Postcards from Paris

I just wrapped up Day 11 of my 22-day trip through Europe, visiting cities including Paris, Cologne, and Pamplona (for the San Fermin Running with the Bulls Festival).  There has been a lot of train rides, delicious meals, and broken conversations with locals and tourists.  The trip has been amazing, but I will share more details and stories later.  For now, enjoy these postcards from Paris.

An Eiffel Tower sticker is displayed on a motorbike in Paris, France, on July 3, 2013. (Stan Olszewski/SOSKIphoto)

Champ de Mars seen from the top floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, on July 3, 2013. (Stan Olszewski/SOSKIphoto)

The gold tipped Musée de l'Armée seen from the top floor of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, on July 3, 2013. (Stan Olszewski/SOSKIphoto)

Pedestrians cross the street near Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile in Paris, France, on July 3, 2013. (Stan Olszewski/SOSKIphoto)

Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile in Paris, France, on July 3, 2013. (Stan Olszewski/SOSKIphoto)

5 Tips to Spice Up Boring Photos

Being a photographer is awesome!  We get to meet interesting people daily, we get behind-the-scenes views of businesses and events, and we get to make amazing photos by breaking barriers to obtain unique perspectives.  As a professional photojournalist, every assignment should be fun and easy to make a handful of compelling images, right?  Wrong!

While most of my assignments offer a unique experience that others rarely have, there are the few assignments that just kill me.  I'm talking bore me to death, I can't find a great photo anywhere agony.  Let's use this recent small-town weekly newspaper assignment, which had me photographing recently restored buildings at the local historical Alviso Adobe Park in Milpitas, California.

For some reason, editors and city officials love simple and clean photos showcasing big-dollar, restored, historical buildings.  As a photojournalist whose work is centralized around people and the human element, this photo – while perfectly fine – is blah!

The Alviso Adobe home photographed at Alviso Adobe Park in Milpitas, California, on March 19, 2013. (Stan Olszewski/SOSKIphoto)

Keep reading after the break to learn five tips to spice up boring photos.

5 Tips to Shooting Better Football Photos

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) slips as he escapes New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Tom Johnson's (96) tackle at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on December 23, 2012. (Stan Olszewski/The Dallas Morning News)

I had the great opportunity to photograph the Dallas Cowboys' last home game of the 2012 season against the New Orleans Saints last weekend for The Dallas Morning News.  This was the second Cowboys game for me in two weeks.  Although this game was not as much fun to shoot and seemed much slower than the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, I still had a blast.  There's just something awesome about photographing impressive athleticism, beautiful cheerleaders, and a nail-biting overtime ending – oh, I forgot to add – all in a fantastic venue like Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

A Dallas Cowboys cheerleader performs during a timeout in a Christmas outfit at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on December 23, 2012.  (Stan Olszewski/The Dallas Morning News)

The Dallas Cowboys had a pretty amazing comeback to score a touchdown with just a few minutes left in the 4th quarter to tie the game and send it into overtime.  A win for the Cowboys would be huge and would give them a spot in the playoffs.  Instead, a wild fumble by the Saints and in the Saints favor gave them an easy field goal win. This lose left the Cowboys with slim chances to make the post season.

Read through the break to see 5 Tips to Shooting Better Football Photos:

On Assignment: Dallas Cowboys Beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Overtime!

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws a pass down the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on December 16, 2012. (Stan Olszewski/The Dallas Morning News)

I recently had the great opportunity to photograph the Dallas Cowboys hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, for The Dallas Morning News.  This had to be one of the best NFL games I've covered.  It certainly was a nail-biter as the Cowboys took the win in over time with an interception and subsequent field goal.

A Dallas Cowboys cheerleader performs during a time out against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on December 16, 2012. (Stan Olszewski/The Dallas Morning News)

Since this was my first time photographing the Cowboys, I learned a few things at this game:
1.  The Cowboys Stadium is awesome!  The stadium lights were powerful and even across the field.
2.  The Cowboys cheerleaders are gorgeous and probably the best performers in the NFL.
3.  Halftime is short – skip the complementary media hot dogs.
4.  Leave the sunglasses in the work worm, they're not necessary in the indoor/outdoor hybrid stadium.
5.  The Canon 1.4x II extender is an amazing tool and will see a lot of use during football games.

Tear sheet from The Dallas Morning News' website, minutes after the Cowboys' game-winning field goal.

Check out the slideshow after the break to see the full coverage of the game, from tailgating to victory celebration.

The Best Photos: Texas High School Volleyball Championships

McKinney Boyd's Ashleigh Martin (14), center, and teammates celebrate a point against New Braunfels in the Class 5A semi-finals at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas, on November 16, 2012. (Stan Olszewski/The Dallas Morning News)

Last weekend I had the great opportunity to photograph the Texas UIL high school volleyball state championships for The Dallas Morning News.  Dozens of top Texas teams traveled from all over the state to compete in a 3-day, do-or-die, tournament in Garland, Texas.

