An estimated 16000 fans visited an “open house” tour of the University of Michigan’s newly expanded Michigan Stadium football facilities, featuring two matching five-story towers that loom over the original bowl, adding chair-backed premium seating, and over 80 luxury suites. The “Big House” will be rededicated on Sept 4, 2010 at the season opener against Connecticut when it will reclaim the title of the largest stadium in the United States for college and/or professional football, with a seating capacity of 109,901.

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So I installed a remote camera at this year’s NCAA Frozen Four Championship Final, hoping to capture some good goal shots. The positioning at the rink was very limited, due to better positions reserved for the NCAA photog and Sports Illustrated… so I picked this angle behind the goalie and went as wide as I could. After picking out the couple of goal shots, I figured since i took frames throughout the game, this may look cool as a timelapse of the game. Enjoy!

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Last week Michigan and Michigan State faced off in part1 of their annual two game interstate skirmish and it was a doozy. Aside from catching your’s truly in the highlight above (white shirt on baseline), see Manny Fresh’s pretty quality face kick of Kalin Lucas. Take that little bro! (yes yes little bro then exacted revenge by draining a game winner…)

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So, follow the jump link to see my Photos of the Year from 2009. They’re not necessarily the “best” images in terms of execution or action pictured, but were certainly what I thought were cool or funny or interesting. The pictures are presented chronologically through 2009.

Enjoy and Happy New Year!

This shot still makes me chuckle

What a moment.Sheer anxiety one second, sheer happiness next

I hung out with Beilein in his home day before the NCAAs

This is what i call an accidental surprise. That stupid thing basically blocked my mount the rest of the game…

Can you spot me in this overhead?

I could swear Crosby was about to drop that on me as I back-stepped into the lockerroom in front of him.

It took way too much arm-twisting to convince the PGA to let me take this shot, with my Canon G-10, on silent.

Rocco is always a fan favorite

What he couldn’t imagine happening months later…

Last hole Tiger Woods would ever play in Michigan?

ESPN actually used this, uncropped. Kinda foreshadows season

These guys just wanted to chill

Two extremely media savvy freshman

Some idiot photog behind me says they looked like groom atop a wedding cake…so the boys took it to heart!

This kid had the best Inge at-bat impression. It was spot on.

“Chucky” literally strutted his way off the bus, haha

Priceless

This image was probably my most published this year

Even though this frame is a lot stronger…

Weise knew he was done for

One of my fav sportraits

Joey willed his Twins past us (Tigers) to end our season

My fav shot from Tigers this season. If you know the Skipper, he NEVER comes out to the third-base side… Oh Grandy how we’ll miss ya!

DRob just could not keep his hands on that football!

Fabio anyone?

Sea of Red in Blue’s House

A pair of drumsticks

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Forcier gave everything he had in the downpour

I shot the game this time not for the AP, but a sports magazine. So, since my shots won’t be published for quite a while, I thought i’d share some of my favs. They’re a lot less of on-field action and more of the atmosphere surrounding this wet, wild game. Enjoy!

Tailgates at cow schools include fake cow rides

What's better than getting drunk on a lawn next to a muddy pit?

Love that kid's red shoes!

Michigan Band marches to stadium

That looks like a stuffed bear wearing a blue shirt being hung...

At least these guys weren't flashing the bird

"Tate, I am your father."

Chad Henne ate it trying what MSU #33's doing here in 2007

Sparty's hardcourt cousins try a bench chain

Spartans defense stood up to the Force

Spartans quarterback Nichols has quite the arms

Forcier threw for over 200 yards, mainly in his come-back 80 yard drive

This was Forcier's spin move for a first down. #40 really coped a feel there instead of making a tackle

It was incredible to see the determination in Tate's eyes as he willed Michigan back

Sparty got to keep their butt-ugly trophy...one of these days they'll end up burning it with a couch by accident

Dantonio gave me the death eye glare and shoo'd me outta this prayer circle when i tried to kneel with them by the flag...

