Posts Tagged ‘Photojournalist Atlanta’

« Older Entries

Talking Chess

Saturday, October 31st, 2009
Orrin C. Hudson of Be Someone

Orrin C. Hudson of Be Someone

I learned to play Chess when I was 21 years old and only then because my roommate played. He always had babes over teaching them and I wanted to get in on that game too, so I learned.

My friend Orrin Hudson learned at a much younger age but for different reasons. Orrin is the seventh of thirteen kids who found himself in and out of foster care as a kid. He is also an ex-cop and founder of Be Someone, a non-profit crime prevention program.

As a teenager, Orrin did not follow the letter of the law and struggled in school until one of his teachers taught him Chess. “With his help, I began to understand life through a chessboard. He showed me that every move you make has consequences and in order to improve my game and my life, I had to make better choices,” says Hudson. “I slowly realized that I was responsible for my own success or failure.”

Since then, Orrin went on to win the Birmingham City Chess Championships in 1999 and in 2000. He recently won top honors in the Under 1700 section at the 37th Annual World Open in Philly. I tell you, this guy is bad; he can take you down in 3 moves.

Orrin has also dedicated his life to making a difference. And now he does it by teaching kids life lessons through Chess. I visited one of Orrin’s Chess Camps and I was so taken with his presence and teaching skills, I was ready to pick up the game again.

But to Orrin, it’s less about Chess and more about building character. While he is teaching camp goers the game, he uses a variety of call and responses to keep their attention and get them motivated.

To Be Someone you got to get in the game,
I am Orrin C. Hudson; it’s time for a change.
Make the right moves in this game called life,
Think before you move and always be nice.
When the game gets tough and times get rough,
Never give up, cause we are more than enough.
Practice everyday the correct way,
Always better your best before you play.

Orrin is working hard to make every move count. He and Be Someone needs your help. Go to www.besomeone.org to make a donation.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in News | No Comments »

Don’t You Want To See These Clothes On Me

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
Selden, Shannon and Melanie

Selden, Shannon and Melanie of Hi/Lo.

I recently caught up with the crew of Hi/Lo – the Comcast On Demand style show – as they filmed an episode at Nearly New thrift shop on Howell Mill Road. Hi/Lo travels to some of Atlanta’s hottest thriftiques and consignments boutiques creating Hi fashion looks for Lo budget prices.

Shannon Alderman who also serves as executive-producer hosts the show. Her wingmen, make-up artist and hair stylist Selden Beylouni and her assistant Emily Baker, fashion consultant Melanie Zentner, producer Rachel Duch and videographer Willis Boyd ably support Shannon. Willis is the only male on the team and the only person with a perpetual smile on his face.

Speaking of fashion chutzpah (?), Shannon and Mel use their style experience to find buried slightly worn treasures while Selden give the guests a pre-shopping visual transformation to get them in the mood to shop til they drop. You have to feel good to shop good. Yeah, I said it.

The team’s project that day was to help beautiful bride-to-be Amber Matz find the perfect wedding gown for her upcoming October wedding. So what they also found time to try on bathing suits, buy shoes and scarves for themselves plus scoff a week supply of Heat Sauce from a nearby Taco Bell (Mel), they were still on a mission.

After a little make-up, a little combing and a little cat herding by Rachel, the fashionistas combed the shelves and found three possible gowns. I won’t reveal which but Amber almost danced her way out of Nearly New with her bargain-priced designer purchase.

Of course you will have to watch the latest episode of Hi/Lo, on Real City TV on Comcast On Demand to see for yourself.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in News | No Comments »

Pregnant beauty

Sunday, September 28th, 2008

My very stunning friend Mo is even more stunning as she enters her 7th month of pregnancy. I have personally witnessed what an exciting and special time this is for pregnant women. Even though they sometimes feel less pretty during this stage, mothers-to-be glow and even take on a sexier level of sexiness.

Many women find beauty in taking artsy photos while carrying a child — especially those like Mo who are independent and adventurous — so I totally understood when Mo asked me about taking “Demi Moore” type pictures. Her request immediately reminded me of the photos I had taken of my wife and my good friend Michelle – who still has my negatives. I haven’t forgotten Michelle.

Anyway, comfort, trust, soft lighting and a mutual vision are essential for doing these bare belly au natural images. Mo was very comfortable with the idea of posing. The word she used most as we discussed the shoot was “tasteful.” We agreed on a couple of concepts then had a pleasant and comfortable time shooting the pictures.

Mo’s adventurous spirit, her confidence plus her inner and outer beauty made it an easy shoot for me.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in News | 2 Comments »

Back in the U.S.A.

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008

I was in Beijing for 44 days and I’m proud to say, 3 of those days were alcohol free.

I flew 16,380 round trip nautical miles.

Watched 9 in-flight movies and that number does not reflect watching “Iron Man” twice.

Under intense peer pressure and guidance from my Aussie friends and a few late nights at Olympic parties and bar row in Sanlitun, I averaged about 3 beers a day.

