Finally! With the departure of CompUSA, the Upstate--all of SC actually--has been jonesin' for Apple pieces and parts. Well the wait is over. The first Apple store has opened its doors on the campus of Clemson University. This is the first of a rumored three openings in the state.As most of you can see, I'm departing from my usual photo/video blogging to bring you this news. Why? It's simple really. Macs rock. Apple simply has the best OS on the market today. Also, access to this information is pretty easy for me. I work on campus. Oh wait, one more thing, MS Vista sucks worse than Windows 95. Yes, I am a Mac snob. You should be, too. ...and on with the news.Mac users once hid in the shadows around the Tiger campus. They occasionally found a little relief in the form of help f...
Barak Obama Visits Clemson University - January, 26 2008I realize that some viewers are expecting face shots of Obama. I have some but they aren't nearly as pretty as this shot taken from outside of the main library on Clemson's Campus. For those of you who want some additional photos of Barak's Visit to Clemson, here are a few others that I shot on that same day:Holding a Clemson University T-Shirt | Tight Shot Speaking to the Crowd | Change We Can Believe InAll WBR Photography | All WBR Video
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The trip to Baltimore came as a dull story, but it was travel. And it guaranteed that I wasn't going to be shooting a story about a big pot hole in the left lane of Pleasantburg Drive combined with a rain-laden 11pm live shot all because of random caller to the news room.For example purposes, here it a quick look into everyday TV news. ...ring.....ring........ Assignment Editor: WYFF. News room.Caller: Yeah, is this WYFF?Assignment Editor: Yes sir. How can we help you?Caller: Hey, ya'll know there is a big pot hole on Pleasantburg. Ya'll ought to do a story about that and tell some people.Assignment Editor: Thank you sir. I'll pass ...
It's a day that's vague in my memory but one I'll never forget; vague enough that I couldn't remember exactly where I was standing until I saw the purple beacon.My face became flush and I wanted leave.But I couldn't. Besides, the windows were down and Jerry was singing loudly.Look for a while at the china cat sunflower,Proud walking jingle in the midnight sun.Copperdome bodhi drip a silver kimono,Like a crazy quilt stargown through a dream night wind.It's a morbid thought if you really think about it. On the anniversary of a death that continues to cause more sadness than is necessary, and certainly more than he would want, I stood speaking to a piece of marble with gilded lettering. Below that stone lies the shell of a man who I consider a brother.The small corvette and the golden fight...
I shot this story around the same time I shot the Cootie Stark story. The Sax Man Cometh was part of a local musician series that I dreamed up in my head simply because I wanted to go shoot the Cootie Stark story, and I needed a reason.My reporter, Kimber Lohman (now Suiters), found Todd living in an assisted living facility around Greenvegas. I wasn't thrilled about the shoot because I hate assisted living facilities. I know, I know, it almost seems like blasphemy to speak of an ALF in such a way. But hey, I’m big and I sweat a lot. It's always so damn hot in those places.The ALF manager had set up a concert of sorts. Hearing that the Sorts were going to be in concert thrilled me to know end. You know the sorts, don’t you?What I hear coming my way as my next assignment is an old m...
I know because I feel it, too. Thirty-something with a good job, a great family, and some cool toys acquired over the first half-ish of your professional working career. You want more, but more of what? That sense, the little feeling, what is it?I measure up. I have a house. It’s not as big as the houses of my friends. I earn a decent salary. It’s not as much as I believe I’m worth and it certainly doesn’t measure up to those friends who have the bigger house…and the new Honda with the duel-screen DVD player. You know who I’m talking about, the family that seem to take the trips that I want to provide for my family.That guy who has the bigger house, the new car, and travels the world with the confidence of Indiana Jones, he feels the same way you do.Thoreau it all a way an...
When I read about Mr. Johnny Miller in a local Greenville, S.C. newspaper, I had to go meet him. I was really into playing the blues guitar during that time, and I had no idea that a Piedmont Blues legend lived no more than a mile from my home.The projects where Johnny lived weren’t far from city condemnation at that time. I pulled up in unit four, my WYFF-TV news vehicle, during a lunch break and knocked on the door. A humble yet cigar-thick voice greeted my call with hello as he opened the door.There he was, Cootie Stark, right in front of me. Cootie was his stage name.He invited me in before I could finish explaining my purpose.The dark four room dwelling had painted concrete block for walls and no decoration. I guess it made sense; he’s a guy and...
