Shorthorn Shots 3/18

This is just a small update of some recent things I've shot over the past few weeks. First up is the College Park Center construction tour. The new arena at UTA is finally taking shape and we went inside for an update on its progress. I also had a few opportunities to shoot some baseball as the Mavericks begin their season. Until next time, enjoy.

College Park Center Tour

The College Park Center is about 30 percent complete and is on schedule to be completed in December according to UT System senior project manager Bill Amendola. Finishing touches, such as the removable wooden floor of the basketball court, will be put in around October. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Junior second baseman Michael Guerra throws to first base in an attempt to make a double play Thursday during the Mavericks’ 5-4 win over Dallas Baptist University at Clay Gould Ballpark. Jessie Payne scored the winning run off of a single to right field in the ninth inning giving the Mavericks their first win of the season. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Junior pitcher Michael Morales, left, throws to get Shockers baserunner Don Lambert out at first in the fifth inning of the Mavericks' 9-3 win over Wichita State on Sunday at Clay Gould Ballpark. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Sophomore infielder Daniel Jordan dives back to first base to avoid being picked off by the pitcher Tuesday during the Mavericks’ 7-3 loss to TCU in Fort Worth. This loss ends the Mavericks’ four-game win streak going into the weekend’s series against Sam Houston State starting in Huntsville. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Mary Hardin-Baylor Falls in the ASC Conference Championship

Over the weekend I had another opportunity to shoot for the Temple Daily Telegram as the Mary Hardin-Baylor took on UT-Tyler, UT-Dallas and eventually falling to McMurry in the American Southwest Conference Tournament Championship. UMHB was not expected to make it past the second round of the tournament but pulled an home court upset against UT-Dallas. I have covered a lot of exciting teams for the Telegram and this definitely continues the legacy. Here are some of my favorite shots from the tournament and I look forward to shooting for the Telegram again in the future.

Shorthorn Shots 2/20

Since my posts now come at random intervals instead of weekly, this will be the first Shorthorn Shots post. Being the Photo Editor takes a lot of time away from shooting but it does help me focus on quality when I do get the opportunity to pick up a camera. Last week, we had Tiger of Bengal, an experimental band based out of D-FW, come in and perform in the middle of the newsroom. It was definitely an interesting and unique way to experience this local band. Then we have some shots from one of the most exciting games i've seen played by the current mens basketball team. They were behind 15 points then came back to win in overtime by one with record breaking crowd of over 1,000 going wild. Enjoy.

Tiger of Bengal performs a couple of songs Feb. 10, 2011, at The Shorthorn offices in the University Center. The four man instrumental band is based out the DFW metroplex that is inspired by experimental acts and old jazz bands. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Guitarist Michael Moore, left, listens to the sound mixer while guitarist Sam Dobbin warms up as Tiger of Bengal prepares to perform Feb. 10 at The Shorthorn offices in the University Center. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Junior forward Bo Ingram (#1) is fouled as he shoots and scores during the second half of the Mavericks’ 66-65 victory of Stephen F. Austin on Wednesday at Texas Hall. Ingram scored 15 points in the overtime win against the Lumberjacks. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Freshman guard Bryant Smith, right, dives for a loose ball during the Mavericks' win over SFA. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

The Mavericks bench and fans go wild as the Mavs make a comeback in the second half. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Shorthorn Shots of the Week 2/5

This semester has definitely started off with a bang. A week and a half before school started, I was given the Photo Editor position due to unforeseen circumstances. Unfortunately, this is the reason for Shots of the Week to come on a not so weekly basis. The good thing about it is that I have the opportunity to train a whole new generation of motivated Shorthorn photographers. Hopefully as the semester continues and the new photographers grow, I will have more time to shoot and just manage. With that, on to the shots. First up are a few shots that did not run in print but were just interesting in relation to campus life at UTA. This hawk has stalked squirrels on campus for some time and this was my first opportunity to catch it in action as a crowd looked on. In other news, the DFW area just braved what many have been calling snowmageddon and some of my favorite shots have come from what the campus looked like during this time. Myself, one of my staff and a few other Shorthorners tackled the weather to give the community a vision what was happening at UTA. The weather did not detour the Movin' Mavs from having practice as ice covered most of campus as they prepared for the upcoming tournament over the weekend. Until next time, enjoy.

A crowd of nearly 20 people watches as a hawk devours a squirrel on Monday on the University Center mall.

The hawk protects its meal from nosy a nosy photographer.

Lot 56 is covered with ice and snow Tuesday as the university shuts down after a night of freezing rain hit Arlington. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Ice forms on a window at Johnson Creek Crossing Apartments early Tuesday morning after a night of freezing rain hit the DFW area. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures hit the low teens Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning causing ice to remain frozen on roads. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Mechanical aerospace engineering freshman Brandon Holle leaps onto his “sled” Tuesday outside of the Geoscience Building. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Computer science freshman Sean Kernaghan slides down a hill outside of Kalpana Chawla Hall on Tuesday as mechanical aerospace engineering freshman Brandon Holle watches. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Mechanical aerospace engineering freshman Brandon Holle, left, and computer science freshman Sean Kernaghan walk up Pecan Street on Tuesday in search of the perfect hill to sled down. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

The fountain at the Central Bridge turns into a frozen mass on Wednesday.

