All I want for Christmas is a Lego ME!

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos

Sometimes people compliment me on my creativity, I'm flattered but the truth is I'm at the mercy of the creativity of the people that I photograph.

That was true last summer when we were visiting the cottage of a friend and their super creative seven-year old.

I was chilling when Fynn cut in on my summer reading by presenting me with a Lego me. 

The glasses, hair, smile, square-ish body with a round head! It was an incredible likeness of me!

I tried to get back to my book, but Fynn's imagination tore me from the pages of the book and into a world I was more familiar with. My career in Lego.

Lego me and real me look a lot alike, real me is less yellow.

Four inspirational athletes surprise me in October.

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos

In August I was in London at the Olympics surrounded by great athletes with great inspirational stories.

Paula Finlay with low iron levels gutting out a last place finish in the triathlon, Rosie MacLennan emerging as an Olympic Champion, Brent Hayden finally cracking the podium, Alexander Despatie competing after scalping himself months earlier in a training accident and the women's Soccer team winning bronze.

When August ended I thought that the athlete stories would too, or a least slow down.

October taught me different.

October presented to me another group of athletes with stories that were more inspiring than those the Olympics presented.

Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

The race also featured a half-marathon and a 5K, it is in the 5K that two athletes emerged.

It took seven year-old Owen Derby two hours and 17 minutes to cover the 5K route to City Hall from the Exhibition grounds. He battled the weather and pulled his walker over then entire distance turning down offers from his mother and father to take a break and sit in a stroller with his younger brother.

Seven year-old Owen Derby, who has cerebal palsy, crosses the finish line.

Our September favourites.

 

RICHARD LAUTENS - Devontae Thomas plays in the park before his second birthday party, he was wounded in the Danzig Street shooting earlier in the summer.

RICHARD LAUTENS - Devontae holds hands with a couple of party-goers just before the party starts with his scar on his head clearly visible.

Best of August

Budi, a 6-year-old Orangutan at Toronto Zoo. Budi is one of two sumatran orangutans at the Toronto Zoo who are being trained to use an iPad. Currently, they love to watch videos of other orangutans but the hope is to use the devices for training and learning. (Rick Madonik)

 

Rick Madonik, Staff Photographer

 

As usual, August fell somewhere between the feast or famine when it came to photography at the Toronto Star. Steve Russell continued his endless effort of supplying great pics from LONDON 2012. The Olympics dominated the sports story for the month of August, whereas the discovery of various body parts in Mississauga and Scarborough, dominated the news angle.

Russell recently posted a blog of his favorite images from the summer Olympics, and they can be found by following this link: http://thestar.blogs.com/photoblog/2012/08/the-end-is-here-steve-russells-favourite-pictures-from-the-games.html

The monthly roundup of pictures can be found below. As usual, it runs the gambit from funny/cute animal pics, to strong portraiture and everything in between.

Canadian distance runner Cameron Levins, fifth from left, runs the 5,000 at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium  in London.   (STEVE RUSSELL)

The end is here, Steve Russell's favourite pictures from the games.

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos

First off, I'd like to thank all the volunteers. The volunteers were wonderful, I never had a major issue with any of them. I'm sure when they volunteered that they thought they might be doing something other than looking for a number 4 and the word all on a badge at a lonely elevator, but they took it in stride and would greet you with a smile. Thanks! Olympics wouldn't be possible without these great people.

Smoke stacks representing the industrial revolution rise in  the Stadium during the opening ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in London. More from the Opening.

Canada's Christine Sinclair strips the ball from Japan's Mizuho Sakaguchi as Canada loses 2-1 to Japan in their Olympic Soccer opener. More on getting to this soccer game.

Kaylyn Kyle gets head and hair on the ball in front of France's Camille Abily as Canada wins the bronze medal beating France 1-0.

Team Canada celebrates the Bronze medal winning goal.

Jennifer Abel exits the pool during practice as swimmers and divers train at the Aquatic Centre.

Jennifer Abel readies herself for her fourth dive. She finished sixth in the three metre springboard final.

