Lightning Over White Rock

A few nights ago the DFW area had a rare light show will little rain to prevent photographers from breaking out their gear. I'm always hoping for this kind of night and I was anxiously watching the clouds the whole way home from work in Arlington, hoping that I could make it to the lake before torrential rain killed my photo plans. Luckily, it wasn't raining at all and I had a chance to finally try out some lightning techniques that I have read about but never tried. It was great to finally get back to the lake and see so many other photographers doing the same. Enjoy.

Shorthorn Shots of the Week 9/24

This week I worked on an event for Hispanic Heritage Month at UTA called Celebrando la Vida meaning "Celebrate Life". The performance exhibited dances from different states in Mexico and Latin America while giving the audience background in the the cultures history. I did a quick video to give viewers a taste of the performance and shot stills alongside one of our new photographers so I could give him some tips along the way. Enjoy.

Celebrando la Vida

The Ollimpaxqui Ballet Company performs the Deer Dance from the Mexican state of Sonora during Celebrando la Vida on Wednesday in the Rosebud Theatre as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. The group demonstrated a variety of dances representing different states in Mexico. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Eduardo Gutierrez of the Ollimpaxqui Ballet Company performs in a traditional Aztec headdress during the opening dance of Celebrando la Vida on Wednesday in the Rosebud Theatre. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Eduardo Gutierrez of the Ollimpaxqui Ballet Company flings his traditional cape through the air during a dance at Celebrando la Vida in the Rosebud Theatre on Wednesday. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Eduardo Gutierrez belts out a song as the Ollimpaxqui Ballet Company performs during Celebrando la Vida on Wednesday in the Rosebud Theatre as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

The hunter circles a fallen deer as the Ollimpaxqui Ballet Company performs a traditional Mexican Deer Dance during Celebrando la Vida on Wednesday in the Rosebud Theatre as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

A tradtional Mexican mask is worn by a dancer as the Ollimpaxqui Ballet Company performs during Celebrando la Vida on Wednesday in the Rosebud Theatre. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

The Ollimpaxqui Ballet Company performs during Celebrando la Vida on Wednesday in the Rosebud Theatre as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Shorthorn Shots of the Week 9/14

Shots of the Week is back with a BANG for my final semester at The Shorthorn! Blogger now allows larger pictures! I'm Photo Editor again so my focus is trying to get my photographers the most experience I can while I continuously learn about how to be a good manager. This week I'm starting off with a video of UTA's new music for the alma mater being performed by its creator. Luckily he was patient enough to play through it a few times since I didn't realize how hard it would be to create a basic music video. Next are some shots from the end of the Midtown saga that involved about 200 students being displaced for the first couple of weeks of class because the apartment complex was not complete. Needless to say, everyone was happy to finally be home. Finally, this wasn't a huge story but I just thought this photo was interesting aesthetically. Enjoy.

New Alma Mater

Associate music professor Dr. George Chave poses for a portrait Tuesday in the Fine Arts Building. Dr. Chave rewrote the score the UTA's alma mater which was performed by the UTA marching band at the annual MavsMeet Convocation on August 24. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Associate music professor Dr. George Chave plays the new UTA alma mater on his piano Tuesday in the Fine Arts Building. Dr. Chave wrote the score in about five weeks after composing for three to four hours per day. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Students move into Midtown Student Housing as much of the landscaping remains unfinished on Thursday. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Music media junior Caden Crawford carries his belongings to his apartment at Midtown Student Housing on Thursday. Crawford said that the delay was frustrating but he was thankful that he had a place to stay while the apartments were finished. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Music media junior Caden Crawford moves the last of his things into his new apartment at Midtown Student Living on Thursday. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

David Crawford, right, helps carries his son's bike to his apartment while moving in to Midtown Student Housing on Thursday. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Music media junior Caden Crawford, center, and his parents, David and Tori, check out the view from his new apartment at Midtown Student Housing on Thursday. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Students pass by an unfinished directory board outside of the University Center on Tuesday. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Storms over South Padre

This past weekend tropical storm Don made landfall on South Padre Island and made for some truly epic clouds that usually form when I am a thousand miles away. Even with the rain, photographically it was a welcome sight and I immediately drove to the dunes to take advantage of the weather. All of these images can be considered HDR (High Dynamic Range) in one form or another and the argument of what is reality can come into question but in my opinion these are more true to life than what the was produced straight out of the camera. Of course thats the photojournalistic side talking. Enjoy.

