Behind the lens

Author's note: Striving to keep this blog active even on off-days, I have decided to start by doing Q and A sessions with some of the people I have met through my Rangers fandom. I'm kicking the series off with someone who is not only a Rangers fan, but is paid to photograph my favorite boys of summer. Seriously, if I could steal his job, I would. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this little feature. I sure had fun with the interview and write-up.

Little more than three years ago, while covering a teacher's workshop in Ennis on my dreaded 25th birthday, I made a new friend who has become one of my favorite people with whom to discuss Rangers baseball.

I still remember that day very clearly. I was trying to remain insconspicuous on the sidelines, taking photos and notes so I could sneak out once I had my story. The workshop included a performance by a group called Kidprov, and they were using improvisation to encourage the teachers to think outside the box during classrom instruction. It was fun, hilarious and the teachers were having a blast. As I snapped a photo, one of the performers called me out and I thought for sure I'd done something I wasn't supposed to.  Nope. He just wanted to tease me about my puny camera. This camera was no average  point and click, but I knew it wasn't fancy either. I was so flustered by the attention, and I must have turned bright red. During a break in the performance, the performer who had temporarily drawn me into the action came over and apologized, saying he hadn't meant to embarass me. He had only wanted to show off his own camera, and when he brought it out, I could see why. It was an amazing piece of equipment, likely worth more than my car. He introduced himself as Brad Newton and said he was the photographer for the Texas Rangers. I was in my first season of true Rangers fandom, so I was immediately awed. Of course, I mentioned I would be headed to a Rangers game that evening to celebrate my birthday. He said he would be there too. I don't recall if I saw Brad that night, but it certainly wasn't my last encounter with him. My friend Amy and I ran into him a few times at the ballpark, where we loved asking him about our favorite players. We became fast friends, and Brad has bestowed upon me many,many Rangers gifts for which I can never begin to thank him. He also accompanied me to Amy's funeral and shared in my grief after her passing. Although I don't live in Texas anymore, I still consider Brad a very good friend, and I know I can always count on him to be there with a kind or inspiring word. (Brad and I are pictured above in a photo taken after one of his HIMprov performances in Feb. 2007.)

Outside of our friendship, I've also always been fascinated by Brad's job, especially as I've gotten more involved in taking photos at the games I attend. I don't have fancy equipment like his, but even if I did, I realize photographing baseball takes a lot of skill and knowledge of the game. Curious to pick Brad's brain a bit, I asked him to do a Q and A for this blog, which he happily accepted. I was happy to have the excuse to chat with him about the Rangers season as well.

First, let's start off with a bit of background:
Brad Newton grew up in Illinois before moving to the Dallas-Fort Worth area in 1963. He was and still is a Cubs fan, so he knows baseball tradition. He attended Texas Tech University, but then left to re-evaluate his calling in life. He finished his degree at the University of North Texas. He has been in the photography business for more than 30 years. He is a founding member of Kidprov, an educational improv comedy troupe, and HIMprov, a Christ-centered improv group. He is also a published author, a father and a grandfather. Sadly, this past winter, Brad suffered the sudden loss of his wife Cecilia. He has turned his tragedy into a ministry to help others through 100in57.

Now, onto the Q and A...

How did you first get into photography?
My dad always had cameras around, so I would shoot home movies and pictures a lot as a kid. When I was in high school, I was the photographer for the annual. I took a course in photography in college. Of course, it's interesting to note that in my five years of college, that's the only class I flunked. I've always had a camera and saw things I liked to shoot. I suppose that applies to baseball too. I love it.

How did you become a photographer for the Texas Rangers?
I had been out there (to the ballpark) to shoot for the Carrollton paper a few times between 1980 and 1985. My first time was shooting and covering an old-timers game with people like Mickey Mantle. I did a pretty good job, so I went out there a few times each year after that. One year, I sent some of my stuff to the owner, Eddie Chiles. he said he didn't need a photographer at that time, but he'd keep my stuff on file. The next year, I went to a game with a friend and saw one of my photos of Jim Sundberg. They'd used my photo but they never asked me. I went to the PR director at the time, and I think he was a little scared. I didn't really need them to pay me for the photo, but I wanted him to look at my stuff. Around the same time, a guy who used to work for the Cubs who'd been my mentor helped me out a little. I also bid low, which helped a lot. I just wanted the job.

