Austin Anthony Photojournalist

Best of 2011

2012-01-18T10:28:00.000-08:00

I've been seeing a lot of "best of 2011" photos a lot lately, and if there's too things I love it's blog posts and bandwagoning. Just kidding. On a serious note 2011 was a big year for me. My confidence and ability with my camera grew a lot between picture stories, my favorite class, and The Flint Journal, my favorite internship so far. I had the opportunity to experience a lot of things that helped me understand the world around me as well as myself this year. So here they are, in chronological order, my favorite photos from 2011. Here's to improvement in 2012

The Last Flint Photos

2012-01-04T11:01:00.001-08:00

I took these photos in my last few weeks at The Flint Journal. I've had them picked out for this post for over a week but for some reason I felt like I should post them from Virginia. My time in Flint was great. I had fun and grew a lot, and I'm thankful for the people who helped me along in my time there. These probably aren't my best photos from Flint but I hope that I'm better now than when I started at the Journal.
Lillian Croenwalt and Shainie Weingarten peek through a curtain dividing women and men to watch Croenwalt's husband, Lee, 90, read from the Torah with Rabbi Yisroel Wingarten (left) during his Bar Mitzvah Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011, at the Chabad House in Flint Township.

Goodrich sophomore Carlos Fordham takes a shot during the Dec. 20, 2011, game against Beecher at Beecher High School. The Bucs won 82-59.

Sara Gonsler, 17, of Grand Blanc, helps Donovan Robinson, 10, sew one of the pillows he and other McGrath Elementary School students made for Munson Medical Center heart patients.

A woman involved in a three-vehicle crash resulting in multiple people injured on West Pierson Road in Mt. Morris Township sits in an ambulance at the scene.

Bus Jobs Occupy Fans

2011-12-15T15:57:00.000-08:00

Olivia Desgrange, 15, of Davison High School, carries a box of donated foods while Travis Carte, 17, hands bus driver Willie Kidd another box of food to be taken into Outreach East in Davison Wednesday morning.

Dan Horan (left), 56, of Fenton, and Henry Barrera (middle), 55, of Flint, chant "jobs" at a rally to support the Karegnondi Water Authority pipeline at City Hall Monday afternoon in Flint.

Occupy Flint protester Derek James, 21, reads a copy of the United States Constitution before protesting against the National Defense Authorization Act Wednesday afternoon in Flint.

Goodrich fans Kyle Bradley (left), 17, and Kenny Rappuhn, 17, react to a dunk by a Goodrich player during Tuesday night's overtime Grand Blanc victory 61-59 over Goodrich at Grand Blanc High School.

Santa Spray Sled Mott

2011-12-03T16:27:00.000-08:00

Tyler Smith, 8, of Linden, sits on Santa's lap while children in line outside peer in Bear Creek Coffee Cafe in downtown Linden Saturday afternoon.

Flint Police Officer Tonya Fields wipes her eyes after another officer used pepper spray to subdue a hysterical man, according to a witness, after police responded to a call for a child being thrown out of a house window on Atherton Road Friday afternoon in Flint. The child was not injured, police said.

Terry Hendrickson, 13, rides on top of Holden Barber, 13, while he sleds down a hill at Kearsley Park, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011 in Flint, Mich.

Mott guard Darryl Marshall looks for a pass around Sinclair Community College sophomore Trent Maddox (right) during Saturday's Mott victory 101-72 in the Bears Club Classic.

State Thanksgiving Christmas

2011-11-28T15:47:00.000-08:00

Ursula and Tom Pougnet hug their sons Garrett (7) and Jacques after they won the division 5 championship game Saturday at Ford Field in Detroit.

Powers Catholic quarterback Garret Pougnet is tackled by Lansing Catholic defenders Dan Liesman (left) and Ryan Clark during the first half of the division 5 state championship game at Ford Field in Detroit Saturday.

Neighbor Paige Hughes (right) holds hands with Letha Turner while Turner tries to comfort the homeowner as Flint Township Firefighters put out a fire in her house early Thanksgiving morning in Flint Township. The house was initially thought to have two children inside, but it was discovered they were at a relative's house.

Elissa Findling, of Commerce Township, kisses her nine-month-old son Dylan as the Christmas tree is lit at Crossroads Village Friday night in Flint.

Ride Win Smoke Prom

2011-11-14T16:22:00.000-08:00

Anthony Frey, 9, attempts to do a "wheelie" on his neighbor's bicycle while playing after school in east Flint Wednesday afternoon.

Frankenmuth team captain Nicole DeGrace (11) celebrates winning the regional volleyball championship over North Branch with her teammates Thursday night at Mt. Morris Junior High School.

Flint Firefighter J. Gilbert takes a phone call while at a vacant structure fire at 1714 Oak St. in Flint Monday afternoon. The fire was under arson investigation, said Captain Joe Morrison of the Flint Fire Department.

Winner of the Miss Michigan's Outstanding Teen Scholarship Pageant Marissa Cowans, 17, of St. Clair Shores, Mich., prepares to participate in a Viper Apparel fashion show as part of a graduation and prom expo at Fenton High School Saturday.

Haircut Dive Defense Vet

2011-11-07T19:14:00.000-08:00

Chris Espinoza (left), 27, of Flint, tries to comfort his son, Gabriel, 2, while he gets his hair cut by Juan Ascencio, 24, Friday in Ascencio's Barber Shop in Flint.

Fenton sophomore MacKenzie Deputy competes in the girls one meter diving at the Metro Swimming and Diving Championship at Fenton High School Saturday.

Lapeer West running back Chad Ferguson is tackled by Linden linebacker Gareth Elliott and safety Tyler Voller (4) during Saturday's playoff game at Lapeer West. Linden would go on to win 21-0.

President of Swartz Creek Veterans of Foreign Wars Men's Auxiliary Ernie Roesner, 57, looks at the tombstone of his father's friend, whom he knew as "Dutch" after a ceremony dedicating a Memorial Carillon at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly Saturday. Dutch would call his father every Christmas, said Roesner.
"That was one of the hardest days of my life, when Dutch didn't call." Said Roesner.

