Wednesday, May 21, 2014

PHOTOS: Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of Eastern Conference Finals


Miami Herald sportswriter Joseph Goodman and columnist Greg Cote recap Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals between the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis
on May 20, 2014. Al Diaz/Miami Herald Staff

Miami Heat forward LeBron James and guard Dwyane Wade take questions from the media after beating the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, 87-83.











Monday, May 19, 2014

PHOTO EXHIBIT: Ansel Adams at Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art

Got this shot off before I was told "stop that, no photos allowed". The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art.

PHOTOS: Miami Heat gets outpaced by Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals

The action from last nights game using four cameras, 
including a remote camera on the post: 










The Heat entered Game 1 looking to take away homecourt advantage at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, but the Pacers rolled with a wire-to-wire win.

JGOODMAN@MIAMIHERALD.COM

Shell shock.
That was the look on Heat coach Erik Spoelstra’s face at one point in the third quarter of a disastrous start for his team to begin the Eastern Conference finals.
After rolling through the first two rounds of the playoffs, the Heat looked dumbfounded at times Sunday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The rest of the time the defending back-to-back champions simply looked lost defensively.
It made for a sobering reminder of just how difficult last year’s championship run really was and how much work the Heat has ahead of itself to win three in a row. Miami’s 107-96 loss to the Indiana Pacers felt like an extension of last year’s back-and-forth conference championship series and this latest best-of-7 set already feels like it’s going the distance.
“That’s probably us at our worst defensively,” Spoelstra said after the game.
READ MORE HERE: Photo gallery, videos and more stories at MiamiHerald.com


Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/05/19/4123690/miami-heat-outpaced-by-indiana.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/05/19/4123690/miami-heat-outpaced-by-indiana.html#storylink=cpy

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

PHOTOS: El Nuevo Herald photographer’s tale: My moment with Celia Cruz


BY C.M. GUERRERO
CMGUERRERO@MIAMIHERALD.COM
I remember my excitement when, in February 1990, I was told that I would be covering Celia Cruz’s trip to the U.S. Naval base in Guantánamo Bay, where she would be giving a concert for Cuban employees from the pre-Castro era who still lived in Cuba but worked at the base.
The event was in honor of Cuban-American Friendship Day. At the time, there were many Cuban workers who crossed over daily from communist Cuba into the U.S. naval base. Of course, this was long before Guantánamo became the detention facility for war-on-terror captives.
I arrived on the base with colleagues from television, radio personalities and elected officials — including Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Miami) and former Sen. Connie Mack (R-Fla.) — aboard a U.S. Navy C-130 transport plane.
Once we landed, I remember Celia walking down the aircraft passenger stairs that led to the tarmac, dropping to her knees and kissing the ground. I knew just how she felt because it was the first time that I, too, was returning to the island after leaving it in 1961 at the age of 4.
On the trip, it was clear Celia was the star. Reporters clamored around her wanting to know how she felt being back in her homeland. She gave a bittersweet response, claiming to be happy to feel Cuban soil underneath her feet but sad that she really was not back in the Cuba she once knew. Everyone wanted to hear anything Celia had to say.
I remember Sen. Mack jokingly saying that this would be the last time he would travel with Celia. “She takes up all the interest of the media, and everyone else is ignored,” he said. So true. Celia was just that special — not as a star but as a person.
During our four-day trip, we took a two-hour tour of the base, accompanied by a Navy media specialist and the base’s commander at the time. At one point during the tour, we were shown the perimeter where the Navy base was separated by barbed wire from the rest of the island.
Celia was walking alongside me and my former El Nuevo Herald colleague Mirta Ojito, who was peppering her with questions. All of a sudden, Celia leaned down, reached under the fence and used her bare hands to dig up soil from the Cuban side, filling a Styrofoam cup. “I finally feel at peace holding this soil,” she said. (Thirteen years later, when she died, it was said that she had been buried with a fistful of Cuban soil. If that’s true, I know exactly where she got it.)

