More Soccer Proofs
Proofs from the third game can be seen here, or by clicking on the picture below.
Recent Photography
I've finally forayed into the wonderful world of the DSLR Cameras (you know, those über special professional ones?) and acquired my very own Canon 40D. I've had it for two weeks now, and am making every effort to take each opportunity I can to go out and photograph. Lucky for my I have the guidance of another avid photographer, Taylor Dewey (tddewey.com) so when I have a quiestion I can usually get it figured out pretty quickly. And while questions are great, a great deal of photography is having an eye, getting a feel for the camera and all of it's manual settings, and knowing what your client wants from the photos. The best way to work on all of these if to just go out and shoot.
My first mini-shoot was with Steve and Laurie Gonzales' beautiful Arabian and Half-Arabian horses. Below are a few of my favorites - just click on the thumbnail to see the larger version. To see the full set of photos, you can click here to access them via my flickr account.
Next was a friend's soccer game in North Scottsdale. To see the full set of proofs, click here.
Finally, I was asked to shoot the ASU Equestrian Team tryouts - here's a link to the proof galleries posted on the ASUET website: asuet.com/photos.php.
asuet.com Launched!
It's here, it's up and running, it's ready to go! As of last night I put the finishing touches on asuet.com, the brand new website for the ASU Equestrian Team. I'm excited to be a part of our second year as the team's webmaster - can't wait to see the talent that is sure to be at tryouts!
Check it out!
A Few Photos from Way-Back-When and the Long Format
Many who know me know that I spent my years on the East coast competing in the Olympic sport of Eventing, working my way nearly to the top levels and experiencing every opportunity I could get my hot little hands on. One of those opportunities was to compete in the "Classic" Three-day Event, which comprised of all of the regular phases seen at horse trials and international competition today, as well as an extra endurance test that emphasizes the sport's cavalry roots, during which the horses needed to be able to trek many miles and still be in top form at the end (read more about the change from long- to short-format in this article from the USEA in 2007).
After first partnering up with one of my once-in-a-lifetime mounts Vanguard (the Half-Arabian gelding by Vanraf), we competed in the 2003 Educational Training Level Three-Day at the Kentucky Horse Park, which was basically a step below the first of the international levels that, at the time, ran in the "Classic" format. Clinicians including Cathy Weischhoff and Mike Huber came together and taught us the ropes of presenting our horses for inspection, riding steeplechase fences, and working in the 10 minute box.
A few photos from the Mayfest Educational Three-day in Kentucky. Click any image to view a larger version.
Unfortunately, my debut at the true interational-level three-day event (CCI*) would have to wait two more years where I would compete with the Thoroughbred gelding Bugsy - however, after pulling a shoe on the cross-country phase, we chose to withdraw on the final day of competition. Below is a video of Bugsy and I completing the "B" Phase, better known as "Steeplechase" at the 2005 Midsouth Three-day Event in Kentucky.
Of course, I did finally complete not only my first, but also second long-format CCI* in 2006: most importantly with Bugsy at the 2006 North American Young Rider's Championship, and also the 2006 Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event with Special K, both times finishing in the top ten. It was at the end of the 2006 season that the shift to short-format CCI's began, and consequently the movement to preserve the "classic" format of the three-day event, the genuine test of horse and rider that holds truest to the sports roots. Recent developments in United States Eventing means that this format will continue to be run only at the National level, and it needs all the support it can get.
Recent Designs and the Redesign
At the end of the Spring semester with the ASU Equestrian Team, I was approached by the newly-elected president about designing a website for the team - a project that I'd begun once before but had fallen through the cracks (you can see my original mock-ups on my Recent Designs page) as the team elected officers and began organizing in preperation for its second year as an established club at Arizona State. While the content is still being developed, I thought I'd share the placeholder page, which you can visit at http://www.asuet.com.
Another major project I'd undertaken was the redesign of my own website here at mlteal.com. Along with an extreme facelift, which included adding in some exceptional photography for background images and thus adding a face to the name (all three background styles are photos of myself), I've finally developed a logotype that I'm happy with. A little background on that cute little "L" shape that's not quite an "L": I originally designed this shape as part of a 10-piece set of Valentines-day cards in an assignment for one of my undergrad classes, and it has followed me ever since. Rotated about 45 degrees counter-clockwise, you might be able to see how it makes up 3/4ths of a heart.
I love all feedback, comments, and questions - please head over to my Contact page to e-mail me directly!
"I really enjoy accomplishing goals. I like to see something done. That part just really keeps me going and interested and loving it as much as I do." – Interview with the Cranberry Journal, August 2006
With just three semesters left to finish my Design Studies degree at Arizona State University, I look forward to my Graduation in the end of 2010 as yet another door opening, and another goal achieved, in my continuing story. It was one of my Equestrian idols, Olympic competitor Amy Tryon that said "I am a firm believer that when one door closes, another one opens," words that I have taken since and applied to all of my endeavors, equine or not.
I'm not only a full-time student, but also training a few young horses here in Tempe and designing web sites for select clientele. For more information on any of the above mentioned, please feel free to e-mail me at maura@mlteal.com.
Recent Design: Starswept Sport Ponies and Aussies website
Launched this spring was my first endeavor in working with WordPress, a website platform that allows me to design websites and then hand all content updating over to the client. Please have a look around Starswept.net!
Photoshoot with Taylor Dewey of tddewey.com
In late April I trekked out to the Tonto National Forest with my friend Taylor Dewey, who like me is an avid photographer and web designer. He was nice enough to get some shots of me and my car - I've posted a few shots from that day below. To see more of his work, be sure to check out tddewey.com and websitesthatdontsuck.com
I'm still working on acquiring my own DSLR camera, so hopefully by fall I'll be back to adding to my own galleries and not just posing in other peoples! (Though it was a blast, wouldn't mind doing that more too!)
click any thumbnail to see a larger view
In mid March I was asked to take some photos for Gonzahara Show Horses. Below are a few of the proofs from the shoot - they really have done an wonderful job producing these beautiful Arabians and National Show Horses, and their years of careful breeding really show in each of their horses. Click to view a larger version.
click any thumbnail for a larger view