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Jason Geil/The Cincinnati Post

Hey photogs,

Here’s an oft-discussed and old topic that I’ve recently thought about and I’m hoping to see your takes on the subject…

http://www.reuters.com/article/RCOMUS_NWS/idUSRTXDGA7

Basically, i think you’ve all encountered, or even shot photos where the horizon was purposely tilted for dramatic compositional effect. Personally, i’ve never like it. I think its a huge cliché and way over-used by wedding photographers, etc (i’m biased against that stuff as some of you know). But, I do occasionally see photojournalists employ the technique, whether on-purpose or accidental, and i’ve come to realize their occasional appropriateness, nay brilliance, when employed correctly.

So, what do you guys think?

- Do you share the belief that news photos should always convey scenes in the most ‘natural’ angles and views?

- Is it ethical to tilt? Can it be both appropriate and when can it be inappropriate? (I just find myself artistically challenged so that’s probably why i’ve shunned the technique…)

- Is it just a stupid fad?

Here’s two photog’s views, first FOR, and the other AGAINST (above image from him):
http://www.aperculture.com/aperculture-blog/2008/9/30/when-in-doubt-tilt.html

http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/photos/2006/12/tilt-frame-ugg.asp

Finally, a quick fun (but deep?) question to chew on: What type of photojournalist are you?
See the 3 types here: http://blog.kevinmoloney.com/?p=196

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Recently, i’ve had problem with one of my macbooks, (late 2008 unibody model) and diagnosed it with a bad optical disc drive… can’t tell you how many of these suckers i’ve killed in all my years.

So, since it was still under warranty, and i’m a professional, i had the replacement drive sent to me and thus replaced it. Since its the first time i’ve opened up this particular laptop, i thought i’d post a few shots.

The MPB with back case cover removed to show logic board

Nothing too exceptional with these unibody MBPs, compared to the older models of yore, although i do admit it’s a lot easier to service from the number of screws (only 8!) you have to remove. The unibody design is definitely light-years ahead of any other computer maker, and it shows inside, kinda like looking at the well-tuned, well thought-out engine compartment of a fine German sports coupe…

One particularly interesting “technology” included in these new Apple laptops are what they call “submersion sensors”. Basically, they’re little round stickers placed inside the machine that turn red-herring pink if they come in contact with too much moisture. It allows AppleCare to say your laptop suffered water damage and thus your warranty is void. Bummer. Luckily, looks like my laptop’s sensors are still bright virgin white… even though the machine has definitely lived through some thunderstorms this summer in Comerica Park.

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You’re Welcome.

Check out fresh Michigan Football Fall Camp:

Michigan Football Fall Camp 2009

And the awesomeness that is Tiger Woods, clenching what was probably the last ever Buick Open (sad):

Tiger Woods at 2009 Buick Open

(More in the two galleries when you click on the above pics)

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Be sure to use full-screen, because the vids are hi-def and scale well. Enjoy and comments welcomed!

[Watch on YouTube]

PS:

I found another loose clip (part 5 of old tutorial) that’s on YouTube now too. This one covers using Variables in PhotoMechanic:

[Watch on YouTube]

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Snag this QBForce desktop to get pumped for season's start

My good friend Clif Reeder once said it best that the only reason he keeps on taking photos is for making computer desktop background wallpapers. I totally agree with him. Often times, i catch myself taking a certain photo or composing shots in certain ways (wide, landscape) that lend to the possibility of making a new desktop image.

Recently, I’ve given a number of people my images of athletes or teams they’re fans of. This impressed upon me that a lot more people may be interested in some free wallpapers.

So, from now on, i’ll start posting free downloadable desktop wallpaper images whenever I create one for myself. They’ll be collected in the new “Freebies” section of my blog. Take them as they are, i’m sure most of you won’t care much about my choices. Feel free to send me requests though!

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