Focal Flame Photography - Art That Moves You

2012 USA Cycling Cyclo-Cross Nationals: Mud, Sweat, and Cheers

robyn — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:05:32 +0000

Focal Flame Photography was honored to cover the 2012 USA Cycling Cyclo-Cross National Championship races held near Madison, Wisconsin. Over 1,000 racers and 5,000 fans rained down on Badger Prairie Park, where they were met with sunlit skies, unseasonably warm January temperatures, and a sea of muddy goodness on the course. To view and purchase photos from the event, click here.

Focal Flame Photography writer Robyn Perrin reported on the Collegiate and U23 Women's races while Focal Flame photographer was on assignment for the Madison Area Sports Commissions. A version of this article appeared on the Cyclocross Magazine web site.

VERONA, WI - JANUARY 7, 2012 - - Sun and mud were both abundant for the D1 and D2 Collegiate Women’s race at the 2012 USA Cyclo-Cross National Championships in Madison, Wisconsin. D1 and D2 women were on the field simultaneously for the 4-lap race – the D2 field starting 1 minute behind the Division 1 women.

When asked for predictions prior to the start of the race, USA Cycling Collegiate & High School Cycling Manager Jeffrey Hansen said, “Coryn Rivera and Katie Antonneau are the surefire bets for somewhere on the podium.” Hansen’s words proved prophetic as two of the most highly decorated women’s cyclists in the world – who happen to be best friends, roommates, and teammates – duked it out in the Division 1 Collegiate race.

“I got the hole shot and I was in the lead for about three quarters of the lap, then I took a nice digger on a corner,” said Coryn Rivera (Marian University/Tustin, CA). “Katie [Antonneau} took the lead - which is fine, because she’s my teammate. As long as Marian [University] was up there, I was OK with a teammate passing me,” said Rivera.

Both Rivera and Kaitlin Antonneau (Marian University/Racine, WI) were careful to maintain control without depleting their energy reserves entirely, since both are racing in the Elite/U23 race on Sunday, January 8. “I think I pulled Katie as close as 10-15 seconds away,” said Rivera. The final gap was 23 seconds as Antonneau remained comfortably in control, giving an understated one-handed wave at the finish as she claimed the national title.

“I like the course a lot. It’s tough,” said Antonneau. “I think racing today helped because it got a lot of nerves out of the way for tomorrow… I pushed it hard through some parts just to see where I could risk it, but it was good,” said Antonneau, who relentlessly powered it to the finish line in 42:47 at a pace of 19.07 kph.

While the D1 race played out with few surprises from some of the most decorated women’s cyclists in the world, the D2 race winner was a bit of a dark horse. Before the race, Hansen mentioned Rebecca Gross (University of Denver/Lakewood, CO) and Kimberly Flynn (University of Tennessee-Chattanooga/Hixson, TN) as top picks. Hanson also said, “Mars Hills College is a team to watch.”

One to watch, indeed. South African Mariske Strauss, a top-level mountain biker and recently recruited to Mars Hill College can now add a cyclocross National Champion title to her credentials – from her first-ever cyclocross race. Laughing and flush with excitement, Strauss said, “This was actually my first cyclocross event ever, so I just decided to take it as it comes and go as hard as I can for as long as I can…I just went out and had some fun racing for my Mars Hill College cycling team.”

Strauss scorched the course in 47:22, finishing 13 seconds ahead of second-place Rebecca Gross. Kimberly Flynn rounded out the podium to finish 3^rd in 48:55.

Strauss is the current South African cross country mountain bike champion, and placed 18^th at the 2011 the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. She is a hopeful for the 2012 Olympic cycling team for South Africa.

When asked for reflections about the USA Cycling Cyclo-Cross Nationals course, Lindsay Knight (University of Chicago/Chicago, IL) said, “Really muddy, and really slick. I actually wish it had been more technical, more turns, more trees, more tight stuff.” Others found it more to their liking, including Brittany Clawson (Fort Lewis College/Sandpoint, ID). “I’m more of an mountain biker and downhiller, and I love the mud, I love the mucky-muck. This was awesome,” said Clawson.

Many of the racers faced off once again in the Elite/U23 race at noon the next day. It proved to be another powerful battle, with Katie Compton - a force of nature in the cyclocross world - taking her 8th straight National title. In second place overall was none other than her starring pupil: Katie Antonneau, who has been coached by Compton. Teacher and student took first and second place on the podium in an inspiring display of hard work and discipline.

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Saris Gala: Low-Key Fundraiser Raises Thousands for Cycling in Wisconsin

robyn — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:35:45 +0000

The Saris Gala has become known not only within the state of Wisconsin but throughout the bicycling industry nationwide as the single biggest one-day fundraiser for bicycling and bike transportation community advocacy, having raised over a quarter of a million dollars to help build bike paths, provide bicycles to low-income youth, teach cyclists how to ride safely on mixed-use streets, and initiate other bicycling-related transportation projects. On the eve of the 2011 Saris Gala Focal Flame Photography writer Robyn M. Perrin took a look back at the 2010 event. Amanda White, Associate Director of the Bicycle Federation with Wisconsin, shared the story of how the Gala came to be. Highlights from 2010 included remarks by the celebrity guest Phil Liggett, the internationally renowned cycling commentator whose animated voiceovers of the Tour de France and other grand tours have made him known as “The Voice of Cycling”.

