2 Assignments, 2 Cameras and 2 Lenses

This afternoon (Friday, Sept. 6, 2013) I decided that for both of my assignments I would just use two cameras (Nikon D700 and D300) and two lenses (24mm f/2.8 on the D700 and 60mm f/2.8 on the D300).

I figured that neither of my two afternoon assignments required anything longer than a 90mm equivalent (60mm on a cropped body = 90mm), and my 24mm f/2.8 on the D700 is my favorite lens/body combination.

At the end of the day it proved to be a good move. Sometimes after a busy afternoon of assignments my back/shoulders can be a little sore. Just carrying two small prime lenses and two bodies was a huge relief on the old back.

I've always been a big fan of prime lenses, particularly the the 24mm f/2.8, but I've never had the guts to cover an assignment without my 80-200 f/2.8. Breaking away from the 80-200 turned out to be a good move.  For some reason, when I use wide zooms I feel like I shoot too wide and have a hard time forcing myself to zoom in.

When I use my 24mm f/2.8 it forces me to be more creative and use my feet to zoom in or out. It makes me think about my shots more.

It was also nice to not have a big bag bouncing around and getting in the way every time I tried to get low for a different angle or something like that.

In the end, though, it's all about the person behind the camera and not the camera.

Thanks for looking.

Sydney Huntimer (left) and Caleb Dagel discuss what to do with a rotten bell pepper in the school garden at Memorial Middle School in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Sydney Huntimer, 12, (left) and Madison Gerhart, 11, look for rotten tomatoes in the school garden at Memorial Middle School in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Students pick out which items they want to take home in the school garden at Memorial Middle School in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Peppers from the school garden at Memorial Middle School in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Madison Gerhart, 11, looks for rotten tomatoes in the school garden at Memorial Middle School in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Sydney Huntimer, 12, (left) and Madison Gerhart, 11, talk about what to do with some rotten tomatoes in the school garden at Memorial Middle School in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Mike Peterson, of A Plus Towing, cleans a Ford F650 Flat-Bed truck before the Touch-a-Truck event put on by the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation department at Harmodon Park in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Isaak Booker, 3, of Lennox, S.D., checks out a 1962 American LaFrance Fire Pumper truck during the Touch-a-Truck event put on by the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation department at Harmodon Park in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Isaak Booker, 3, of Lennox, S.D., explores the cab of a 1962 American LaFrance Fire Pumper truck during the Touch-a-Truck event put on by the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation department at Harmodon Park in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Willow Booker, 3, of Lennox, S.D., looks out from the top of a 1962 American LaFrance Fire Pumper truck during the Touch-a-Truck event put on by the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation department at Harmodon Park in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Harris Adamson, 10, (left) and his brother Calvin Adamson, 7, both of Sioux Falls, sit on top of a 2001 Harley Davidson Heritage Soft Tail during the Touch-a-Truck event put on by the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation department at Harmodon Park in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Abigail Glanc, 9, of Sioux Falls, smiles as she honks the air-horn of the Allied Building Products' Articulated Knuckle Boom truck during the Touch-a-Truck event put on by the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation department at Harmodon Park in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Recent Work (09/01/13)

This is just a collection of some of my favorite photos since my last post.

It's a rather large post filled with feature photos, lots of prep football photos, some skydiving politician photos and a weather photo. 

Enjoy, and thanks for looking!

Pete Nelson, who lives next door to Cindy Ahrendt-Sivesind (not pictured) on Cedar Avenue, looks out over phase one of a project that supposedly addresses a problem with erosion along the Otonka channel near his house in Sioux Falls, S.D., Monday, Aug. 26, 2013. Phase two of the project will go through Nelson's back yard. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Cindy Ahrendt-Sivesind gestures toward an area along the Otonka channel near her house that will be effected during phase two of a project supposedly addressing erosion issues on the channel in Sioux Falls, S.D., Monday, Aug. 26, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

