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A busy Monday

Mark Ylen — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 01:46:14 +0000

Some Mondays are a bit more interesting then others. Today was one of them.

I was doing some office work when I heard a fire call on the scanner that multiple cars were on fire at the southbound rest stop on Interstate 5. When reporter Cathy Ingalls and myself arrived on scene we saw a person getting frisked by an Oregon State Police.

Oregon State police trooper Jeff Freitag frisks Dustin Hilsenbeck, 26, a transient and the driver of a ford ranger while OSP trooper Kevin Mackey assists. Hilsenbeck was arrested after crashing the pickup he was operating into several parked cars and then attempting to light the truck on fire according to witnesses at the rest stop. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Oregon State police troopers take Dustin Hilsenbeck into custody after the transient crashed his pickup into two cars at the Santiam rest area and then attempted to light the truck on fire. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

After this event it was off to shoot investigators digging through the remains of a house fire. It actually took three trips out to the scene before I was able to get a picture of the investigating team digging through the rubble.

Jefferson firefighter Kevin Ely, left, waits for the arrival of investigators while standing watch over the remains of the Millersburg home. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Fire investigators remove the remains of a garage door while investigating a house fire in Millersburg, Ore., Monday Feb. 28, 2011. No one was injured in the fire that destroyed a house and attached garage owned by Kyle Patrick. The garage contained eight motorcycles, a 1986 Porsche and a 1966 Chevy pickup. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Shooting at Matt Court

Mark Ylen — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 20:07:36 +0000

Today is my first time in the newest Pac-10 basketball venue. Matthew Knight Arena, which was built at the 12,541 seat arena built along Franklin Boulevard south of campus. The floor was designed by Halsey native and Central Linn High School graduate Tinker Hatfield. It is called “Deep in the Woods” and has various colors of woods depicting what looks like a forest of Douglas fir trees.

The Floor of Matthew Knight arena was designed by Tinker Hatfield, the Nike engineer and Central Linn graduate that also is known for designing the Air Jordan shoe for Nike. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Oregon State cheerleaders practice in the tunnels prior to the start of the game. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Beaver players jog from the visiting locker room to the court. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Awoken at Midnight

Mark Ylen — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 20:57:48 +0000

My cell phone rang shortly after mid-night this morning. It was KGW Television out of Portland looking for permission to use a photo. This isn’t the first time a TV station has woke me up out of a sound sleep. But to find a file photo that a shot nearly a year ago?

The photo was of Dallas wrestler Charley Engelfried. I had shot his picture last year at a wrestling match in Albany. Engelfried died Thursday night after pinning his opponent. A real tragedy that reminds us all how precious life is.

Below is a photo of Engelfried during that wrestling match in 2010.

In this file photo, Dallas' Charley Engelfried attempts to get away from South Albany's Steven Gonzalez during the 285-pound match in the Mid-Willamette Conference District Wrestling Championship at West Albany High School, in Albany, Ore., Feb. 20, 2010. Englelfried died Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011, after pinning his opponent during a wrestling match in Silverton, Ore. (AP Photo/Albany Democrat-Herald, Mark Ylen)

Covering High School Swimming

Mark Ylen — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 05:41:35 +0000

Stacie Struble swims to victory in the 100 butterfly.(Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald

Tonight was one of the few times in my career that I’ve had the opportunity to shoot swimming in Lebanon. Here is a link to my photo gallery. I really don’t know how that has worked out but I’m sure I hadn’t been there in at least ten years.

I enjoyed the first-half of the meet when there was some nice sidelight hitting the swimmers as the sun was setting. Once the sun had set. I had to switch to using a flash because the florescent lighting inside the Lebanon Community Pool are very weak.

We were working on a story on the Struble twins from South Albany. Of course, when doing stories like these at events we also shoot photos for the paper and when possible for a photo gallery.

Behind the scenes

Mark Ylen — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:10:18 +0000

I did not take a count on how many thousands of images I shot in the last five days. From the game alone I shot more than 1500 frames. Included in them were a few behind the scenes shots from the National Championship game

For those who want to see photos from the game click here.

