Top 20 of 2012

Team Rocket (Eric Hansen and Ken Fowler) crisscross as the sun sets behind them in the Twilight Air Show at the Chico Airport Friday September 28, 2012 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley /Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico High's Anthony Rodriguez (65) reacts to a interception against Pleasant Valley High in the fourth quarter of their Almond Bowl football game at CSUC University Stadium Friday, October 26, 2012 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley /Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's Hannah Womack (left) collides with Western Washington's Trishi Williams (right) when going for a loose ball in the second half of their women's basketball game at CSUC Acker Gym Friday, December 7, 2012 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Enterprise-Record)

Chico High competes against Pleasant Valley High's Gracie Hernandez (top) leaps from the platform as Kimberly Harbert (bottom) touches the wall in the 200 Medley Relay during their swim meet at In Motion Fitness Wednesday October 10, 2012 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley /Chico Enterprise-Record) 

A double rainbow reaches across the sky over Bidwell Ranch at the entrance of upper Bidwell Park Friday, November 30, 2012 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Enterprise-Record)

Durham High's Eric Shanks bleeds from the head after being knocked down against Willows High's Eduardo Briones (not seen) on an attempt to score at home plate in the bottom of the sixth inning during their baseball game at Butte College's Cowan field Saturday, May 19, 2012 in Oroville, Calif. Shanks was called safe because of obstruction, though suffered a bleeding laceration to the head on the play.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte College's Solomon Means (24, right) flips Shasta College's Tevin Slaton (8, center) on a tackle in the second quarter of their football game at Cowan Stadium Saturday, September 15, 2012 in Oroville, Calif. 

(Jason Halley /Chico Enterprise-Record)

Fire within the smoke column of the Chips Fire moves toward the shoreline of Butt Valley Reservoir as it continues to grow Saturday, August 11, 2012 in West Lake Almanor, Calif. 

(Jason Halley /Chico Enterprise-Record)

Hamilton High celebrates a win against Modoc High after the fourth quarter of their football game at HHS Friday, November 16, 2012 in Hamilton City, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cal Fire - Butte County firefighters Jason Signes (left) and Jason Hawkins (right) battle a house on Royal Meadows Lane, off Neal Road in south Paradise, burns Friday afternoon as Cal Fire-Butte County, Paradise, Chico and volunteer firefighters try to keep the flames from spreading Friday, August 3, 2012 in Paradise, Calif. 

(Jason Halley /Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Police officer Jeramie Struthers (left) looks at the blood on his hand as he arrest Devin Walker, 20 (center), for shoplifting JCPenny and resisting arrest which led officers on a foot pursuit from the Chico Mall across Hwy 99 into Michael's where he was detained by Butte County Sheriff on Saturday June 2, 2012 in Chico, Calif. Walker was injured with a laceration to the chin during the pursuit and treated on scene.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Hamilton City Volunteer Fire Protection District firefighters Danny Andreasen Jr. (left) and Dustyn Sousa (right) wait around with not much to do with the little over 1900 tubers took to the 58 degree cold waters of the Sacramento River for tubing Labor Day Weekend Saturday, September 1, 2012 in Hamilton City, Calif. 

(Jason Halley /Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cal Fire-Butte County firefighter John Gaddie along with Chico FIre, and Chico Fire Company 1 volunteer firefighters respond to a engulfed apartment structure fire in the 200 block of W 22nd St. that displaced at least one family Friday, November 9, 2012 in Chico, Calif. The family included a father with his 19-yr-old son and four younger daughters. The residence had its electricity recently turned off. Cause is still under investigation. The son was alerted by her sister screaming with smoke in one of the bedrooms. The family evacuated the residence as firefighters arrived to scene with the upstairs unit in flames. Other units were also damaged from smoke and water. Red Cross was called to help the displaced family. No injuries were reported at this time. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Sergeant Ethan White holds his daughter Elle White, 10 months, as members of the National Guard are honored for their tour of duty at the Freedom Salute Campaign at the Elks Lodge Saturday, February 18, 2012 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record) 

Chico Police offier Tony Ferreira (left) and det. Terry Tupper (center) talk to a young man who was given an minor in possession as they tend to unruly crowds along Ivy St. as early César Chavez festivities take place the day before the actual holiday on Friday, March 30, 2012 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record) 

Jacob Asher, 16, flips into the Feather River underneath the green bridge along Washington Ave. Thursday, August 2, 2012 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley /Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte County Sheriff deputy Dan Angel (center) and other units search the alley between Oakdale St. and Broadway near 12th St.  for a suspect who ran through backyards after fleeing on foot following a police pursuit near 12th and Broadway Thursday, February 2, 2012 in Chico, Calif. Butte County Sheriff first attempted to make a traffic stop at 9th St. and Ivy on a Mercury Cougar that failed to signal making a turn onto Ivy, when the suspect failed to yield and a pursuit with unsafe speeds up to 55mph led officers in chase down Ivy to 11th st turning onto Broadway attempting to head down 12th st. when the suspects vehicle spun out turning around and accelerating into the Sheriff patrol car that was closing in. The male driver fled on foot after the collision and a female passenger, Stephania Gulbronson, 25, attempted to assault a Sheriff deputy wtih a 3" fixed blade knife. Gulbronson was taken into custody and will be charged with assult with a deadly weapon. The male suspect fled into nearby backyards jumping fences. A perimeter was set up as Sheriff units called Chico Police and K-9 to assist in the search of the male suspect, which turned up negative. Sheriff have leads to the identity of the male suspect which they are investigating and the reason the suspect fled was undetermined at the time. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record) 