Sports

2011-10-26T16:29:00.001-07:00

Linemen Tyler Brevard (60), Aaron Bigler (50), and Carlos Sanchez (76) do a drill Wednesday at practice for the UM-Flint club football team the Kodiaks.

Davison goalie Brandon Gonzalez punches the ball away from Grand Blanc forward Brennan Smith (23) during Friday's Division 1 district soccer final between Grand Blanc and Davison in Grand Blanc.

Jamestown Ironmen forward Matt Moore is hip-checked by Michigan Warriors defenseman David Johnson during the first period of Thursday night's game at Perani Arena in Flint.

The Bendle High School football team cheers to the crowd after a 36-28 victory at Byron High School in Burton Friday night.

Mortar Hay Protest Run

2011-10-19T12:09:00.000-07:00

Genesee area firefighters work to contain a blaze at the former location of the Broad Street restaurant on West Pierson road in Flushing Saturday night.

Stevan Malone, 54, of Flint, Mich., sits outside of a building he purchased at the corner of Stevens and Court Street in Flint hammering mortar out of old bricks Tuesday afternoon. Malone plans to use the bricks on the front of the building, which he hopes to turn into Stevan's on Stevens market by the end of the year. Malone has always wanted a downtown business, but was not planning on opening a market before he bought the building two years ago.
"When I saw this place I said 'man, that'd be a great store.'" Said Malone, "That's part of why this is so hard, I didn't plan any of this."

Lucas Godfrey (far left), 5, of Davison, Mich., and Audrey Johnston, 6, of Genesee, Mich., climb on a trailer while members of Richfield Township Parks and Recreation Committee and 4-H Country Clovers Club prepare the trailer for a hayride in Richfield Park on Saturday.

Jorge Horcasitas, 20, of El Paso, Texas, films the Occupy Flint protesters outside Bank of America on his phone in downtown Flint Friday.

New Lothrop High School junior Julia Johnson, 17, is comforted by her mother, Lynette Johnson, after not placing in the top 20 runners in the Genesee Area Conference cross country meet at Goodrich Middle School Tuesday afternoon. Lynette gives her daughter a good luck kiss on the cheek before every race she runs.

Leaves Candles Tackles Dogs

2011-10-13T11:03:00.000-07:00

Josh John (left), 4, and Zach Stiemer, 5, throw leaves at Stephanie Giannini, 16, while Arinna Smith, 3 and her sister Genieve, 4, watch Wednesday afternoon in Flint.

Chrissy Osborne (middle), 17, of Flint, Mich., places a candle at a vigil on Saginaw Street for her cousin, Misty Kurmas, 13, who died after being hit by a van fleeing Michigan State Police Wednesday Sept. 28, 2011 in Flint.

Carman-Ainsworth senior quarterback Shane Barron is brought down by Powers Catholic defenders Nick Sullivan (left) and Idris Hobdy during Friday night's 14-0 Powers Catholic homecoming victory.

Michael Soper, of Davison, Mich., pets Lorie Laboy's (right) Rat Terrier, which she kept in a stroller wearing a bumblebee costume for the opening of the Davison Dog Park.
"They're not really leash dogs." said Loboy about the use of the stroller.

Bikes Cars Recalls Hoops

2011-09-27T20:05:00.001-07:00

Jerimiah Lightnin', 23, of Canada, balances on a motorcycle on rollers while Charlie Ransom, 46, of California, announces for an upcoming American Wall of Death show in the flat lot on Saginaw Street in downtown Flint for Bikes on the Bricks Saturday.

Sandy Mamish, of Grand Blanc, Mich., gives Rachell Young, 11, of Swartz Creek, Mich., a ride on her 1902 Curved Dash Oldsmobile at the Golden Memories Car Cruise in Flint Sunday.

Jill Welch (right), of Grand Blanc, Mich., holds up a Recall Paul Scott flyer while she talks to Yvonne Hobbs, a retired Carmen-Ainsworth teacher, and retired Flint teacher Sandy Clay at the Recall Paul Scott kickoff event in Grand Blanc Saturday.

Tim Rice (left), 26, and Deonco Mize, 20, both of Flint, Mich., compete for a rebound during a pickup basketball game Tuesday at Kennedy Park in Flint.

Swimming Kittens Death and Ghosts

2011-09-10T15:51:00.000-07:00

Swimmers warm up in the water during the Fenton Relays at Fenton High School Saturday.

Flint residents Jamar Malone, 12, Michael Flanigan, 14, Jonnard Willie, 11, and Bennie Jones, 13, hold kittens they found at a vacant property on Lawndale Avenue near Rankin Street Tuesday afternoon. The boys were walking by when Willie heard a kitten in a tree, they said. After finding five kittens and no mother, they decided to keep them for pets or to give to relatives.

Anthony Echols, 45, of Flint, Mich., comforts a niece of the victim of a hit and run on Gloucester Street as they speak with a Flint Police Officer in Flint Saturday afternoon.

Skye Hodgkin, 7, of Fenton, Mich., plays on a tree during a break from acting as the daughter of Civil War soldier Benjamin Franklin Marsh at the Civil War history walk at Oakwood Cemetery Saturday in Fenton.

Tennis Kiss Sprinkler Tackle

2011-09-03T12:55:00.000-07:00

Fenton High School (orange) and Holly High School (white) varsity men's tennis teams compete in doubles matches at Fenton High School Tuesday afternoon as Holly attempted to extend it's 51-game winning streak.

A couple kisses after running in the Crim Festival of Races Saturday in Flint.

Desmond Walker, 4, takes a drink from a sprinkler in his front lawn in Flint on Friday. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for the area for temperatures of up to 100 degrees.

Goodrich junior quarterback Mitch Rubio is tackled by Beecher senior defensive back Thomas Miller during the first half of the football game Thursday night at Beecher High School.

