of one my images in a national magazine. I began receiving emails from photographers around the country who'd seen the piece as subscribers, when I couldn't find a copy of it here in any of the big retail bookstores in my area. A couple of local photographers teased me about the piece at a big HS basketball game (where else?) one Friday night in late February; that due to scheduling, I wasn't even working. It was a big deal game between two local rivals and I still sat along the baseline to watch the game from what would've been my normal working perspective.

In all seriousness, it all began by answering what looked like a generic or possibly even a junk email after Christmas, which materialized into a series of phone interviews with the senior editor at the magazine, subsequently followed up by email submissions of the images from me.

*A final word on having a photograph like this not only seen by other editors, but the rights purchased for publication (from the paper) and a decent fee paid to us both. Proves again that you never, ever know who's looking at your work from afar...

Big fun. Nice tearsheet(s). I'm looking forward to hanging this piece on my office wall sometime soon. ~cg.

Sebastian Valdez, #41, left, and Cory Quimby, #44 right, of Minisink reach for rebound during their Section 9 Class AA Championship game against Newburgh Free Academy at SUNY Orange in Middletown, NY on Saturday, March 1, 2008. Minisink defeated Newburgh 60 - 57. Times Herald-Record/CHET GORDON

Strobist info & other tech talk: Nikon D-1X *(yea, I still use my old digital Nikons) with a 14mm F/2.8 Nikkor AF, mounted with a Bogen Magic-Arm & Superclamp behind the backboard glass for this championship series game. Four Dynalite Uni-Jr.'s lit the gym, that were clamped to the top corner railings of the bleachers the night before for earlier games. The whole rig was fired by Pocket-Wizards. I also shot from the floor with 2 other bodies, one short, with an 70mm - 200mm f/2.8 AF & the other with a 300mm f/2.8 AF to shoot the other end of the court. Game time exposures were: ISO 800 1/250th. sec. @ f/3.2 - 3.5. Note: This image was from the marquee game at 5PM. There were three other championship games played prior to this game, which meant I was in the gym actually turning on the house lights myself, and up on a ladder, 8 hours before tip-off of this game. Breakdown time of the strobes & remote rig was about an hour & this image still made deadline for the paper. -cg.

*This image took ONE YEAR, 3 DAYS & 8 HOURS to produce. Here's the Why & How: After we'd lit up the gym at SUNY New Paltz (NY) with four strobes for last year's HS Sectional Playoffs, I knew I wanted to make the effort to mount a remote camera "behind the glass" for this type of image, and have been talking about doing just that with a colleague at work for a year. *(that's the One Year part). I've been mounting remotes for basketball for years, both at the pro, college & even HS level, but those cameras were all making images under the venue's available light at high ISO's. This was the first game where I actually had the full assortment of gear & probably just as importantly - time - to mount a backboard remote, and also have this camera separately fire the four studio strobes mounted up in the corners of the gym. Last Thursday afternoon I met with the college's Director of Communications, and the assistant Athletic Director in the their gym to explain what I hoped to accomplish. Showed them samples of my earlier strobed sports & images made at NBA games with remotes & handed out business cards, etc. The DOC (communications guy) formally worked at West Point for years in their SID (sports information dept.) and understood immediately the importance of strobing arena games. (that's the 3 Day part). Finally, I had to arrive at the gym approximately three hours before the start of the first noontime playoff game in the gym. This image was from the marquee game played at 5PM. *(that's the 8 hour part), as I was in the gym at 9AM, literally 8 hours before tip-off of this game. I shot a few tests with this camera from the earlier games, and grabbed a ladder at halftime to pull the card to make sure everything looked OK on my Mac. The college maintenance guys, HS Tournament officials, coaches & fans who arrived early to see me up on a ladder, working behind the backboard to install the remote camera were all supportive and enthusiastic. That meant a lot during my set-up time.

*Oh yea, "Go (very) early. Stay late. Get the uniform dirty..." -cg.

"Tè Tremblé..." Remembering the Earthquake in Haiti. 2 Years Ago ~ Today. 12•Jan.•10

2012-01-12T08:27:00.029-05:00

Two years ago today, January 12th., 2010, Haiti was devastated by a massive earthquake, what Haitians call "Tè Tremblé, the earth trembles..." Nearly a quarter of a million people were killed and more than 1.5 million were left homeless. It was one of the worst natural disasters in history. I arrived in Haiti two weeks after the earthquake with longtime client Operation Smile of Norfolk, VA, and spent a week in the surgical compound set up at the Love A Child Health Center in Fond Parisiene, about 5 kilometers from the border of the Dominican Republic. I managed to spend my last full day of the mission in the capital, Port-au-Prince. (500, 000 Haitians are still homeless today throughout the country and millions of dollars in donated aid has yet to reach the victims...) Here's some of what I witnessed during my week on the island nation. I've included a slideshow of my take as well at the bottom of this look back. ~cg.

*To view all of my original posts from Haiti, including the surgical relief mission in January 2010, click HERE.

If you want to get an idea of what it was like after the earthquake in Haiti two years ago, and what it's like now, I urge you to spend a few moments and watch this video from the PBS series, "Frontline." This is the first of four videos on 'The Quake' After this first chapter, a link will take you to the remaining piece on the PBS site. ~cg.

Watch The Quake on PBS. See more from FRONTLINE.

and this from Friday's Democracy Now! broadcast:

and Aljazeera:

The 2011 POY - Pictures of the Year. *(full version).

2012-01-08T11:30:00.013-05:00

"The 50..." OK, so another year in the business is in the books. Fondly looking back at 2011, it wasn't such a bad year for making images, both for work and on my own self-generated & self-financed assignments. *(see: working vacations...) Bermuda. Kenya. My fifth Army graduation where the low-angle remote camera finally delivered the image I'd been chasing in my head for five years and three previous attempts, way too many games and / or general news events with multiple cameras & a super telephoto on a stick, as well as hauling around more full strobe sets to light HS & college gyms and medium sized arenas than I care to remember, installing a remote camera in the ceiling of an arena in White Plains in less than 15 minutes for a HS playoff basketball game, numerous video clips with the Canon 5D-MKII (which you won't see here yet, unfortunately), a few decent feature images and portraits. And the news; major snowstorm and Hurricane Irene followup coverage, the new governor doing his thing at Marist College, an FBI led pre-dawn raid (with temperatures in single digits) of suspected gang-bangers wanted for unsolved murders, a 23-year old shooter and his partner sentenced to life in prison w/o parole and the funeral for a Poughkeepsie police officer who was gunned down on the job. Here's how the best of my take on 2011 kind of shakes out. Again thanks for looking. "See you in the paper..." ~cg.

3 - Alarm Fire. Newburgh, NY 6•Jan•12

2012-01-06T22:53:00.008-05:00

There really isn't any additional commentary I need to add in helping to explain these images from a stubborn fire early this morning that destroyed multiple business in a small shopping plaza not far from home... ~cg.

Ron Palmer reacts at the scene of a three-alarm fire at Algonquin Plaza, 190 South Plank Road in the Town of Newburgh, NY on Friday morning, January 6, 2012. His business, Monell's Camera Shop was severely damaged by the fire. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Ron Palmer (right) is comforted by his father Ray Tadry (left) at the scene of a three-alarm fire at Algonquin Plaza, 190 South Plank Road in the Town of Newburgh, NY on Friday, January 6, 2012. Palmer's business, Monell's Camera Shop was severely damaged by the fire. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Kodak Teeters on the Brink of Bankruptcy. 5•Jan.•12

2012-01-05T15:29:00.021-05:00

I made this image of the rice farmer near Pohang, South Korea back in the mid-1980's on Kodachrome Professional 64 with an old Nikon FM2 or similar body with a fast Nikon telephoto zoom. (I was an active duty US Marine, training in the field at the time. You know, "Back in the day...") The image was previously posted HERE on the blog when Eastman Kodak discontinued Kodachrome film in 2009. I have re-posted that original piece below after the WSJ article and link. "Wow, Just Wow..." ~cg.

Copy image of a rice farmer in Pohang, South Korea, photographed in 1985 by photographer Chet Gordon of New York on 35mm Kodachrome transparency film. The Eastman Kodak Company announced on Monday June 22, 2009 that it will discontinue production of it's popular slide film favored by professional still photographers and the motion picture industry. The company said declining customer demand and the proliferation of digital photography brought an end to its oldest and most iconic film which was available for the last 74 years. © Chet Gordon / THE IMAGE WORKS

This from today's Wall Street Journal:

Eastman Kodak Co. is preparing to seek bankruptcy protection in the coming weeks, people familiar with the matter said, a move that would cap a stunning comedown for a company that once ranked among America's corporate titans.The 131-year-old company is still making last-ditch efforts to sell off some of its patent portfolio and could avoid Chapter 11 if it succeeds, one of the people said. But the company has started making preparations for a filing in case those efforts fail, including talking to banks about some $1 billion in financing to keep it afloat during bankruptcy proceedings, the people said.

A Kodak spokesman said the company "does not comment on market rumor or speculation." A filing could come as soon as this month or early February, one of the people familiar with the matter said. Kodak would continue to pay its bills and operate normally while under bankruptcy protection, the people said. But the company's focus would then be the sale of some 1,100 patents through a court-supervised auction, the people said.

That Kodak is even contemplating a bankruptcy filing represents a final reversal of fortune for a company that once dominated its industry, drawing engineering talent from around the country to its Rochester, N.Y., headquarters and plowing money into research that produced thousands of breakthroughs in imaging and other technologies.

The company, for instance, invented the digital camera—in 1975—but never managed to capitalize on the new technology. Should it seek bankruptcy protection, Kodak would follow other well-known companies that have failed to adapt to rapidly changing business models. They included Polaroid Corp., which filed for bankruptcy protection a second time in December 2008; Borders Group Inc., which liquidated itself last year; and Blockbuster Inc., which filed for bankruptcy protection in 2010 and was later bought by Dish Network Corp. A bankruptcy filing would kick off what is expected to be a busier year in restructuring circles, as economic growth continues to drag and fears about European sovereign debt woes threaten to make credit markets less inviting for companies that need to refinance their debts.

Kodak's founder, Mr. Eastman, took his life at the age of 77 in what is now a museum celebrating the founder and Kodak's impact on photography. His suicide note read: "To my friends, my work is done. Why wait?"

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203471004577140841495542810.html?mod=WSJ_article_comments#articleTabs%3Darticle

"Goodbye, Old friend..." (June 2009)

Ever since I can remember, I've wanted to take pictures. Like the pros. Used to cut out images from the major magazines, and literally tape them to my bedroom wall as a teenager growing up on the NJ Shore. I'd also collect these clippings in binders and committed to memory the name photographers of the day. When I began seriously shooting slide film back in the early 80's, Kodachrome was an automatic requirement, just like the big boys. I've run a lot of transparency films through my Nikons and Leica through the years, and nothing matched the consistency, tonal range, contrast and of course flesh tones that Kodachrome film stock provided. For me, Kodachrome Professional 64 (PKR-64) was the standard when I traveled internationally. With Kodak's announcement yesterday that they're discontinuing the film, it surely marks the end of an era for those of us that know.
Yea, like I mentioned at the beginning of this post, "I've always wanted to "take" pictures. Kodachrome "made" me a photographer... -cg.

Read about it here and here.

