Hundreds protest Israeli offensive

Bryan McCann chants during a protest of Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip on Monday Dec. 29, 2008, in front of the Capitol. More than 200 people attended the demonstration. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

I shot a protest of Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip today in front of the Capitol.  It was a pretty lively protest, and I made the above photograph for page 1.  But the real surprise for me was when many of the Muslims in attendance temporarily stopped their protesting to pray on the grounds of the Capitol.  That’s a photo I haven’t seen before.

Muslims temporarily stop their protest of Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip on Monday Dec. 29, 2008, to pray on the grounds of the Capitol in Austin. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Visualize 2008

Each year the staff photographers at the Austin American-Statesman pick a few of our favorite photos and videos of the year for a special presentation.  Take a look at the work of my very talented co-workers and friends (here).  Thanks to Jenni Jones for putting this together.

My Top Ten Photos of 2008

 

Barack Obama Rally, Austin, Texas, February 22, 2008

2008 is coming to an end. It was a worrisome year to be a newspaper staff photographer, but looking back at my work over the last 12 months I am reminded why I still love photojournalism.  I invite you to look at the gallery of my ten favorite photos from 2008 on my sportsshooter.com page (here).

R.I.P. Bob Herrera

 

Bob Herrera looks for the first time out the window of his new trailer home near Lake Travis on Wednesday Dec. 10, 2008. Herrera died a week later of a massive heart attack. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

I wrote in this blog a couple of weeks ago (here) about what a joy it was to meet Bob Herrera and hear his songs and stories about his life as a country western musician opening shows for many of the country music legends of the  60s and 70s.   The Austin American-Statesman’s Season For Caring campaign chose to help Mr. Herrera get a new trailer home to replace his old one that burned down.   Last Wednesday I photographed him seeing his new home for the first time.  A week later he died of a massive heart attack.  Rest in Peace Mr. Herrera.

Ice cold

 A bird takes a cold drink of water and a bath at this partially frozen fountain in the 500 block of W. 15th Street on Tuesday Dec. 16, 2008.  Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

We had some freezing temperatures here in Austin today.  This photo is the result of my cold weather feature hunt.

Oh deer

 

A deer stands among holiday ornaments in a lawn on Edgefield Drive in Northwest Austin on Monday Dec. 15, 2008. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

There are some deer overcrowding problems in parts of Northwest Austin.  I was sent to photograph the deer to go with a story about the Austin City Council’s possible ban on feeding deer.   This one was my favorite.

Seeing through walls

 

Hao Ling, Professor in the University of Texas Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, with his microdoppler radar used to see through walls at his lab at the University of Texas Pickle Research Campus. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

University of Texas electrical engineering professor Hao Ling can see through walls with his microdoppler radar gadget.  Science is not my best subject so I can’t really explain it.  But it sounds really cool and you can learn more here.

Trail of Lights

 

People walk through the Trail of Lights in Zilker Park on Sunday Dec. 14, 2008. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

The annual Trail of Lights Festival is a beloved holiday tradition in Austin.  I have attended the festival many times with my family, but this was the first year I have been assigned to photograph it.   It was a challenge trying to make a good picture for Page 1 on a tight deadline, but I am looking forward to returning in a few days with my kids and taking a much more leisurely stroll through the trail.

Pet Pictures with Santa

 

 

Chris Creel and his dog Adelaide pose for a photo with Santa portrayed by Derrell Wright on Sunday Dec. 7, 2008, at Freddie's Place. The pet pictures with Santa was a fundraiser for Blue Dog Rescue, a non-profit that tries to find permanent homes for abandoned pets. Creel dressed his dog, who was a former Blue Dog Rescue animal, as an elf complete with four boots and a pointy hat. About 40 dogs and one cat plus their humans sat for the portraits. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

The Nutcracker

 

Dancers perform during dress rehearsal for Ballet Austin's The Nutcracker at the Long Center on Thursday Dec. 4, 2008. Photo by Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

 

Young ballet dancers wait in the wings during dress rehearsal for Ballet Austin's The Nutcracker at the Long Center on Thursday Dec. 4, 2008. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman