Photo of the day: Sept 23

DAVE LONDRES / Observer-Dispatch
The Proctor boys cross country team come up with a cheer before their race against Baldwinsville in Proctor Park, Wednesday, September 23, 2009.

Photo of the day: Sept 20

MICHAEL LAPOLLA / Observer-Dispatch
"Flash" a Basset Hound, left, shows off his pumpkin costume before the costume contest with owner Ann Jennings, of Stittville, during the Stevens-Swan Humane Society Wiggle Waggle Walk-A-Thon at Sherrillbrook Park, Sunday, September 20, 2009 in New Hartford.

Editor's note: We often stay away from subjects staring directly into the camera. We prefer the "fly on the wall" approach. Sometimes, those eyes make the best photo of the day.

Photo of the day: Sept 21

ANGELICA MORRISON / Observer-Disaptch
Timothy Klotz is seen outside his home Sept. 21, 2009. He is the owner of a 3-story apartment building in Utica that burned Sunday morning and killed four tenants. Fire officials say Klotz did not register the building, or 11 others, for fire inspections as ordered by a court in 2008.

Editor's note: This image was shot as the photojournalist approached the home. It is a prime example of being prepared before you enter a situation, not once you are already immersed in it.

Photo of the day: Sept 22

DAVE LONDRES / Observer-Dispatch
Lieutenant Scott Adsit conducts a fire inspection of a building on Huntington Street in Utica, Tuesday, September 22, 2009.

Editors note: Lighting matters. In this image, Dave could have chosen to use a strobe and slap light throughout the room. That would not have shown us the real environment in which the fire inspectors function.

Photo of the day: Sept. 16 - Primary

DAVE LONDRES / Observer-Dispatch
New Hartford Town Supervisor candidate Patrick Tyksinski, center, watches as supporters tally primary results in Tom Cavallo's Restaurant in New Hartford, Tuesday, September 15, 2009.

Editor's note: Elections are tough. The toughest are the primaries when many candidates are running very small campaigns and are often just testing the waters.

Dave's photos gives us the feeling of what it was like to be in the middle of the campaign as the results are coming in.

Photo of the day: Sept 12, 2009

NICOLE L. CVETNIC/Observer-Dispatch
Austin Hubalek, 10, of Trenton writes his name on the road using sidewalk chalk during the Utica Greens Fest on Varick Street, Saturday, September 12, 2009 in Utica.

Editor's note: It is easy to shoot a photo of this from waist level. What makes this image strong is that Nicole takes the reader down into the situation so you feel like you are right there with the kid as he makes his art.

Photo of the day: Sept. 10, 2009 - It's a tie.

MICHAEL LAPOLLA/Observer-Dispatch
Kindergartener Lauren Jackson, 5, hangs from the monkey bars during recess at Notre Dame Elementary at Our Lady of Lourdes, Thursday, September 10, 2009 in Utica.

Editor's note: Perspective and nice light make this image pop. You can't help looking at it and feeling the blood rushing to your head.

Photo of the day: Sept. 10, 2009 - It's a tie.

DAVE LONDRES / Observer-Dispatch
Brian Premo plays on the deck of Nail Creek Pub and Brewery during the first night of the 2009 Utica Music and Arts Festival, Thursday, September 10, 2009.

Editor's note: This is a shot that has a great use of light. Unfortunately, it will never reproduce on our printing press. These are the days when photojournalists are glad to ahve the internet.

The subtle lighting of the subject's face, the spot of color on the guitar and the way the light drops off to darkness keeps the reader's eye focused on the subject.