DECEMBER 23, 2007 - Boise State’s Toshi Franklin pulled in a pass in front of East Carolina’s Pierre Bell, but was out of bounds in the second quarter of the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl at Aloha Stadium. Exposure details: Canon EOS 1-D Mark II, EF 600mm f4, Aperture Priority, 1/2000 sec at f/4, ISO 500, Daylight white balance

It was Hawaii Bowl time yesterday. Most of the game was during daylight, so it was good to be able to shoot with the 600mm f4 at lower ISO numbers than I usually do at those night UH games.

A lot of running plays during the game though, so it was nice when there was a nice pass play that came my way from Boise State.

Too bad the guy was out of bounds.

Oh well, the game was a good warm-up before the Sugar Bowl next week.

Me and Jamm Aquino and three writers will be heading up to New Orleans to cover this game of games. We leave Christmas night on the red-eye to Phoenix and points beyond. I’ll be writing as much as possible along the way, so be sure to check in and see what we’re up to.

DECEMBER 17, 2007 - Vineyard Blvd. sidewalk. Exposure details: Canon EOS 20D, EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5mm (at 10mm), Aperture priority, 1/250 sec at f/8, ISO 100, Daylight white balance

Walking around with my cameras on and dangling is convenient, but sometimes leads to the shutter release being pressed inadvertently. I’ll get back to the office to edit, and find 30 frames of weirdness…

…or high art.

There were two assignments the other day at the same time. Both at UH, both at the athletic department, so I took them thinking, “ah, no problem.”

Shoot the band prepping for their trip to New Orleans, then zip over to the practice field to shoot some FB practice.

Well, I showed up at Cooke Field a little early, and noticed a few band members doing what appeared to be sectionals. I opted to wait for the full band, and went back to my car. When I came back a bit later, not a soul was on the field.

“Whoa, they disappeared. Like magic,” I thought.

I called the band office. Nobody there. I called the features section at the paper. No clue.

Hmmm…. I guess I’ll head to the football field and get Lafaele, as requested by sports.

Of course, when I get there, he’s off in some remote nook of the practice field. Since the media is only allowed on the strip mauka of the field, it was impossible to shoot him where he was. I kind of “wandered” near where he was, but was promptly shooed away by some security guard.

I hemmed and hawed as I pondered my fate.

Then I heard the band off in the distance.

They had arrived.

Okay, I’ll head over there and shoot them and come back to the practice field afterward.

I got to the swank black rubber glory of Cooke Field, and started to soak up the band ambience.

I was in the UH band (symphonic wind ensemble) back in my collegiate days, but alas never joined the marching band. I instead often found myself on the football field as a photog for Ka Leo O Hawaii, the student paper. So it was nice being around the band this time. I felt myself reliving my musical youth vicariously through them.

The light was nice, since it was late in the afternoon, and I decided to milk the low sun and shadows.

DECEMBER 14, 2007 - Janice Kunishige conducts the band at Cooke Field as they rehearse for the upcoming Sugar Bowl trip. Exposure details: Canon EOS 20D, EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5mm (at 10mm), Aperture priorityl, 1/640 sec at f/9, ISO 200, Daylight white balance

I wanted the sun behind the conductor, so I was hunched down behind her, about four or five feet behind. I was using a super-wide lens, so I had an expansive view of what was going on, but it probably didn’t look that way to others. Here’s some dude with a camera at posterior-level taking pictures… looks real… uh… interesting, I’m sure. Luckily I’ve long gotten past worrying what people think of me.

I noticed the tuba players had some cool shirts on, so I followed them around for a while.

It’s all about the Tuba Love.

Then it dawned on me I still had to get something from football practice. So I took off for the practice field.

As I walked on the scene, all the players were walking off the field. Oh geez, practice is over. I have no photo.

I started thinking of excuses I could feed the sports editor.

I was starting to sweat at this point, but noticed my man Lafaele in the back of the mob of players walking my way. Hmmm… I’d better try and pop something off of him, I might be able to grab something after all.

