It’s racing season.

I assume once the Kentucky Derby runs, it’s racing season. Known as the “Sport of Kings” this is probably one of the most beautiful sports I have ever photographed. When a man and/or woman climb aboard an animal of such massive size, and they run at the pace that would makes you understand where the term “horsepower” came from---it really puts it all into perspective.

Probably the most amazing part of horseracing would have to be the strength of the horses; their toned muscles and huge body stay balanced on very narrow legs. How they can handle the weight, running and pace is what makes this sport as spectacular as it is---and dangerous for both the horse and the rider.

As a photographer you would think you have a lot of time to snap the picture---after all you have plenty of forewarning; if you can’t see the horses, I assure you they can be heard. But, catching them at the right moment is much more difficult than many sports I have shot. Either you have trouble following the horses when they are at full gallop, or better yet, someone steps in front of you. At Arlington Race Track, where I have photographed races, there is probably no better layout to take pictures---I have asked if I could take photos from the infield and almost was allowed access. However, a few weeks later a photographer was shooting and it spooked one of the horses---and that was the end of that. They do not allow photographers anywhere but outside the fence.

Certainly vantage points are critical and what I have found works—practice makes for better pictures. Fortunately there is more than one race so you can practice on one and then go for it in later races. I am sure if I were at the Kentucky Derby I would practice on every race leading up to the “Run for the Roses.” I was not aware that on “Derby Day” there are about 10 races with the Kentucky Derby running second from last. Oh what we learn in “Snap.Shot.”

The photo above was taken at the start of one of the latter races the day I was at Arlington Race track. I was determined to catch the horses coming out of the gate as they say, and was very fortunate to have a camera that takes 7 frames a second. If I had a point and shoot it would have been a blur or just missed. I really like horseracing…I only wish Sports Illustrated would ask me to photograph at one of the Triple Crown Races, I would love to show you the pictures.

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They’re back.

After the snow melts and the mud begins to turn to dirt, the weeds start to pop up and take over areas that were barren just a few weeks earlier. It’s interesting because with all of the love and care people put behind the plants they want, weeds show up without an invitation.

There are some things about weeds that will not change. For instance, they will usually show up on your lawn and not your neighbors, no matter how many times you fertilize they seem to get more resilient over time, and kids love to blow the seeds into the air. As we all know, those seeds are what start the process moving forward again and again.

This past weekend, as two of my daughters were looking at the tulips that have shown up, and as I explained they will soon be leaving us, one of them picked up a weed. I asked them not to blow the seeds around; that would be like saying, “I know you like ice cream, but will you not have any today?” As the seeds went floating off, the other daughter had to get in on the fun---she took 2 of them and started to blow. If I were to do a quick calculation I would say we just created between 75 to 100 new weeds.

If you read “Snap.Shot.” on a regular basis, you may know my feelings about weeds. I don’t like them. I really don’t like the ones that are prickly, they put up the greatest fight and really hurt when you step on them. We have some weeds in our backyard and I believe they could actually penetrate your shoe if you stepped on them the wrong way.

The photo above was taken last year as our Chicago summer was in full swing. With orange flowers everywhere, this lone weed was determined to stick around. Yes it was on the fringe, but it was also “fully loaded” and ready to send out its seeds to create some friends for the future. All it needed was a gust of wind or one of my kids, and I am reasonably sure they would be off on their way; I know weeds will for ever be in our lives, but as far as I am concerned I wish they would find a new home elsewhere and not near mine.

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Out of the darkness.

The other day I was commenting about how quickly our kids have grown up. Sure all parents say this, and we all think it’s only our kids, but the moment they come into this world, it seems like you can never look back because in the blink of any eye, they are grown and out the door.

Within the next year, actually starting this weekend, one of my daughters will be out on her own, and another will soon be heading off to college. This is truly hard to believe. Our oldest daughter, the one who lives at home, came into my life when she was about 8 years old. Obviously I am not her biological father, but I do play a very active role as one of her Dad’s. How large my role is depends upon a few factors: Her mood, my mood and our moods. All in all, we get along as well as one parent and a 17 year old can; multiply this by sleepovers, oversleeping and sleepless nights, and you can imagine it’s a very interesting home life.

The title of today’s blog is appropriate; as we move from one stage of our life to another, we often find we are in the dark until we’re through it. It’s when we experience these new and different life stages, and suddenly “see the light,” is when we really begin to understand. I still believe the lights are often very dark during the formative years…these would be from the ages of 11 or so to say 21. After that, it’s pretty much a given if you haven’t seen the light at the end of the tunnel, you may want to re-think the tunnel you have entered.