Tuesday

2011-08-24T07:01:00.000-07:00

Had a busy Tuesday, decided to post an update.

Clifton Williams, 36, and Diar Riley, 31, embrace outside the Beecher home where their friend was found dead with a gunshot wound Tuesday night.

Zach Moore (right), 10, of Genessee, Mich., escapes a tackle attempt by Shawn Atkins, 9, of Genessee, Mich., during a tackling drill at a Kearsley Youth Football practice at Paro Educational Center in Flint Tuesday. The team is part of the Mid Michigan Rural Football League and starts playing games Labor Day weekend.

Davison High School senior Zach Lamor, 17, of Burton, Mich., walks by the bleachers in the school's cardinal mascot costume Tuesday before the Back to School Blast in Davison. This is Lamor's first year as the mascot after being selected from an audition.

Clayton McAuley, 12, of Burton, Mich., rides his bike down a pile of mulch at Van Y Elementary School in Burton while Carl Sytek of Sytek Construction spreads the mulch on the school's playground. Sytek was contracted to put mulch on several Atherton Community Schools this summer, which he hopes will lead to a safer surface for kids to play on, he said.

Burnout Spraypaint Fair Golf

2011-08-15T17:12:00.000-07:00

John L. Horton (right), of Lapeer, Mich., celebrates as Dennis Dreyer, of Flint Township, Mich., does a burn out in his Camero Berlinetta Friday at the Back to the Bricks Tune Up at Hank Graff Chevrolet in Davison.

Clifton Shultz, 29, of Flint, Mich., Brian Boulis, 27, of Mt. Morris, Mich., and Daniel Luna, 40, of Flint, Mich., spray paint a wall on Hammerburg Road in Flint Sunday in memory of car accident victim Dennis Rowe.

Eldon Runyan, 72, of Eden, Ohio, takes a break Sunday from preparations for the Genessee County Fair at E.A. Cummings Center in Mt. Morris.

FJGA Jack Nicklaus Group 18-hole championship flight golfers Chloe Lawrie, 17, of Swartz Creek, Mich., and Alicia Flood, 17, of Burton, Mich., prepare to tee off Wednesday at Swartz Creek Golf Course in Flint, Mich. Lawrie would win the girls championship for the second year in a row.

Gas Drum Breast Mayor

2011-08-08T13:47:00.000-07:00

Linden Police Officer Gary Conklin is given oxygen by a Genessee County Sheriff Department paramedic Wednesday after being the first to respond to two sewer workers who fell into a manhole at Prices Airport in Linden, Mich. Conklin found both workers face down at the bottom of the sewer before he rolled them over and assisted in their rescue, police said.

Steve Banks, from Flint, Mich., plays the drums for Smooth Operation in The Loft Thursday night during the Jazz Walk in Flint.

Rachel and Caleb, 17 months, Wideman, of Vernon, Mich., Clara and Vincent, 16 months, Coppola, of Highland, Mich., Helen and Eli, 2, Blumner, of Flint, Mich., and Shawna and Ryder, 6 months, Lubinski, of Clarkston, Mich., raise their hands and wait to be counted amongst the twenty mothers who breast fed for one minute straight in Fenton, Mich., Saturday Aug. 6 in an attempt at a world record.

Scott Smith campaign volunteer Gary Bernard reacts after Smith came in third in the Flint mayoral primary Tuesday Aug. 2.
"I just don't understand why people want to vote for the incumbent every time and think things will change," Bernard said about the results.

FIre Zombie Puck Bear

2011-08-01T10:28:00.000-07:00

A Flint Firefighter grimaces as he walks past the flame from a gas line at a vacant house fire at 413 E. Gillespie Ave. in Flint Saturday. The fire is suspected to be the result of arson by metal scrappers said Flint Police Department Sgt. Bigelow.

Tyler Naeyaert, 10, Swartz Creek, Mich., reads the newspaper before filming a commercial for the Flint Zombie Walk Sunday morning in downtown Flint. Several deaf actors, including Naeyaert, were involved in the production. Proceeds from the walk will go to the Michigan School for the Deaf's student aid program.

Tyler Suciu tries to maintain puck possession in the offensive zone as Michigan Warriors Gold Team players come in to take it from him at the Michigan Warriors Main Camp All-Star Game at Iceland Arenas in Flint. The players were competing for a spot on the roster, which was cut in half after the game.

Dan 'Bearman' Gruenwald, 25, St. Claire Shores, Mich., dances with Michelle Talmago, 25, Toledo, Ohio, at the Warrior Dash Sunday in Genessee Township.

Third week in Flint

2011-07-24T06:18:00.000-07:00

Shariay Jenkins, 11, tosses Armondo Jenkins Jr., 6, into the pool with Shariah Jenkins, 9, and Quatashia Nelson, 13, in their great grandmothers yard Wednesday in Flint.

Kathleen Mears, Davison, Mich., encourages her son Jason, 9, as he attempts to eat two 14-inch pizzas in 20 minutes in The Pizza Co.'s pizza eating competition Saturday at the Davison Festival of Flags.

Jake Harman, 19, Hartland, Mich., lifts a 340-pound stone onto a platform as part of the Davison Festival of Flags strongman competition Saturday in downtown Davison.

Bruce Garrett, 72, Flint, Mich., looks inside a 1949 Chevy, the same as the model of his first car, he said.
"I didn't have a fancy steering wheel like that, though." Garrett said.

Second Week in Flint

2011-07-18T08:53:00.000-07:00

We'll see how long I can keep up the weekly posts.

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Rob Callaway, 23, works out in Beecher High School's weight room in Beecher, Mich., Wednesday afternoon. Callaway graduated from Beecher High in 2006.
"This is the first time I've been back but I do want to make it my business to be back at least once a year." Callaway said.

Brian Jones, 39, Burton, Mich., catches his breath on the sidewalk after completing the Bastille Day 15k race Saturday morning in Fenton, Mich.

Wanda Collinsworth, 80, Flint, Mich., sells place-mats at her table at Buckham Alley Fest in downtown Flint Saturday afternoon. Collinsworth said she thinks the festival is great for Flint, but wished they would have turned down the volume of the live performances.

Dr. Loretta Long, known for her part as Susan on the television show "Sesame Street" signs her book "Courtney's Birthday Party" for Malyrica Moore Wednesday at the Flint Public Library.

First Week in Flint

2011-07-10T09:07:00.000-07:00

I've just finished my first week interning at The Flint Journal in Michigan. Here's some photos from this past week.

Phillis and Leo Vaillancourt, Clarkston, Mich., pass a young garden tourist during the Goodrich Garden Tour Saturday at the home of Darlene and Robert Morgan.
"It's interesting, but I'd rather be at the golf course." Said Leo, who also said his wife convinced him to go.

Cinthia Montague, 20, Candice Stewart, 19, and Sam Maxson, 20, dance in the Grand Fountain in downtown flint after performing in the Genesee Towers show Friday.

Virginia Hutchins, 65, Flint, Mich., sits in her garage waiting for police to come so she can file a burglary report for her house, which has been robbed three times since a fire forced her to vacate it. She waits in the garage as many days as she can.

Mark David Doak (right), 48, has been going to the same dock after work for five years.
"We stop here every day, converse about our troubles and try to help each other out." he said. Doak has been living in and out of hotel rooms for the past two and a half years, he said, which he finds more affordable than owning a home or renting a room. Doak said that anywhere from four to nine people come to the dock every evening to hang out, and that most of them work manual labor.
James Malone Jr. (left), 44, worked in auto assembly before being laid off in 2007. Lately he has been collecting bottles and cans for money, riding 10 or more miles a day, he said.

Charlottesville Series

2011-06-13T16:11:00.000-07:00

I recently visited Charlottesville for the Look3 festival. It was a great experience. In between events and galleries I had some downtime, so I began taking photos similar to the ones I took in Nashville, and this is the result.

Picture Stories Final

2011-05-25T17:55:00.000-07:00

Here's my final for the picture stories class, by far my favorite class of the major thus far.

Boyhood Bigotry from Austin Anthony on Vimeo.

Nashville Series

2011-04-27T16:47:00.000-07:00

While looking through my take from the Broadway street assignment, I noticed that a lot of my favorite images had only one person in them. So here is a portrait series of sorts, even though only three are posed.

A manager of the boots store takes a cigarette break.

A woman looks around at the posters in the Hatch Show Print Shop, one of the oldest letterpress shops in the US.

Actress Natalie Irby takes a break from working on a short film being made upstairs.

A bus driver poses for a photo in front of a tour bus that for the night had been converted into a mobile hotel for a bachelor party.

A girl who plays ukulele in a traveling band poses for a photo.
"I'm in a bad place right now," she said. "My friend just died."

A homeless woman looks for a place to sleep on a drizzly Nashville night.

A drunken homeless man gathers his things before panhandling.

A street sweeper cleans up at 3 am.

A woman texts in a doorway after the bars have closed.

WarDamnRodeo

2011-04-11T10:03:00.000-07:00

I went to Auburn, Alabama this weekend to visit a friend and experience the famous Rodeo. It was surreal.

Fight Night Portraits

2011-03-30T15:01:00.000-07:00

Peer Prejudice

2011-03-24T15:20:00.001-07:00

Growing up involves a lot of confusion and angst. Everyone feels the need to fit in with his peers, and at no time is it more apparent than in the teens. Once a common thread is found it grows and pulls a group closer, bonding them. Sometimes these bonds are a shared love, and other times a shared hatredMatthew, 16, Dillon, 17, and Dakota R., 15, live within a few blocks of each other in Bowling Green, Ky. They have all been in trouble in school and at home for things such as threats, fighting, and possessing weapons. They spend days outside playing with other neighborhood kids.

Matthew and Dillon wrestle in front of another friend’s house. The boys are all sons of blue-collar workers, and aspire to do the same type of work as adults. As a young child Dillon was jumped by a group of black men, leaving his chest convex for the rest of his life, he said.

Dillon looks in the window of Dakota J.’s house, which is down the street from Matthew's.

Dakota J., 15, is Matthew’s cousin.

Matthew hugs his grandmother, Irene, 70. As a result of custody battles with Matthew’s parents Irene was asked to care for him as a last resort before being put in a group home.

Matthew walks through Dakota J.’s room, which is adorned with rebel flags. Dakota J. brags that he won’t allow black people to be his friend on Facebook.

The other boys drew a swastika on Dakota R.’s forehead. He was forced to wash it off the next morning when he went to school at the alternative school on 11th street.

Irene says taking care of Matthew and watching over the other boys as they play in the neighborhood is a full-time job for her at the age of 70.

Warehouse Rave

2011-03-19T09:46:00.000-07:00

ACP

2011-03-13T12:17:00.000-07:00

For my spring break I chose to attend a photo workshop called Appalachian Culture Project in Lewisburg WVa with about 20 of my classmates and a few coaches. It was an awesome experience and I highly recommend everyone who looks at my story to look at the others too.
http://acpworkshop.org/2011-2/stories/austin-anthony/

ACP 1

2011-03-07T19:20:00.001-08:00

Some photos from driving around before I had found a story. I stopped by a cave.

Finding Refuge

2011-02-23T20:45:00.001-08:00

Nineteen-year-old David Herrera escaped the Colombian guerrillas that killed his father and made it to Bowling Green, but life in America has given him problems he can’t escape from.

Herrera practices soccer outside his church, Corazones Cristianos. His family fled Colombia when guerrillas forced them off their land because they wanted to use it to grow cocaine. His mother and eight siblings made it to Bowling Green safely, but his father was not so lucky. “I was a kid, I didn’t know what was happening,” he said. “I know I thank God I’m here.”

Herrera currently lives with his sister in a Housing Authority duplex. He had to drop out of high school and work full time with Construction Amigos to have enough money to live.

