Wing Bowl…

Every year, for years, there was an eating competition in Philadelphia held every Friday before the Superbowl as an alternative to the Eagles again not making it into the big game. Once the Eagles won the Superbowl a few years back, Wing Bowl was ended.

Wing Bowl was a wing eating contest filled with all around debauchery. 20,000 attended annually.Boobs, butts and blowing chunks it was just plain trashy.

It started very simply as a contest. In fact, there was a time where the “Wingettes” were friends and family of the folks running the event. They wore sweathshirts and jeans. Twenty years later, any amount of clothing was too much. It was one of those things that, every year, I hated to cover. When I’d mention it to my editors on the phone, I could sense it as they cringed.

Some of the former participants remain in the news. Recently, one of the original winners, El Wingador, was busted again for cocaine possession in Nebraska.

That said, here is a look back at some of the craziness.

PHILADELPHIA – FEBRUARY 4: Bill “El Wingador” Simmons celebrates with family and friends after winning Wing Bowl 13 by eating 162 buffalo wings in an overtime round at the Wachovia Center February 4, 2005 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An estimated 20,000 spectators gathered to watch a buffalo wing eating contest. Wing Bowl started 13 years ago when a Philadelphia radio personality came up with the idea as an alternative to the Superbowl because he believed the Philadelphia Eagles would never again make it to the Superbowl. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – FEBRUARY 2: Joey Chestnut of San Jose, California celebrates after winning Wing Bowl 15 by eating 182 buffalo wings and breaking his own world record February 2, 2007 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. About 15,000 people came to watch 25 contestants eat buffalo wings in the annual competition. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – FEBRUARY 2: Doug Les Petocle of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania competes and feigns vomiting during Wing Bowl 15 February 2, 2007 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. About 15,000 people came to watch 25 contestants eat buffalo wings in the annual competition. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – FEBRUARY 2: Members of The Indian Butcher’s entourage parade into the Wachovia Center during Wing Bowl 15 February 2, 2007 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. About 15,000 people came to watch 25 contestants eat buffalo wings in the annual competition. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – FEBRUARY 1: Members of “Dave the Dumpster’s entourage enter the stadium for Wing Bowl 16 at the Wachovia Center February 1, 2008 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Over 20,000 people came to watch Joey Chestnut win Wing Bowl 16 by eating 241 buffalo wings. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – FEBRUARY 1: Members of “Wing Kong’s” entourage enter the stadium for Wing Bowl 16 at the Wachovia Center February 1, 2008 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Over 20,000 people came to watch Joey Chestnut win Wing Bowl 16 by eating 241 buffalo wings. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – FEBRUARY 2: A group of Wingettes pose for photos during Wing Bowl 15 February 2, 2007 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. About 15,000 people came to watch 25 contestants eat buffalo wings in the annual competition. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – FEBRUARY 2: Damaging Doug’s entourage parades into the Wachovia Center during Wing Bowl 15 February 2, 2007 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. About 15,000 people came to watch 25 contestants eat buffalo wings in the annual competition. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – FEBRUARY 4: 20,000 people showed up at 5 a.m. to see Wing Bowl 13 at the Wachovia Center February 4, 2005 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An estimated 20,000 spectators gathered to watch a buffalo wing eating contest. Wing Bowl started 13 years ago when a Philadelphia radio personality came up with the idea as an alternative to the Superbowl because he believed the Philadelphia Eagles would never again make it to the Superbowl. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – FEBRUARY 4: George Hunt (L) and Drew Saunders cheers during Wing Bowl 13 at the Wachovia Center February 4, 2005 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An estimated 20,000 spectators gathered to watch a buffalo wing eating contest. Wing Bowl started 13 years ago when a Philadelphia radio personality came up with the idea as an alternative to the Superbowl because he believed the Philadelphia Eagles would never again make it to the Superbowl. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – FEBRUARY 4: during Wing Bowl 13 at the Wachovia Center February 4, 2005 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An estimated 20,000 spectators gathered to watch a buffalo wing eating contest. Wing Bowl started 13 years ago when a Philadelphia radio personality came up with the idea as an alternative to the Superbowl because he believed the Philadelphia Eagles would never again make it to the Superbowl. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – FEBRUARY 1: Members of “The Bull Dog’s” entourage enter the stadium for Wing Bowl 16 at the Wachovia Center February 1, 2008 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Over 20,000 people came to watch Joey Chestnut win Wing Bowl 16 by eating 241 buffalo wings. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – FEBRUARY 2: “Dr. Slob” Tim Cusich of West Chester, Pennsylvania and his entourage of nurses parade into the Wachovia Center during Wing Bowl 15 February 2, 2007 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. About 15,000 people came to watch 25 contestants eat buffalo wings in the annual competition. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – FEBRUARY 4: Wingettes walk onstage during Wing Bowl 13 at the Wachovia Center February 4, 2005 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An estimated 20,000 spectators gathered to watch a buffalo wing eating contest. Wing Bowl started 13 years ago when a Philadelphia radio personality came up with the idea as an alternative to the Superbowl because he believed the Philadelphia Eagles would never again make it to the Superbowl. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