DECEMBER 14, 2007 - UH football player Michael Lafaele walks amongst teammates at practice at the UH practice field. Exposure details: Canon EOS 1-D Mark II, EF 300mm f2.8, 1.4X teleconverter, Aperture priority, 1/800 sec at f/4, ISO 640, Daylight white balance

Luckily I found this. And although practice wasn’t really over, that photo ended up being better than the stuff I later got of him running drills.

DECEMBER 08, 2007 - People watched as the city Christmas tree was lit in front of Kapolei Hale during the Kapolei Hale City Lights event. Exposure details: Canon EOS 20D, EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5mm (at 13mm), Manual, 1/15 sec at f/4, ISO 3200, Auto white balance

“The greeting cards have all been sent, and the Christmas rush is through…”

Yeah, sort of.

It’s Christmas time! And we all know what that means… loads of holiday-themed wild art.

More Ho! Ho! Ho! than anyone should rightfully stomach.

Or maybe I’m just getting all Ebenezer in my old age.

Anyway, I was fingered to hit the Kapolei City lights fandango. I knew there would be crowds, so I got there early to secure parking and get “in the mood.”

I decided I’d hang at the intersection of Kapolei Parkway, and that road that leads to Kapolei Hale. I was supposed to get the dramatic lighting of the tree, so I thought that would be a convenient place. Easy to get from parade action to the tree.

The street was lined with barricades — something I don’t see too often at parades (and I’ve been to too many in my time). It was dramatic foreshadowing.

I was hanging out in the intersection, talking with a police officer (who had seen his fair share of parades, he noted) waiting for the fun to begin. I noticed loads of people coming in. And more, and more. “Lot of people,” I casually noted. “Whoa, yeah, plenty people come to this,” he replied, calmly fiddling with his police radio.

A police car rolled up behind me. There was a change in plans, and some of the barricades were to be shifted to let more people crowd into the intersection.

I noticed a strange tension in the air.

Isn’t this Christmas? Good moods, wassail, and yule logs?

I could see the parade inching towards us, still about three blocks away. Finally some action.

“Hey! HEY! We can’t see!” Someone shouted at me and a bunch of cops and a few other news photogs in the intersection.

“There’s nothing to see,” I thought.

“Hey! Star-Bulletin, YOU’RE IN THE WAY!”

Uh, oh. I was wearing a Bulletin shirt. Yeah, I was “that guy.” I’m always “that guy.”

People were getting surly, and the parade wasn’t even here yet.

I moved to where the cop car was parked, using that as a shield. The crowd then sicked itself on the car. “Move the car! We can’t see!!”

A sheepish cop came over and quickly moved the car. Leaving me naked and exposed again.

Rather than risk the wrath of the frothing mob, I ran across the street and hid next to a portable light they had set up to light the parade route.

And the parade wasn’t even here yet.

Finally they made the turn and the cars and floats came down the road. People cheered. I ducked and prayed that nobody would go off on me anymore.

People pressed against the barriers, cheering and yelling like it was the last parade man would ever see.

I basked in the sheer strangeness of it all.

Barricades lent a certain rock concert feel to the spectacle.

Oh yeah, there was a parade to shoot.

It was one of those light parades so everything was lit up like, well, the proverbial Christmas tree.

Weird lens flare added a nicely strange touch to an inflatable Santa.

I decided I’d head down to the scene of the tree lighting. Mobs of people had the same idea and the area was packed. Luckily I found a patch of open space by the stage and took refuge there.

The Royal Hawaiian Band worked through some merry Christmas standards, and crowd replied with a smattering of applause after each tune. They wanted lights. Hit the juice, man! Light this place up!

Hold the phone. Mayor Mufi hit the stage with his brother Nephi for a holiday tune backed by the band. Anyone holding a camera went running to the front of the stage. Sure, why not, I’ll go too. It’ll add to the spectacle.

Mufi and Nephi Hannemann sing for the crowd.

UH football players were on the stage. They were introduced. The crowd went wild.

Then it was time for the lights. There was no “switch.” No TNT detonator. Not even two ends of extension cords to connect.

There was, however, a countdown. I wandered over into the crowd, and blinky-blink, on went the lights.

People cheered, seemingly satisfied with the end result of it all.

Ho, ho, ho.

