Active Lifestyle through Life's Seasons: Dr. Douglas Kramer
by Kim Rankin
When Douglas Kramer woke up from knee surgery on May 27, 2010, he expected to be on his feet within a day. The veteran triathlete had been experiencing knee pain for about a year and anticipated an uncomplicated meniscus tear repair. Post surgery reports told a different story - one that would require some modification to Doug’s lifelong commitment to being active.
Kramer started running in 1972, influenced by Kenneth Cooper’s books on the importance of aerobic exercise. He was in the Navy at the time and running “...became a part of who I was and the lifestyle I wanted to live,” said Kramer. He took up cross-country skiing, backpacking, hiking, and swimming in addition to running. Over the span of twenty-six years - beginning at the age of 40 -Kramer participated in more than sixty triathlons. He is a six-time participant in the Olympic length distance of the Wisconsin Triterium Triathlon held each year in Verona. Focal Flame Photography has provided event photography services for the Triterium since 2011.
“The Triterium is rated as the toughest Olympic tri in the Midwest,” said Kramer. “It’s a big deal to finish it. The race has some of the worst hills you’ll ever see and you do them a couple of times,” he said, referring to the looped bike course. Kramer completed in the Triterium Olympic annually from 2004 to 2009. But the looming knee pain and subsequent surgery stopped his running career. “I sheared off a piece of articular cartilage the size of a quarter from the end of my femur. I was not supposed to run anymore.”
Kramer had some decisions to make. He was in the middle of closing his Madison-based medical practice as a child psychiatrist. Being unable to exercise in the ways common to him was a severe blow. “Staying active was part of who I am,” Kramer said. “Not being able to exercise and live that lifestyle propelled me to get into speed walking.”
Following his orthopedist’s counsel to not push off the left leg with a bent knee, Kramer set out in what he soon learned was an even more difficult sport than running. “I get a better training heart rate speed walking than I was getting running the same courses. It’s not a bad thing at my age,” said the sixty-seven year old retired physician. “More people should transition from running into speed walking.”
While the shift from running to speed walking has prevented knee pounding and trauma, it has hardly slowed Kramer down. His 2012 results for his seventh Triterium were only ten-minutes off his 2009 time. And he’s competed in three triathlons this year. His favorite race? The Kickapoo Reserve Dam Challenge and paddling the solo canoe route seven miles down the winding Kickapoo River.
Kramer’s love of the outdoors and pursuit of an active lifestyle isn’t isolated to well laid-out courses in the Midwest. He and his son Will are graduates of the Boulder Outdoor Survival School’s (BOSS) Hunter Gatherer course – a nine-day adventure into Utah’s desert canyons with only the clothes on one’s back. Drinking from pools of rainwater and fishing by hand were just two ways Doug lived out the course motto: “Know more, carry less.”
Having pushed his body to the extremes of BOSS and countless other events, Doug’s reflections on an active lifestyle are heartfelt. “Every year I get older, there are fewer people participating in my age group. Why are there just four people in the 65 and older group?” he said. Referring back to his new sport of speed walking and his comeback at the 2012 Triterium, he said, “There is no reason everybody can’t be doing this!”
Focal Flame Photography applauds athletes like Dr. Douglas Kramer. Athletes who get out and participate in sporting activities for the passion of being active. Athletes who adjust to the seasons of the year and the seasons of life by finding ways to stay active. Keep it up, Doug!
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Signs of Labor: A Fine Art Photography Exhibit hosted by the Center for Photography at Madison
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 28th, 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: learn more about cell phone photography in another Focal Flame Photography blog post.]
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., 2nd 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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Tips for Quality Family Reunion Photos
Nothing says summer like family reunion pictures. After the corn-on-the-cob has been eaten, the water balloons tossed, and the sunburns faded, it’s the family reunion photos that remain. And life gives just one chance to capture these important moments. That’s why trusting your family reunion photography to a professional photographer makes sense.