Émilie Heymans and Jennifer Abel win bronze for Canada in the three metre synchronized springboard final. Hetmans won a medal in each of the last four summer Olympiads. 

The Canadian women's synchro team spins out of the water. They would finish fourth in the final.

Japan's opening move wasn't enough to get them to the podium in pairs synchronized swimming, or even overtake Canada in fourth.

Ryan Cochrane wins the silver medal in the 1500 metre freestyle.

Brent Hayden finally gets that elusive Olympic podium winning the bronze medal in the 100 metre freestyle swimming. More on Hayden and "Jubo"

Kim Smith, the human jubo machine, celebrates three of her 20 points as Team Canada nearly upsets heavily favoured Russia in their opening game.

Tamara Tatham has patriotic nails.

Tamara Tatham loses the handle on the ball as Canada plays Great Britain .

Shona Thorburn gets an arm to the face from Austraila's Kristi Harrower.

Canada's Milos Raonic and his big serve defeat Tatsuma Ito 6-3 6-4 in first round action in the Olympic Tennis tournament at Wimbledon. More on the "courts"

Serena Williams yells "Come on" encouragement to herself after missing a point.

A fan watches Roder Federer through a little usher's window on Centre Court.

Daniel Nestor serves, he and doubles partner Vasek Pospisil won their first riound match defeating a Romanian team 6-3 7-6 in the Olympic Tennis.

Victoria Moors .competes on the uneven bars  as Canada earns a fifth place finish, their best all time, in the Artistic Gymnastics team competition. More on our Gymnasts.

Coxswain Brian Price celebrates as the Canadian men's Eight win a silver medal in rowing.

Michele Li lays on the court after missing a return. She and partner Alex Bruce lose to a doubles pair from Japan  in the semi final 2 sets to 1. The Canadians will play Russia for the Bronze medal. The pair were in the group where  four teams were disqualified opening up a shot at a medal. More on shooting badminton.

Jessica Zelinka fails on her second chance at 1.68. Zelinka would fail on all three attempts at 1.68 metres scoring a disappointing 830 points in the high jump.

Canadian Heptathlete Jessica Zelinka reacts to failing on her three attempts at 1.68 metres scoring a disappointing 830 points in the high jump.

Ducks in the in the Serpentine River in Hyde Park share the water with fifty-six women during the women's triathlon.

Paula Findlay already well back of the lead group battles on the bike during the women's triathlon. More on the triathlon.

Simon Whitfield's wife consoles their two daughters after he crashed and would withdraw from the race during the men's triathlon.

Adam Van Koeverden heads to the starts line to begin his Olympic run with the 1000 metre kayak event.

Rosannagh MacLennan qualifies for the final, where she would win Canada's first and only gold of the games with her performance in Trampoline.

Mary Spencer leaves the ring after dropping her quarter final match 17-14 to Jenzi Li in the 75 kg weight class in boxing. More on boxing.

Germany's Helena Fromm beat Vietnam's Hoang Dieu Linh Chu in Taekwondo.

Carol Huynh takes down Isabelle Sambou from Senegal to win the bronze medal.

Haislan Veranes Garcia beats Zalimkhan Yusupov from Tajikistan in 66kg freestyle wrestling.

American Jordan Burroughs goes into the stands to hug his mother stops to pose with fans after winning the gold medal match against Iranian Sadegh Saeed Goudarzi in wrestling's 74 kg weight class.

Canadian sprinter Justyn Warner and Jared Connaughton celebrate thinking they had won bronze.

Canadian sprinter Oluseyi Smith buries his face in the flag as Justyn Warner and Gavin Smellie sit on the track  after Canada was disqualified for the bronze medal.

Canadian sprinter Justyn Warner is consoled by his fiance Nikkita Holder after Canada was disqualified for the bronze medal. More on the heartbreak

Canadian distance runner Cameron Levins, fifth from left, runs the 5,000 at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium.

The final numbers,

Alexandre Despatie in the men's three metre springboard.

And one more.....

Thanks to everyone that took time during the games to visit this blog!

 

 

 

 

Wow, drama at the track! We win Bronze, we lose Bronze!

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos

Wow! 

We win a bronze and then, it's gone.

Have to feel for the guys, I've never really seen people go from that high to that low in a long time.

Canadian distance runner Cameron Levins, fifth from left, runs the 5,000 at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium.

Gavin Smellie leads out the Canadian 4x100.

Canadian sprinter Justyn Warner crosses  the line.

Canadian sprinter Justyn Warner and Jared Connaughton wait to see if they had won bronze. 

Canadian sprinter Justyn Warner and Jared Connaughton celebrate thinking they had won bronze.

Canadian sprinter  Jared Connaughton in the arms of Oluseyi Smith celebrate thinking they had won the bronze.

Canadian sprinter Gavin Smellie, Oluseyi Smith, Justyn Warner and Jared Connaughton celebrate  bronze.

After a couple minutes of hugs, high fives and kisses with Canadian spectators Justyn Warner reacts as there is an announcement that Canada is disqualified.

Canadian sprinter Oluseyi Smith buries his face in his hands as Justyn Warner lays on the track beside him after Canada was disqualified.

Canadian sprinter Jared Connaughton reacts after Canada was disqualified. Connaughton had stepped on a lane line near the last exchange.

Canadian sprinter Oluseyi Smith buries his face in the flag as Justyn Warner and Gavin Smellie sit on the track.

Canadian sprinter Justyn Warner is consoled by Nikkita Holder after Canada was disqualified.

Canadian sprinter Justyn Warner who had run the anchor starts to leave the track.

Canadian sprinter Justyn Warner walks off the track.

Canada was almost disqualified twice on the evening, Justyn Warner gave the baton to someone in the crowd and track officials demanded it back threatening disqualification. 

The first disqualification was stayed.

Usain Bolt and the Jamaicans won gold.

Mo Farrah, winner fo the 10,000 metres also won the 5,000.

MOUNTIAN BIKE

Canada had medal hopes in the women's Mountain Bike with Catharine Pendrel ranked number one in the world.

Catharine Pendrel got a wheel stuck in the rock garden and had to dismount to free her bike.

Catharine Pendrel got a wheel stuck in the rock garden and had to dismount to free her bike, she finished ninth in Women's Mountain Bike.

Catharine Pendrel finishes the race in ninth in Women's Mountain Bike.

Emily Batty broke a collar bone in training and still started and finished the Women's Mountain Bike.

One day left! Any guesses to the final total?

 

 

A breakdown on a broken down Olympic photographer by the numbers.

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos

Here is a breakdown on a broken down Olympic Photographer and his daily, as the Brits call it here, kit.

1. HEAD - Full of picture ideas and dream as well as contempt for anyone who blocks a shot, and cloudy from lack of sleep. It is capped with a COC give away that proves invaluable whenever a Canadian athlete wins a medal!

2- T-SHIRT - The Star Games shirt it reads "Keep Calm and File Fast" and contains a tribute to Randy Starkman, the late Star Olympic writer. 

3. ACCREDITATION - The most import piece if kit. For photographers it contains two pieces, the laminated card and the photo vest. See 10.

4. CHESTVEST - A kind of camera bag that you can sling over a shoulder or wear out in front too. The later causes loads of belly sweat. It contains batteries, 300mm, 14mm, 17-35, food.

5. SORE BACK - My sciatica is in full force!

6.  CANON 1DX + 70-200 - Some days it is my widest lens used.

7. SHORTS - Lots of deep pockets, carries cards room keys and train passes.

8. SORE KNEE - Two days in my knee started to hurt, super painful, in a place that I had injured it previously during the G20 riots. Turns out I was just sitting strangely all the time in photo positions. Bottom row of swimming had an 8 inch space for feet. I'l size 12! Some gentle barrier nudging cured it.

9. SORE FEET - We walk a lot, everything is a hike and carrying all the kit does help. Blisters and falling toe nails are the norm.

10. PHOTO VEST - Because we look so good in them!, The photo vest is the second part of the photographer's accreditation. It has to be worn. Lose it and your Olympics is over. Near the end of the games everyone's vest gets very funky!