10:45PM: More on my Kodachrome images:

After quickly producing the images of my mounted & unmounted archived Kodachrome slides earlier this morning, I was quite pleased to see that my editorial stock agency, THE IMAGE WORKS posted the files within the hour on their main search page. Nice work, guys. Now let's hope for a few "bites" from their clients on any of these images. -cg.

"Run - Bags, Location Lighting, & Making the Portraits I Really Like..." Late December 2011

2011-12-29T15:45:00.022-05:00

Sometimes the pictures are already in your head. You just have to show up. With the appropriate amount of gear and occasionally your "A-Game..." These few images made in the last week or so were just simply fun to create with really pleasant subjects in front of the camera.

(3) - Newly elected Newburgh mayor Judy Kennedy photographed during an interview in her Newburgh, NY home on Thursday, December 29, 2011. Kennedy will take office on January 1, 2012. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

(3) - Sort of an unconventional family portrait gig with my nephew, his wife & teenage son in the living room of their contemporary home on the NJ Shore last weekend. Available light at high ISO (1600) to hold the background exposure and then I added a just a kiss of strobe powered down to 1/16th. power, and bounced it off the ceiling with a remote sensor cord. A short telephoto is the ideal portrait lens at semi-wide apertures (f/3.2 ~ f/4.5), which then creates exactly the look I wanted. Soft background. Nice light. I remember thinking that I wanted these portraits to be about the subjects and not necessarily about the house, living room surroundings, etc. The trio image of them together (top) was an afterthought. A loft room upstairs overlooking their living room with slanted ceiling (for again bouncing the strobe) helped that image work out. The images of the new mayor (top 3) were shot a little tighter today with the 28mm ~ 70mm, and 70mm ~ 200mm zooms, also at wide apertures, but the lone strobe head was pointed into a shoot-thru umbrella, with longer exposures to hold the background, which allowed the window light in the kitchen behind her to sort of bleed through and fall out of focus... ~cg

"The Card..." 24•Dec.•11

2011-12-24T09:27:00.006-05:00

This year's version is in the mail. You may already be a recipient. "Happy Holidays!" ~cg.

MOMBASA, KENYA. A sidewalk Santa spotted along Moi Avenue in Mombasa, Kenya on Thursday, December 8, 2011. © www.chetgordon.com/blog

A small tradition for me continues. Here are links to previous year's efforts:

(2010):

This year's card is en route to your doorstep, mailbox, desk, mail room or desktop. Special thanks to my very good friend and his family for having just "the right tree" on their property in Pottstown, PA two weeks ago. Wishing you all a very healthy, safe and prosperous 2011. HAPPY HOLIDAYS! ~cg.

(Inside message): "Fresh Cut." Sunday, December 12, 2010. 4:07PM

(Rear of card): Marc, Leonie, and Joel Brooks return to their house after cutting a Christmas tree for a customer on their family run tree farm in Pottstown, PA on Sunday, December 12, 2010.

(2009):

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR...!

It took a while this year. Yea, they're probably arriving late to your doorstep, mail slot, or post office box. But hey, can't break this longtime tradition of handmade, limited edition, 4"x5" holiday cards right...? Folks even called wondering where this year's version was.

What has become an annual rite of creative winter stresses coupled with maddening computer design & home printing time between two aging printers - has grown into a nice following of my personalized holiday cards. That all means a lot. I guess in some off-kilter way, it all serves as a brief therapeutic getaway from the sometimes ominous work schedule, to again try and refine this project into something meaningful for friends, family, clients and colleagues. I trust if you made the "short - list" you'll be happy with this year's effort... -cg.

(2008):

For the past 12 years or so, I've been producing my own "Holiday series" cards. What initially started out as a few late nights slumped over developing trays in the darkroom at The Journal News in White Plains, NY in the mid-90's. (Boy that all seems like eons ago...) has progressed into a full-blown work schedule, and in past years, a mailing list of nearly 100 recipients. One year I think I put 105 cards in the mail.

Production of the cards has progressed along with my PhotoShop and Microsoft Word skills, as well as the self-assigning the work to actually photograph an image(s) intended for the card production. A lot of those early images were intentionally made on the streets of New York City, particularly found while roaming around the East Village neighborhood in lower Manhattan. Seemed as though I was always able to find compelling imagery down there. I will have to put together some sort of collage of those earlier images, as they've become a collector's item for quite a few friends and colleagues. As a photojournalist, there probably isn't any greater honor than to have a viewer make the effort to keep my work. -cg.

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night..."

(2007):
This year's card was no easy task. Kept looking for an image or moment I've had in mind for a few years and couldn't find it yet again, so ventured quickly into NYC last weekend by train to roam one of my favorite neighborhoods to shoot something and produce the card this past week. I've included the other two candidtes shot on the same evening in lower Manhattan that were seriously considered. Had printer problems with both of my Epson printers for a few nights, so only 50 or so cards went out this year. Check your mailbox, as you may already be a winner...

*(One plus from the week was that I bought a small rotary paper cutter, so will force myself to start producing "portfolio image" note cards sometime soon. this is a project I've always wanted to initiate, so we'll see.)

My 2011 POY. (Pictures of the Year.)

2011-12-22T17:18:00.027-05:00

Yep. It's that time of the year again. The task of combing through one's archive for the year's best images and posting them somewhere out here in cyber-land for viewers to possibly notice, and hopefully appreciate. These are my six favorites that were made for work during the year. (We've been asked to submit only six for publication...) Remote cameras & arena strobes. Lenses ranging from a 10.5mm fisheye to a super telephoto ~ 300mm w/ a 1.4 extender for HS baseball and other sports. Going early and staying late. Some were fun. Some were difficult. A few were award winners. A couple made it into the updated portfolio slideshow in the right hand column here on the blog. All were challenging at different degrees for me, and are the culmination of the physical work, patience, attention to detail as well as the subject, and represent a mastery of the equipment that I try to employ in creating these types of images. *(Dripping sweat above the arena floor while hanging the ceiling remote camera for the overhead basketball image comes to mind...). The paper is going to highlight our staff photographer's best images on the website with each of us doing an audio voiceover, so I'll be sure to include those links here as well. I'll produce a more in depth slideshow of my personal and work favorites here on the blog in the next week or two. It was a good year for making images. Thanks again for looking. Stay tuned... ~cg.

Newly commissioned 2nd. Lieutenants toss their covers skyward in the traditional "hat toss" during Army's Graduation and Commissioning ceremony in Michie Stadium at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Saturday, May 22, 2011. Navy Admiral Michael Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff delivered the commencement address as 1,031 cadets received their diplomas and were commissioned as 2nd. Lieutenants in the U.S. Army. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record *(Link to original post by clicking HERE).

A man shovels the sidewalk in front of his Liberty Street home in Newburgh, NY on Wednesday January 12, 2011. The third major snowstorm of the winter has blanketed the East Coast from Georgia to New England. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Newburgh Free Academy players (L-R, in blue) Parish Canty (#15), Antonio Harper (#2) and Dominique Jacobs (#11) reach for a rebound with Mount Vernon defenders Givvion Jones (#22) and Jabarie Hinds (#55) during their Class AA Regional Semi-Finals game at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY on Tuesday, March 8, 2011. Mount Vernon defeated NFA 72 - 49. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record *(Link to original post by clicking HERE).

Trevor "Little T" Mattis is led from Judge Don Willams' courtroom after an expletive laiden outburst in Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, NY on Friday, May 6, 2011. Judge Williams sentenced both Mattis and co-defendent Gary Griffin to life sentences without parole in the shooting death of Charles "C.J." King Jr. in midtown Kingston last year. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record *(Link to original post by clicking HERE).

Livingston Manor shortstop Ken Fisk (#14) dives but can't make the play on a ball hit by Tim Steffens (#9) of Smithtown Christian during the fourth inning of their New York State Class D regional final at Pine Bush High School in Pine Bush, NY on Tuesday, June 7, 2011. Livingston Manor defeated Smithtown Christian 5 -3. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record *(Link to original post by clicking HERE).

A boy uses a smartphone to photograph exposed flames burning through the rear of a 3 - story house during a three-alarm fire at 488 Liberty Street in Newburgh, NY on Sunday, October 23, 2011. Nearly a dozen people were left homeless after the fire erupted in the multi-family home when a resident was cooking in a second-floor apartment in the rear of the building. All the occupants got out safely and there were no injuries. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

"Recapping the Kenya trip..." 18•Dec.•11

2011-12-18T14:29:00.017-05:00

Well, I've been home a full week now and I honestly think it took that long to get over another case of serious jet lag. Flying back from East Africa is no joke, and adding another full day to the front end of last weekend's travel itinerary made it all even more difficult. The airline (Turkish Airlines) offers transiting passengers a hotel room if their layovers in Istanbul were more than 12 hours, so it was great to finally put my head down in a nice, comfortable room near Ataturk Airport on Sunday morning. You see flights originating in the East usually depart past midnight, and considering I'd left the coast Friday evening on an overnight bus (below left) back to the capital, Nairobi - which entailed another 8+ hour ride, I was totally beat. (Yea, those are mechanics fixing a flat on my bus at 3AM at the halfway point rest stop!) By the time we'd arrived back in Nairobi on Saturday morning, did some laundry by hand, had a decent lunch and started packing, it was nearly time to head to the airport, for the first of two long haul flights. Not to mention arriving back home into JFK on Monday evening and then right back to work the following evening. It must've taken 4 or 5 days for my body to adjust to the time differences and finally get into a regular sleep routine. Although I'd initially set out to try and get up into the Somali refugee camps in northeast Kenya, as well as search out a few other stories, logistics and scheduling just didn't allow for all I'd hope to accomplish. Tack onto those issues, the price of fuel, finding reliable drivers and secondary fixers, and before I knew it, I was into my second week of the trip. The only thing left to do for my few remaining days in country was to head down to the coast and explore familiar beach towns like Mombasa (above), Malindi, and a very peaceful beachfront area at Watamu Beach in Gede (right) on my last official day in Kenya last Friday. Swimming in the calming, warm waters of the Indian Ocean on that day really took a lot of the stresses away. It was all nearly perfect for those few moments on the white sands of East Africa...

ISTANBUL, TURKEY. Turkish Airlines aircraft are serviced by ground personnel at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey on Monday, December 12, 2011. © me.

By the time I arrived in Istanbul and got over the intense travel schedule I'd imposed on myself for this personal shooting assignment (can this 50+ year old body continue to function like this I silently wondered?), I was completely exhausted and had to abandon any thoughts of touring the city for the afternoon. Fortunately the airline offered it's transiting passengers with extended layovers a hotel room near the airport, so that was a blessing in itself. I've spent more than my share of overnights in airports. The weather was grey and overcast, so any earlier ideas I'd had on making stock images in the Old Town neighborhood of the city faded really fast. In fact, my room was right in the glide path on final approach into Ataturk Airport, so I did manage to make a few generic aircraft images (left), and there were a few Bedouin women (right) roaming along a running stream within sight of my modest room as well. Pop on the 300mm and the 1.4X tele-extender and I was back in business for the afternoon, well at least until I collapsed for the night...

