Shorthorn Shots of the Week 9/19

Another interesting week goes by at the 'Horn and more opportunities to get better at what I do. I'll start off with a couple of photos from the Sept. 11 memorial that was set up outside of the Central Library. It is an annual sight but it always gives me chills still thinking about what the flags represent and seeing all of the visuals from that day. This week also offered a few challenges with a oozeball portrait and the worst photographic lighting for a restaurant I think I've ever seen. Oozeball is our annual mud volleyball tournament at UTA and this was the first year I've actually had a chance to play and not work. It was ablast and I'll have a short video up shortly of a test I did with my new little GoPro HD video camera that I strapped to myself for an interesting point of view. The Candlelite Inn restaurant offered me the challenge of keeping the intimate ambiance while working with only candlelight and a stringof christmas lights. I was using a few sniper breathing techniques, learned from Call of Duty, since I didn't have a tripod. We also had our first comedian of the semester perform and he definitely exceeded my expectations. He even gave a student father $25 on the spot. I'll be taking part in the Texas Multimedia Workshop next weekend at the State Fair of Texas so Shots of the Week may be a little late but always great. Enjoy.

Flags representing the lives lost during the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia rest on the lawn in front of the Central Library on Friday. The College Republicans placed the flags on Friday morning at 5 a.m. as part of the "9/11: Never Forget Project". (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Political science senior Jordan Shirley helps pick up flags from the "9/11: Never Forget Project" memorial on Friday in front of the Central Library. The flags were placed by the College Republicans to memorialize those who died during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Biology alumnus Shahmir Abbasi has been on winning oozeball teams for the past two years and was named MVP in 2008’s tournament. Abbasi’s secret to success is that he keeps moving so his feet don’t get stuck in the mud. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Candles and small hanging lights create an intimate ambiance that has not changed since the restaurant opened in 1957. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Each of Candlelite Inn's nine booths has an old style, miniature jukebox that diners can play songs on for 25 cents. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Manager Kim Garey said that flank steaks are one of their most popular dishes along with guacamole and their variety of pizzas. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Comedian Ralph Harris impersonates his grandfather as he tells a story on Tuesday in the Rosebud Theatre during the first One Mic Stand event of the semester. Harris’ jokes covered a wide range of topics from dogs to relationships and he also gave a student father $25 after saying he had a fund to help single mothers in college. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Comedian Ralph Harris impersonates an illegal immigrant caught in a border fence during his One Mic Stand performance on Tuesday in the Rosebud Theatre. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Shorthorn Shots of the Week 9/11

Yet another hectic week balancing school and work. This is also the first week in what seems like an eternity that I have not shot a video but focused more on stills. Labor Day and torrential rain made for an interesting week none the less. Let us all remember what happened on this day in history and I'll let the pictures speak for themselves, enjoy.

Civil engineering sophomore Ricky Ho, left, teaches social work sophomore Mado Assani how to play a song on the guitar Monday in the University Center. Assani said she likes to sing and Ho gave her his old guitar so that she could learn how to play. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Civil engineering junior Ivan Romero pulls a front tire grab outside of University Hall on Monday. Romero said that he has been riding since December and originally bought the bike to get around campus, but started doing tricks as a study break. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Reference librarian Tom Lindsey, left, chats with sociology senior Faye Hanson after she arrived to find the Central Library closed due to flooding Wednesday. Torrential rain caused leaks in the Central Library and maintenance shut off the electricity as a precaution. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

The “Private Collections II” exhibition, now showing through Oct. 16, in the Gallery at UTA showcases 20 works from four local DFW collections that illustrate the interaction between private and public display spaces. Art historian Benjamin Lima will give a talk on Sept. 22 at noon to discuss the works displayed in the gallery. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Public relations and communication junior Robert Ostrout, left, and journalism junior Heath Rush admire the piece “A death, a fall, a march: toward a better world” by Robyn O’neil on Wednesday in The Gallery at UTA. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Philosophy junior Elizabeth Perez will now be a part of two diamonds as a Texas Rangers Ball Girl and as the newest member of the Maverick softball team. Perez said that she tried other organizations on campus but she just had to play softball and she couldn’t live without it. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Junior outside hitter Eld-hah Kawatuka has shown her ability to adapt to any situation both on and off the court in her two years at UTA after coming to America from the Congo when she was eight. This season, Kaswatuka is averaging a team-high 3.04 kills per set and 2.04 digs per set. (The Shorthorn: Andrew Buckley)