That Time I Photographed The CCD Inventor

I was digging through my achives looking for an image the other day when I came across one of my favorite images I had made of Nobel Prize winner, George E. Smith in 2005, while on assignment for Black Star. What I did not know at the time I made this image, because we mostly talked about life and sports during the photo shoot, was that Mr. Smith was responsibe for the invention of an imaging semiconductor circuit – the CCD sensor of which I was photographing him with inside my Nikon D100.

Think about that.
I’m making pictures using a piece of equipment that he had envisioned in 1969. The whole time I was at his house in Toms River, he never mentioned it once.

For those who don’t know about Black Star, it was the first privately owned picture agency in America and is noted for it’s contributions to the history of photojournalism. The agency was formed in 1935 and introduced numerous new techniques in photography and illustrated journalism. It took me a long time to get into that agency.

I had applied to become a Black Star photojournalist early in my career. I was encouragingly rejected by a very nice woman who became one of my good friends. They apparently already had a photog that they represented in the Philadelphia market and did not have room for another. I was told to re-apply after I had some more experience. Years later, that photojournalist who was already represented, who had also befriended me early on, passed away. What I did not know was that he had mentioned me to the higher ups, and when he passed on, they reached out to me and asked if I was still interested in working with them. Hell yes!!

It never occurred to me at the time that I was photographing one of the people responsible for the digital camera I was using while working for the photo agency that revolutionalized photojournalism in the 30’s on.

I’m sitting here thinking about it.
All that’s going through my head is, how fucking cool!?

Hey I made that!!

Phillies Phanatic at the World Series Championship Parade in 2008.
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 31: The Phillie Phanatic dances on a float in front of City Hall during the World Championship Parade October 31, 2008 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays to win their first World Series in 28 years. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

The other day I was viewing a FB post by someone I know. She was out with her family celebrating a birthday. They made a bunch of pictures of the celebration and posted them on social media. I noticed one of the pictures had, on the wall, a photograph of the Phillies Phanatic at the World Series Championship Parade in 2008.

Have any of you ever seen this photograph hanging on a wall somewhere? Yup. It’s one of mine. I made that image at Broad and Spruce with a 300mm as I got tired of riding on the bus the Phillies provided for media. I wanted to get out in the crowd and see what I could find pictures wise. Low and behold, the Phanatic was dancing atop one of the floats with City Hall in the background.

That image must have been published and republished many times over in the past 13 or so years. I once saw a print of the image for sale in Wegman’s. If you’ve seen it somewhere, let me know.

Sister Josaphat Slobodian Creates Ukrainian Easter Eggs with Pysanky

Sister Josaphat Slobodian dyes an egg while she does Ukrainian eggs, or pysanky, Tuesday, May 01, 1990 at Sisters of Saint Basil The Great motherhouse in Glenside, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Sister Josaphat Slobodian dyes an egg while she does Ukrainian eggs, or pysanky, Tuesday, May 01, 1990 at Sisters of Saint Basil The Great motherhouse in Glenside, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

In May of 1990 I was working on a feature story for the Philadelphia Inquirer about the fact that nuns were getting older and new nuns were not taking their place. The 132 acre province was home to the dwindling order of Sisters of Saint Basil The Great in Glenside. I believe I spent a day and a half there making pictures. It was a time when newspapers would give a photojournalist the time needed to capture images that would illustrate a story and do it justice. They also allotted a good amount of space for it with the Neighbors sections.

Sister Josaphat Slobodan heats up an egg to melt wax while doing Ukrainian egg decorating, or pysnaky, Tuesday, May 01, 1990 at Sisters of Saint Basil The Great motherhouse in Glenside, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Sister Josaphat Slobodan heats up an egg to melt wax while doing Ukrainian egg decorating, or pysnaky, Tuesday, May 01, 1990 at Sisters of Saint Basil The Great motherhouse in Glenside, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) 

 

While I was wandering around the motherhouse grounds I met a few nuns that were kind enough to allow me to hang with them as they went about their day. One sister tended to horses, another maneuvered a tractor across the lawn, one nun was tending her garden and yet another was washing outdoor furniture. Some of the nuns taught at St. Basil Academy. The one I have never forgotten is the sister I met in one of the buildings of Manor College. Upstairs far above the classrooms was an attic which Sister Josaphat Slobodian used as her workspace. There, every Easter, she made Ukrainian Easter Eggs with a technique referred to as “Pysanky.” According to pysanky.info, Pysanky is an Easter egg decorated using a wax resist (aka batik) method. Its name derives from the Ukrainian verb “pysaty,” meaning “to write. Design motifs on pysanky date back to pre-Christian times–many date to early Slavic cultures, while some harken to the days of the Trypillians, my neolithic ancestors, others to paleolithic times.”

