Blog | Calvert Photography

Get Icky with Newt

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:01:00 +0000

Days before last weekend's Nevada GOP caucus, Newt Gingrich—former Speaker of the House of of U.S. Representatives and candidate for the 2012 Republican Party presidential nomination—campaigned at Great Basin Brewing Company in Reno.

I photographed the Speaker's visit for Getty Images. And a had a blast.

I love political photography. It's kind of like shooting sports: it's competitive, you're always surrounded by other photographers; it's an adrenaline rush, once the candidate shows up you have to move fast, think fast, shoot fast; and there are players, just like a baseball game (and you have to know who is important and why).

Here's a few of the photos I filed. Also, unfortunately I wasn't able to order a beer while I was there. But apparently, most in the crowd did.

Detail shot. Thought the hands represented the mostly retired crowd well.

Oh, Nevada (part one).

I once caught a fish this big.

Post-rally presser. Can you spot Ray Hagar and Anjeanette Damon?

Oh, Nevada (part 2)

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Midsummer Classic

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:08:00 +0000

Reno Mayor, Bob Cashell.

I was at Aces Ballpark this morning for a press conference announcing the 2013 Triple-A All-Star Game in Reno. Although rumored for a while, this made it official.

The game—the 26th annual—is scheduled for July 10, 2013. And although it's a ways away, I'm pretty stoked.

This is actually my second All-Star experience. Third if you can't Little League. In 2007 I worked as an editor for MLB.com at the midsummer classic in San Francisco. I got to shoot a few assignments (1, 2) but nothing really at the park.

In addition to the game, the Aces will host the Triple-A Home Run Derby on July 8 and a weekend FanFest.

Here are a few photos from this morning. Typical press conference stuff but nonetheless, exciting news.

Pacific Coast League President, Branch Rickey.

Aces President and Managing Partner, Stuart Katzoff.

Rickey, left, and International League President, Randy Mobley.

RSCVA President and CEO, Chris Baum

Rickey.

From left, Stuart Katzoff, Herb Simon, Mayor Cashell and Jerry Katzoff outside Aces Ballpark.

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Labor(ious)

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:56:00 +0000

Sec. Solis, left and Dr. Biden.

Thursday was a rich, full day in Reno.

But I wasn't out breaking news. Instead, I was hired by the Department of Labor to photograph Secretary Hilda Solis.

Solis accompanied Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden to Reno; the Vice President spoke at Galena high school while his wife and Secretary Solis held a roundtable discussion at Renown Health.

The day however, was delayed. High winds forced Air Force Two to land in Fallon, Nev. and the motorcade had to shuttle the dignitaries in.

In addition to the discussion, the Secretary and Dr. Biden were scheduled to tour some of the facilities and watch nurses demonstrate a training exercise but the advance team cancelled for lack of time.

In spite of the delays, schedule changes and limited access, I still made few nice dailies I want to share.

And thank you to the folks at Renown for lunch; and for babysitting us media-type folks all-day. We can be a whiney crew and the snacks helped.

"John Doe" simulation doll.

Left, Dr. Maria Sheehan, Truckee Meadows Community College President with Solis and Biden.

Dr. Biden shares a laugh with some recently hired nurses.

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Eleven in 11.

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:16:00 +0000

I love lists. To do lists, top ten lists, Nixon's enemies list. I use them, read them and enjoy them often.

This is a list. Sort of.

It's my top ten—actually 11—favorite images from last year.

Criteria: These aren't my best photos from the past year—they might be but who's to say—just the ones I really like.

Most are from assignments and clients I've worked with for years like Burning Man, and the Aces and Wells Fargo. Some images are corporate, some sports, some personal—all are mine and shot primarily but not exclusively with my beat up D300's.

Hope you enjoy them as much as I do:

Above: From my seventh Burn. I like the juxtaposition here. It's about art and love in an utterly absurd surrounding. I mean it's a pirate ship on Lake Lahontan. Don't see that everyday.

Below: In the clubhouse with Brett Butler after the Aces clinched the team's first playoff berth. This was my first champagne celebration. I wore a trash bag over my head/camera/being. My gear escaped unharmed. I got a little sticky.

Above: I snagged this tender moment shooting for Wells Fargo at the Great Reno Balloon Races.

Above: Ash Meadows national wildlife refuge in Southern Nevada. On one of my many drives south, through the desert, I was delighted to discover this oasis outside Las Vegas.

Above: Reno River Festival. Capa said it best.

Below: Mule Days. Probably not my best frame from Bishop this year, but for sure one of my favorites. Who doesn't love a blonde on a mule drinking a can of Coors Light. It's practically a platinum country song. Toby? Jason? Garth?

Above: Hitting on a bride on her wedding day in her WEDDING dress. Stay classy Reno. Sidenote, I'm shooting more weddings and loving them. It's fish in a barrel photography. Everybody looks nice, is happy, the light is great. It's a visual storyteller's dream.

Above: My locks of love donation.

Above: Here's some collateral I shot for Ad2 Reno. The idea was to create "sexy" invitations for the club's website launch party. This was fun to conceptualize and shoot. Glad I didn't have to model. That's @beccawik picking her nose. And @phinneaus picking...something else.

Above: Speaking of sexy, here's a photo of Silver Peak brewmaster Brandon Wright and his assistant Joe for Celebrator magazine. Not exactly my Walter Iooss moment but...fun.

Above: Picon punch at Louis Basque Corner.

Below*: Bulette—my kitten and love. I joined instagr.am at the end of 2010 and although I still prefer my 300, 2.8, I like the convenience of a camera in my pocket and the look of the X-Pro II filter. Follow me at @calvertphoto.

*This is actually #12. But that messes with whole, 11 in 11 concept. So let's call this one, 11b.

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D-League Showcase

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:50:00 +0000

2012 NBA D-League Showcase - Images by David Calvert

Last week, the Reno Bighorns hosted the NBA's eighth annual D-League Showcase, downtown at the Reno Events Center. For four days—four games a day—fans and scouts (mostly scouts) watched the (second) best basketball the NBA has to offer.

It's not quite the PCL, but the Development League is the closest thing David Stern has to Triple-A. Although many of the 16 teams have assigned NBA players (like Hassan Whiteside and Tyler Honeycutt of the Sacramento Kings playing with the Reno Bighorns) the majority are unaffiliated and seeking NBA call-ups (and contracts).

Although not the NBA, the basketball is fast, high scoring and better than anything played at 15000 N. Virginia St.

Headlined by players like Antoine Walker and Luke Babbitt of the Idaho Stampede, Gerald Green of the Los Angeles Defenders, and Curtis Stinson of the Iowa Energy, the league is composed of many well known college and former pro players—some on their way up, others coming down.

Alongside the NBA's Jack Arent, team photographer with the Golden State Warriors, I shot all but one of the 16 games for NBA Entertainment. I missed the noon-tip Tuesday to cover a visit by some of the Idaho players to Billinghurst Middle School.

Although I enjoyed shooting with Jack and meeting league staff, I have to say, I was excited to leave the arena Thursday night. Fifteen games is a lot of basketball.

I've included some of my favorites in the above slideshow. The rest are online at Getty Images.

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Home of the brave...little toaster

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 01:29:00 +0000

Now this was a fun assignment.

A few weeks ago I got a call from Bloomberg to photograph a toaster. Not your typical assignment, I know, but this wan't your typical toaster.

The bagel burner in question belonged to Nita Tune of Gardnerville, Nev. And, get this, it toasts a National Rifle Association (NRA) logo onto the bread.

Tune won the appliance at an NRA fundraiser in California.

After laughing with my editor, I bought a loaf of fresh bread and drove south. Tune welcomed me into her kitchen where—for about an hour—we made toast.

Here's a few I liked.

The story ran on Dec. 28.

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Jailbreak

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:29:00 +0000

Nevada State Prison, parts of which date back to the 1860s, is being shut down early next week. I photographed the facility a few year's ago for the New York Times. I wasn't able to show prisoners—which made the assignment much more difficult—but it was cool to walk the grounds (with a guard).

A two-man cell.

The prison is home to Nevada's execution chamber (above) and license plate factory.
For the time being, both will remain.

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Hootchy Kootchy Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:18:00 +0000

It's a new year and about damn time I updated this space. Mind you, I'm not making a crazy resolution. I'm not promising to blog more and I'm certainly not going to the gym—Hell, if I smoked, I wouldn't quit—but I am getting "caught up."

