The Trayvon Martin Story
I have been away from the “Photographer’s Notebook” for some time now primarily due to covering the Trayvon Martin story. I have spent two weeks now in Sanford, Florida photographing the people, rallies, details and events as they have transpired. In this time I have managed to make over 11,000 photographs and video clips. The images here are just a few of the many.
This has become a huge media affair with media teams from around the world circling the town in satellite and microwave trucks. Not to forget the myriad of still photographers and videographers representing newspapers and magazines.
So far every event I have photographed has been peaceful in nature. Great restraint has been exercised and protestors and concerned citizens alike have treated each other, myself and the other media with respect.
This story has attracted many leaders in the Black community like Reverend Al Sharpton (above) Jesse Jackson, Martin Luther King III and others.
As you can see, the media has had a large and somewhat overwhelming presence at times.
These have been very long days. Running from location to location to get relevant images and at times, waiting for hours on end for something to happen. When it does, my world becomes a whirlwind of sights, sounds and activity. You need to be prepared because history waits for no one.
I must say that after nearly 40 years as a photojournalist, it is hard not to get caught up in the emotions of a story like this. However, keeping a neutral eye is key to the strict ethics of a photojournalist. I myself, do not know all the facts to this story and thus am keeping my opinions to myself.
Make sure to check the Orlando Weekly this Wednesday for complete coverage and additional photographs.
Shooting for a PBS Special
We spent this weekend working on a PBS special on the WASPs and the aircraft they flew during World War II. Shooting was challenged by high winds, intermittent cloud conditions and mechanical difficulties experienced by the aircraft themselves. My job was to shoot behind the scenes images of the project and also to capture the aircraft in close detail. We also added the D7000 video rig to the cameras used by the PBS team. Fitted with a 200mm lens, the D7000 had greater reach than the other cameras.
Above: Cinematographer Orlando Ojeda makes adjustments to the D7000 rig in preparation to video B-17 take-offs and landings.
Orlando Ojeda and Director Bill Suchy shoot steady cam clips of a B-17 bomber.
Orlando Ojeda shooting the take-off of a B-17 bomber with the D7000 rig.
These are some of the outtakes I shot using the Nikon D3s.
Boeing B-17 Bomber Taking Off
Cockpit of a Boeing B-17 Bomber
A 50 caliber machine gun used by a waist gunner. This aircraft has machine guns all through it.
This was a particularly special assignment for me because my father flew these aircraft in combat during World War II. He flew combat missions out of England and participated in the Berlin Airlift as well.