Shorthorn Shots of the Week 9/5

The first couple of weeks at school are usually the most hectic and random of the year. This week at The Shorthorn was no exception as I shot everything from portraits to sports. I'll start with a video of the annual Maverick Cookout and Activities Fair that brings together organizations from on and off campus to show students what is available for them this coming year. It gets bigger and bigger every year, especially now that enrollment at UTA is at record numbers. Next is a portrait of Perry Kemp, a broadcast student who'sradio public service announcement called "Be Safe Texting" was named one of four finalists by College Broadcasters, Inc. On the way to work I also grabbed a quick shot of some guys practicing for the upcoming flag football season. Another portrait I did this week was of ProfessorPeter Lehman who donated textbooks to the University of Belize. He knew a lot about photography and it was great talking to him while shooting. Last but not least are a few shots from the volleyball team's first tournament of the season. Enjoy.

Shorthorn Shots of the Week 8/29

Shorthorn Shots of the Week is back! It feels like the most hectic "Welcome Week" I've had at The Shorthorn so far. We are making a big push for video and other multimedia content this semester and it should definitely be interesting going forward. First off, I shot a video of Welcome Week's annual Waffleopolis event where students can come together and have a waffle dinner with new friends. Next, and probably the most personally satisfying, was our coverage of UTA's Extensive Green Roof project. It was a great opportunity and was less hectic than my usual assignments. Last but not lest, I covered the Movin' Mavs annual Back to School Alumni Game where graduates came back to coach current players in a "Blue vs. White" game to show off their roster to the new student body. This semester has already started with a bang and I'm looking forward to the surprises/challenges that will be sure to come up in the future.

Sarah and Johnathan Hill's Wedding

These are some shots from my first wedding shoot back in February. It was a great learning experience and really tested me in adapting to any situation. Wedding mood lighting can be torture on a photographer. All in all, it was a fun experience and I hope to continue to shoot more weddings and develop a strong portfolio in the future.

Lose The Training Wheels at UTA

Lose The Training Wheels was a week long camp at UTA hosted by the Down Syndrome Partnership of Tarrant County that taught individuals with disabilities how to ride two-wheel bicycles. Most of the sessions I went to were full and it was great to see how many volunteers came out to help. Most of the kids seemed hesitant to go for the two-wheel bikes but soon overcame the challenge. While talking to a parent, I could see the joy it gave them to see their child do something like this because to most of these kids it is the most freedom they will have with transportation. We found out about the event last minute but I'm glad I had the chance to shoot it. For the full story, check out TheShorthorn.com.

Lose The Training Wheels from Andrew Buckley on Vimeo.

2010 Texas Autocross Weekend

Over the weekend, UTA hosted the annual Texas Autocross Weekend on July 10 and 11 where 35 cars from 14 different universities from all over the United States and Canada came to race their student built Formula SAE cars against the clock. This event was for bragging rights and let the teams trade rides without the pressure of a formal competition. There was also a bit of excitement off the track as a 1965 Ford Cobra flew into the creek across the street from where the races were being held. Life lesson for the kids: Showboating just brings a waterlogged ride and embarrassment for a lifetime. Enjoy.

July 4th Weekend

This year for the 4th, Victoria and I headed down to South Padre Island for some much needed relaxation. Since we didn't want to make the entire 10-hour trip on one drive, we stopped half-way in San Antonio to stay the night then headed to Padre early the next morning. It rained half of the time driving down but we had a beautiful two days of sun and blue skies over the weekend. I try to make it to Padre whenever I can to take in that little bit of Texas paradise.

July 4th Weekend from Andrew Buckley on Vimeo.