Robot Turtles board game | Recent work for The New York Times

Education, My work, photojournalism, Published work, Still photography, Tech stuff

“Dan Shapiro sold a company to Google and worked at Microsoft. His name is on nearly a dozen technology-related patents. But when it came time for his latest venture, Mr. Shapiro turned to technology to produce something decidedly low-tech: a board game for children. Technology, by all rights, should have killed old-fashioned games, which can never equal the eye-popping graphics, visceral action and immense online communities of today’s video games. Yet the opposite has occurred.” That’s an excerpt from the story that ran on A1 in today’s issue of The New York Times, by Nick Wingfield. Shapiro’s game is Robot Turtles and it’s designed to covertly teach kids basic computer programming skills. I hung out with Shapiro and his kids while they played the game.

This was a fun little assignment, with nice people. Have a look at one image that ran with the story and some outtakes below. Read the story here.

 

Dan Shapiro, center, plays Robot Turtles with his kids, both 5, at his home in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014. Robot Turtles, created by Shapiro with help from his kids, is a board game designed to subtly teach players aged 3-8 basic computer programming skills.

 

Robot Turtles cards are pictured during game play at the home of Dan Shapiro in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014.

 

Dan Shapiro, left, plays Robot Turtles with his daughter at his home in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014.

 

Dan Shapiro’s son, left, plays Robot Turtles with his dad and sister at their home in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014.

 

A Robot Turtles board is pictured during game play at the Shapiro home in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014.

 

Dan Shapiro, center, plays Robot Turtles with his kids at his home in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014.

 

Dan Shapiro moves pieces on a Robot Turtles board during a game with his kids at his home in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014.

 

Dan Shapiro, top, plays Robot Turtles with his kids at his home in Mercer Island, Washington on April 28, 2014.

 

 

Seattle May Day Photos | Recent Work for Reuters

My work, photojournalism, Published work, Seattle, Still photography

A woman picks up a sign during a May Day demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Sponsored by El Comite and the May First Action Coalition, this is Seattle’s 14th annual “May Day March and Rally for Workers and Immigrant Rights.”   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

Araceli Jaime dances in a traditional Aztec costume during a May Day demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Sponsored by El Comite and the May First Action Coalition, this is Seattle’s 14th annual “May Day March and Rally for Workers and Immigrant Rights.”   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

People march down Jackson Street during a May Day demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Sponsored by El Comite and the May First Action Coalition, this is Seattle’s 14th annual “May Day March and Rally for Workers and Immigrant Rights.”   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

A demonstrator, who accidentally tripped and fell, receives help from a friend during a May Day demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Sponsored by El Comite and the May First Action Coalition, this is Seattle’s 14th annual “May Day March and Rally for Workers and Immigrant Rights.”   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

Participants chant during a May Day demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Sponsored by El Comite and the May First Action Coalition, this is Seattle’s 14th annual “May Day March and Rally for Workers and Immigrant Rights.”   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

A spectator watches participants march during a May Day demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Sponsored by El Comite and the May First Action Coalition, this is Seattle’s 14th annual “May Day March and Rally for Workers and Immigrant Rights.”   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

Itzel Santiago (C) carries her daughter, Yaretzi, 3, during a May Day demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Sponsored by El Comite and the May First Action Coalition, this is Seattle’s 14th annual “May Day March and Rally for Workers and Immigrant Rights.”   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

A protestor marches during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

Protestors march during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

Protestors tussle with men dressed in costumes during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

A counter protestor (C, white shirt) tackles an anti-capitalist protestor during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.

 

Protestors surround a motorist during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.

 

Police target protestors with pepper spray during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

A protestor reacts to being hit by pepper spray and then treated with a milky liquid during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

A protestor taunts a police officer during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

Police yell during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

A protestor gets treated with a milky substance after being hit by pepper spray during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.