Herrera helps his friend, Mateo Lopez, 20, put a spoiler on his car. Herrera would rather work for free than have idle time to think about the state his life is in, he said. “When I’m not working I think about serious things like child support money I don’t have and that I’m an adult in this situation,” he said.

Most of Herrera’s daily work is painting and construction. When business is good he makes $300 a week, but usually makes less.“The only time I feel okay is when I’m working. When I’m not doing anything it’s depressing because I’m not getting anywhere,” he said.
Due to her mother having full custody, Herrera only gets to see his two-year-old daughter Angelica at church three days a week. He doesn’t argue over seeing her more often after her mother’s family called the police and accused him of being drunk and high when he was taking care of her. Nothing was proved in court, but he prefers not to deal with the law again.

“Nobody this young wants a kid, but when it’s there you have to take care of her, love her,” he said.

On Sundays Herrera plays electric keyboard in the church band. He doesn’t consider himself as faithful as most of the congregation, but takes comfort in the company of people he knows as well as getting to see his daughter. “I wish to be with her, but she’s always with her mom or grandma and they wont let me see her,” he said about Angelica.
Herrera watches indoor soccer games at the church after mass with one of the girl’s teams. He never played soccer in Colombia, but enjoys watching and playing now.
He uses church and work as means to avoid thinking about the trials he’s come upon in life.
Herrera is unsure what his future relationship will be with his daughter. He hopes that she will continue to love him as she does now, but fears that her mother will make her think he’s a bad person.

“The only girl who’s name I’ll get tattooed on me,” he said about the tattoo on
his back.

Herrera shares a room with his nephew in his sister’s house. “My sister’s the only one helping me out, letting me live in her house,” he said. He used to live on his own, but had to move in with his sister when child support became too much for him to afford. “I always think I want to go back to Colombia to get away from things I think about here, but here is okay,” he said. “But it’s not the country’s fault, it’s my fault what I’ve done.”

Reflection from the Pick-up Artist

2011-02-18T12:01:00.000-08:00

Jonathan Green wrote a blog post about the experience of having me follow him around for the week, check it out http://www.organicseduction.com/famous-story-photos/
Pretty cool read, at least to me.

The Caretaker

2011-02-16T22:06:00.000-08:00

Here's my multimedia piece for the picture stories assignment of 'love'. I'll probably re-edit this at some point, but now is not that time. Thanks for watching.

The Caretaker from Austin Anthony on Vimeo.

The Pick-up Artist

2011-02-09T15:12:00.000-08:00

Jonathan Green, 30, videotapes a lesson entitled ‘How to Get a Girlfriend’ for his website OrganicSeduction.com in a studio he set up in his mother’s basement. Green has been practicing pick-up for over 3 years and made close to $60,000 in London, England two years ago coaching. He returned home to Nashville after his student visa ran out in 2009, and is adjusting to the new environment. Green began researching pick-up after having his heart broken by a girl who was cheating on him.

In Nashville, Green spends most of the week working on remodeling his website, a stark contrast to his days in London, where he would go out six nights a week, he said. He’s spent much of the past year teaching himself search engine optimization, marketing and other business skills; as well as reading dozens of books with topics ranging several social sciences. Some other pick-up artists have criticized him fro his ‘numbers’ being low, he’s slept with 30 women. He responds to the critics by saying, “Would you rather have a coach that gets laid or a coach that gets you laid?”

Routine is a key to Green’s success. He preaches that being in control of your appearance and environment is the first step towards the confidence required for pick-up, and shaving his back is a part of his ritual before he goes out. “I didn’t even know my back was that hairy until a girl asked me to put my shirt back on so she could give me a massage.” He said.

The clothing philosophy Green follows is to dress 10% better than everyone else in a given club, and that means accessories. “Everything I wear has a story behind it, so that if a girl asks about something I can talk about it for 30 minutes.” He said. He also based his hair on the comic book character Wolverine. He read in a book that people make judgments in the first 10 seconds of meeting someone, so his goal is to have his hair and face be interesting enough for all 10 seconds.

Green, a fellow pick-up artist Nick, and student Seth Cardew, 20, walk down the streets of Nashville towards a club. Cardew first went to Green a year ago to help get over Selective Mutism that had kept him from talking to most people his whole life. Cardew lied and told his mother he needed money for textbooks and used the money to pay for a counselor and for Green’s lessons, which are at least $100. “It needs to be enough money that they take it seriously.” Green said.

Green dances in the gay bar Play in Nashville. He enjoys the challenge of sleeping with lesbians, he said.

Cardew goes to Green for advice with a group of girls. When coaching, Green usually stays off to the side and tells his students what to say to approach a woman, then lets the student handle it from there. Green describes most of his students as extremely shy when they first come to him. “I help nice guys get laid more, it’s like a war against assholes.” He said.

Green talks to a girl while in line for the bathroom at Nashville’s 12th and Porter. If he’s coaching a student, Green makes sure not to approach any women until the student has at least gotten a phone number from a girl.

While talking to a woman, a man bumped into the table Green was sitting at and spilled a drink on him. Shortly after this, another man came and took the woman off to the dance floor. About the incident, Green said, “At that point I had already lost interest in her after she said her dream was to be a professional shopper.”
Green didn’t go home with anyone that night, but Cardew got a girl’s phone number so he considered the night a success. In the future, Green hopes to move his business to Hawaii and plans on eventually making over $100,000 a year.

12th and Porter

2011-02-07T19:13:00.000-08:00

An unrelated frame from the story I've been working on. A couple shares a moment in Nashville's 12th and Porter nightclub.

Beginnings of a Project

2010-12-08T16:29:00.001-08:00

First Time in the Studio

2010-12-08T09:24:00.000-08:00

Musical theater student Katharine Moser, 18, Louisville, Ky., recently played the part of Marian Paroo, a librarian in The Music Man. "I love all the cheesy musicals, I don't really like the serious ones.", she said.

