Between a camel and a camel

Talk about bad luck. A camel keeper gets stuck in the middle of camels after the start of a race at the Sweihan camel race track, about 100 kms south of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Dec. 28 2007. I hope he's all right. Associated Press photo by Kamran Jebreili

A country in unrest

Violence in Pakistan has exploded since the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on Thursday. Here are pictures from the wire. The first one by Associated Press photographer B.K. Bangash of a Bhutto supporter mourning among the chaos after suicide attack is one that we'll remember forever.


Kashmiri protester throws back an exploded teargas shell toward the Indian policemen unseen during a protest in Srinagar, India, Friday, Dec, 28, 2007. Police in Indian-controlled Kashmir clashed with hundreds of stone-throwing demonstrators protesting the assassination of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto. Associated Press photo by Dar Yasin


Angry supporters of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto attack a police officer, who trying to find shelter in a government office, at a protest rally in Gujaranwala, Pakistan. Associated Press photo by Aftab Rizvi

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the Gazette photo staff. Enjoy this funny picture by Associated Press Photographer Rick Rycroff of British tourists Louise Norden and Roz Taylor wearing Santa masks and hats as they celebrate Christmas at Sydney's Bondi Beach.

Good weather, bad weather

Weather can make for some great photos--good and bad. Here are two examples from the Associated Press wire service. The top one was shot by Arno Balzarini of a woman skiing toward the 2,372-meter high Shijenzan, underneath the Schijenfluh in St. Antoenien-Partnun in the southeast of Switzerland. Beautiful picture. The second one was shot by Salina Journal photographer Jeff Cooper of a blizzard in central Kansas today. I like them both, but I think I would prefer to be in Swizerland.

The beginning of Christmas

This well composed image by Alvaro Barrientos is from the Grotto inside the Church of Nativity, where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born. It's in the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem. I really like the way Barrientos framed the person in foreground with the others in the background. Nice use of layers. The body language of the pilgrims makes the picture too.

Out of place

This photo by Associated Press photographer Petar Petrov is a funny picture because he framed snowboarder Hans Kainz in a way that makes him seem out of place as he jumps during men's big air qualifications. The picture was from the snowboard FIS World cup in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007. Sure, the competition was staged in town, but without seeing the jump it seems like Kainz is lost.

The hardest assignment

Rose Hockersmith, left, hugs her daugther, Leslie, as they and hundreds attended the "Celebration of Life Service" for Stephanie and Rachel Works who were shot to death during a shooting at New Life Church. Photo by Bryan Oller/The Gazette


Melissa Gonzalez, left, and Aimee Donahue collect flower petals from a flower arrangement at New Life Church following the service. Photo by Mark Reis/The Gazette

Memorials are the hardest assignments to cover as a photojournalist. They're even harder when the memorial is for someone as young as Stephanie Works, 18, and her sister Rachel, 16, whom were killed in the New Life Church shooting last week. Gazette photographers Mark Reis and Bryan Oller shot the service Wednesday. They both shot some compelling images. Unfortunately we didn't have room for any of the pictures in The Gazette.