Inside the Carrier Dome

Today I was assigned to cover Media Day at Carrier Dome for the online newspaper, the NewsHouse. This annual press event to reveal the Syracuse University football team opens with a brief news conference and team pictures, subsequently followed by full access to the players for interviews and photo opportunities. Local TV crews, the Post Standard newspaper, and ESPN swarmed Carrier Dome with questions regarding this year's strategy, and the eligibility of Delone Carter (no. 3), the team's leading rusher, who earlier this year had been kicked off the team following an altercation with a student. Click here for the full story by reporter Carron J. Philips.

As a student at Newhouse, I happened to be in a graphic design class with Derrell Smith (No. 25 Line backer), an Advertising Master's candidate and starting running back for Syracuse. Whether it's because he commands the attention of the press, or I just like the number twenty-five, I seemed to find myself gravitating towards him. Amidst the chaos of phtographers and news crews, I found the unique opportunity to work quietly and closely with him for a few portraits.

This was the first time I had ever been asked to shoot this type of assignment. I found it challenging in that it's much different from the way I normally work. I left the video camera and audio gear at home, and instead filled my bags with assorted lenses. It's hectic, fast-paced, and challengingto be unique. However, as always, I tried to look for the quiet, isolated moments amidst the noise and movement. Here I found Rob Long, #47 Punter, chatting for twenty minutes with someone who I suspect may have been a reporter on the other end.