Meaghan Heit, 18, Louisville, Ky., sings "Popular" from the musical Wicked, sung by the character Glinda. "It's my dream role," she said, "her voice part is mine."

Groundskeeping and Food

2010-12-01T15:29:00.001-08:00

Danny Smith, 48, originally from Wooster, Ohio, got a job with Western Kentucky University part-time through Lifeskills. Smith, who taught himself to read at 37, dreamed of attending college one day. The University helped him realize this dream by hiring him full-time so he could take classes for free. When not working, Smith also speaks to students from elementary to college level about the importance of not taking college for granted. “When Mom was alive they labeled me as mentally retarded.” Smith said, “It doesn’t matter how good I do or how far I achieve I’ll never get rid of that label.”

Enrique Menjivar, 26, Bowling Green, Ky., Taqueria Azteca in January 2010 on Old Morgantown Road. Menjivar and his wife, Veronica, immigrated to the US as children, from El Salvador and Mexico respectively. The couple does most of the work in the restaurant, with some help from relatives and friends. Both heritages are reflected in the menu, though it is mostly Mexican. Menjivar hopes to “provide more Hispanic variety to students and the community”, he said.

Fire off Russellville

2010-11-17T17:33:00.000-08:00

A trailer caught fire off of Russellville Rd. Tuesday around midnight. Both residents were okay.

Firefighters walk out of the mobile home after extinguishing the blaze.
Johnny, 47, and Tina, 46, Milam watch the commotion outside of their own mobile home. The Milams said they were awoken when a police officer knocked on the door, and had not been aware of the fire at the time.
Neighbors gathered to watch the proceedings and make sure everyone was alright.

Portrait of an Immigrant

2010-11-16T20:21:00.000-08:00

Imagine this in diptych form...

Perlis Sailas, 21, Bowling Green, Ky., immigrated to the United States 17 months ago to work with his fellow Micronesians in Shogun of Japan on Scottsville Road. Back home in Phonpei, Micronesia, Sailas was a carpenter. Comparing the two jobs, he said, “This job is better, back home I cut the trees and everything myself, here I cook one time and make money.” Aside from a motorized scooter, Sailas hasn’t made any large purchases and sends most of his money home, he said, “I always send money, because I love my family, they no make big money.” Sailas left his parents and a son in Phonpei.

Chewing beetle nut (right) is a cultural tradition that Sailas and other Micronesians continue in the states. In preparation the beetle nut has tobacco and lime paste added to it, and is then wrapped in a tobacco leaf. It is rumored to make your teeth stronger, said Sailas.

Musician

2010-11-12T08:52:00.000-08:00

Leroy Berry, 59, plays the bongos and sings in his backyard by his grandkids' playset. Berry spent his whole life on the road from the age of 17 doing odd jobs to get by, and along the way falling into a drug habit with drugs as serious as herion and LSD. In 2002 his sister found him in St. Louis and they both agreed he needed to leave, says Berry. She took him to Bowling Green, where he got back in touch with his passion for performing he had as a kid, he said, "As a teen I survived through the performing arts center (in St. Louis), but my teen life was snatched from me when I had a kid at 16." Berry tries to convey happiness to others through his music, he said.
Berry now lives with his wife in Bowling Green, and she has let him dedicate a room of the house to his art. The walls of the room are surrounded by drawings of influential black people painted by his brother, Lavirelle Aber. Selling these drawings was once a main source of income for the brothers.

Something I Saw

2010-11-10T22:27:00.000-08:00

Construction workers lean over the edge of the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center being built in downtown Bowling Green.

WKU football vs Florida Atlantic University

2010-11-07T16:44:00.000-08:00

One streak ends, another begins. Is that too cynical?

WKU linebacker Ben Duvall tries to bring down FAU runningback Alfred Morris Saturday. Morris ran for 68 yards and a touchdown as the Owls defeated the Hilltoppers 17-16.

WKU wide receiver Willie McNeal forces FAU cornerback Tavious Polo to fumble on an interception return in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game. FAU went on to recover the fumble and win the game 17 to 16.

Shadows of people in the stands and walking by as the sun went down.

The crowd in the first half of the game. Attendance dwindled some as it got colder, but many people stayed until the end.

Homecoming Parade

2010-11-04T21:54:00.000-07:00

Jim Kessler, 39, Bowling Green, Ky., keeps his kids Lauren, 4, Grant, 10, and Trey (wolf mask), 14, out of the street as they pick up candy thrown from the WKU homecoming floats October 29, 2010. Jim attended Western Kentucky University for a few years before leaving to start a family.

A WKU student sits in the 'Thriller' themed homecoming float Friday before the parade started.

Parade participants wait for the parade to begin as the sun went down Friday.

Training For A New Life

2010-11-04T21:24:00.001-07:00

I spent a while trying to embed soundslides on here, but ultimately failed. Anyways, here is my lighting photo story, Livingston 'Don' Prens, hibachi chef in training at Shogun.

Livingston 'Don' Prens, 23, practices his Hibachi moves in an empty Shogun after the lunch rush. Prens has been in training for about 8 months, and hopes to become a full chef in the next year.

Prens gripes about doing the rookie job as he cleans a grill after the restaurant closes. When he becomes a full chef he will no longer have to do the rookie jobs, and more importantly he will get a significant pay increase. Nearly all of his paycheck now goes to support his unemployed fiance, as well as his 3 year-old son being raised by his parents in Pohnpei. "It was hard," said Prens about leaving his son and home, "but I had to get a better life rather than struggle."

J.R. Yasou Yamada oversees Prens' cooking and critiques his performance. Yamada and Prens are distant cousins, both immigrated from Pohnpei, Micronesia, as did most of the employees in the restaurant. Yamada gives instruction in their native dialect of Phonapeyek, like "Hey, smile a bit!". Showmanship is the hardest part for a rookie chef to learn according to Yamada.

