The Camera's Eye: Patrick Barron
If you wish to follow me on social media, I post more than just football photos! In the offseason I photograph wildlife and landscapes at the national parks, so give me a follow if you like grizzly bears and foxes! And Michigan football, of course.
Twitter: @BlueBarronPhoto
Instagram: @BlueBarronPhoto
I also sell wildlife/landscape prints on FineArtAmerica if you'd like to support my photography! Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to sell Michigan sports photos due to my credential agreement. But click the link to go to my store! It's been some time since I've updated so watch out for more additions!
Link
Now with that being said, it's story time.
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On October 24, 2020 I checked into a cheap motel in Fresno, California. The walls were a bit moldy and the bed sheets gave the impression that I should lay out my sleeping bag on top of them so I wouldn't catch something. This was still marginally better than sleeping in my car again. It was the cheapest thing I could find at the time but all that mattered was that it had a 16” television that had ABC at around 480p. It would suffice. Michigan football would soon be on and despite everything going on, I would do whatever it took to watch, especially in the midst of a global pandemic when all of us were searching for any beacon of normalcy. Michigan's 49-24 smothering of Minnesota implied a bright but the reality of the season was one that paralleled my own situation.
I moved to Colorado in the Fall of 2019 to pursue better opportunities in my career and to chase a new love of the mountains. Flights from Denver to Detroit are also relatively cheap so I wouldn't have to give up my coverage of photographing Michigan football. The Denver area seemed like a perfect compromise location for all my interests. I was a contractor for an area aerospace company and at the end of March 2020 my contract was terminated for budget reasons. At this same time, Covid-19 lockdowns were in full effect and I was a sitting duck at home with no job. All I remember from the month of April was playing Animal Crossing and Age of Empires. At one point in May I got drunk and live tweeted the new Cats movie. By August the skies of Colorado were orange and the air smelled like a campfire due to all the wildfires. It was a rough (and weird) time.
[After THE JUMP: wilderness]
By September of 2020 my apartment lease was up and I had no full-time job. Not wanting to pay rent without income in one of the most expensive states in the U.S., I made a difficult but exciting decision to load up my car, a small 2014 Honda Civic, with essentials and camera gear and live on the road, true nomad style. I had a car, a some money saved up, and a determination to get through whatever was about to happen. On the one hand, waking up two weeks in a row with the Grand Teton mountain range outside of my tent and no responsibilities was an unparalleled level of freedom most people don't get to fully experience. But on the other hand, knowing you're unemployed and, actually quite literally homeless and living out of your car, just, like, kind of feels bad, man. Some days I would hike through the most beautiful landscapes you've ever seen. Some days I would get a job rejection email and wonder how long I could realistically keep this up.
Meanwhile, Michigan football had resumed but was having disastrous problems of their own. I don't have any photos from the 2020 Michigan football season. Very few publications were even credentialed for the year, MGoBlog was not one of them. Not that it mattered because in my experience, most Michigan fans don't want to interact with social media posts after a loss anyways. What was your sports fandom rock bottom? The 20-something favorite MSU upset? The end of the Indiana streak? A 38 point loss to Wisconsin? Giving 0-5 Penn State their first win? Going to 3OT with Rutgers? A cherished love of college football was reduced to a shrug and an “oh well,” much like my feelings of most things that year.
Somehow I managed to watch every game. Once a week on Saturdays I would either get a cheap hotel or stay with someone I knew if I was in a familiar area. It was something to at least look forward to. It seemed sublime in a way that Michigan football, a thing I've loved since I was nine years old, and I were both having our own relative versions of hardship at the same time. Sometimes it was fun! I photographed island foxes in the Channel Islands and explored the forests of Olympic State Park! Donovan Jeter scored a touchdown off of the ashes of an eviscerated Minnesota quarterback! But also at one point I was sleeping in my car somewhere around Washington/Idaho in November and woke up every 2-3 hours to start my car and run the heater for a bit because it was getting too cold, which made it easier to forget about Wisconsin's 341 rushing yards I guess.
I camped/slept in my car in I think14 states. I sold nature/wildlife prints and stock photos to make up a bit of the money I was losing. I applied to jobs on my phone anywhere I could find a signal in deserts or forests. I interviewed for a job at a rest stop in Iowa.
