I got a call from The Boston Globe last Thursday asking me to shoot a story on the Asian-American community in Beaverton, the suburb immediately west of Portland. It turned out to be a bit of a learning experience for me, as I wasn't aware that the community is as large as it is.
They needed the photos by 2 p.m. (PDT) on Saturday. Since I was already booked for Thursday afternoon, Friday night, and Saturday morning, I squeezed it in between a meeting on Friday morning and the football game Friday night.
The paper gave me the lead on Uwajimaya Asian Food Market, but I had to some quick research and a lot of phone calls on Thursday to find some examples of the Asian community that would be active on Friday. In the end, I think they stuck with photos from the grocery store.
That's my picture in the lower right of Monday's front page. You can read the story here.
Here are some images from the Kohitsuji Japanese Preschool in Tigard, and a few more from Uwajimaya.
[left] Director Sachi Nishio leads preschoolers in a song Oct. 24 at the Kohitsuji Japanese Preschool in Tigard, Ore. The school, whose name means "little lamb," teaches Japanese language and culture to 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds. [below] Kyoko Li (right) helps Tei Okamoto with a craft.
[left] Don Sakai is the Store Director at Uwajimaya's Beaverton location. The supermarket, which caters to the Asian-American market, also has two outlets in the Seattle area. [below] Uwajimaya shoppers are greeted by a large dragon at the entrance to the store.
[right] Sonoko Kakizaki of Portland shops for groceries at Uwajimaya. The supermarket stocks Asian foods including roasted seaweed, noodles, fresh vegetables, and sake.
Snapshot: America Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Football pics Sunday, October 26, 2008
Here are some additional pictures from Friday night's football game between Mark Morris and Hockinson. You can see more of my photos here.
Hockinson jumped out to a 27-0 lead in the third quarter in front of a homecoming crowd, but Mark Morris stormed back with three unanswered touchdowns (each with two-point conversions). There wasn't quite enough time for the Monarchs, though, and Hockinson clinched first place with the 27-24 win.
[left] It was a chilly night in Hockinson. [below] Vivian Quintana and Joey Wagner pose for photos at halftime after being announced as the Homecoming Queen and King.
[below] Hockinson fans cheer for a touchdown in the second quarter.
[right] Hockinson's Kyle Lindsley wraps up Sean Atkins of Mark Morris. [below] Kyle Lindsley of Hockinson (no. 81) breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Matt Lomasney of Mark Morris in the fourth quarter. 
[below] Mark Morris junior Cody Molner stretches across the goal line over George Madrigal's tackle.
[left] Hockinson fans storm the field as the players shake hands after the game.
Busy busy busy Saturday, October 25, 2008
I've been very busy the last part of this week, and I'll post some of that work in the near future. I'm off to shoot another graduation this morning, but before I go I thought I'd give you another look out of the window.
The weather has been fantastic for the past five or six days, and it's supposed to stay that way for a few more.
The pharaoh looks straight at me, but if I look about 45 degrees to the right, this is what I see. If you've been paying (very) close attention you might recognize the hydro pole in the foreground (jog your memory).
You can see pictures from the football game I shot last night here.
Big brother is watching Monday, October 20, 2008
From the building across the street, the pharaoh keeps an eye on me as I work.
Great Big Sea interview Friday, October 17, 2008
Just a quick post to let you all know that my interview with Bob Hallett of Great Big Sea is now online. Check it out now on Northwest CanCon.
We talked about life in a tour bus, Newfoundland pride, Fortune's Favour, the future of the band, and a certain six-letter N-word. (No, not that one. But if you have sensitive ears, beware that there are a couple of f-bombs in there. However, those are offset with excellent use of words like 'gregarious' and 'churlish.')
Canadian Thanksgiving Thursday, October 16, 2008
[right] About 100 Canadians and their families gathered to celebrate Thanksgiving Oct. 11 at The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island near Portland. The Canada-America Society of Oregon organized the event, which included games, door prizes and, of course, a turkey dinner.
[below, left] Jim Baumgartner, Honorary Consul of Canada in Portland, uses a makeshift megaphone to announce the raffle numbers for Tim Hortons coffee and Canadian t-shirts.
[below, right] A number of Queen's alumni (including yours truly) were at the event.
Great Big Sea pics online Wednesday, October 15, 2008
On the final show of the west coast leg of this tour, Great Big Sea played to a capacity crowd Oct. 12 at the Aladdin Theatre in Portland. I posted a photo slide show today on Northwest CanCon. Stay tuned for my interview with band member Bob Hallett (above, at right) which should be online in the next few days.
The band has about a week off with their families before resuming the tour in upstate New York.
