The tornado just fell into my lap

"Dawson Gorton, 9, far left, from Bear Breek is the last player the exit the field following an evacuation of the Football On The Rocks tournament at Founders Field due to a tornado in Castle Rock, Colo., on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008."

Today was an interesting day to say the least. While I was shooting a football tournament in Castle Rock this afternoon the fields were drenched in rain and hail. Shortly thereafter a tornado touched down off in the distance. I later found out that three touched down in the area.

Being the journalist that I am I quickly ran to my car, switched lenses and began shooting away. I didn't have my computer with me but luckily my sister lived all of 30 seconds from the field and I raced over to her house to look at the images. I found a few that I liked and gave the Rocky Mountain News photo desk a call to see if they could use anything. They asked me to send a few their way and after taking a look they bought one from me. I don't know if it's going to run just online or in print as well but be on the lookout.

So often I find myself racing out of the house to follow the police or fire department down Montview towards some spot news. Although I have had many attempts to get something good nothing ever got published for various reasons. Its funny how this one just fell into my lap and considering that I didn't have my computer with me really cemented the fact that spot news is 10% photographic skill and 90% luck.

-JCE

www.jcedmonds.com

Is it always 105 degrees?

"Kelly Schaich looks out over the Arizona State campus outside of Gammage theater in Tempe, Ariz., on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008"

I spent the past four days in Phoenix/Tempe/Scottsdale visiting some friends and thought that I should post something before I head to bed.

I have been to the Phoenix metro area a few times before but it was never in the summer months. I quickly found myself asking my friends "is it always 105 degrees?" It was even 90+ at night. Thankfully air conditioning is ubiquitous and Kelly had a pool at her house that we put to good use. It was unnecessarily hot but by the third day my body just re-acclimated and it really wasn't all that bad. That's not to say that I would want to live there the entire summer though.

I have back-to-back early mornings shooting a football tournament this weekend but thankfully I'm back in Colorado and enjoying the weather where the high temperature will never reach the low temp in Phoenix. You gotta love Colorado.

Night.

-JCE

www.jcedmonds.com

Is it always 105 degrees?

Sunday stroll with the Meals girls

"Liz Meals shares a laugh with sister Rainy (not pictured) while posing for a portrait in Boulder, Colo., on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008"

I spent a gorgeous Sunday afternoon up in Boulder with the Meals girls. Liz is a good friend of mine who goes to DU and her mom and sister were in town for the week visiting. Liz called me in the early afternoon and asked if I wanted to join them up in Boulder for the rest of the afternoon. 

I haven't been doing much lately so I was eager to just get out and enjoy a gorgeous Sunday afternoon. It has been raining all week here in Denver which was unfortunate for Liz's sister Rainy, no pun intended, and mom. When I left the house I had a sweater on because is was still overcast and unseasonably cool. I was really pleased when I pulled into my parking spot in Boulder because it was warm, sun shining and all. I quickly shed my sweater for the t-shirt underneath.

I met up with them soon thereafter and we walked CU's campus for a bit. Although I'm a Denver native I haven't been on CU's campus more than a dozen times so it was nice to walk around. I read somewhere that CU was ranked one of the most beautiful campuses in the country and it didn't disappoint. 

As always I had my camera with me so I made a few frames along the way.

We made a quick stop for some frozen custard before heading over to Pearl Street to walk around and shop. There are always a bunch of crazy characters and street performers along Pearl Street so its entertaining to say the least. I made a bunch of frames that I was really pleased with so it made my day that much better. For whatever reason I haven't gone out and just shot random stuff for myself lately. My internship is just over two weeks away so it is really important for me to keep making fresh, visually appealing images so that I'm not in a slump come Sept. 2nd on my first day.

After killing some time Liz, Rainy and myself met back up with their mom and family friends for dinner at the Walnut Brewery. My beer and burger combination was stellar and dessert wasn't too bad either. I recommend you try the place the next time you're up in Boulder.

I'm headed off to Phoenix for a couple of days to visit some friends. I'm NOT looking forward to the mid-100 degree weather but I am looking forward to working that warm light that the southwest is known for and bringing home some images that I can be pleased with.

-JCE

www.jcedmonds.com

Finding moments and seeing the light

I have been shooting quite a few weddings this summer so I thought that I update with some of my recent stuff, Enjoy!

I jumped in the van with the groomsmen to the venue since its something unique that you don't see everyday.

LOVE stuff like this because it make my job really easy. See the light, shoot the light!

Apparently this was a rock star wedding

YUM!

Sometimes its important to pull back and set the scene. In my opinion nothing says mountain wedding more than this.

The texture of this image really provides a nice contrast to that sparkly thing on her finger.

You would be surprised how few grooms know how to tie a tie. I think it took 5 guys to get it right I think.

Seeing things like this really make me pleased at the end of the day. I mean come on, who doesn't love Elvis?

It must be a sign...time to go!

The highlight on the groomsmen' jackets really allow the layering in this image to work.

This is another scene setter, groom, bride, reflection of Coors Field and the restaurant logo, Via, where they had their reception.

This was the first time I've ever had the executive chef invite me back into the kitchen to get some unique images.

WELCOME TO THE BIG TIME

"US Olympic Freestyle wrestler Mike Zadick, who competes at 60 kilograms, descends the Cog Trail, also known as The Incline, during team training in Manitou Springs, Colo., on Sunday, July 20, 2008." (Photo by Justin Edmonds for The New York Times)

You know that BIG assignment I was talking about? Well it finally ran today in The New York Times!!!!!!!! I told you it was a BIG publication didn't I?

I was on cloud nine when I got an email from the editor today explaining that I made the front page of nytimes.com and it made the print edition as well. The above image is an outtake from the assignment. I know you all want me to skip to the good stuff so you can check out the assignment online HERE!!!! You will need to sign up for a free account since the article is a day old now. I would chat about the experience but NYT staff writer Greg Bishop does an amazing job describing the intense experience in his article.

This morning I raced to Barnes and Nobles and bought all three copies that they had. When I got to the rack I flipped through what felt like page after page after page until I finally found the sports section in the very back. It was kind of surreal to see my byline followed by "for The New York Times." I had the store call another store at Southlands and hold their last two copies so that Deb, the Miracles on Ice director from the camp that I shot this week (see last blog post), could go and pick them up since she lives down the street.

Following getting my hands on a hard copy I texted what seemed like every single person in my phone and let them know. I got a lot of really great text messages back from my friends and family and I want to thank you all for your support. Big thanks to Brian, Brandon and Max for getting me started on this little journey way back on Nov. 5, 2006 during lunch at a little cafe in Milan, Italy. They convinced me to pursue my passion and talent and look where it has taken me thus far.

I also filed four images from the Miracles on Ice hockey camp with the Rocky Mountain News yesterday and I think that something will run with the story on Monday morning.

In addition to what seemed like the best day ever I also booked a wedding for next May, had a great time shooting a wedding with Greg Harring this evening and Greg asked me to join him again on the 16th for another one. Greg is a great guy, amazing shooter and a blast to work with. Luckily for me he loves my stuff and keeps asking me to shoot with him which is a real treat and pleasure.

I'm going to bed but I'll be sure to post a link for my stuff that runs in the Rocky on Monday.

-JCE

www.jcedmonds.com