Boston Red Sox Photos: Tuesday, September 17, 2013 vs. Baltimore Orioles.

"Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter is interviewed in the visitor's dugout before a game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, September 7, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts."
“Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter is interviewed in the visitor’s dugout before a game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, September 7, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.”
"Boston Red Sox catcher David Ross playfully tugs on the beard of second baseman Dustin Pedroia after Pedroia hit a solo home run during the first inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles Tuesday, September 7, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts."
“Boston Red Sox catcher David Ross playfully tugs on the beard of second baseman Dustin Pedroia after Pedroia hit a solo home run during the first inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles Tuesday, September 7, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.”
"Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis hits a home run during the sixth inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The home run was Davis' 51st of the season, breaking the Baltimore Orioles all-time franchise record for home runs in a single season, previously held by Brady Anderson."
“Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis hits a solo home run during the sixth inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The home run was Davis’ 51st of the season, breaking the Baltimore Orioles all-time franchise record for home runs in a single season, previously held by Brady Anderson.”
"Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz reacts after striking out during the eighth inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts."
“Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz reacts after striking out during the eighth inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.”
"Boston Red Sox shortstop Stephen Drew reacts after striking out during the sixth inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts."
“Boston Red Sox shortstop Stephen Drew reacts after striking out during the sixth inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.”
"Baltimore Orioles outfielders Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, and Nate McLouth celebrate in center field after defeating the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, September 7, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts."
“Baltimore Orioles outfielders Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, and Nate McLouth celebrate in center field after defeating the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, September 7, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.”

The Orioles are in town for a critical three-game series against the Sox. Baltimore finds themselves in the middle of a tight race for a wild-card spot in the postseason, while Boston entered the series with a magic number of 4 games to win the American League East division.

The O’s were able to sneak out a win last night, powered by a home run by the other main storyline of this series, first baseman Chris Davis. In the sixth inning, he hit his league-leading 51st home run, which broke the Baltimore Orioles all-time franchise record previously held by Brady Anderson, who hit 50 in 1996.

As a baseball fan who grew up in Baltimore watching Brady Anderson and the rest of those 90’s Orioles teams, it was neat to be on hand to shoot the record being broken. And, given my two previous seasons shooting for Baltimore, I was able to pass those photos along for Orioles marketing and social media

That being said, I’m no mole, and for the record I’m still rooting (and shooting) for the Sox come playoff time. 

Boston Red Sox Photos: Opening Day 2013.

"The Boston Red Sox host a pre-game ceremony during the 2013 home opener at Fenway Park Monday, April 9, 2013."
“The Boston Red Sox host a pre-game ceremony during the 2013 home opener at Fenway Park Monday, April 9, 2013.”

"The Boston Red Sox host a pre-game ceremony during the 2013 home opener at Fenway Park Monday, April 9, 2013."
“Fans atop the Green Monster at Fenway Park watch the first inning of the Boston Red Sox 2013 home opener against the Baltimore Orioles Monday, April 9, 2013.”

"The Boston Red Sox host a pre-game ceremony during the 2013 home opener at Fenway Park Monday, April 9, 2013."
“An American flag covers the Green Monster at Fenway Park during a pre-game ceremony at the Boston Red Sox 2013 home opener Monday, April 9, 2013.”

"The Boston Red Sox host a pre-game ceremony during the 2013 home opener at Fenway Park Monday, April 9, 2013."
“Members of the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles line up during a pre-game ceremony at the Boston Red Sox 2013 home opener at Fenway Park Monday, April 9, 2013.”

"The Boston Red Sox host a pre-game ceremony during the 2013 home opener at Fenway Park Monday, April 9, 2013."
“A member of the grounds crew prepares the infield dirt before the 2013 Boston Red Sox home opener at Fenway Park Monday, April 9, 2013.”

"The Boston Red Sox host a pre-game ceremony during the 2013 home opener at Fenway Park Monday, April 9, 2013."
“Fungo baseball bats are lined up along the Baltimore Orioles dugout at Fenway Park before the Boston Red Sox 2013 home opener Monday, April 9, 2013.”