The most obvious advantages to hiring a professional photographer for family reunion photos are inclusion of all family members in the photos and easing the burden on event planners. But there are other benefits to consider as well.
A professional photographer is an objective outsider. They notice details, interactions, and moments that might be overlooked by family members. Whether those moments are cousins swimming or grandma and grandpa holding hands under the table, the professional comes into the family with the purpose of watching and documenting the action of family life.
Clint Thayer, photographer and owner of Focal Flame Photography, recently shared a few thoughts on family reunion photography. He said, “Those tender moments last only seconds. Being ready to see those moments and capture them effectively using light does not come when you buy an expensive camera. It comes from studying your subjects and environment and crafting an effective photo. One that tells a story rather than being a snapshot of a scene.”
Approaching family reunion photographing from a background in sports photography, Thayer brings a unique perspective on how quickly the right moment passes and the shot is lost. “When you deal with a large group - time is golden. Everyone has places to go, things to do. For posed group shots, you have 45 seconds to get everyone adjusted, smiling and ready to show their stuff. Any longer and smiles fade, eyes roll, kids dart - trust is lost. Effective image capturing happens in the tightest time constraints. In those moments, it’s the photographer’s ability to connect with the subject that makes the difference.”
When the moment is right, it’s too late to wonder if Uncle Sid’s cell phone camera will get the job done. A professional photographer has the necessary equipment for taking the photos and for editing afterwards. An amateur simply cannot duplicate the photographer’s investment in gear and experience capturing both posed and candid family reunion photographs.
Transitioning between the posed photos and a photojournalistic style of shooting is where an understanding of lighting is especially critical. When discussing lighting, Thayer returned to the importance he feels trust is between photographer and the family. “What I bring as a professional is a hardened, practical knowledge of both natural and artificial light as well as a mindset that trust is everything. You would be surprised how quickly the lack of trust shows on people's faces.”
The photographer's expertise continues to be valuable after the reunion when families want photos. The professional has systems in place for sharing photos with a large number of people. Many photographers make photos available online and through social media. Individuals and families have the freedom to purchase products that meet their preferences and budget. One family might select just a few prints while another might work with the photographer to create a custom book to commemorate the event.
Family reunion photos no longer need to be left to chance. Hiring a professional to join the celebration for a few hours allows everyone the opportunity to enjoy the reunion and have fantastic photos afterwards. The following tips will help ensure a positive experience for all:
5 Tips for Working with a Professional to Capture Quality Family Reunion Photos
- Assign one family member to work with the photographer prior to and on the day of the reunion photo shoot.
- Communicate early with photographer about type of photos desired, the number of people at your family gathering, and any other special information that will aid in understanding your family.
- Designate preferences between posed or photojournalistic style by assigning a percentage of time you want the photographer to spend on each.
- Offer the photographer a list of any specific photos desired – even candid shots.
- Schedule fun activities while the photographer is with your family - a squirt gun fight between the cousins, Grandpa playing checkers with a grandson, or Grandma showing her wedding dress to the girls.
Focal Flame Photography specializes in capturing life’s action. We are uniquely prepared to cover your family reunion or family gathering because we value what you value: the story of intertwined lives told through quality images.
Do you have stories to share from family reunions? Join the conversation with other Focal Flame Photography fans on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+!
Madison Marathon Kids Run: Moments that Matter
by Robyn M. Perrin
“Do you want to see some photos?,” said Clint. They were familiar words from my husband, business partner, and best friend. It was late on a Saturday evening after he had returned from a commercial photo shoot for Madison Festivals Inc. to document two new events added to the Madison Marathon weekend: a twilight 10K for adults, and a half-mile kids’ race.
I am not a photographer. But I adore photography. It is a medium both raw and real, one that spans an incredible spectrum. The unapologetic witness of photojournalism, which documents the horrors of battlefields and the tragedy of famine. The surrealism of altered images, which create a fantasy world. The minimalism of genres such as contemplative (Miksang) photography, which challenges viewers to appreciate the beauty that always surrounds us. For photography lovers, there is always more to learn, more to see, more to experience.