It has 14 pockets, so whenever you look for something, you find it in the 14th pocket you look in. Two front lower pockets are great for dropping a lens in when you have to make a switch. I keep my internet stick in in a berate pocket and my phone in the other. I keep my change in a pocket that zips. Anything else that might set off the metal detectors is also kept in the vest. The vest, like the Olympic accreditation, only comes off in the hotel room at night and to go through the x-ray machines.

11. THE ROLLIE - Carries a third camera body, remote gear, rain gear and a couple extra lenses.

12. CANON 1DX + 500mm - The work horse, I'd say about 75 percent of the 70,000 frames shot to date are done with these two buddies!

13. THE BACKPACK - Contains laptop, hood for those cold days, battery charger and other odds and ends.

Now for some pix,

Germany's Helena Fromm beat Vietnam's Hoang Dieu Linh Chu in Taekwondo at the London 2012 Olympic Games .

Karine Sergerie beats Farida Azizova of Azerbaijan in her opening bout in Taekwondo.

Great Britain waits for their scores in Team Synchronized Swimming final.

Japan performs in Team Synchronized Swimming final.

Japan competes in Team Synchronized Swimming, it's funny that an event that involves swimming also involves so much air time.

Team Australia's music included AC/DC.

Canada just falls short of the podium in Team Synchronized Swimming.

Canada dives into the Team Synchronized Swimming final.

Team Canada swims!

Canada finished fourth in Team Synchronized Swimming.

A dual spin was one of the high lights of Canada's routine.

Team Canada!

Team Canada thanks the crowd as they await their scores.

Matthew Gentry watchs the clock run out on him in the bronze medal match against Russian Denis Tsargush at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Matthew Gentry loses the bronze medal match in the 74kg weight class.

Jordan Burroughs  avoids Iranian Sadegh Saeed Goudarzi and wins the gold medal match in wrestling's 74 kg weight class.

Jordan Burroughs goes into the stands to hug his mother stops to pose with fans after winning the gold medal match against Iranian Sadegh Saeed Goudarzi in wrestling's 74 kg weight class.

 

 

 

 

The media marathon and me.

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos

They say covering the Olympics is the marathon of Journalism.

They in this case is me, and some other journalists I guess, they are selling T-shirts with that on it at the Main Press Centre.

If that is the case, then the last three days have been that final kick in the last straight.

Each of the last three days has been a marathon within a marathon.

Yesterday I was assigned to cover the women's bronze medal game in Coventry.

The day started with a 15 minute walk to the train station, catching a train to Coventry that takes about 65 minutes, shuttle to the Stadium, about 30 minutes and ten minute walk to the media gate. 

Yahoo! We win!

Team Canada celebrates the winning goal as Canada wins the bronze medal beating  France 1-0 inthe bronze medal soccer match.

The discussion amongst photographers became wether or not to cover the medal ceremony at 10 pm at Wembley Stadium.

During this discussion we learn that Tonya Verbeek will be wrestling for Gold at 7:03 pm. 

It's just after 4 pm when I decide to try to make it. I have less than three hours to get to the ExCel Center where the wrestling is.

ExCel is about a 40 minute shuttle from my starting point in the morning.

A quick pack up and I'm at the shuttle in five minutes, five minutes later it leaves.

I make the train station a minute before a 4:51pm train to London. The train is scheduled to arrive in London at 5:54 pm, giving me six minutes to get to a shuttle that leaves on the hour.

The train will be late, dashing the dream of dashing to the media hub for the shuttle.

Plan B?

Asking fellow passengers for advice, I decide on the tube and the DLR, which for some reason always comes out as DSLR when I talk to people.

A run down to the subway platform just as the train arrives, four stops and I make the platform for the DLR with two minutes to spare for the train to the ExCel.

All that is left is a long walk and clear security. I made it in time for Verbeek's match.

She loses but still wins the silver.

Tonya Verbeek looks for an opening on Japan's Saori Yoshida. Verbeek wins the silver after she lost the gold medal match against Saori Yoshida. 

Next is the medal ceremony, I blast out and file while waiting for the shuttle.