Legendary Cuban Salsa Queen Celia Cruz reaches under the border fence at the U.S. Naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to scoop up some soil from the Cuban side in 1990. C.M. Guerrero / EL NUEVO HERALD
In the evenings, dinner with Celia was a real treat. She was pleasant to everyone and made us feel special and at home with her. No big-star drama from Celia. Her charm, charisma, wisdom and especially her humor won us hardened journalists over. When Celia performed for the crowd, they went wild with her classic tunes and showed their appreciation with nonstop dancing. It was a great show for everyone to watch Celia sing her standards like Guantanamera, Bemba Colora … and, of course, belt out her trademark shoutout: AZÚCAR!
Then the trip came to an end.
Now, let me share an embarrassing moment I had with Celia, which serves as a testament to her class and generosity. As we prepared to fly out of Guantánamo, Celia was behind me with her husband, Pedro Knight, whom she lovingly referred to as “ Mi pelotica de algodón” (my little cotton ball) because of his full head of white hair. As we were all standing in line on the tarmac, waiting for instructions to move forward, I noticed the base commander make a friendly goodbye gesture to me in the form of a military salute. I returned the salute by lifting my hand to my forehead. Accidentally, my elbow stuck out and caught Celia's head, which sent one of her famous wigs into a 180-degree spin on her head. When it stopped, it completely covered her face. Startled, she shrieked, " Ayyy pero!" and quickly recovered her wig to its proper position.
I was so humiliated that I had been so clumsy. But Celia quickly put me at ease: “Don’t worry, these things happen,” she said. She could have reacted angrily, but she didn’t. That just wasn’t Celia.
I saw her again months later at the annual Little Havana Calle Ocho festival, where she played at the Budweiser stage. I recall that as I entered the side stage to photograph her just before she went on, she spotted me and, in her booming voice, shouted: “Hey, Guerrero, remember Guantánamo?” I blushed because she said this on an open microphone and the thousands who were there to see her heard that.
My dear Celia, yes, I remember Guantánamo. And I’ll always remember you.

Celia Cruz works the crowd at Calle Ocho festival at the Budweiser stage in 1990. 
C.M. Guerrero / EL NUEVO HERALD


Celia Cruz is helped up onstage by Officer Joel Gonzalez of the U.S. Army, while Celia visited the U.S. Army Base in Panama, where Cuban rafters were temporarity held during the massive Cuban rafter debacle in 1994.C.M. Guerrero / EL NUEVO HERALD


Celia Cruz at the CUBANTIME book launch in Versailles Restaurant in 2001 by co-authors C.M. Guerrero and Giselle Balido. Cruz wrote the foreword for the book. Jeffrey Boan / EL NUEVO HERALD


Celia Cruz at the CUBANTIME book launch in Versailles Restaurant in 2001 by co-authors C.M. Guerrero and Giselle Balido. Cruz wrote the foreword for the book. Jeffrey Boan / EL NUEVO HERALD
Celia Cruz and C.M. Guerrero at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay in 1990.
CELIA CRUZ RETROSPECTIVE

The Miami Herald this weekend features retropective coverage of Celia Cruz to preview next weekend’s annual CubaNostalgia, which will celebrate the iconic singer’s contribution to Cuban culture through art, music and exhibitions. 

On pages 4E and 5E, you’ll find the first two of a four-part timeline showcasing special moments spread out over eight decades. The rest will be published in Sunday’s Tropical Life. 

The timeline also will be displayed on large panels at CubaNostalgia in the Miami Herald Media Company exhibit space, which also will feature a collection of photos, special guests and items that belonged to Cruz. 

CubaNostalgia runs at 11 a.m. Friday and May 17-18 at the Fair Expo Center, Coral Way at Southwest 112th Avenue. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12. For more information, visit cubanostalgia.org or call 305-929-9773.

READ MORE HERE

Friday, May 9, 2014

Photos: Miami Heat Grinds Out Game 2 Win Over Brooklyn Nets




Recording artist Rihanna with Jackson Cohlan, 14

Miami Heat takes control with Game 2 win over Brooklyn Nets

A 15-5 run in the fourth quarter sealed the Heat’s victory against the Brooklyn Nets and gave Miami a 2-0 lead in the series.

