Inspiration from David Burnett

I just finished checking out the website of David Burnett.  If you don't know, Burnett is probably one of the greatest photographers to walk on American soil.  While looking through his body of work I began to realize the impact his work has had on me.  Burnett spent many months photographing the Vietnam War and along with several other photographers (including Colorado Springs photographer Dave Black) helped create a book of images having to do with Arlington National Cemetery.  The book is stunning if you've never seen it.  I suggest going online and tracking it down.  Burnett inspired me to take a look at some of the images I've taken surrounding the war in Iraq and Ft. Carson here in Colorado Springs.  I came across a photo shoot I had back in October 2007 when soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team returned home after a tour in Iraq.  The unit came back bloodied but still standing.  I get emotional when I see these images.  I'm sure Burnett does the same when he looks at his body of work.  War is tough to look at home and abroad.  In the future I will continue to post images I've photographed related to the war in Iraq.

The word of the day?  How about liberated.

I got asked today why "Photogeist?"  It's simple.  Photography haunts me for the good and the bad reasons.  So why not combine two things that do just that.  So.... today while on my way to an assignment I came across a very haunting scene with steam and fog rising all around Kellie Ford as she walked her dog.  A few hours later it was spooky time when Brendon O'Connor tried to scare the bejeezus out of NASA officials and military brass by dressing as Darth Vader during a protest and demonstration against the annual Space Symposium at the Broadmoor.  What could be scarier Vader or WMD?  And finally we have Gale Norton, former Secretary of the Interior to GWB.  Some might say that could be considered frightening.   I might add it was pretty weird when she came up to me and said, "Hi Bryan I'm Gale."  It's not too often the Secretary of the Interior calls you by your first name before you can say anything.  That was pretty cool.  By the way, what a polite and classy individual.

I had a pretty busy Sunday.  Here's an image of a firefighter being treated at the scene of a house fire this afternoon.  Earlier I was photographing Flan and creme brulee.  Such is the day of newspaper photographer.

My first blog ever!

I'm a few years behind but I thought I'd get started while I'm still young(ish).  From time to time I want to share with the world a few thoughts and images as I see them here in Colorado Springs.  I am a photojournalist working for The Gazette newspaper in Colorado Springs.  My first order of business is to say how much I love my wife Danielle and son Noah.