I take a bus to the main press centre and then a bus to Wembley arrives at 9:35 pm and as soon as I get off I hear the crowd going crazy, The game is over.

I still have to figure out how to get out to the field.

Several wrong turns and I stumble onto the field. I'm in the last row of photographers, but I made it.

The Canadian Women's Soccer Team becomes the first Canadian team to medal at the Olympics since 1936 with the bronze medal.

 In the past three days I have covered five Canadian medals and some Canadian heartbreak.

 Here are a few more from the past three days.

Women's Soccer - BRONZE

Christine Sinclair celebrates with Erin MacLeod as Canada wins the bronze medal beating  France 1-0 inthe bronze medal soccer match.

Erin MacLeod makes a stop in front of Canada's Sophie Schmidt and Eugenie de Sommer.

Kaylyn Kyle gets head and hair on the ball in front of Camille Abily. 

Diana Matheson, celebrates as Canada wins the bronze medal beating France 1-0 in the bronze medal soccer match, she scored the winner.

Tonya Verbeek - Wrestling - SILVER

Tonya Verbeek looks for an opening on Japan's Saori Yoshida. 

Tonya Verbeek wins the silver after she lost the gold medal match against a celebrating Saori Yoshida.

Tonya Verbeek wins the silver.

Adam Van Koeverden - Kayak 1000m - SILVER

Adam Van Koeverden puts on the brakes after winning the silver  in the 1000 metre kayak.

Adam Van Koeverden looking good in silver.

Mark Oldershaw - 1000m Canoe - BRONZE

Mark Oldershaw enjoys the bronze medal around his neck from the 1000 canoe at Eton Dorney.

Mark Oldershaw waits for his golf cart to leave the medal area after winning the bronze in the 1000 metre canoe event at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Carol Huynh - Wrestling - BRONZE

Carol Huynh loses her semi-final match against Hitomi Obara, Huynh would fight for the bronze.

Carol Huynh takes down he opponent to win the bronze medal match against Isabelle Sambou from Senegal.

Carol Huynh waves to her mother after she wins the bronze medal match against Isabelle Sambou from Senegal.

Simon Whitfield - triathlon - CRASHED

Simon Whitfield exits the water from the swim, he would withdraw from the race after a crash during the first cycling lap.

Simon Whitfield's wife consoles their two daughters after he crashed.

Alexandre Despatie - 3m Springboard - ELEVENTH

Alexandre Despatie prepares to dive, he would finish 11th on the three metre springboard.

Alexandre Despatie dives, I think he took a little too much heat for his performance. If you look closely at his hairline you can see the extent of the injury he suffered two months ago on the three metre springboard, hang on, here it is closer.......

Alexandre Despatie dives, if you look closely at his hairline you can see the extent of the injury he suffered two months ago. I'm amazed he even competed at the Games.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sweet science sours for Canadians. Translation, we didn't do well in boxing.

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos

Mary Spencer drops her quarter final match 17-14 to Jenzi Li in the 75 kg weight class in boxing  at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Mary Spencer had lost two bout heading into the Olympics.

Mary Spencer has Jenzi Li on the ropes during their 75 kg weight class bout.

Mary Spencer has Jenzi Li in the ropes.

Mary Spencer takes a straight left.

Mary Spencer leaves the ring after losing her opening bout at the Olympics.

Mary Spencer drops her quarter final match to Jenzi Li in the 75 kg weight class in boxing.

The great/odd/wierd thing about boxing at the Olympics is that every match has their version of the kiss and cry.

The referee holds their wrists and then only raises one.

The thrill of victory and agony of defeat at an Olympic Games is amplified, and in international amateur boxing, there is always a doubt in boxers before the winner is announced.

Germany's Stefan Hartel loses to Great Britian's Anthony Ogogo.

Japan's Ryoto Murata wins over Turkey's Adem Kilicci.

Mohammed Arjaoui falls to Italy's Roberto Cammarelle.

Maria Volnova upsets defending world champion Savannah Marshall in the 75 kg weight class for women.

After losing to her, Briton Natasha Jonas opens the ropes for Katie Taylor in the 51 kg weight class.