"Mombasa, Malindi and Gede..." Day #2. 9•Dec.•11

2011-12-10T04:16:00.005-05:00

Got in a bit more beach time yesterday, including a lengthy drive with friends up the coast to Malindi, and also managed a wonderful swim at Watamu Beach, in Gede (bottom 3 images). Temperatures had to be pushing right near or above 100ºF as we ventured north. Just putting a few images up here quickly, as we just arrived back in Nairobi this morning via the dreaded all - night, 8+ hour bus ride from Mombasa. It wasn't at all as tiring as I thought it would be though. Packing up in a bit for early AM departure tonight, and on to Istanbul, Turkey for a day's layover. stay tuned... ~cg.

*"This is Africa..." Mombasa, Kenya. (Day #1) 8•Dec•11

2011-12-08T12:53:00.009-05:00

As if my fixer / assistant Vincent Opondo needed to remind me of it at lunch this afternoon on the beach here in Mombasa. One of my favorite places on the planet to make images, get some sun, swim, and just really relax all of my senses. It must be pushing the mid - high 90º's here, with oppressive humidity, so I have to pinch myself in remembering the calendar date. (Sorry, fellow New Yorkers...!) I won't get into the 8+ hour bus ride yesterday to get here from Nairobi though. At least not now. Nor am looking forward at all to the return journey tomorrow night that will get us back to the capital city around sunrise on Saturday morning. Stay tuned. "Cheers!" ~cg.

"Kenya v5.0" Nov./Dec. 2011

2011-12-05T04:47:00.009-05:00

Here's a look at what I've been shooting this first week back in Kenya. It is my fifth time working in the capital, Nairobi and surrounding areas, and the eighth trip to Africa in the last ten years... "Asante Sana" (Thank you) for looking. ~cg.

Nairobi, Kenya. Day #3. 1•Dec.•11

2011-12-01T11:45:00.006-05:00

"(Just) Make pictures..."

NAIROBI, KENYA. A muslim woman steps gingerly through a muddy street in the Eastleigh neighborhood of Nairobi, Kenya on Thursday, December 1, 2011. Eastleigh is the main commercial center for Somali ex-pats, and is traditionally known as "Little Mogadishu." © www.chetgordon.com/blog

Nairobi, Kenya. Day #1. 29•Nov.•11

2011-11-29T10:55:00.010-05:00

These from today after a 3AM (local time) arrival, and hit the road running at about 8AM. A few early favorites from the Kibera slum, the largest in Africa, where it's been reported that nearly a million people live and work.

"As long as breath remains in my body, I will seek to work somewhere in Africa. The challenges are many. The sights and sounds are too numerous, and at times simply overpowering. Add the simple day - to - day experiences I share with the people from all walks of life, and the photographic rewards remain unending..." ~cg.

En Route - Nairobi, Kenya. 27•Nov.•11

2011-11-27T21:42:00.004-05:00

9:25PM. At the gate in Terminal 1 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, NY on Sunday, November 27, 2011. Awaiting my departing flight to Istanbul, Turkey and connecting through to Nairobi, Kenya. © www.chetgordon.com/blog

"I've Got Multiple Shots Fired Down Here..." Newburgh, NY 21•Nov.•11

2011-11-22T11:33:00.006-05:00

This one was a difficult scene to work late last night. When I took the reporter's call (above) just after 10PM, I immediately replied, "I'll be there in 10 minutes..." We both live in the neighborhood and know the shooting victim from working these streets... ~cg.

Newburgh Chief of Police Michael Ferrara (left) joins other officers as they examine a gunshot round outside the Terrace Lounge on Liberty and East Parmenter Streets in Newburgh, NY on Monday night, November 21, 2011. Donovan "Snoop" James (29) was shot multiple times by an unknown assailant and was eventually flown by MedeVac helicopter to Westchester County Medical Center for emergency treatment. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

"No NBA...? No Problem." Basketball coverage has begun for the 2011 / 2012 season for me. Newburgh, NY 15•Nov.•11

2011-11-17T09:17:00.007-05:00

The game ball rolls to a stop at court side after the Mount Saint Mary College - SUNY New Paltz women's basketball game in Newburgh, NY on Tuesday, November 15, 2011. Mount Saint Mary College defeated SUNY New Paltz 62 - 47. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

For those of you already missing your "Lebron and / or Kobe fix" on the NBA schedule this Fall, I am excited again to return to covering local high school and college games. For me that means utilizing multiple cameras, the usual gaggle of lenses, Pocket-Wizard radio transmitters & receivers, strobing arenas and gyms, remote camera set-ups, clamps, cords, batteries, gaffer's tape, heavy duty extension cords, chewing gum, rubberbands, gizmos, other doo-dads, and of course lugging all that gear to a location on a luggage cart. I sometimes feel like I'm heading out of town on an assignment, when actually I may only be working a few towns away at a big game, no matter the level of competition. After shaking off the rust and getting comfortable again working on the hardwood floor, here's a few images from Tuesday night's doubleheader season opener at nearby Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh. Stay tuned... ~cg.

Veteran's Day. Newburgh, NY 11•Nov.•11

2011-11-11T21:58:00.003-05:00

"The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month..."

Newburgh firefighter Capt. John Ryan presents the nations colors during a Veteran's Day ceremony in Newburgh, NY on Friday, November 11, 2011. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

"Once a Marine..." 10•Nov.•11

2011-11-10T08:10:00.027-05:00

"Semper fi...!" Today is the United States Marine Corps' 236th. Birthday.

MCRD. Parris Island, SC. 1982.

"H" Battery, 3rd. Battalion / 11th. Marines. 1st. Marine Division. CAMP PENDLETON, CA. JUNE 1984.

"F" Battery. 2nd. Battalion / 12th. Marines. Okinawa, Japan. 1986.

At 5:15AM with newly commissioned Marine 2nd. Lt. David Padgett outside his Rye, NY home on October 4, 2011. Lt. Padgett was en route to Okinawa, Japan to join the command of a Marine Engineering Company.

*I spent two and a half years on "The Rock" (Okinawa) during my tour as a heavy artillery / fire direction controlman (in the unit photo above: second row standing, second from right.) in the mid-1980's. I've know "Lt. Padgett" (above) nearly 20 years, going back to when he was a youngster playing Pop Warner football and the like. It's been a pleasure watching him grow to be a VMI graduate, and now a fine young Marine officer (at left & right). Passing the torch, I guess you could say... "Semper fi...!"

The United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon. For every Marine that ever carried a rifle... ~cg.

"The One That Got Away..." Election Night. Kingston, NY 8•Nov.•11

2011-11-09T10:24:00.007-05:00

It is not uncommon in this business that the most compelling & storytelling image of the night doesn't make the paper... ~cg.

Lawyer Jonathan Sennett, Ulster County District Attorney candidate talks on the phone in his campaign headquarters in Kingston, NY on Tuesday, November 8, 2011. Sennett was defeated for a second time by incumbent Holley Carnright. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

"An October Snowstorm...?" 29•Oct.•11

2011-10-29T22:50:00.005-04:00

Well, you certainly don't see something like this everyday. To say that a pretty severe snowstorm on Saturday wrought havoc on the Northeast is probably an understatement. The last time I viewed a national news organization's site, there were something like 9 people killed and upwards of 1 million people left without electrical power. In our region, my second HS divisional playoff game was canceled, just as the snow began blanketing the turf field a little after noontime. Editing and transmitting from the warm press box helped, but the drive home that normally would've taken 30 minutes, required an hour and a half on the interstate in slushy, wet snow. Neighborhoods in my town are still without power and I'm writing this on Monday morning, the 31st. I certainly hope this isn't any indication of what's to come this winter... ~cg.

NEWBURGH, NY. A Newburgh firefighter returns to his vehicle after responding to a call on Sunday morning, October 30, 2011. A rare October snowstorm dumped several inches of snow in the Northeast region, downing trees and causing power outtages to thousands in the tri-state area. © Chet Gordon/THE IMAGE WORKS

NEWBURGH, NY. A Newburgh firefighter returns to the firehouse after they responded to a call on Saturday evening, October 29, 2011. A rare October snowstorm dumped several inches of snow in the Northeast region, downing trees and causing power outtages to thousands in the tri-state area. © Chet Gordon/THE IMAGE WORKS

(2) - Washingtonville fans braved the snowstorm prior to the Section 9 Class AA Divisional Playoff game between NFA and Washingtonville at Faller Field in Middletown, NY on Saturday, October 29, 2011. The game was postponed due to weather and has been rescheduled for Monday evening. © CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

"Another Winner..." NPPA 2nd. Place Sports for June 2011

2011-10-28T18:22:00.004-04:00

Well, a second place ain't too bad in the National Press Photographer's Association Monthly News Clip Contest for June 2011. I wrote a bit about how I made this image back during the high school baseball playoffs in an earlier post here on the blog, and have re-posted it below (so you don't have to click on another annoying back-link to find it...). ~cg.

*This is why I like utilizing long glass for sports; no matter the event, venue or level of competition. Peak action, fast shutter speeds, relatively clean or out of focus backgrounds at wide apertures, nice light... (yea, I was 'sitting' on the shortstop and sort of guessed right when he dove for this line drive right toward me as I was 30' or so past first base up the right field line with my trusty 300mm and a 1.4 tele-extender welded on.) Just like we used to do down at the big ballparks in the Bronx and Flushing, NY... ~cg.

(3) - Livingston Manor shortstop Ken Fisk (#14) dives but can't make the play on a ball hit by Tim Steffens (#9) of Smithtown Christian during the fourth inning of their New York State Class D regional final at Pine Bush High School in Pine Bush, NY on Tuesday, June 7, 2011. Livingston Manor defeated Smithtown Christian 5 -3. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

In Praise of "Long Glass..." 22•Oct.•11

2011-10-23T11:32:00.005-04:00

I am working on a new post highlighting my use of long telephoto lenses (or what's commonly labeled "super-telephotos" in the camera manufacturer's jargon). For photographing sports and an occasional news assignment with "Joe-subject" at a distant podium, while we're positioned on those annoying press risers - there's no substitute for me, as my main camera for game coverage is usually something "long" - either a 300mm, 400mm, and occasionally a 600mm. This image from a high school game yesterday was made on a 600mm. (Actually a 300mm f/2.8 auto-focus with a 2x tele-extender attached, but who's counting millimeter's anyway...?) Losing the two f/stops and shooting at f/5.6 or higher isn't a bad trade off for the gain in focal length to 600mm, especially under ideal conditions.
Stay tuned... ~cg.

*"Everything Old is New Again..." Mombasa, Kenya. April 2006

2011-10-18T23:30:00.006-04:00

MOMBASA, KENYA. A man exercises on the beach at the Serena Beach Hotel in Mombasa, Kenya on Wednesday morning, April 12, 2006. © Chet Gordon/THE IMAGE WORKS

A few days ago I added one of the most important software applications to my arsenal that I've ever experienced; Adobe LightRoom 3. Then while re-examining some of my archived imagery from previous international trips, these two photographs as a RAW file (top) at sunrise, and a simple .jpg file (bottom) knocked my socks off all over again. LightRoom made the slight color correction, crop and re-sizing a breeze, and I was able to prepare them for submission to my editorial stock agency in a minute or two, and that's being generous while taking my time. Simply unheard of in other apps like PhotoShop and / or Nikon View NX, where I'd have to first do the edit, and then convert the RAW files to sizeable .jpgs. In fact, as soon as I became familiar with the initial image editing possibilities in LR3, I've already removed Nikon View from my MacBook Pro's dock. Photoshop may not be far behind... ~cg.

