Rainy Weather Spot News

It has been raining for about a week straight now here in Florida. Yesterday, I was downtown watching the UEFA Cup Final at the Alcove after work when I heard someone say there was a man lying in the middle of Main Street (in the rain). Well you know: have camera; will shoot. So, I walked over and took a some shots while the man (who had just been hit by an SUV while trying to dash across the street against the light) just lay in the middle of the street waiting for the ambulance to arrive and take him to the hospital. He was treated for non-life-threatening injuries (as you can see in the first shot he busted his head open). The second shot here is of the man being tended to by paramedics while the woman who was driving the SUV gives her account of the accident to one of the officers at the scene. I haven't shot much spot news in a while. The Sun picked up the first photo below for today's paper. It was an unexpected end to my Wednesday.

Gator Stompin': a big pub crawl

Lately, I've been shooting more for The Gainesville Sun, which is nice since it means I'm actually getting published again. The other weekend I photographed Gator Stompin'. It's billed as the "world's largest pub and restaurant crawl." I started at the beginning and worked my way all the way to the end with all of the Stompers. There was a noticeable change in many of the participants as the night wore on. The event also gave me the opportunity to check out some of the bars and clubs in Gainesville to which I've never been (and a few to which I don't plan on returning). The paper ran some of these as a photo package and also put a gallery up on their SITE.

Below are photos of people getting their Gator Stompin' shirts checked off as they visit each establishment on the list, catching a bike taxi ride at the end of the route, waiting in line in front of one of venues, playing a Captain Morgan's miniature bean bag toss game, and lastly a fellow taking a breathalyzer test at the end of the night.

Lib Arts Graduation

This weekend The Gainesville Sun had me shoot the undergraduate commencement ceremony for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Florida. The ceremony was at the O-Dome (where the Gator basketball team plays). Aside from the dome's abysmal lighting, it was an enjoyable assignment. After the ceremony ended, I went outside to get some shots of the recent grads celebrating and taking pictures. A lot of people went across the street to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and were taking photos down on the field. I managed to get a couple I like from there to add to the take (nothing like taking photos of people taking photos). Here are a few shots. You can see more at The Sun's online gallery HERE.