Chico Enterprise-Record Best of 2011

Chico High's #5 Trevon Reid (left) and others pour a bucket of Gatorade on head coach Jason Alvistur (right) on a victory against Pleasant Valley High in the fourth quarter during their Almond Bowl XLI football game at CSUC University Stadium Friday, October 21, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Blue Oak 6th grade teacher Shannon O'Laughlin (third from left) consoles her students Simone Gustafson, 12, Veronica Lee, 11, Samantha Orneallas, 11, and Piper Mitchell, 11 (left to right) who embrace each other after they were caught up in the emotion with the Chico Unified School Board voting for an extension to Blue Oak Charter School for an additional 2 year plan during a school board meeting at PVHS library on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A slow exposure shows the movement of incoming Chico State freshmen students as they are welcomed to CSUC campus as they walk through Meriam Library during a Wildcat Welcome event and Wrectacular at the Wrec Center Friday, August 19, 2011 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Lightning strikes and rain falls over north Chico as seen from Upper Park  as a thunder and hail storm blew through the area creating havoc and power outages Wednesday, October 5, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico High's #10 Lauren Kaminski (left) watches #7 Alex Barney (center) be lifted by #9 Hannah Wagner and #12 Tori Williams (left to right) as they  celebrate their win against Red Bluff High in the bottom of the eighth inning during their Division II Northern Section softball championship game at Haines Field at CHS Saturday, May 21, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cal Fire - Butte County firefighters John Sylvia (left) and Keith Mapes (right) fight a structure fire that gave way to vegetation in the area surrounding the Honey Run Covered Bridge along Honey Run Rd., starting just after 1 p.m.Saturday, September 10, 2011 in Butte Creek Canyon, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico High's head coach Jason Alvister (bottom) argues to umpires for a call to be made on what he felt was a late hit on Trevon Reid against Paradise High in the second quarter of their football game at PVHS Asgard Yard Friday, September 30, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

James Favilla, 7 (right) waves a foam finger as he watches Chico Outlaws against Calgary Vipers in the top of the eighth inning during their baseball game at Nettleton Stadium Saturday, June 18, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Nearby residents Mitch Shute (left) and brother Travis Shute (right) use an extinguisher and shovel to help put out flames in an empty lot prior to the arrival of Chico Firefighters near 194 Panama Ave Thursday, June 16, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Douangchai Price, 23 (left) and Adam Price, 23 (right) spin upside-down as they ride the Ring of Fire as people enjoy attractions at the Silver Dollar Fair Friday, May 27, 2011 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Oroville Mercury-Register Best of 2011

Oroville Fire department fire engineer/fire investigator Marnie Gedney (left) uses her accelerant detection canine Roxy to sniff for any accelerants inside a unit that was destroyed by a fire in the Bunny's Leisure Apartment at 790 Montgomery St. Wednesday, January 19, 2011 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A merganser bird takes flight along the Feather River Wednesday, January 5, 2011 in Oroville, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Gymnast Megan Seegart (center) practices on the uneven bars as head coach Shaw Carter (right) looks on as part of the Oroville Gymnastics at the Spring Fling that showcased the Feather River Recreation and Park District’s recently acquired 43,000-square-foot Feather River Recreation and Activity Center, with tours, demonstrations by dance, karate and gym instructors, crafts for kids, a bounce house, face painting, barbecued hot dogs and a bake sale Saturday, April 9, 2011 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Two deer leap around the charred ground to escape the area as Cal-Fire Butte County firefighters knock down a small fire that burned an area between Hwy 70 and Table Mt Blvd north of Garden Dr. on Friday, September 2, 2011 in Oroville, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The North's #33 Cameron Nye (right) rushes against the South's #33 Frank Castro (left) in the third quarter of the Lions All-Star football game at Harrison Stadium Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Oroville, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Dew coats the grass and leaves at Riverbend Park Saturday, December 24, 2011 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Oroville High students toss their caps as they celebrate their graduation ceremony at Harrison Stadium Thursday, June 9, 2011 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Rain pours out from the clouds along Durham-Pentz Rd. during a storm Wednesday, June 1, 2011 in Butte Valley, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cal Fire - Butte County volunteer firefighter Buzz Landon, hoses down a vehicle fire that broke out after a rollover along Midway near E. Nelson Rd.Thursday, February 3, 2011 in Chico, Calif. CHP reports a solo female driver, Aaron Bowen, 18 of Yuba City, was driving a Ford Bronco southbound on Midway when she veered off the road and overcorrected rolling the vehicle which burst into flames. She escaped with the help of witnesses with minor injuries, mostly cuts and scrapes with complaint of pain. Bowen was transported to Oroville Medical Center. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Stars are seen over the Oroville Dam Spillway Thursday, June 9, 2011 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Sports Is Not All About the Action

