2015 World Weightlifting Championships Opening Ceremonies

       The IWF World Weightlifting Championships haven't been on American soil since 1978, when it was held in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Thirty seven years later the Weightlifting World turns to Houston, Texas to host the 2015 IWF World Weightlifting Championships. Last night the Opening Ceremonies were held at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Here is a look at last nights events.

Florence Fawley; Model and WWII Veteran

   

       I shot a story in March for the Westerville News and Public Opinion about the re opening of the History Resource Center in the Public Library in Westerville, Ohio. They had swing dancers perform a demonstration, and various artifacts on display from World War II. I walked around the display and I turned a corner and there she was; An older woman about my grandmothers age, possibly younger. She sat by a display of a poster that was used as a cover for a magazine of the US Marine Corps Women's Reserve. I did a double take, because the young woman on the poster was the younger version of the beautifully aged woman that sat by it.
     Her name was Florence Fawley. Florence's ID photograph caught the eyes of the Brass. She was sent to Washington DC for a photo shoot, which became the concept for the poster that she sat by that day.  The advertisement was popular nationwide. After she left the Army, Florence and her husband moved to Westerville where she currently resides.

A Powerful Photo of Prayer In The Most Unexpected Place

          

           This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to photograph the Ohio State football game against Minnesota. I ran into my former teacher and current mentor Doral Chennoweth in the parking lot. I asked him if he saw my photos from the Penn State game. He saw them and liked them but he had some important advice.

         “Brent, can I pick on you for a moment?" he asked

         “Absolutely." I said.

         “You had some really good action shots, but you didn't have many pre-game shots.”

          I thought about it for a moment and I thought He's right. I missed the fireworks, Brutus leading the male cheerleaders with the red OHIO the flags down the field before the Buckeyes came out. I missed some really good opportunities.

          So as soon as I got the opportunity I moved from the southeast end of the field all the way to the northeast and took my position. BOOM!!! The fireworks went off and got a beautiful shot of them and out came The Ohio State Buckeyes. I got a shot of Brutus charging down the field with the flags. Then, somewhere between the National Anthem and kick off, several team members went into the end zone and knelt individually in silent prayer. One of the team members was star running back Ezekiel Elliot. I knelt down took aim and fired. The above image is what came out.

          This is, in my opinion the most powerful image I shot all night. Here you have the starting running back on the current national championship team kneeling down alone in silent prayer on the grounds of a public university. It's a very spiritual image that can be interpreted many different ways. Some may be offended by it calling for a Separation of Church and State, while others may be encouraged in their own spiritual walk.

          I took a look at this and was in awe. I am not sure if Elliot is a Christian or not. I don't know him personally, so I can't make that call. I began to ask myself ;What is he praying for? A win? A good game? Physical protection for himself ,his teammates, and the other team? Is he thanking God? I am a Christian man who believes in the power of prayer. I believe that Jesus Christ is the One and True God. When I played sports I never prayed for a win. I always asked God for physical protection for myself, my team and the other team. I also asked God to help me do my best on that playing field.

         I choose to abstain from answering the question of whether I believe God chooses the outcome of football games. That is a fair and valid question. However, this article is about introspection and self reflection. What is it that you really believe in deep down in the gut? If you call yourself Christian living and you're a sinful lifestyle, I must ask what you really believe in your heart of hearts? If you don't believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior I must ask you to ask yourself what is it that I really believe in and why. I'm not going to bombard you with Bible verses, but my hope and prayer for you is to come to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. As for myself, I choose to follow Christ.

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Minnesota

Ohio State Football vs. Penn State

    This was the first time I shot Ohio State Football at the shoe. This game was especially important to me as my father is a Penn State graduate and an avid Penn State fan. This was the most fun I have ever had photographing a game. Walking out to get the lay of the land and seeing an empty quiet feel put a huge smile on my face. I had finally made it! I had wanted to do this ever since I picked up a camera; To soot an Ohio State Football Game. There is nothing like hearing the roar of the fans scream "OH-IO!!!" That sent chills down my spine. There is nothing like seeing your shots before during and after the game. Without further ado, I give you the photos. Please Enjoy!!!