Merced Snapshots tag:mercedsnapshots.com,2009-09-10://1 2009-11-29T00:47:37Z The Merced Sun Star's Staff Photography Blog Movable Type 4.3-en Fall Colors tag:mercedsnapshots.com,2009://1.42 2009-11-29T00:26:12Z 2009-11-29T00:47:37Z I spent a beautiful afternoon in Applegate Park today, and after getting the more traditional person-in-fall-colors picture, I made my way down to the river for some more impressionistic shots. They might not reproduce well in the paper, so I... Bea Ahbeck http://www.mercedsnapshots.com

blog_fall27.jpg
blog_fall23.jpg
blog_fall17.jpg

blog_fall21.jpg
blog_fall3.jpg


]]> Sunset hoops tag:mercedsnapshots.com,2009://1.41 2009-11-10T02:58:29Z 2009-11-10T03:07:30Z While out looking for images for a long-term project I am working on, I came across a group of high school kids playing hoops at a park in Merced today. The sun was setting, and while exposing for the quickly... Bea Ahbeck http://www.mercedsnapshots.com
n10_hoops3.jpgn10_hoops1.jpgn10_hoops2.jpg


]]> Game reactions tag:mercedsnapshots.com,2009://1.33 2009-10-15T04:44:38Z 2009-10-15T05:48:14Z We shoot high school sports almost daily here at the paper. There are always two things we are looking for: good action and reaction. I was shooting the Le Grand vs. Mariposa volleyball match in Le Grand Wednesday night. Towards... Bea Ahbeck http://www.mercedsnapshots.com
volley1.jpg
volley2.jpg

]]> sunset kick-volleyball tag:mercedsnapshots.com,2009://1.28 2009-09-24T01:51:24Z 2009-09-24T02:06:38Z I was out wild-art hunting yesterday, or enterprising, or swinging by the b-line store, as it is also known in photojournalism circles. Basically, we cruise the streets or parks in search of something interesting to photograph, often on deadline... Bea Ahbeck http://www.mercedsnapshots.com

n23_sepaktakraw1_small.jpg

I was out wild-art hunting yesterday, or enterprising, or swinging by the b-line store, as it is also known in photojournalism circles. Basically, we cruise the streets or parks in search of something interesting to photograph, often on deadline for the following day's paper. One of my favorite stops for b-lines is Applegate Park, and yesterday was no different. I came across a group of men playing a sport similar to volleyball, called Sepak Takraw. Instead of using their hands and arms they can use their feet, chest, knee or head to move the ball, which is made of rattan. 

As the sun was setting the players were beautifully backlit, and I tried to catch the action of one of the players kicking the ball, only the outlines of him visible in the setting sun. 
]]> Last Day of Ramadan tag:mercedsnapshots.com,2009://1.23 2009-09-17T15:17:05Z 2009-09-17T15:20:34Z As Ramadan winds to a close, Muslims worldwide prepare to break the fast with the celebration of Eid, the last day of Ramadan, this Sunday.... Lisa James http://www.mercedsnapshots.com

As Ramadan winds to a close, Muslims worldwide prepare to break the fast with the celebration of Eid, the last day of Ramadan, this Sunday.

]]> Hair Maintenance tag:mercedsnapshots.com,2009://1.17 2009-09-17T13:54:25Z 2009-09-17T14:04:14Z Lisa James http://www.mercedsnapshots.com

]]> Jamari tag:mercedsnapshots.com,2009://1.15 2009-09-17T13:13:15Z 2009-09-17T16:16:06Z It was almost a year ago that a girl standing on Olive with a Car Wash sign in one hand and an adorable baby in the other caught my attention. When I pulled over her siblings and cousins were... Lisa James http://www.mercedsnapshots.com

It was almost a year ago that a girl standing on Olive with a Car Wash sign in one hand and an adorable baby in the other caught my attention. When I pulled over her siblings and cousins were making a day of washing cars and grilling with their Mom. Talking with them I learned they were out there for their brother and cousin Jamari Lloyd. Jamari was gunned down by a 15 year old boy in 2006 in a nearby parking lot. His killer, now 19, was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Monday.