A lone bicycler makes his way down the bike path near Rotary-Norlin Park in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Monday, Aug. 26, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Tim Haugrud pushes his 2-year-old daughter Ruby Haugrud on the swing at Rotary-Norlin Park in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Monday, Aug. 26, 2013. Haugrud said they picked Rotary-Norlin Park because it had the most trees, which meant there would be more shade to escape Monday's heat. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Governor Dennis Daugaard and Dan Spisak, a tandem skydive instructor with Skydive Adventures, go through what will happen in the air during a charity skydive at the Madison Municipal Airport in Madison, S.D., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Governor Dennis Daugaard walks to the plane before a charity skydive at the Madison Municipal Airport in Madison, S.D., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Governor Dennis Daugaard gets help from tandem skydive instructor Jan Fodness with his skydive harness before a charity skydive at the Madison Municipal Airport in Madison, S.D., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Four-year-old Cooper Bergheim, of Madison, S.D., tries to spot Governor Dennis Daugaard as he floats to the ground during a charity skydive at the Madison Municipal Airport in Madison, S.D., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Governor Dennis Daugaard jokes with Madison Dairy Queen owner DeLon Mork, not pictured, before a charity skydive at the Madison Municipal Airport in Madison, S.D., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Madison Dairy Queen owner DeLon Mork and tandem skydive instructor Jan Fodness go over what will happen in the air before a charity skydive at the Madison Municipal Airport in Madison, S.D., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Governor Dennis Daugaard, right, and Madison Dairy Queen owner DeLon Mork float to the ground during a charity skydive at the Madison Municipal Airport in Madison, S.D., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Doug Merager, left, of Madison, S.D., points out the plane carrying Governor Dennis Daugaard to his wife Joan Merager during a charity skydive at the Madison Municipal Airport in Madison, S.D., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Mick Persoon, of Madison, S.D., points out the plane carrying Governor Dennis Daugaard to his wife Gerry Persoon during  a charity skydive at the Madison Municipal Airport in Madison, S.D., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Governor Dennis Daugaard and tandem skydive instructor Dan Spasik float to the ground during a charity skydive at the Madison Municipal Airport in Madison, S.D., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

The sun sets in Madison, S.D., after Governor Dennis Daugaard and Madison Dairy Queen owner DeLon Mork made it to the ground safely during a charity skydive at the Madison Municipal Airport in Madison, S.D., Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

O'Gorman's #84 Justin Pabst, #76 Tony Kirsch and #22 Chris Sharpe take the field with the rest of their team before a game against Rapid City Stevens at McEneaney Field in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Aug. 30, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

O'Gorman's #7 Jimmy Pio, center, pumps the rest of his team up before a game against Rapid City Stevens at McEneaney Field in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Aug. 30, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

O'Gorman's #16 Tanner Schulte rushes with the ball during a game against Rapid City Stevens at McEneaney Field in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Aug. 30, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Rapid City Stevens' #19 Matt Minnick pulls down a pass over O'Gorman's #45 Matt White during a game at McEneaney Field in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Friday, Aug. 30, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Lightning strikes over Sioux Falls, S.D., on Saturday night, Aug. 31, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Roosevelt's #1 Chase Vinatieri lands in the endzone after catching a pass for a touchdown during a game against Brandon Valley at Brandon Valley High School on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Brandon Valley's #15 Alex Wilde pulls down a pass over Roosevelt's #4 Kyle Olinger during a game at Brandon Valley High School on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Brandon Valley fan Derek Johnson, left, cheers for his team during a game against Roosevelt at Brandon Valley High School on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Roosevelt's #86 Tyler Van Voorst is brought down by Brandon Valley's #36 Andrew Sorensen during a game at Brandon Valley High School on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

The Brandon Valley Marching Band prepares a flag before the National Anthem before a game against Roosevelt at Brandon Valley High School on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

The Brandon Valley Trumpet Ensemble perform the National Anthem before a game against Roosevelt at Brandon Valley High School on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Roosevelt's #11 Cole Schroedermeier brings down Brandon Valley's Cam Holmes during a game at Brandon Valley High School on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Brandon Valley's #7 Jake Comeaux is sacked by Roosevelt's #8 Kory Lindquist during a game at Brandon Valley High School on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. (Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader)

Last Weekend

Last weekend Lauren and I got a chance to explore Sioux Falls a little bit and spend some time with her uncle, great aunt and second cousin.

While exploring Sioux Falls Lauren and I found a really neat willow tree along a bike path that runs along the Big Sioux river, and Lauren even talked me into getting in front of the camera a little bit--whether that's good or not is up to you.

We also got to see some very cool old family residences and an awesome, very red old Texaco station.

©Joe Ahlquist

©Joe Ahlquist

©Joe Ahlquist

©Joe Ahlquist

©Joe Ahlquist

 

 

©Joe Ahlquist

©Joe Ahlquist

©Joe Ahlquist

©Joe Ahlquist

©Joe Ahlquist

Augustana Football Practice

On Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2013, I spent my morning with the Augustana College football team.

Here are a few of my favorites from the assignment.

Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader | Augustana coach Jerry Olszewski jokes with #16 Keyvion Mayhan during a practice at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013.

Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader | Augustana's #38 Justin Greenway rushes down-field with the ball during a practice at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013.

Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader | Augustana coach Jerry Olszewski, right, during a practice at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013.

Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader | Augustana's #20 Dajon Newell pulls in a pass during a practice at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013.

Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader | Augustana coach Jerry Olszewski, center, during a practice at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013.

Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader | Augustana's #9 Nate Kirby tackles #38 Justin Greenway during a practice at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013.

Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader | Augustana coach Jerry Olszewski talks with #22 Anthony Tucker during a practice at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013.

Joe Ahlquist / Argus Leader | Augustana coach Jerry Olszewski looks on during a practice at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013.