I arrived at the stadium more than four hours before kick off. After setting up my computer and getting my camera gear and long lens stowed away for the game, I went out in search for Linn County fans tailgating. I was equipped with cell phone numbers of dozens of fans from the area and even a general locations of one local tailgate party and one spot a local fan was waiting to purchase a ticket.

Shortly after starting my walk, which lasted nearly two hours, I met a man who’s relative had been an employee for the Democrat-Herald for decades into the 1970s, I also met a OSU grad who grew up in the Ankeny area north of Jefferson he was wearing green and yellow helping support the Duck side of his family.

While walking I was also calling, leaving a few messages but rarely getting out with my cell phone. I guess the 70,000 plus fans that were entering the area were putting a high traffic toll on the cell systems.

We were hoping to include in our coverage a story on ticket sales. I blogged briefly about this on the day of the game. I did run into a group of Albany fans that were looking for a couple of tickets but the story really did not come about and I was running out of time to find my tailgaters so I headed towards the green parking lot. Bad timing on my part because I had to wade through a Auburn ritual that was clogging my path. I still don’t know what exactly was going on but it was almost a mini parade complete with horse mounted security band and cheerleaders.

In the parking lot with time running out I went from tail gate party to tail gate party asking about the group I was looking for, but had no luck. Finally it was time to head into the stadium for a mandatory photo meeting.

Below are a few photos from behind the scenes.

Media members wait to get their bags checked and a pat-down before entering the stadium. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Once inside it was a hike through tunnels to the media room.

The Media work room. We each had assigned seats with the tables segragated based on the coverage areas. My seat was next two the Register-Guard photographers seven seats down on the left.

My work station was right next to the Register-Guard Graphics director Rob Romig. I worked for Romig at the Springfield News while I was in college. He also is the former Democrat-Herald photographer whose position I took over some 15-years ago when he left for greener pastures.

Our entance into the stadium.

Chip Kelly checks out the field while walking on grass sold to the stadium by Turf Merchants in Tangent. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Phil Knight, in black, walks the sidelines prior to the start of the game. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Photographers line up two rows deep wait for a TV timeout to conclude. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Tight end Sam Doman gives the "Yell O" sign as he comes onto the field. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Releasing the Bald Eagle during the pre game activities. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Rob Beard puts the first points on the board with a field goal. (Mark Ylen/Democat-Herald)

West Albany graduate Will Murphy, 90, shakes the hand of teammate Ben Butterfield during warmups. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

One of the cannons used to shoot confetti during post game celebrations.

Duck Hunting (searching for the mid-valley Ducks)

Mark Ylen — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 23:57:56 +0000

I really appreciate all those Ducks that sent me their cell phone numbers.

With so many people using their cell phones I was only able to briefly leave message for a couple and talk to one. I still did run into a fair amount of Mid-Valley Duck fans while wandering.

I also checked the ticket scalping area. The scalpers were asking $2000 per ticket. But it sounded that fans were not biting. I heard someone pick one up for $1500.

Ticket sellers were trying asking $2000 apiece in a ticket resale area in front of the University of Phoenix Stadium. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Oregon fans wait for the gates to open in front of the Universtiy of Phoenix Stadium. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Oregon fans walk to a tailgate party. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herlad)

The Caputo family of Albany were looking to purchase a ticket for their son Tory, second from left, and Tory's friend Ashley Klein. Tory played football for the Ducks while attending Oregon. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

John Steiner, of North Albany, and Pete Thanus of Portland wait for the gates to open. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Mid-Valley fans in Arizona

Mark Ylen — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 07:10:15 +0000

In the mass of thousands of Duck fans today at the pep rally I did run into a handful of folks from the Linn and Benton county. Unfortunately with the amount of people at the event I was only able to get in touch with a few cell phone numbers I had. Below are a few of the images from the event.

Supwitchugirl performs at the rally.(Mark Ylen/Demcorat-Herald)

This was the second pep rally of the day at the site and by far it was the biggest.

