Erik Daenitz | Photojournalist

Stills Portfolio

2010-08-24T00:00:00.000-06:00

Deer Valley Windows

2010-05-19T22:31:00.003-06:00

This photo is from April and won the utahphotojournalism.com April Goldeneye award. I saw the windows and liked the division of spaces and had to do a photo.

Pond Skimming at The Canyons

2010-04-01T23:02:00.002-06:00

I covered pond skimming at The Canyons last Saturday. Costumes and props were wide ranging, including bananas, lobsters and tequila super soakers.

Scotty Soltronic

2010-03-30T21:25:00.001-06:00

Here are a few photos from the fall when I spent a day with Scotty Soltronic and my friend Prescott. Check out their Facebook page for more info about them.

iPhone Hipstamatic

2010-03-30T20:53:00.002-06:00

I've been experimenting with my iPhone and a photo app called Hipstamatic. It messes with your photos and gives them the feel of an old medium format print. Here are some from a parade in Park City to celebrate Olympic athletes today.

Main Street Park City

2010-03-23T23:37:00.003-06:00

I was up on Main Street, Park City today and decided to test out my point and shoot camera. Here's some of what I got.

The School of Rock

2010-03-22T22:21:00.000-06:00

I covered the School of Rock Foundation for their Spring concert about a month ago. Here are some of the photos.

Sundance 2010 | Celebrity Sightings

2010-01-27T10:03:00.000-07:00

Actor Justin Bartha, from The Hangover, appeared at the town lift in Park City, Utah on January 25, 2010.

2010-01-20T16:12:00.001-07:00

Paul Brown and Danny Bauer put the finishing touches on a sign at the Sundance House presentedy by HP at the Kimball Art Center on January 20, 2010. To view more photos from the festival become a fan of KPCW on Facebook.

Erik Daenitz/KPCW

Sundance 2010 | Artist Matthew Moore

2010-01-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

Arizona farmer and artist Matthew Moore unloads televisions in preparation for his installation, Lifecycles, at Fresh Market on January 19, 2010. Lifecycles is a multimedia installation that meshes with Fresh Market's produce section as part of the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. To view more photos from the festival become a fan of KPCW on Facebook.

Erik Daenitz/KPCW

Commercial Work Samples

2010-01-18T11:08:00.001-07:00

Photojournalism Work Samples

2010-01-18T11:02:00.000-07:00

Graphic Design Samples

2010-01-18T10:55:00.001-07:00

Kimball Art Center Casino Night

2009-07-01T23:49:00.000-06:00

Check out my latest video!

Student Alumni Tug of War Contest

2009-04-19T19:17:00.000-06:00

The University of Utah Student alumni organization held a tug of war contest Friday at Crimson Nights. The winning team was supposed to win eighth row MUSS tickets but after some controversy all students from the final two teams received tickets. Check out www.dailyutahchronicle.com for my story.

Cathedral of the Madeleine and Organist Andrew Unsworth

2009-04-19T19:09:00.000-06:00

I went down to the cathedral to get some interior architecture shots for a photo class. But, when I walked in I heard the organ playing. I snuck up into the balcony and met organist Andrew Unsworth. He used to play for the cathedral, but he recently got a highly sough after job with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Unsworth was practicing at the cathedral for the choir's performance their tonight in celebration of the cathedral's 100th anniversary.

My photo for class

Organist Andrew Unsworth

Alien Skin Exposure

2009-04-10T21:53:00.000-06:00

I found this new photoshop plug-in that allows you to select traditional film profiles and apply them to your digital images. Here are two test from photos I took a few months ago.

T-MAX 400

Kodachrome 64

University of Utah Gymnastics: Dedication to Success

2009-04-05T20:43:00.000-06:00

The University of Utah Red Rocks put on a show during the season. But, it's the behind the scenes preparation the leads to their success as one of the top teams in the country.

University of Utah Football Scrimmage

2009-04-04T16:01:00.000-06:00

The Utes scrimmaged in preparation for the 2009 season on Friday, April 3, 2009.

Preparation

Skill

Speed

Strength

Rock the U Dance Marathon

2009-03-29T12:14:00.000-06:00

Video from the 26.2 hour dance marathon to raise money for the Huntsman Cancer Institute

University of Utah Evacuated After Gas Leak

2009-03-24T20:23:00.000-06:00

The University of Utah was evacuated Tuesday, March 24 after a large natural gas leak near Guardsman Way forced the university to close. Daily Utah Chronicle photographers covered the scene on the several mile wide campus. Here are some of my favorite photos I took.

Salt Lake City Fire Department Hazmat Company 6 firefighters Mike Stevens and Adam Davies check natural gas levels in the sewer systems on campus near Rice-Eccles Stadium.