When you think of a gala fundraiser, images of cocktail dresses and petite appetizers on serving trays might come to mind. But for the annual Saris Gala, nothing could be farther from the truth.

The Saris Gala, you see, is held in a warehouse. The Saris Cycling Group warehouse, to be specific, which is adjacent to the plant in which bicycle racks and storage systems, trainers, and power meters are manufactured. Owned by Chris and Sara Fortune (the company name was chosen as a blending of their own first names), Saris Cycling Group is passionate about advocating for bicycling and helping to create safe places for people to bike.

“Chris Fortune started the Saris Gala 7 years ago,” said Amanda White, Associate Director of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, during a 2010 interview. Wanting to do something unique to support bicycling in Wisconsin, Fortune held a party in the Saris facilities. The first Gala was a low-key affair with pizza and beer shared by bicycling enthusiasts in the city. Since then, it has grown tremendously. “Chris has been very, very dedicated to supporting bicycling through the Saris Gala,” said White. “He not only opens the company headquarters to the party, but also dedicates quite a lot of his staff to the planning of the event. His daughter, Heather, took on a lot of the planning.”

With time and dedication, the Saris Gala has become the biggest single-day bicycling fundraising event in the nation and has hosted cycling celebrities of international stature. Over 650 people attended the 2010 Gala, which raised over $95,000 – including $20,000 that was critically needed for a dollar-for-dollar challenge grant to fund Safe Routes to Schools. Funds were raised not only from the main event – which included a costume party in keeping with the Halloween theme – but also from a silent auction, a live auction, and a VIP dinner hosted by the Fortunes.

The 2010 Gala celebrity guest Phil Liggett shared stories of running into Jonathan “Jock” Boyer on a train headed to the Commonwealth Games. Boyer had begun coaching the first-ever professional cycling team from Rwanda, and Boyer had recruited promising athletes from the streets. Few if any had ever ridden a bicycle before. From this story, Liggett regaled the audience with stories about Lance Armstrong during the Tour de France, the lifestyle of commentators on the road, and anecdotes about celebrity cycling fans from Cameron Diaz to Robin Williams. But Ligget’s passion for the sport of cycling was exemplified not by his tales of interacting with celebrities and professional athletes but by explaining the sport to his elderly neighbor, Peggy. Nearly blind but yet continuing to enjoy playing as an amateur golfer, she confessed that she didn’t understand the intrigue of pro cycling. “I realized that if I could convince Peggy to like cycling, I could convince the world to like cycling…and she ended up watching [and listening to] cycling coverage all the time, right up until the day she died.”

The bicycling community tends to eschew formality and, true to form, attendees were clad in either wild costume or polarfleece. The chill of the October evening was warmed by conversation and much laughter. "It's absolutely one of my favorite events of the year,” said attendee and bicycling fitting expert Craig Watson. “I mean, it's just a party in a warehouse. And at the end of the evening, you walk away realizing that a few hundred people came together and raised tens of thousands of dollars to support cycling in Wisconsin."

Focal Flame Photography is proud to serve as the official event photographer for the 2011 Saris Gala featuring Jim Ochowicz and members from the 1986 7-Eleven Tour de France Cycling Team. Please join us for an incredible evening with the first U.S. team to ever enter the Tour de France. All event photos from the Gala will be available for purchase at focalflamestore.com, with 50% of proceeds going to the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin.

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Youth Athletes Take the Stage at IronKids Madison

robyn — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:54:48 +0000

As the date for the New Balance 3rd Annual Girls on the Run 5K in Dane County approaches, set to run in Waunakee, WI on Saturday Nov. 12, Focal Flame Photography turns our thoughts to another youth athletic event earlier this season: the IronKids triathlon, presented in Madison for the first time in 2011. After profiling young athletes at the race on behalf of the Greater Madison Visitors and Convention Bureau and the Madison Area Sports Commission, Focal Flame Photographer Clint Thayer remarked, "There's just nothing like the energy of young, fired-up kids giving it their all on the race course. It's so much fun seeing them have a blast."

[Writer's note: a version of this article appeared in the Off the Couch blog of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Sept. 10, 2011. - Robyn M. Perrin]

Saturday, Sept. 10 – Middleton, WI - On the eve of the 2011 Ford IronMan Wisconsin for adult triathletes, 318 youth ages 6 to 15 years participated in the first-ever IronKids Madison race.

Triathletes participated in one of three age divisions, with distances ranging from 50 yd swim/2 mi bike/500 yd run for the Juniors up to a 300 yd swim/8 mi bike/2 mi run for the Seniors.