I do this from time to time.

Here's a few photos from a very fun, and now seasonally irrelevant story I shot a few weeks ago. The images are from Dec. 10 during the Hootchy Kootchy Holiday Burlesque show at Studio on 4th in Downtown Reno. A close friend of mine performed that night and I spent some time shooting from the front of the house, and back.

Here are my favorites.

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Merry Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 02:22:00 +0000

2005 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl - Nevada vs. Central Florida - Images by David Calvert

Nevada takes on Southern Miss tomorrow night in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. In college, I traveled with the team and had the opportunity to photograph the 2005 game. The Wolf Pack won that one 49-48.

Mele Kalikimaka, folks.

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Ho ho hoes?

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 23:14:00 +0000

Downtown Reno's jolliest pub crawl starts in a few hours. Not sure what to wear? Here are a few of my favorite costumes (and characters) from 2009.

Reno Santa Crawl Portraits - Images by David Calvert

If you're looking for something different tonight, come down to Studio on 4th for a Christmas Hootchy Kootchy burlesque show. I'm shooting and starting my night there.

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Slow news day?

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:58:00 +0000

I instagramed (and tweeted) this iPhone photo early today. It looks like a tank; although I'm told it's just an armored personnel carry. Still, a "military" vehicle parked on Plumb Lane mere miles from where I went to high school was big enough news to make my buddy Brian Duggan's Reno blog.

Although bothered by the potential for a "Red Dawn" scenario, I'm secretly hoping the image and minor publicity boosts my Klout score. If spotting a tank doesn't give you Internet cred, what does?

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Sixteen 600

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:31:00 +0000

16600 Triptych.

I spent last weekend in Sonoma with my buddy Sam Coturri shooting some photos and helping him design a website for the release of his family's wine, Sixteen 600. The site is still "under construction" but I wanted to share some of the new images here. I've shot with Sam before—each time filling holes in their archive—so this isn't a complete story, just some singles I like.

I focused mostly on the vineyard below his house but did get to spend some time with his dad, Phil, and visit the winery.

Phil's company, Enterprise Vineyards "grows premium wine grapes that show the vibrancy and individuality of terroir by using organic and biodynamic farming methods."

I still haven't shot a harvest: it's hard to coordinate schedules/travel/weather. But hopefully next year, I will.

In addition to photos from this latest visit, I've included a few from earlier this summer when we photographed his family's olive oil as well as some photos from Kamen Estate Wines, Stone Edge Farms and Moon Mountian: all Enterprise Vineyards properties.

Phil spreading clover seed.

Kamen.

Moon Mountain.

Kamen.

Stone Edge Farm.

Kamen.

Grapes with a view.

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"tə be:, ər not tə be?"

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:06:00 +0000

Ben Crystal as Hamlet.

A couple of weeks ago I photographed a preview of William Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Original Pronunciation (OP) performed by the Nevada Repertory Company for Silver and Blue magazine. According to the University, this was only the fifth OP production of any Shakespearean work performed in modern times. I enjoyed the pronunciation—accents seemed thicker, dialogue more casual and lyrical—and the performance.

English actor and Shakespeare scholar Ben Crystal served brilliantly as Hamlet, while students and University faculty made up the rest of the cast. I enjoyed the clean backgrounds and simple stage but thought the costumes were inconsistent.

I shot the play primarily with the 50. The pictures won't run in print for a couple of months so here's a sneak peak.

"O horrible, O horrible, most horrible!"

English professor David Fenimore—my 298 teacher—played the ghost of Hamlet's father.

"How now! A rat?"

"Oh, I am slain."

"Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell! I took thee for thy better."

Alas, Poor Yorick.

Spoiler alert: everybody dies.

Guy love.

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Magic 2011 - "Oh, what a night!"

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 23:41:00 +0000

For the second year, I documented the Renown Children's Hospital "Magic" banquet and fundraiser. Last year's event was at the Atlantis this year however, we were downtown. As ballrooms go, I like photographing there.

I shot mostly grip and grins and speakers at the podium but there was some interesting light to play with early and the desert was really good. Events like this can be creatively challenging but if you don't get frustrated, they can be a lot of fun.

Here are a few of my favorite images. As always, thanks to the gang at Renown. Fantastic group to work with.

Phyllis Freyer and Joel Muller.

Dr. James B. Atcheson, 2011 recipient of the Arthur J. Laurie Distinguished Physician Award.

Frankie Valli tribute group, "Oh, what a night!"

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JT Holmes, Hotels.com

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 22:16:00 +0000

A few months back, pre-BRC, I spent a day in Tahoe shooting production stills and promotional photos for Hotels.com and Ruder Finn. They were making a commercial with extreme sports star and high-flying daredevil JT Holmes. Holmes, who worked as a stuntman on Transformers 3, is a Tahoe resident. The commercial was a real-life take on this animated ad promoting their new mobile booking application.

As you can see in the YouTube video, JT proved you could actually book a hotel room in free-fall with the app. And although I've never tried that, I did use the app the last time I stayed in Las Vegas. It's pretty cool.

Here are a few of the "behind the scenes" shots from that day.

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Hicktown.

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 20:53:00 +0000

I photographed Jason Aldean Sunday night at the Reno Events Center. I was working with my buddy Scott who reviewed the concert for Metromix Reno. I can't remember my last concert with a camera—I don't work many—but this one was fun: access was liberal, the music good and the pictures turned out alright.

Aldean is touring with Chris Young and Thompson Square. I hadn't heard either before but both were fun to photograph, animated performers. Aldean less so but hey, it's his gig.

Enjoy the pictures.

Keifer and Shawna Thompson of Thompson Square.

Chris Young.

Aldean.

Guitarist Kurt Allison performs with Aldean.

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Rite of Passage: the only picture worth sharing...

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 14:59:00 +0000

Mom, me.

...well, not the "only" one. But certainly my favorite. If you want to see a few more photos from Black Rock City, 2011, my personal "best of" gallery is edited and up.

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Design Matters.

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 14:48:00 +0000

Thursday night I photographed AIGA Reno's inaugural DesignMatters competition, slideslam and keynote presentation at the Nevada Museum of Art in downtown Reno. The competition called for local designers, from all disciplines, to build chairs. The chairs were made from a variety of materials including plexiglass, antique picture frames, peg board, rubber bands even one fantastic chair with a seat made of small glass orbs filled with gold fish. The winning chairs were auctioned off following the event and the designers were awarded cash prizes.

In addition to the contest, 2010 AIGA medalist Steve Frykholm engaged the crowd with his interactive, choose-your-own-adventure-style keynote. Frykholm is the creative director at Herman Miller. His presentation featured a number of potential subjects, videos and powerpoint slides but instead of trudging through them, he allowed the audience to control what he talked about and when by shouting out its choice. It was a really cool idea.

Here are a few of the pictures I shot. Also, congrats to the AIGA Reno board for a spectacular inaugural event and thank you to Kelly Wallis for getting me involved. AIGA is one of my favorite organizations in town: it's a cool group of people and their events always have such amazing speakers.

The "Asteroid" chair.

Kelly, center, talking with two of the judges.

Frykholm.

NMA.

Judging.

Winning chair design.

Colin Robertson.

"You want great ads!"

Frykholm.

Herman Miller's SAYL Chair.

Phyllis Freyer.

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Fly Dark Helmet, fly!

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:49:00 +0000

I'm not the child you're looking for.

You probably noticed a drop in posts, post Burning Man. If you've been to Black Rock City, I don't need to explain what the days and weeks after feel like. If you haven't, just accept my absence and move on.

Slowly however, over the next few days, I hope to get caught up.That means I'm going to be sharing some old photos—par for this blog. Maybe even some old baseball photos.

Today, I'm sharing a few images from the 30th annual Great Reno Balloon Races at Rancho San Rafael park, Sept. 8-11.

Once again, I was shooting for the folks at Wells Fargo. They're a great group to work with and they do a lot for this community. Aside from kicking it with my bank buddies, the highlight of the weekend was seeing the infamous Darth Vader balloon. Although, in my opinion, it looked more like this guy than this guy.

Nona.

Everybody is a photographer.

9/11.

Mass Ascension.

Bubbly.

Dark Helmet.

Adorbz.

Dawn patrol.

Rudy.

Kelly.

Beth.