Fall means football Monday, October 13, 2008
Southridge runningback Kirk Werhane carries Sam Novak on his shirttail Oct. 10 in the first quarter of the Skyhawks' 42-7 win at Sunset. I haven't seen any stats for the game yet, but Werhane was responsible for a lot of yards.
Fall means football, and all of the necessary stars finally lined up last Friday for me to shoot my first game of the season. I was at Sunset High School for their game against Southridge.
At first glance, the game promised to be a good matchup—both teams had 4-1 records going into the game. Southridge was ranked no. 6 in the state, and Sunset was hovering just out of the top 10.
Those rankings are likely to change somewhat in the next poll, however, as Southridge dominated the game.
Sunset quarterback Michael Verbeek goes to the air Oct. 10 against Southridge.
Southridge kept Sunset close in the first quarter, giving them two personal fouls in the span of three plays.
The Skyhawks nabbed an interception inside the 10 to stop that drive, and then marched the ball down the field only to cough up a fumble.
From the second quarter on, the game was all Skyhawks. They led 21-0 at halftime and 35-0 at the end of third quarter en route to a 42-7 win.
[right] Sunset junior Sam Novak hits the ball out of Kirk Werhane's hands in the first quarter. [below] Southridge defensive lineman Sedric Watson (no. 56) celebrates after scoring his first career touchdown. Watson returned an interception in the second quarter for the major score.
[left] Southridge quarterback Kellen Mastrud (no. 2) has plenty of time in the pocket all night long.
How not to make tea Saturday, October 11, 2008
Tea is one of the easiest beverages to prepare. I learned when I was about six years old. And yet, at least here in the United States, it is really difficult to find people who know how to make it properly. Or maybe it's more accurate to say that there are a lot of shortcuts people think you can take. Either way, good tea is hard to find, even in cafes that should know better.
With that in mind, here are some directions on how not to make tea.
- Any old tea will do. Coffee is a very complex drink, with subtle flavor variations depending on the variety, source, and processing of the bean. Tea is tea, right? Just grab whatever brand is cheapest. And since it's dried, it will last forever. Just keep it in a box in your cupboard beside all your other spices.
- Unless you're drinking ice tea, it's supposed to be hot. But not too hot—you don't want to burn your tongue. You could boil water, but it's easier and quicker just to take some off the coffee maker.
- Tea pots are a waste of time. Why use a piece of pottery specially designed to make tea when you're just going to pour it in a cup anyway? Just put the water in a cold mug and let it sit on the counter for a couple of minutes while you find a teabag.
- Teabags are wonderful. Just plop one into the water and let it sit for a minute or two—but no more. Otherwise they might impart too much flavour to the water.
- Offer your guests cream or half-and-half if they want something to add to their tea. Some of your guests might prefer milk instead. In that case, be sure to add more because it's not as thick. And be sure to add it while the tea is still brewing—it speeds up the process. You can also add sugar or honey if you want.
Ron Sexsmith Wednesday, October 08, 2008
[Update: The Ron Sexsmith interview is online now. Click here to go directly to the story. -ed.]
I had the pleasure of interviewing legendary singer/songwriter Ron Sexsmith this afternoon before his performance at the Doug Fir Lounge here in Portland.
Look for the interview on Northwest CanCon in a few days.
For me, at least, the toughest thing about doing these interviews and portrait sessions is that it's usually a really rushed process, especially the photo shoots.
Ron was just checking into the hotel when I arrived (at the appointed hour). I don't know where the breakdown occurred, but he didn't realize that he was booked for an interview today, so I was already kind of invading.
He checked his emails as I unpacked my audio gear in his hotel room. We talked for about 20 minutes, then he went back to checking emails as I got ready to do the portrait.
Ron was the first artist I've met at the Doug Fir, and I didn't have time ahead of the interview to look for a suitable place to take pictures. So I made a 30-second scouting trip outside his room, found a decent place, and went back to put my simple kit together.
One speedlight (SB-800) in a softbox on a stand, camera and a couple of PocketWizards ... that's it. I had a reflector I wanted to use, but no assistant and no time to recruit one. So we did without.
I was pushing it to go 5 minutes 17 seconds from the first frame to the last, including a few seconds for some guests who had to walk through our set, and a slight shift of positions to get to a different background.
Total time photo from scouting to walking out ... less than 20 minutes.
Ron ran off to his sound check. I met up with some friends who had conveniently chosen the Doug Fir for happy hour.
Curling season begins! Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Yvonne Liske shows a new curler where to aim his throw Sept. 30 at the Evergreen Curling Club open house in Portland. About 70 novices came to the event for an introduction to the Olympic sport.
Tuesday night was the first open house event of the 2008-09 season for the Evergreen Curling Club. The club plays at the Lloyd Center ice rink from October through April.
The club is running a two-week "novice league" Oct. 7 and Oct. 14. The Fall league starts Oct. 21.
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