“I watched these two doves for a long time; their relationship slowly developed over 30 minutes. Eventually one leaned over and started nuzzling the other,” remembers Alonzo, a retired U.D. Information Technology specialist who now works at the Dayton Public Radio station, WDPR. “It doesn’t matter what type of camera equipment you have; if you don’t have patience you’re not going to get a picture like that.”
Unlike studied patience, some shots require rapid-fire decision making and images taken in quick succession. Two of his favorites were taken at sports competitions: an excited performer in mid-twirl at the WGI Color Guard World Championships, or teamwork between man and beast at a Serenity Valley Farm Horse Show in Fairborn.
He was sitting at the very edge of the performance floor at the WGI event at the University of Dayton Arena on April 18, and zoomed in for the rider urging his horse on at Twin Towers Horse Park on Sept. 26.
“My new work schedule at the radio station revolutionized my photography. I don’t start work until 10 a.m., so I have plenty of time to get outside before the world has woken up,” said Alonzo.
Another illustration of a great image taken in the a.m. is one of … grass. But not just grass, a bird’s-eye view of it, with little twinkling white lights glistening on the small pond beyond taken on an early morning stroll in Oakwood.
“It’s just another example of just going out in the morning, and just waiting to hear or see something. You listen to nature in a quiet, meditative way,” said Alonzo. “After awhile of looking at the pond, I thought, ‘Well, how about a picture of the grass?’”
He has been asked to take images from time to time. He answered a request to take pictures of Bo Bice during a Jazz performance on March 6, so he had an optimum vantage point in the orchestra pit right beneath the stage.
“I’ve been taking daily pictures now for more than 10 years. That’s a long time, and I never really anticipated that I would keep it going that long,” said Alonzo. “It’s just happening every day, and so far I’m happy with it.”
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