 

Sister Josaphat Slobodian places wax on an egg while doing her Ukrainian egg decorating, or pysanky, Tuesday, May 01, 1990 at Sisters of Saint Basil The Great motherhouse in Glenside, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Sister Josaphat Slobodian places wax on an egg while doing her Ukrainian egg decorating, or pysanky, Tuesday, May 01, 1990 at Sisters of Saint Basil The Great motherhouse in Glenside, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

It is a really interesting process to watch. Sister Josaphat allowed me to hang around while she made the eggs. Some of the details in the eggs must have taken her hours to finish. They were so detailed with indicate patterns. I must say, it was some of the most inspiring art work I had seen in a while.

Sister Josaphat Slobodian draws a pattern on an egg while doing Ukrainian egg decorating, or pysanky, Tuesday, May 01, 1990 at Sisters of Saint Basil The Great motherhouse in Glenside, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Sister Josaphat Slobodian draws a pattern on an egg while doing Ukrainian egg decorating, or pysanky, Tuesday, May 01, 1990 at Sisters of Saint Basil The Great motherhouse in Glenside, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Sadly, Sister Josaphat passed away a few years ago. I just found that information out a few days ago. But with Easter coming, I thought it appropriate to share some of the images I made while she created her Ukrainian Easter Eggs May 1, 1990. A few days after I made these images, a small box showed up in the mail at the office. It held a very cool Ukranian Easter Egg that Sister Josaphat had made. It was one of the finished eggs in her collection that she noticed me admiring the day I was at the Motherhouse. In the box was a nice thank you note.

Sister Josaphat Slobodian draws a pattern on an egg while doing Ukrainian egg decorating, or pysanky, Tuesday, May 01, 1990 at Sisters of Saint Basil The Great motherhouse in Glenside, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Sister Josaphat Slobodian draws a pattern on an egg while doing Ukrainian egg decorating, or pysanky, Tuesday, May 01, 1990 at Sisters of Saint Basil The Great motherhouse in Glenside, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Sister Josaphat Slobodian draws a pattern on an egg while doing Ukrainian egg decorating, or pysanky, Tuesday, May 01, 1990 at Sisters of Saint Basil The Great motherhouse in Glenside, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Sister Josaphat Slobodian draws a pattern on an egg while doing Ukrainian egg decorating, or pysanky, Tuesday, May 01, 1990 at Sisters of Saint Basil The Great motherhouse in Glenside, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Twenty eight years later, I still have that egg. It rests on my mantle.

Every time I look at it I think of Sister Josaphat.

A batch of finished Ukrainian Easter eggs created by Sister Josaphat Slobodian are shown Tuesday, May 01, 1990 at Sisters of Saint Basil The Great motherhouse in Glenside, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

A batch of finished Ukrainian Easter eggs created by Sister Josaphat Slobodian are shown Tuesday, May 01, 1990 at Sisters of Saint Basil The Great motherhouse in Glenside, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

 

What Makes A Good Headshot?

Next time you or someone you know needs a new headshot, take the time to ask yourself, “what makes a good headshot?”
To me, and I’ve been working as a professional photojournalist for over thirty years, a good headshot needs three things.

1: Good light (light that shows 3 dimensionality of the subject)

 (William Thomas Cain)

(Above – Studio headshot with grey backdrop and highlight on back of head)

2: Good face (it should show who you are and your face needs to fill a good portion of the frame)

Jennifer Robles is photographed Wednesday December 14, 2016 in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

(Above – Outdoor headshot with background out of focus)

3: No hands (no hands in face. hands are a distraction that take away light from the face)

PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 20: Academy Award winning actress Halle Berry poses for photos at the Four Seasons Hotel March 20, 2007 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Berry was in Philadelphia for a showing of her new film "Perfect Stranger." (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images for the Boston Globe) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

(Above – Academy Award winning actress Halle Berry in front of tan wall)

This are three basic rules of thumb. Another factor that needs to be thought about is, what image are you trying to portray in your headshot? Is it for business, acting, modeling, etc.??

 (William Thomas Cain)

(Above – Studio headshot on Grey Backdrop with no highlight on head)

Your headshot should portray what you need it to for whatever the ultimate usage.

Most times what I see that photographers tend to provide for clients is not a true headshot, but a nice portrait. That’s all well and good, but if it doesn’t suit your purpose, it is useless.

