Today, I photographed lucky number thirteen! The 13th graduation that is and thank goodness for Keenan Humble to mix things up a bit. Keenan, a member of the graduating class at Nathan Hale Ray High School pulled a stunt that most school administrators would discourage and consider mischevious.

Let me tell you just what happened. After receiving his diploma, Keenan fell flat on his face and as he stood back on his feet he ripped off his gown. He was wearing a girls' bikini top and what looked like a skirt, the type a cheerleader might wear.

When I saw him go down, it was pretty obvious there was more to come. The fall was just a little too poetic!

I managed to grab a few shots and of course everything was for the most part a blur. I was so focused on getting the shot, I don't even remember hearing the crowds' reaction.

As I studied the pictures more closely, I noticed a few of the administrators on stage were even sporting smiles.

I think Keenan put a lot of thought into what he was going to do and it will certainly be one of my more memorable graduations I had to photograph in a long time!

This is Keenan within minutes after receiving his diploma. Who would be the wiser.

Good luck Keenan, you made my day!

My seventeen year old son, Andrew photograped B.O.M.B fest a few weekends ago for the Middletown Press. He is not on the payroll, but he does receive service hours. His photographs appeared in the Weekend Edition and I'll admit, I was impressed.

With the invention of digital imagery, there are more photographers than ever and everyone thinks their pictures are as good as any professional. NOT.

Whether you're a portrait, commercial, or a fine art

photographer, there is so much more than just making a pretty picture. Photojournalism is definitely not for everybody, but I have come to realize that it is for my son. He gets it, he really gets it. He tells a story and studies a person's body language like a pro.

When I was Andrew's age, I wanted to work for Sports Illustrated. I loved sports and lived for softball. In high school, I spent a lot of time shooting and had a tiny darkroom in our basement. If you stretched your arms out, you could touch the walls. Ahh, the smell of chemicals and a fresh box of photographic paper.

Andrew dreams of shooting for National Georgraphic. He has had a subscription for years and has been critiqued by two NG photographers.

He spends countless hours at a computer editing images. He hates when I stand over his shoulder but is very open to my criticism. I feel like he is reading my mind when he is cropping. It's kind of wierd really. He gets so excited when we talk shop and I really like when he shadows me at work. The conversation in the car between assignments is the best and since I work long hours at the Press, it is a great time to catch up.

Who knows, maybe someday he will work for National Geographic!

Check out his website: http://www.wix.com/AndrewAvalone/Andrew-Avalone-Images

Let's talk Eye Spy! On Aug. 8, I will be celebrating the one-year anniversary of Eye Spy and I absolutely love it! Every Saturday, we publish a new photo from around the area. The photo runs in black and white at the top of Page 2. Eye Spy is interactive; let me explain.

Readers try to guess where the picture was taken and call in. On Monday, one of the first things I do when I come in to the office is check to see who has called and how many people have guessed right. The first reader who guesses right gets his or her name published in the next "Eye Spy."

It has become quite popular with the "print-edition readers." I run into people all over that express their "love" for Eye Spy!

The picture above ran in the Saturday, June 19 edition of The Press. There were 14 people who guessed, and all were correct. I won't give away the winner, though; that you will have to read in next Saturday's print edition.

Eye Spy Gallery

Care to play? Submit your guesses.