“The majority of IronKids athletes are first-timers,” said Christine Hanlon, Athlete Services and Marketing Coordinator for IronKids at World Triathlon Corporation.

The chutes and transition area were lined with parents and fans, many carrying homemade signs to encourage their athletes. The bike racks in the transition area carried a high proportion of mountain bikes.

Smiles were abundant on both novice and experienced youth triathletes. Many traveled to Madison from Green Bay, Milwaukee, the Twin Cities, areas in Illinois, and even beyond.

Dan Marrello of Riverside, IL cheered on his daughter Chloe Marrello, 12, as she finished her race. “We had [a triathlon] in Riverside a couple of weeks ago, and her bike tires weren’t exactly inflated quite right. As soon as it was over we went back home and she begged me, ‘Dad, look up another race, try to find me another one.’ So this is number two for her.”

Although the IronKids race series has been run since 1985, the World Triathlon Corporation assumed ownership of the series from former owner Sara Lee Corp., and is now offering 24 IronKids races nationwide.

“Many of the athletes participating in IronKids today have parents who are participating in the IronMan tomorrow,” said Hanlon.

Such was the case with Alexandra Lorenz, age 13, of Dundee, IL. Lorenz won the female division for the Senior category and was third across the finish line overall. “My dad’s doing the IronMan tomorrow,” said Lorenz. When asked if she had any thoughts for him, she said, “I just want to wish him good luck, and I’ll be out there to cheer him on all day.”

Although Lorenz attends a small school, a triathlon club in her town helps youth train for events like the IronKids. The boy’s winner of the Senior division, Maxx Hall, is one of Lorenz’s teammates.

The growing popularity of youth triathlon is no surprise to Cindi Bannink, Owner of Madison Multisport, which fielded a Juniors triathlon team for 2011 – the first in the Madison area. “Hunter Kemper, a 3-time Olympian representing the United States, started in IronKids and he’s in his 30s now,” said Bannink. “So [IronKids] has been around for a while, but it’s building momentum.”

One consideration for high school triathletes who also compete on fall team sports is that they are ineligible for races such as IronKids Madison if they occur during the academic year. Bannink said, “Once the fall high school season sports start, athletes are restricted by the high school Athletic Association rules. So they actually can’t participate today if they are on a sport that involves the same thing,” preventing high school swimmers or cross country runners from competing in September triathlons.

But as a group of football players practiced on a field across from the start/finish area, the juxtaposition of classical team sports and endurance sports that are increasingly popular was notable.

“This is just fun, the kids getting out here and being active and doing something different and new,” said Bannink. “Triathlon [is] growing in the U.S., it’s the fastest-growing sport, I believe…this is where it starts. This is the grassroots.”

Focal Flame Photography is honored to share the stories of youth athletes at IronKids Madison and other events througout the Midwest. We've included several of our favorite images from the race. Look for upcoming event photography for the 3rd Annual New Balance Girls on the Run 5K and visit focalflamestore.com to purchase prints, digitals, T-shirts and more!

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2011 Madison Mud Run Fall Challenge: Overcoming Obstacles

robyn — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:05:23 +0000

On Saturday, October 29, 2011, a bizarre sight unfolded at Festival Park and Badger Prairie Park in Verona, Wisconsin. A slew of runners - about 1,064 runners to be exact - descended upon the park, many dressed in costume. All of the costumes were assembled with care and creativity. All would be splattered with mud, shredded, and and for the most part ruined on the obstacles of the 5-mile course, which included a wall climb, monkey bars, a balance beam, and a giant mud pit.

One costume was worn by Maria Parker of Janesville, WI. Parker had entered the 5-mile obstacle race as a team member along with her office co-workers. While the experience was inspired by a simple desire to have a shared experience that would generate good water cooler conversation for years to come, for Parker, it ended up becoming a metaphor for life. Here, she shares her thoughts with Focal Flame Photography writer Robyn Perrin.

Focal Flame Photography: Why did you decide to participate in the Fall Challenge Mud Run?

Maria Parker: I was looking for a physical challenge to commemorate my 40th birthday. I'd considered a couple of other events but it wasn't until [some] co-workers decided to recruit a company team that I finally committed to the Mud Run. Several friends have run similar events in the past and I always thought it would be fun to participate in a Mud Run so I figured, 'Why not,' especially if I'd have co-workers along side me.

FFP: What was the story behind the costumes chosen by your team?

MP: The organizers of our group decided it would be fun to have a costume theme, but we needed something that would work for 15-20 people. The Wizard of Oz was selected. There are so many characters to pick from that it allowed each of us to find something that matched our personalities. I choose to be Auntie Em.

FFP: How did the race unfold?

MP: I had expected to be completing the event with a couple of co-workers by my side to assist with obstacles but they had all left me behind even before the first one. This turned out to be a really nice, actually - it allowed me to reflective on the event and the reason why I had signed up to begin with: to celebrate my 40th.