REHOBOTH BEACH, DE - JANUARY 25: Deborah Sharp who survived a five day ordeal in which she was raped and kidnapped in 1998, poses for a photo January 25, 2006 in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images) (William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

(Above – Portrait in home)

In my last year working as a staffer at the Philadelphia Inquirer, I worked on the picture desk for a time. In that time, I had many business portraits come though the desk for profiles or news blurbs of people ‘s comings and goings from companies. I’ve seen them all. Nice simple images with a solid grey background to outrageously lit (overlit) headshot with a background of all different colors, cloud backgrounds and lots off what says they are not to be taken seriously. Many of the worst looked like high school portraits. Trust me, you don’t want that.

PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 13: Heather Kumor Photographed by William Thomas Cain/cainimages.com for Fox Rothschild) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

(Above – Studio portrait on white backdrop – 3/4 length for client website in which the 3/4 view was requested)

PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 13: Heather Kumor Photographed by William Thomas Cain/cainimages.com for Fox Rothschild) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

(Above – Studio portrait on white backdrop – full length for client website in which the full length view was requested)

That said. Here are my thoughts on what makes a good headshot for various uses.

I believe that a serious business headshot should generally have the subject fill the frame in a diagonal pose, with their face towards the camera. Hands should not be anywhere near the face and mostly be at your side or folder in front of you and never be part of the composition. And, a grey backdrop is appropriate. A cloud or various color backdrop is highly inappropriate for any kind of business headshot. If you ever go to a photographer that offers you that, run. By all means run like there is no tomorrow. That will not help you to be taken seriously in business.

PHILADELPHIA - AUGUST 9: Professor Jeremy J. Siegel (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Black Star) (William Thomas Cain/Black Star)

(Above – Headshot with more dramatic light on burgundy backdrop as per client request)

A more casual business portrait can be made outside, in a shaded area and either lit by available light or strobes (that means flash). Positioning should be the same as a serious business portrait, but in a nice outdoor setting.

5/13/11 12:53:17 PM -- NEW HOPE, PA. -- Veronica Haggerty -- Photo by William Thomas Cain/cainimages.com (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

(Above – more casual headshot outdoors with available light)

I believe that an acting or modeling headshot should have the same good solid light in the subjects face. Maybe not as three dimensional, but more frontal lighting. Maybe the composition should be slightly more diagonal.

One of the things that many people mistake for a headshot is an image that is more apporopr=iately used asa  portrait. A portrait generally shows more of an upper torso type of image which can or can not include hands. Generally, I always prefer that people rarely place their hands up to their face as the light tends to land on the hands and become a distracting plane in the image.

In the past when I was casting for a photo shoot, I would ask models for headshot. You would not believe how many models think a headshot is a three quarter length image or even worse yet, a full length photograph. I probably don’t need to tell you that those were the first ones tossed in the can because they couldn’t follow directions.  So, when someone asks you for a headshot, please, please, please, make sure that is what you provide. And make damn sure that your photographer can provide what you need to put your best foot forward, whether for business or modeling and acting. If you feel they can’t, move on to a photographer that can do it. Correctly.

4/26/11 2:39:27 PM -- Blue Bell, Pa. -- Fox Rothschild Attorney Jennifer L. Schwartz at work in the Blue Bell, Pa. office April 26, 2011. -- Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images for Fox Rothschild. (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

(Above – In office on location portrait with studio lighting)

When I do a headshot for anyone, the first thing I ask is what is their end goal? What do they want to headshot to show? How would they want to be portrayed? Once I have an idea, we can then plan on wardrobe. I always suggest keeping things simple. In many cases dark earthy colors tend to work best. Stay away from any kind of patterns. That might take away from your face.

Dr. Aakash Shah poses for a photograph outside Robert Wood Johnson Hospital Wednesday, November 16, 2016 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images for Ursinus College) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

(Above – Outdoor portrait lit with a portable strobe and backlit from the sun – the key here was to have the background in shade to make it recede in space)

The way we’ll set up headshot shoots is either individually or have a headshot day where we’ll block out a four hour time slot at a company and they’ll have 8-10 people set up a time for pictures. We actually just did a few headshot shoots over 7 hours where we were able to shoot 35 and 45 respectively.
This is done by bringing my mobile studio on location. It’s pretty simple. Lights, reflectors and a stool. People.

Each of the shoots takes maybe 15 minutes. The subject them will receive a link to a gallery of images for them to choose their favorite. In some cases we’ve actually had them choose the image they prefer on location by providing a laptop and showing  the images as we shoot live.

Next time you have to get a  headshot, think of some of the suggestions I’ve made here. The most important thing is to keep it simple. Show your best self and your headshot will be golden.