Senior David Wilkes, right, shoots over defenders during a scrimmage at the Movin' Mavs' practice Wednesday in the Physical Education Building. The Movin' Mavs will compete in the Bama Fever College Classic this weekend in Alabama. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Christmas in the Big Apple

For Christmas I finally had the chance to get out of Texas and experience New York City for the holidays. It was a much needed departure from the scenery and pace of Texas during the Winter. The differences in almost everything were so overwhelming at first that I barely shot anything the first day I was there. It is still amazing to me how a simple change in scenery makes you think in a completely different way such as walking 20 or 30 blocks really isn't that bad. Me and Victoria only scratched the surface of what the city has to offer in our short time there and I definitely want to go back for more once the World Trade Center memorial is completed. Below is the almost 13 minute video of what we experienced over the week and a few of my favorite shots. There is so much to see that it just couldn't fit on one page so check out the rest of my images from the trip on my Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2242323&id=25316359

Manhattan from the sky during our helicopter tour of New York City. It was my first time in a helicopter and was surprised at how smooth it was compared to a small plane.

A drummer plays for tips in Central Park. There is so much to see just in the park that it would take weeks just to explore it all. Even then, performers and wildlife always offer a new experience.

Steam rising from a manhole cover in Manhattan. For some reason this image is an inherently New York scene to me. Maybe its because of movies and TV.

Times Square on our last night in New York. Our hotel was in Times Square so it and all of the taxis flying by were a daily experience for us.

This shot was taken at 11:30 p.m. on the last night of our trip. It was amazing to me how many people would be in Times Square all day and night regardless of the 26 degree temperature.

Victoria searches for a Starbucks on her phone as we walk through Wall Street.

The Statue of Liberty with New Jersey, left, and Manhattan in the background. It was interesting that security was more strict than at any airport I've ever been to. There were two "full body" checkpoints between Manhattan and the inside of the statue.

Central Park at sunset. This is one of the best parks I have ever been to because of its diverse landscape with grassy fields and rocky hills. Check out the rest of my images like the one above on my Facebook.

This display at the American Museum of Natural History was amazing. It seemed like it had every species of crustacean, reptile, plant, etc. known to man. Just looking at this image makes me want to go out and have a huge lobster dinner.

The view from our hotel window in Times Square. Taxis really define the landscape in Midtown Manhattan and they somehow coexist with hundreds of thousands of pedestrians walking in the street at their own risk.

Shorthorn Shots of the Week 11/27

This week was cut short because of Thanksgiving and sports dominated this week. Besides the portrait of "Mr. Arlington" himself, Allan Saxe, I got a lot of much needed sports action. Last weekend I covered the Southland Conference volleyball tournament in Huntsville. I continued my tournament multimedia packages with stills and video recaps of each game. Basketball season is also in full swing and it has definitely been interesting seeing how the new players are starting off the season. I was skeptical about how well we would do this season with such a young team but so far it's looking pretty good.

Political science professor Allan Saxe is lighting up Arlington with more than just his smile this holiday season with financial help to the North Arlington community of Interlochen for off-duty police officers to direct traffic for their neighborhood lights tradition. Saxe said that when he lived near Interlochen more than 20 years ago, he would decorate his home in conjunction with their Christmas light display where over 200 residents decorate their homes to show off to the public. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Junior forward LaMarcus Reed shoots over defenders during the second half of the Mavericks’ 88-71 victory over Hardin-Simmons on Monday at Texas Hall. The Mavericks’ next game will be against St. Edward’s at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at Texas Hall. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Freshman guard Bryant Smith flies towards the basket for a layup during the Mavericks’ 88-71 win over Hardin-Simmons on Monday at Texas Hall. Smith has quickly become the Mavericks’ sixth man by being able to come off the bench and score by attacking the rim. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Senior outside hitter Bianca Sauls spikes the ball between Sugar Bear blockers during the Mavericks’ 3-0 loss to Central Arkansas in the second round of the Southland Conference Tournament at Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville. Sauls contributed eight kills and six digs in the final game of her senior season. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Junior outside hitter Tara Frantz blocks a spike by Central Arkansas on Saturday. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Lamar defensive specialist Angel Colyar, #9, dives for the ball as setter Kaylee Piatt attempts to dig off of a serve during the Cardinals 3-0 loss to UT San Antonio on Saturday in the second round of the Southland Conference volleyball tournament at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville. The Roadrunners of UTSA moved on to the play Central Arkansas in the championship on Sunday. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Southland Conference Tournament : Round 1

Southland Conference Tournament : Round 2

Morganne's Senior Portraits

On Wednesday I had the opportunity to shoot Morganne's senior portraits as she is graduating in December. We started off at the Alpha Chi Omega house at UTA then headed to a park in Mansfield for some natural scenes. The park offered some variety with open fields and a small pond to work around. It was a fun shoot and I am looking forward to seeing what my fellow photojournalist will accomplish in the future.