Atlanta Photographer - Josh D. Weiss » Associated Press

Spot News: Plane Crash in Lawrenceville

Josh D. Weiss — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:19:48 +0000

About an hour before I was going to head out for football I got a call from John Bazemore at the AP asking if I could shoot some spot news for him, since he was over at Talladega in Alabama for the races.

Basically, a plane crashed into a house in Lawrenceville and killed the pilot and occupant of the home. Since it was in Gwinnett, I agreed to shoot it since my game for the AJC wasn’t too far away.

Gwinnett County firefighters crowd around what was left of a fire that started when a plane crashed into a Lawrenceville home Friday afternoon. The pilot and a resident in the house were both killed.

(CD)See You Later

Josh D. Weiss — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:06:16 +0000

Yesterday I got a call from the AP asking if I could shoot a last minute press conference at the CDC about H1N1 (Swine Flu). It was an unexpected, but very pleasant surprise so I packed up my gear and headed over to the facility located on the Emory campus.

The thing about press conferences is that the photos are usually boring, straight up shots of people talking. These aren’t any better, but I usually make a game out of it and try to see how many different compositions I can come up with. I get some interesting ones that I don’t think would ever run, but I like them none-the-less.

Director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Dr. Thomas Frieden listens to a question during the press conference at the CDC on June 11, 2009.

And sometimes you just like the way the light falls on someone.

Zinkhan: The Conclusion

Josh D. Weiss — Tue, 12 May 2009 23:45:33 +0000

Last night I got a call from the AP asking if I could shoot another press conference about George Zinkhan up in Athens at 9 a.m. today. Instead of waking up early to battle traffic, I decided to head up immediately and spend the night.

Nothing ground breaking was announced at the press conference today. They said that Tom Tanner, one of George Zinkhan’s victims was specifically targeted while Ben Teague was, “in the wrong place at the wrong time.” They also that that Zinkhan and his wife Marie Bruce were having marriage problems which is more than likely the cause of the shootings.

They also explained how Zinkhan hid himself. First he dug a 15 to 18 inch hole in the ground and then took a shipping pallet in the woods that he had covered with dirt, leaves, etc. and placed it on top of himself before pulling the trigger.

Overall, the city seems to be pretty relieved that they can put this behind them now and move on with their lives.

The most difficult part of this assignment was finding a different way to shoot what was virtually an identical event to the one I shot just a few days ago.

Athens-Clarke County Police Maj. Mark Sizemore, left, and Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Jim Fullington, right, share the podium during a press conference about the investigation into the late April murders by alleged murderer George Zinkhan, at the West ACC Police Department precinct in Bogart, Ga., on May 12, 2009. Zinkhan, a University of Georgia professor, is suspected of killing his wife and two others before killing himself.

George Zinkhan found

Josh D. Weiss — Sun, 10 May 2009 13:41:49 +0000

Yesterday as Brett and I were driving back to his place from Centennial Olympic Park I got a call from John Bazemore of the Associated Press. He said that they found a body near where University of Georgia Professor George Zinkhan’s Jeep was found last week and they suspected it was him. He asked if I could run up to Athens to get some photos at the press conference at 3:00 pm giving me about an hour and a half to get up there. Luckily, I made it just in time.

For those who don’t know, George Zinkhan is suspected of killing his wife and two others from Athens’ Town & Gown Players, a community theatre group located on Grady St. in Athens. The killings happened in late April and his car was found last week.

Apparently they used an Australian and German Shepherd that were trained to be “Cadaver Dogs” to locate the body which had been concealed under the ground. The police didn’t outright say it, but alluded to Zinkhan having dug himself a hole in the ground, covering himself up then shooting himself. As far as I know, they aren’t sure how long after the initial shooting this happened yet.

Maj. Mark Sizemore speaks to the media at the Athens Clarke County West Police Precinct during a press conference in Bogart, Ga., Saturday May 9, 2009. The body, found by two German shepherds in the woods about a mile from University of Georgia Professor George Zinkhan’s Jeep, was hidden under brush according to authorities.

Danielle Moore, a UGA PJ’r/friend of mine was covering the press conference for the Greenville newspaper.

I was sitting in between former UGA PJ classmate Waites Lasiter and one of the cadaver dogs and noticed this tender moment.

Independent learning

Josh D. Weiss — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:30:10 +0000

There was a story about this tutoring center in Anniston that I shot last week and ran in today’s paper. The kids were pipe’d in by them so I didn’t want to stage shots so I opted for this portrait with the kids as props basically.

My biggest complaint with the photo is that the lady in the middle put her hand up on the shoulder of the woman in front of her. I didn’t notice this till it was too late though. The reason I don’t like it is that with the lens I used, it makes the distance between her and her hand quite unnatural and thus awkward looking.

This also marks my final Anniston Star related post. I start at The Gwinnett Daily Post on Wednesday.

Edit – Apparently the AP picked up this story for the wire.

Wanda Reid, front, Janice Lee and Alva Willis are responsible for tutoring children at Independent Reading and Counseling Services.

Joshua Fields, savior of UGA Baseball

Josh D. Weiss — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:22:53 +0000

I was asked on Wednesday to shoot a portrait of this UGA baseball player. I had some ideas for portraits that were more creative, but when it started raining it became more a matter of trying to make sure the equipment I was using didn’t get fried so I went with something more standard.

Georgia closer Joshua Fields poses for a portrait inside the Georgia dugout at Foley Field in Athens, Ga., on Thursday, May 15, 2008. Fields was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the draft last June. The pitcher who can throw 97 mph heat, however, chose to stay for his senior season at Georgia.

Lightning Fast Action

Josh D. Weiss — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 03:39:22 +0000

The conversation between myself and my contact at the AP that occurred earlier this week:

Mr B.: Hey Josh, can you shoot the Thrashers game on Saturday?

Me: Yes, one thing though.

Mr. B.: Whats that?

Me: Does it matter that I’ve never shot hockey before?

Mr. B.: No, not really.

And then there I was, shooting an NHL game as my first experience with hockey. I’d try to give some evaluation of how I did, but I have no basis of comparison nor have I been able to look at hockey photos from other people because I’ve been so busy over the past few days.

Let me know what you think.

The Atlanta Thrasher’s Jim Slater (23) maintains control of the puck on his way to scoring a point as The Tampa Bay Lightning’s Filip Kuba (71) attempts to defend during the third period of a hockey game in Atlanta on April 5, 2008. (AP Photo/ Josh D. Weiss)

The Atlanta Thrasher’s Bobby Holik, left, celebrates his goal as The Tampa Bay Lightning’s Alexandre Picard (2) and Filip Kuba (71) prepare to return to center ice during the first period of a hockey game in Atlanta on April 5, 2008. (AP Photo/ Josh D. Weiss)

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s goalie Mike Smith (41) blocks the shot of The Atlanta Thrasher’s Colby Armstrong (19) as Tampa Bay’s Mat Smaby (32) rushes to the goal to help defend during the first period of a hockey game in Atlanta on April 5, 2008. (AP Photo/ Josh D. Weiss)

The Tamba Bay Lightning’s Matt Smaby (32) pushes The Atlanta Thrasher’s Colby Armstrong (19) drawing a penalty during the first period of a hockey game in Atlanta on April 5, 2008. (AP Photo/ Josh D. Weiss)

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s Dan Boyle (2) passes the puck as The Atlanta Thrasher’s Todd White, right, and Garnet Exelby, 2, defend during the second period of a hockey game in Atlanta on April 5, 2008. (AP Photo/ Josh D. Weiss)

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s Junior Lessard (42) looks for a clear shot as Mark Recchi, middle, is held off by Tampa’s Alexandre Picard (2) during the second period of a hockey game in Atlanta on April 5, 2008. (AP Photo/ Josh D. Weiss)

The Atlanta Thrasher’s Mark Recchi (8) edges out The Tampa Bay Lightning’s Filip Kuba (71) during the third period of a hockey game in Atlanta on April 5, 2008. (AP Photo/ Josh D. Weiss)

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s Dan Boyle (22) tries to steal the puck from The Atlanta Thrasher’s Eric Perrin (11) during the third period of a hockey game in Atlanta on April 5, 2008. (AP Photo/ Josh D. Weiss)

Gatorbait (Florida vs. Georgia)

Josh D. Weiss — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 04:24:27 +0000

Tonight was my final UGA basketball game of the season for The Associated Press. Given that, I wanted to do it right and knock out everything I felt I’d been lacking over the past few months. If only I’d been able to figure it out faster.