What are some of the more memorable Rangers moments you've photographed?
The Kenny Rogers perfect game. The Mike Witt perfect game. Nolan's 5,000th strikeout, Niekro's 3,000th strikeout. Plus all the playoff stuf, especially when we clinched.

You also do portraits for articles in the yearbook and an programs. How do you come up with the ideas for those?
If it's for an article, I look at the article or talk to the writer to get a feel for what they're doing. Also,  everybody in the business gets inspired from each other. We look at what other people are doing and maybe try to combine some things or come up with something new. Truly, it's a visual thing and about letting your mind go. It's also good to know the players. Like with Gerald Laird, he reminds me of an old-time player. When I look at him, I see a catcher from the 1950s, so I put him in that kind of setting. With Ramon Vazquez, I tried to illustrate his abilities as a multi-demensional player. With Josh Hamilton, we put crosses in his eyes. You try to capture the personality of the player as a person and as an athlete and connect that. Sometimes, you just have an idea in your head and you do what you can to make it look that way.

Which player is the easiest or most fun to shoot?
They're all great. Honestly, they're all really easy to work with. No one really stands out; they're just all fantastic to work with. I had a lot of fun with Ian Kinsler. I did a lot of different things with him and he kept at it until I got what I wanted. I also had a nice one with Marlon Byrd last year. As long as you honor their time, they're really good to work with. I try to have everything set up before they get there so that they can just step in and let me take a few photos. Then I show them what I'm trying to do, and once they've bought into it, it's easy. I always give them a photo afterwards too. I just think that's the least I can do for their time and they always appreciate it.

What do you like most about your job?
Oh, it's the love of the game. There are so many levels that make this job what it is, it's hard to begin describing them. First, there's the people and the relationships. They're like my family, and under the circumstances of the last six months, they've all been great. From Nolan to JD to the players to the front office to the mailroom guy, they've all been very supportive. I'm a people person, so that's huge for me. Second, is being in the head of the game. It requires a lot of critical thinking about the situation -- the batter and the pitcher and where the ball might go. I'll be watching a batter and think, "okay, the next hit is going to Kinsler," so I get my camera ready to get the shot. It happens that way more often than not, but you have to think like this because it moves so fast. Between the time the ball leaves the pitcher's hand and goes to the batter, you've got less than a second. And if it's an infield ht, you have even less time to ract to get the shot. Knowing the players and their tendencies is big. For example, you know (Milton) Bradley breaks a lot of bats. It's an amazing shot to get a bat exploding, but it's hard to catch. Third, there's obviously the creative side. Coming up with ideas for the portraits is a huge plus.

How has being around baseball affected you as a fan?
The insight into the game makes me respect and love the game more. Knowing the people and not just seeing them as icons is big too. When I talk to Nolan (Ryan) or JD (Jon Daniels), I can look in their eyes and know they're really listening and mean what they say. It's alwo interesting to know the work behind the game. When I was younger, I always thought I'd want to play baseball. But now I see all the boredom and sitting around and traveling and I wonder how these guys do it. you really, really have to love the game to put up with all of it.

What is one thing you'd like to shoot but haven't yet?
That's easy - I would love to photograph the Rangers in the World Series. That's absolutely #1 on my list. We will never get another shot of Nolan beating someone up. (Author's comment: We sure hope we don't.) Nothing can even come close to wanting to shoot a World Series. That's what I'm shooting for,  no pun intended. It sure was fun shooting those playoff games.

Any final comments?
It's an honor to have one of 30 jobs like this in the world. I never take it for granted. Everyday, I think 'wow, I get to be here on the field.' It's hard work and there's a lot to deal with, but it's not sitting at a desk. It fits me perfectly.

-- The photos of Gerald Laird and Jarrod Saltalamacchia appear courtesy of www.bnphoto.com.

Comments

[Jon Page]

Awesome stuff Micah - great read.