MOMBASA, KENYA. Spoken word artist and radio presenter Imani Woomera photographed at the Serena Beach Hotel in Mombasa, Kenya on Monday, April 10, 2006. © Chet Gordon/THE IMAGE WORKS

"Sometimes the Dog Wins..." 14•Oct.•11

2011-10-15T08:24:00.017-04:00

NFA head coach Bill Bianco (right) greets Monroe-Woodbury head coach Pat D'Aliso (left) after their Class AA football game in Central Valley, NY on Friday, October 14, 2011. NFA defeated Monroe-Woodbury 7 - 0 to end Monroe-Woodbury's 63 - game winning streak against Section 9 teams. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Rain. Mud. Spit and Blood... Friday night high school football at the playoff tournament level; although it may be a little early yet to be thinking that way just beyond the midway point of the season. Sounds sort of a like a John Madden promo or something. I can almost hear Madden's voice echoing in my ear: "Now you see this kid here, Mikal Myers of NFA (at right). He's got the mud thing going all over his body, a two-way lineman who doesn't wear any protective padding on his arms - now HE'S a football player...!" Ever since I've been at this newspaper, there's been the mystique of Monroe-Woodbury football. (Similar to the plateau and rare air that NFA basketball has lived on for years...) I've been privileged to have photographed some of the best HS football competition in my career up here in the Hudson Valley, and a lot of it has had to do with covering M-W football the last 5 years. Last night was challenging and at times just down right tough. An intermittent rain kept things at a point just below miserable, not to mention my drop-dead deadline, when I needed to have images shipped to the paper. Nerve racking. Nail biting. But beyond the headaches and everyday stresses, it was still fun. And that's what counts probably more than anything...

*Here's the slideshow from the very muddy game... ~cg.

2011-10-07T19:43:00.011-04:00

"Thank You, Steve Jobs..."

1955 - 2011

2011-10-06T08:22:00.005-04:00

REWIND - Images from the Archive.

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA. An orthopedic patient tries on new orthopedic shoes and leg brace received from the charity Cheshire Services Ethiopia at the Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Thursday, December 1, 2005. © Chet Gordon / THE IMAGE WORKS

REWIND - Images from the Archive.

A showcase for some of my favorite images here on the blog that aren't particularly in the working portfolio. Look for this occasional feature where I'll highlight a single image that's meant a lot throughout my career. Enjoy. ~cg.

Working an all-day "Zombie BBQ..." Newburgh, NY. 1•Oct.•11

2011-10-02T13:00:00.012-04:00

Had some time off coming from the day job, so I was able to do a few things for a good friend & local restaurant owner here in town yesterday. A good day for a good cause, as the "Psychedelic Zombie BBQ II" was held inside the old Newburgh Armory. Some very large spaces, smaller rooms and a gym for vendors, outdoor BBQ, and an outdoor beer garden. I'd decided the night before to pack up my "quick & dirty" two light portrait set and bring it along, just in case I encountered folks really into this whole Zombie thing. Little did I know... It was a long and tiring day (about 15 hours on location), but it was good to see a few performers I know. It was also fun making the varied images and stepping up to the challenges of working under difficult lighting conditions in the old building... (Will try to add a slideshow of the day soon.) ~cg.

Chrissie O' Dell and her band One Hot Mess perform during the Psychedelic Zombie BBQ II at the Newburgh Armory in Newburgh, NY on Saturday, October 1, 2011. © www.chetgordon.com/blog

"Kids & Animals...? It's Just Cute..." Callicoon, NY 24•Sept.•11

2011-09-25T15:11:00.002-04:00

Alessia Lentini (5) of Swan Lake views female alpacas during National Alpaca Farm Days at Nature's Reserve Alpacas in Callicoon, NY on Saturday, September 24, 2011. Nature's Reserve Alpaca is home to 40 alpacas. © CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Panos Pictures (UK) at 25.

2011-09-21T15:00:00.002-04:00

Some incredible images here during a discussion with Panos Pictures' photographers and staff on their 25th. Anniversary... ~cg

Conversations in Photography: 25 years of Panos Pictures from panos pictures on Vimeo.

"Back in the Black..." Army - Northwestern Football. September 17, 2011

2011-09-18T23:01:00.016-04:00

Thoughts on working again down at Michie Stadium for my first game of the 2011 season covering the Black Knights of Army. Football for me is similar to covering other sports at any level of competition, and is truly a game of inches. Particularly at the Division I College level. My choice of shooting positions throughout the game is usually from my knees 99.5% of the time, lens and camera choices (usually 3 bodies & at least one stadium remote installed above the stadium for the overall wide view - below), and even the clothing I wear for the day is all predetermined. Well usually. Nowhere was this theory put to the test as it was during Saturday's game against Northwestern. *(Note to self: remember carpenters knee pads & full rain suit in the car's trunk. Change batteries in the Pocket-Wizards to insure consistent firing of remote camera, and attach PW receiver in remote camera's hot-shoe to avoid radio reception interference for that camera atop Kimsey Hall.)

Army and Northwestern on the field in front of 35,784 fans during their game in Michie Stadium at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY, on Saturday, September 17, 2011. Army defeated Northwestern 21 - 14. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

We all dodged a bullet as the rain held off for the day and the stadium lights were on the whole time, which helped with exposures. With game time kickoff at 3:30PM, I knew it'd be a long afternoon and the workday would spill over into the evening. I certainly didn't want to be leaving the ballpark after 9 or 10PM I kept reminding myself... It wasn't a great game for making peak action images, although Army QB Trent Steelman ran for three touchdowns (2 of them were one - yard 'bang-bang' plays into a scrum at the goal line), so that meant working to stay keyed on just about every play in the second half, because any routine run or pass play could be a game-breaker. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around and the score tied at 14, I remember at times drifting into my "work zone": No crowd noise, no distractions, no talking to fellow photographers along the sidelines or end zone. Fortunately I didn't miss too many pictures on Saturday. All in all it was good to be working back in the big stadium, and working hard to offer full day coverage going into my fifth season of Army Football... ~cg

"Blood Work..." FBI Gang Raids - Part III. Newburgh, NY 13•Sept.•11

2011-09-14T08:21:00.007-04:00

Heavily armed FBI agents leave the scene at 433 Third Street in the City of Newburgh, NY, on Tuesday, September 13, 2011. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Orange County Sheriff's Office, NY State Police, DEA, and Newburgh Police arrested suspected Bloods gang members wanted for murder and other violent crimes, during coordinated pre-dawn raids throughout the city. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

*More on this in a bit. I have been sorting out coverage of my third pre-dawn raids here in my city over the last 16 months or so... ~cg

September 11, 2001. - "My Day Ten Years Ago..."

2011-09-11T23:45:00.015-04:00

SPECIAL TO NEW YORK DAILY NEWS-- American Airlines aircraft sit idle at the gate at Boston's Logan International Airport, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001. Logan was the airport where two of the four hijacked planes took off from, both hitting the World Trade Center in New York. (Chet Gordon for the NY Daily News/THE IMAGE WORKS)

Everybody remembers where they were on this date, just as folks from an earlier generation can recall where they were on November 22, 1963 when President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was gunned down in Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas. Since I couldn't get any further south than Yonkers, NY by car while the events were unfolding in lower Manhattan, (I was living in lower Westchester County near the CT border at the time), I was instructed by the photo desk in New York to "Go to Boston...!" I can still hear those frantic orders from the photo editor at the time, on a gas station pay phone - as there was no cellular service. I'll never forget how quickly I made it to Boston's Logan airport for the back story of where two of the hijacked American Airlines jetliners took off from, and eventually crashed into the World Trade Center towers in lower Manhattan. I was able to make a few images on an original Nikon D-1 series camera from the paper, but back then I had no way to transmit or email my images back to New York. There was no readily available wi-fi or hotspots to access the internet. In fact, I don't think I had all the proper software on my Apple G3 laptop to edit and transmit images remotely anyway. I'd only been shooting and scanning film negatives to email via a phone DSL modem. I had to find the Boston office of the AP, so they could move my images. I think we moved only three or four images from the airport and the following press conference at one of the big name hotels near the harbor. Then after winding down in Boston that evening, I was told to head back to New York, and "Be ready to go to work tomorrow..." Talk about a day. Nothing near what some of my colleagues in the business experienced, saw, and photographed, but it's a day seared in my memory as well... ~cg.

September 11, 2001. - "Now It's Been Ten Years..."

2011-09-11T01:03:00.009-04:00

An American flag flies atop the crumbling facade of the south tower of the World Trade Center's South Tower on Monday, September 24, 2001. A terrorist attack on Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001 destroyed to the two worldwide known icons in lower Manhattan when two jetliners struck the towers. The facade was brought down by construction crews on Tuesday, September 25, 2001. © Chet Gordon/THE IMAGE WORKS

When I finally made it downtown to the site known as "Ground Zero", two weeks after September 11, 2001, I remember thinking I didn't really need to make a lot of images. I wasn't competing with anyone or racing against some imaginary deadline in my head. I just needed to see and witness the scene. I remember the unnamed attorney who tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I'd really like to see the view from his 44th. floor office (below), the horrid smell of death rising like a cloud through the sewers, the eerie calm of an area of Manhattan that was always bustling during business hours, and the overcast rainy day it was on that day ten years ago when I made these images. There isn't even a need now to seek out any more of my outtakes from the day or subsequent visits downtown through the years. It's been ten years since that day and look where we all are in this world... ~cg.

Smoke still rises from the rubble and the crumbling facade of the World Trade Center's South Tower can be seen from the 44th. floor of an office building at 140 Broadway on Monday, September 24, 2001. A terrorist attack on Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001 destroyed to the two worldwide known icons in lower Manhattan when two jetliners struck the towers. © Chet Gordon/THE IMAGE WORKS

New York Army National Guard soldiers and an NYPD policewoman gather together a few blocks south of the crumbling facade of the World Trade Center's South Tower A terrorist attack on Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001 destroyed to the two worldwide known icons in lower Manhattan when two jetliners struck the towers. The facade was brought down by construction crews on Tuesday, September 25, 2001. © Chet Gordon/THE IMAGE WORKS

*(It's) TIME... 1•Sept.•11

2011-09-06T13:28:00.004-04:00

It's not much, but a file image of mine from Rye Playland over in Westchester County, NY appeared last week in TIME Magazine's website. If memory serves, I believe I made the image while on a story during my days at the NY Daily News, when there was a fatality at the amusement park. It's what we sometimes call a "GV" (general view) or the dreaded "real estate" of a location, building or landscape. I'm not sure if it also appeared in the actual magazine. The bigger question is, who do I invoice for this usage...? ~cg.

Click HERE to see the actual story.

More Hurricane Irene... Aug. - Sept. 2011

2011-09-02T07:40:00.009-04:00

A selection of my work on the cleanup this week after Hurricane (Tropical Storm) Irene. "Like a mini-Katrina, or so it seems in places..." ~cg.

