He's Gone!

Today's assignment took me to Clemson to photograph my 31st Clemson-USC rivalry game. (I started shooting this game when I was a teenager.) 

I usually shoot from the field but decided to capture action from the camera deck to get a different angle. 

Below, South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers leaves Clemson behind on his way to a big gain during today's Palmetto Bowl in Clemson. (Photo by Travis Bell)

No Sun But a Lot of Color - Clemson Tiger Paw on Bowman Field

On Sunday, I got up at 6:15am, knocked down 75mg of caffeine, then headed out to photograph the sun rising on Tillman Hall. It was all clouds, no sun, so I made this self portrait for the scrapbook. 

I love this area on Bowman Field in front of Tillman. 

In 1960, my father was standing near this spot when the strap on his snare drum snapped and he had to chase the rolling drum down the hill for over 100ft. He was playing in the Lancaster (SC) High School band during homecoming weekend at Clemson. 

My dad was at Clemson 1960, I've been photographing Clemson football since I was a teenager and now my son, Hunter is a sophomore at Clemson.

Olympic-Style Touchdown - Clemson vs Louisville - Tyler Shough Touchdown Flip

Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough does a Simone Biles into the endzone for a touchdown against Clemson on Saturday. 

For more of my sports images, visit my website. 

Photo by Travis Bell, ©Copyright Protected Image

Who's This Guy On The Field With Me?

What a fun day in Clemson as my son, Hunter, joined me for the first time on the sidelines for the Clemson-Virginia game on Oct. 19. 

He did an amazing job!

His image of head coach Dabo Swinney running down the hill was used by The Post and Courier, which is a member of my wire service, Sideline Carolina. 

The P&C used it in print, on their mobile app, website and on social media. Below is how it looked in print. 

I started photographing college and pro football when I was 19 years old. This was definitely the best day ever on the field. 

"You Are Looking Live" - SEC Network Turns 10

10 years ago today, sports broadcaster Brent Musburger walked onto the ESPN set in Charlotte to help launch the all new SEC Network. (Photo by Travis Bell/ESPN Images)

Visit my website for more of my Production Stills work.

Here's One For The Wall - Justice John W. Kittredge Swearing-In Ceremony

Gov. Henry McMaster presents new Chief Justice John W. Kittredge with a proclamation during a swearing-in ceremony at the South Carolina Supreme Court on Thursday. (Photo by Travis Bell for The S.C. Bar)

Carolina Panthers at Take Five Oil

Thanks to Take Five Oil Change or asking me to photograph their NFL event. 

Here, Nicole Gentry takes a selfie with Carolina Panthers mascot Sir Purr while getting an oil change. 

Photo by Travis Bell/For Take Five Oil Change. ©travis bell / creative, llc

That 5-Hour, 13-Inning Clemson Game

Clemson's Super Regionals game vs. Florida Sunday was the most entertaining and crazy baseball game I've ever covered. 

Tough loss for Tigers but I love the strategy that Coach Bakich took in getting ejected. 

It fired up a crowd that had deflated in extra innings, mostly because it was hotter than a swamp in August. 

Photo by Travis Bell

That's One Shell of A Turtle

Always get excited about checking out The Coca-Cola 600 race on Memorial Day weekend.

In 1997, I was photographing practice at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Dale Earnhardt Sr. asked me if I could send pictures to The Associated Press. I told him I could and he invited me out to his truck. His daughter, Taylor, had found a turtle on their farm the night before that had multiple number 3s on its shell.

Earnhardt told Taylor he would try to get it published so everyone could see it.

He pulled the turtle out of big bag in the back of his truck and I made a few pictures of it walking around in the bed of the truck. We ran the picture in The Herald the next day and papers around the country ran the photo via AP.

The next day I was walking from the garage towards Turn 4 to the tower outside the track (which was a hike). Earnhardt was leaving after practice, stopped and rolled down the window and told me thanks for getting the picture out to the media. He asked me where I was headed and gave me a ride to the tower.

We mostly talked about how he ran several races in Lancaster in the 70s and also he had eaten fried squash from The Wagon Wheel a few times over the years. NASCAR was a fun sport to cover because the drivers were much more accessible than other sports.

Close Enough For A High Five - Warbirds in Ninety Six SC

Editor of the magazine says, "Travis, you ok going up in an 80-year-old WW2 plane for us to make pictures of another WW2 plane?"

I said sure. I'm not afraid of heights and I had heard of the operation in Ninety Six, SC that flies the planes. Good people.

I get there and the pilot goes over safety guidelines, including how to open the canopy for photography during the flight and use the parachute if needed.

What no one told me is that after we took off, the other plane, at left, was going to fly up beside us and be close enough for me to toss the pilot a sausage biscuit.