Every photographer – and every photography fan – recognizes “the” images. The ones that pierce the veil of mundane life and make us see with new eyes and open souls. They are images that your mind will re-play when your eyes shut. These are images that will resonate deeply and echo throughout time. They make you want to study them. They make you want to live more deeply.
They are ephemeral, and don’t come around terribly often.
But as we gazed through the series from the evening, all of a sudden I was overcome.
“Stop.”
Clint glanced over, surprised. I was wordless, because I couldn’t speak.
“You don’t usually cry at my photos,” he said somewhat playfully.
Still couldn’t speak.
The image that had pierced my vision was rendered in black and white. Two young girls were gathered close to each other. Clint explained that they were actually being interviewed by camera crew that was documenting the children’s race. While the video cameras fixed on their fresh, animated faces and the sound boom operator carefully picked up their excited chatter, Clint focused on something else.
Their hands. One African-American, one Caucasian, spontaneously intertwined.
I don’t know any details about the girls, or how they came to be at a running event together, or why they were being interviewed. But as a 37-something-year old American in the year 2012, along with over 311 million other Americans, I witness the complex reality of race in modern society. The strength of amazing role models in communities of color, the crushing economic disparities that follow racial lines with heartbreaking frequency, the depth of future possibilities for today’s youth that too often remains numbingly unrealized.
And as I looked at the image, none of that complex reality mattered. Because there, right in front of me, were two children showing each and every one of us what really matters:
Stop making it complicated. Grab your friend’s hand and go for a run together.
As the tears flowed, I realized that maybe, just maybe, it really is that simple. That’s the power of a photograph.
Focal Flame Photography believes that photography can help change the world, one image at a time. Join the conversation on theFocal Flame facebook page, Twitter, or on Google+.
Girls On The Run Dane County: Strong Legs, Strong Hearts
Do you remember what it was like to be a pre-teen? For many, it is a time of not-quites. Not quite a child, not quite an adult. Not quite independent, but leaning longingly toward freedom. Until that leaning causes a loss of balance, which sometimes leads to running back headlong into the comforts of childhood.
Running. Towards the future. Back to the past. Running.
For Girls on the Run founder Molly Barker, it was a sunset run in 1993 run that eased her troubled mind as she processed all the challenges that life was throwing her way. Running had been her solace since she was a girl. It was a way for her to break out of the set of societal rules and peer pressures that created what she referred to as the “girl box”: a suffocating place where anxiety about body image and self-determination easily led to lack of confidence.
An IronMan triathlete and social worker, Barker felt that there had to be a way to help young girls navigate their pre-teen years and emerge stronger, more self-confident, and better equipped to help one another. And she was certain that it would involve teaching girls to discover their inner athlete.
In 1996, she launched her first program with a small group of girls in North Carolina. Today, Girls On The Run (GOTR) has grown to include hundreds of thousands of girls in over 170 cities in the U.S. – including the Girls on the Run Dane County program.
GOTR is more than a sports club. For ten weeks, the girls not only improve their fitness levels, but also talk with their teammates and volunteer coaches about peer pressure, maintaining self-esteem, and encouraging each other to strive toward their dreams.
It makes a difference, says GOTR participant Jenna, who participated in the Girls On The Run Dane County 2012 Spring 5K event on June 9. “The program is really fun. We run together and we talk about a lot of things that are important for girls to know, like how to feel good about yourself and how to stand up to bullies.”
Over 600 girls, 175 coaches, and 600+ runners from the community gathered at McKee Farms Park in Fitchburg for the 5K run, which took place under a cloudless sky. After warming up with cheers and stretching directed by a purple-clad mascot named Running Man from a local fitness facility, the crowd listened to Junior sing the national anthem. Jenna's mother shared, “She also sang the national anthem at the Madison Mallards baseball game last night. It’s a pretty special thing that she decided to do because her dad just got back from [military] deployment.”