A WWII era American flag (with only 48 stars) dries in the bed of a destroyed pickup in the driveway of Virginia Mina's flood damaged Barnes Avenue home in Washingtonville, NY on Saturday, September 3, 2011. Many Washingtonville area residents endured raging floodwaters after Tropical Storm Irene passed through the Northeast last weekend. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Virginia Mina surrounded by destroyed household items and debris in the driveway of her flood damaged Barnes Avenue home in Washingtonville, NY on Saturday, September 3, 2011. Many Washingtonville area residents endured raging floodwaters after Tropical Storm Irene passed through the Northeast last weekend. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

A cow has a drink in a flooded pasture at the Bettinger Bluff Farm in Montgomery, NY on Thursday, September 1, 2011. Areas of the Hudson Valley are still without power after Tropical Storm Irene passed through the Northeast last weekend. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Dave Ibbetson (left) and his brother Ray (right) remove a damaged couch from his flood damaged Brookside Acres home in Washingtonville, NY on Thursday, September 1, 2011. Many Washingtonville area residents endured raging floodwaters after Tropical Storm Irene passed through the Northeast last weekend. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Laszlo Bodak walks back into his flood damaged summer home in Mt. Tremper, NY on Wednesday, August 31, 2011. Mt. Tremper is still without power after floodwaters from the Esopus Creek caused by Tropical Storm Irene passed through the Northeast three days ago. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

(3) Mt. Tremper, NY

Bridge Street is littered with downed trees, power lines, and roadway damage after flooding from the Esopus Creek in Phoenicia, NY on Wednesday, August 31, 2011. The Hamlet of Phoenicia is still without power after Tropical Storm Irene passed through the Northeast three days ago. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

*On Covering Hurricanes "K-I-M..." (Katrina, Irene, Mitch.)

2011-08-28T22:11:00.015-04:00

NEWBURGH, NY. A woman examines debris onshore near The River Rose, and original paddle-wheel boat moored along the flooded Hudson River waterfront in Newburgh, NY on Sunday, August 28, 2011. Hurricane Irene knocked out power from South Carolina to Maine, and parts of New York State saw more than a foot of rain. © Chet Gordon/THE IMAGE WORKS

TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS. A young boy pauses near a car covered with debris along the bank of the Rio Choluteca (Choluteca River) under the El Chile Bridge in Tegucigalpa, Honduras on Saturday, November 7, 1998. Hurricane Mitch left upwards of 11,000 dead and hundreds of thousands homeless in Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and the rest of Central America. Floods and mudslides have leveled houses, buried villages and washed out major roadways and bridges, cutting off the northern and southern regions of Honduras. © Chet Gordon/THE IMAGE WORKS

NEW ORLEANS, LA. Destroyed homes in the Lower 9th. Ward of New Orleans, LA on Wednesday, June 28, 2006. Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf states 10 months ago. © Chet Gordon / THE IMAGE WORKS

Venturing around town this afternoon to make a few images of the rising Hudson River (top image) and early damage caused by Hurricane Irene, got me thinking of my past work at Hurricanes Katrina in June 2006 along the Gulf Coast and Mitch, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras back in 1998. Clearly Mitch was the most destructive of all hurricanes that I've seen to this day. Katrina's numbers were devastating just as equally, but more so in terms of displaced, uprooted survivors, and sheer property damage in the Gulf States. And Irene these last few days...? I think the jury is still out on this one. Following are a few more archived images to sort of serve as a reminder of what severe hurricane damage looks like and the unforgivable destructive forces they bring... ~cg.

(3) MITCH. Tegucigalpa, Honduras. November 1998.

KATRINA. New Orleans, LA June 2006.

KATRINA. Gulfport, Mississippi. June 2006.

(2) KATRINA. Biloxi, Mississippi. June 2006.

(2) IRENE. Newburgh, NY. August 2011.

"Africa Calling..."

2011-08-20T00:11:00.010-04:00

Lamu, Kenya. May 2006

Kibera slum. Nairobi, Kenya. Nov. 2002

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. December 2005

Empangeni, South Africa. September 2006

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. December 2005

Senegal. October 2006

Nairobi, Kenya. February 2004

*One Photographer's Insight...

2011-08-15T09:10:00.005-04:00

I simply love this... ~cg

ARMY Football. "You Can Feel It..." West Point, NY 13•Aug.•11

2011-08-13T19:33:00.010-04:00

Army starting quarterback Trent Steelman (#8) throws to a receiver during drills prior to their team scrimmage in Michie Stadium at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Saturday, August 13, 2011. The Army Black Knights open the 2011 season on Sept. 3rd. at Northern Illinois and their home opener is Sept. 10th. against San Diego State. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Ok, I'm going to go out on a limb here after shooting today's scrimmage with this year's Army football team. Something I never, ever do - at least not in a public forum. I try real hard to not become "a homer"; rooting for the home team you're covering. It's always been best for me to not get too attached to local teams and athletes, because when they come up short, it hurts and can sometimes effect your work. Certainly can't have that in this day and age. But this summer there already seems to be somewhat of a buzz in the air down at the United States Military Academy. I got a slight hint of it last week while covering practice in their indoor facility. Players like starting QB Trent Steelman, FB Jared Hassin, and WR Davyd Brooks (from right here in Newburgh, BTW) have a little more bounce in their step. What we used to call "Snap & Pop" in the Marine Corps. Steelman's passes are little tighter (top & left), Brooks' pass routes (bottom) are crisp and exact, and fullback Hassin (right) has become a bona fide punishing runner out of the backfield. Newcomer FB Larry Dixon (a freshman I believe) is built like a armored vehicle and he looks like he's going to be leaving a few stunned tacklers in his wake too. Slotback Jon Crucitti (below at right) is also a baseball player who can reliably "deliver the mail" as well. Along with Ray Maples, they should have a solid backfield. There's a new backup QB, Angel Santiago (left), who looks short in stature, but I'm sure he's got the goods or head coach Rich Ellerson wouldn't have him out there running the second team offense already. In what will be my fifth year of covering ARMY football down at Michie Stadium and on the road, this team may have the makings of something nice this season. We'll see how they look after a few more practices I'll probably be assigned to before the season starts in three weeks. It also feels really, really good to be working on the warm turf field of a mid-August afternoon in a Div. I college stadium, shooting with long glass (300mm + 1.4 & 2X tele-extenders), multiple cameras, and making good sports images again. Stay tuned. ~cg.

Army receiver Davyd Brooks (#13) dives but cannot make the reception on a Trent Steelman pass during drills prior to their team scrimmage in Michie Stadium at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Saturday, August 13, 2011. The Army Black Knights open the 2011 season on Sept. 3rd. at Northern Illinois and their home opener is Sept. 10th. against San Diego State. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

September 11th. - Ten Years On... Highland Falls, NY 11•Aug.•11

2011-08-12T07:14:00.004-04:00

Detail of a 7 foot, 1,500lb. I - Beam section from the wreckage of the World Trade Center, after it arrived at the Village Green in Highland Falls, NY on Thursday, August 11, 2011. The beam will be formally dedicated during a ceremony on September 11th. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

ARMY Football Practice. (In August, no less...) 9•Aug.•11

2011-08-09T17:51:00.007-04:00

It's August. It's been unbearably hot and sticky with high humidity here in the Northeast the last few weeks; so that must mean it's time to start covering Army Football down at West Point again. Gearing up for my fifth season of coverage down at the Academy. Here's a quick take on today's practice... ~cg.

Army starting quarterback Trent Steelman (#8) on the field during practice in the Foley Athletic Center at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Tuesday, August 9, 2011. The Army Black Knights open their 2011 season on Sept. 3rd. at Northern Illinois, followed by their home opener on Sept. 10th. against San Diego State. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

"Going Yard..." Minor League Baseball. Wappingers Falls, NY. 2•Aug.•11

2011-08-03T19:27:00.008-04:00

After returning from vacation Monday night, it was nice to be assigned again to cover our local Minor League team, The Hudson Valley Renegades last night. (Tuesday). The assignment called for only shooting images of a few key players, as we're only running a Sunday story. So it's a chance for me to sort of relax and enjoy the game for a few innings, and make a few feature type images as well. I like the opportunity to make these sort of "B - roll" images, even at the ballpark. Been doing it my whole career... ~cg.

"What is it about Bermuda...?" 31•July•11

2011-07-31T06:32:00.009-04:00

*(Relaxing is hard work here in paradise...) I'll be posting a slideshow from the week once a deep re-edit is complete. "Cheers!" ~cg.

ST. GEORGE'S, BERMUDA. Tobacco Bay in St. George's Parish, Bermuda on Saturday, July 30, 2011. © Chet Gordon/THE IMAGE WORKS

Bermuda Cup Match. Day #1 28•July•11

2011-07-29T09:25:00.004-04:00

My take so far from the first day of Cup Match yesterday here in Bermuda. "Cheers...!" ~cg.

Day #1 in Bermuda for Cup Match Week. July 26 - 31, 2011.

2011-07-26T23:01:00.009-04:00

ST. GEORGE'S, BERMUDA. St. George's Cricket Club bowler Stefan Kelly (above) views the pitch during practice at the St. George's Cricket Club in St. George's, Bermuda on Tuesday, July 26, 2011. The annual two - day Cup Match Cricket Tournament between St. George's and Somerset begins Thursday. © www.chetgordon.com/blog

I have been waiting nearly 10 years to see, experience and cover Cup Match here in Bermuda. The week's festivities and celebratory atmosphere were all I ever heard about from Bermudians during my numerous trips here to the island. It is already shaping up to be a wonderful week for making images. Stay tuned... ~cg

St. George's will host Somerset in the annual two-day cricket tournament known as Cup Match beginning Thursday. Cup Match was introduced after the abolition of slavery in Bermuda. Men from Somerset and St. George’s met in a friendly rivalry and held celebrations of Emancipation by holding annual picnics to mark the anniversary of the abolition of slavery. One of the highlights from the picnics was a friendly cricket match played between lodges from the east and west ends of the island. In 1901, during a cricket match between two major Friendly Societies, an agreement was made to play for an annual trophy. Members of the Friendly Societies and Lodges raised funds and in 1902 a silver cup that was played for annually was introduced.

"It's Too Darn Hot..." July 2011

2011-07-22T07:24:00.007-04:00

*With apologies to Ella Fitzgerald, yes, it truly is "Too Darn Hot..." this week here in the Northeast. ~cg

Eight year-old boy keeps cool in the spray of a sprinkler at Audrey Carey Park on Liberty Street in the City of Newburgh, NY on Thursday, July 21, 2011. The Northeastern U.S. has endured a heatwave for a week, with temperatures reaching near 100ºF. © www.chetgordon.com/blog

Of the two images I sent in early yesterday morning, here's the one we used (below) of the same boy to illustrate this ongoing heatwave...

Just another few days at "The Office..." July 2011

2011-07-16T07:30:00.008-04:00

(2) Newburgh City Police SWAT Team officers outside 260 First Avenue during a drug raid in Newburgh, NY on Friday, July 15, 2011. Five individuals were taken into custody including one female and a 15 year-old juvenile. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Newburgh City Police SWAT Team officers take a woman into custody during a drug raid at 260 First Avenue in Newburgh, NY on Friday, July 15, 2011. Five individuals were taken into custody including this woman and a 15 year-old juvenile. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

(2) Soniel "Sonny" Ayala is taken into custody by Newburgh City Police officers at the intersection of First and Carpenter Avenues in Newburgh, NY on Friday, July 15, 2011. Ayala was wanted for a stabbing during an armed robbery earlier this morning. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Tommy Bell on the field in Michie Stadium at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Thursday, July 14, 2011. Bell was Army's first 1,000-yard rusher in 1954, but isn't in the Army Sports Hall of Fame. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

(2) Michie Stadium at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Thursday, July 14, 2011. Army will host San Diego State in their 2011 home opener on Saturday, September 10th. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

On Set w/ German TV... 9•July•11

2011-07-11T10:54:00.005-04:00

One of my assignments during another hectic workday this past Saturday was to photograph the overall goings on during filming (taping?) of a German television show for our newest publication, Ulster Magazine. (The Canon 5D-MKII with only one lens (28mm - 70mm f/2.8 zoom) is an ideal camera / lens combination for this kind of work, particularly the very high file size resolution I needed for magazine quality reproduction.) The crew, actors and everyone on set couldn't have been nicer during my brief stay on set. ~cg.