DECEMBER 01, 2007 - Hawaii’s Michael Washington is hoisted by the crowd after victory over Washington at Aloha Stadium. Exposure details: Canon EOS 20D, EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5mm (at 10mm), Manual, 1/500 sec at f/3.5, ISO 3200, Fluorescent white balance

Holy mackerel.

UH takes it all, and Aloha Stadium goes ape.

What a game. It was all the marbles for UH against Washington.

Things didn’t start out too well for Hawaii. There were missed passes, and the ball appeared to be slicker than the proverbial greased pig.

DECEMBER 01, 2007 - Hawaii’s Jason Laumoli fumbles after being tripped up by an unidentified Washington player. Exposure details: Canon EOS 1-D Mark II, EF 600mm f4, Aperture priority, 1/640 sec at f/4, ISO 3200, Fluorescent white balance

So, Washington starts tuning up UH in the first half, and my first thoughts are, “whoa, nelly, this is gonna be a long game. Get ready for tears and angry fans.”

At the end of the first quarter, I had resigned myself to shooting Washington. There were some Hawaii dudes playing on the team, and I wanted to shoot art of them, since they were dominating at that point. Hawaii was falling apart, so I thought at this point I’d better start getting Washington action.

DECEMBER 01, 2007 - Washington’s Louis Rankin is forced out of bounds by Hawaii’s Myron Newberry in the second quarter. Exposure details: Canon EOS 1-D Mark II, EF 600mm f4, Aperture priority, 1/640 sec at f/4, ISO 3200, Fluorescent white balance

DECEMBER 01, 2007 - Washington’s Jake Locker takes a snap against Hawaii in the second quarter. Exposure details: Canon EOS 1-D Mark II, EF 600mm f4, Aperture priority, 1/640 sec at f/4, ISO 3200, Fluorescent white balance

Things were looking bleak. But then Santa hit the field! Yay, Santa! Well, it was some dude dressed up in a Santa suit anyway. I was surprised at how long they let him prance around on the field.

Hey look! It’s Santa!

Santa gets hustled out by HPD.

With about 4 mins left in the first half, I retired to the photo room to send what I had so I could be out for the start of the 3rd quarter.

I had a feeling UH was going to pull out yet another miracle, so I started focusing on them again.

DECEMBER 01, 2007 - Hawaii’s Joshua Leonard gets an arm on a kick by Washington’s Ryan Perkins in the third quarter. Exposure details: Canon EOS 1-D Mark II, EF 600mm f4, Aperture priority, 1/640 sec at f/4, ISO 3200, Fluorescent white balance

But eventually I knew it would turn to emotions, so I was focusing on both fans, and the team.

UH up and scores in the final minutes, and at this point I made the decision to drop the 600mm and get ready for zoomanity. Then Washington up and does a few hail marys to end up in the far endzone. Too far away to shoot, so I’m just watching, slack-jawed.

I’m starting to get ready mentally for OT, but then there’s an interception in the far endzone.

At this, I think, “whoa lordy, here we go again…” and start booking it out to the field. Oh wait, there’s three seconds left. We’re all hussled off the field, and I wait for the knee.

Then all hell breaks loose.

It was worse than last week. There was an air that the players, while happy, didn’t want to really celebrate, rather wanting to wait until the Senior Walk to follow. I latched on to Colt and followed him waiting for something.

As I was backpedaling, I saw a photog come out from my left trying to get in front of me. I immediately grabbed him and threw him out of the way. Turns out it was fellow S-B shooter Dennis Oda. Sorry Dennis.

DECEMBER 01, 2007 - Hawaii’s Colt Brennan is mobbed after victory over Washington. Exposure details: Canon EOS 20D, EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5mm (at 10mm), Manual, 1/500 sec at f/4, ISO 3200, Fluorescent white balance

Colt wanted to get off the field, and there were dudes trying to part the Red Sea. To no avail. Then I saw some clown come from behind and try and rip the helmet off Colt.

Weird times.

Those scrums are no fun at all. A lot of photos are useless with arms and hands in the lens, then there’s the failed Hail Mary factor as well where nothing’s in focus and, well, there’s no focal point to the photo.

Things were falling apart fast at this point. There was no real jube, and things felt forced. I decided I’d bail and head back to send the photos.