"Batting helmets are lined up inside the Baltimore Orioles dugout at Fenway Park before the Boston Red Sox 2013 home opener Monday, April 9, 2013."
“Batting helmets are lined up inside the Baltimore Orioles dugout at Fenway Park before the Boston Red Sox 2013 home opener Monday, April 9, 2013.”

It’s hard to believe time has passed so quickly, but yesterday marked the start of my fourth season working as a photographer in Major League Baseball. 

I always love Opening Day, and yesterday at Fenway Park was no exception. We caught a break from the freezing cold that we’ve had up here in Boston, and had a beautiful, sunny, warm afternoon to work in. That, along with all the other familiar sights and sounds that make baseball so perfect, was rejuvenating to say the least. 

It made for a long day, beginning with a 5:00 A.M. arrival at the ballpark and ending with night class and a few hours of editing in the lab at Boston University, but a great day nonetheless. 

Here are some images I made from the pre-game ceremonies and the general scene around Fenway. I threw in a bit of orange and black as well.

It was fantastic to see all the Boston photographers back in the same place, and a pleasure to meet some new ones. Plus, the Red Sox took on my hometown heroes, the Baltimore Orioles.

My two favorite teams and a fresh start. A dream come true for this guy.

Here’s to another season!

A Baseball Byline.

"An Umpire's Attendant picks up a foul ball during a Major League Baseball game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland Friday, September 18, 2009."

I just wanted to make a quick post to document a new byline I’m adding to my portfolio. This time, it’s from Baltimore Magazine, which I’d never been published in before.

This is a photo gallery to accompany an article about the 20th anniversary of Camden Yards. The link to the gallery is here.

I shot photo numbers 20 and 24, and I scanned and edited the old, classic photos of Camden Yards from the Orioles archives season. 

I must admit, it’s been a bit strange not working in Baltimore for the start of the season, as I had shot the past three Opening Days there. That being said, I’m so ready for the Red Sox to come to down for Opening Day at Fenway Parks this Friday. 

From the archives.

"Baltimore Orioles teammates congratulate left fielder Nolan Reimold as he runs toward home plate after hitting a two run walk off home run in the bottom of the tenth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Wednesday, August 10, 2011. The Orioles won 6-4."

Here’s one of my all-time favorites! I just came across this one as I was searching through my archives. 

A nice, exciting, colorful jolt of energy to contrast the dreary weather we’ve had all week. 

Magazine Cover Photo: Nick Markakis

"Young Harris College 'Echoes' alumni magazine: Fall/Winter 2011 Cover."

Here’s my first formal magazine cover!

While I was working as a photographer for the Baltimore Orioles this summer, editors of the “Echoes” alumni magazine at Young Harris College in northern Georgia contacted me requesting photos of Orioles right fielder, Nick Markakis, for a cover story they planned to run about him. If you weren’t aware, Markakis played his college ball at Young Harris. 

Click here to see the rest of the magazine, as well as the article itself, which includes more photos. 

This is a low resolution version of the cover, so I’ll be sure to post a better image once I get a hard copy of the magazine. Regardless, this is a great addition to my portfolio!

Hopefully this will be the first of many covers to come. 

Reflections: Year two at the Baltimore Orioles

"Baltimore Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis hits a home run during a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians Saturday, July 16, 2011."

I’m here at the yard for the last day of my second year as a photographer for the Baltimore Orioles. What can I say? It was another amazing summer consumed by two of my favorite things in life: photography and baseball. 

I did a lot this year. Since I got here in mid-June, I shot 30 home games. I also traveled with players to various community outreach events throughout Baltimore City and County. Many of my photographs were published in this year’s third edition of Orioles Magazine, as well as several Baltimore newspapers and community publications. I also worked tirelessly on the Orioles photography archives, which are in the ridiculously long process of being categorized and converted to digital format. Over these past several months, I scanned, in their entirety, the files of 60 players dating back to 1954. In total, I scanned over 4,000 images, but likely closer to 4,500. I also fulfilled image requests from other departments, local media outlets, and other teams throughout the league. 