Every participant wore bib number “1” and focused on the overall experience rather than their race time. Girls On The Run Dane County Director Sara Pickard was all smiles as a steady flood of runners crossed the finish line, each girl receiving a pink medal.
But even as Pickard celebrated the day, she was planning for the future. “Our fall program starts on Labor Day at all of our sites,” she said. “The program sites will be posted on our web sites on July 1st, registration opens August 1st, the program starts September 5th, and it’s a 10-week program that finishes November 10th at the Waunakee Village Center.”
Interested in helping? There are many ways to get involved, from becoming a sponsor to volunteering at races. Volunteers can fill out a short form on the GOTR Dane County web site. Helping tomorrow’s leaders is fulfilling and inspiring.
And as for the girls, they’ll tell you: a girl on the run is a beautiful thing. Always.
Interested in more stories about athletes, sports, and sports photography in the Midwest and beyond? Join Focal Flame Photography on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+!
Running the Distance: 2012 Lake Monona 20K and 5K
Can you outrun rain clouds? That was the question on racers’ minds on May 5, 2012, when 851 runners on the 20K course and 164 runners on the 5K course squinted up at overcast skies. But it was a different body of water that greeted them when the race started – the beautiful shores of Lake Monona curving along the lakefront running and bike path.
For runners in the region, the Lake Monona 20K has a long history of being a “runner’s race." It's perfectly situated as a longer distance competition to prepare for the Madison Marathon or the 20 mile Syttende Mai ("Seventeenth of May") Run – part of the traditional Norwegian heritage celebrations involving a run from the steps of the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison to Stoughton, Wisconsin.
Ed Peirick of Fitchburg, WI accomplished a personal record for the Lake Monona 20K route by finishing in 1:38:16 – over 5 minutes faster than his previous time. “Lake Monona 20k has been one of my 'must do' races since 2007,” said Peirick. “Compared to similar distance races, it's unbeatable for cost, course, t-shirt, volunteers, organizers, and post race food & entertainment.”
Steve Morstad of Monroe, WI also logged a PR on the 5K run course. Delighted with his finish line photo by Focal Flame Photography, Morstad wrote, “I really got a kick of your shot. I have so much fun running... but you caught a flash of fierce grit as I pushed for a PR. [It’s a] great shot that I am going to have fun with, with family and friends.”
The event ended with live music by Madison band Mighty Short Bus, and plentiful food and drink from Capital Brewery, Qdoba, and Quaker Steak & Lube.
And – as it turned out – every single participant did outrun the rain, which graciously held off. As for the photography conditions, clouds were perfect. “I love shooting in overcast weather,” said Focal Flame photographer Clint Thayer. “It’s like a natural diffuser – it eliminates hard shadows and really makes the photos pop.”
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Artistry of Endurance Sports - Clint Thayer Exhibition at National Art Museum of Sport
Photos by Clint Thayer Selected for Exhibit on Racing at National Art Museum of Sport
Madison, WI and Indianapolis, IN – April 25, 2012 – The artistry of endurance sports is featured in a series of fine art photographs by Madison, WI photographer and Focal Flame Photography owner Clint Thayer. The photo essay has been selected for exhibition by the National Art Museum of Sport (NAMOS) in Indianapolis, IN. The exhibit, entitled Speed and Motion: Racing to the Finish Line, will run at NAMOS from May 23, 2012 through September, 2012.
“The five images I am showing in this exhibition highlight the artistry of endurance sports, including triathlon, cycling, cyclocross, and swimming,” said Thayer.
“Racing is primal and intense, and I wanted to depict the fear, trepidation, anxiety, tension, and resolution that many endurance athletes experience during a race.”
Thayer is one of seven internationally recognized artists whose work will be displayed. Additional artists include Chris Bucher, Scott Fincher, Sayaka Ganz, Walter Knabe, Thomas Allen Pauly, and Mina Papatheodorou-Valyraki.
Elizabeth Varner, Executive Director of NAMOS, said, “The exhibit features over 30 paintings, sculptures, photographs, and installations from many top sport artists worldwide. Representing a wide range of artistic media, Speed and Motion: Racing to the Finish Line captures the heart-pounding drama of racing [in 9 different sports]… we wanted pieces that would capture the power of racing, because everything about racing is larger than life – the crowds, the chaos, the loudness.”
In describing Thayer’s unique approach and perspective, Varner said, “His work ‘Driving Rain’ was selected for exhibition during a juried 2011 competition [The 2nd Annual International Fine Arts Competition: Commitment to Excellence in Art & Sport]. There was tremendous reaction to ‘Driving Rain’ - just about everyone who saw it stopped in their tracks.”
Varner continued, “I like his photography immensely. I feel he is within the top three sport art photographers I have seen….While Clint Thayer has the technical capacity for conventional sports photographic technique, I think what sets him apart is that his style really crosses the boundary into true sport art. His work is so different; it captures the emotion and intensity of sport. They’re some of the most dynamic images I’ve seen.“
“I think that the power of motion in fine art photography is that it can be a bridge between representational images and abstractions,” said Thayer. “I use motion like I use light: to help frame and sculpt the visual narrative that’s in front of me.”
Ms. Varner was particularly concerned about selecting artistic works capable of showing well in the expansive exhibition space of the museum. “The exhibition space at NAMOS is really best suited to large format art, and while many photographs are acceptable at small to medium format, not all work well at large format,” said Varner. “I knew from his previous showing that the scale of his pieces would really hit the mark, that it would really transform the exhibition space….When you present a photograph in large format, everything has to be absolutely perfect. I knew Thayer’s work could give that larger-than-life sense to viewers.”
Photographer Tom McInvaille, a past special assignment photographer for the United States Olympic Team, said, “Clint Thayer’s sport photography gives a fresh approach to an overly clichéd and highly predictable genre…Clint gives us a glimpse into the larger world of an athletes life. Putting a Minor White admonition into the world of sports journalism: ‘... show us not the object but what the object represents,’ is courageous and reasonably unique. At a time when simple technical proficiency and overly saturated color seem to be the primary aesthetic principles driving today’s imagery, Clint’s sensitivity to narrative and metaphor is a welcome change.”
McInvaille concluded, “I’ve had the pleasure of watching Mr. Thayer’s work evolve into easily accessible yet complex stories. This is an attribute found in only the best of photographs, sport or not.”
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 is located at 850 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN. NAMOS 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. An opening reception for Speed and Motion: Racing to the Finish Line will be held from 5:30-7:30 pm on Wednesday, May 23, 2012.
The series by Clint Thayer is presented as 60” x 40” limited edition giclée archival prints on canvas, and all of the works are available for purchase. The series was sponsored in part by members of the Trek Midwest Team.
A Study of Time and Motion in the West
During a recent trip to Colorado, Focal Flame photographer Clint Thayer created photo essays using time-lapse photography, light painting, and other techniques to help convey the astounding natural beauty of expansive land and starscapes. Here, he shares his thoughts on the experiences, as well as several favorites from the series.
It is no secret that I enjoy creative uses of motion and time in my work to help show the spectacular beauty of the passions and achievements of athletes in full flight. Motion in combination with light can create what I refer to affectionately as a soupy mix of goodness...in fact, the effect is usually so good that it’s hard not to stop in your tracks and wonder a little. (I like creating that stop-in-your-tracks experience so much that I plan on coming out with our own branded Focal Flame brake lights so we can rest easy knowing we are not going to hurt anyone. Safety first!)
During my time in Colorado I thought it might be interesting to take this idea of motion, light, and time but point the lens at the world itself. What better area to study the elements and effects of time then the outcropped, weathered landscape of the Rocky Mountains and the unfettered sky at altitude. Below is a sampling of the full Colorado collection. Feel free to browse all images here and order prints or postcards.