The first thing you generally visualize about sports is the action. But as a photojournalist, there are many more stories from the games we see that the activity. Eri Yoshida has been a huge star both locally and nationally. Most people want to come to the game to see her pitch. She definitely has a unique style to her game. But after the first, second, third and even fourth game, her pitching is still the same. There needs to be another story.

The story I see is how Yoshida interacts with the other male members of the team. She laughs and high-fives with them just like one of the guys. She has been well excepted not just with the fans, but also her teammates.

Chico Outlaws' #3 Eri Yoshida (center) laughs with #5 Pascual Del Real (left) against the Na Koa Ikaika Maui before the start of the top of the first inning during their baseball game at Nettelton Stadium on Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Be Prepared for Allergy Assignments

Last Friday, news was slow. I decided a good idea would be to find some image that illustrated pollen or allergies. Yeah, not such a good idea. Most people get allergies in Chico during the Spring, even if they've never had any. I found a group of maintenance workers blowing debris around the parking lot of an apartment complex. You could see all the dust flying in the air. I thought to myself, "Perfect, that totally says allergies." The worker was even wearing a dust mask. I thought I would be real quick and get in there and then get out before it got too bad. Not the case. The last couple of days, I have been battling heavy allergy issues, and I believe it has turned into a sinus infection. Oh, the joys of creativity. I took Claritin in the morning, but that didn't prove to be enough. I guess I should have grabbed a mask from my car. It has been nice to have my wife take care of me, but I definitely need to rethink this assignment before I do it again. 

Cuauhtemoc Rocha wears a mask as he uses a leaf blower to blow out debris in the parking lot of Meadows Apartment Complex on Friday, May 7, 2010 in Chico, Calif. The high pollen has hit many people with allergies. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A portrait taken by my wife later that night shows the effects of photographing a leaf blower for an allergies story. I have been feeling the effects for the last couple of days. Thankfully she still loves me when I look like this. 

Thrill the World

This past Saturday, a bunch of zombies gathered downtown to thrill the world. And with Halloween approaching they weren't really scaring anyone. Instead a sea of spectators gathered to watch the group of over a hundred people that took part in "Thrill the World" event, a performance celebrating Michael Jackson's "Thriller". The group joined hundreds of other participants around the world that were suppose to dance around the same time together. I was surprised to see so many people involved. It was really great. Everyone likes Michael Jackson. And with his recent passing I believe it gave people more incentive to come out and watch. It was in a way, to pay homage to the great entertainer.

