It’s not a coincidence that the day of this post (June 3rd) is the last day for students to apply to the 24th annual Eddie Adams Workshop.

These are the photos I made as a student on The Brown Team. Anyone who gets accepted and is reading this post, heed my advice: keep your notes! I lost mine and, embarrassingly, I can’t remember the name of my subjects.

But here’s the breakdown…

Each Team thinks up a different theme. The Brown Team’s was “Farm Families.”

There’s a bunch of them out in the greater Jeffersonville, NY area, so why not do a bunch of little weekend documentaries on ‘em, right?

My subjects owned a tree farm. Most of their bread & butter was from Christmas Trees, but the weekend I was there had nothing to do with trees. …well, not with their trees.

The first day I arrived, we went to pick apples in an orchard …which was a good hour and a half away. I might’ve spent more time in their car than anywhere else. On Friday I spent about five and a half total hours with this family, 3 of which was in their car.

On Saturday, the husband ran the Steamtown Marathon, which was in Pennsylvania, AND also an hour-and-a-half away.

Saturday was also the little boy’s birthday. They did a little bit of shopping for him at Wal Mart and we ate at Wendy’s for lunch. And in typical little boy birthday he was a bit more volatile when things didn’t go his way on his birthday. I could totally relate.

They didn’t really do too much birthday stuff while I was there. His party was later on that night. I couldn’t attend because, of course, I needed to get back to the barn so I could dump my cards. After all, the teams were presenting their photos later that night.

Admittedly, it was kinda tough to flesh out a solid, interesting story. There was no real story ark to be told, and both days had two totally different themes. But I made some pretty nice images and I found some pretty nice moments.

…unfortunately, they were all made with a “brand new” D2h and most of them were shot through a crazy wide 12-24mm f/4 lens. Nikon is the main sponsor of the workshop, so we get to test out their newest gear. So, the files are tiny, somewhat noisy, and there are too many “conehead” photos for my taste. But for me, this weekend was all about playing. …and playing hard!

As I mentioned in my previous post, Jeffersonville is a magic place for me. And every time I’ve gone back as a Black Team member it’s been rejuvenating. I hope I get to go again this year. It’s been a while.

So, if you’re an eligible student get your stuff in!

And if you want to know what a good Eddie Adams Portfolio consists of? Here’s the easiest answer: It’s filled with images that most genuinely reflect YOU as a photographer.

If your best body of work is of your family… that should be your portfolio. Don’t think you have to put together a traditional photojournalism portfolio for entry — even though, that’s what I entered. At the time, my mindset was geared towards community newspaper photojournalism! The best stories are the ones in your backyard! My portfolio was all naturally lit moments. That’s how i was then. But that doesn’t mean you have to be. If you take amazing photos of bugs, make that your portfolio. If you’re a portraitist, why show them that cruddy spot news photo you shot for your PJ class?

Do you see what I’m getting at? It’s all about your vision!

And, of course, it’s a great place to network, too. The “heavies” as their called, are there to meet young talent. So, don’t be shy. They’re away from the city. introduce yourself. I’ve gotten work from the workshop. What’s to say you won’t?

Good luck to all those applying!

Click here to see more photos on my photoshelter page from the 2004 Eddie Adams Workshop.

A super costume wins the costume contest for Como, 3, during the Columbia Association’s first Welcome Event of the year, Dog Day Afternoon held at Hopewell Park in Columbia Saturday, April 17, 2010. Como, a rescue boxer, was shown by his owner Jody Stacoffe, from Elkridge.

I was not excited about the high noon sun and the busy busy background of bright white shirts and subsequent raccoon eyes. So, I decided to use some on camera flash. I zoomed my sb-800 out to 105mm, stuck with the high shutter sync and underexposed the sky. Honestly, I’m a little surprised at how cool the photos came out. But I think the lighting lends to only half of why these photos work. They’re quirky. That is, the subjects are quirky. I like these photos because they show off the subjects personalities in really interesting, imperfect ways. They’re like pop songs. …you know, catchy, memorable. well, at least I think they’re memorable.

Phoenix, five, a Jack-Russell/Chihuaua mix is a “fashionable lady,” or so says her owner Ronda Lennon.

Windsor, a rescue dog, owned by Amanda Williams, of Dorsey Hall.

Samantha McHale, 7, brings Racall, 4, a Daschund to the “Best Kisser” contest.

Deneen Craves, from Elkridge, pulls her fingers away after giving a ball to her dog Ace Windu. His name is an homage to the Star Wars character Mace Windu.

Windsor rolls for a treat.

This is during the “Best Kisser” contest. They rolled out before I could get their names.