Click image to view, and purchase
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2012 Madison Shamrock Shuffle: Smiles, Shamrocks, and Sunshine
Folks in the upper Midwest know what to expect in March….but in 2012, known as “the Winter that Wasn’t,” all expectations were turned upside down in the most delightful way imaginable. The longest, earliest warm spell on record in Madison, WI set in during the first and second week of March and was punctuated multiple days of record-high temperatures. Kids frolicked in short sleeves, runners rejoiced at trading their treadmill workouts for fresh air, and the organizers of the Madison Shamrock Shuffle thanked their lucky stars.
And then the registration numbers for the Shamrock Shuffle began to climb along with the thermometer.
It passed 2,000 runners…then passed 3,000….and when it exceeded 3,500 in online registration alone, a tough decision had to be made. “With the sudden surge in the last days of online registration, we had to…shut down registration so we could keep everyone well taken care of with the amount of supplies in hand,” said Julia Voss, Shamrock Shuffle Organizer and Board Member. To add to the complexity, road construction on the racecourse necessitated re-routing just three days before the event.
But with sunshine and the serendipity of the Shamrock Shuffle falling on St. Patrick’s Day itself, the good vibes were unstoppable. While the Shuffle began in 2004 as a somber memorial to a runner named Jim Beyer who had been killed by a drug-impaired driver, the vibrancy and the sheer size of the 2012 event served as a fitting legacy.
Not to mention the legacy that the Madison Shamrock Shuffle has given to the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County, which benefits from the proceeds. Over the years the event has become one of the biggest annual fundraisers for the nonprofit, which offers a range of activities and programs for economically disadvantaged youth. “We feel our participants show up to run for the cause and they feel good afterwards, knowing their donation and hard work was for the benefit of The Boys & Girls Club of Dane County,” said Voss.
Race Director Steve Donovan had confidence that all would go well, but also knew it would be a challenge to meet the needs of so many participants. What he witnessed at the beginning of the race amazed him. Recounting the logistics involved in ensuring that participants in the 10k run were safely separated from those in the 5k run and the 2-mile walk, he said,
“Never did I see such an amazing display of solidarity as I did when I went to the 10K corral. I heard [the announcer] Marc Lovicott say over and over again that ‘the human gate will separate the 10K run from the 5K run,’ I went to check on what exactly the volunteers were doing. I noticed Dave, the head volunteer….forming all the start line volunteers in a row to help partition the two corrals. This long, street-wide human fence adorned in forest green shirts stood together. They helped organize the runners one by one, asking them, "Are you 10K? 10K up here." One by one, they got most of the 10K runners up the front. As the 10K runners took off, the gap left behind revealed only Dave and 16 college-aged kids standing in a line, holding back 2,500 other participants. As they were completely gone, they walked forward and led all these people to the start line.
To witness this amazing achievement in our volunteers as as team, I was quite floored. And this moment was only one of the amazing displays of camaraderie that helped us produce the best results possible: The best, most fun race for the participants. Simply amazing day.”
Many racers agreed that the event was remarkable. When asked to name most memorable moments, Michele Peterson said, “The cheering crowd along State Street as I ran to the finish of my very first race and finding a group of family & friends waiting for me there. What a rush!” Sarah Torgerson said, “I would have to say that the State Street crowd was awesome. And the bagpipers.” The infectious enthusiasm of youth participants with the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County brought huge grins for Brenda Bond, who said, “I loved giving the kids high-fives! They were awesome!!” And from an event organizer perspective, Ryan Greissmeyer of Race Day Events said, “The race director and his team did a great job adjusting to the growth of the event as well as rolling with the punches when it came to road construction. A job well done and something most people don’t even notice.”
With thousands of happy participants and tens of thousands of dollars raised for the Boys & Girls Club, time will tell what the future holds for what has become a tremendously inspiring, and very green, Madison tradition.
