A Grad Ol' Time

Hundreds of Chico State graduates walked in their graduation ceremony at CSUC University Stadium Saturday, May 19, 2012 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Business Administration grad Fyisal Al-Mohawes (right) waves to family and friends as hundreds of Chico State graduates walked in their graduation ceremony at CSUC University Stadium Saturday, May 19, 2012 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Best Camera for the Job

The other day I photographed a small 2 acre fire in north Chico. While covering the fire, I photographed a firefighter putting out hotspots with both my Canon 5D mark ii and my iPhone 4S. I used my iPhone so I could send a photo back to the office immediately. I am amazed at how far camera technology has come. What used to be a high-end big money camera system can now be carried in your pocket. I am waiting for the technology in cell phones to be adapted into DSLRs.

Don't jump on me quite yet. I still find a big difference in the quality between the optics of both devices. However, it doesn't mean that the cell phone can pack a punch. What do you think? Here are two photographs, shot with two cameras near the same time and conditions. Which do you prefer? I'm a little partial to the iPhone. Not just in image quality, but also because it was posted and shared to Facebook before I even got to my car.

I told a photographer earlier in the day that the cell phone technology WILL be the future. I just hope it comes soon, because it really is fun.

Cal Fire- Butte County firefighter Joshpae White hoses down hotspots on a small 2 acre fire along Heganridge Rd Friday, May 18, 2012 in north Chico, Calif. Firefighter quickly contained the grass fire that had no immediate danger to structures. Cause is under investigation.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cal Fire- Butte County firefighter Joshpae White hoses down hotspots on a small 2 acre fire along Heganridge Rd Friday, May 18, 2012 in north Chico, Calif. Firefighter quickly contained the grass fire that had no immediate danger to structures. Cause is under investigation.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

So do you know which was shot with a DSLR and which with a iPhone? Which do you prefer?

Mom Makes the Day

A lot of times I receive appreciation for the "cute" photos. These photos are good just because you can't help but smile when you look at them. The Internet is filled with these overpopulated "cute" images from cats, kids and cuddly things. The picture we presented for our Mother's Day news featured a mother duck and her ducklings. It has cute pretty much written all over it.

A mother duck and her 14 ducklings tread through the Donnie Brook drainage ditch Thursday, May 10, 2012 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

See Video

Expressions of Track

Check out the photos, video and more of the track meet in Orland. 

Story: http://bit.ly/JtojMo 

Photo gallery: http://bit.ly/JKkeE9 

Gridley High's Ryan Donnahoe throws in the shot put as he competes against Orland High and others in the Butte View League track and field finals at OHS Thursday, May 10, 2012 in Orland, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Video of Ryan Donnahoe

Orland High's Javone Bradford lands in the sand pit in the triple jump against Gridley High in the Butte View League track and field finals at OHS Thursday, May 10, 2012 in Orland, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Video of Bradford

Reminded Why I Blog

This week I received two messages and questions based on the photographs they have seen from my blog. I started the blog a couple years ago as a way to show my photos beyond the limitations of the print newspaper. Over the years it has changed as my workload has increased. I realized that still this blog continues to share my stories. Since the beginning of this year I have not maintained the online presence, and thus the stories I have covered have not been shared. So, I'll again give it a reboot and hopefully continue to make time for postings. I'm not saying this is going to be easy, but the two moments I had this week encourages me to move forward with it.

Dull Rain, Great Photo

The rain finally came today and when I was about to start my shift, it let up. The downpour I was looking forward to covering as a photojournalist stopped as soon as I was going to begin. I was left with a cloudy dismal, gray world facing me. I decided to head out and see what I could find. My travels took me to One Mile Recreation Area where no one was out except a few active runners. The wet became cold as I searched for something interesting. Then I decided to get a new view on the world. I pointed my camera up at a tree and let the rain splash on the lens. (I have a UV filter that protects the main lens... and a rain cover for the camera) With the rain splashing the filter it created a watercolor effect over the lens. I took a picture of one of the trees and it made for a much more artistic view of such a dull atmosphere. It was a definitely a happy moment of my day. 

Rain falls for the first time of the year on Thursday, January 19, 2012 in Chico, Calif. Water on the lens creates a watercolor painting feel of a tree at One Mile Recreation Area.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Which do you prefer? Photo A or B?

I recently photographed a girls basketball game between Chico High and Las Plumas High and had two shots from the same play; one right after the other. When editing the shoot from the office I came across both images and couldn't decide which one I liked better? Help me decide and let me know which one do you prefer? Is there really a big difference? I feel like there is. Even though there were split seconds between the two, what do you think of the differences in the photos?

                         PHOTO A

 Chico High's #14 Nina Holmes (right) reaches for a high pass against Las Plumas High's #12 Kylie Nore (left) in the second quarter of their girls basketball game at LPHS Thursday, January 12, 2012 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

or

                          PHOTO B

Chico High's #14 Nina Holmes (right) reaches for a high pass against Las Plumas High's #12 Kylie Nore (left) in the second quarter of their girls basketball game at LPHS Thursday, January 12, 2012 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)