James Toney screen shot.

Well it was extremely suprising coming across one of my photos on Si.com. Thanks to Iconsportsmedia.com it becomes possible. I have been working on a story with boxer James ''lights out'' Toney. On his upcoming fight against Rahman. It was an Extremely controversial fight. At first, Toney won by a TKO in the 3rd round. Then, a couple weeks later the final vertic was a 'no decition', It was really fun to shoot, I will be posting more soon.
Enjoy

Cross country girls for ESPN Rise mag

So, I was assisting an awesome photographer, Dustin Snipes. The location was extremely hard to get to with all of our gear. We had to climb about a mile up into this mountain behind the school where the girls go. and we found this awesome spot. So we set up, shot the girls, and the last couple photos before the sun went down. Dustin let me snap a couple photos of the girls. The setup was fairly easy. We had one rectangular soft box in front, then 2 sidelights on the sides. fairly easy set up. and awesome results. Just a little quick fact. the girls aren't sprinters, but I had them go in sprinter position anyway.

US OPen of surfing

Hey Everyone this is my second year shooting this event, and this year I learned the spots to shoot from and got way better photos. (if you'd like to compare click here) It was really exciting being there for the the whole day, leading up to the finals. There where tons of people showing support, and an awsome event to shoot.  Here are a couple of my Favorites.

27 July 2008: Surfer Nethaniel Curran competes and wins the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach California.

27 July 2008: Surfer Nethaniel Curran competes and wins the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach California.

27 July 2008: Surfer Dusty Payne gets thrown off his board trying to do a ariel flip during the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach California.

2008 Grand sumo tour

Hey guys, I know I havent blogged in a while. But don't worry I've been shooting more then ever. I have a lot to catch you guys up on. so I'll start with the 2008 Grand sumo tour. it was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. It was a great event filled with tons of traditions. I had a blast shooting it. I posted all my photos up on iconsportsmedia.com. so please check them out.  But here are a couple of my favorites.

James Toney vs Hasim Rahman

So I've been working on a story for James Toney. I've been following his work out routines, sparring, and eating habbits. All leading up for his fight against Hasim Rahman. James fought Hasim on July 16, 2008 and the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula California. The fight was one of the most controversial fights. James head butted Hasim in the 3rd round and James won by a TKO, Then later, Hasim contested the decision and the ruling was changed to ''no decision'' But below are just photos from the fight. if you would like to view all the photos from the fight click here. 

Santa Barbra Polo Club

 
The  Santa Barbara Polo Club had a special memorial weekend tournament. Since there where tons of clouds in and out the sky for most of Sunday morning. I decided to drive up to Santa Barabra  and shoot Polo, something I have never shot before. I thought for a while that I wanted to show the classiness of the sport, but at the same time do something unusual, something that wouldn't first come to your mind when you see polo photos.  I always wanted to try a new technique of shooting, called RAW. I went home later that day and didn't know what to do with all of the RAW images I shot. So I converted it to HDR . (If you look back at the Canada photos from July, those are HDR) something I have never seen before with Polo, or any sport rather. so I went for it. Im not sure how I feel about the photos in HDR. but it is different so I think I kinda like it. I hope you do too!

On Sunday, May 25 2008 2 members of FIB polo club watch their future opponents as the tournament progresses. into the finals. at the Santa Barabra Polo Club.

Team Long Beach takes hold of the ball to eventually assist a teammate for the victory goal over team Windsor 12-11

Long Beach polo, gets ready to play the finals, with their boot shined and helmets ready at the Santa Barabra Polo club. Sunday May 25,2008

Team Gehetche is upset when they are defeated in the semi finals to team Piocho. one player says '' The refs where not on our side today, we played well but could have played better.''  

Players fight for the ball. In the finals of the Memorial Day Polo Tournament at the Santa Barabra Polo Club on sunday, May 25 2008.

Red Bull Air Race San Diego

Red Bull Air Race was awesome. The pilots are among the best in the world. They're traveling at over 250 mph at 15 meters above the ground. Going to the show was a last minute decision . I figured that I could not get my own credentials unless I was with someone, like Getty or iconsportsmedia.com. So I did my research and located the tallest hotel on the bay over looking the course, knowing  it would provide me with the best vantage points. And it was!! The Manchester Hyatt  was a Great place to shoot from. I was level or above the planes and at some parts of the course it looked as if the planes were going to fly into the building in which I was standing. 

I want to thank Papa Doug, and Joe Jackson for there tremendous generosity at the hotel- I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate it.

And please check out Getty's photos from the event. The photographer was one who I really admire and respect. His name is Donald miralle.