BLOG_Jamari_3.jpg


BLOG_Jamari_5.jpg

]]> Golden Valley's Initiation Game tag:mercedsnapshots.com,2009://1.12 2009-09-17T00:01:00Z 2009-09-17T01:04:56Z Golden Valley's Cougar Stadium finally received stadium lights this summer allowing them to host their first ever home football night game on Friday, September 4th, 2009. As I arrived before the game the excitement was infectious. The Varsity players... Lisa James http://www.mercedsnapshots.com BLOG_GV Fball_2-new-CROP.jpg

Golden Valley's Cougar Stadium finally received stadium lights this summer allowing them to host their first ever home football night game on Friday, September 4th, 2009. As I arrived before the game the excitement was infectious. The Varsity players were warming up off to the side while the sun was setting, casting them in a beautiful golden light. I snapped this shot as Wide Receiver Justin Hamm leapt up to catch a pass. I particularly liked the shot for the fact that the Merced Welcome tower is looming over the scene, welcoming fans to the new field.

BLOG_GV Fball_1.jpg

A full moon was rising as Golden Valley's Varsity Team took to the field for their first ever night game on home turf. The Golden Valley Cougar's ending up winning against Monterey 44-37. Way to bring in the new stadium!
September 4th, 2009

More photos

]]> Emotions on the field tag:mercedsnapshots.com,2009://1.11 2009-09-16T22:57:41Z 2009-09-16T23:09:47Z Marci Stenberg http://www.mercedsnapshots.com




]]> Knock Knock tag:mercedsnapshots.com,2009://1.10 2009-09-16T21:04:53Z 2009-09-16T21:12:29Z Bea Ahbeck http://www.mercedsnapshots.com Alpaca!
Alpaca who?
Alpaca picnic lunch!
 alpacas12_small.jpg


]]> Looking Back tag:mercedsnapshots.com,2009://1.18 2009-09-16T20:16:50Z 2009-09-17T14:21:43Z Lisa James http://www.mercedsnapshots.com I lived in the Bay area before moving here last September. Sometimes I miss certain things about it. Like all the lush vegatation...only made possible by a constant blanket of fog...which I don't miss. This photo was taken from a car window while driving over the Panoramic Highway from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach.

]]> Circus comes to town tag:mercedsnapshots.com,2009://1.30 2009-06-23T02:11:09Z 2009-09-24T02:20:44Z When the Carson and Barnes Circus came to town in June it brought with it thousands of photographic opportunities for an avid shutterbug. I spent a lot of time backstage, where I captured this image of contortionist Kevin Sadrak, 18, as... Bea Ahbeck http://www.mercedsnapshots.com Kevin Sadrak, 18, as he was getting ready to enter the ring for his performance. I love the light in the picture, how the mist is lit up by the daylight coming in through the tent opening on the right. 

n23_circus1.jpgst is lit up by the daylight coming in through the tent opening on the right. 

]]> Eric Stands tag:mercedsnapshots.com,2009://1.13 2009-06-05T01:15:36Z 2009-09-17T15:26:27Z .Buhach Colony senior Eric Baker who was told he'd never walk again after he broke his neck and crushed his skull in a diving accident last fall stands long enough to accept his diploma between his teeth during the Buhach... Lisa James http://www.mercedsnapshots.com

Buhach Colony senior Eric Baker who was told he'd never walk again after he broke his neck and crushed his skull in a diving accident last fall stands long enough to accept his diploma between his teeth during the Buhach Colony graduation Thursday, June 4th, 2009.

With all the graduations happening that night, Marci and I were sent out to divide and conquer. James Burns had already been following Eric in his columns so we all knew he was going to try and stand. We just didn't know if he would.
One thing was for sure...We did not want to miss it! But I nearly did...
I bolted about 1/2 way through the Atwater graduation only to find my car blocked in. I had seen some people walk in after me. I had no idea if it was their car but I went after them...luckily it was.
When I pulled into Buhach I could hear the names already being called but there was nowhere to park! I finally parked on the grass and sprinted in there just in time to hear "Eric Baker". I hadn't even identified where the stage was yet. I just started running down an aisle, leaping over roped off areas and yelling out "Excuse me, I'm sorry". I got to the stage just as Eric was wheeling up the ramp. The crowds were going crazy!
It probably took him a good 2 minutes to stand but he did it! There was a huge crowd with enormous emotion pouring out from them.
People were talking about it for weeks after.
It's one of those moments as a photojournalist that I'll never forget.

]]> Tahitian Fete tag:mercedsnapshots.com,2009://1.22 2009-05-17T15:06:27Z 2009-09-17T15:08:18Z Lisa James http://www.mercedsnapshots.com

]]> Girl in Olive Grove tag:mercedsnapshots.com,2009://1.19 2009-04-27T14:27:51Z 2009-09-17T15:25:27Z Lisa James http://www.mercedsnapshots.com

]]>