In some ways the Mud Run was like the journey of life. At the beginning, I was all gung ho but yet had some apprehension. But when I arrived at the first obstacle, all I could think was, 'What am I getting myself into?!' That thought was followed by, 'You can't back down now, just jump in and plunge ahead!'

Not being as fit as most participants, I knew I'd be walking most of the course and that there would be be obstacles I would have to forego and walk around. So each one became a decision as to whether I should even attempt it. Just like taking risks in life, you weigh each obstacle based on a number of factors, make a decision, and go with it. 'Plan Bs' are optional, often developed on the fly, and your fears may not be realized until mid-stream. But the best part of all was crossing the finish line. I completed the course and crawled through mud, ready to take on whatever came before me.

FFP: So what's next?

MP: What lies before me is another journey. As I turn 40, I'm embarking on a new path. My life partner and I are forming a women's tackle football team based in Rockford, IL. The Rockford Riveters will provide women in Northwestern Illinois the opportunity to play a sport that has traditionally been off-limits to them. As with any business venture, I expect many ups and downs to come along with this path. Some challenges will be easy, some will bring hesitation, some will bring fear - but the goal is to meet them all and to stand strong in the end.

All of these points were brought home while I completed the Mud Run, and all of them were points that we hope to see fulfilled on the gridiron for the women who play for the Rockford Riveters and for the fans in the stands.

Focal Flame Photography is honored to share the stories of Maria Parker and other participants in the Madison Mud Run. We've included several of our favorite images from the race. To see more, visit the 2011 Mud Run Galleries on the Focal Flame Photography online store. All images are available for purchase as prints, digitals, T-shirts, or more.

To follow these and other stories, join the Focal Flame Photography facebook page and follow us on Twitter!

Photograph by Clint Thayer Selected for Exhibition at the National Art Museum of Sport

robyn — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 05:21:04 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WORK BY WISCONSIN ARTIST SELECTED BY THE NATIONAL ART MUSEUM OF SPORT

Madison, WI – October 24, 2011 – A fine art photograph entitled “Driving Rain” (2010) by Madison, WI artist Clint Thayer has been selected for exhibition placement in the 2nd Annual International Fine Arts Competition: Commitment to Excellence in Art & Sport. The juried competition was conducted by the National Art Museum of Sport (NAMOS) in Indianapolis, IN. The exhibit will run at NAMOS from October 27, 2011-February 29, 2012.

Over 300 entries were submitted by artists from 44 states and 9 countries. Thayer is the only artist in the state of Wisconsin whose work was selected.

“Driving Rain” depicts Arrietta Walker Clauss of Madison, WI during the Mid-America Time Trial Series Finale in September 2010. Clauss holds the 2010 and 2011 USA Cycling National Time Trial championship titles for her age division. “To me, ‘Driving Rain’ represents complete and utter determination,” said Thayer. “In seeking to bridge the worlds of art and sport I focus on composition and on finding the emotional element where sport and the human experience overlap, and both were aligned within this image,” said Thayer.

Founded in 1959, NAMOS maintains one of the largest collections of fine art depicting sport in the United States. The museum is dedicated to encouraging artists engaged in the genre, and also to collect, preserve, and share the best examples of sport art NAMOS can acquire. “The founder of NAMOS, Germain G. Glidden, was a portrait artist and champion squash player,” said NAMOS Executive Director Elizabeth C. Varner. “Glidden believed that sport art is like the Olympics: it has the power to bring together people from all over the world in peace,” said Varner.

Over 40 sports are represented in the over 900 paintings, sculptures, and photographs at NAMOS. Artists whose works are included in the permanent collection include George Bellows, Ogden Pliessner, Winslow Homer, Ray Ellis, James Fiorentino, Joe Brown, and Alfred Boucher.

The museum’s first home was in Madison Square Garden in New York. It has been in Indianapolis since 1990, and will present events related to Indianapolis’ hosting of Superbowl XLVI on February 12, 2012.

The National Art Museum of Sport at 850 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN is open free to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. For group tours and weekend hours call 317.274.3627 or e-mail ecvarner@iupui.edu; for more information see http://www.namos.iupui.edu. A free opening reception for the 2nd Annual International Fine Arts Competition will be held from 5-7 pm on Thursday, October 27, 2011.

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Madison Police Department Service Team: IronMan Wisconsin Athletes Honor 9/11

clint — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 03:03:19 +0000

For Lori Anderson, known to her friends as Lori Lu, the decision to train for the 2011 Ford IronMan Wisconsin rested on one simple fact: race day would occur on 9/11/2011, the 10th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. "I have the privilege of being part of a team of athletes that will honor this day and the lives lost," wrote Anderson. As a Detective with 11.5 years of service for the Madison Police Department, Anderson decided to participate in the service team. A seasoned triathlete, she had completed other half-IronMan distance events, but this would be her first attempt at the full IronMan.

For several other members of the Madison Police Department, 9/11/2011 was an occasion to mark as well. "There are 13 Madison Police Department officers (Patrol, Detectives, Investigators, Lieutenants, and Captain) on the service team," said Anderson. As colleagues juggling demanding schedules, some trained for the race together, but most trained independently. Although preparing for such an intense race throughout the season requires countless hours spent in solitude and sweat, Police Officer Linda Baehmann felt deeply positive about her training regime. Baehmann wrote, "My favorite things about training for an Ironman are being outside and enjoying our beautiful state, appreciating the opportunity to be physically active, meeting new athletes, and adhering to a motto I try to throughout my life is being better today than yesterday."

The World Triathlon Corporation reserved 150 registration slots for police, fire, and EMS athletes who will be participating in the 2011 Ford IronMan Wisconsin. Athletes in this category were offered priority during registration, low bib numbers (45-199), a specially designated transition area located next to the pro triathlete transition, and will wear specially designated royal blue bib numbers.

On a deeply emotionally significant anniversary of 9/11, Anderson summed up her thoughts: "I will be thinking of ALL of the families who lost loved ones, that day. They are still suffering, still coping, still surviving!"

For Baehmann, the dedication to fellow police officers serves as inspiration through the most difficult moments in training and competition. "The thing that keeps me going during an event, especially when things aren't going as planned, is the thought of my fellow police officers that I am responsible for training," wrote Baehmann. "I try to lead by example. I tell them to never quit, especially when we are talking about fighting for their lives, so how can I possibly quit something so 'easy' as a triathlon. They are my motivation."

On the Thursday prior to the race, the 13 members of the Madison Police Department IronMan Service Team gathered for group photos. Focal Flame Photographer Clint Thayer photographed them as the early evening sun reflected off the the Wisconsin State Capitol building. "It was such a pleasure and an honor to work with these athletes," said Thayer. "My stepfather was a police officer, so I have a lot of memories of the camaraderie and fellowship that develops among fellow cops."

An impromptu humorous moment developed during the photo session when a police officer on patrol who was not part of the team or the photo shoot happened to drive by the group. "I asked the Service Team athletes if there was any way we could ask the officer to bring the cruiser up so it could be included in the photo," said Thayer. The officers laughed, quickly motioned to their colleague, and explained the situation. "I saw her smile, nod, and then the next thing I knew she put the car into gear and popped the curb. Having the cruiser as a backdrop was utterly perfect. There were also a few laughs and Blues Brother movie references to 'cop shocks,'" said Thayer.

Anderson has kept a blog describing her IronMan Wisconsin training and is raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of her husband, a cancer survivor. In the last days before the race, her mind is filled with the encouragement of friends and family, many of whom have written testimonials on her blog. "I’m not terribly confident that I will finish, but I’m proud of what I have accomplished already and I’m looking forward to the event," wrote Anderson.

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Cyclocross Mag and Focal Flame Profile Cyclocross Champion Logan Owen

robyn — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 04:00:32 +0000

Some days start out in an ordinary fashion. And some days, the ordinary moment changes in an instant when an email or phone call comes through. Which is why a photographer always needs to have gear ready and batteries charged, right?

Right.

And that’s exactly what happened on a summer day in July when Clint Thayer of Focal Flame Photography was contacted by Josh Liberles, editor of Cyclocross Magazine, with an assignment to cover junior cycling phenom Logan Owen, 16 years old, from Bremertown, WA.

Winner of an unprecedented six national cyclocross titles, Owen was in Wisconsin for the Tour of America’s Dairyland road cycling series, racing in the pro/1/2 category with the Hagens Berman cycling team from Washington State.

“Logan Owen made a splash early on - he took second place in the first National Championship he ever competed in. That was also the first 'cross RACE he'd ever done, so pretty impressive stuff,” wrote Liberles. “So I became aware of him, as well as some of the other really talented Junior and Masters racer just over the past few years, I'd say.”

It would be impossible not to take notice of Owen, considering that he started racing BMX…at age 4. A multi-talented athlete, he holds multiple National Championship titles in not just cyclocross, but also BMX and outdoor and indoor inline skating. He's been invited to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for both road cycling and inline skating.

Thayer had a chance to catch up with Owen at the Greenbush Road Race to shoot some off-bike portraits as well as pre-race coverage. “We had arranged the shoot in advance, and as I pulled up to the team I said, ‘Coach, how long do I have with him?’ The coach barked out, ‘Fifteen minutes, tops.’”

With a shy smile and red hair styled into a slight spike, Owen warmed to the camera. “It was so much fun to work with him,” said Thayer. “He’s just beginning to grab the attention of the press, and it was a real honor to be among the first photographers to profile him.”

Liberles, author of the article, echoed Thayer’s sentiments. When asked what drew him to Owen’s story, Liberles wrote, “…his self awareness and his approach. He's also just a cool kid, and he has tons of potential; it was a treat to get to know him and his family.”

With cyclocross season just around the corner and the sport becoming seriously big in the Midwest, the locals in Madison are looking forward to welcoming Owen back for Nationals, which will be hosted in Madison, WI on January 4-8, 2012.