A group of zombies danced to Michael Jackson's Thriller for the Thrill the World event in City Plaza on Saturday, October 24, 2009 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cathy Small Tuttle (center) leads the group she organized for the Thrill the World event in City Plaza on Saturday, October 24, 2009 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Alejandra Mendez, 14 (top) peers up from lying on the ground with a group of zombies on the ground before they danced to Michael Jackson's Thriller. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Zombies lay on the ground waiting to be awakened by the sound of Michael Jackson's Thriller for the Thrill the World event. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Ron Jones, Jodi Sorenson, and Lisa Billingsley (left to right) warm up their dance moves as they get ready with a group of zombies that danced to Michael Jackson's Thriller for the Thrill the World event in City Plaza on Saturday, October 24, 2009 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Tell me what you think? Which one is your favorite? Email me at propixelographer@sbcglobal.net

Night Rescue Challenges Not Only Rescuers

Last week I had a breaking news assignment that brought challenges and excitement. A stranded climber was rescued in the dark on January 10, 2009. I received the call around 6:40pm that Butte County Search and Rescue had traveled up to Diversion Dam above Bear Hole to help rescue a “frequent free climber” who had become trapped on the canyon wall. I was coming from a Butte women’s basketball game when I decided to head to Upper Bidwell Park to see what would be done as a rescue for the man.

Butte County Search and Rescue Dan Newman, Tom Chisholm, and Brett Eagan (left to right) await orders as they work to help a man trapped on the edge of the canyon wall above Diversion Dam in Upper Bidwell Park Friday, January 10, 2009. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

CHP H-2 helicopter flies over Big Chico Creek to assist Rescue Techs in who were deployed to rappel down the canyon wall to help the victim. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte County Search and Rescue Dan Newman listens on the radio to CHP H-2 helicopter that transported rescue techs across the canyon. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The evening sun had disappeared behind the mountains as a full moon shone in the nightfall. With several fire trucks and emergency vehicles, there was plenty of light around the parking lot where they staged. However, I did not know how much light was around the victim. In fact I had no idea where the victim was located. Chico Fire’s Marie Fickert was on scene to give me information as to the condition of the climber. Luckily the man was not injured and was pretty secured on the cliff side. He just felt it unsafe to climb down or continue upward. A friend of his had called police. With the man not in need of a rushing rescue, emergency personnel took their time in order to make sure there was no faulty procedure. They could have worked much faster, but the victim was in communication and was OK waiting, as long as he would be safe.

A team of firefighters carry a ladder in the dark that will be used to help the victim cross the creek after he is rappelled down by rescue personnel. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A slow exposure is illuminated by the full moon that gave little light to the rescue personnel during their operation. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Shae Enrique, 30 from Gridley, is seen more than 100ft below rescue techs. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The conditions were very cold and dark. I could only count my blessings that the weather was not as cold as it had been and there was a full moon out to give some kind of light into the dark canyon. The low temperature that day was 34 degrees, and it sure felt colder. With little tree coverage, winds roar through the canyon giving a much colder wind chill. The other issue was that a CHP helicopter created a chilling wind as it was used to carry rescue techs across Big Chico Creek to rappel down to help the victim. It was nice that the man was OK, but dealing with low light and low temperatures made for a very different type of rescue. As the rescue techs began their rescue, I was able to see the operation from the other side. I tried to keep very still and not shiver as I was hand-holding the camera at 1 and 2 second exposures. When the spotlights were used I could speed it up to about 1/15 or 1/20 a second. I used my surroundings to give me more support. I leaned against the rocks and trees to brace myself for the slow exposures.

Shae Enrique, 30, is spotlighted by firefighters as he awaits to be rescued Friday night, January 10, 2009. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A team of 8 individuals, which included 3 Company 1 volunteers and 5 Rescue Techs made up from Chico Fire and Butte County Search and Rescue descend down more than 100 ft to help the Shae Enrique. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Shae Enrique, 30 from Gridley, is rescued by firefighter Steve Andrews after spending 4 hours trapped on the cliff side of Upper Park. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Shae Enrique, and firefighter Steve Andrews rappel down the canyon wall to safety after spending 4 hours trapped on the cliff side of Upper Park. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

I was able to take my time to take a lot of images. In the end, because the incident came without injury, it was pretty exciting. I managed to stay quite a bit. I wish I could have stayed till the end, but as always, deadline is waiting.