Eight months-olds, and Lilly, left, and Caesar, right, are already flirting. Lilly is owned by Ken and Katrina Knudsen, of Kings Contrivance..Caesar is owned by Alex and Luisa Bishop, from Harpers Choice.

Barbi, an eight-month-old toy poodle, backs away from the bowl (well, really, its me) during the biscuit eating contest. Her owner Jean Jungblut holds Barbi’s leash in the background.

“Sammy thinks she’s going to win this one because they practice kissing all the time,” says seven-year-old Samantha McHale’s dad,”John McHale, of Long Reach. The crowd and loud music seemed to give Rascall, 4, a Daschund performance anxiety during the “Best Kisser” contest.

A few more from the “Best Kisser” contest.

Deneen Craves, from Elkridge, looks on while her neighbor Jalen Stewart, who she used to baby sit, coaxes Craves’ dog Ace Windu to jump.

If you want to share this gallery feel free to embed the gallery below. Thanks for stopping by!

Dog Day Afternoon – Images by Matt Roth

I guess you could say this was my first “important” assignment. The Howard County Times, being hyper-local, wasn’t interested in covering George W. Bush’s inauguration unless there was a local hook. So, I found some. …and what kind of photographer would I be if I didn’t look for non-assignment images? So, there are a few of those thrown in for good measure, too. I didn’t get this young protester’s name, but if I remember correctly, she was doing the hokie pokie around riot police.

Brian Harlin is the owner of Ellicott City based GOP Shoppe, the exclusive Master Vender to the 2005 Presidential Inauguration. He, and his crew of six, are running around the Washington Convention Center Wednesday January 19th, 2005 unloading boxes of merchandise, all of which Harlin designed, which is slated for sale during various Inaugural Balls the following day. Harlin was the Master Vender for the 2001 Inauguration, as well.

I felt horrible after the paper came out and Brian’s photo wasn’t in it. He was super accommodating. I shot him the day before so the slug on this assignment was different than the slug on all the photos shot during the inauguration.

Leaving for the 2005 Presidential Inauguration via the Greenbelt Station Metro Station in the morning, Columbia resident and member of Grandmothers for Peace Helen Kolbe, right, befriends Tom Brunton, left, a New York City Fire Department bagpipe player. Due to a long night of celebrating Brunton overslept missing the bus to DC where the 70+ member bagpipe and drum ensemble was to perform during the Inaugural Parade. Kolbe, an avid democrat, was invited to attend the Inaugural festivities on the North Capital Lawn by her friend, Pierce County, Wisconsin Government Board member Paul Barkla.

Members of the Howard County Coalition For Peace and Justice (L-R) Leslie Salgado, from Owen Brown, Rose Marie Merservey, from Columbia, and Ray Donaldson, from Fulton, march through DC from Malcolm X Park, in Columbia Heights to McPherson Square protesting the 2005 Presidential Inaguration of President George W. Bush.

Just in case any parade animals are injured, Libson based Days End Farm Horse Rescue Team has been called in to provide animal ambulance services for the 2005 Presidential Inauguration Parade. Team members Allen Schwartz, left, and Steve Ricker, right, check out some of the helicopters overhead.

Standing under the American flag, a sniper is seen through crowd barricades atop a building in downtown DC along the 2005 Presidential Inauguration Parade Route.

The man on top fought with several protesters for remnants of an American flag, symbolically ripped and torn by protesters. The man screamed about how one of his loved ones was in Iraq.

The weather was so cold, or perhaps their lighter was flimsy, either way, these anarchists were unable to successfully ignite an American flag. They would go on to rip it and throw it into the crowd.

After attending the 2005 Presidential Inauguration in person, former Howard County GOP chairman Louis Pope and Republican National Committee member, left, companied by his wife Joyce Pope, right, enjoy the parade in the warmth of The Presidents Spots Bar, located inside the DC Renaissance Hotel.

Former Howard County GOP chairman and Republican National Committee member Louis Pope shows off his Inauguration invitation.

The sun was setting and my legs were killing me. My shopping list was all crossed off. So, I decided to stop shooting protesters and meet up with some friends. …and then I saw these guys. What a great image to end my long grueling day with.

As usual, the 10am Update is a regular feature on my blog showcasing some of the best work from my archives. Enjoy!

Jess ambushes me with a snowball on the Boardwalk. Awesome!

Jess really wants me to unlock the door. hehehe. Funny story… The snow was covering up the median, separating the parking 28th Street Plaza’s parking spaces from Coastal highway. In my attempt to park, I jumped the median.

his photo makes me laugh. I like how Elvis looks like he’s staring at me. Jess ordered steamed shrimp, which she loved. I had a subpar greek salad. I guess Ocean City is a place to get good seafood, not necessarily vegetarian cuisine — which Coins had none of. At this point we haven’t found a place to sleep. Winging it was part of our plan for the weekend. if the weather was better, I was planning to pit hotels against each other, seeing who was willing to give us the better deal for our business. But as it turned out, we really just needed a place to park and sleep.