Cyclocross Magazine can’t wait, either. “Nationals is always a big focus for our publication,” wrote Liberles. “We combine online coverage before, during and after [the races] with really cool comprehensive looks at the event in our print magazine. We've celebrated each and every winner, from the 9 to 10-year-old Juniors, to Elites, to 70+ year-old Masters, with a profile for the past 4 editions of Nationals. This year we may shake things up a bit, but you can count on our Nats coverage being something you won't want to miss!”

Interested in Cyclocross Magazine Issue 13, dubbed by CX fans as ‘Lucky 13’? Subscribe or order online, or visit your local bookstore or cyclocross-friendly bike shops nationwide.

And be sure to follow Focal Flame Photography for some sweet coverage of the local races this season. But bring your cowbell. And prepare to get muddy.

To follow these and other stories, join the Focal Flame Photography Facebook page and follow us on Twitter!

- Post authored by Focal Flame Photography writer Robyn M. Perrin

Madison Nonprofit Day Photography Exhibition: Porchlight Products Creates Opportunities

robyn — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 05:34:31 +0000

What does empowerment look like?

For photographers, photo essays and documentary photographs are formats through which to evoke emotion, often while portraying the essential truth of an idea. Perhaps that idea may be an abstract concept, such as empowerment of those who refuse to be marginalized. Perhaps the concept breathes itself into living form through action, texture, light and shadows.

For the photographer, the ability to bear witness to such truths is the heart of a journey. And often, it is a journey that leaves its mark on both the viewers of the final photographs - and the artist himself or herself.

Photographer Clint Thayer was honored to participate in a photography exhibit titled Stories - How Nonprofits Shape Madison. Eight photographers created photo essays during the months of July and August, 2011 to portray the work of over 30 nonprofit organizations in the Madison, Wisconsin area. Thayer concentrated on the subjects of Hunger and Homelessness, working with Porchlight Products and the Briarpatch Runaway & Homeless Youth Program.

All of the photo essays will be displayed at Absolutely Art, 2322 Atwood Ave., from August 3-30. An opening reception will be held on Friday, August 5 from 5-9 pm.

The first organization, Porchlight Products, focuses on creating gourmet jams, jellies, and sauces from locally-grown produce in a commercial kitchen. The hands that make these products belong to individuals who were formerly homeless, and who often face physical or mental challenges. The products are sold to cafes, restaurants, and specialty shops and provide revenue to support the broader mission of Porchlight, Inc., which provides emergency shelter, food, counseling, and employment services to over 8,000 people in Dane County each year.

To describe the work of Porchlight Products in more detail, Kitchen Programs Manager Todd Dennis responded to questions by Focal Flame Photography writer Robyn Perrin.

Focal Flame Photography: In your own words, could you tell a little about Porchlight Products and its mission?

Todd Dennis: Porchlight Products takes local produce items and makes high quality canned and preserved items from them. To make these items we employ formerly homeless disabled adults using the kitchen at our main Porchlight facility. The mission of Porchlight Products is to empower local producers, who supply us with ingredients, and our employees. who produce the artisan products while gaining job skills and a sense of purpose.

FFP: What do you find to be most challenging about the work at Porchlight Products? Most satisfying? Most surprising?

TD: The most challenging thing at Porchlight is keeping things moving forward when the weather doesn’t always help our farmers and the inevitable delays that are caused from this. The most satisfying aspect of working at Porchlight Products is seeing the improvement in people’s lives and the joy that their work brings to them. I have found that tasting some of the items that we make to be most surprising. When I first tasted the Curtido, I couldn’t believe how good it was.

FFP: If there was one thing you wish the public understood better about homelessness in Madison, what would it be?

TD: I would want the public to understand how easy it is to end up homeless but how hard it is to get out of that situation. Just think about something as simple as applying for a job. You need to provide a mailing address, a phone number, and references; in addition to work experience. For someone who ends up homeless, they probably have at least one gap where they were not employed. Most employers would question them on this and I would definitely say that there is a stigma associated with the answer that would be given; embarrassment from the person who was homeless, and discrimination from the potential employer. Porchlight seeks to empower individuals to conquer these and other barriers that could prevent them from escaping homelessness.

Focal Flame Photography is honored to document the work of Porchlight Products and its staff, volunteers, and members. Please support all the photographers who took part in the Madison Nonprofit Day photography exhibit, and participate in the many offerings of Madison Nonprofit Day - an informative, inspiring series of presentations designed to help nonprofits and their supporters make the world a better place.

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Tri-ing for Children: Dual Triathlons with Heart

robyn — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 05:12:27 +0000

You’re never too young to be a triathlete. That was the message at the 2011 Tri-ing for Children Kid’s Triathlon on July 23, when children as young as 3 – not far removed from toddlerhood – swam, biked, and ran a beautiful triathlon course in Southern Kettle Moraine State Park in Wisconsin.

The next day, 422 adult triathletes joined in the fun, competing as individuals or teams on sprint and Olympic-distance triathlon courses.