 (William Thomas Cain)

(Above – Just for fun – Portrait of dogs outdoors)

The day they retired Dandelion from Crayola Crayons

FORKS TOWNSHIP, PA - MAY 14: Crayola employees work in the crayon factory making and packaging crayons May 13, 2012 at Crayola in Forks Township, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Cain Images) (William Thomas Cain)One of my favorite photographic subjects, and clients @crayola, has decided to retire the color #Dandelion. Wishing him well in his travels and waiting to see what color will replace him. Although it’s hard to replace that shade of #yellow in any #artwork. Hopefully, he, or she will be just as #colorful as Dandelion. This image attached is a photograph I made a few years ago of him coming off the production line at the Crayola #Factory for the first time. If you look real close you can see him on the very top of the dandelion stack.  #NationalCrayonDay #CelebrateDandelion #crayons #crayola #childhood #fun #celebrate #retirement #crayolafactory

The day I met the Berenstains and found we shared the same education and a mutual friend

Back in 2001, on this date as a matter of fact, I had the coolest assignment to photograph Jan and Stan Berenstain, creators of the “Berenstain Bears” childrens’ books.

I was even able to have stuffed versions of Sister Bear, Pappa Bear, Momma Bear, and Brother Bear in the image for fun.
What was supposed to be a 30 minute shoot turned into a 3 hour gab fest. We got to chatting and I mentioned that I had actually studied illustration and painting at University of the Arts, and it turned out that they had gone to the Philadelphia Museum School of Art with my old high school art instructor, Ed Smith. If not for Ed Smith, i may not have been accepted to the school. He wrote me a hell of a recommendation when I applied and also helped me receive a partial scholarship. They told me old stories about their days with Smitty at college and what the school, which eventually became Philadelphia College of Art and inevitably The University of the Arts of today. What a day. What glorious people. Sadly, the Berenstains have both passed on, but their son continues the family business.
As for Smitty. Well, he’s still around. Probably making someone laugh, listening to the Grateful Dead and sketching.

Greatest Chefs In Philadelphia History

I believe this image is from some time in the mid 90’s. I was assigned to shoot an Iamy, or David Iams society assignment. The event was at the home of #Chef George #Perrier (2nd from left). It featured some of the greatest chefs in Philadelphia history cooking on the grill. The one I most remember though, is Chef Tell (left), born Friedman Paul Erhardt who owned Chef Tell’s Manor House in Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania. It was a place that my wife and I frequented often and got to know Chef pretty well. He was a wonderful, jovial fellow always looking to put a smile on your face as well as feed your tummy. I recall one assignment where he was teaching a grilling class at his restaurant. He was showing the folks how to grill steaks. While I was photographing him, after one demonstration he handed me a fork full of steak and wanted me to taste it. As politely as I could, I declined because I don’t eat red meat. He snickered, then put his massive hand upon my shoulder, and squeezing the back of my neck said, “You’ve got ball my friend. No one tells me no.” Uh, oh!! I thought. Scared to death because he was a big imposing fellow. Then he busted out laughing. Received that he didn’t kill me, so did I. He never let me forget that night. Teased me whenever I stopped by.

I have to tell you. I always had the best doing experiences at his place and wish he was still around today. What a nice dude. To this day, I miss that guy.
That said, I can’t recall who the other chefs are in the photo. #cheftell #erhardt #perrier #dining #masterchef #genious #cook #dine #philadelphia #restauranteur #legend #manorhouse #greatfoodgreatcompany #easterbrunch #grill #barbeque

Dentist Cares For HIV Patients

This is from an unpublished photo essay I worked on in 1989 at the Infectious Disease Clinic at Temple University. I spent a few days following around Dr. Michael Glick, who had started the IDC a year earlier. No one in the Philadelphia region was offering dental care to HIV patients at the time. Click and his staff were the only ones doing so that I had found at that time. Here are some archive images, from way back then.

HTML 5 Version Slideshow:


Long Before Teen Mom on MTV

Long before Teen Mom hit MTV screens, way back in 1989, while working for the Philadelphia Inquirer I spent a few days at William Tennent High School in Warminster, Pennsylvania making pictures of a program geared to keep Teen Moms in school. The school, and mostly, Centennial School District, set up a day care program so young women that had children while in high school could keep on attending school and get their diploma. It was pretty simple. The girls would drop of their child before classes started, then go to school. They could come back to visit the children any time during the day. Then would pick them up after school and in some cases, actually do their homework in the day care while waiting for the bus ride home.

Here are some of the images from the package I did in 1989. Images were shot with Tri-X film and probably pushed to 1600 ISO in most interiors with Nikon F3’s as camera of choice.

A teen mom does her homework while her daughter has a snack.

 

Teen mom and her daughter leave for school as her mother says good bye.

Teen mom and her daughter play during lunch break.

A group of teen moms share a laugh in the lunch room.

During lunch, a teen mom sets her daughters hair.

A young boy and girl play in the day care area of the high school.

Diaper changing time for a young child of a teen mom.

Teen mom drops off her daughter at day care at the school.

Lunch time in day care.

While her daughter is in day care, a teen mom chats in class with a friend.