First thing I did was be realistic, Georgia didn’t have a chance so I shot Florida for the first half. It was the right call. Also, I tried to get some good reaction shots of the coaches and players.

So, hopefully I left a good impression.

Georgia head coach Dennis Felton argues with a referee during the first half of a college men’s basketball game against Florida on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, in Athens, Ga.

Florida’s Nick Calathes (33) is embraced by teammate Jai Lucas, behind, during the first half of a college men’s basketball game against Georgia on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, in Athens, Ga.

Florida’s Nick Calathes (33) goes for a shot as Georgia’s Corey Butler (23) defends during the first half of a basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, in Athens, Ga.

Players from both teams struggle for the rebound.

Florida’s Alex Tyus (23) has the ball batted away by Georgia’s Albert Jackson (34) during the first half of a basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, in Athens, Ga.

Florida’s Nick Calathes (33) drives for a shot against Georgia’s Sundiata Gaines (2) and Dave Bliss (44) during the first half of a college men’s basketball game on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, in Athens, Ga.

Georgia’s Sundiata Gaines (2) reacts to having a foul called on him as Florida’s Nick Calathes (33) goes up for a shot, which was waived off because of the foul, during the second half of a basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, in Athens, Ga. Florida won 77-64.

Gamecocky (South Carolina vs Georgia MBB)

Josh D. Weiss — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 03:44:47 +0000

South Carolina came into Georgia today hoping for a repeat of Georgia’s visit to South Carolina the other week. Well, despite being down to seven scholarship players Georgia managed to dominate the Lady Gamecocks.

Two more photos here.

Georgia’s Albert Jackson grabs his hurt shoulder during the first half of a college men’s basketball game against South Carolina, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008, in Athens, Ga. Jackson returned to the game in the second half.

Georgia’s Sundiata Gaines (2) looks for his shot as South Carolina’s Dwayne Day (2) defends during the second half of a college men’s basketball game on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008, in Athens, Ga.

Georgia’s Corey Butler (23) drives to the basket past South Carolina’s Dominique Archie, left, during the second half of a college men’s basketball game on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008, in Athens, Ga.

Georgia vs. the Commie(dores)

Josh D. Weiss — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 03:55:18 +0000

Shot the Men’s game against Vanderbilt tonight. I felt like my photos tonight were better than I’ve been doing, so I was pretty happy about that.

On the very last image below the cut, I wish Zac Swansey hadn’t been covering his face, because I think it would really make that photo a lot better. Its usable as it, but if you saw his face… oh man… it’d be hawt.

Click here or “Read More” to see the rest.

Vanderbilt’s Jermaine Beal (0) fights his way past Georgia’s Sundiata Gaines, left, during the second half of a basketball game on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, in Athens, Ga.

Vanderbilt’s Jermaine Beal (0) works his way around Georgia’s Zac Swansey (5) during the first half of a basketball game on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, in Athens, Ga.

Vanderbilt’s Shan Foster (32) goes for a dunk as Georgia’s Sundiata Gaines, bottom, watches during the first half of a basketball game on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, in Athens, Ga.

Vanderbilt’s Andre Walker (24) goes up for a shot as Georgia’s Chris Barnes, right, tries to make a block during the second half of a basketball game on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, in Athens, Ga.

Vanderbilt’s Shan Foster (32) breaks past Georgia’s Terrance Woodbury (30) during the second half of a basketball game on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, in Athens, Ga.

Vanderbilt’s Alan Metcalfe (11) blocks the shot of Georgia’s Zac Swansey during the first half of a basketball game on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, in Athens, Ga.