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Guided Tour to the New Focal Flame Web Site
Sometime when you're in the thick of things, it's hard to slow down enough to capture it all. And ever since we founded Focal Flame Photography, being "in the thick of things" has definitely been one of the best aspects of what we do. But after over two years, it was clear: the time had come to update our web site. This was more easily done during the winter season, when the pace of any outdoor pavement-related endurance sports scene slows in the upper MIdwest (although there was plenty of off-road fun to be had, to be sure.) Because, really, hibernating is overrated.
So after many sessions of coffee-fueled writing and coding, we present (drum roll, please) the new and improved Focal Flame web site. For a behind-the-scenes look, here's the guided tour.
Home
The home page has been completely redesigned. Our goal was to present a full-screen slideshow of images with a clean, minimalistic design that kept the viewer's focus on the photographic composition. The navigation bar is subtly placed at the lower right-hand portion of the screen, and social media buttons allow one-click sharing. The photo changes every 10 seconds. Now, try this: resize your browser window by dragging. The home page automatically resizes to fit the new dimensions. How sweet is that?! (OK, we're geeks...but you have to admit, it's pretty cool.) In a nutshell, the home page looks really simple by design, but it's kind of like a sports car: under a sleek hood, there's a lot of power. We've tested it on every browser we can think of and so far it has been bullet-proof and dishwasher-safe, but if you notice any issues please let us know. It's also mobile-friendly for viewing on smartphones and iPads.
Custom Photography
Next, check out the Custom Photography page. We've added some description that helps address many of the most common questions we hear about custom sports photography, and there are links to other pages that describe the process for starting a custom photography project and how you can arrange a session for your sports team or club. We've also added a page about other types of photography services we offer, such as career portraits, family and birthday party photography, weddings, and real estate photography. But the feature that we're most honored to include is the set of testimonials from past clients. Each one represents a custom photography project that was borne out of their determination and dedication as an athlete, and it's hard to express just how meaningful it has been to play a part in recording their journey.
Event & Race
From there, take a look at the Event & Race page. We describe a little bit about our approach to sporting events, because we know that competition day isn't just any day - it's the day that you've been working towards, sometimes for months or even years. You can also see an at-a-glance overview of events that Focal Flame Photography will be covering in the near future. Check back often, because we are adding new events all the time. There are also special pages just for Race Directors/Event Organizers and helpful tips for anyone needing assistance with finding their images and purchasing photo products. The Event Status page provides up-to-the-minute updates on photo availability for events that we've covered.
We'll just take a brief pause in the guided tour to point out that the new site is extremely social. Every page can be shared with your contacts via Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or via e-mail with a single click. So go ahead - chat it up.
Commercial Photography
Next, let's take a look at the Commercial Photography page. We admit it - we love visual storytelling, and businesses and organizations are just bristling with both energy and photo opportunities. For several case studies, take a look at the links on the right-hand side of the page.
Fine Art Photography
The Fine Art page is our creative playground. We believe that art is essential, and that fine art photography really does have the power to change the world. In addition to an Artist's Statement by Focal Flame Photography founder Clint Thayer, there are links to descriptions of exhibits and projects on the right-hand side of the page. We have several creative projects in the works at any given time, so check back for updates.
Portfolio, About Us, and Store
The Portfolio page provides several galleries featuring sample images in a range of subjects, and once again, content will be updated periodically. The About page tells a little of our own journey, and also provides a link at the right-hand side to some of our Photolanthropy efforts. (Not familiar with the term "photolanthropy"? Visit the page to learn more.) The Store is, of course, your one-stop shop for dozens of galleries from events we've covered, and the Blog is...well....if you're reading this, you're already familiar with it!
So there you have it. We've tried to illustrate the range of photography services we offer, and the types of creative projects we undertake. Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear them. Just drop us a line.
And as always, thanks for your support. Your passion, dedication, and determination is what inspires everything we do. Let's get ready for a terrific 2012! On your mark, get set.....GO!
To follow these and other stories, join the Focal Flame Photography facebook page and follow us on Twitter!