Hear from Charmayne Brown, a black female reporter in South Carolina who was standing on a street covering a murder investigation when she was attacked by a white family yelling racial slurs. Get the Background & Watch the Entire Attack Video.Are You a Racist? What Should Happen to the Attackers? Does SC Need a Hate Crimes Law? Leave a comment and let the whole world know.About Those ArrestedCharmayne Brown Interview on WORD RadioA look into Race Relations in South Carolina
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A reporter for WSPA in Spartanburg, S.C. was attacked while covering a murder investigation.According the the WSPA Websitereporter Charmayne Brown and was standing on public property when a group surrounded her and started punching. Brown says she was across the street from the victim’s house when family members began yelling at her to leave.Brown says the group was also yelling racial slurs at her and her photographer. She says one of the women in the group then rushed at her, punched her and dragged her to the ground. She says at that point it’s hard for her to recall what was going on, but WPSA's satellite truck operator Ray Daubenspeck says he also saw the woman punching her. He called 911, picked up a camera and began recording video. Charmayne says at least two other people joined in on the attack as her photographer tried to pull them off of her. Source: WYFF & WSPA
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When I saw the headline across the Web: Bush Claims No Recession for US; Bush Rejects Recession Claims; and Bush: United States Not In Recession, I couldn't help but think of the words coming from the mouth of the Iraqi Minister of Information, Muhammed Saeed al-Sahaf, during the US invasion of Iraq.I snickered. And then I opened Photoshop. I simply couldn't help putting together this photo collage mixed with George Bush quotes along side some of the quotes from the Iraqi Information Minister.As a quick aside, I'm not usually one to blog politics. Everyone has their own personal views and the little-known blog of Worlds Beyond Rittman certainly isn't going to change anything. It's just for fun, really.
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Is it a flimflam, a ruse maybe, played within the greater order of the pedophile? Am I being handed the opportunity to hang myself so that the damper of the child-lusting flame may once again open? Or maybe, just maybe, sociopathic reasoning isn't the sharpest tool in the underground shed.I received two comments yesterday on my previous story - A Pedophile is Exploiting My Child. One was anonymous. One was signed, dated, and timestamped by Mr. Pedowar himself. As far as I'm concerned, Mr. Pedowar lost any right of access to me by his refusal to delete my child's image from his Website. Censorship? You betcha. Those with children understand. For those supporting pedophilia, step up to the mic, state your real name and speak your piece. Cowardliness and hidden has never and will neve...
The ChallengeThere are 52 photos in this 2:30-minute video about a handful of significant events in the history of photojournalism. All of the photos are VERY famous. All of the photographers are VERY famous (in the genera circle). Several of the photos are from the same photographer. I'm not going to tell you how many photographers. Your challenge is to send me the list of the photographers who took these photos.The PrizesAll who take on this challenge with a noble submission will have your name/link in a "contestants" blog. For the winner, I will 1) extoll your brilliance in a separate "Winner" blog; 2) I'll give you a permanent link on my site; and 3) I'll display up to three of your photos in the "Winner" blog (with proper credit and linkage, of course). One caveat: If you have...
Overview:This story profiles a group of people struggling to save to save a part of american history, the Morris IslandLighthouse located off the shores of Folly Island, S.C. I shot this story as a series feature during my tenure at WYFF. It's full of color characters and solid NPAA photojournalism. This is one of several stories I shot* that allowed me to earn an Emmy Award for Best Photography. Additional VideosA Brief History of the Morris Island Lighthouse:Morris Island lighthouse stands all alone about 300 yards off shore from the island of Folly Beach. It can be viewed from the northeast end of Folly Island and from the bridge coming on to Folly Beach.The Morris Island lighthouse is now completely surrounde...