Searching For A Nice Portrait

Today I felt a little creative when I went to take a portrait for the Styles section's InnerView. I never know what to expect from these assignments when most of them occur over an interview with a reporter. Most of the InnerViews are features of individuals who are being recognized for things they did prior to the day of the shoot. There is no re-creation in my job. This generally makes it a time to capture a nice portrait photo so people can see a face that belongs to the story.

Today's InnerView was of a a woman named Jean Phillips who had polio as a young girl. She had make a lifelong commitment to help those with disabilities. Phillips was very nice and welcoming. She was confined to her bed in the living room of her home, but that didn't seem to get her down.

I started to photograph her in her environment with an overall shot, then some medium shots and a couple closeups. The images were nice, but it lacked the creativity of inspiration. When looking around for another shot I turned my back to Phillips, and to my excitement saw a mirror that was framed with pictures of kids. I asked Phillips, "Is this your family?" She responded, "Yes." The idea was set. I spent the next several minutes not even facing Phillips, but looking away from her taking shots of her reflected in the mirror.

Jean Phillips is reflected in a mirror framed with pictures of her family. Phillips had polio as a young woman and has a lifelong commitment to people with disabilities. She looks back at her life while in her home Wednesday January 7, 2009 in Orland, Calif. She has raised three daughters and received an award from Butte County Coordinating Council for making a difference for people with disabilities. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

I made sure my aperture was small enough so that the depth of field would pick up detail in the pictures, and have my subject in focus. Low light made it hard to hand hold at 1/20 a second. But a few turned out. I only needed one of her smiling, and I did.

Regular Week with Unregular Work(out)

Back to a regular work week with what was going to be just a regular Tuesday at the office. Students were back in school and I was beginning to look forward to shooting sports in the evening. Early in the shift I was in for a different treat.

The scanner called for a two vehicle accident on eastbound Skyway just above Tuscan Ridge with a vehicle fire. I quickly raced up the hill. The accident was actually just above Lookout Point when traffic began to back up. Normally in accidents, traffic can be a problem; but for most, a steady slow-moving pace is usually on the agenda. For this accident, the traffic was taken to a stand still in both lanes.

A two vehicle accident on the eastbound Skyway just east of Lookout Point caused major traffic jams and delays as CHP and Cal Fire - Butte County attended to the scene Tuesday, January 6, 2009 in Chico, CA. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

After being stopped for about two "ever-seemingly enduring" minutes I decided to pull my car off the side of the road and start running. I luckily consider myself young enough to foot race to many assignments, though, every year that distance seems to get longer and longer. This accident to which I thought was just around the bend ended up being around the bend and then about a half a mile. I was really surprised at the number of cars that had piled up on the collision. At that point I had run too far from my car, so I decided to continue to the wreck and would have to run back after capturing the incident.

Cal Fire - Butte County firefighter Melissa Steele sweeps up debris from a two vehicle accident on the eastbound lanes of Skyway Tuesday, January 6, 2009 in Chico, CA. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Once I got to the wreck, a CHP officer shouted if I had parked in the right lane. Advice to those reading, in any accident on a two lane road, the CHP advices you park off the road on the right hand side. Always good to follow their advice. You never want an accident to happen at an accident.

I took the images the traffic began to move and I figured I should run back to my car to make sure it would be OK. A timeline of the event: Come to work, 17 minutes in I hear the call for the accident, 2 minutes to race to my car, 4 minutes to wait for a light to turn green, 8 minutes driving to Paradise until traffic stopped near Lookout Point, 2 minutes waiting to decide to run, 4 minutes running to the scene, 5 minutes to take pictures before another 5 minutes running back to get my car.

I was overheated and out of breath, but a good way to keep in shape. Luckily the accident wasn't too serious that would require me to stay longer. Just enough time to work on the assignment. Although I did have to wait in the traffic to continue up the road to turn back around. That lasted another 15 minutes, but allowed me to catch my breath. Whew. What a job.