 

Protestors add garbage, signs, and other fuel to a fire in the middle of an intersection during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets and demonstrated late into the night, with intermittent violence and at least seven arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

A flag is pictured near a fire in the middle of an intersection during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets and demonstrated late into the night, with intermittent violence and at least seven arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

As a bonfire burns, police rush into an intersection and arrest a protestor during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets and demonstrated late into the night, with intermittent violence and at least seven arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

Police arrest a man during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets and demonstrated late into the night, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

Police arrest a man during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets and demonstrated late into the night, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

Police arrest a man during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets and demonstrated late into the night, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

 

Police secure the street near a statue of Seattle icon Jimi Hendrix during an anti-capitalist demonstration in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2014. Hundreds marched through the streets and demonstrated late into the night, with intermittent violence and at least nine arrests made.   REUTERS/David Ryder

Bikini Skiing Photos | Recent Work for Reuters

My work, photojournalism, Published work, Sports, Still photography

Snowboarders prepare to compete in the Bikini & Board Shorts Downhill at Crystal Mountain, a ski resort near Enumclaw, Washington April 19, 2014. Skiers and snowboarders competed for a chance to win one of four season’s passes. REUTERS/David Ryder

 

Skiers prepare to leave the starting line during the Bikini & Board Shorts Downhill at Crystal Mountain, a ski resort near Enumclaw, Washington April 19, 2014.

 

Skiers and snowboarders brave the cold while riding a chairlift during the Bikini & Board Shorts Downhill at Crystal Mountain, a ski resort near Enumclaw, Washington April 19, 2014.

 

Skier Ken Dam enjoys the cold but sunny weather while riding a chairlift during the Bikini & Board Shorts Downhill at Crystal Mountain, a ski resort near Enumclaw, Washington April 19, 2014.

 

(L to R) Natasha Aslani, Annie Kearby, and Megan Craft prepare to compete in the Bikini & Board Shorts Downhill at Crystal Mountain, a ski resort near Enumclaw, Washington April 19, 2014.

 

Skiers leave the starting line during the Bikini & Board Shorts Downhill at Crystal Mountain, a ski resort near Enumclaw, Washington April 19, 2014.

 

A skier crashes during the Bikini & Board Shorts Downhill at Crystal Mountain, a ski resort near Enumclaw, Washington April 19, 2014.

 

Spectators drink and enjoy the Bikini & Board Shorts Downhill at Crystal Mountain, a ski resort near Enumclaw, Washington April 19, 2014.

 

A snowboarder attempts to keep up with his competitor during the Bikini & Board Shorts Downhill at Crystal Mountain, a ski resort near Enumclaw, Washington April 19, 2014.

 

Snowboarders leave the starting line during the Bikini & Board Shorts Downhill at Crystal Mountain, a ski resort near Enumclaw, Washington April 19, 2014.

 

A skier braves the cold while riding a chairlift during the Bikini & Board Shorts Downhill at Crystal Mountain, a ski resort near Enumclaw, Washington April 19, 2014.

 

Skiers compete in the Bikini & Board Shorts Downhill at Crystal Mountain, a ski resort near Enumclaw, Washington April 19, 2014.

 

Skiers compete in the Bikini & Board Shorts Downhill at Crystal Mountain, a ski resort near Enumclaw, Washington April 19, 2014.

 

Claire McGuire (C) is all smiles after winning the women’s snowboard division of the Bikini & Board Shorts Downhill at Crystal Mountain, a ski resort near Enumclaw, Washington April 19, 2014.

 

Claire McGuire (L) gets a hug after winning the women’s snowboard division of the Bikini & Board Shorts Downhill at Crystal Mountain, a ski resort near Enumclaw, Washington April 19, 2014.

Into the Mud: Video Work for The Weather Channel

Multimedia, photojournalism, Published work, Video

“If I close my eyes for more than five seconds, I see that wall of mud.”

Robin Youngblood faced certain death yet survived the devastating March 22 mudslide near Oso, Washington. You can listen to Robin’s powerful reflections on her experience below, along with words from Kris Langton, who helped rescue four people.

I interviewed the two for an in-depth online feature for The Weather Channel that you can see here at Weather.com. Be sure to set aside some time to read the powerful written piece by Stacey Solie.

You’ll also see a lot of photos by me and my colleagues, made throughout the two weeks following the tragic first day.

Robin Youngblood stands for a portrait on April 3, 2014 in Marysville, Washington. (Photo by David Ryder/weather.com)

 

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“If I close my eyes for more than five seconds, I see that wall of mud.” -Robin Youngblood

I’m proud today to finally share an in-depth feature for The Weather Channel called Into the Mud: Untold Stories of the Snohomish County Mudslide. You can hear from Kris Langton, who helped rescue four people, or Robin Youngblood, who faced certain death yet survived. I contributed two videos and some photos, and Stacey Solie wrote a very moving piece.

The online layout is engaging and you can see it here:http://stories.weather.com/mudslide

#530slide #osostrong