Cops, EMS, Firefighters, Lasso-toting Cowboys, Children and a Grandma rallied to track down a heard of cattle that escaped their captivity.The assignment was to investigate a report of a hand grenade found by children in the a backyard. The hand grenade report turned out to be bogus, but serendipity of that moment led me to a much better – and much more fun – spot news story.Cowgone is one of several in a series of stories that allowed me - Buckeyetimmy - to win an Emmy for best TV News Photography. I'll be posting more in the following days.All Photography All Video
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Summer - 1984: Sweat beading. My expression reveals razor focus. THIS time I knew it was going to happen. AAA would very soon be replaced with TDW. And then I would be number one...nu-me-ro uno...and the talk of the small-town teen tabloids.Throughout the 80s I pumped what probably amounted to thousands of dollars into the likes of Tempest, Defender, Asteroids, Missile Command, Joust, and various pinball machines. I loved it. We all loved it. Mechanical Madness was the name of the arcade in Rittman, Ohio.Fast forward 24-ish years to an under-lighted, dank warehouse in Greenville, SC. Brisk rain understates this day.Fred Collins was the undisputed Arcade King and Video Poker Magnate of Upstate, SC until his
6:05 a.m.THE GOODA Beautiful New Girl Comes Into Our WorldTHE BADSeems we were a bit too late getting to the hospital. We made it, and our daughter was born without incident. However, there were no drugs....“It’s like grappling hooks pulling your insides out.”THE BEAUTIFULReese Crawford | Wednesday, February 06, 2008 | 3:23am | 6lbs. 10oz. | 18.5 in | All is Well~More Later~____________________________________________________________________11:52 a.m.I've seen a person experience something that I must claim, simply as an observer, as probably one of the greatest physical pains imaginable. It was my wife, and it made me cry.I've also experienced, as a participant this time, one of the greatest moments of joy that life can offer. It, too, made m...
The cycle of life that sends you into a tizzy of stress, woefulness, and questioning why has hit. With the arrival of new, comfort found in the old has gone the way of Mr. Alighieri. "Through me the way into the suffering city, Through me the way to the eternal pain,Through me the way that runs among the lost.Justice urged on my high artificer;My maker was divine authority,The highest wisdom, and the primal love. Before me nothing but eternal things were made,And I endure eternally. Abandon every hope, ye who enter here."Okay, maybe that's pushing it a bit to far. Maybe. Regardless, postpartum life decided to turn swinger and hookup with family hospitalization, paralyzing saturation of duty to my employer, and revelation of friendships moving.So for a while I'm reverting to something that lessens the stress of life, cause more joy than sadness, doesn't get sick, and once captured never leaves: photography.Cooper - 2006
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DeetDadeetDaDeeDeet...DeeDeeDeetDaDeetDaDeetDaDeeDeeDeet...This just in...Sources tell Newscenterplexdoppler Live 5 that PW (AKA: Mom, Patti Watti, and from time to time, Damnit Patti), spouse of world famous Communications and Public Relations Guru, BuckeyeTimmy, is two centimeters dilated.For further information, we go to Roger in the Live Super Newsplex Doppler Live Newsroom Center Room Plex...Roger...Thanks Will...According to sources wishing to remain anonymous, one centimeter equals 10 millimeters.Back to you Will...Thanks Roger...For further information, we now go Live to Janet at the Greenville Hospital System.Janet...Will, after days of research with local authorities, local physicians, and local locals, Newscenterplexdoppler Live 5 has learned that cervix dilation is an indicator of impending birth of a new baby. We have also learned that when dilation begins, birth of a new baby will be coming soon.Will...Thanks Janet for the in-depth and detailed report... (turn, take ...
The relative size of the universe is nothing more than amazing. Every single time I see something like the photos below it causes one of those WOW moment in my life.My personal theories have changed over the years as to how, exactly, this could happen. Those theories don't stray too far from conventional wisdom and religious thought. Here are my choices as taught to me all of my life:God, The Almighty Creator + TimeA really big explosion + TimeI could use these photos to spark the debate over creation v. evolution. It's pretty simple to me, really. I'll come right out and say it. I'm a Christian (que sound: ominous hallelujah 1).Bye bye closed minded, intolerant people. Thanks ...