U students Ali Sharif, Najid Bamiri and Rahim Ameen evacuate campus after a gas leak near Guardsman Way forced closure of the University Tuesday.

A Salt Lake City fire engine blocks South Campus Dr. near the fieldhouse and Rice-Eccles Stadium Tuesday.

Traffic on South Campus Dr. extended for several blocks as cars were routed away from the location of the gas leak.

Students board a westbound TRAX train after the closure and evacuation of the U. A gas leak near Guardsman Way stopped eastbound trains at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Regular TRAX service resumed at 4:15 p.m.

Salt Lake City police officer and University of Utah student Ryan Speers directs traffic on South Campus Dr. Tuesday.

Salt Lake City Fire Department Hazmat Company 6 firefighters Mike Stevens and Adam Davies check natural gas levels in the sewer systems on campus near the fieldhouse.

Traffic delays on North Campus Dr. ranged from 15 minutes for some vehicles to over one hour for others. The closure and evacuation of the U led to significant congestion in and around campus.

U student Nick Mabey waits at a UTA stop for a late bus. With road closures and students and faculty evacuating simultaneously, traffic caused significant delays to public transportation.

Firefighters descended on campus Tuesday after a gas leak near Guardsman Way prompted an evacuation and closing of the University.

Arte Latino at the Kimball Art Center

2009-03-22T00:07:00.001-06:00

So for my other job I work at the Kimball Art Center in Park City. On Saturday, March 21 we hosted Arte Latino, an event celebrating the work of various Latino artists. This year we had an exhibition titled, Papel Chicano, which consisted of works on paper from the private collection of Cheech Marin. While the adults had fun upstairs we planned several art activities for the kids. Since everyone I work with knows I take photos they had me set up a sort of "photo station" for all the kids to have their pictures taken at.

While taking over 250 portraits can get a little boring there were some cool ones in the bunch. We had kids answer questions and put their answers on a whiteboard that was part of most of the pictures. Yet, it was even more interesting to just watch people waiting to have their picture taken, so I included some of those pictures as well. I also had to get some pics of the volunteers.

What do you want to be when you grow up? / ¿ Que quieres hacer cuando eres mas viejo?

Where are you from? / ¿De dónde eres?

Waiting for pictures / esperando por photos

Sisters / hermanas

Young Artists' Academy volunteers / Academia de artistas joven voluntarios

We also had left over Halloween costumes / Tuvimos disfrazes de Halloween

Throwin' the cape up! / ¡Tirando la capa!

Preparing for pictures / Preparando por photos

A dad agreed to join in haha / Un padre participó

Favorite color? / ¿Color favorito?

Art project complete / Proyecto de arte está completa

Utah Gymnastics vs. BYU

2009-03-21T14:35:00.000-06:00

Pictures from the meet versus BYU on March 20, 2009.

This sport takes preparation

Starting out on bars

Flipping

Trademark move

Good flexibility

On the beam

Crazy

Ty getting the shot

Celebrating the win

MWC Basketball Championship Men's Final

2009-03-21T14:26:00.000-06:00

Some pics from the final versus SDSU

LB shoots

Shaun Green shoots, too

His family celebrates

Nevill fouled

You have to love coach

Do I hear "We Are the Champions?"

MWC Basketball Championship Men's Semifinal

2009-03-21T14:20:00.001-06:00

Photos from the semifinal versus Wyoming

He looks even bigger when you're sitting on the floor at his feet

Scrapping for a loose ball

Driving the lane

Sad to say, but this potential dunk ended in a foul and a miss

Carlon apologizes for missing the dunk

MWC Basketball Championship Women's Final

2009-03-21T14:11:00.000-06:00

Some shots from the final versus SDSU

A quick rest

Making the pass

A tough shot

Celebrating

The coach is happy

The team is happy

MWC Basketball Championship Women's Semifinal

2009-03-21T13:56:00.000-06:00

Photos from the women's semifinal versus New Mexico.

Taking it to the hoop

Nice

Defense

Celebrating a big shot

Thanking the loyal fans

Celebrating the win

Videos/Slideshows

2009-03-19T14:46:00.000-06:00

We've been doing more and more videos and audio slideshows at the paper. Check them out!

Photojournalism Portfolio

2009-03-19T14:30:00.001-06:00

Some images from the last few months at the Chrony

Su Banco

2008-10-12T21:22:00.000-06:00

Su Banco is not just a “survival skills” language program.

Instead, graduates leave Su Banco with advanced English skills in speaking, reading and writing.

“The purpose of the program is to give students the English skills they need to pursue the career they want here,” said Rick Van De Graaf, the program coordinator.