I watched the better part of 272 boxing matches. Count em, that is roughly 4352 minutes or 1088 rounds of boxing. I think I’m feeling kinda punch drunk.

Survived different face-offs with about 30 Mongolians and 3 drunken Irishmen. Not sure which was the tougher group.

Dined on almost everything at 15 – 20 different restaurants. The only bad meal was at the venue.

Thanks to Laura, Charlotte and Sammy – my UK mates – I was delivered 4 Big Macs… just in the nick of time.

Made new acquaintances and reconnected with many photog friends from all over the world.

Met 2 interesting ladies, Anna Laurell from Sweden and Natasha Ragozina from Russia. As beautiful as they are, these two female boxers you would not want to insult.

Actually started to answer when people called me Astro or Softie.

I ran into 2 Atlantans and heard from 4 other people that Ed Hula was in town. That is one stealthy man – I never saw him.

Had the pleasure of working with the best 25 volunteers of the games. And they are Jackie, Taylor, Laura, Lucia, Kate, Coco, Dreamy, Ami, Rene, Charlotte, Sophie, Shelly, Samantha, Serena, Andy, Caral, Cindy, Echo, Rukey, Rita, Jessica, Lily, Clover, Cherry and that outsider from ONS Lydia.

The scream you just heard was me opening my iphone bill to the tune of $1300.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in News | 2 Comments »

B to the Fly

Tuesday, August 19th, 2008

stevensonblog.jpg

Amateur boxing legend Teofilo Stevenson visited our venue and he is still quite impressive. That’s him in the middle of me mates, Press Manager Asst. Neil Bowes and Richard Baker, communications manager for AIBA. Neil is the one with the smooth dome.

Before I go on about Teofilo Stevenson, I must mention my dear friend Jennifer “Butterfly” Brett, the intrepid, bloodhound of a reporter for the AJC, who is here covering the Olympic scene.

But first, let me give you the lay of the land. The Workers Indoor Gymnasium (boxing) is one block from the Workers Outdoor Stadium (soccer). They both are located in a very trendy area with many bars and restaurants.

So, I emailed JB and tipped her that Evander Holyfield was in the house. She messaged back; she was in route and to keep him there. Some time later she called and said she had just cleared security and to come meet her. I immediately went to the media gate and no Jennifer. I walked to the north gate and no Jennifer; I then walked to the west gate and still no Jennifer.

Ten minutes later she called back asking where was I. You know me; by now I’m getting a little huffy and annoyed because I can’t find her and I have work to do. The conversation then went something like this.

ME: Where the hell are you JB?
JB: I’m in the stadium waiting for you?
ME: Did you come in the media entrance?
JB: Yes, I’m in the stadium (with attitude).
ME: Where in the damn stadium (with more attitude)?
JB: I’m standing under the big screen monitor that has the guy kicking the ba… oh, s**t, I’m in the wrong stadium.

Poor Butterfly. She eventually flittered to the boxing arena, found Evander, had a good interview and filed on time. She even had the endurance to meet me later for a beer.

And I’m sure she knew I was lying when I said I would never mention the wrong stadium debacle to anybody.

Okay, watching Teofilo Stevenson walk is like watching a svelte, powerful black cat prowling the jungle like he rules it. Mr Stevenson looks like he could still take on some of the young boxers competing now. It was like having royalty in the joint with him there. Hell, even Jim Gray asked me to take a shot of him with the legend.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in News | No Comments »

My main man Jason

Friday, August 15th, 2008

jasonblog.jpg

This morning I left the media village later than I should – it took awhile to find a cab and there was traffic. The cab driver took a different route then let me out at the east gate. Now since we arrived in Beijing it has been made perfectly clear that employees (that would be us) can only enter at the west gate. So there we were on the wrong side of the venue and of course I thought I would give it a shot and talk my way in. No such luck.

Jason is a young bright-eyed volunteer I met earlier during the games and he was working the gate. He was sorry he couldn’t let us in and he tried to explained why. In essence, he did his job. I may have walked off in a huff with my backpack. I then stormed around the venue to the other side. Yes, it was a 10-15 minute walk and it was hot, but it didn’t kill me.

As soon as I got through security – at the proper gate – there was Jason to greet me and explain again why he didn’t let me in. This guy was so concerned with my happiness he ran to the other side to meet me.

Just one more example of how kind, caring and willing to please the Chinese are. I love these people. If they have a job to do, they do it. If they can assist you in anyway, they will.

So far the Beijing Olympics have been a winner because of the games, the technology and the venues. But in my book, the people are the real story.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in News | 2 Comments »

Somebody looks dead tired…

Thursday, August 14th, 2008

kobeyblog.jpg

and it’s not Kobe. He came by last night – not to my crib but to the arena. Kobe and a few of his NBA friends dropped by to watch a few Olympic bouts. They chilled, laughed with each other, did a couple of interviews with NBC and had a good time.