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Hack4Reno

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:31:00 +0000

This past weekend I photographed a 24-hour hackathon in downtown Reno outside the Pioneer Center. The event, Hack4Reno, was a contest where teams of developers, designers, journalist, techies, geeks, etc. conceived and built apps that would somehow benefit the local community; many even used data made available by the city.

The event was sponsored by I swear, everyone, but organized primarily by Reno Collective, reno.rb and the City of Reno. I wasn't there for the whole 24 but did manage a few trips downtown. Although most of the apps are still under construction, I can't wait to use some of the final projects.

Here are a few of the pics documenting the day (and night and following day).

Reno Collective's Colin Loretz and Kristy Fifelski, web manager with the City of Reno setting up shop.

The hackathon was held outdoors...

...at the Pioneer Center.

Did I mention they worked outside? In the sun? Hackers LOVE sun.

Two of the organizers @elskwid and @yodasan

Reenforcing stereotypes one can at a time.

@chexee

@Chexee putting on a clinic. Grab a notebook son.

Some teams went home early...

Most, didn't.

Hacker fuel.

@kristyfifelski

More supplies: water, power, sleeping bag, beer.

"Gee Brain, what do you wanna to do tonight?"

@robgaedtke of team gooutsi.de

Keith and Patrick Anderson from Trinity Applied Internet present their calendar application.

Winning teams received a gold "statue" of Reno Mayor Bob Cashell.

Team gooutsi.de...

...outside.

17 teams and more than 40 people participated.

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Freakanomics

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:00:00 +0000

Levitt.

Economist and Author Steven Levitt spoke last night at the University's annual foundation banquet inside the Peppermill Hotel and Casino. I shot mostly podium stuff and grip and grins for Silver and Blue—not my most engaging work—but enjoyed Levitt very much: he is an entertaining storyteller.

Here are a few of my frames from the night.

The VIP reception was inside EDGE. Not my favorite place.

Levitt poses for a photo with University President Marc Johnson and his wife.

Johnson.

Jason Geddes...

...wears a bolo!

Levitt.

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I love a parade

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 01:16:00 +0000

I was in Las Vegas last night photographing the annual PRIDE parade for Wells Fargo. It's one of my favorite events and I love spending time with my banking buddies down south. Here's a quick frame from the festivities.

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Republican Mark Amodei wins special election...

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:11:00 +0000

...he also throws a nice two-seamer.

I didn't photograph many political assignments this summer—just one in fact (for the Associated Press). But I was able to see both Amodei and Democrat Kate Marshall thanks to Amodei's surprise appearance at Aces Ballpark. I have to say, his form impressed me. Velocity might be an issue at the next level, but I hear he has a plus-curve.

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PCL playoffs, game two: Reno 4, Sacramento 2

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 18:07:00 +0000

The Aces won game two last night, 4-2 over the River Cats. The series heads to Raley Field in Sacramento Friday with our boys in blue up two games to none. If they win one of the next three, the Aces will advance to the second round of the PCL playoffs for the first time in franchise history. And I'll keep shooting baseball. If they don't, well, this might have been my last game of the season...

See you next week—or, in April?

As always, please enjoy the pictures.

Arhie and Tony Abreu.

Cats starter Tyson Ross.

Angel Berroa.

Ross.

Cole Gillespie.

Andy Tracy safe at home.

Barry Enright.

Enright.

Chris Carter.

Wes Timmons.

Josh Donaldson.

Aces win...

...Aces win!

PCL playoffs, game one: Reno 7, Sacramento 4

noreply@blogger.com (David Calvert) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 18:06:00 +0000

The Reno Aces played in the franchise's first postseason game Wednesday night. They beat the Sacramento River Cats 7-4 to take a 1-0 game advantage.This was my first game, post-playa. I wasn't rusty, just...dusty. I thought I made some nice features though. Aces shortstopAngel Berroa went 2-4 with two home runs and four RBI.

Terrible towels.

Chris Carter.

Archibald.

Eury De La Rosa.

SP, Zack Kroenke.

Carter.

Wes Timmons.

Cat's hitting coach, Todd Steverson.

Berroa.

Cody Ransom.

Ransom.

Berroa.

Cole Gillespie.

Mike DeMark.

Gillespie.

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