Jess made this photo. She’s pretty good, huh? We got stuck in the snow a few times over the weekend. Parking lots were particularly aggravating to get in and out of. I was kicking snow away from my car’s tires. Gotta love snow boots.

Jess leads the charge to our hotel suite at the Princess Royale.

Once we opened the curtains, they stayed open. We also cranked the heat, a luxury we rarely let ourselves indulge in at home.

I love how delicate this image is. The still, almost frozen plastic chairs, practically submitting to the weather while the curtain gently sweeps on Jess’s leg.

Jess’s silhouette shot through the curtain.

I LOVE the infinity effect in mirrors. This was shot in our bathroom.

Jess, reflected in the room’s mirror, checks her e-mail during a Hallmark movie she watched on the room’s flat screen TV.

Jess was in and out of a sleep in the morning. I got a little creative with this shot, juxtaposing her reflection in the window with the snow covered beach dunes.

Dough Rollers was one of the only places open for breakfast. They also did a pretty good job clearing out their parking lot. So, they were awarded with business. I realize the local chain is one of the more beloved Ocean City establishments, but for goodness sake, their coffee is horrible! The last time I ate there I remember thinking the same thing.

I’d be willing to bet the bird population far outnumbers the human population in Ocean City in January.

Dinosaurs seemingly try to escape the Ice Age at the Old Pro Golf course on the 6800 block of Coastal Highway in Ocean City in the off season Sunday, January 31, 2010.

This is the second of three posts from Jess’s and my recent workcation trip to off-season Ocean City, Maryland . Here’s the first.

I also wrote a first person travelogue for The Howard County Time’s travel-ish section called Go! — as in, “go” here and/or “go” do this. Check it out if you have the time. It’s a pretty quick read.

The moon, still prominent in the sky, moments before the sunrise at Ocean City in the off season Sunday, January 31, 2010.

An ocean bird flies past the rising sun in Ocean City Sunday, January 31, 2010.

A dune fence pokes out from a snow drift Sunday, January 31, 2010.

The parking lot at the infamous Ocean City beach club Seacrets is snow covered and bare Sunday, January 31, 2010.

The boardwalk is sparse in Ocean City in the off season.

The amusement park in the inlet, formerly known as Ocean City Pier Rides, now known as Jolly Roger at the Pier, is locked up Sunday, January 31, 2010, and inactive until Easter weekend.

Snow falls in front of the Dunes Manor Hotel. Rates for the ocean front hotel are as low as $71.00/night in the off season.

Jess and I went to Ocean City for her 27th birthday at the end of January. For some reason, I decided to incorporate work and play into our weekend. Over the next three days, I’ll post three different series from our trip. I also wrote a first person travelogue for The Howard County Time’s travel-ish section called Go! — as in, “go” here and/or “go” do this. Enjoy.

One of the Jolly Roger Amusement Park’s golf course is dusted by the snow storm Saturday, January 30, 2010. The Ocean City park’s giant ferris wheel looms in the background.

The view from our Princess Royale ocean front suite at night was eerie and beautiful, Saturday, January 30, 2010.

Hotels and lodging on the 9000 block of Ocean City.

Cut palm tree trunks line the Princess Royale’s beach front area.

A pedestrian walks down the snow covered Coastal Highway, Saturday, January 30, 2010.

The Princess Royale’s upper parking deck holds two-to-three feet snow drifts instead of cars.

One room is lit in the 9400 Condominium building. The Coastal Highway similarly, is barren.

A night view of the hotels lining the beach in Ocean City in the off season Saturday, January 30, 2010.

Espresso drips from Spro’s espresso press.

Closing out the day-long Barista Jam at the soon-to-be-opened Spro Coffee shop in Hampden. It’s like a block away from my house. The following photos are of the latte-art “throw down” Saturday, February 13, 2010.

I pitched this story to Larry Perl, editor and writer for the Baltimore Messenger, one of The Patuxent Publishing Co.’s newspapers. The Messenger covers my neighborhood.  …here is Larry’s story.

I wanted to make sure that this story wasn’t merely a business profile. I always feel those are kinda cheap unless there’s a good hook to it. Nor did I want the article to be “event” oriented. Rather I thought the more interesting angle is about the coffee and how nerdy some people can get about it. This place doesn’t treat coffee like Starbucks, or most of the local coffee shops. Their attitude about coffee is more akin to a specialized wine bar. For example, two or three of the staffers are prepping to compete in the upcoming regional coffee competitions. How’s that for geeking out?

