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It seems like almost every day I think about how amazing it is that people let us into their lives as journalists. We often share very private and personal moments with those whose stories we are telling.

A year ago, a good friend and fellow roller derby girl Brooke Smith was diagnosed with Aveolar Soft Part Sarcoma, a very rare form of cancer. After being diagnosed, Brooke wrote a blog talking about her life, fears and dreams. After reading this blog I wanted others to hear her story and the things she believed. I felt that if people took what a 21-year-old had to say to heart, their lives may be impacted, even changed.

The night before the story came out in the Roanoke Times, Brooke had called me because she wanted to get out of the house. We went to what was the Greystone Tavern in Salem and danced like crazy. During the evening, she told me that all she wanted was for the story to help people. I believe it did.

Brooke passed away yesterday morning and I had to say goodbye to a great friend. Brooke taught me a lot of things; to smile, always give a hug when you leave, and that life is too short to cry over the small things.

I believe our friendship was strengthened throughout the time we worked together on her story. Through the story, I was able to spend time with her in many personal situations that I may otherwise not have been able to be at.

I will cherish the night we drove up on the parkway to look at the full moon in July, the sleepovers we were able to have and the lessons she has taught me.

http://www.roanoke.com/wb/185721

Fellow Roanoke Times photographer Jared Soares and I had some free time this past Saturday morning, and decided to photograph the 2009 Marine Mud Run, held at Green Hill Park in Salem.  The annual run is a 5k footrace with the last 100 yards bringing competitors through a deep mud pit. We know that mud plus anything has a potential for great photos.  We both approached this with the same intensity that we would if we were on a regular assignment for the newspaper. While editing, we showed each other our takes and noticed a few similarities in style and substance.

This is a good chance to talk about what a staff photojournalist at The Roanoke Times looks for when covering a daily assignment.

For all of the following images, Jared's photos are on the left and my photos are on the right. You can click on them to view the photos in a larger size.

When we have an assignment for sports,  we need a shot of the winner. This is the first place finisher crossing the last obstacle on his way to victory. Both of us were trying to isolate the moment. When the runner ducks under the last barrier, it gives the reader a storytelling image with very little distraction.  It's a pretty easy shot to get, but it is nice to have this shot in the bag. Then the work on filling out the story visually begins from this point.

Next, we started to look for emotion, which there was plenty of at the finish line.  Jared called this event a "portfolio in the can."  There were lots of happy, emotional people who were not very aware of the camera.  This makes for exceptional unguarded moments the viewer can really connect with.  The race is not a hardcore running event. The happiness comes for most people from finishing the race.  We think that most photojournalists would say that these types of human interaction imagery are more important than the action/finish picture.  We like to connect with our subjects.

Jared and I ran into each other occasionally during the shoot, and these pictures are a result of being in the same vicinity. The person on the grass in Jared's shot (left) is the same person in my picture.  One scene, but two different ways of interpreting it.  Jared's shot is a layered, complex picture of the exhaustion at the finish line, and my picture is an unusual take on the same theme, shot from directly over the runner.  I tend to take this type of photo frequently, and in this case it made for a nice storytelling image.

Tight face shots are a great way to illustrate that mud was the dominate theme for the day.  We both decided to shoot this with our long lens, a 70-200mm 2.8. This long lens allows you to zoom in on the faces of the subject and shoot wide open.  The background blurs, and the viewer is forced to look at the subject without distraction. When working with a photo package in mind, these photos are a simple and effective counterpoint to a more complex, layered photo.

This group of photos is an example of what photographers call "filling the frame."  In both of these pictures, there is practically nowhere for your eye to go; the layering from back to front, side to side makes for a beautiful image.

This next pairing demonstrates how a vantage point can change the feel of a picture.  Jared's picture (left) is effective because it puts you right in the middle of the shower.  You can feel the mud being washed off the runners.  I took a higher vantage point, and this created a moodier picture with the sunlight filtering though the water spray.  Also, these picture serve as an "overall," which in photo terms is a photo that shows not just a participant or two, but gives a larger view of the scene.

