Seattle Mariners Opening Day photos | Seattle editorial photographer

The Seattle Mariners defeated the Houston Astros 3-0 to win their home opener at Safeco Field Monday April 8, 2013. I had seats in the first few rows of the 300 level with my brother, and was able to make a few frames while at my seat and exploring the park.

Fireworks are launched during the national anthem. The Seattle Mariners defeated the Houston Astros 3-0 during Opening Day at Safeco Field Monday April 8, 2013. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Seattle Mariners fans wait in line before entry gates opened three hours before gametime. The Seattle Mariners defeated the Houston Astros 3-0 during Opening Day at Safeco Field Monday April 8, 2013. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Phil Andruss, known as Mohawk Guy, drinks beer in the Pyramid Breweries beer garden a few hours before gametime. The Seattle Mariners defeated the Houston Astros 3-0 during Opening Day at Safeco Field Monday April 8, 2013. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

A man tries to drink down the tops of some of his four beers so they don’t spill while enjoying the Pyramid Breweries beer garden a few hours before gametime. The Seattle Mariners defeated the Houston Astros 3-0 during Opening Day at Safeco Field Monday April 8, 2013. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Golden light shines on Beacon Hill and the old PacMed Center in a view looking east from Safeco Field. The Seattle Mariners defeated the Houston Astros 3-0 during Opening Day at Safeco Field Monday April 8, 2013. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

An usher helps direct the flow of people moving through the home plate entrance to Safeco Field. The Seattle Mariners defeated the Houston Astros 3-0 during Opening Day at Safeco Field Monday April 8, 2013. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Fans work to find their seats in the 200 level of the outfield before the start of the game. The Seattle Mariners defeated the Houston Astros 3-0 during Opening Day at Safeco Field Monday April 8, 2013. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

The memorial to former Seattle Mariners play-by-play announcer Dave Niehaus was a popular photo opportunity for fans. Niehaus died in 2010 of a heart attack. The Seattle Mariners defeated the Houston Astros 3-0 during Opening Day at Safeco Field Monday April 8, 2013. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

A man eats some Shiskaberries, chocolate-covered strawberries on a stick, during the fourth inning. The Seattle Mariners defeated the Houston Astros 3-0 during Opening Day at Safeco Field Monday April 8, 2013. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

At the end of the game, a fan celebrates the team’s victory. The Seattle Mariners defeated the Houston Astros 3-0 during Opening Day at Safeco Field Monday April 8, 2013. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Thanks for looking,

Daniel

Edmonds-Woodway HS Baseball v. Arlington 5/5/12 | Seattle photographer

Edmonds-Woodway outfielder Jason Smarr (#71) is congratulated at home by Bruce Mezich (#11) after an RBI brought him home in the first inning of their 6-1 victory over Arlington High Saturday, May 5 in the 4A District 1 tournament at Edmonds-Woodway High School in Edmonds. Photo by Daniel Berman/for the Daily Herald

As sun light bathed the field intermittently, the E-W Warriors started the game off with a barrage of hits and RBIs. Arlington played catch up later in the afternoon, and appeared to struggle against E-W pitcher Ryan Budnick — who pitched a complete game. At the plate, Budnick hit 2 for 3 — including 4 RBIs. I covered Edmond-Woodway’s 6-1 victory at home over Arlington High in the 4A District 1 tournament for the Everett Daily Herald, and their weekly sister paper.

The game started after an hour-long delay, caused by mandatory across-the-league start times in rainy weather. That afforded me ample opportunity to hang out with the players as they relaxed and killed time. I ended up splitting my time between both team’s dugouts, but liked my take from the Edmonds side a bit more.

Edmonds-Woodway outfielders Troy Rheinford, center, and Mac McLachlan horse around while waiting out a game delay before their 6-1 victory over Arlington High Saturday, May 5 in Edmonds. Photo by Daniel Berman/for the Daily Herald

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Nine lessons photographers taught me

I have gleaned some of my favorite lessons on life, people and, unsurprisingly, shooting, from fellow photographers. Some I have gotten the opportunity to assist, others I’ve grown to know over the years as a photographer living and working in the Pacific Northwest. All have impacted me, and helped me grow in myriad ways. I hope their outlook strikes you the same way. I am lucky to have met and learned from these inspiring, talented people.