I am very proud of my children; they all have much different views of their world, and live it to their fullest. Sure, we may not always like the way they look at it, but in the end we find a brighter light and that hopefully doesn’t cast too many shadows.

The photo above was taken this past weekend. One of our neighbors just became grandparents; when I knew their daughter was coming to visit I asked if they would be open to our taking pictures of her. They said “sure.” Who wouldn’t, there was no charge. I did it for the practice because I know if I get it right taking pictures of new borns, there could be another opportunity to get it right for someone who would like to pay. I showed this photo to my neighbor (the wife of course) and her reaction was just what I was hoping. Similar to today’s blog title, she was no longer in the dark as to how beautiful her granddaughter is.

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Meet Aunt JoAnn---my sister.

I have only one sister, however she is someone who has taught me so much in life, and about life. Because she is 6 years older than I am (actually 5 ½, but I round up) her knowledge of life when I was growing up was well beyond where I was at the time. I also have a brother, but this is not about him, he has been the topic of a blog already and mentioned numerous times on other days.

Meet my sister JoAnn. I would have to travel way back in time, because many of the stories are so far back that only pictures have uncovered the role she played in my life, that I really don’t remember many specifics. What I do remember, and photographs confirmed this, was how she was like a Mom to me. In pictures I would often be standing by her side and you could see she was holding my hand; the role of a big sister to a little brother can be one you either want to take on or is forced upon you---she was very willing to take on this role, it’s part of her DNA.

We actually have a lot in common…from our creative way of thinking, to our love of looking for hidden treasures at garage sales (she is more into it than I am, but it is fun) to the way we have battled such fun topics as weight and hearing issues. As they say, two out of three ain’t bad.

Besides being my big sister, JoAnn is the Aunt to my kids and my brother’s kids; of course she is also the Mom of two great sons. (I can’t call them kids because one is in his 30s and the other is leaving for college next year.)

A few summers ago, we went to visit JoAnn and her family; while we were there, she made sure our kids were going to make this a trip to remember. It included a visit to the Mall of America, nearby Lake Harriet, and to a special tree where a troll actually writes “personalized notes” to boys and girls. We also went to a special event in town where for the first time I experienced cheese curds--they were really good. One of my favorite moments from the trip is when Aunt JoAnn and one of our daughters put on “face masks”---the kind that enhance your skin, not the ones you wear on Halloween. If pictures are worth a thousand words, these were worth millions.

Move ahead a few years and Aunt JoAnn, my sister, has moved into a different role. As my Mother became ill, she became the Matriarch of our family; in this new role she provided us with the necessary handrail to move from one month to the next as my Mom’s illness progressed and to this day has continued this special role since my Mom’s passing.

One of my most special memories occurred the day my Mom passed away. My sister, who I love very much, was the one who said, “Mark, we don’t have much time, and if you are going to be able to say good bye in person, you will need to get down here right away.” At that point in time travel was not an option, but talking to my Mom via her cell phone was; for nearly 15 minutes, my sister held the phone to my Mom’s ear for me to talk with her for the last time. (When she interrupted me as I was talking to my Mom--- and I said, “I’m not done yet” she put the phone back to her ear for a few minutes.) If she had not done this, I never would have been able to say goodbye to my Mom as she died a few hours later.

The photo above was taken on April 4, 2009; on this day it was confirmed my Mom was sick. In her usual manner, JoAnn held it together and showed the love she is known for to my youngest daughter. Thanks JoAnn for being who you are and who we love so much---you are the best.

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Not again.

This past weekend some very horrible memories were brought forward that I was hoping we would not have to discuss again. In the middle of a crowded area of New York City a parked car had one objective--to kill innocent people. It’s still hard to believe that it’s been almost 10 years since September 11, 2001, I am very happy May 1, 2010 was not the new date we would all be referring to for years to come.

As is the case with most of us, we could never see doing the type of harm a bomb in New York City would do, or Atlanta, Oklahoma City, or any other city in the U.S. or around the world. Normal functioning people do not think this way. But there are people who have no respect for the human life and are trying to prove a point; there are many easier ways to accomplish this feat, I guess they don’t necessarily agree.

Having recently spent two days in New York, I know exactly the area where that car was parked. I have been there during the day, the night and the one consistency is the number of people who are in the area at all times of the day. You have to keep in mind not only is this a congested work area, but it’s also the theater district. There’s a reason they call New York the city that never sleeps and this is one area where the lights are always on.