German actors Thomas Unger and Fiona Coors during filming of the show "Diagnosis of Love" for the German television network ZDF, at a farm in Ulster Park, NY on Saturday, July 9, 2011. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

West Point today. 7•July•11

2011-07-07T21:41:00.005-04:00

Spent the morning in the field with Army cadets at West Point during their Soldier First Responder Training at Camp Buckner at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Thursday, July 7, 2011. The Army has implemented a tourniquet-first policy in training new soldiers because so many are "bleeding out" from IED (Improvised Explosive Device) wounds on battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan. ~cg.

"Happy 4th....!" Newburgh, NY

2011-07-04T23:10:00.005-04:00

Independence Day fireworks explode over the Hudson River in Newburgh, NY on Monday, July 4, 2011. © www.chetgordon.com/blog

Workhorse Nikon D-1X. 28mm - 70mm f/2.8AF, old school SILK tripod, Nikon MC - 20 timer & shutter release. ISO 200. f/11 - f/13. 3 sec. - 13 sec. ~cg

Same-Sex Marriage Law Passes in New York. 24•June•11

2011-06-26T08:23:00.007-04:00

Back in 2004, during my time as a photo-editor at the NY Daily News, I covered the first gay weddings in the country performed by a then 20-something mayor, Jason West. It caused quite a stir nationally and even internationally, as the small village green was a media circus... ~cg.

NEW PALTZ, NY. JoAnne Still (left) and her partner Mary Mendola (right), both of Accord, NY rejoicing together after their wedding ceremony performed by Mayor Jason West (far right) in New Paltz, NY on Friday, February 27, 2004. © CHET GORDON / THE IMAGE WORKS

*(This from the New York Times): ALBANY — Lawmakers voted late Friday to legalize same-sex marriage, making New York the largest state where gay and lesbian couples will be able to wed and giving the national gay-rights movement new momentum from the state where it was born.

"Pomp..." Graduation Week. June 2011.

2011-06-24T22:41:00.005-04:00

It's graduation week here in my newspaper's coverage area. After the college ceremonies from last month have become almost a distant memory, we're still faced with the one of the busiest weeks of the year documenting numerous commencement ceremonies during this next to last weekend in June. I'll post more of my select images from the four schools I've covered this week. Stay tuned... ~cg.

Alyssa Fortino waits to enter Eisenhower Hall with her classmates prior to James I. O'Neill High School's 2011 Commencement Exercises at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Thursday, June 23, 2011. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

"The Company You Keep..." NYC 13•June•2011

2011-06-18T01:08:00.011-04:00

Yours truly on the right joining photographers Daniel Morel (L) of Haiti and Tatiana Cardeal (C) of Brazil, outside Nations Cafe, in the shadow of the United Nations on East 49th. St. and 1st. Ave. in New York, NY on Monday, June 13, 2011. Morel is the 2011 World Press Photo Award winner for his coverage of the Jan. 2010 earthquake in Port-au-Prince. © www.chetgordon.com/blog

Here's an older post I've relinked to my longtime relationship with Daniel, including working with him two weeks after last year's devastating earthquake in his native homeland, Haiti:

2011 WORLD PRESS PHOTO

My longtime friend and colleague, Daniel Morel has won two World Press Photo Awards in the 2011 competition held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. You may know his iconic image above as Daniel, a Haitian photographer created the first images after the earthquake struck in Port-au-Prince on January 12, 2010. His images were seen around the world in the days following the devastating earthquake that killed more than 250,000 people, and left upwards of 1.5 million people homeless. His images ran in newspapers and magazines around the world, and were broadcast on international TV news channels as well. Daniel was awarded a 2nd. place in News (Singles) for the image of the woman crawling out of the rubble (above) and a 1st. Place in News (Stories - below) for a collection of his images just after the earthquake that first day. I've known Daniel for nearly 20 years, after our first meeting in Haiti back in 1993, on my first international shooting assignment with two other colleagues. I caught up with Daniel in his Port-au-Prince hotel last January, two weeks after the earthquake, while I was there working for longtime client Operation Smile. ~cg.

Oloffson Hotel. Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Saturday, January 30, 2010.

Portfolio editing w/ Daniel in my apartment. Newburgh, NY. May 2008.

*"Building a Picture..." 14• June•2011

2011-06-15T16:49:00.011-04:00

Ken and Jeannie Veltz in the backseat of their 1982 Mercedes Benz 240D outside their Cold Spring, NY home on Tuesday, June 14, 2011. The 60 year-old couple, both established musicians and married for 36 years, and now grandparents, are taking off on a cross-country tour in the car, reminiscing their days as a touring band. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

A lot times you go into an assignment (usually a portrait) with a specific idea or a few finished images already in your mind, and somehow without warning circumstances beyond your control as a photographer can ruin even the best laid plans in an instant. Fortunately, this wasn't the case yesterday in Cold Spring, NY where I'd gotten an assignment to photograph a longtime married couple and established musicians, who now as grandparents were about to embark on a cross-country tour on singing dates, just as they'd done years ago in their career. When I read the assignment ahead of time, and realized that the word people had an idea that photographing them in or around their old Mercedes diesel might be nice, I knew there would be a few opportunities for some decent images. One factor would come into play immediately though - the subjects attitude and willingness to understand what I had in mind by setting up two camera strobes on stands outside the car - one aimed into a shoot-thru umbrella, and posing them in the back seat of the sedan. Finally, the real kicker was utilizing my Nikon fisheye lens, which I occasionally use as a remote for overall views of stadiums and / or landscapes, and unique views in sports but rarely, if ever for a formal portrait. This all changed when I crawled into the front passenger seat, twisted around and was able to make a few images, encourage them to change their poses a little and even embrace. Arriving when the interview was still going on enabled me to know them a little better, which in turn allowed me to ask questions about their career, etc. when I actually began shooting. Besides all this, I was trying to keep my shooting time down to a few minutes, because there still were some serious rain clouds hovering over the area, so I know I needed a few usable images as quickly as possible, just in case we were hit with a downpour. I remember assuring Ken and Jeannie they were great and the story / pictures weren't so much about the car, as it was about them. It was just an all-around fun shoot, and we all managed to spend about a half hour at the reporter's apt. nearby to have coffee and swap stories on our careers too. *(Remember though to always be aware of all those little things you can't control in doing this work and to just plain have fun when you can...) ~cg.

"The East Side." New York, NY. 13•June•11 6:48PM

2011-06-14T09:34:00.001-04:00

NEW YORK, NY. An elderly man with a walker is helped out of a taxi cab on East 49th. Street in New York, NY on Monday, June 13, 2011. © www.chetgordon.com/blog

2011-06-12T08:37:00.007-04:00

REWIND - Images from the Archive.

BERMUDA. Street scene in St. George, Bermuda on Sunday, October 10, 2010. © Chet Gordon/THE IMAGE WORKS

REWIND - Images from the Archive.
A showcase for some of my favorite images here on the blog that aren't particularly in the working portfolio. Look for this occasional feature where I'll highlight a single image that's meant a lot throughout my career. Enjoy. ~cg.

*"More HS Playoff Baseball..." 7•June•11

2011-06-07T21:15:00.008-04:00

This is why I like utilizing long glass for sports; no matter the event, venue or level of competition. Peak action, fast shutter speeds, relatively clean or out of focus backgrounds at wide apertures, nice light... (yea, I was 'sitting' on the shortstop and sort of guessed right when he dove for this line drive right toward me as I was 30' or so past first base up the right field line with my trusty 300mm and a 1.4 tele-extender welded on.) Just like we used to do down at the big ballparks in the Bronx and Flushing, NY... ~cg.

"A Little HS Championship Baseball..." 4•June•11

2011-06-05T17:01:00.005-04:00

Kingston winning pitcher Jared Jensen (#22) reacts after making the final putout to end their Section 9 Class AA Championship game against Valley Central at SUNY New Paltz in New Paltz, NY on Saturday, June 4, 2011. KIngston defeated Valley Central 4 - 1. © CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

*For Gil...

2011-06-04T06:15:00.008-04:00

"Winter in America."

It's been a week since musician Gil Scott-Heron has passed away at 62. Heron was certainly much more than a poet and songwriter whose infectious tunes just had a way of staying with you, even after nearly 30 years. He liked to call himself a "bluesologist" and I'd heard in one interview he said, "I'm just a piano player from Tennesee..." I'd written about his passing last week here on the blog, including the article that appeared in The New York Times. Listening to radio programs, reading some of the other testimonials to him and listening again to some of his past interviews, it is time to post this multimedia piece which I began putting together about six months ago. All the images were made here in Newburgh, NY, encompassing my coverage on the streets the past few years, although I'd had the soundtrack in my head for much, much longer.

I've wondered what Gil would think of the piece utilizing his words & music, but just a day or two ago I realized he'd already seen it - all over this country. ~cg.

Memorial Day. - (Present Day) Newburgh, NY.

2011-05-30T15:59:00.005-04:00

Spent the morning at the Memorial Day Parade here in town, basically for myself, as I wanted to put the old Nikon D-1X through it's paces again. Ended up utilizing the 14mm (equivalent to a 20mm on the digital body) and just had a blast "getting in real close" to a few subjects. Also shot 95% of the take on Aperture priority, which I almost never do. With the sun constantly playing peek-a-boo behind an overcast sky, I didn't want to keep using the hand meter or "chimping" (looking at the images on the back of the camera) while walking the parade route. By tweaking the exposure compensation settings on the camera, I was pleasantly surprised by the results of this "quick hit" self assignment. ~cg.

NEWBURGH, NY. Vietnam War veteran Richie Sanchez (53) watches the Memorial Day Parade proceed along Broadway in Newburgh, NY on Monday, May 30, 2011. Sanchez served in Army as an infantryman in Vietnam during 1975 - 1976. © Chet Gordon/THE IMAGE WORKS

"Memorial Day..."

2011-05-30T05:34:00.011-04:00

Today is Memorial Day. So much more than cookouts, ballgames and day trips to the beach, lake or catching another blowout holiday sale at the dreaded local mall. Don't think so, ask any family member who's lost a loved one...

Semper fi. ~cg.

Gil Scott-Heron. b. April 1, 1949 - d. May 27, 2011.