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Bellingham photographer | Ralph Vernacchia Team Track and Field

Ralph Vernacchia Team Track and Field Meet 4/8/11 at Civic Field in Bellingham, Wash. Photo by Bellingham photographer Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

On Friday, April 8 I photographed the Ralph Vernacchia Team Track and Field meet at Civic Field in Bellingham. I went with about a half dozen members of the Western Washington University chapter of the National Press Photographers Association. Everyone went their own separate ways in an attempt to get something different.

With that in mind, I got the idea to do a remote camera from a high vantage point. At first, I was going to clamp a camera (in this case a Nikon D300 with 17mm lens at f/8, triggered w/ Pocket Wizards) to a standard at the pole vault area. Then a volunteer came up to me and wanted to know what I was doing.

I explained, and they offered to let me put a camera on a pole vault pole! I jumped at the idea, no pun intended, and in a few minutes and a guess at focusing I had my rig up in the air. I shot hundreds of images and after much finagling and adjusting I made a few frames I am happy with. I definitely would like to do this setup again at another track meet — the vantage point is just so different!

Here’s a photo of me shooting with this pole vault pole cam, by Rhys Logan

Ralph Vernacchia Team Track and Field Meet 4/8/11 at Civic Field in Bellingham, Wash. Photo by Bellingham photographer Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Ralph Vernacchia Team Track and Field Meet 4/8/11 at Civic Field in Bellingham, Wash. Photo by Bellingham photographer Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Ralph Vernacchia Team Track and Field Meet 4/8/11 at Civic Field in Bellingham, Wash. Photo by Bellingham photographer Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

I also did a remote camera with the same lens at the steeplechase event. The camera was protected from the waves of water by a Penn Camera/Think Tank cover system that leaves just the front lens element exposed. Everything else is waterproofed! It came in handy as those runners really gave the system a soaking.

After each pass of the athletes I literally poured out water from the lens hood and quickly wiped off the front element to get rid of the accumulated droplets. I felt like a member of the NASCAR pit crew!

With a remote camera, I have the choice of being in two places at once! I put a Pocket Wizard II in the hotshoe of my main camera and each picture was synced with my remote. I got this steeplechase moment from two different angles:

Ralph Vernacchia Team Track and Field Meet 4/8/11 at Civic Field in Bellingham, Wash. Photo by Bellingham photographer Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Ralph Vernacchia Team Track and Field Meet 4/8/11 at Civic Field in Bellingham, Wash. Photo by Bellingham photographer Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Ralph Vernacchia Team Track and Field Meet 4/8/11 at Civic Field in Bellingham, Wash. Photo by Bellingham photographer Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Ralph Vernacchia Team Track and Field Meet 4/8/11 at Civic Field in Bellingham, Wash. Photo by Bellingham photographer Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

All in all it was a fun couple of hours spent hanging out with photo friends and enjoying the sunny weather. What more can ya ask for?

Thanks for looking!

Daniel

The Seattle stop of The Flashbus Tour

A man walks away with a promotional poster near the end of the first stop of The Flashbus Tour in Seattle at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle Friday, March 11. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

I can’t stop thinking about my 9-5 shift in the office of David Hobby and Joe McNally at the first stop of The Flashbus Tour in Seattle. It took place over the course of a far too nice day out at the Washington State Convention Center on Friday Mar. 11. It should be said, upfront, that this was an unapologetically geeky event. Hobby, wearing his trademark shorts, came out to the greet those waiting in line. There was nary a camera-less hand in sight among the predominantly male crowd.

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Bellingham photographer | Western (WWU) defeats Central 66-62

Western Washington University fans celebrate after a 66-62 victory over rival Central Washington University Wednesday, Feb. 16 at Carver Gym in Bellingham, Wash. Photo by Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

What a nail biter of a game — a handful of free throws in the final waning
minutes basically decided the game. With just seconds to go, the game was
within two points! When Western won, a scrum of fans stormed the court. It wasn’t
exactly the Super Bowl scrum but it was more than I’m used to.