Eventually I got the call and in January, 2021 I started a cool new job in Centennial, Colorado. And it was the job on my list that I wanted most.
Also in January, 2021 Jim Harbaugh agreed to a contract extension with a massive pay cut. He replaced a lot of his staff. Later in the year he promised to beat Ohio State or die trying.
Or die trying. What else is there to do when your back is against the wall?
I don't know that I posted a season record prediction publicly, but I was somewhere around the 8-4 crowd. I wouldn't have been surprised by 4-8 or 9-3. I was prepared to call this the Friendships We Made Along The Way season (this is not a good thing to be called). Michigan was given a 2% chance to win the Big Ten and many people I knew were selling their sesason tickets. None of this mattered much to me because I was just excited to be back, especially when I got the best email of the year: “your credential request has been approved”. Suddenly a huge part of my identity had meaning again.
Seeing a full Big House for the Western Michigan game felt like a surreal dream. When I left I wasn't exactly sure it even happened, as if it was something I had accepted a while ago might not happen for a very long time. But it happened, and it was only the beginning.
Seeing a full maize out proved even more surreal. (I mean seriously, I've never seen the fanbase more committed to a maize out, it was incredible, good work everyone).
My new job was going well. I saved up a decent amount of money. I got lucky with some investments. I saw myself in my current scenario for the foreseeable future. At this point in the season, I did something I did not imagine happening a year ago: I bought a house. A “cute” house, well suited for one person. It's in a quiet little neighborhood in Castle Rock, Colorado and I used probably the minimum down payment the lender would allow. The front looks like a bad guy from Super Mario Bros. 2. But in one year I went from homeless to home owner. I closed on the house literally one year to the day after having to leave my old apartment and having to cook canned meals off a backpacking stove out of the trunk of a goddamn Honda Civic in a forest in Wyoming.
Michigan's football team climbed to the top 10. Hassan Haskins hurdled a fool in Lincoln, Nebraska and Erick All ran a crossing route and outran an entire Penn State secondary on an ankle sprain to save the season - especially crucial moments after a tough loss to Michigan State.
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*SIDE NOTE 1: Nebraska is the 14th Big Ten football stadium I've shot a game in. It's been a fun goal to shoot a game in every stadium.
SIDE NOTE 2: below is the most viral photo I have ever taken. I now introduce myself to Michigan fans as "guy who took the burned pants photo". I get a "OH! That was you??" every time. A lady I met on a plane said she was excited to meet a celebrity. Stephen Colbert posted it on tv. I've photographed Michigan football for six years and have photographed 54 national parks but burned pants was actually the winner the universe was looking for. I would like for any other photo to go more viral but this is where I am.
I don't know how else to say it so I'm just going to say it.
Michigan beat Ohio State 42-27
After a 2-4 season and a pre-season where almost nobody gave this team much of a chance, Michigan beat Ohio State 42-27.
If you told me in November of 2020 that Michigan would beat Ohio State I wouldn't have even midwest-nice chuckled or entertained the idea. But they did it. They said they would do it or die trying, and they did it.
I also bought a house. I did it, too. November of 2020 me would not have believed that, either.
When I work the sidelines I do everything I can to act professionally – don't wear team colors, I don't cheer. Half the people working sidelines have some sort of vetted interest but act like this, aside from the occasional comments to one another. At my heart I'm still someone who went to games when I was nine and graduated from the engineering school, but I've learned to internalize my sports emotion when working.
This time I screamed. For this team. For the fans. For everyone who fought from whatever battles they had in 2020 and knocked them out of the park. For this one moment, I broke composure and screamed. Holy hell they did it. I did it. We did it.
This Michigan team was given a 2% chance to win the Big Ten. They never backed down and never stopped believing in themselves.
Look how far we've come. They did it. We made it.
Michigan made it to the College Football Playoffs and I'm living in a damn house that I bought. Michigan returns an elite running game in 2022 and I got a nice raise at my new job after a year. Aidan Hutchinson holding the Big Ten Championship isn't just a Fun Michigan Sports Thing, it's a testament to the bullshit we all endured in 2020 and got through. And got through stronger. A 2% chance is enough, no matter what situation you're in.