2011-05-28T20:35:00.008-04:00

Recording artist Gil Scott-Heron performing at the Asbury Park Community Center in Asbury Park, NJ in 1993. Heron, sometimes known as the godfather of rap was born in Chicago on April 1, 1949, and raised in Jackson, TN. He died on May 27, 2011 in Harlem. He was 62. © www.chetgordon.com/blog

I just learned this evening that Gil Scott-Heron has died. He was one of the most influential poets and recording artists in the last 30 years or so, and one whose body of work I greatly admired. Some of his signature tunes and readings like "Johannesburg", "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised", "The Bottle", "Winter in America", "Must Be Something", "Angel Dust", "Lady Day & John Coltrane", "We Almost Lost Detroit", and "The Bicentennial Blues" all spoke to social injustices in the inner cities and the hypocrisy he continually exposed in Washington, as well as Apartheid South Africa in the '70's. Although his work didn't get a lot of mainstream airplay, he had quite a following both here in the U.S., and like a lot of outspoken performers, internationally as well. His work is now routinely sampled by other artists. Nowadays he's been referred to as the "godfather of rap", which of course doesn't do justice to his musical genius and political awareness and activism. There would be no Chuck D and Public Enemy, Michael Franti, and I'm sure no Jay Z if there hadn't been a Gil Scott-Heron laying it down 30 years ago. In an interview on WFUV-FM, his reply was simply "I'm just a piano player from Tennessee and I'd rather they call me that, then call collect..." I had the opportunity to photograph Gil in a really small venue in Asbury Park, NJ back in the early '90's. If memory serves, this image was obviously made on a film camera back then, probably one of my old Nikon F-3's or even an f-4. I'm pretty sure the image was shot on T-Max P3200. I remember when he arrived in the community center's gym and there were probably all of 20 - 30 people there milling around with folding chairs set up. He mumbled a few inaudible things on stage to the band and proceeded to put on a knockout show. I'd also seen him perform in Atlanta, and a few other times in the NYC / metro area, including one of his regular stops at the club SOB's on Varick and West Houston Streets in lower Manhattan. ~cg.

"Class of 2011 - Dismissed...!" West Point, NY. 21•May•11

2011-05-21T22:29:00.026-04:00

(3) - Newly commissioned 2nd. Lieutenants toss their covers skyward in the traditional "hat toss" during Army's Graduation and Commissioning ceremony in Michie Stadium at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Saturday, May 21, 2011. Navy Admiral Michael Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff delivered the commencement address as 1,031 cadets received their diplomas and were commissioned as 2nd. Lieutenants in the U.S. Army. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

"Army Graduation by the numbers..."

Working this year's graduation down at West Point was no easy matter. It never is and shouldn't be looked upon as any mere graduation day. Ever. Not even after working the four previous events, including POTUS (Obama) on station for last year's ceremony, I still had a ton of intricate details to prioritize in my mind and more importantly - in my mind's eye. There are again too many variables to anticipate and to sort out in any cohesive order, so I'll try to put some of the challenges in perspective here a little.
In no particular order: 4:30AM wakeup call, begin packing the car at 5:30AM departure (above left) to stadium. 5 - camera bodies. lenses - 10.5mm fisheye to 600mm (the 300mm f/2.8 + a 2x tele-extender attached at times during the ceremony), 1 - Gitzo monopod, 1 - heavy duty luggage cart, 4 - SuperClamps, 2 - Manfrotto Magic-Arms, 7 - Pocket-Wizards, 1 - pair each: pliers, wire cutters, channel locking pliers, half dozen zip lock freezer bags, 1 - bag 24" black locking plastic ties, 1 - rain poncho, 1 - full rain suit, 1 roll of black gaffer's tape, 1,031 graduating cadets, 1,241 frames shot before first edit, 88 - frames on second edit, 30 - (selects or "keepers") frames...

Secure areas literally in the shadow of the stadium itself on post forced me to actually leave the base, drive out the back gate, and head through the small village of Highland Falls to the main gate. That brief detour cost me nearly 30 minutes, for what would be on a normal day, probably a 6 - 8 minute drive. Keep in mind, all vehicles had to be re-inspected at the gate and I still had to make my way up to the press parking lot, near the opposite end of the stadium were I was only 45 minutes earlier a little after 6AM. Imagine arriving for an assignment literally 4+ hours early, and still worrying that you're late. Although I didn't get into the stadium (more security checks, hand-wanding metal detectors, and bomb sniffing dogs) and finally on the field with my cart full of gear until nearly 7:30AM, things worked smoothly in installing the first remote camera (above left) on one of the aluminum benches for the graduating cadets. Even as a few very brief early morning rain drops fell, and a fog hung over most of the academy, I'd decided while waiting in traffic again to enter the main gate, that I'd install at least the main remote camera. Besides, I loaded up on both zip-lock freezer bags that would fit over the camera if needed and I could easily add another plastic grocery bag over the rig if needed too. Unless there was going to be a downpour, I was intent on installing this #1 remote for the third time. This was the year to make it all work since there weren't going to be any top level dignitaries on the dais, like a POTUS or even a VPOTUS. (Vice - President). In fact, First Lady Michelle Obama had addressed the graduating cadets the night before in a brief ceremony, and luckily I hadn't drawn that assignment. Once the main remote was securely installed and sort of locked into place with the help of two black heavy duty plastic locking ties, I got permission from the West Point PR folks right on the field to place the second low angle remote mounted on a black metal finished floor plate under the stage, and pointing back toward the cadet seating. I knew this camera would probably give me a good picture as well, depending on how the lighting conditions evolved during the morning. I'd thought all week how this second remote camera would provide an additional view of the cadets marching into the stadium, seated and standing during the ceremony, and finally a second unique view of the "hat toss" to end the ceremony. Fortunately I was able to borrow the metal floor-plate from a freelance colleague here in town. It was only a matter of minutes before I had this camera aligned under the main podium at field level. I'd also thought alot about lens selection on these two remotes, and had even briefly wondered how things would've worked out if I had placed the Nikon in this position with the fisheye, and this Canon 1-D on the benches, angled straight up toward the main stadium grandstand to make the lead image. By the time both remotes are in placed, secured and confirmed to be firing from a Pocket-Wizard in my hand (and eventually on the camera in my hands) I barely have enough time to make a restroom pit stop, have a few bites of a power bar, and start looking for feature images of the audience, etc. Ironically, the Cadet First Captain walked around the field about an hour before he and his 1,000+ classmates formed up in the Foley Athletic Center to march into the stadium, and that would become my lead image below in the slideshow to officially start my workday making images... ~cg.

Here's an edited take from the ceremony:

"All for the Corps..." West Point, NY.

2011-05-21T04:51:00.002-04:00

Today is Army Graduation Day at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY. It'll be my fifth Army graduation I've covered since joining the staff at this newspaper, so obviously I've been thinking a lot about all the preparation that goes into an assignment like this. The ceremony is one of the two biggest days I work all year (the other being the Army - Navy Game in early December). Ironically, both days start about 4AM for me and involve the USMA. Here's a look some of the gear I've utilized and a few favorites from previous graduation and commissioning ceremonies in Michie Stadium... ~cg

2010.

2009.

"Battle at F/Stop Ridge"

2011-05-20T22:39:00.007-04:00

This is just fun. Sometimes we all just need a good laugh... ~cg.

"What is it about fighters...?" (continued) Newburgh, NY 15•May•11

2011-05-16T00:39:00.011-04:00

These from last night, particularly following 15-year old fighter Gary Acosta (bottom 8 photos), who I'd met and photographed on Friday in the Newburgh Boxing Club gym. ~cg.

Trainer Ray Rivera of the Newburgh Boxing Club tapes the hands of fighter Felix Davila prior to his 165lb. bout during the Junior Olympics Metro Championship Boxing Finals at the Newburgh Armory in Newburgh, NY on Sunday, May 15, 2011. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

"What is it about fighters...?" Newburgh, NY 13•May•11

2011-05-13T19:25:00.011-04:00

Fighter Randy Hinkson (21) of Plattekill wraps his hands at the Newburgh Boxing Club in Newburgh, NY on Friday, May 13, 2011. Ray Rivera, the club's owner / trainer may have to close the gym in June due to financial hardships. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Spent a few hours this afternoon at the Newburgh Boxing Club here in town. This for an upcoming story on the boxing club that may have to close, due to financial problems and haggling with the city. I've grown to the know the owner / head trainer Ray Rivera, as I've had a few assignments there the past few years. I've also covered fights where his fighters have been on the card. It's really good to see some of his fighters now appearing at bigger venues, which in turn means bigger purses for these inner city athletes.

It truly is the 'sweet science...' ~cg.

Fighter Gary Acosta (15) of Newburgh hits the heavy bag at the Newburgh Boxing Club in Newburgh, NY on Friday, May 13, 2011. Ray Rivera, the club's owner / trainer may have to close the gym in June due to financial hardships. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

*"Life Without Parole..." Kingston, NY. 6•May•11

2011-05-06T22:29:00.035-04:00

"F*ck You, Niggah! Suck My Di%k...!"

Trevor Mattis is forcibly removed from Judge Donald Williams' courtroom after an expletive laden outburst directed at the judge, during his sentencing in the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, NY on Friday, May 6, 2011. Judge Williams sentenced both Mattis (23) and co-defendant Gary Griffin (30) to life sentences in state prison without the possibility of parole for their roles in the shooting death of Charles "C.J." King Jr. on a midtown Kingston street in February 2010. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

I've been in this business for more than 20 years and can honestly say I've never seen or heard anything like the instantaneous few moments in a county courtroom I witnessed today and photographed. Never. Ever. My career has taken me to earthquakes and other natural disasters, war zones, and I've even stepped over and around bodies in the street on numerous occasions as shocking as that all might be. I've seen and covered a lot of truly bad people at criminal trials, perp walks, stakeouts outside police precincts - particularly in New York City, and probably more police activity on the street and at crime scenes than I care to remember just now. But today's assignment called for the sentencing of two known gang members who were convicted of killing an individual who'd turned state's evidence and previously testified as a prosecution witness in a prior shooting in Kingston, NY approximately two years ago. The victim, an individual that put the finger on the brother of one of our defendants today was eventually shot in the back of the head execution style by one Mr. Trevor Mattis, all of 23 years old. (top photo) Mattis, known as "Little - T" was the trigger man in a retaliatory killing for his brother, and his accomplice and the facilitator for the killing was one Mr. Gary "G - Money" Griffin, a known leader of a sect of the Bloods gang in the Kingston, NY area. Griffin provided the handgun used by Mattis to kill the victim on a Kingston street in broad daylight. I'd also met with the victim's family a day after the shooting back then, as our work schedule paired me with a senior reporter and now section editor who handled those interviews with the victim's family like a polished TV crime sleuth. When this trial started, I'd also photographed these two defendants in the hallway as they were brought into court dressed in civilian clothes during the jury selection phase of the case. Long story short, they were both found guilty of Murder in the First Degree three weeks ago, during a jury trial presided over by the same county judge.

The words above highlighted in red that Mattis shouted toward the judge as he was hustled out of the courtroom (still cuffed and shackled no less) rang out almost like gunfire over the hushed courtroom. (I am not hesitant or ashamed to include them here - although I did just recently alter the spellings of the profanities - as they're included in the court's record and were heard by approximately 100 people in the courtroom. They are in the public record.) My instincts took over as this defendant's arrogance was evident throughout the morning's proceedings, but no more than when the judge was about to impose the first sentence on this young man. When he sat down, as if to show, 'I don't want to hear this anymore', I kind of sensed there might be a reaction or altercation of some sort on his part...

