The Observation Deck

Ivor

Standing ovation for the wonderful Barack Obama prints.

http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ivor-karabatkovic/senator-barack-obama-visits-cleveland

You have the eye and the ability, beautiful work.

Had you known they were going to be that good I bet you would have used color film.


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My guess is he shot in color, then converted them to b&w for the dramatic effect.

Great work, Ivor! Salut!

My guess would be that he didn't use film!

Real Time/Life stuff Ivor.

Jeff

Jim,

I only use black and white when the color in the image is impossible to fix But i ALWAYS shoot color.

I missed my exit twice on the highway on the way there, made a circle to downtown cleveland and back to try again...and got lost again.

So I finally got gas since my tank was almost empty, and asked for directions. Found the college, showed up and was chatting with the Channel 5 crew who helped me get in with them. The place was packed. As we were talking, I noticed I didn't have my memory card for my camera, I had left it at home.

The Channel 5 crew member pointed out there was an Officemax across the street... (15 minute walk) and I had 20 minutes until Obama came on stage. I sprinted out and bought a memory card and made it back by 7:25. I turn my camera on, but it doesn't want to turn on!! I realize I left my battery in the charger at home. haha.

Being surrounded by media people I asked a photographer if I could borrow her battery when Obama started speaking and I'd pay her. She had a spare (wish I would've thought of that) and she let me use it for free.

At the end of the night, I stuck around and got his autograph on my Time Magazine with him on the cover. Nice guy, great speech, ton of character and enthusiasm. "No child behind doesn't work, because it left no money behind!" was my favorite quote of the night.

I've never experienced so much stress and was completely tired when I came home. My back kills and so do my arms from keeping the camera up for a few hours straight. I'd do it all over again!

Give Ivor a bag of uncooked oats from the food coop

Ivor,

WONDERFUL PICTURES!!!!

Ivor,

Never, and I mean never, have I ever seen better photojournalist efforts.

No one can teach you how to take a good picture.

As a former photojournalist, I know what I'm talking about.

Some people can capture that moment, and some never will.

You have a bright future with that camera, if you want to use it!

Keep it up, shutterbug!

I'll be uploading more as the week goes on

Ivor Karabatkovic wrote:Jim,
I've never experienced so much stress and was completely tired when I came home. My back kills and so do my arms from keeping the camera up for a few hours straight. I'd do it all over again!

Ivor

The raw energy of the event had to be something great

I know when I was covering Edwards and Kerry, it was like standing in the middle of history. The energy was great.

Gary is right, anyone can hold a camera, you my friend have the eye.


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Ivor,

In the Civil War, they had an expression for the raw terror that came with experiencing combat for the first time. They called it "seeing the elephant", because of the reaction many children had when they saw an elephant for the first time at a circus.

Having been attacked by three charging elephants at Lakewood High circus way back when, I know a thing or two about that feeling.

With the Obama thing, you saw the elephant. Just as Jim did with his pressure shots, or I did when doing the President Carter pictures, or even when the brides walked down the aisle at their weddings.

One chance to get it right. No excuses. Deliver or else.

You learned about equipment? Good. Having spares? Good. Finding the place? Good. Having gas? Good.

All we saw, were great pictures. You on the other hand, were going through a harrowing time!

But you said the right thing.

You'd do it again.

Yeah, you're a photojournalist all right!

One of the present and future bests, I think.

Ivor, awesome pics.

#4 is the money shot. Front page above the fold material all the way.

You know my political views, but that picture screams for an accompanying article. I'll be anxiously awaiting the next edition to read it.

Good thing Sen. Obama came here after Iowa, because Des Moines got 10" of snow, sleet, and ice...I was in it!

There are a couple you should sell to Obama's campaign.

There are a couple you should sell to Obama's campaign.

Seems to me that you could leverage these to become the official campaign photographer.....

Jeff

I added 13 more photos at 7:18 PM on tuesday the 27th of February.

I didn't want to write an article, but I might as well. While all of this is still fresh in my mind!