Surrounded by “coffee nerds” Spro barista Jess Carmer prepares her latte art piece during the “throw down.”

Spro owner Jay Caragay, from Cockeysville, makes his first latte art in several months during a latte art throw down, part of his coffee shop’s day-long barista jam. His drink was later poured out, losing to Phil Proteau, who drove from Philadelphia to teach the latte art workshop.

Devlin Rice, from Mount Vernon, brings his latte art creation to be judged.

losing out the day-long Barista Jam at the soon-to-be-opened Spro Coffee shop in Hampden, a few of the attendees participated in a latte-art “throw down” Saturday, February 13, 2010. Two lattes are paired side-by-side and the winner of the two is pushed forward. The losing drink is poured in a bowl — or in the case of one drink, sipped by judge Anisha Jagtap. There were two judges, Jagtap, who’s hand is pushing the winning drink, and Scott Conary, not seen, from Chapel Hill, NC. He coached Jagtap, owner of Hampden desert shop, Puffs and Pastries, in their decisions. Being the chair of the United States Barista Competition, his opinions were better formed. The winning latte was made by Phil Proteau, who was on hand to teach the Jam’s Latte Art Workshop.

Judge Anisha Jagtap, owner of the Hampden desert shop Puffs and Pastries, sips on one of the losing latte art entries.

Spro barista Lindsay Wailes, from Westminster, receives comfort from her friend Shawna Potter, of Catonsville, after her latte art entry is poured out. Closing out the day-long Barista Jam at the soon-to-be-opened Spro Coffee shop in Hampden, a few of the attendees participated in a latte-art “throw down” Saturday, February 13, 2010. The two are flanked by Phil Proteau, from Philadelphia, left, who came up to Hampden to teach the latte art workshop — he won the “throw down” — and Tim Brisnehan, from DC, right.

Phil Proteau, who drove from Philadelphia to teach the latte art workshop at Spro’s barista jam, celebrates his latte art throw down win.

Nineteen year old Calvin Gholston Jr, just received his 25th and last leg lengthening surgery at Sinai Hospital Monday February 20th, 2006.

The four-year anniversary of his life-changing surgery is coming up on the 20th. So, lets all collectively wish him well!

Here is a link to the Catonsville Times article. We also did a follow up story on his surgery process, but only one photo ran. So, below is a photo essay largely comprised of Calvin’s surgery process, but it starts with two portraits I made of him in 2005 for the Times Article.

The 10am Update is a regular feature showcasing work from my archives.

Officially, Cliff McCormick won his match by forfeit. New Town was unable to match him with a 103 weight varsity wrestler. The Towson High School senior with cerebral palsy, maneuvers about The General’s bench section during the Generals’ match against New Town Thursday, January 21, 2010. His spirits are a little low. He had three tough periods on the mat. He did a good job wearing down his JV opponent during an exhibition match, but ultimately couldn’t amass any points, losing the match.

Here is a link to the Article.

Scout DeBartolo’s Chihuahua-terrier mix Walter Stanley Garcia, appropriately clad for the snow storm, is taken on a walk down the Avenue in Hampden Saturday, February 6, 2010. And yes, those are booties.

Here’s the Baltimore Messenger’s corresponding article and photo gallery.

This is our backyard.

“I’ve had it for four years, and this is the first time I’ve really used it,” says Richard Brown of his gas-powered snow-blower. He used it to clear part of the 3500 block of Elm Ave and the alleyway behind the block in Hampden Saturday, February 6, 2010. The roof on his new shed and his home’s backyard awning collapsed under the weight of excessive snow.

The Avenue in Hampden was mostly used by pedestrians Saturday, February 6, 2010.

Drew Gaver, from Hampden, jumps in a snow bank on the corner of the the Avenue and Falls Road while his friend Melissa McDonald, also from Hampden, attempts to capture the shenanigans on Gaver’s cell phone, Saturday, February 6, 2010.

Kimberly Watson flies down 37th Street in Hampden on Steve Barber’s, the shadowy figure in the background, bobsled Saturday, February 6, 2010.

Steve Barber pulls Mike Roman, left, and Mike Furniere, all three from Hampden, in an old fashioned bobsled on 37th Street in Hampden Saturday, February 6, 2010. The two Mikes took a short detour on their way to the grocery store.

An elderly dog slowly walks down Elm Ave. in the snow, catching up to his master Saturday, February 6, 2010.

Jess.

Icicles hang on the side of Holy Frijoles in Hampden Saturday. Despite the blizzard, several restaurants, including Frijoles, were open.

Brenda Carroll, shadow, and Anisha Jagtap build a snow dog on The Avenue in Hampden Sunday, February 7, 2010.

This is our backyard. A different view.