2018 USA Games--Competition

After team introductions, each team exchanges gifts with the other team

July 1-6--Seattle, WA--One of the greatest athletic events, 2018 USA Games Special Olympics is an incredible showcase of athletic talent.  My involvement with Special Olympics started in 1986.  From local games, to national and international competitions, I have seen dedicated, hard working, enthusiastic, talented, courteous, determined, good natured, caring and the most sportsmanship oriented athletes. These games proved no different.

In between officiating games, was able to photograph several games.

Tenacity

Determination

No Fear
Challenging the seven-foot defender

Competitive

One play that is misunderstood by fans is the block/charge foul.  Each player is entitled to a spot on the floor as long as she/he gets there first.  However, the defensive player has to establish the legal guarding position, two feet on the floor facing the opponent.  Sounds simple? Well, maybe.  Look at this series, from the sequential images, what happened?  As an official, you have to make a split second decision.

Two feet on the floor, facing the opponent

Defensive player, is he falling before contact?

What can you see?

As a coach, you love to see your players take the charge.  

Celebrate!

Click on the photos to see high resolution images
All Photographs 2018 Copyright Laurence L. Levin

All Rights Reserved. No usage permitted without written permission.

www.LLLevin.com

Instagram @Larry Levin 

All photos made with Nikon D850 and Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8  shot in available light at the University of Washington,

USA Games Special Olympics

Checking out the main basketball court with fellow officials Don Marcotte and Jeremy Colter.  

July 1-6--Seattle, WA--Since 2006 and every four years,  The USA Special Olympics Games comes together for athletes to compete in 14 sports.  This year's games were held in Seattle, Washington.  The highlight for the athletes is the opening ceremonies.  Over 4000 athletes from the District of Columbia and all 50 states participate.

This is my fourth time to be invited to officiate basketball at these games.  It's an honor to be part of a group of dedicated volunteers who give up a week of time to observe and participate with talented, hard-working and fun athletes.  

Although I do bring a camera, it is sometimes nice to be part of the ceremonies instead of trying to document every moment.  You get to listen more to what's going on.  You feel more involved.  You are a part of something big.

As we walked to Husky Stadium on the campus of University of Washington, the people of Seattle lined the street to cheer the athletes.  It was absolutely an emotional time as we saw signs, cheering fans, hand slaps and lots of noise of encouragement.  Didn't take any photos, for once it was just fun and inspiring to walk with the athletes, have worthwhile conversations and just enjoyed the moments with new and old friends.

The officials sat in one section of the stadium, so we could sit and enjoy the ceremonies.  

Empty Seats before the Athletes enter the Stadium

Full Section

Theme for the Games, #Risewithus

Tim Shriver addressing the stadium, as seen on the screen

Copyright 2018 Laurence L. Levin

No uses without written permission from Laurence L. Levin

Instagram @larrylevin

www.LLLevin.com

First Photo of the day

April 06--Tidal Basin, Washington, DC--The annual early morning photo excursion to photograph the Cherry Blossoms.  It is a challenge to try to make something different each year as well as find something someone else isn't doing.  A hard task on both fronts.  This year decided to utilize short depth of field.  A Friday morning, overcast and a chilling low 40s, arrived at 6:20am, 25 minutes before sunrise, only a few parking spaces were left on Ohio Drive.  Seven situations made in about 40 minutes. Didn't rush, just tried to walk slower to observe and enjoy.

Washington Monument

Jefferson Memorial

Morning View

Martin Luther King Memorial

Where bad trees end up going

Copyright 2018 Laurence L. Levin

www.LLLevin.com

All Rights Reserved. No Publication Rights Granted without Permission

Photos made with Nikon D850 

Social Media Portraits

Selected Portraits

March 13-15--San Diego, CA--The Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition held in San Diego attracts thousands of attendees.  As an attraction to their lounge, The Optical Society wanted to provide free portraits for people to use in their social media profiles.  In a small space we made a portrait studio, two continuous light, (Westcott Flex Lights) with a seamless white background, within 2 days, over 150 people took advantage of this offer.  Each person was given personal attention, many shots were made to get that one best image. The photos were made with a Nikon D850 in the RAW file format. The best image was selected, minor adjustments were made and emailed to each person within 3 days.