“The race began six years ago in Menominee Park,” said Ryan Griessmeyer, Race Director and owner of Race Day Events, LLC. “There was a one-year hiatus and the RDE took it over and moved it to Ottawa Lake,” said Griessmeyer.

The spring-fed lake provided a beautiful venue for the event, and the swim route for the youngest athletes featured water levels deep enough to accommodate swim strokes but shallow enough for the kids to touch the bottom of the lake if needed. “Because of the lake swim, we wanted to make sure the kids were kept very safe,” said Greissmeyer. “Allowing parents in the water with them helped. We also have a very experienced open water safety team.” Greissmeyer and the Race Day Events staff chose the location based on its accessibility to both Madison and Milwaukee, as well as the close proximity of excellent roads for the bike course. Another unique aspect? “The support of the local DNR, Police, Fire and EMS,” said Greissmeyer.

Support from volunteers was key as well. Highly experienced triathlete Brenda Knighton-Slatter of Janesville, WI decided to support the kids’ race through a gift of her time and energy. “I need to start giving back to the sport I enjoy so much, and the best way for me to do that is to volunteer when I am not racing,” said Knighton-Slatter. “It is very rewarding, especially when one of the racers you cheered for came back with a big grin on his face and showed me his medal with excitement!”

But the kids on the triathlon course weren’t the only winners. A portion of the race proceeds plus additional funds raised by the event were donated to American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. “The Children’s Hospitals were very excited to receive our donation,” said Greissmeyer.

As it turns out, some healthy outdoor competition for kids and adults of all ages has the power to lift spirits…while also supporting the healing work of hospitals serving pediatric patients. Knighton-Slatter summed it up: “The smiles on the faces of the kids racing in the triathlon really made my day and made me think about my own races – and the importance of smiling and having a good time!”

To view more photos from the 2011 Tri-ing for Children’s Triathlon, see the Kids’ Race Gallery or the Adult Race Gallery on the Focal Flame online store. Prints, digitals, and more are available for purchase.

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Signs of Labor: A Fine Art Photography Exhibit hosted by the Center for Photography at Madison

robyn — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 01:29:53 +0000

Photographers are a breed apart. When the dedication – or even compulsion – to make sense of the world through photography truly takes hold, it shows.

It shows itself in eyes ever-tuned to composition and the interplay of hues and light. It shows itself in the ability to visualize not only images apparent to the unaided eye, but those hidden scenes that would remain forever hidden without the photographer’s knowledge of lenses and f /stops, ISO and shutter speed. It shows itself in the photographer’s respectful interplay with his or her subjects, bearing witness to their countenance by creating images that ring true.

It shows in the absent-minded gaze of a photographer who reflexively reaches for his or her camera while thinking, “There is something happening. There are photographs I must make. I must be there.”

For many photographers in and near Madison, Wisconsin, this was a mantra repeated for weeks on end beginning in mid-February, 2011.

The series of events started on Friday, February 11, when newly-elected Governor Scott Walker announced a proposed budget bill that greatly diminished the collective bargaining rights of unionized public local and state employees. It was the largest change to labor rights since the state of Wisconsin provided collective bargaining rights to public employee unions in 1959.

Within days, crowds of protestors had begun gathering at the Capitol building in Madison. The number of protestors swelled to tens of thousands and at the peak of the protests the crowd sizes were estimated at well over 100,000.

Protestors filled the Capitol day and night, establishing an information center to track news on the ever-evolving legislative scene and filling many walls of the Capitol building with handmade signs. Union members marched at the protests, including those of firefighters and law enforcement employees who were exempted from the provisions of the bill. Over the weeks that followed, speeches were made by civil rights activist Jesse Jackson, filmmaker Michael Moore, and a performance was given by musician Peter Yarrow (of the former band Peter, Paul, and Mary), among others. In late April, a counter-protest speech was made at a Tea Party rally by former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. While Madison residents have long been accustomed to news coverage of University of Wisconsin athletic events, the sight of dozens of media trucks from every major U.S. news organization parked around the Capitol square served as evidence of the historic nature of the events.

And in the midst of it all, photographers – even those not classically trained as photojournalists – felt a responsibility to serve as both artists and documentarians.

This led to a conversation months later between members of the Center for Photography at Madison when it became apparent that gallery space owned by the Center would be available during the summer months.

“CPM member Rich Armstrong…mentioned that he, and many other CPM members, have been taking thousands of photos down at the Capitol,” said Paul Nylander, organizer of the show. After discussions between Nylander, Armstrong, and past CPM president Reece Donihi, plans were made to host the “Signs of Protest” show as a juried exhibition.

Jurors Wayne Brabender, Becky McKenzie, and Paul Nylander selected 29 photographs from nearly 80 entries. Five of the selected entries, including “Stand Up” by Focal Flame Photographer Clint Thayer, were chosen as jurors’ top picks. “Stand Up” was described by a juror as “…a very powerful image in its stark contrast and bold, converging lines.”