Go Blue
January 11th, 2022 at 3:47 PM ^
Good ride, man.
Your wandering in the West may have taken you near one of the first I fought back in the day.
January 11th, 2022 at 4:06 PM ^
Really well said and some great work - thanks for sharing.
Here's to an even better 2022.
January 11th, 2022 at 4:10 PM ^
Hell yeah - well done by you and congrats, and keep up the good work (on both fronts)
January 11th, 2022 at 4:10 PM ^
Whoops - double post, but good job again!
January 11th, 2022 at 4:14 PM ^
Excellent read and visual ride. Congrats on it all.
And speaking personally, I think the pic of the downcast Buckeye superfan (whatever is) is the one that will live longest in legend.
And I really like the one of the field reflected in the trombone bell.
January 11th, 2022 at 4:44 PM ^
That is Big Nut from Fremont, Ohio. His real name is John Peters and he is 54 years old. You can google him and read about him.
January 11th, 2022 at 5:42 PM ^
Big Nut is only 54? Yikes.
January 11th, 2022 at 6:09 PM ^
Not just a fan, but he wants kids to be able to attend Ohio State also.
Ohio State superfan 'Big Nut' gives $51,000 for scholarship fund. FREMONT - Ohio State superfan Jon "Big Nut" Peters is paying it forward to ensure students in Sandusky County who want to go to the Ohio State University will be able to for decades to come.Oct 29, 2020
January 12th, 2022 at 9:22 AM ^
He's also very close with the Lytle family.
January 11th, 2022 at 6:46 PM ^
Losing local hero Charles Woodson to bluer pastures must have been a tough nut for him to swallow.
January 11th, 2022 at 7:15 PM ^
Rob Lytle was also from Fremont and played running back at UM from 1973-1976. He was a consensus first team all american. Denver drafted him in the 2nd round in 1977. He died at the age of 56 in November 2010.
January 12th, 2022 at 1:14 PM ^
Agreed on that shot reflected in the trombone bell - that is extraordinary. Great job!
January 11th, 2022 at 4:34 PM ^
That. Was. Awesome! Happy for you. And for us.
January 11th, 2022 at 4:35 PM ^
Nice article!
January 11th, 2022 at 4:36 PM ^
I recently read Into the Wild and your story reminds me of that journey - living out west, surviving by any means necessary. Thankfully it ended on a much more positive note.
January 11th, 2022 at 4:53 PM ^
All sports fans deserve to see their teams do well at least once in their lifetime. Back in the 90's we buckeye fans were not sure if we would ever see Ohio State win another national championship after Woody Hayes won in 1968. Then it happened with Jim Tressel in the 2002 season and I got to witness it in person in Tempe, AZ.
January 11th, 2022 at 7:01 PM ^
Whenever I get grumpy about Michigan sports, I remind myself that I got to be a student for the '89 Wolverine b-ball NCAA run, same year that we won the Rose Bowl. That's more sports joy than many get to experience in long years of fandom.
January 12th, 2022 at 12:07 AM ^
I was a freshman in 97. We beat OSU at home and I rush the field. A week later we beat Duke at home and I rush the court. Same day Woodson wins the Heisman. I go to the Rose Bowl a month later and we win the championship. Don't think that run is gonna be repeated, heh.
January 12th, 2022 at 2:49 PM ^
Sophomore year for me. Also rushed the field after OSU and went to the Rose Bowl. Punctuated that with driving to Boston in time to scalp tickets to see the hockey team beat BC for the national championship in April.
January 11th, 2022 at 4:58 PM ^
The wildlife photos at the link you provided are stunning. Really, really good stuff.
January 11th, 2022 at 5:08 PM ^
Patrick good at picture, also good at word?
I have to ask, because your own personal journey tracked along with UM Football this past year, are you applying to the Raiders in any capacity?
January 12th, 2022 at 7:16 AM ^
Okay, that one cracked me up.
January 11th, 2022 at 5:09 PM ^
Thank you I love your photos and this post! Go Blue!
January 11th, 2022 at 5:36 PM ^
This is my absolute favorite picture of the season. It captures the years of futility that we have endured in the Big Nut with surreal light snow and the scoreboard in the background.