Western's John Allen (#20) looks on after attempting a shot in the second quarter of their 66-62 victory over rival Central Wednesday, Feb. 16. Photo by Seattle Bellingham photographer Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

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Seattle photographer | Seattle Marathon 2010 photos

Seattle Marathon photos Sunday, Nov. 28. Photo by Seattle Bellingham photographer Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Seattle Marathon photos Sunday, Nov. 28. Photo by Seattle Bellingham photographer Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

Today I photographed the Seattle Marathon, which had about 10,000 participants, for the event company ASI Photo.
I made these frames in between trying to photograph as many of those 10,000 as I could.

It was amazing to see some of the same faces from early on, later, at the finish line. Seeing the runners’ looks of sheer joy and utter exhaustion, as well as their heartfelt messages scrawled on shirts, made this a really rewarding and interesting assignment.

Seattle Marathon photos Sunday, Nov. 28. Photo by Seattle Bellingham photographer Daniel Berman/www.bermanphotos.com

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Ken Griffey, Jr. retires from Seattle Mariners | Seattle sports photographer

Today, The Seattle Mariners’ Ken Griffey, Jr. announced his retirement from baseball at age 40. Growing up, Griffey was always my favorite player, and I can distinctly recall him hitting a home run at the only game I ever attended at the dearly-departed Kingdome. They lit off fireworks, filling the whole stadium with a smokey haze. Griffey will be missed — he, along with the rest of the pinnacle team, helped to put Seattle on the map.

Below, here is one of my favorite photos of Ken Griffey, Jr. that I made while interning at The Seattle Post-Intelligencer this past spring-summer.

The Seattle Mariners' Ken Griffey Jr. warms up in the 6th inning of their game against the Texas Rangers Saturday July 10, 2009 at Safeco Field. He struck out in his next at-bat. Photo by Daniel Berman/SeattlePI.com

Daniel

Bellingham sports photographer | Bellingham District 2A Track Semifinals

On Wednesday I photographed a high school track semifinals meet at Civic Field here in Bellingham and had a blast soaking up the sunshine and looking for creative and interesting angles and moments. It was great to just roam and explore the grounds. Once again, one of my favorite images was made from atop the roof of the grandstands (check out the last one).

Mount Baker senior Nick Jacoby jumps a distance of 40-feet 10-inches in the second heat of the triple jump during the District 2A track semi-finals at Civic Field in Bellingham Wednesday May 12, 2010. Photo by Daniel Berman

Burlington-Edison senior Chelsea Genther (lane 4) leads and finishes first in the 100m hurdles at the District 2A High School Track semifinals at Civic Field in Bellingham, WA Wednesday May 12, 2010. Photo by Daniel Berman

Burlington-Edison freshman Trenton Hamidou clears a height of 5-feet 2-inches near the start of the District 2A track semifinals at Civic Field in Bellingham Wednesday May 12, 2010. Photo by Daniel Berman

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Bellingham editorial photographer | Seattle Sounders photos

I had an assignment last week to cover a meeting of the Bellingham Border Boys, a Seattle Sounders fan club, while they watched the match against Dallas at McKay’s Taphouse/The Pizza Pipeline in Bellingham. It has been a while since I had an assignment where I had to just sit and focus on people and wait for their reactions. I knew my shots would happen when the game got close or the Sounders scored, and luckily, there was a lot of action in the game.

I like the contrast in the two images below. The first was made as the fans celebrated the Sounders’ first goal, while the second was made following Dallas’ second goal way late in the game.

(center to right) Western junior Bill Kristian cheers alongside freshman Erick Hodel (in blue) and Brian Babcock during a meet-up of the Bellingham Border Boys at McKay's Taphouse to watch the Sounders tie Dallas FC 2-2 Thursday April 22, 2010 Photo by Daniel Berman

Sounders fans show their frustration as Dallas scores their second goal, during a meet-up of the Bellingham Border Boys at McKay's Taphouse to watch the Sounders tie Dallas FC 2-2 Thursday April 22, 2010. The fans are (l-r) Erik Roeser, Eric Hoedel (in blue), Bill Kristian (in back), Ben Fox, Brian Babcock and Derek Johnson. Photo by Daniel Berman.

Thanks for looking!

Daniel