Nylander said, “The selection [of the 29 exhibited photographs] was based first and foremost on photographic merits (composition, lighting, etc.) and not on political message. But we also wanted images to clearly convey a story in their own right, and preferably one that related to the protests. An ideal image would be photographically strong, and through image alone deliver the story of the protesters.” Nylander added, “We are somewhere between photojournalism and fine art in this exhibition.”

When asked about themes that emerged, Nylander noted that the show includes a great deal of thematic variety. “Everything from the blatant to the subtle, from the somber to the humorous, and from the emotional to the contemplative,” he said, while noting the inherent compositional challenges that “working” a crowd presented to local photographers. “But when, through good planning, plain luck, or some combination of the two, you get the great shot, you really know it,” said Nylander. “Many of the images submitted fit this category: truly well composed shots, technically good in their own right, and doubly so when considering the difficult environment the photographer was working in.”

The opening reception for the show was held on July 7 and was attended by over 130 people. News coverage of the exhibit appeared on WKOW 27, WORT radio, and other local news outlets.

Several photographers provided comments about their work. Clint Thayer of Focal Flame Photography (photograph entitled “Stand Up”) said, “I made the photograph on the evening of February 14, 2011, at one of the earliest points of the labor protests. While photographing near the Capitol at night, I came across a small group of protestors and was struck by both the intimacy and the intensity of the moment.” Thayer asked the subjects for permission to photograph them and used an off-camera flash to provide backlighting. The resulting image is angular and starkly lit, with the Capitol rising at an off-kilter angle relative to the subjects. The shadows cast by the protestors’ figures are elongated and the writing on one homemade sign appears luminous. “Many viewers have asked me if the image was altered using Photoshop,” said Thayer. “Aside from cropping and grayscale correction, it was not. The visual elements you see were achieved in camera.”

Kurt Westbrook (photograph entitled "PM WATCH") made his photograph at 4:46 pm on February 28^th, 2011. “My plan that day was to look for a photograph with the late afternoon sun highlighting the capitol building and its flags, and whatever scene I might encounter,” Westbrook said. After walking up King St., he noticed a backlit building and a small group of law enforcement personnel wearing blaze orange vests, watching protestors from their post. Westbrook added, “The protesters were angry but respectful, and the chant to come said it all: ‘Whose house?...Our house.’"

Bill Pielsticker (photograph entitled "Liar!") made a composite of 165 images from three rallies. Pielsticker said, “I created a 'Pinocchio Walker' poster for the Feb. 19 rally and brought home as many images of people photographing my sign as I did of the great signs others made.” He continued to photograph the sign-viewers at rallies on February 26 and March 12, and compiled the composite of the photographs-of-photographers. He included a single image in the composite of the original "Pinocchio Walker" protest sign.

Another composite was contributed by Peter Patau (photograph entitled “This is What Democracy Looks Like"). The image included nine black-and-white images taken with an iPhone. “The protests were unique among my photographic projects, because I was as much a participant as an observer,” said Patau. “As time went by, I started leaving the D90 at home and shooting more with the iPhone. Its casual informality erased many of the barriers between the observer and the observed. It made for a more natural interaction with people than when hiding behind a DSLR,” said Patau. [Author’s note: for another Focal Flame Photography blog post about cell phone photography, click here.]

Michael Rauch (photograph entitled "Charlie V.") submitted a photograph of Charlie V. Gasser, the lead singer for a local band named Bascom Hill. The band was performing during a protest rally at the Capitol. Rauch said, “I was fortunate to be asked by a member of the band to photograph their performance….This protest was marked by cold and snow which did not dampen the crowd [estimated to be] up to 100,000.” The image of the crowd was reflected in the sunglass lenses of Gasser, and the photograph shows a sea of people stretching down State St. next to the Capitol. Remembering his experiences during the protests, Rauch recalled, “I was there early in the protests when the teachers were the primary leaders of the protests. They often brought their children with them. They were polite and so were the police. It was shocking to me to hear [later] news reports about ‘thugs’ after witnessing the interactions between the police and protesters.”

Tom Miller (photograph entitled "A Teacher Thanks a Farmer") contributed a photograph taken with a 70-300 mm telephoto lens during labor protests on March 12, 2011 in which a parade of pro-labor farmers drove their tractors to the Capitol from farms throughout Wisconsin. Miller said, “The image shows a teacher holding a sign thanking farmers for their support of the protest. There is part of an out-of-focus John Deere tractor in the foreground to provide context for the image.”

Ken Halfmann (photograph entitled "Shamester") documented a group of protestors who had constructed “a large (about 8 foot) orange cutout of a hand pointing a finger of shame at the Capitol building,” said Halfmann. He noted that the group had been carrying the cutout to protests in the area and maintained a web site about their efforts.

Interested in seeing the entire exhibit? The “Signs of Protest” show will be open to the public every Saturday from July 9 through August 27 at the CPM studio, 303 S. Paterson St., 2^nd floor.

Any political opinions expressed in this article are those of the interviewees, and are not necessarily the views of the Center for Photography at Madison or Focal Flame Photography.

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