It’s a little bittersweet now that it’s over. I love every second of being out there on the field right where the action is, and for me, shooting the games never gets old. At the same time, though, this job is intense, and can be extremely time consuming. Needless to say, I’m excited for a bit of a break after lots of hard work. I also know that I won’t miss much action during the offseason (besides the annoying sound of the scanners next to my computer all day long.)

What I will miss, of course, are the people who make this such an incredible experience for me. I owe my most sincere thanks to Todd Olszewski, the team photographer, for calling me back this year, imparting his photo expertise on me, and constantly inspiring me with his work. I also owe thanks to all the photographers I work alongside at each game for making work such an enjoyable place to come to every day, and for their advice and wisdom about this profession. 

I’m not quite sure what’s next, but I know something great will come up. Until then, here’s to two seasons!

Dino.

"Baltimore Orioles second baseman Robert Andino hits a walk off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Wednesday, September 28, 2011 in Baltimore. The Orioles won 4-3, eliminating Boston from making the playoffs."
"Baltimore Orioles second baseman Robert Andino walks leaves the field after hitting an RBI walk off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Boston Red Sox Wednesday, September 28, 2011 in Baltimore."

In 2009, on my last day as an intern with the Baltimore Orioles, Nolan Reimold hit an eleventh inning walk-off home run to give the Orioles a 5-4 win on the final game of the season. I remember that day perfectly. What better way to end a fantastic internship than a feel-good win to send me off?

Last Wednesday, nearly two years to the date of that last game in 2009, the Orioles again ended their season in dramatic, walk-off fashion, as Robert Andino hit a ninth inning walk-off RBI single to knock the Boston Red Sox out of the playoffs. 

I don’t want to sound old, but in all my years of playing, watching, and shooting baseball games, this is among the most memorable. The circumstances couldn’t have been scripted any better. The first shot here is Andino’s winning hit. The second is of him alone in the dugout after all the other players had cleared into the locker room. But for how much I’ll always remember that night as a whole, what happened in between these two moments is a complete blur to me. I always try to shoot without emotion, but in this case, that was just impossible. 

My celebration shots are garbage, to put it bluntly, but I was happy to capture this quieter moment in the midst of chaos. Dino has always been one of my favorites since I’ve been here. He’s not the biggest guy out there, but I’ve always loved his hustle. 

This last game’s “Thing I Learned:” It’s nights like this that make taking photos so enjoyable. 

Baltimore Orioles Photography: Wednesday, September 28, 2011 vs. Boston Red Sox

"Baltimore Orioles first baseman Mark Reynolds is tagged out at home by Boston Red Sox catcher Ryan Lavarnway in the fifth inning of a baseball game in Baltimore."
"Baltimore Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis looks on in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Wednesday, September 28, 2011 in Baltimore."

Here’s two that I liked from Wednesday night’s dramatic final game of the season. These were taken, of course, before the ridiculous 9th inning walk off win, which I’ll show in a separate post. 

A broken bat shot.

"Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters breaks his bat in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, September 27, 2011 in Baltimore."

I’ve been waiting all season for one of these to happen. Go figure it took me until game 161 to get it. I wish the bat had broken more, because I was all over this at-bat. This doesn’t look like much as far as broken-bat shots go, but I’m still happy I got one. 

Baltimore Orioles Video Highlight Reel: My Time

[wpvideo yaZu5KQp]

Here’s my first video work published for the Baltimore Orioles. This video ran on the scoreboard at Camden Yards between innings throughout the last month of the season. 

I owe a special thanks to Ben Epstein of Orioles Productions for his killer editing of this reel. Not all of the clips that appear in this video are mine, but most of them are. It’s a combination of footage I shot handheld with my Canon 7D and footage shot by the television camera crew. 

As for what to look for, I shot about every photo that appears in the opening montage, and my video clips have a more handheld look and play with focus and depth of field a lot more. I’d say they make for about 80% of the video. 

It feels great to have gotten some video published this season, and it was always wild to see my own work up on the scoreboard during games.