Summer Snow

OK, it isn't really snow, but the wind last night in Ogden Valley was kicking up so many seed pods that it looked like a snow storm in 70 degree weather.

©Benjamin Zack, 2015

Ogden Rodeo Highlights

One of the best parts about being a photographer in Ogden is shooting photos at the annual Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo. I spent a bit more time this year shooting video and shooting behind the scenes. Here are some of the highlights from the past week.

Doug Aldridge of Carthage, Mo. heads out of the chute during the saddle bronc riding competition as the Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo kicks off at Pioneer Stadium on Monday, July 20, 2015.
©Benjamin Zack/Standard-Examiner

Anthony Thomas of Australia tightens his boots before the start of the Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo  at Pioneer Stadium on Monday, July 20, 2015.
©Benjamin Zack/Standard-Examiner

Lon Danley of Tularosa, N.M. tries to hold on for eight seconds during the third night of the Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo continued on Wednesday, July 22, 2015.
©Benjamin Zack/Standard-Examiner

The fourth night of the Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo returned to the Ogden Pioneer Stadium on Thursday, July 23, 2015.
©Benjamin Zack/Standard-Examiner

Fireworks Over Camano Island

Took some photos during the Fourth of July while launching and watching fireworks over Puget Sound. Having a large aerial firework explode while on the ground is pretty high on the list of dangerous holiday accidents, but it sure made for an interesting photo.

©Benjamin Zack, 2015

©Benjamin Zack, 2015

©Benjamin Zack, 2015

©Benjamin Zack, 2015

April Highlights

Here are some of the highlights of photos that I've shot over the last month for the Standard-Examiner. The month started with some aggressive finger-painting, but otherwise it looks like I had a very brown and grey month. There were a few colorful shots, but I guess those will wait for future posts.

Jack Rasmussen, the Dean of the College of Education at Weber State University takes a break after fingerprinting with students in the WSU Charter Academy on Monday, April 6, 2015.
©Benjamin Zack/Standard-Examiner

Zak Westerman falls to the ground after his group drew an "Indian attack" card during their fifth grade pioneer trek at Smoot Park in Centerville on Friday, April 24, 2015. During the journey, each "family" of students would run into different challenges including illness, broken supplies and getting lost. Westerman's group later decided that someone else in the family should be the one injured in the attack. They picked the smallest student who would be the easiest to carry as the journey went on.
©Benjamin Zack/Standard-Examiner

The Christensen family practices roping at their home in Plain City on Monday, April 6, 2015. Sydnee Christensen, 14, recently started Hope Counts, a non-profit that raises money for the families of rodeo riders who are covering injury expenses. In two years, the group has raised around $40,000.
©Benjamin Zack/Standard-Examiner

Pulaski Tunnel Trail

I stopped at the Pulaski Tunnel Trail near Wallace, Idaho on a recent trip through the northern Rockies. The trail documents some of the early Forest Service and wildfire history from Northern Idaho. I didn't take too many photos while there, but I had some fun playing with black and white.

Pulaski Tunnel Trail, Wallace, Idaho
©Benjamin Zack, 2015

Pulaski Tunnel Trail, Wallace, Idaho
©Benjamin Zack, 2015

March Highlights

Looks like I've only been loading landscape/cityscape photos on the blog for the last few weeks. To try and right that, here are some of my favorite photos shot over the last month at the Standard-Examiner.

Aylin Nelson, right, spray paints hand carved letters in the "paint booth" at north Layton High School while Jarred McLane stains a piece of wood during their new ninth grade Pinterest class on Wednesday, March 18, 2015. The new class, where students find woodworking projects and designs on Pinterest, was established last semester as a way to encourage more girls to get into manufacturing courses.
©Benjamin Zack/Standard-Examiner, 2015

Rebeckah Sharpe dunks herself under water during water polo practice in the newly renovated pool at Ogden High School on Wednesday, March 4, 2015. The pool reopened on Tuesday after a multi-year $4.9 million renovation.
©Benjamin Zack/Standard-Examiner, 2015

Firefighters battle the flames at the Ogden Cold Storage warehouse complex in West Ogden on Tuesday, March 10, 2015. Firefighters responded to a call at the abandoned warehouse at around 1:30AM and worked as the fire spread through a set of seven interconnected warehouses.
©Benjamin Zack/Standard-Examiner, 2015

Stormy Skies Over Utah

We had some dramatic storms rolling through Northern Utah earlier this week. I caught a couple photos when a hiking trip was cut short by the lightning, and took a few more when the sun set over Ogden.

Sunset over Ogden, Utah after a day of thunderstorms.
©Benjamin Zack, 2015

Storm clouds roll over Willard Bay and the Great Salt Lake towards the orchards of Fruit Way above Willard, Utah.
©Benjamin Zack, 2015

Storm clouds roll over Willard Bay and the Great Salt Lake near Willard, Utah.
©Benjamin Zack, 2015

Sunset over Ogden, Utah after a day of thunderstorms.
©Benjamin Zack, 2015