Hey all,
Just a quick note to say that Aperture Cafe will be moving URL’s. So stay tuned! I got a lot of new stuff coming your way, I promise! Until then, cheers!
The URL for the new blog is http://aperturecafe.staradvertiserblogs.com
-Jamm Aquino
This Friday night, I was assigned to photograph a high school football game between the Roosevelt Roughriders and the Farrington Governors at Roosevelt. I covered the game as I would normally, with no issues. Visually, I always try to capture the story of the game, and I supplement that with secondary peak action or peak emotion shots such as celebration/dejection etc.
Today one of our readers had emailed me inquiring why a key touchdown play wasn’t covered or run in today’s coverage of the Farrington/Roosevelt game. This email made me think, and sure enough, the photo that ran was a very static photo of another running back, with the defenders cropped out–but NOT the running back that made the defining touchdown. For posterity’s sake, I am including that photo here, because I feel that key moments in a game should be shown regardless of lack of space or a decision made by a page designer under deadline to run another photograph.
Farrington's Scotland Smith breaks downfield on a kick return for a 99-yard touchdown to make it a 20-7 Farrington lead during first-half action of an OIA Football game between the Roosevelt Roughriders and the Farrington Governors Friday, August 28, 2009 at Roosevelt's Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium. The Governors held on to win, 20-7. (Jamm Aquino/Honolulu Star-Bulletin).
A newspaper takes many hands, minds, and eyes to craft. Every day, the recipe changes. Every day, not all decisions made are agreeable with everyone. Determining what photograph tells the story of the game is very difficult and elusive–not just for myself, but to our editors, page designers, and writers. Often times, I may simply be in the wrong place at the wrong time when something important happens–and I’m just out of luck! I have to make a different photograph because it didn’t go my way. It is still early in the season, but in my five years of covering football for the Star-Bulletin, I’ve gotten to know the teams’ players, strategies, coaches, and game plans as the season progresses. This is very advantageous and helps me to cover football games the way a photojournalist should. It’s the responsible thing to do because we are storytellers–visual storytellers.
Roosevelt's Tyler Jake Kila can't come up with the pass after a double hit from Farrington's Vaughn Tomas, left, and Seth Ilae during first-half action of an OIA Football game between the Roosevelt Roughriders and the Farrington Governors Friday, August 28, 2009 at Roosevelt's Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium. (Jamm Aquino/Honolulu Star-Bulletin).
Hey everyone,
Thanks for constantly checking out my photoblog. I have been on vacation for the past few weeks and am now back, refreshed and ready for the fall sports season. Because this blog is for anyone who loves and appreciates photography, I figured I’d post some of my favorites from my travels–maybe some of you can figure out where I went. Enjoy, and stay tuned for more posts coming soon!
Can you see what that wake belongs to?
AND MY FAVORITE PHOTO:
…Well, not really, but for all of the gear heads out there who are curious as to how I travel with my gear, this post is for you! Being that I went to Maui on Saturday to cover the scrimmage, and the many who ask what I carry with me when traveling, I’ve photographed my bags as they are packed, and I’ll describe what’s inside.
1. Carry-on bag, INSIDE Lowepro Vertex AW backpack:
1-Canon EOS 1D Mark IIN Body, battery attached
1-Canon EOS 1D Mark III Body, battery attached
1-EF 400 2.8 lens
1-EF 16-35 lens, hood detached (more on that later)
1-EF 70-200 lens, hood detached
1-1.4x II teleconverter
1-2x II teleconverter
1-580EX speedlite with omnibounce attached
1-ST-E2 wireless transmitter
1-Canon right-angle finder
1-each, spare battery for Mark IIN and Mark III
Think tank pixel pocket rocket CF card wallet with 16 gigs worth of cards/SD
Inside of my carry-on.
2. Carry-on bag, OUTSIDE:
-Mac Powerbook 15″
-Laptop security lock
-Power supply for laptop
-Think Tank Cable Management pouch containing the following:
2-CF card readers, firewire and USB2
2-SD card readers
1-Verizon EVDO aircard
1-telephone cable
2-iPod USB2 cords (for iPhone)
1-Calculator (for expensing in the field)
1-2 gigabyte thumb drive
Outside of my backpack. Not shown: iPod shuffle, Listerine mist spray (because I like to be charming to my seatmate on the plane! Nothing worse than breathing fire, especially on long flights))
3. Check-in bag, small roller:
2-Aquatech sports shield rain covers, for 400mm and 70-200mm
-All lens hoods, 400, 70-200, and 16-35
1- Gitzo carbon fiber monopod
1-Pacsafe security net
1-Extra set of clothes (just in case of stranding, which has happened to me)
1-Think Tank Changeup wastepack with Think Tank Whip it Out pouch attached
Optionally, I also pack the chargers for camera batteries, although on day trips, I don’t take it.
My philosophy on checked bags is taken from many of my colleagues.
A few of my mentors and colleagues say it best when it comes to traveling. Basically, you carry-on EVERYTHING you need to shoot the assignment/job. Anything that can be replaced at your destination, small items such as monopods, etc. are checked. Lens hoods are not essential, and take up room in the backpack so they are checked in also.
That’s it!
A firefighter with the Federal Fire Department walks among what remains of a warehouse at the Camp Catlin military housing area, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008. Residents in and around the area were being evacuated as smoke from the three-alarm warehouse fire drifts over their homes. Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Robert Main said the fire started in a warehouse at the golf course at about 12:40 p.m. and was reported under control at about 1:15 p.m. The warehouse was used for storing golf course equipment and was completely destroyed. Twelve fire companies, including 55 firefighters, responded to assist federal firefighters. Honolulu Star-Bulletin photo by Jamm Aquino.
A soldier hurries down a corridor during combat training, Monday, August 4, 2008 at the urban warfare training facilities at Schofield Barracks. About 127 Army National Guard soldiers participated in the training, which included tactical strategies on breeching and clearing rooms and buildings with emphasis on close-quarter combat efficiency. Honolulu Star-Bulletin Photo by Jamm Aquino.
UH Wahine Volleyball player Jamie Houston gets down as the star in "So You Think You Can Dance," for the 2008 UH Wahine Volleyball "TV Guide" special section. Honolulu Star-Bulletin Photo by Jamm Aquino.
Varsity football players of the Aiea Na Alii and the Moanalua Menehune engage in prayer at midfield prior to their game, Friday, Oct. 17, 2008 at Aiea High School. Pre-game prayers such as these are being done more and more frequently to promote sportsmanship and harmony between teams. Honolulu Star-Bulletin Photo by Jamm Aquino.
The second of two "shooters" fires at simulated hostages during a staged event simulating a shooter terrorizing a high-school campus, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008 at McKinley High School. The simulation, which included HPD, HFD, and EMS services, was to evaluate and examine the readiness and efficiency level of rescue task forces during a time when shootings across the nation have become much more common in schools and malls. Honolulu Star-Bulletin Photo by Jamm Aquino.
Kuhio Park Terrace resident Hazel McMillon is framed in a fire hose door lock as she looks down from the second floor of Tower A at Kuhio Park Terrace, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008 in Kalihi. The fire hose housing contained no hose and instead was littered with cigarette butts and trash. Lawyers and residents have recently joined forces in hopes of getting the State to recognize repairs and upkeep needed to the facilities. Some residents suffer from having no hot water, poor ventilation due to insect and pest droppings, as well as having no working fire hoses and alarms. (Jamm Aquino/Honolulu Star-Bulletin).
Senator Daniel Inouye looks out at the celebratory crowd at the Hawaii Democratic Party's celebration and reception, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 at the Pearl Ultralounge in Ala Moana Center. Honolulu Star-Bulletin Photo by Jamm Aquino.
Sixteen-year-old Trey George dives during swimming practice at Central Oahu Regional Park's Aquatic Complex, Monday, Dec. 15, 2008. George has returned to the pool only 18 months after having open heart surgery and will compete in the High School State Swimming Competition on the weekend of December 19, 2008. (Jamm Aquino/Honolulu Star-Bulletin).
Kapolei resident and Barack Obama supporter Jenna McDonald reacts as the polls officially closed with Obama on top at the Hawaii Democratic Party's celebration and reception, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 at the Pearl Ultralounge in Ala Moana Center. Honolulu Star-Bulletin Photo by Jamm Aquino.
UH Wahine Volleyball player Amanda Simmons glosses it up as "America's Top Model," for the 2008 UH Wahine Volleyball "TV Guide" special section. Honolulu Star-Bulletin Photo by Jamm Aquino.
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