Brazilian Adriana Araujo enters the stadium.

Brazilian Adriana Araujo fights 

Maria Volnova upsets defending world champion Savannah Marshall in the 75 kg weight class.

American Claressa Shields wins her bout against Swede Anna Laurell.

Yeah, Anna Laurell did not have fun against American Claressa Shields.

Canadian Simon Kean in Blue loses to Ivan Dychko in the 91 kg Super heavyweight class.

Canadian Simon Kean lost 20-6 to Ivan Dychko.

Canadian Simon Kean did land a few blows on Ivan Dychko.

Now for something completely different.........

Adam Van Koeverden heads to the starts line to begin his Olympic run with the 1000 metre kayak event.

Toronto Star reporter Paul Hunter. middle, at the boxing venue!

 

 

 

The toughest Olympic sport to shoot? It just might be badminton

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos

I think I might have put the bad in badminton. Pictures, that is!

Badminton!

I know I might not have believed it myself.

I felt fairly confident going into it, I had covered events in the past on courts that look similar to a badminton court, tennis and table tennis come to mind.

But I was to humbled by a sport.

Our pair of Michele Li and Bruce, who the crowd  chanted "Bruce Li" for, benefitted from the disqualification of four pair teams for throwing matches.

Our team found themselves in a semi final game. A win and they play for no worse than silver and a loss puts them in the bronze medal game.

I got to the stadium and sat down courtside for a men's game and quickly realized that this was not going to be easy. 

This was not the game we played in backyards or a cottages.

The shuttlecock, the thing that most of us grew up simply calling a birdie, can move and do strange things.

It can move quickly and deaccelerate just as quick, that seems to the the issue in covering the event.

It seems to be the supreme test for auto focus.

The players set themselves and don't move, then suddenly and quickly react to the flight of the shuttlecock at the last possible moment.

This is the one game that all autofocus systems should be tested on.

The other thing that makes it tough to cover is the heat.

The Air Conditioning is turned off in the stadium so that it does not interfere with the shuttlecock. Add a full stadium over the course of the day and the stadium is roasting. Feeling in over my head I went from courtside to the upper photo position.

Shooting with a long lens from upstairs allowed me to keep focus a little easier and watch the game to look for a flow and develop some timing for the event.

I also used a feature on the camera that was introduced on the Canon 1DX.

I made some crude multiple exposures so that I could look and get a sense of timing, so could get a picture.

I was watching singles, the vent we needed was doubles so I shot the first set from upstairs and braved the downstairs for the last two sets.

Michele Li dives for the shuttlecock as Alex Bruce tries to get out of the way as they lose to a doubles pair from Japan  in the semi final 2 sets to 1.  I headed upstairs to learn the game.

I also used the multiple exposure feature on the camera to help me see where my timing was off. Looking at my standard three frame burst helped me understand a players timing.

The Air Conditioning is off in the arena, making it venure very warm. Players use some chalk to keep grip on the racket.

Shooting from upstairs makes it a lot easier to keep the shuttlecock in the picture!

Michele Li lays on the court after missing a return. 

If the venue is light properly you can also use a long exposure to learn where the point of impact is, helping you understand timing.

Alex Bruce smashes the shuttlecock. 

Thankfully there was judo!

Michele Li misses the shuttlecock on match point. Canada would go onto lose the bronze medal match.

My favourites from the past day,

Zachary Bell competes in the men's Omnium 4000 individual pursuit at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Velodrome.

Kim Smith and Alisha Tatham go after a loose ball as Canada plays Australia  in the women's basketball tournament.

Shona Thorburn gets an arm to the face from Austraila's Kristi Harrower as Canada loses to Australia in the women's basketball tournament .

Kim Smith celebrates a big score as Canada.

Judges score the women's three metre springboard.

Jennifer Abel would finish sixth.

Jennifer Abel  makes her second of five dives.

Bronze medalist Laura Sanchez Soto wets herself down after every dive.

Emilie Heymans dives off the three metre springboard, she would finish in twelfth.

Tailing and out of the medals Jennifer Abel readies herself for her fourth dive.