What’s difficult for me to understand is why someone would feel this was the way to make their point. I know this is not a profound thought, but for someone to think they are really making a difference except the killing of an innocent person just boggles my mind; I am sure the majority if not all of the readers of “Snap. Shot.” feel this same way. I sure hope.

The photo above is of the cranes located at Ground Zero; they have yet to begin building the World Trade Center structures, but other buildings are beginning their rise from the ashes. We don’t need to be reminded of the horrific day we experienced in 2001, but if we are going to, it’s important stop the destruction before it happens. They will catch this guy I would not want to be in his shoes.

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The rivalry.

It seems like just yesterday when the Chicago Cubs won the World Series. Well, if yesterday were 37,065 days ago that would be the truth. Sorry to say for Cub fans, but it has been a long time since they hoisted the winning pitcher in the air and walked off the field as champions.

Now in all fairness the Cubs have come close---it happened nearly 55 years ago when they last played in the fall classic. It’s not as if these two times were the only apparences the team has made, they have been there a total of 9 times, but unfortunately they lost 8 of them. Oh well. (Something, however, has stuck from the 1908 season--- the song, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” made its debut.)

To be fair I have to let you know I am a Cardinal fan; I am not sure if I can hold back my bias, but will give it my best shot. Consider Wrigley field; there is little doubt this ballpark has seen its run of some of the best ballplayers the National League has ever seen. Sure, they may have played for other teams, but they did play in the “Friendly confines.”

Up until August 9, 1988, Wrigley Field had never played host to a night game; it was supposed to have taken place on 8/8/88---however it was rained out. Maybe that should have been a sign of things to come. Probably the most memorable World Series near miss happened 95 years to the day when a fan in the stands by the name of Steve Bartman “interfered” with a fly ball. He was literally banished from Chicago. Now, to be fair, I believe anyone would have done what he did---and more important, the Cubs ended up making errors, misjudged plays and other flub ups that evening causing them to lose the game. They had a chance the next evening, but lost the final game---ending any hopes of making it to the World Series that year.

Probably the funniest note of this incident was when Governor Rod Blagojevich suggested Bartman join a witness protection program; funny how the tables have turned on former-Governor Blagojevich as his trial approaches for trying to sell Senator Obama’s seat.

The photo above was taken at Wrigley Field when the Cardinals played the Cubs a couple of seasons ago---the Cubs were heading into post season and the Cardinals were not. But as confident as the Cubs were at that point in time, the Cardinals wanted them to know---don’t even think we are going to roll over. As you might guess, once the Cubs went into post season, their days were numbered.

In 2010, the campaign for the Cubs was all about starting over in year 1; it’s because they have new ownership, they figured they could put the past 102 years behind them. Unfortunately it looks like year 1 is going to be a bust---the Cardinals are moving ahead quickly and the Cubs, well there’s always next year.

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You make the call.

In the 1985 World Series, the name Don Denkingers was not one you would have known unless you make it a habit of following the game’s umpires. Most of us do not. But after game 6 between the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals, he became a household name along Hwy. 70. (It was known as the I-70 Series). In the western part of the state, he was a “hero,” in the eastern part, he was a “zero.”

What happened? He did his job. But in this instance it does not appear he did it right.

This defining moment in the game changed the course of World Series history. With 3 outs to go, the Cardinals were leading the Royals and if all had gone as planned, they would have walked away as champs. But things don’t always go as planned and one call, in combination with misplayed balls, hits and runs, changed the outcome of the game.

Of course you play the best of 7 games in the World Series, but game 7 turned out to be a blow out and the Cardinals lost what many thought should have been theirs...the championship. But, that’s sports for you; just ask countless teams who were on the verge of winning and then a call happens and things change. Whether you agree with instant replay or not, in some instances it does confirm the truth; but sometimes it just blurs it further.

When you are taking photographs at sporting events, sometimes the fans become so convinced of a play that they are sure their point of view is the right one. They saw it with their own eyes after all and it’s what they believe. The ball hit the bat, didn’t hit the bat, he made the catch, it hit the ground, he stepped out of bounds, you name it---it’s when you have the photo, you believe you know the truth. Or at least the camera is indicating what it has captured. (But there are angles that can distort the truth…it’s just a game right?)

The photo above is a perfect example of fans knowing they are right when they just might not be. The Cubs were playing the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field. An infield grounder, which should be “routine,” becomes a lot closer than it normally would. The fans were sure the runner was out, the umpire made a different call---who was right?

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