Finally, we look for an ending shot to round out our storytelling. These shots are generally detail shots which don't have a subject predominately featured, but hint at a human element. In both of these shots the viewer is able to tell that it was a muddy, dirty, messy day.

There is no one proven method to covering and assignment.  However, there are some similarities that photojournalists look for in terms of event coverage.  Moment, light and composition are common themes in visual storytelling that any photographer can incorporate into their own work from a wedding to a child's soccer game.

- Kyle and Jared

Eager to snatch-up bargains, Holly Hinshelwood, 18,( left) and Amber Bennington, 15, queue up outside the Bride's House & Formals in Roanoke. The Northside High School PTA and the shop organized the event for girls to take part in dress recycling.

Last Saturday I photographed an event in which young ladies from around the Roanoke area and beyond sold and purchased recycled prom and homecoming gowns.

I wasn't sure what to expect.

I assumed that many girls would insist their parents buy the latest and greatest in prom fashions, but to my surprise many girls seemed to understand that memories are about moments, not consumption.

I'm not a girl, I only have a son and confess I really don't understand the importance of all that girl stuff, but I'm glad there are some young ladies out there setting an example we can all follow.

America, we can have fun without having to pay retail.

Teamwork played a vital role in Virginia Tech's home victory last Saturday over Nebraska. Each player worked together in the waning moments to ensure a win.  However, the Hokies and the Huskers were not the only teams competing on Worsham Field in Lane Stadium over the weekend.  The Roanoke Times photography department had three photographers (Kyle Green, Matt Gentry and myself, Jared Soares) working together to ensure optimal coverage of the game between the two nationally-ranked squads.

MATT GENTRY/ The Roanoke Times Tyrod Taylor, 5, throws a touchdown pass to Dyrell Roberts with 21 seconds left, past Pierre Allen of Nebraska at the end of the Virginia Tech - Nebraska football game in Blacksburg, Va.

After three and a half quarters, the game appeared as if it were going to yield a pedestrian photo report, but the last 90 seconds proved this photographer's hypothesis incorrect. Virginia Tech drove down the field and, with 21 seconds left, took the lead from Nebraska with a touchdown pass from Tyrod Taylor to Dyrell Roberts.

KYLE GREEN | The Roanoke Times Virginia Tech football player, Dyrell Roberts (right, #11), catches the winning touchdown with 21 seconds left on the clock in the fouth quarter against Nebraska football player, Prince Amukamara (left, #21), during the game at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia on Saturday. Virginia Tech defeated Nebraska 16-15.

Just as the Virginia Tech offense worked together to capture a win, in the fourth quarter against Nebraska, The Roanoke Times photo staff cooperated to document the effort by Tyrod and company. Kyle Green was positioned in the south endzone awaiting a big play. Matt Gentry was closer to the line of scrimmage on the VT bench side,  focused on Tyrod Taylor. And I was on the opposite side of the field looking for fan reactions. All three of us documented pivotal moments in the game, allowing readers to get the best game-day coverage.

JARED SOARES/The Roanoke Times Virginia Tech fans celebrate in front of a dejected Nebraska fan (center) after a fourth quarter touchdown by Dyrell Roberts during Saturday afternoon's game between Virginia Tech and Nebraska at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg. Virginia Tech defeated Nebraska 16-15 in Blacksburg.

To see a complete gallery of last Saturday's game click here.

Sometimes photojournalists have sticky jobs. Especially when we are doing our best to avoid getting champagne all over our cameras. I once had a mentor who lost an expensive lens in the middle of a sports victory celebration! So as I photographed the Salem Red Sox celebrate their win over the Lynchburg Hillcats, sending them to the playoffs, I reminded them that my camera was expensive when they yelled out "Camera girl!" and began to lift their bottles and cans to spray me!

Here are some images from the celebration. (and a great one of the Lynchburg Hillcats manager getting kicked out after the first inning)