Prens laughs in the kitchen with other Micronesians. "Us Micros work hard, we didn't come from much back home." Most of the conversation in the restaurant is in Phonapeyek, a Micronesian dialect. They all came to the US to make more money to send home, and chose Bowling Green because the cost of living is cheap.

Prens drinks Kava with his fiancé, Jusihda Edward, and a friend from work, Dixon Welson. Kava is a traditional intoxicating drink, which Micronesians drink to relax after work. Prens and his friends drink about once a week then look at images of Pohnpei and reminisce.

Jusihda shows Prens a hospital bill that just came in the mail. Prens doesn't want to bring their son into the US until he is more financially stable. "There's health bills, saving for a car," Prens lists things he needs to take care of, "I want to make sure everything's tight with me before I bring him here."

Because he doesn't have a car, Prens relies on rides from coworkers and cabs. Often he cannot get a ride or afford the $7 cab fare and has to walk 15 minutes to work.

Photos of Livingston, Jusihda, and their son are pasted on the wall of their apartment. Livingston talks to him about twice a month on the phone, and sees pictures of him on Facebook.

Prens shows off a tattoo he designed. He got it as a connection to where he came from. "If you see a tattoo like this you know I'm a pacific islander."

9, 10

2010-10-27T00:20:00.001-07:00

A few frames from my lighting story that didn't make the cut, but that I liked and had some interesting number play. Those that did make the cut will be posted in the near future.

WKU Football Continues the Streak

2010-10-17T17:38:00.000-07:00

I honestly thought the Hilltoppers would win this one against a Sunbelt opponent of about the same caliber, University of Louisiana-Monroe. Going into the fourth quarter leading 24-7, the team broke down and allowed 28 straight points. A late touchdown pass proved futile, bringing the final score to 35-30 Warhawks.

WKU coach Willie Taggart stands with his team in the inflatable helmet as they wait for the start of the game.

Marcus Vasquez celebrates a 13 yd touchdown reception from Kawaun Jakes with his teammates in the endzone in the second quarter.

Bobby Rainey drags a ULM defender into the endzone for his first of two touchdowns in the game in the second quarter.

The ULM punter is just able to throw the ball downfield after dropping the snap.

People on WKU's sideline react to an incomplete pass intended for ULM receiver Tavarese Maye.

ULM runningback Frank Goodin scores on a 2yd run in the fourth quarter to bring the Warhawks within one score of the lead.

The Warhawks react in excitement to a WKU player being tackled into their sideline on the play.

Revfest

2010-10-17T17:23:00.001-07:00

Revolution 91.7 hosted their annual RevFest Battle of the Bands Saturday at the WKU Colonnade. The event was free, but over $500 dollars was raised in donations for the Henry F. Moss Middle School Music Program.

Members of the band Fat Box performed for the crowd Saturday. Fat Box made it to the final judging, but came away with second place.

Sophomore Matthew Veech, 20, was the main focus off the stage on Saturday. Veech was wielding a homemade light saber, and incorporating it into his dance moves.

Despite having to compete with the football game for attention, RevFest attracted a solid group of dedicated fans.

Extremes

2010-10-13T11:31:00.000-07:00

Nineteen-year-old Will Pattiz of Athens, Ga., decided to leave University of Georgia to pursue the success of his clothing company, The Otter Bay. He said the idea came to him in a dream, "I had a dream one night that everybody wearing polos were itching and scratching, but mine felt awesome. I woke up the next day and decided to research it." After developing a custom fabric, and struggling with translation with manufacturers, he was forced to decide between school and the company, "I was working 8 to 5, but not the good kind, the China kind, and going to school."

Revised Multimedia

2010-10-11T19:35:00.001-07:00

Still a little rough, but better than it was.
http://vimeo.com/15603161

Portrait of an Athlete

2010-09-29T00:52:00.000-07:00

Chris Bidwell, 20, from Glasgow, Ky., has been practicing martial arts most of his life, focusing on Hapkido. When he came to WKU he decided to try a fencing class, and is in a parkour club comprised mostly of Western students.

Portrait of a Roommate

2010-09-22T20:31:00.001-07:00

Tailgating 9/18

2010-09-19T17:47:00.000-07:00

Jay Cottrelle stands on the bed of a truck chanting and waiving the Kappa Sigma flag during tailgating Saturday.

Two WKU tailgaters hold hands on the edge of the crowd of tailgaters in the Kentucky Street lot.

Clay Goodson sits on a cooler in the middle of a crowd of dancing tailgaters Saturday.

Kayla Nall sings and dances from the bed of a truck before the WKU football game Saturday.

Two WKU tailgaters hug while others dance to the music around them Saturday.

Pepper part 2

2010-09-18T20:17:00.000-07:00

For lighting we shot our peppers again, this time lighting them with a strobe.

WKU vs Ball State soccer

2010-09-18T20:08:00.000-07:00

I covered the women's soccer game on the tenth for the Talisman. They lost 1-0.

Pepper

2010-09-10T13:42:00.000-07:00

We had to creatively shoot a pepper without the use of a strobe for our first lighting assignment. I chose a pepper of the bell variety, and turned in the top photo for class.

A Large and Overdue Update

2010-07-14T19:54:00.000-07:00

knox update

2010-07-03T22:21:00.000-07:00

Busy Busy Busy

2010-06-28T13:53:00.000-07:00

Photos from the teamwork development course.

Echo Company

2010-06-26T09:05:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the first day of shooting with my company, and I got to go to the airport. It was a good day.

Cadre asked Cadets to remove possible contraband from their bags to make the searching process go smoother. Two condoms and a pack of pills were thrown out at the same time, prompting a drill sergeant to ask "What the hell are those, roofies?". They turned out to just be Tylenol.

A Cadet sprints toward the barracks after hearing his name called.

Cadets stand in line at the airport to receive their meal tickets, good for nine dollars worth of airport food.

Just a couple non ltc related photos from the airport.