A teen mom pours milk into her daughters cereal before leaving for school.

A child kisses her teen mom goodbye after being dropped off for day care.

Teen mom and daughter arrive for school.

Teen mom has a snack with her daughter.

Baseball, Baseball and more Baseball….

Over the last few days I’ve photographed a few baseball games. It’s actually one of my favorite sports to photograph. Mainly, because of the love I had playing the game in my early 20’s. Although, I pretty much rode the bench, except for that one time….

Picture it: 1987. I’m at the plate. First at bat ever in organized baseball. Take a called strike. Then take another. Count is zero balls and two strikes. And just before the next pitch, the umpire calls the game due to darkness. And that was that. Never played again. It took me a year to make the team, and finally got a shot and it was gone like that.

Anyhow back to shooting. Here is some video and stills from the past weekend. Slide shows and videos.

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Black & White Goose Hunt in Buckingham, Pennsylvania Shot on Film

 (William Thomas Cain)On November 2, 1991 from about 4am until 1pm, Walter Naedele and I spent time with a group of geese hunters as they sought their prey. It was a time when I shot with film cameras.

I remember it being really chilly that morning and loading my Nikon F3 cameras with the Kodak T-MAX 3200 was a bitch. My hands were too chilly to feel anything. After a bit of a struggle the cameras were loaded. T-MAX 3200….what a film. It was almost pitch black when we arrived at 4am. The hunters planned to catch the gases at sunrise, when they were foraging for early morning food. I had and still have a disdain for hunting, but that was my assignment. So, I had to make the images. Besides, if I didn’t someone else would.

That T-MAX 3200 was push processed to 6400 ISO and enabled me to make some really early morning pictures in the duck blind where we were hidden. The images look a bit grainy to me, but worked well considering the lighting conditions.

Once the sun started to come up I was able to switch over to trusty old TRI-X 400 speed film. I do believe that I push processed that to 1600 ISO. Anyhow, here are some of the pictures and a picture of one of the Nikon F3’s and a contact sheet on a light table.

Bill Lewis and Cuddy the dog fetch a goose that fell into the water after hunters shot it Saturday November 2, 1991 in Buckingham, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

While sitting behind the blind, Bill lewis calls geese with a goose call Saturday November 2, 1991 in Buckingham, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Ron Kobli, left, loads his gun as Herb Booth shoots at a goose Saturday November 2, 1991 in Buckingham, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Ron Kobli, left, loads his gun as Herb Booth shoots at a goose Saturday November 2, 1991 in Buckingham, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

A goose lies in the pond after being shot by hunters as decoy geese float and bait the trap Saturday November 2, 1991 in Buckingham, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

A goose lies in the pond after being shot by hunters as decoy geese float and bait the trap Saturday November 2, 1991 in Buckingham, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Bill Lewis places a goose onto a pile of dead geese that they had shot as Ron Kobli fetches the decoys from the pond Saturday November 2, 1991 in Buckingham, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Bill Lewis places a goose onto a pile of dead geese that they had shot as Ron Kobli fetches the decoys from the pond Saturday November 2, 1991 in Buckingham, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Odyssey Of The Mind at Pennsbury High School

SODYSSEY28P From left, Brayden Naskiewicz points to the ceiling while speaking with Thomas Cherian and Heeya Jagirdar of Afton Elementary School as they demonstrate their solution to No-Cycle Recycle during the Southeast Pennsylvania Odyssey of the Mind tournament Saturday February 27, 2016 at Pennsbury High School West in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. (William Thomas Cain/For The Inquirer) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Last weekend I photographed the Odyssey of the Mind competition in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania at Pennsbury High School. The Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Team members apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics.

The competitors solved problems with great presentations.
Here are some clips and the actual images from the event.

SODYSSEY28P From left, Thomas Cherian and Heeya Jagirdar of Afton Elementary School ride on a tricycle the demonstrations their solution to No-Cycle Recycle during the Southeast Pennsylvania Odyssey of the Mind tournament Saturday February 27, 2016 at Pennsbury High School West in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. (William Thomas Cain/For The Inquirer) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

SODYSSEY28P Aiden Ordover, left, and Gabi Warner of New Hope Middle School perform their answer to Aesop Gone Viral during the Southeast Pennsylvania Odyssey of the Mind tournament Saturday February 27, 2016 at Pennsbury High School West in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. (William Thomas Cain/For The Inquirer) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

SODYSSEY28P Judges Olivia Fay, left, and Emily Wieder watch as Afton Elementary School demonstrates their solution to No-Cycle Recycle during the Southeast Pennsylvania Odyssey of the Mind tournament Saturday February 27, 2016 at Pennsbury High School West in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. (William Thomas Cain/For The Inquirer) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