JGOODMAN@MIAMIHERALD.COM

One hundred seconds.
Three offensive rebounds.
One game-defining possession.
The Nets wanted to slow it down and play it physical inside. Brooklyn succeeded in that task most of the night, but the Heat was simply better at the Nets’ own game when it mattered most.
In a grind-it-out Game 2 that played exactly to the Nets’ game plan, the Heat was the team that made the hustle plays in crunch time and extended its postseason winning streak to six games with a 94-82 victory on Thursday at AmericanAirlines Arena. The Heat now leads the Eastern Conference semifinal series 2-0 with Saturday’s Game 3 and Monday’s Game 4 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
The Heat closed out the game with a 15-5 run that spanned the final six minutes. A three-pointer by Mario Chalmers sealed the victory with 56.6 seconds left. The defining sequence of the game was a series of three consecutive offensive rebounds by the Heat that drained 100 seconds off the clock and ended with layup by LeBron James with 1:59 to play. READ MORE HERE PLUS GAME PHOTO GALLERY

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/05/09/4106221/miami-heat-grinds-out-game-2-win.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/05/09/4106221/miami-heat-grinds-out-game-2-win.html#storylink=cpy


Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/05/09/4106221/miami-heat-grinds-out-game-2-win.html#storylink=cpy

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Think Tank Photo: FREE CAMERA STRAP OFFER!

Our friends at Think Tank Photo just announced a special “Gear Up For Summer!” special offer. Buy one of their highly acclaimed backpacks and they’ll include a Blue Camera Strap V2.0 and Camera Support Straps V2.0 (a $44.50 value) for free!

Take a load off your neck, shoulders, and back by using Camera Support Straps V2.0 along with the Camera Strap V2.0.  These straps keep your camera’s weight off your neck and shoulders and transfer the load onto your backpack’s shoulder straps and waist belt. You'll hardly notice your camera is there even though it will be ready to go for hassle-free shooting. 

Think Tank’s backpacks are renowned for three design principles:
·     Capacity -- Their backpacks are the most efficient shape for carrying the most amount of gear in the smallest package. They've got you covered whether you're hauling around multiple bodies with a vast array of lenses and support gear (like a laptop and tablet), large telephoto lenses or a lightweight, stripped down kit. 
·     Portability -- Flying with your gear? All of their backpacks are sized for US Domestic and International carry-on on regular sized airliners. They've got bags for commuter and regional aircraft, too.
·     Quality -- Lesser bags use inferior hardware, materials and manufacturing techniques. Professionals choose Think Tank Photo because they know they only use the best YKK zippers and other high quality materials. They know you can’t afford to have a broken bag while on a trek.

And don’t forget that by using my link you receive a Think Tank product free with your order, free shipping, and the best customer service in the industry. Offer valid through May 31, 2014. 




About A Photograph explores the meaning, impact, and stories behind photographs that changed how we see the world. One photograph, no tricks. Visual storytelling at its essence.
50 Years with National Geographic, William Allard is an amazing photographer, story teller. This week in About A Photograph, we talk to Bill about ‘Stan’ a buckaroo – powerful photograph! Please take a moment to visit Allard’s website.
If you missed the last episode, please catch up on my blog HERE


Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Miami Heat: Ripping The Nets




David Beckham in the house.








EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS, GAME 1 | HEAT 107, NETS 86

Rest romps rust as Miami Heat routs Brooklyn Nets in Game 1 of Eastern Conference Semifinals

The Heat came out strong after a week layoff and used balanced scoring to blow out the Nets in Game 1 of their semifinal series.

JGOODMAN@MIAMIHERALD.COM

The Charlotte Bobcats put up a better fight.
After a week of resting their legs and watching the playoffs on TV, the defending back-to-back NBA champions rejoined the fray on Tuesday at AmericanAirlines Arena, but, like the Heat’s entire first-round series, this opening game of Round 2 didn’t offer much drama — just another blowout.
After sweeping the Bobcats to begin the playoffs, the Heat ran through the Brooklyn Nets 107-86 to take a 1-0 lead in its best-of-7, second-round playoff series. The Bobcats felt like a tune-up at the time, but Charlotte gave the Heat more trouble in Game 1 than the high-dollar Nets, who were put together at great cost to compete against the Heat in a postseason series. READ MORE HERE.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/05/07/4102043/rest-romps-rust-as-miami-heat.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/05/07/4102043/rest-romps-rust-as-miami-heat.html#storylink=cpy


Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/05/07/4102043/rest-romps-rust-as-miami-heat.html#storylink=cpy