Knox update

2010-06-14T10:33:00.000-07:00

Shot a bunch of assignments this past weekend, here's some that stood out from map reading, cross fit training, and a General's retirement luncheon.

A Weekend With JROTC

2010-06-07T17:50:00.000-07:00

I followed around JROTC cadets from Jackson, Mississippi for the weekend as they went through the courses.

First Ft Knox Frames

2010-06-03T10:56:00.000-07:00

After a week of training I finally got to shoot. The assignment was for a piece about hot weather...so I was taking photos of people getting water and sweating when a soldier, Staff Sergeant Wilson, collapsed next to me. Turned out to just be a drill, but Wilson's acting fooled me and most of the people there, including the medic, Specialist Hurley, who didn't know it was a drill until he was told not to actually insert the IV.

Specialist Morgan Aiken demonstrates the ropes course for the Cadre.

Final Story

2010-05-17T11:39:00.000-07:00

For my multimedia final I kept up with my basic final, with the Lawrence family. I spent three days in the lab editing this, so I hope you like it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsmOFdEhUxA

Flooded Streets

2010-05-02T19:07:00.000-07:00

Jordan and Thomas Maxey, 13 and 10, play with Amanda Robertson, 8, along with some other neighborhood friends in the water that flooded their neighborhood street after it rained for two days in Bowling Green. "The rain was bad yesterday, and bad this morning, but now it's good because I can swim in it." said Jordan Maxey.

Easter

2010-04-09T15:43:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I shot Easter festivities at Emmanuel Day Care and Preschool as part of my teacher project. It was a new experience for me, but it was fun.

The Fixers

2010-03-31T18:07:00.000-07:00

spring semester

2010-03-24T17:40:00.001-07:00

William Brown, 14, lights a cigarette in a space heater as John and Zach White, 13 and 14, and Andrico Smith, 12, show off their ‘colors’. They received the bandanas upon being initiated into the local bloods chapter in Bowling Green, Ky. (John, Zach, and Andrico’s last names changed by request.)
Passing a cigarette, I think it looks cool.
Jerry McAdoo, 38, Bowling Green, Ky., welds together a wagon for the landscaping crew at Western Kentucky University. “The flower people don’t like to use gas vehicles so we have to make them a wagon to carry their flowers in.” he said. McAdoo works in the Auto Shop on campus, but is often given odd jobs.

Fight Night

2010-03-02T20:31:00.000-08:00

Some photos from Thursday's greek fight night.

Inline at Western

2010-02-21T22:30:00.001-08:00

They got the cops (Adam Bennett) called on them for "destruction of property", but he was pretty cool about it and didn't take them in.

Will Powell, 18, Atlanta, Ga., skates at Downing University Center.
Chad Anthony, 25, Bowling Green, Ky., Jack Chok, 17, Bowling Green, Ky., Dustin Spengler, 18, Atlanta, Ga., and Carson Sturnes, 17, Bowling Green, Ky. inline rollerblade on WKU's campus on Sunday.

wku baseball vs kent state

2010-02-21T22:06:00.000-08:00

Jake Riley, 21, Owensboro, Ky. searches for another mans lost cell phone between the edge of the deck and the outfield wall.
Kids play tennis ball baseball on the tennis court.

WKU students waive a cutout of Kent State left fielder Anthony Gallis during Friday's game.

old stuff, i miss the prison

2010-02-20T17:54:00.000-08:00

Redskins Game

2009-12-28T13:37:00.000-08:00

Hanging out in the dream seats (third row), eating as many free hot dogs as possible, watching the skins get shutout, and taking a few photos. Redskins vs. Cowboys, Dec. 27, 2009 final 17-0.

Basic Final Story

2009-12-17T12:00:00.001-08:00

I learned a lot about photojournalism while working on this project, and a lot about people. I'm already looking forward to picking this story back up in the spring. I have to thank Jon for letting me use his bike for this project, and Lance, Tanner, Jake, and Mr. Kenney for help with the editing process. I think this is a pretty good end to the semester.

Two Weeks

2009-12-01T19:27:00.001-08:00

The Lawrence family on their porch.
A portrait of Boonlarp Phungphinij (Lott) for the old person flash reshoot.

Dig project=Unemployment

2009-11-10T19:59:00.001-08:00

Rhonda Kugler, 53, of Bee Spring KY fills out a sheet saying where she applied for jobs in the past six weeks. She lost her job at Job Corp last year after 17 years of work. However, Kugler tries to see the bright side of the situation, she said, “It sucks man, but at least I get to see my grandkids more”.
Steve Sanders (far right), 26, of Bowling Green walks back to his seat after turning in his paper work. He said that his family’s support helps him deal with the
situation.

2009-11-05T19:29:00.000-08:00

Big Red Bench Off. Too lazy for captions now, I'll do that next week.

week 5

2009-10-21T19:28:00.000-07:00

The Gospel Rapper.

week 4 portrait of an artist

2009-10-15T00:23:00.000-07:00

John Clark, a very interesting artist in Bowling Green.

week 3

2009-10-07T15:16:00.000-07:00

Found one more I like. Some of the Belegarth kids hanging out, from the lighting assignment.
This week's assignment was patterns. I didn't like most of what I shot for it, but I do like this one. Sorry for the weak post, next week will be better.
A man browses CD's at Louisville's Ear-X-tacy.

week two

2009-09-29T22:02:00.000-07:00

A woman walking by Bemis.
Store owner Jim Davis in downtown BG. I hate the red in the top left of this picture, but I'll get better ones of him soon enough.
A woman and her dog outside of Junior's.

PFT as the tower of terror? Perhaps. Oh, for those of you who don't know, it's the second largest dorm in the nation.

A student walks by Guthrie Tower.

week one

2009-09-26T13:24:00.000-07:00

A woman gets tattooed in Taboo Brothers tattoo parlor.
Belegarth? I think that's what they call themselves. Similar to LARPing.

Students play basketball at the Preston Center.
Students waive their red flags before Western's home opener against UCF.

Workers renovate Freshens in DUC at night.