I don't think that the photo could have been posed this well. Thanks for a job well done.
January 11th, 2022 at 6:00 PM ^
I watched the Rose Bowl and he looked much happier. Maybe one day I'll run into him at a game in the Shoe and talk to him.
January 11th, 2022 at 7:45 PM ^
Mine as well. Pity you can't sell it because I'd buy.
The tuba is another particularly good shot.
January 12th, 2022 at 9:23 AM ^
Looks like a trombone to me.
January 11th, 2022 at 5:43 PM ^
Enjoyed your pictures and your journey. Colorado is a favorite place of mine. Yet to travel many national parks north of I-70. One of these days.
Good luck.
January 11th, 2022 at 6:03 PM ^
Channel Island Foxes are RAD - You got a follower on IG
PS: Thank you for the great story.
January 11th, 2022 at 6:06 PM ^
Thank you so much for sharing. Great piece.
January 11th, 2022 at 7:05 PM ^
The Island Foxes are awesome but then you also realize (thanks to humans) they have become cute seagulls just waiting for food from us. I kind of envy your homeless time. That may sound strange but I think maybe for a day, week, month or even year we might all secretly wish that.
January 11th, 2022 at 7:13 PM ^
wow, that was absolutely fantastic. you should be more proud of yourself than the football team. any employer would be lucky to have someone like you on their payroll. I hope you post here more often and I wish you luck as well.
go blue.
January 11th, 2022 at 7:39 PM ^
Thanks for sharing. I have used your sad Bucknut guy photo to troll countless OSU Twitter posts over the last month, so thanks for that too.
January 11th, 2022 at 8:36 PM ^
Finally after 10 long years, you got to be a troll and celebrate with your team.
January 11th, 2022 at 7:49 PM ^
Logged in to upvote. Your pics are ALWAYS top notch but to detail the strife you endured the last two years adds more understanding about your love of photography. Congrats on being a homeowner and for getting a nice raise. I'll be in touch separately about some of those nature photos. Go Blue Sir Patrick, Go Blue!
January 11th, 2022 at 8:10 PM ^
Great story, great pictures, and good to hear from another fellow wolverine in the Denver(ish) area. I love castle rock more than here in Aurora.
January 11th, 2022 at 8:10 PM ^
Great story, great pictures, and good to hear from another fellow wolverine in the Denver(ish) area. I love castle rock more than here in Aurora.
January 11th, 2022 at 8:10 PM ^
Great story, great pictures, and good to hear from another fellow wolverine in the Denver(ish) area. I love castle rock more than here in Aurora.
January 11th, 2022 at 8:16 PM ^
Nicely done and congratulations on your journey, you’re better for the perseverance and experience.
January 11th, 2022 at 9:38 PM ^
Great article and outstanding photographs!
Congratulations on all the success too this year.
January 12th, 2022 at 1:10 AM ^
Patrick, I don't know you outside your fantastic photos, but I'm really happy for you. After coming out the other side I hope 2022 is an even better year. Go Blue!
January 12th, 2022 at 6:58 AM ^
Thanks for the photos and this well written story. Congrats on the new house and job!
Go Blue and keep taking these great photos!
January 12th, 2022 at 7:13 AM ^
Fantastic work, both the photography and the piece. Congrats!
January 12th, 2022 at 10:05 AM ^
Great work, as always Patrick. It's been a pleasure to work with you over the years!
Now, please exit the field, thank you..
January 12th, 2022 at 10:24 AM ^
Great pics taken in some of my favorite scenery—Arches, RMNP in particular.
January 12th, 2022 at 12:10 PM ^
Cheers to you! Great story and photos, thank you so much for sharing.
January 12th, 2022 at 12:18 PM ^
Does this mean Harbaugh will switch to 2% milk?
January 12th, 2022 at 1:18 PM ^
I agree with everyone else! Great pictures, great story! I got all misty all over again, reading your story about the UM-OSU game. Congratulations and Go Blue!
January 17th, 2022 at 6:26 AM ^
GREAT WORK!
January 17th, 2022 at 6:26 AM ^
THANKS! and GO BLUE!!!
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