SODYSSEY28P Aiden Ordover, left, of New Hope Middle School answers questions of judges Durrell Reichlin, center, and Raj Setlur, right, about their Aesop Gone Viral during the Southeast Pennsylvania Odyssey of the Mind tournament Saturday February 27, 2016 at Pennsbury High School West in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. (William Thomas Cain/For The Inquirer) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

SODYSSEY28P Celi Quay, left, and Anna Wendell of William Allen Middle School demonstrate their solution to No-Cycle Recycle during the Southeast Pennsylvania Odyssey of the Mind tournament Saturday February 27, 2016 at Pennsbury High School West in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. (William Thomas Cain/For The Inquirer) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

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PIAA District One Basketball Championships in Northampton, Pennsylvania

On Saturday I photographed two District One AAA basketball championship games at Council Rock South in Northampton, Pennsylvania. Check out the slideshows below.

Gwynedd Mercy Academy defeated Villa Maria 54-37.


And Holy Ghost defeated Lower Moreland 74-54.


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Working Without Power On Deadline or Generating Pictures


Wednesday night I photographed a wrestling tournament in Robbinsville, New Jersey for the Burlington County Times. It wasn’t too far from home, so, I decided to leave my laptop at home because there was plenty of time to get there, come back and transmit to the newspaper’s office for layout.

After I finished shooting, I gathered my gear and headed towards the exit and saw people huddled around the door waiting out a torrential downpour. Not good. I shoved my gear under my coat and ran to the car. Made it. not too wet.

Drive home, slowly through the heavy rain. About three miles from home I get away from the rain. My thinking at this point was, “Yeah!!! No more rain.”
Then my wife calls and I thought we may have been flooded. She said no, that wasn’t the case, but there was no power. Great!!

So, I arrive home. Not sure when the power was coming back on I was about to pack up my laptop, in the dark, and head to Starbucks to transmit. Then I remembered, we have a generator. It was still on the back patio because we had set it up in case the ice and snow from a few weeks ago caused a power outage.
I went outside, used my iPhone 6+ as a light source, found the switches and started up that baby. Ok. so, now it’s running. Need to get power cord from there into the house. I did that, but not before getting the cable hooked on a tree and yanking it, thus smacking myself in the face with the end of the cord. Ouch!! Blood. No time to worry. Keep moving.

Once the cord was in the house, I found alight, unplugged from the wall, and plugged into the generator. Now we have light!!!
Next. Get power to the laptop. Found a power strip. Added that to the chain. No laptop is good. Oh no, how can I transmit? No wifi. But yes. I do have wifi. My iPhone 6+ serves as a hotspot. Sweeeeeettt!! Plug that in for power. I am then all set.

Dropped the SD cards into the Macbook Pro. Downloaded. Edited in Photoshop, Photo Mechanic. Pix moved to the office. I had to make sure that I saved the images high enough resolution, but compressed enough to not lose clarity. Save at quality 8 at 300 dpi 8×10. Pix sailed through the phone.

Now for the video. I thought that might be trickier, but I made sure that my video report was 44 seconds so i could save it small. Worked like a charm.
Moved the video, checked in, all was good. Now, I was done.

After I finished. I unplugged everything and then hooked up the fridge, bose and our SiriusXM radio. Had to have food, drink and music while waiting for the power to return. 🙂

I feel asleep, and eventually, at 12:40 AM, I was awoken by all the lights in the house going on. When the power goes out, people generally open every switch in the house like that is going to turn the power back on. All that does is freak you out in the middle of the night an the power comes on. Boy how brightly awake I was.

Looking back today, I realized that generator is wonderfully fabulous!!!!

Eastern Polar Bear Plunge Raises Money For Special Olympics in Bensalem, Pennsylvania


A group of plungers run into the 32 degree Delaware River during the eighth annual Eastern Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Saturday January 30, 2016 at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

A group of plungers run into the 32 degree Delaware River during the eighth annual Eastern Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Saturday January 30, 2016 at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain)

A group of plungers exit the 32 degree Delaware River during the eighth annual Eastern Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Saturday January 30, 2016 at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

A group of plungers exit the 32 degree Delaware River during the eighth annual Eastern Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Saturday January 30, 2016 at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain)

Judy Misoyianis of Vincenttown, New Jersey and Dennis Hart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania dressed as Baby Boomers exit the 32 degree Delaware River during the eighth annual Eastern Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Saturday January 30, 2016 at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Judy Misoyianis of Vincenttown, New Jersey and Dennis Hart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania dressed as Baby Boomers exit the 32 degree Delaware River during the eighth annual Eastern Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Saturday January 30, 2016 at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain)

From left, Amber Kenney, Karli Krug and Adam Bockius exit the 32 degree Delaware River during the eighth annual Eastern Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Saturday January 30, 2016 at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

From left, Amber Kenney, Karli Krug and Adam Bockius exit the 32 degree Delaware River during the eighth annual Eastern Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Saturday January 30, 2016 at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain)

600 souls braved 32 degree water temperatures to plunge into  the Delaware River and raise money for Special Olympics on Saturday at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem.