Many of the students already possess professional knowledge that they acquired in other countries, Van De Graaf said. However, their proficiencies with English may not be quite good enough to break into the jobs they desire.

Su Banco was launched in the spring of 2005 to help these individuals. It is offered through the English Language Institute at the University of Utah.

The class was the vision of Theresa Martinez, assistant vice president for academic outreach at the U. With the help of Zion’s First National Bank her vision now is a reality.

The name Su Banco came from Zion’s involvement. It refers to banking services that the bank markets to the Latino community.

All students who are admitted to the program receive scholarships from Zion’s. The scholarship covers 80 percent of the $1,400 cost, and if students complete the three-month class they receive reimbursement for the remaining 20 percent.

“We owe a huge debt of thanks to Scott Anderson,” Martinez said.

Anderson, the president and chief executive officer of Zion’s, was instrumental in getting the program started, Martinez said.

Martinez, a member of Zion’s board of directors, brought the idea of an advanced English language program to Anderson in 2005 after spending a semester interviewing her colleagues in continuing education about her objectives.

Within months Su Banco became a reality and Van De Graaf was hired to coordinate the program and teach the classes.

He brought experience from community-based English language programs and looked forward to teaching students in an advanced class.

“Most of the people at this level are extremely concerned with education,” Van De Graaf said. “They are completely committed to learning English, or they wouldn’t be here.”

Wilder Guadalupe came to the United States with a degree in animal science engineering from Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina in his home country of Peru. One of his goals is to receive a master’s degree in business administration from a university in the United States.

However, in order to be admitted to many universities he must pass the TOEFL, or Test of English as a Foreign Language. Students take the test near the end of the Su Banco class.

“Passing the test will help me reach my goals,” Guadalupe said. “I want to get an MBA degree and after that maybe a Ph.D. I think it’s very important for me to get this type of degree, and it’s another opportunity to improve my English level.”

Guadalupe plans on combining his experience in animal science and business with his continually improving English skills.

His experience buying, selling and trading grains and animal food commodities gives him valuable business expertise along with is understanding of the agricultural industry, Guadalupe said. “After graduation I want to look for a position in a financial institution focusing on agricultural topics and international trade.”

Gloria Villarreal, another Su Banco student is thankful for the opportunity Zion’s Bank has provided students like her.

While Guadalupe looks toward opportunities in business, Villarreal has a different career in mind.

“I like working in computing,” Villarreal said. “I also work for the Salt Lake school district and I am so happy. Everyday, seeing the kids makes me so happy.”

Villarreal took English classes at the Horizonte Instruction and Training Center in South Salt Lake City, but the classes focused mainly on grammar and written English. The Su Banco classes are giving her new exposure to vocabulary and words she never heard before, which helps her communication in all aspects.

“I would like to continue to study until I learn perfect English,” Villarreal said. “I’m not going to stop.”

With her improvements in the English language she brings another skill to her job in the school district.

She serves as a translator between parents, teachers and administration when language barriers exist, she said.

While improving job opportunities is a focal point of all the students, Jaime Mendoza brought up an additional motivation for improving his English skills.

“I have a son who is 4 years old,” Mendoza said. “He spends most of his time with people that speak English. He speaks more English than Spanish, and I want to be able to understand my son. Someday in the future I would like for him to speak Spanish and English well.”

Mendoza, who came to the United States from Peru, began learning English from friends and classes in school. However, he became too busy working to continue with classes.

Now he is dedicating more time to learning.

“It’s very good and very interesting,” Mendoza said. “ I really want to go to school for my family and for myself to be better.”

Su Banco is more than a basic English language class. It demands students’ time and effort.

“We have to study every day,” Gloria Villarreal said. “If we do not do our homework we must go home and not come to class. But I like that. If the teacher is not pushing us we will not study.”

Nevertheless, all of the participants recognize that their hard work will open new doors.

“If we improve our communication we can get a better job,” said Dinora Melendez, another Su Banco student. “That means a better life.”

Niños on Skis

2008-10-12T20:57:00.000-06:00

Twelve years ago the Rev. Bob Bussen, pastor of Saint Mary’s of the Assumption parish in Park City, Utah, saw a divide in the community.

“I noticed that we had challenges in Park City embracing our diversity,” Bussen said. “I challenged the city that we needed to find ways to build bridges, noticing that I needed to do that as well.”

The result of Bussen’s challenge was the Niños on Skis program, which he envisioned as a way for Hispanic and non-Hispanic families and children to come together while having fun skiing.

The success of the program is due in part to the efforts of sponsor families who agree to ski with children who otherwise might not be able to enjoy the slopes of Park City.

In addition, Park City Mountain Resort, Aloha Ski and Snowboard Rental, and St. Mary’s provide equipment and services that make skiing free for children who participate.

