Life behind the lens

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  Wai'anae, Hawai'i
  Nov 27, 2013 - Halawa, Hawaii
  
  The clock is ticking down, the roar from the crowd is deafening and there’s only one click of a camera that separates a cover quality photo from a lousy one. The pressure of getting this great shot is one that Eugene Tanner lives with everyday as a photojournalist.
  
  Eugene works with the University of Hawaii as a sideline photographer. It is his job to capture the action of a game in a single moment. He’s been working in this field for over the last two decades and his work has taken him all over the country. During his travels he has lived in five different states and has worked for various newspapers such as the Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register. While working for the papers, Eugene has covered news,sports and even award ceremonies. “I got to help with the photo coverage with the emmes, and even did logistical work for the Oscars,” Tanner said.
  
  From the bright lights of Hollywood to the field at Aloha Stadium the pressure to capture that perfect shot remains the same. "The pressure that I feel is just a sense of urgency,” Eugene said.
  
  The sense of urgency comes from snapping the perfect picture, editing the photo and sending it out to the clients as soon as possible. As a journalist getting content out there first is the biggest challenge, “my clients are in Colorado right now, Colorado State is the visiting team, so I’m really trying take care of newspapers in Colorado,” said Tanner.
  
  Although covering college sports may be fun, for Eugene it doesn’t compare to enjoyment he gets out of high school football games. “It’s just so much fun, there’s so much passion, so much joy, so much emotion, that’s what really cool,” Tanner said.
  
  Photography is a profession of the pure joy for Eugene, and though Eugene doesn't consider himself a rich man, it is not the income that keeps him holding the camera on the sidelines. “It is an extraordinary career, it’s very rewarding. I hope to do this for the rest of my life,” Tanner said.

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Looking back

Being on the field I have witnessed the stress that photographers need to go through to get the perfect picture.
Jesa Mae Delos Reyes, Writer

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I've learned that you need to always try your best to be the best in the photographer industry.

Gary Domingo-Oka, Photographer

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Doing this story I realized the things one needs to do to at least make it in the photography business. 
Monique Paogofie, Reporter

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Awards/Honors

2014 Spring Nationals
1st place Sports

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