The girls' athleticism and talent were unbelievable for their age.  I have never photographed such great players in high school competition.  I am confident to say, several of the competing teams would hold their own against Division 1 college teams.  In fact, a handful of the players are college bound on volleyball scholarships.

Before we get started, let's talk photography:
The tournament was held at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas, about an hour North of Dallas.  The venue was huge, capable of holding 7,000 fans, and relatively modern (opened in 2005).  This meant there was plenty of space to shoot for interesting perspectives and more importantly a good quality of light.  Let me clarify – there was not a good amount of light, just a good quality of light.  Big difference.

Like many sports assignments, I would need fast glass (large aperture lenses) and the high ISO capabilities of newer DSLR cameras.  I used the following:
– Canon 5D Mark III
– Canon 7D
– Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L
– Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II
– Canon 300mm f/2.8L IS
– ExpoDisc (for obtaining a proper white balance)

If you want to shoot a sporting event like this, but can't justify the money on these great lenses, consider renting from BorrowLenses.

More after the break:

5 Tips to Better Concert Photos

I just wrapped up the first week of my three month assignment with The Dallas Morning News (TDMN).  Although the first few days of learning the publication's workflow, the headquarter floor plan, and meeting important editors and photographers were slow, I couldn't have asked for a better assignment for a Saturday night.  I had the great opportunity to photograph Grace Potter & the Nocturnals at the House of Blues in Dallas, Texas.

I never heard of Grace Potter before looking at my assignment list Saturday morning, but after spending some time on Youtube, I had high expectations for the night to come.  Luckily, Grace lived up to her music video amazingness and rocked the already awesome venue.  You can read TDMN's review of Potter's performance here.

Read through the break for a few tips to shooting better concert photos:

Experience: Shooting the NLCS Game 7 (as a fan)

I had the great opportunity to shoot the NLCS elimination Game 7 between the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals last night.  The only side note: I bought a ticket as a fan.

Read more from my experience after the break:

Experience: WPPI U in Las Vegas, NV – Part 2

This is Part 2 in a 3 part series about my recent road trip and experience at WPPI U in Las Vegas, NV.  Stay tuned as more of my experience is published in the days to come.

Picking up from where I left off in Part 1 of my experience at Wedding & Portrait Photographer’s International University (WPPI U), I managed to find a great hotel less than ½ mile from the Las Vegas Convention Center.  The Embassy Suites had a great room rate at $109 per night with complimentary breakfast (fresh cooked omelets – YUM!) and Wi-Fi.  This was a huge bargain compared to what WPPI U had reserved at the neighboring Renaissance Hotel.

The walk from the Embassy Suites to the Las Vegas Convention Center was brief at less than 10 minutes.  There were a few other Trade Shows (ADS) happening at the same time, so the Convention Center was packed!  Unfortunately, WPPI U failed to create proper signage outside the Convention Center, which caused a lot of lost, frustrated, and sweaty photographers.  If you’re reading this WPPI, you need more location signage!

Check-in was quick, far easier than at the 10,000-photographer WPPI convention in the winter.  Just find your name tag in the rows of approximately 500 other photographers, take a raffle ticket, and take a seat.

A few items I enjoyed at WPPI U were the complimentary Starbucks coffee and lunches.  This meant I could save more money during the two-day event or I could spend that money on slot machines.  Either way, it was a great inclusion.

Read more after the break:

Experience: WPPI U in Las Vegas, NV – Part 1

This is Part 1 in a 3 part series about my recent road trip and experience at WPPI U in Las Vegas, NV.  Stay tuned as more of my experience is published in the days to come.

A quick stop at Starbucks along highway I-15 for an overpriced drink, I mean seriously overpriced.

Wedding & Portrait Photographer’s International (WPPI) is a massive weeklong photography seminar and expo every working photographer should experience.  Top-notch photographers travel to Las Vegas, NV. to teach seminars covering topics on business, marketing, social media, weddings, portraits, pets, and so much more.  The amount of knowledge shared at WPPI in the winter is amazing (dates rotate between February and March each year).

Did I mention there’s a King Kong sized expo with all of the newest cameras, lenses, flashes, modifiers, backgrounds, and print fulfillment options?  The deals are to die for!

Read more after the break:

On Assignment: Relay For Life 2012 – Milpitas, Calif.

Luminarias outline the Milpitas Sports Center track during Relay For Life on June 23, 2012, in remembrance of those who lost the battle with cancer.  Photo by Stan Olszewski/SOSKIphoto.

Relay For Life is a huge annual event to create awareness, fund-raise for a cure, and remember those who lost their battle with cancer.  I recently had the privilege to cover this event on behalf of the Milpitas Post.

Photographing events can be difficult, especially large events like Relay For Life.  The difficulty comes when you want to produce new images that no other photographer has published in the previous years.  Other items that increase the difficulty include multiple sub-events taking place at once and how delayed the event is to start.

When you are working on a deadline for publications, you need have great time management skills.  In this scenario, Relay For Life started almost an hour behind schedule.  When this happened, I had a few options:

1. Find a bench under some shade, check Twitter updates, and twiddle my thumbs.
2. Walk around the venue, meet some great people, and get a better understanding of why they're participating in the event.
3. Leave the venue, get some breakfast, and come back later.