Nick Wright wipes his brow as he is interviewed for the American Homecomings project in his home as he discusses his life as a civilian after serving in the armed services Thursday, April 26, 2012 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico firefighters Jesse Campos, opens a vent in the roof of an active attic fire at a home at 18 Woodside Lane Friday, August 10, 2012 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record) 

Chico State student Taylor Lord, 20, walk underneath her umbrella over fallen leaves along Salem Street near W. 3rd Street on Thursday, November 29, 2012 in Chico, Calif. Lord was on her way to a class on CSUC campus. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Seasonal Changes

I spent the last 3 months going out to the Esplanade to photograph the seasons changing from late Summer to early Winter. I have completed my short project and was quite pleased how it came out. While the seasons weren't over a complete year, it was nice to see a good amount of change. I'll have to think of ways to expand the project to more areas. I love how photography captures a moment in time and we can reflect on the history of the image. 

The seasonal change from Fall to Winter is seen as leaves change color in the trees in a series of photographs taken along the Esplanade near Memorial Way on four separate occasions; Wednesday, October 12, 2011, Friday, November 11, 2011, Friday, November 25, 2011, and Friday, December 16, 2011 (displayed top to bottom, left to right) in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The seasonal change from Fall to Winter is seen as leaves change color in the trees in a series of photographs taken along the Esplanade near Memorial Way on four separate occasions; Wednesday, October 12, 2011, Friday, November 11, 2011, Friday, November 25, 2011, and Friday, December 16, 2011 (displayed top to bottom, left to right) in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The seasonal change from Fall to Winter is seen as leaves change color in the trees in a series of photographs taken along the Esplanade near Memorial Way on four separate occasions; Wednesday, October 12, 2011, Friday, November 11, 2011, Friday, November 25, 2011, and Friday, December 16, 2011 (displayed top to bottom, left to right) in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The seasonal change from Fall to Winter is seen as leaves change color in the trees in a series of photographs taken along the Esplanade near Memorial Way on four separate occasions; Thursday, October 20, 2011, Friday, November 11, 2011, Friday, November 25, 2011, and Friday, December 16, 2011 (displayed top to bottom, left to right) in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A Monk's Mission

Venerable Lama Losang Samten has visited Chico before. This modest monk is at it again creating a sand mandalas at the Chico State campus. He spends hours and days working on creating a sand artwork that is truly a beautiful sight. Then, after it is finished, he sweeps up the sand and it is over. Just like that, something he work to hard and long on is gone. That is like me taking my pictures, and then deleting them. As my friends know me, I don't delete anything. Not even the out of focus or wrongly exposed. I couldn't do it. I guess that's why I'm not a monk.

Venerable Lama Losang Samten works on his sand mandalas at Chico State in the Bell Memorial Union on the CSUC campus Friday, February 18, 2011 in Chico, Calif. Samten, a Tibetan monk, will begin work on the Mandala of Compassion on Feb. 14 and finish on March 5th.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

See full post...

Portrait of an Artist

I had the pleasure of meeting local Chico artist Jake Early. He has created a popular printmaking series and just released a new set of prints. I spent some time with him at Chico Paper Company. Early was a good sport about the photo shoot. I even was able to try a non traditional pose using his print as a backdrop for him. I don't know if it was my favorite shot, but it just goes to show the variety of tasks that I have to undertake as a photographer.

Chico artist Jake Early shows off his newest prints for Lundberg Farms at Chico Paper Company Saturday, August 21, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico artist Jake Early shows off his newest prints for the Highway One series at Chico Paper Company Saturday, August 21, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico artist Jake Early shows off one of four newest prints for Lundberg Farms at Chico Paper Company Saturday, August 21, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

8FPS: CUSD Art Center

The Chico Unified School District held a special meeting inside the new Art Center on the PVHS campus. I got a special look inside the new performing arts facility. It was HUGE! I was mighty impressed with the beauty of this place. It was really hard to capture the grandeur. It will be such a great site for community productions. With Chico being such a big art venue I hope this will continue to educate and inspire young kids to take a passion in the arts. While there was no photography studio (eh, eh, wink, wink), the possibilities for theatre and performing arts will be great to come into the spotlight. Here are eight shots from the tour.