Oregon fans watch the pep rally from a parking garage across the street. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Duck fans line the top of a parking garage to watch the pep rally that overflowed the Scottsdale site. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

The Duck dips a cheerleader on stages during the rally. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Another cheerleader on the Oregon team is Greg Thomson of Lebanon. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

The Thomas family from left, Ryan, Kathleen, Mark and Chase arrived to the blue skies of Scottsdale in time for the Sunday rally. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Wearing Duck gear Albany fans Kim Kissinger, left, joined her mother Sharron Deen and Deen's friend Russell Minton at the pep rally. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Delbert Scott of Lebanon cheers with his friend Theresa Arndt of Salem. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Sebastian Bach sings his football power ballad about the ducks to the overflowing crowd at the Scottsdale Fiesta grounds . (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Tomorrow I will start posting from the tail gate parties and hope to update a couple of times through out the day.

Morning with the Coaches

Mark Ylen — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 17:48:12 +0000

This was head coach media day at the hotel. Every bowl game I’ve ever been at there is the need to gather both coaches together in front of the trophy they are playing for. I’m not sure how many newspapers and TV stations use this but it seemed that the dozens of stills and most of the 30 plus video cameras in the room had to get a shot of the coaches standing in front of the trophy.

Auburn head coach Gene Chizik and Oregon head coach Chip Kelly shake hands prior to the photo shoot. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

First came the genuine hand shake. Before climbing on the podium.

Auburn head coach Gene Chizik and Oregon head coach Chip Kelly pose for the official trophy shot. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Then the official poses, you know the ones that the coaches mothers would love.

The media records the “moment.”

Then came a long series of hand shakes so even the digital media expert with his handy Iphone could create a sharp image.

Then after a short press conference it was back in front of the podium, this time to pose with the coach of the year trophy.

Behind the Scenes

Mark Ylen — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 17:28:53 +0000

I think about 4 pm tonight I can relax a bit. I was talking to a fellow photographer this morning at breakfast who agreed that the easiest part of the job will be on Monday during the game.

Today I will be heading out to Oregon’s practice and then attempting to hunt down Oregon fans from the mid-valley.

Yesterday was Media Day. A very organized, but chaotic event that started around 8 AM waiting for Auburn to arrive and then two hours later shooting Oregon at the event. You can see a photo gallery of this in the Democrat-Herald photo galleries.

After media day I started calling numbers from the list of mid-valley Duck fans in hopes to find some enjoying the activies in the Phoenix area. None of the fans on my list that were scheduled to be in on Friday were available so I went down to the fan area at the Budlight Fiesta and started asking Oregon fans where they were from. Within an hour I found the Danielsons originally from Sweet Home. They are included in our page one story in today’s Democrat-Herald.

Former Sweet Home resident Katie Danielson plays foos ball with her dad Ron Danileson. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

I ran into several other Oregon fans some from as far away as northern Montana. I have uploaded a photo gallery of fans that I will continually update throughout the weekend.

When I arrived in Phoenix my first task was to get my credential. My first credential was not too successful. As I was walking out of the media area I realized that they had misspelled the Democrat-Herald.

Media Day

Mark Ylen — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 05:18:42 +0000

Cam Newton is interviewed by an ESPN reporter during Media day in Scottsdale. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Friday was the day for the media to meet the players. Today I will share a few moments from this organized chaos.

The National Championship Trophy on display at the Media conference.

Media flock around Auburn's Nick Fairley during the chaos of media day. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Oregon Duck players wait to be interviewed during media day. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Auburn defensive lineman Zach Clayton is escorted to his seat prior to the start of the Tigers media session. Clayton is one of the few Tigers who has been to Oregon. His father is a track coach at Auburn and interviewed for an assistants job with the Duck track program when Clayton was a kid. He said he enjoyed the Eugene Saturday Market the best of his memories of Oregon. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)

Oregon players take turns taking photos around the National Championshp trophy. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald)