One Lucky Photographer

The title says it all, my attitude toward my work as a photographer, the opportunities I have to make pictures.

Let me explain.  Most of you know that my day job is in hospital administration.  My hospital doesn't have a staff photographer, although we borrow one occasionally from another division of the University.  When we have really special projects, I can choose to do the work or get someone else.  Of course I cherry pick!  The best, most fun jobs I take on, time permitting.

 When we decided to display portraits of our staff in the cafeteria entrance, I took the task.  I got to take the pictures and then print them on canvas gallery wraps, 16x20 and put them in the public!  I get creative decision making, I get location choice, I get to pull the people from their jobs for as long as I need!

When we needed aerial pictures of the hospital, I was able to get a helicopter to fly me around for a few minutes.

When we need some actions shots of people doing their jobs, I took the job,  This resulted in almost unrestricted access to areas most folks never get to see unless they're under anesthesia!

Now I have pictures that are more illustrative of what surgery is all about but I will refrain from posting them.  But the image you see capture the drama of of surgery, the intensity of the health professionals while they have someone else's life in the balance.   The surgery above lasted for more than 12 hours, I was there five minutes.

 A vascular surgery was my next stop.  This was more interesting photographically because of the lighting.  The were putting catheters into the vessels in teh legs of the patient so a fluoroscopy was being used.  In order to see the image on the video monitor, the room lights were kept low.  This contrasted with the bright lights needed for the surgery so bright fell off to dark quickly.

Notice the intensity of the surgeon's eye as he looks across the room to the monitor.

 The physician's assistant watches the monitor for correct positioning of the catheter.

Again the effects of the lighting contrast makes this picture.

I told you I was lucky!  to get these opportunities has helped me hone my skills in a variety of situations, has given me exposure to a whole different market and given me access to 1200 models!