Mary Lou Lim (center) sits and listens to Chico Unified School District Board of Trustees who held a special meeting in the CUSD Arts Center at the Pleasant Valley High campus Wednesday, June 30, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Unified School District Board of Trustees held a special meeting in the CUSD Arts Center at the Pleasant Valley High campus Wednesday, June 30, 2010 in Chico, Calif. The group took a tour of the facility at PVHS, which is the first official use as a meeting venue. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The main atrium is toured by Chico Unified School District Board of Trustees and others in the CUSD Arts Center at the Pleasant Valley High campus Wednesday. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Patrick Bossetti (left) opens one of the lockers inside the hallway of the CUSD Arts Center. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Bob Feaster stands inside a small practice room in the CUSD Art Center. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Just some of the 200 light fixtures hang above Chico Unified School District Board of Trustees who held a special meeting in the CUSD Arts Center at the Pleasant Valley High campus Wednesday, June 30, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Patrick Bossetti (left) talks to Deborah Jorritsma (right), of Chico Community Ballet, about facilities inside the CUSD Arts Center where Chico Unified School District Board of Trustees held a special meeting in the CUSD Arts Center. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The entrance to the CUSD Arts Center at the Pleasant Valley High campus is near complete Wednesday, June 30, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Welcome Back Annie's Glen

 Bidwell Park reconnected with an old friend.  The City of Chico held a ribbon cutting for its completion of the Annie Glen bike way under-crossing. Annie's Glen, located near Mangrove Ave and Vallombrosa Ave, has been a part of Bidwell Park for a very long time. It recently was reunited via a bike way that cuts below Mangrove Ave, which created a division in the Lower Park area. Now bicyclists do not have to cut across busy streets to get from one side to the other. It also allows for a safer bike route for children going and coming to local schools. In addition to the tunnel being completed, it was decorated with tiles from students to give it a very nice beautification. 

The east entrance leading Annie's Glen is seen as the City of Chico dedicated its Annie's Glen Bikeway during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Janice Hofmann (left) talks with Todo Best (right) who points out her son's tile as the City of Chico dedicated its Annie's Glen Bikeway during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

   

California Poppies Pop Up

Spring is here and the sun is shining. Poppies are opening up in fields all around Chico. They are so vibrant and go well with a deep, blue sky. I never really look through the camera when taking pictures of the poppies. I can't even get that low. I place the camera on the ground and point it to look up. It is a great viewpoint of the flower. They stand tall towering high in the sky, even though they are only about 6 inches up. I always enjoy taking pictures of them.

A bug's shadow is seen crawling up one of the California poppies that pop up from the sunlight in an open field behind the Chico Mall parking lot Tuesday, April 6, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/staff photo)

Windy Weeds

Tuesday's weather was very windy. With having a light day, I was able to focus on a weather photo for wild art. I drove around town trying to find something. You can imagine this gets pretty tedious after doing it for 5 years. You get to see the same things. I saw a photo in a magazine that showed a bush taken with a slow shutter speed to show movement. I decided that I would try to get that same effect to show the windy day. 

I spotted a field north of town that hand a lot of mustard weeds growing. They were bright yellow, and though not a flower, still pretty. I made my aperture as small as it would go at f/22. I was taking a lot of shots, but because it was so bright outside, I couldn't get my shutter speed slow enough to get the motion effect I wanted. I remembered I had a pair of Dollar Tree sunglasses (worth $1) that I could use to block some of the light. I used the sunglasses as a filter to get a slower shutter speed.

This worked and I decided to find my shot. There was a newly built model home that when angled right I could place it atop a field of these mustard weeds. The weeds were moving all around in the wind and the shot created a feeling of a sea of plants.

The wind whips around mustard weeds atop a hill near a home along DeGarmo Dr. near Bamboo Orchard on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

I enjoy the times I can take time to be creative. The sunglasses took away a little bit of the sharpness and color accuracy, but I couldn't have slowed down the shutter without it. Who would have thought $1 pair of sunglasses would be such an important part of my photography gear.

McManus Mural Made by Many

A very colorful story as I went out to cover two groups of art students create a mural on the buildings of McManus Elementary School Wednesday. The students were from Pleasant Valley High School and Chico State art majors. They worked together to paint a very bright and colorful mural with a puzzle and animal theme. It looked really nice and is one of the largest murals in town. I love images that have so much color in them. The sun was overhead positioned as a backlight to the subjects leaving not the best conditions for images, but the colors still really came out. 

CSUC studio art major, Zack Stephens, 20, pains the puzzle outline as he works on a mural with a Pleasant Valley Art program and CSUC Art students at McManus Elementary School Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Eli Stafford, 6, a kindergartener at McManus Elementary School (right) gives his input to the paint job on the mural that a Pleasant Valley Art program and CSUC Art students work on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The yellow paint awaits to be used for a Pleasant Valley Art program and CSUC Art students mural at McManus Elementary School Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

PVHS student Pierce Hutler, 17, paint a section of a mural that a Pleasant Valley Art program and CSUC Art students work on at McManus Elementary School Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

CSUC studio art major, Lydia Thompson, 19, works on painting near the outline of a horse as a Pleasant Valley Art program and CSUC Art students work on at McManus Elementary School Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A Pleasant Valley Art program and CSUC Art students work on a mural at McManus Elementary School Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Studio Art Major, Vanessa Lang, 23, paints yellow onto the wall that a Pleasant Valley Art program and CSUC Art students work on at McManus Elementary School Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Tell me what you think? What is your favorite?

Email me at propixelographer@gmail.com