Day 82 (Fri., Dec. 2)

Talk about being in the zone!

Today was one of the most amazing days of my life. I woke up and I knew something cool was going to happen today. I didn't know exactly what it was, but I had a feeling.

It started w/ me getting a good percentage of the questions right on the morning edition of Jeopardy. I showered and put on my favorite t-shirt, a Los Angeles Dodgers shirt. I headed out of the house and went to work.

I headed north to Pompano Beach, where I would shoot a photo of a doctor at a clinic. As I exited Interstate highway 95 on Atlantic Boulevard, I noticed a lot of people stopping on the side of the road and running toward a fence. It seemed weird and I realize it was an emergency. A car had fallen inside a waterway along the highway. People were jumping the fence to see if they can go rescue anyone in the car. I got there just as a man jumped over the fence and I got the above photo, which is my best news photo EVER!

It all happened as everything clicked together perfectly. The cameras had fresh batteries, there was film in the cameras, I jumped out and I was ready to go. I didn't have to think twice, I just went w/ the flow. The result was a pretty dramatic photo.

Later, when officials showed up we found out that the car was stolen and there was no one inside the car. But when I shot the photo it seemed like the craziest moment ever.

Soon, a Sheriffs deputy came up to me and things got interesting. Here's a recap:

officer: "where you here when the car was sinking?"

july: "yes sir, I was."

officer: "was someone inside the car?"

july: "no sir, the men who jumped the fence and I didn't see anyone in the car."

officer: "did you shoot photos?"

july: "yes sir, I did."

officer: "can you see your photos on the camera?"

july: "yes sir, I can."

officer: "may I see?"

july: "no sir, I cannot let you view them."

officer: "why not?"

july: "you have to contact my boss, first."

officer: "those photos are evidence."

july: "evidence of what? I didn't shoot anyone throwing the car in the water. All I got is a sinking car."

officer: "Well, they are evidence and I can confiscate your photos if I want"

july: "that would be illegal."

officer: "it's evidence and I can subpoena it"

july: "yes sir, you can. But you can't take them from me at this point"

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At that point the officer walked away and got on his cell phone. I got on mine and called the office to tell my editor what was going on. I got all the info I needed, including the person who could get in contact w/ our lawyers.

I am not sure exactly what the officer was told on the phone, but it was clear I was calling in for help and he didn't want to make any more of it.

officer: "we probably won't need your photos, but can I have your information just in case we do?"

july: "of course."

It is amazing how knowing a little of the law and what your rights are can do for you. I know that most people who authorities talk to are afraid of the law. That creates a way for authorities to take advantage of the individual. Today, however, they couldn't have their way.

It pays to be educated.

The spot news incident happened just before 10 a.m. this morning as I started my day of work. Fast forward to 11:30 p.m. and I was still working. I headed to Revolution Club to get photos of their Latin Night, an attempt by the club to draw in the Latino community.

The club, however, is starting out w/ the promotional tactic and there wasn't too many people at the club. At one point only the house dancer was on the dance floor.

But later, a famous band named Fulanito showed up to rock the house. People gathered and hand a good time as the band played some good music.

Everyone in the club was dressed to impress.

The lone dancer now had to share the floor w/ everyone else and she didn't seem to mind.

Finally, it was cool to get some acknowledgment by the lead singer as I shot a photo of him.

Today was just a really good photo day for me.

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