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)

Shorthorn Shots 4/25

Things seem to get busier and busier as the semester starts to wind down in the final two weeks. I'll make this short and sweet since my mind is fried after writing an eight page critical analysis of Full Metal Jacket. First, I did a short chess video of the two-time UTA chess champion playing 11 players at once to help attract players to the UTA Chess Club. Next up is a group of students, faculty and alumni that went to the WFAA studio in Dallas to promote the Big Event on the Daybreak Morning show. Then we have a little sports action leading into the Koi Koi House orphanage project as part of the Big Event philanthropy event at UTA. Volunteers painted shirts for the Ugandan children at the orphanage and learned more about its mission. Overall, it was an interesting series of assignments that challenged me adapt to various story angles. Enjoy.

Maverick Chess Club Tournament

A group of around 40 UTA students cheer for the camera during WFAA’s Daybreak morning program outside of the Channel 8 studio in Victory Plaza. According to associate vice president of communications Amy Schultz, this was the first time UTA has appeared as a featured organization on the morning show. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

WFAA News 8 anchors Cynthia Izaguirra, left, and Chris Flanagan interview Tiffany Kaminski, marketing senior and UTA Volunteers Big Event director, on Friday during WFAA’s Daybreak morning show at Victory Plaza. Kaminski was promoting the Big Event day of service that took place in a variety of locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Saturday. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Senior baserunner Jesse Payne slides into second base during the Mavericks’ 13-3 win over the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor on Wednesday at Clay Gould Ballpark. Payne went 4-for-5 at bat bringing in two RBI’s in the victory. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Biology senior Jennifer Nassanga paints a shirt for the Koi Koi House orphanage in Uganda as part of the Freshman Leaders on Campus’ Big Event project Saturday outside of the University Center. Volunteers that attended FLOC’s community service project painted shirts for the children, wrote letters of encouragement and had the opportunity to buy beaded jewelry with the proceeds going to the Koi Koi House. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

The beginning of a peace sign design is reflected in accounting senior Channa Ranatunga’s glasses as he paints a shirt Saturday on the University Center Mall. Ranatunga said the event was a great way to reach out to people and painted the peace sign because he believes in world peace. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Volunteers created 150 shirts for the Koi Koi House featuring encouraging words and creative designs. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

This tie-die shirt is one of 150 unique shirts that will be given to the children at the Koi Koi House in Uganda. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

One of FLOC’s projects at the event was to write letters or create greetings cards for the children who live at the Koi Koi House. Victoria Farrar-Myers, FLOC faculty advisor, will be traveling to Uganda this summer and will hand deliver them to the children. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Shorthorn Shots 4/3

Sports dominates this post as I brushed up on my tennis skills and produced a recap video after the Mavericks took on the #5 ranked Aggies in baseball. I have never shot video for baseball before but I learned a lot from the experience and thought of a few editing ideas if I have to again in the future. Enjoy.

UTA vs #5 Texas A&M

Junior first baseman Jordan Vaughn eyes the ball as Roadrunners baserunner Tyler Carpenter slides back into first base on March 30, 2011, during the Mavericks' 2-1 win over UTSA. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Junior David Subirats dives in an attempt to return a serve during a doubles match against New Mexico State on Sunday at the UTA Tennis Center. Subirats and his partner, junior Mindaugas Celedinas, won their match 8-4. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Senior Daiana Negreanu serves during her doubles match with teammate Linda Aqvist, not pictured, against UT San Antonio on Sunday at the UTA Tennis Center. Negreanu and Aqvist won their match 8-3. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

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)

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

Shorthorn Shots of the Week 11/20

This week I finally published my profile on UTA student Ivan Romero that I have been working on for a few weeks. It feels good to get it out and see people's reactions to the video. It was also challenging to put together a more emotional piece compared to the event coverage that I normally do. Basketball season is also upon us and it will be interesting to see how new players will perform this season. I am also including some shots from One Night in Asia that didn't make it into my crowded post last week. Right now I am at the Southland Conference volleyball tournament and am working on stills and video recaps much like my coverage of the basketball tournament last year. More on that next week so until then, enjoy.

Spotlight : Ivan Romero

Civil engineering junior Ivan Romero jumps his bike off of a concrete drain at one of his favorite spots to do tricks near campus. Romero says that riding allows him to escape his daily pressures and is one of the only times when nothing is on his mind. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Romero is constantly on the move as he takes on many responsibilities at Whole Foods Market including keeping the front of the store clean and bagging groceries. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Sophomore guard Armani Williams leaps towards the basket during the Mavericks’ 98-54 win over UT Tyler on Tuesday at Texas Hall. The Mavericks’ have a 2-1 record going into their next game against Houston Baptist on Saturday in Houston. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Sophomore guard Cameron Catlett leaps towards the basket during the Mavericks victory over UT Tyler at Texas Hall.

Sean Ibanez, left, performs with the Japanese Daiko Group of Dallas on Wednesday at Multicultural Affairs’ One Night in Asia celebration in the University Center Rosebud Theater. The event featured a variety of talents including martial arts and dancing from many student organizations commemorating Asian Heritage Month. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Nursing freshman Resley Araze of the Filipino Student Association performs a traditional Filipino water dance on Wednesday. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)