They helped raise $120,000 during Pennsylvania Special Olympics’ Eighth Annual Eastern Polar Bear Plunge.

For $50 per person, a person could take a dip in the freezing river for a good cause.

Participants waded and splashed their way out into the water and around a banana rescue boat while high-fiving officers as they exited the frigid water.

Members of trevose fire company wore white wedding gowns into the water.

Hot chocolate and coffee was served by duke donuts, a sponsor of the event.

Eastern Polar Bear Plunge in

A group of plungers run into the 32 degree Delaware River during the eighth annual Eastern Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Saturday January 30, 2016 at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

A group of plungers run into the 32 degree Delaware River during the eighth annual Eastern Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Saturday January 30, 2016 at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

A group of plungers exit the 32 degree Delaware River during the eighth annual Eastern Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Saturday January 30, 2016 at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

A group of plungers exit the 32 degree Delaware River during the eighth annual Eastern Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Saturday January 30, 2016 at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Judy Misoyianis of Vincenttown, New Jersey and Dennis Hart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania dressed as Baby Boomers exit the 32 degree Delaware River during the eighth annual Eastern Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Saturday January 30, 2016 at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Judy Misoyianis of Vincenttown, New Jersey and Dennis Hart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania dressed as Baby Boomers exit the 32 degree Delaware River during the eighth annual Eastern Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Saturday January 30, 2016 at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

From left, Amber Kenney, Karli Krug and Adam Bockius exit the 32 degree Delaware River during the eighth annual Eastern Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Saturday January 30, 2016 at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

From left, Amber Kenney, Karli Krug and Adam Bockius exit the 32 degree Delaware River during the eighth annual Eastern Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) Saturday January 30, 2016 at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

600 souls braved 32 degree water temperatures to plunge into  the delaware river and raise money for special olympics on saturday at neshaminy state park in bensalem.

they helped raise $120,000 during pennsylvania special olympics’ eighth annual eastern polar bear plunge.

for $50 per person, a person could take a dip in the freezing river fir a good cause.

participants waded and splashed their way out into the water and around a banana rescue boat while high-fiving officers as they exited the frigid water.

members of trevose fire company wore white wedding gowns into the water.

hot chocolate and coffee was served by duke donuts, a sponsor of the event.

Digging Out After Winter Storm Jonas in Newtown, Pennsylvania

On Sunday I spent part of the morning shoveling and trying to dig myself out from Winter Storm Jonas. Then in the afternoon, I went to make pictures and video of people in the Bucks County area also digging out. Here are some images and the video report.

Tara Grunde-McLaughlin (right) of Newtown, Pennsylvania shovels snow rom the sidewalk while cleaning up after Winter Storm Jonas Sunday January 24, 2016 in Newtown, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Tara Grunde-McLaughlin (right) of Newtown, Pennsylvania shovels snow rom the sidewalk while cleaning up after Winter Storm Jonas Sunday January 24, 2016 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.  (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Jonathan Grunde-McLaughlin (left), 8 of Newtown, Pennsylvania throws snow at his brother Andrew Grunde-McLaughlin, 10, also of Newtown, Pennsylvania a day after Winter Storm Jonas Sunday January 24, 2016 in Newtown, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Jonathan Grunde-McLaughlin (left), 8 of Newtown, Pennsylvania throws snow at his brother Andrew Grunde-McLaughlin, 10, also of Newtown, Pennsylvania a day after Winter Storm Jonas Sunday January 24, 2016 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.  (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Stacey Bancroft of Newtown, Pennsylvania shovels snow from the her porch while cleaning up after Winter Storm Jonas Sunday January 24, 2016 in Newtown, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Stacey Bancroft of Newtown, Pennsylvania shovels snow from the her porch while cleaning up after Winter Storm Jonas Sunday January 24, 2016 in Newtown, Pennsylvania.  (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Jill McDade (left) and Michelle Cunningham, both of Newtown, Pennsylvania walk along State Street as the region cleans up after Winter Storm Jonas Sunday January 24, 2016 in Newtown, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

Jill McDade (left) and Michelle Cunningham, both of Newtown, Pennsylvania walk along State Street as the region cleans up after Winter Storm Jonas Sunday January 24, 2016 in Newtown, Pennsylvania. (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

A vehicle remains snow covered as the region cleans up after Winter Storm Jonas Sunday January 24, 2016 in Newtown, Pennsylvania. (Photo by William Thomas Cain) (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)

A vehicle remains snow covered as the region cleans up after Winter Storm Jonas Sunday January 24, 2016 in Newtown, Pennsylvania. (William Thomas Cain/Cain Images)