Express-News Shots of the Week 6/27

The summer continues to be as busy as always and the assignments at the SAEN continue to offer something new every day. It was nice to have a few nature shoots lately. They were really a nice departure form some of the PR events that I've been shooting. I've also met a lot of interesting people that have given me a little more insight into the city and the people that live here. I think I will let the images speak this week, enjoy.

The Dixon family walks through the wildflower trail portion of the Michell Lake Audubon Center while participating in the Alamo Area Nature Challenge on June 18, 2011. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

The Dixon family looks for directions as they participate in the Alamo Area Nature Challenge at the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center on June 18, 2011. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

Bryce, right, and Sara Dixon inspect a retama plant as the Dixon family participates in the Alamo Area Nature Challenge at the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center on June 18, 2011. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

A dragonfly sits on a plant at the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center on June 18, 2011. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

The Dixon family searches for specific plants while participating in the Alamo Area Nature Challenge at the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center on June 18, 2011. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

Black-bellied whistling ducks are pictured along the Mission Reach portion of the San Antonio River on June 22, 2011. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

Justin Hernandez, 11, drives the to basket while playing basketball at the Dan Cook Youth Center on June 24, 2011. SA Youth recently recieved a $1.8 million grant from TEA. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

Albert Selfridge, 7, creates a collage at the Dan Cook Youth Center on June 24, 2011. SA Youth recently recieved a $1.8 million grant from TEA. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

C.H. Guenther & Son Inc. housekeeper Maria Martinez gives a thumbs up to a passing car while picketing outside of the flour mill on South Alamo Street June 24, 2011. June 25 marks the two-month anniversary of the strike where workers hope to gain higher wages and better health benefits. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

C.H. Guenther & Son Inc. mixer Michael Blancas holds up a fake rat while picketing outside of the flour mill on South Alamo Street June 24, 2011. Blancas said that non-union laborers are refered to as rats or scabs. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

Express-News Shots of the Week 6/18

This post has shots from the past few weeks since I didn't get around to doing one last week. Work and my online Spanish class have been taking a lot of time but I finally have time this weekend to get some stuff done. What I love about this job is that every day is different. I could be shooting food at one assignment then celebrities as the next. First off are a few shots from Eva Longoria's book signing for her first cookbook at a local mall. It seems like you would have to train for a marathon of signing and smiling like this. Next is a photo from a PR event I went to that was raising awareness for how hot it can get in a locked car in the summer. People were supposed to have worn fur coats and sit in the car to see how hot it would get but needless to say that didn't happen. Then we a couple food shots that look and tasted pretty good. Last but not least we have a unique workout class that spends the last 15 minutes power napping. They also turn off the lights and put on the slow zen jams. Enjoy.

Eva Longoria, right, greets customers at a signing event for her first cookbook, "Eva's Kitchen: Cooking with Love for Family and Friends", June 4, 2011, at Williams-Sonoma at the Shops at La Cantera. Only people with on of 400 tickets were allowed to get Longoria's signature in their books. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

Williams-Sonoma employee Ellen Boyer, left, hands out food samples made from recipies in Eva Longoria's cookbook to customers waiting in line to get their copies of the book autographed June 4, 2011, at the Shops at La Cantera. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

Eva Longoria personally signed hundreds of copies of her first cookbook, "Eva's Kitchen: Cooking with Love for Family and Friends", June 4, 2011, at Williams-Sonoma at the Shops at La Cantera. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

Nachos bake on the dashboard of a car June 1, 2011, at the San Antonio Fire Academy as a demonstration by the SAFD on how hot it can get in a car during the summer. The temperature rose to about 150 degrees, which can kill an animal or child locked in the car in a matter of minutes according to SAFD District Chief Joe Jones. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

The greek pizza, turkey panini and French Lover dessert crepe are pictured in Taste's main dining area May 27, 2011. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

Taste's turkey panini is pictured May 27, 2011. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

San Antonio resident Navarra Williams works out during the downtown Spectrum athletic club's Sets and Reps class June 17, 2011. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

San Antonio resident Rosanne Samaniego lifts weights during the Sets and Reps class at the downtown Spectrum athletic club June 17, 2011. Samaniego said she enjoys the class because the power nap at the end gives her a chance to rejuvenate before going back to work. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net

San Antonio resident Navarra Williams takes a power nap at the end of a Sets and Reps class at the downtown Spectrum athletic club June 17, 2011. The class consists of 45 minutes of weight training, then a 15-minute power nap to rejuvenate the mind and body. ANDREW BUCKLEY / abuckley@express-news.net