Copyright 2018 Laurence L. Levin
www.LLLevin.com
Instagram @LarryLevin
No usage or publication rights granted without written permission.

National Guard Youth Foundation Portraits

February 20--Washington, DC--The National Guard Youth Foundation 2018 ChalleNGe Champions Recognition Reception is the annual event that recognizes many of the individuals and sponsors that make the ChalleNGe successful for nearly 10,000 young people throughout the country, every year.  A red carpet was set-up and these are a few of the portraits of the cadets who benefit from this program.  

Four continuous LED Lights were setup for this step and repeat (Westcott Flex Lights and Ledgo) This combination provided sufficient light to capture a broad area.  There was a little red pickup from the red carpet, but it all seemed to work well.  Using Continuous lights, you see how the light wraps around the subjects.  You can make adjustments easier than using flash.  Plus your subjects react each time a flash goes off, thus continuous light makes a better session and keeps the subjects relaxed.

Copyright 2018 Laurence L. Levin
www.LLLevin.com
Instagram @larrylevin
LinkedIn
No publication rights or usage rights granted without written permission.

2017 From My Window Seat

Departing from Chicago O'Hare
More information about O'Hare
https://www.ohare-international-airport.com/

From My Window Seat.  Images made in 2017.  Flying over 60 flights per year can get tedious,  how many magazines, movies, or boring passengers can you deal with.  Always taking a window seat alleviates some of the boredom.  Always something interesting to see, even if it is a cloud formation, it helps to think or dream.  It is a challenge to make an interesting photo, usually it occurs after departure or before arrival.  The other task is to practice downloading the image immediately from the camera to the iPhone.  The next step is to use phone apps to make adjustments and upload to Instagram. All something to keep me busy, sharpen skills and make some fun photos. 

Departing Newark Airport

Off the Florida Coast, Atlantic Ocean

Arrival in Havana, Cuba

Railroad yard, O'Hare Airport in Chicago

The National Mall, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and US Capitol

Shadow over Chicago

Seems a little to close for me.

Copyright 2017 Laurence L. Levin

All Rights Reserved

www.LLLevin.com

People’s Rally Against the GOP Tax Scam: Let the People be Heard

Senator Elizabeth Warren

December 13--Capitol Hill, Washington, DC--Over twenty sponsoring organizations, so one would think, there would be a massive crowd in attendance.  Maybe it was the cold temperatures, (low thirties), but the crowd was not as large as anticipated.  It seemed like 300 people, with a lot of journalists who were covering the event.  The magic of staging, in the photographs it seemed like a larger crowd.  It was up close a with Speaker in Waiting, Nancy Pelosi, Senators Sanders and Warren, Rep. Doggett, all who were rallying the converted, in protesting the tax cuts for the richest Americans.  

Senator Bernie Sanders

Leader Nancy Pelosi

It looked like a big crowd

Representative Lloyd Doggett

Copyright 2017 Laurence L. Levin

www.LLLevin.com
Instagram @larrylevin
LinkedIn Larry Levin
No usage rights or publications rights granted without written permission

National Guard Youth Foundation

Color Guard

December 05--Laurel, MD--The National Guard Youth Foundation supports the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. This program provides opportunities to young people who need a second chance for their education.  Forty sites throughout the United States provide educational opportunities for students to earn their GED as well as physical training, mentoring and life skills.  The Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy located in Laurel, Md serves the Washington, DC metro area.   Participants apply to enroll, there is a 5 1/2 month residential program.  The "structured" program is  military style where each person will earn their District of Columbia High School Diploma, develop job, leadership and academic skills as they improve their confidence, self esteem and pride.

Preparation

Competitive Basketball Team

Honor & Service

Inclusion

Team Work

Success

Copyright 2017 Laurence L. Levin
www.LLLevin.com
IG @larrylevin
NO usage or publication without written permission from Laurence L. Levin

All photos made with a Nikon D850.  The great thing working with young people is their ability to be patient and enjoy being photographed.  Plus getting them out of their daily routine, they were happy to "do it again" and "again.  Fun day with the cadets.