With over an hour of delays ahead of me, I opted for a combination of all three.  First, I opened up the tasty granola bar and ice cold bottle of water from one of my Think Tank Photo pouches, found some shade, and enjoyed the breakfast I missed.  I then found some sweet articles to read from a few photographers I follow on Twitter.

53 minutes left till delayed kickoff!

On Assignment: Milpitas House Fire

On Tuesday, June 19, 2012, I received a breaking news message from the editor at a local newspaper I freelance for, The Milpitas Post.  The report came in as a structure fire with evacuation in progress.  I grabbed my gear and hopped in the car as quickly as possible.  I approached the scene ten minutes into the call and found that police had a healthy sized perimeter set up.  I had to park a block away and walk into the scene.  By the time I passed the police line, there were only embers left.

With that in mind, I changed my game plan.  I decided it would be best to capture some images of the fire fighters cleaning up the scene and reacting to the heat.  I also wanted to get in close and network with the fire department.  Getting access during breaking news is key.  The more often fire fighters see me at emergency scenes, the more they start to trust me, and the more likely they are to provide me access during a more intense situation.

A couple of tips to shooting fire scenes:

1.  Identify yourself with the perimeter Police.

2.  Stay in the designated Safe working area.

3.  Work the angles and find great light (if available).

4.  Don't be afraid to talk to emergency personnel.

5.  Move in closer when safety allows, but always stay out of the way.

6.  Leave a few business cards and follow up with some images.

473 Donahe Place House Fire, Milpitas, Calif. - Images by Stan Olszewski


                                                                                                                                          
Gear used:
Canon 5D Mark III
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II
ExpoImaging ExpoDisc 77mm Neutral

April Desktop Wallpaper

Hanoi, Vietnam 2011.  Click the image to enlarge, then right-click to save to your computer.

In an attempt to bring you beauty and joy in the wet month of April, here is a 2560 x 1600 desktop wallpaper and calendar for your enjoyment.  It's big enough to keep you company on a cinema display or a 27" iMac.

This butterfly landed near me as I left one of the many Pagodas I visited in Hanoi, Vietnam.  I saw many [large] winged bugs during my month abroad, but this was the only butterfly.  Believe it or not, some of the cockroaches that ran pass my toes in Hanoi could eat this butterfly for breakfast.  Did I mention those had wings too?

I hope to bring you a new desktop wallpaper and calendar every month from now on.  Enjoy.

On Assignment: San Jose Bomb Squad

San Jose Police investigate an explosive device found in a house of the 400 block of Sixth Street, San Jose, Calif., after serving a search warrant on Sept. 13, 2011.  Photo by Stan Olszewski.

San Jose Police investigate an explosive device found in a house of the 400 block of Sixth Street, San Jose, Calif., after serving a search warrant on Sept. 13, 2011.  The SJ Bomb Squad detonated the explosives around 7:15pm.

NCAA Football: San Jose State at Stanford

Today I shot the NCAA Football season opener in the South Bay, California. The 7th ranked Stanford Cardinals put the hurt on San Jose State University at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif., winning 57-3.  Stanford's Andrew Luck (12) was top notch and is a quarterback to look out for during the 2011 season.

The Satchel of Prayer

Peeking through the window of a Pagoda in Hue, Vietnam.  © SOSKIphoto

Today we have a diptych.  That's right, two photos for the price of one!  Why are these two photos combined as one?  Because only one photo does not tell the story I am trying to convey.

In Their Eyes #1: Don't Let Go!

Tearing through a village along the Mekong Delta with a lady of few words and her flower decored horse, Vietnam. 

© Stan Olszewski / SOSKIphoto

I wish I could tell you this woman’s name.  I wish I could tell you the name of her flower-adorned horse.  I even wish I could tell you the name of the village we tore through on her blue, rusty, and bouncy wagon; but I can’t.

Guest Blog on SJSU Today

Head over to SJSU Today to read my guest blog about Social Work, San Jose State University, and Vietnam.  The article is mainly academic but I share an experience from my trip and my overall impression of Vietnam for flavor.

Weathered Walls and Bike Fenders

A blue bike rest against a weathered red wall, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Chipped paint and rusted chains.  Squared blocks and rounded arches.  Family containment and personal itinerant.  These are the weathered walls and used bikes of Hanoi, Vietnam.

Good Bye Vietnam

Just wrapped up my Vietnam trip and am heading home via Japan.  The internet has been extremely lousy, so a ton of posts to follow.

Good bye Vietnam!

Drip, Drip, Drip, The Vietnamese Street Market.

Blood drips into a pan as freshly butchered meat hangs for sale in Chinatown, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Vietnamese street markets are raw and provide the necessities for life. The street markets are open daily, starting before sunrise and closing after 10 pm.  Activity is highest early in the morning before people head to work, but the pace is consistent througout the day.  Its not uncommon to see three different family members selling goods at the same shop througout the day (every family member has their own prices).