Normally, a youth day ticket at the resort costs $50 while passes for Utah students between ages seven to 17 range from $175 to $225. However, the resort’s involvement with the Niños program lifts this burden.

“Park City Mountain Resort has just been fabulous because they give all our kids free passes and make it possible to do everything,” Bussen said. “Aloha we just kind of got to know and they got involved, too. St. Mary’s provides clothes through the St. Lawrence thrift store in Heber City.”

However, these opportunities did not always exist, and it has taken some effort to get the program where it is today.

“We live in this world-class resort and have many Hispanic families here,” said Ernest Oriente, the Niños on Skis program director. “Many of them were going back and forth to work or school every day looking up at these amazing mountains but never getting to experience them.”

Oriente became involved in the program 10 years ago after reading about it in a church bulletin. With Puerto Rican heritage on his mother’s side of his family, Oriente identifies with diversity and the need to extend opportunities to all.

“We must remember that we are a nation of immigrants,” Oriente said. “We are a melting pot of cultures.”

Starting out with eight children, the Niños program has consistently grown under Oriente’s direction. This year 51 boys and girls participated.

“Ernest and Father Bob collaborated on the program,” said Garrett Glenn, a Park City High School student who volunteers with the program. “Ernest is the director and does a lot of the work, and Father Bob is there to provide support.”

Niños on Skis enables children with minimal or no ski experience to eventually ski some of the most challenging terrain at the resort, such as runs off the Jupiter lift, which services black and double black diamond terrain.

“My favorite part of the mountain is King Con, but I’ve been up to Jupiter too,” said Martin Heredia, 9, who began learning to ski with the program two years ago.

The ability of new participants to rapidly improve their skills is due mainly to the structure of the program.

During the first three Saturdays of December, sponsor families pick up the children and bring them to the resort by 9 a.m. Half an hour later children are grouped based on skill level and experience with ski instructors who teach the children until noon.

After the free lessons, all of the children, instructors, and sponsor families converge at the bottom of the Payday lift and head to lunch at the resort center.

“It’s not unusual that lunch will run over $1,000,” Oriente said. “Lunch is paid for by St. Mary’s church and wonderful donations that are given to us by the community.”

When participants are filled up and warmed up, the sponsors take the children back out if they want to continue skiing into the afternoon.

“After the first three Saturdays it’s ski whenever you want and as much as you want with the children,” Oriente said. “The kids I have now, we’ve skied over 15 times with them already.”

Also, many times a boy or girl will be paired with a sponsor who is in middle school or high school, fostering new friendships.
Jessica Murphy, a 9th grade student at Treasure Mountain International School, skis with Oladyd Angeles, a 2nd grade student at Trailside Elementary School.

The two ski together throughout the season and Murphy further aids Angeles in learning better technique.

“I usually go in front and she follows,” Murphy said.

Angeles, who has lived in Park City her whole life, said she likes the mountains and that her favorite part of the program is getting to ski.

Another pair who ski together is the duo of high school student Garret Glenn and Martin Heredia, a 4th grade student at McPolin Elementary School.

“I like the big jumps,” said Heredia, when discussing his favorite part of skiing. “But I’ve made friends, too.”

When skiing together, Glenn said he prefers to let Heredia lead as he watches from behind to make sure Heredia is OK.

“It’s a good program,” Glenn said. “I like to be able to ski with him and help him out, help him get a little more practice and experience.”

Although he is only 9, Heredia already has a plan for his skiing future.

“When I am older I will teach other people to ski, too,” he said.

These examples of service and friendship illustrate that the program is about much more than just skiing.

“In my opinion this program has gone on to become the most interconnected relationship between the Hispanic and non-Hispanic community that exists in Park City,” Oriente said. “This is more than a cursory event. This can be a 12-month relationship, an ongoing relationship that takes many shapes and forms.”

While the Niños program fosters these connections, St. Mary’s is behind other efforts to improve integration.

“We have Spanish masses, but we also have a bilingual mass that we do during Lent and Holy Week,” Bussen said.

He also said he has seen improvements in the school systems, healthcare services and with other programs such as the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program, the Boy’s and Girl’s Club and the tennis program that St. Mary’s helps run.

In fact, the children who participate in Niños on Skis can segue straight into St. Mary’s tennis program, Oriente said. It provides another opportunity for interaction and learning by allowing boys and girls to transfer from a winter sport to a summer sport.

It seems that the divide that once existed in Park City is being joined.

“You keep making steps, you keep making strides,” Oriente said. “ I don’t know about the rest of Utah, but I know that in my own world in Park City we care. In the Niños program we can’t touch 10,000 lives, but I know we can touch the lives of 51 children, and that for me means a lot. I know that in some small way we are making a contribution.”