*(Updating this post now on Sunday evening, May 8th.): As I've had a few days now and thought back on the whole day's court proceedings, it still kind of makes my head spin. I realized that I hadn't sat down in the courtroom for more than 3 hours, standing quietly and respectfully in a corner off the empty jury box, with a local cable TV reporter. I'd made nearly 300 images on two cameras; beginning first in the hallway outside the courtroom when both defendants were escorted off the elevator (left) and into a holding room just off the courtroom, both wearing the county issued orange jumpsuits, and in handcuffs, and leg irons. Then from my secure spot adjacent to the prosecution and defense tables, I tried to wait for key moments during the proceedings, concentrating on making images of them throughout the morning. Both of their defense attorneys made lengthy statements, followed by the DA, and eventually two family members of the victim read handwritten, prepared statements to the judge. It is those kinds of tense moments when the whole room is emotionally charged, observers and immediate family in the gallery are sniffling, and I'm standing there 30 feet away and still have to make good images. Changing lenses a few times to insure that I'd have a few decent image files on the Canon 5D - MKII also was a big concern of mine. I remember only minutes before Mr. Mattis' outburst and lunge toward the judge, I'd actually switched back to the older 1D body with the 70mm - 200mm attached. Again opting for the faster motor drive and smoother auto-focus, instead of the richer file of the newer 5D - MKII, I'd reminded myself. It's a good thing I'd gone with that camera as the judge began to admonish the first defendant, Mr. Mattis. When he belligerently continued to mouth off to the judge, sat down, and then had to be restrained by a slew of court officers and sheriff's deputies, I was "on him" like a big sports play, or as they say in baseball terminology, describing a fast paced, assisted putout or "bang - bang" play at a particular base. Occasionally locking eyes with Mattis (left) wasn't easy either. How do you look a 23 year-old killer in the face and not be effected? I found myself closely observing them both during the whole proceeding and remember thinking that these two young men are of age to be my children. Certainly they are someone's sons. The whole racial aspect of case gnawed at me too; here were two more hard core Black gang-bangers going away to state prison for life, and Griffin (right) even quoted a Malcolm X speech as he was led away, decrying, "I've been railroaded! I've been bamboozled...!"

The final word came from the judge though, whose authoritarian words were delivered so calmly, it was almost frightening, as they too also hung in the air of the silenced courtroom, "Mr. Mattis (and subsequently Mr. Griffin) "...you shall be remanded to the state penitentiary for the remainder of your natural lives..." ~cg.

Black Bear cub sighting at midnight. 30•April•11

2011-04-30T08:27:00.004-04:00

Another late night phone call from my reporter colleague on the scene, and I found myself out on the streets again after midnight, this time photographing a Black Bear cub only a few blocks from my home. Well, I'm sure one doesn't see this kind of thing everyday... ~cg.

A Black Bear cub kept Newburgh Police and other law enforcement officers at bay for several hours in Newburgh, NY on Saturday, April 30, 2011. It is believed the cub wandered north from the Cornwall and West Point areas, seeking food and became disoriented in a neighborhood near The Foundry Condominiums. The animal was eventually tranquilized and safely removed from the area at approximately 2:30AM. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Good Friday thru the Years...

2011-04-22T22:36:00.008-04:00

After covering my fourth Stations of the Cross processional on Good Friday here in Newburgh, NY, I thought of some of my favorite images from similar assignments and images made in other countries on this day... ~cg.

Esteban Guerrero of Marlboro portrays Jesus prior to walking the Stations of the Cross processional from St. Patrick's Church through the streets of Newburgh, NY on Good Friday, April 22, 2011. The Stations of the Cross commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Rev. Fernando Hernandez holds a crucifix during an interview after the Stations of the Cross processional from St. Patrick's Church through the streets of Newburg, NY on Good Friday, April 22, 2011. GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Esteban Guerrero portrays Jesus as he carries the wooden cross past The Church of St. Francis of Assisi on Benkard Avenue during the Stations of the Cross processional from St. Patrick's Church through the streets of Newburgh, NY on Good Friday, April 10, 2009. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Esteban Guerrero portrays Jesus as he pauses with the wooden cross on Broadway during the Stations of the Cross processional from St. Patrick's Church through the streets of Newburgh, NY on Good Friday, April 10, 2009. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Esteban Guerrero as Jesus carries the wooden cross on Mill Street during the Stations of the Cross processional from St. Patrick's Church through the streets of Newburgh, NY on Good Friday, April 10, 2009. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

MOMBASA, KENYA. Parishioners carry a wooden cross into the Holy Ghost Catholic Cathedral after the Good Friday processional through the streets of Mombasa, Kenya on Friday, April 14, 2006. © www.chetgordon.com/blog

VENICE, ITALY. A nun walks through the streets of Venice, Italy on Good Friday, March 29, 2002. © www.chetgordon.com/blog

Two Photojournalists Killed in Libya Today. 20•April•11

2011-04-20T22:46:00.017-04:00

For Tim and Chris.

MISRATA, LIBYA (April 20, 2011) – Academy Award-nominated photojournalist Tim Hetherington, 40, and Pulitzer Prize-nominated photojournalist Chris Hondros, 41, of Getty Images were killed today when they were hit during a mortar and grenade attack in Misrata, Libya.

I've closely followed and greatly admired Hondros' work for a few years; particularly his images made in Liberia during civil war fighting there in Monrovia in 2003 (above). I remember his work back then crossing my electronic picture desk almost nightly when I was a night photo-editor at the NY Daily News. He's probably best known for this haunting, iconic image of the crying Iraqi girl after American soldiers gunned down her parents at a checkpoint in Tal-Afar, Iraq in January 2005 (right):

This is a video interview he did with MSNBC back in 2007. Many of his icon images from Iraq, Liberia and Afghanistan are featured in the interview.

Tributes to Tim Hertherington from publications around the world can be viewed here on his agency's site: Panos Pictures of London. I also found this video he produced on his work, called Diary. What a wonderful collection of his work and a brilliant way to see what he's seen. If you want to see how good digital video shot with a DSLR can be, you owe it yourself to watch this piece... ~cg.

Diary (2010) from Tim Hetherington on Vimeo.

Hetherington also produced the Academy Award nominated documentary film RESTREPO, and was a previous 2008 World Press Photo Picture of the Year winner for the image of an American soldier exhausted in a bunker in the Korengal Valley of Afghanistan (bottom).

*Personal Work (re-edit). Paraguay. March 2006.

2011-04-17T18:27:00.018-04:00

"These Children of the Street..."

It's never too late to go back and carefully re-examine your work and do a re-edit, if you will. Good images & good stories will stand the test of time. This brief multi-media story is a piece I'd shot on my own dime back in the Spring of 2006 in South America. I'd already spent a week or so for a non-profit client in Paraguay's capitol, Asuncion, when a few young NGO workers told me about this shelter primarily for street children, essentially run by a doctor out of her own pocket. When I finally made contact and began spending time in and around the shelter, I knew it was a story I'd want to commit as much time as I could to. It operates out of a former auto repair garage, donated to the organization by the landlord. Long story short - I ended up staying in the country for another three or four days to work on the piece, and that alone meant changing my return flight itinerary, additional fees at a brand name hotel across town, meals, transport, etc. Fortunately, I'd made a few new friends in the NGO world and a few even served as reliable "fixers." The digital recording voice over narrative with the doctor as she viewed most of my take on the Mac, was made just an hour or so before hustling off to the airport. It was just this past weekend that I've thought about shortening up the original slideshow, which meant moving images around again, and diligently editing out her pauses, "umms" and "errs" for the piece. Needless to say, some of the images of these children have haunted me since the trip... ~cg.

"The River..." Newburgh, NY 16•April•11

2011-04-16T12:59:00.006-04:00

Earlier this week on Tuesday evening, a 25 year-old woman drove her minivan into the murky waters of the Hudson River here in Newburgh, NY killing herself and three of her four children. Her ten year-old escaped after he managed to roll down a window and literally swim to shore and flag down a car. He was then taken to nearby fire department HQ, where a massive search and rescue operation began. Unfortunately for me as a news photographer, I wasn't able to respond to this unfolding event right in our backyard so to speak, as that's the same night I was initially being treated for a severe medical condition which kept me hospitalized for three days. *(See "Don't Try This at Home..." below.) I promised myself that at some point when I was well enough to go out, I'd at least get down to the scene and pay my respects, and analyze the location and logisitcs of that night for myself... ~cg.

NEWBURGH, NY. A man views the toys and balloons placed among a candlelight memorial at the boat launch on the Hudson River in Newburgh, NY on Saturday, April 16, 2011. LaShanda Armstrong, 25, her sons Landon Pierre, 5, and Lance Pierre, 2, and daughter, Lainaina Pierre, 11 months, were killed when she drove her van into the river on Tuesday evening. Her 10-year-old son Lashaun Armstrong escaped through the window of the minivan and notified authorities at a nearby fire station. © Chet Gordon/THE IMAGE WORKS

" F*ck You. Pay Me." | Mike Monteiro - San Francisco, CA. 03•2011

2011-04-15T11:42:00.003-04:00

2011/03 Mike Monteiro | F*ck You. Pay Me. from SanFrancisco/CreativeMornings on Vimeo.

Found this on the web this morning while home recovering (see earlier post, "Don't Try This at Home...") and wanted to make sure and share this talk with colleagues and friends in the creative world, particularly the working photographers I know. Designer Mike Monteiro of Mule Design in SF offers advice worth it's weight in gold to design professionals like us. Just simply substitute 'photographer' for his use of the world 'designer' in his presentation. *"Hey, it's my blog after all..." ~cg.

"Don't Try This at Home..." 12 - 14•April•11

2011-04-14T23:33:00.012-04:00

I was diagnosed with a kidney stone after sudden and incapacitating pain in my lower back forced me to halt the workday on Tuesday afternoon. After quick thinking and solid health judgment, an ambulance was called to the scene and I eventually spent that night and the last two days in St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital, the local hospital here in the city. The stone, more like a rounded grape seed, with a few jagged edges, was removed from my urinary tract by natural means early this afternoon. For a few moments there I was mentally preparing to remain in the hospital for as long as necessary, and / or have the pesky foreign object removed by a urologist. Thanks to all the wonderful hospital staff - everyone from the ambulance personnel and first responders on the scene in a retail parking lot who transported me, to the housekeeping workers, medical interns, nursing staff on the ward, the on-call doctors in the ER, and of course the very patient urologist who assured me that this was a common occurrence and very treatable. Let's just say it's been a tedious and "tender" time around the ranch here the last 72 hours or so... ~cg.

Holding the 4mm kidney stone in a specimen cup after it was removed by natural methods from my urinary tract at St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh, NY on Thursday, April 14, 2011.

"Clink...!"

2011-04-10T15:19:00.016-04:00

#51. "It's been some ride so far..." ~cg.

A breakfast toast with my friend and fellow photographer Ivan Shapovalov of Moscow, in the dining room of a hostel for Russian Railroad employees in Irkutsk Siberia, Russian Federation on Wednesday, June 15, 2005. Ivan and I were just beyond the midway point of our 11-day journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway across the Russian Federation. © www.chetgordon.com/blog

www.chetgordon.com/transsib/

"Once a Marine..." Newburgh, NY 8•April•11

2011-04-08T18:49:00.008-04:00

"Semper Fi..."

Angela Ryan (right) caresses the gloved hand of her son, Marine Sgt. Eddie Ryan during his separation and discharge ceremony from active duty at Stewart Air National Guard Base (ANGB) in Newburgh, NY on Friday, April 8, 2011. Sgt. Ryan is the Ellenville, NY Marine sniper who was severely wounded in Iraq in 2003 after being shot twice in the head by friendly fire. © CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record