Category: East Texas

Great Texas Balloon Race: Special Shapes

by Michael

It is that time of year. Once again, the Great Texas Balloon Race comes to the local area! I’ve missed it the last two years but not this year!

I woke up early this morning and headed to Longview to get some shots of the special shape Yoda balloon. Being a long time Star Wars fan (let’s not talk about the latest ones), I looked forward to getting some pictures of the venerable old Jedi Master.

I arrived just in time and the balloon crew arrived soon afterwards. They first stretched the balloon out across the field and all you could see was green material. It didn’t take long using a regular fan to start pumping air into the material and then came the fire!

As the hot air from the fire was pumped into the balloon the material began to lift up and no longer needed to be held up by hands.

Soon, the hot air in the balloon began pulling upward enough that the basket was set upright, almost as if by some hidden “force” was at work.  🙂

Soon, Master Yoda was awake and looking over the crowd of those who came to pay homage.

While I was there, one lucky young man got a quick ride off the ground. I’m not sure if he was happy or scared.

As I left, Yoda looked down and gave me an approving smile. At least I think it was a smile.

Then, just as I thought I was done, I looked up to see that there were many more of the “regular” balloons that were flying over Longview, so I had to make a couple of stops to catch them.

And I wasn’t the only one taking photos of the colorful balloons in the sky.

Tomorrow I’ll be getting up extra early as the balloonists will be competing for their accuracy challenge. Stay tuned for more photos!

All words and photos copyright 2018 MHampton Photography 
Equipment used: Canon 1DX Mark II, Canon 24-70L 2.8

Road-side Attractions

by Michael

Driving home from another family visit in Oklahoma with Karen in the passenger seat, she once more points out something photographic on the side of the road, proving once again her worth as a co-pilot.  🙂

It was a cloudy, drizzly, and surprisingly warm drive home here in mid-December, and about 3 hours into the trip Karen exclaims “There’s a nice looking covered bridge back there.” So, I pull over, let all the vehicles I had passed go by, and then turn around to go back and investigate. Now we have driven this route probably at least 10 times since we have moved to East Texas, but for whatever reason, just never noticed this. And with the warmth of the overcast day and the damp fallen leaves on the ground, it certainly was a photographic scene.

I stop, take out my camera and proceed to make a few photos.

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Now for the interesting part. As I finish up, I see a gentleman in a 4-wheeler coming down the driveway. I decide to wait and talk with him. As he approaches I tell him how much I like his little bridge and ask if he was coming to investigate the strangers stopped in his front yard. He said he didn’t even see us down there and was just putting some fuel stabilizer in his take and getting it mixed up. He did say that people come from all over to take pictures here and even have people come to get married here, so he’s used to the attention.

I thank him and he drives off. I get back in the car and drive off. Karen mentioned to me that she’s glad I’ve started keeping a camera handy when we are traveling. And with her eyes looking out for opportunities, so am I.

Michael

Kilgore Football: Part 2

by Michael

Welcome to Kilgore College vs Tyler Junior College, part 2. Thanks to the KC win over TJC of 50-29 the previous week, these two teams, with a long history, had the opportunity to meet up once again the very next Saturday in the first round of the SWJCFC playoffs. So sit back and enjoy along with me as I had the opportunity to shoot this game from the field level rather than from the stands! So, while this post may seem one-sided, remember I was there at the courtesy of Kilgore College, so they were my focus.

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The Kilgore band was in place and ready to go as the teams came onto the field.

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KC Special Teams coach Gary Wade stands with his players as the game gets underway.

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#6 Joe Lewis, was seen making quite a few big plays during the game. Once he got the ball he was off!

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As the teams line up, eye-to-eye and nose-to-nose, you can almost feel the tension from the years of rivalry between these two schools.

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#32 Alvin Kenworthy and #41 Dillon Hall stand on the sidelines, ready to jump in at a moments notice.

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Another play maker for KC, #15 Kyle McBride, runs for another first down.

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The Kilgore crown was certainly appreciative of their Rangers as they continued to score over TJC.

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Hard working guys resting before being put back into play.

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Celebration after another first down.

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Being an old band member myself, I thoroughly enjoyed the performance from the TJC Band. If I understood the announcement correctly, this is the professor of woodwinds at the school, jazzing-out with his students during halftime.

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The TJC band leader caught my eye as she directed from atop a ladder.

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Go brass section!

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TJC’s percussion section was equally impressive.

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Kilgore’s band is smaller, but performed quite well. Marching up and down the field sure brought back memories of friday nights from my youth.

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And of course, you can’t have Kilgore football without the world famous Rangerettes!

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Back to the game.  #2 Chandler Eiland looks to pass the ball before the approaching Apaches make contact.

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Playmaker #7 Tyreik Gray, light on his feet making yardage before being brought down.

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#3 Hasan Deense takes control of the ball for yet more yardage.

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Sometimes there is just no stopping #7 Tyreik Gray as he hurdles over an attempted tackle and continues on for yet another touchdown!

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Coach Wade had a discussion with one of the Refs

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But once the game is complete, all harsh moments are put aside and congratulations all around are shared from both sides.

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As the Rangers celebrate their 58-51 win over TJC with singing their school song

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And closing for a word or prayer, thanking God for the victory and safety of both teams. The next week KC lost to Trinity Valley Community College in overtime, but they have been invited to play at the Mississippi Bowl in Perkinston MS on Dec 4th. We with them good luck in their game against East Mississippi Community College.

So, that’s it. My first chance shooing a game from the sidelines. It was a great opportunity and one I’m hoping to continue into the future. Defiantly as unpredictable as wildlife but certainly more action packed into a shorter amount of time.

Hope you enjoyed. Looking for my next adventure!

Michael

 

All photos copyright of Michael Hampton 2016 and taken with the Canon 5DS-R or Canon 7D Mark II