I yelled out to the pilot in front me "Whoooooooa Dude! Is this supposed be happening? He's close enough to give us a high five."

He said it was perfectly normal. "We're good!" he said.

Thank God cause I though I was about to go break bread with Moses. (Photo by Travis Bell)

Interesting Note: The previous owner of the airstrip was a retired stuntman for James Bond movies. No joke. Right in little ol' Ninety Six.

Launch Shot - Hootie at Bulls Bay Tournament

South Carolina's Gene Zeigler watches his bunker shot head towards the hole during Tuesday's Hootie at Bulls Bay tournament in Charleston. 

For more sports images, visit my website.

(Photo by Travis Bell)

Barnes & Noble Opens in Columbia

Thanks to Barnes & Noble for hiring me to photograph their opening weekend at the new Garners Ferry location in Columbia, including the space before opening the doors and after.

Amazing staff to work with and there's something interesting to photograph at every turn.

(Photos by Travis Bell/for Barnes and Noble)

Visit my website for images from my events portfolio.

Shining Swing - Darius Rucker Intercollegiate on Hilton Head Island

South Carolina's Vairana Heck pushes through a swing during Wednesday's Darius Rucker Intercollegiate tournament at Long Cove Club on Hilton Head Island. 

Below, Rucker, congratulates the team on a strong showing. (Images by Travis Bell) 

Rocket In The Sky

North Carolina's Elly King blasts through the air after exploding off the vault during Friday's gymnastics meet in Clemson. (Photo by Travis Bell) 

Cruise Control

The Tiger glides up and down the court on a scooter while wearing goggles during a break in action of the Clemson - Florida State men's basketball game at Littlejohn Saturday night. (Photo by Travis Bell)

Tarheels Gymnastics

North Carolina's gymnastic team celebrates after a solid performance on the beam against Clemson Friday night at Littlejohn Coliseum. (Photo by Travis Bell)

LSU Fights Back To Upset Gamecocks

LSU's Hunter Dean dunks over South Carolina during second-half action in Columbia Saturday. (Photo by Travis Bell) 

For more of my sports action images, visit my website. 

GG Jackson Returns to Columbia

Former Gamecock GG Jackson hugs a staff member during halftime of the LSU game in Columbia Saturday. The Memphis Grizzlies rookie was in town as part of the South Carolina Legends Weekend. (Photo by Travis Bell)

Catherine Templeton Is Running For Congress

Thanks to Charleston's Catherine Templeton for asking me to create portraits for her campaign. Catherine is running for Congress. 

Photo by Travis Bell. For more of my portrait work, visit www.travisbellcreative.com

Clemson Goes On 24-3 Run To Beat Miami

Clemson head coach Brad Brownell gives a few words of encouragement to Ian Schieffilin during Wednesday's game against Miami. (Photo by Travis Bell) 

PJ Hall drops of two points against Miami. The Tigers went on a 24-3 run in the last 7 minutes of the game to beat the Hurricanes. (Photo by Travis Bell) 

She's More Than Just a Fan

Thanks to my friend and photographer Jeff Blake for this photo from a recent Gamecocks men's basketball game. During a timeout, I asked Coach Staley what goes through her mind when she's watching a men's game. 

She said "I'm just a fan today Travis. No stress. I just enjoy the action." No joke. 30 seconds later she was yelling at one of the USC players, saying "Protect your teammate. Protect your teammate!!!" 

I guess it's just in her blood. 

Gamecocks Promo

South Carolina's Raven Johnson and the Gamecocks are hosting a battle against UConn Sunday. (Promo from X)

(Photo by Travis Bell)

View more Gamecock images on my website. 

Electric Day at The Statehouse

Linemen gather in Columbia Thursday during the S.C. Electric Co-op Day At The Statehouse. Over 300 statewide co-op members had their photograph made with the governor and also met with legislators. (Photos by Travis Bell) ©Copyright

For more event and portrait images visit my website. 

Rock Stars at The Statehouse

Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney and South Carolina head football head coach Shane Beamer spoke to legislators today about NIL at the statehouse. (Photo by Travis Bell)

Visit my sports portfolio for more images of Clemson and South Carolina athletics. 

Rainbow in The Mist

While driving from Columbia to my hometown Lancaster Tuesday, a flash of light sparked across the water as I was crossing the Nitrolee Dam bridge.

I thought, "Maybe that was rainbow" but I wasn't sure. 

I turned around and came back to discover is was a rainbow, so I had to stop and make this picture. 

Bonaparte gulls (the smaller birds) migrate at the dam this time of year. 

The mist was exploding off the water, going as high as the dam, creating the rainbow. 

Photo by Travis Bell ©Copyright Protected Image

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