Surprisingly, the level of excitement did not reach that of two nights before when Atlantan Dwight Howard visited. At one point, Dwight left the VIP section and walked around the arena to go to the mixed zone for an interview. It sounded like a thundering herd of buffalo when spectators spotted him and ran down the steps to get a closer glimpse.

He did his interview and I chatted him up about Atlanta before he exited the secure area. I got him to sign a couple of autographs for 2 kids hanging around and that’s when the shit hit the fan. Word was out, so small media crews and photogs were on the scene faster than Grant went through Richmond.

Dwight asked me how to get back to his seat, I led the way and we proceeded to walk the gauntlet. And it was not easy. There was a wall of point and shoots, excited fans, screaming girls and stunned security. I don’t think the security force at the venue had ever experience anything like that. I was so impressed with young brother Howard because he smiled through it all. A real gentleman.

My help with Dwight is probably why I was pressed in to a minor security role for Kobe and his crew. It was a cakewalk compared to the stroll with Dwight.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in News | 1 Comment »

“Where you from, brother?”

Tuesday, August 12th, 2008

Sunday evening the deputy photo manager told me there were “Mongolian spectators” sitting in one of our photo sections and he could not get them to leave. He said, they do not speak Chinese and he thought they were pretending to not understand English.

I first asked if he had notified security. I then told him, it’s late in the session, we don’t have photographers using that section, so it’s probably best to let them stay. I didn’t see the point in starting, what could be, a confrontational situation with just one hour to go.

He asked me to walk there with him, so I did. I saw the group as we neared the section and there were about 20-30 tough looking Mongolians, waving their flags, drinking their beers and having a good time. A few of them looked like they were former boxers.

And regardless of whether they are American, Cuban, French, Irish, Thai or any other nationality, I know all boxing fans are nuts. That’s when I though, what am I doing here? I am not security.

My deputy photo manager led the way around the arena about 4-5 steps ahead of me. When we walked in front of the invaded section, I noticed he walked faster and didn’t make eye contact with them. As I walked by, one leaned over the railing and asked, “Where you from, brother?”

Well, so much for not speaking English. I stopped and chatted with them and in less than 30 seconds we were high fiving, posing for pictures and joking about their countryman who would fight in the next bout.

I told them they were sitting in a restricted area but it was okay to stay today to watch their boxer. I also warned them, they could not sit there if they returned again. They agreed and we high fived some more.

I watched from the doorway as their lean but mean boxer beat the crap out of some poor guy. The Mongolian horde cheered, got up after the fight, left politely and nodded as they walked by. After looking at them and seeing their boxer, I knew this group was not to be messed with.

Sure enough, they returned the next day and sure enough, they sat in the same photo section like it was their’s. It looked like they even brought friends. I acted as if I didn’t see a thing.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in News | 5 Comments »

And the winner is…

Monday, August 11th, 2008

We have hosted two days of boxing – 2 sessions per day with 12 bouts each. Obviously 48 young athletes won and moved to the next level and 48 had their dreams doused. They were all bright eyed, muscular specimens who stood even taller when they entered the field of play to the cheers of their countrymen. That itself is a moment to witness.

It must be a huge responsibility to represent your country with the eyes of the world on you. I cannot imagine the pressure. But they got in the ring and fought their hearts out.

For the most part, the bouts have been evenly matched with just a few boxers totally outclassed. All of the Russian fighters have been tough as nails, the Cubans are slick boxers with tons of technique and the Africans are brawlers who telegram their punches from left field. But when one of the Africans connect, you can feel it in the stands. A Samoan boxer was knocked out and carried away on a stretcher, still unconscious. Everybody held his or her breath until we heard he was okay. That was scary.

I learned a lot about some of the boxers as they walked by me after their matches. The winners can barely contain their glee, but they are tough, manly boxers and must be macho for the cameras. They are walking on air but keeping up the cool façade. The losers walk tall and try like hell to keep their chins up and take the lost like “a man.” But you can see the tears of disappointment and hurt welling up in their eyes. After all, you dare not be caught crying on camera. For them, that has to be the longest walk, from the ring to their dressing rooms.

Hey, winners and losers are a part of every sport but seeing it so closely and at the Olympics kind of magnifies it for me. For many of these young men, this is their ticket out or up. The last four years of training continues to propel them or today it wasn’t enough.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in News | 2 Comments »

Lets get it on!

Friday, August 8th, 2008

relayblog.jpg

The official draw was held today to determine who fights whom. The event was attended by delegates from the 77 countries that have entered a boxer, AIBA and technical officials and a host of international journalists. The program was almost two hours of picking names and numbers out of jars and revealing the names of the countries. It’s all on the up and up.

Competition starts Saturday morning with a Swede fighting a Russian in the 75kg weight class. There will be 24 bouts throughout the day ending with competitors from Kazakhstan and Lithuania.

Jackie and Kate, volunteers from photo, took on the role of security to keep the pushy journalists back. That was a tough job.

No surprised but I played the role of the heavy during the event – also holding back journalists – so my Chinese name is now Wan Cheng…, which means The Great Wall. Ain’t it the truth!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in News | 5 Comments »

« Older Entries