Last week, I was able to hang with my old friend and photo buddy Sol Neelman. Back in the Emerald City, Sol had a two-fold mission: to distribute his new “Weird Sports” photo books at Xtreme Pencil Fighting Championships and to participate in Chip Litherland’s FOCUSED project:

“Five fully manual 35mm cameras will be pre-loaded with a single roll of film and packed into five separate camera bags. The bags will be shipped across the world from one photojournalist to the next – one in a small town in the middle of the U.S., another among relief efforts in a natural disaster zone, or working the White House press pool. Each photojournalist will get only one click of the shutter.

Photojournalists will document their photos not only on film, but in hand-written journal entries with quotes and technical specs from each situation. Journal entries will be scanned and published alongside the images on the website along with any future gallery showings and publications.”

Chip’s idea is very cool. Slowing down the process of photography to a single image seems radical when most photographers (including myself) blow through hundreds of images on an assignment. His goal – for photographers to rely more on their senses than technology.

Sol wrote about the experience here, where other photographers will also be recording their happenings along the way. On the FOCUSED website, you can also donate to the project and track the cameras around the world.

Best of luck to all the photographers participating! It was a lot of fun to see Sol choose his decisive moment. Congrats to you! You’re one of my favorite friends and photographers. Honestly, who else is going to snag the www.decisivemotordrive.com?

Rat City Rollergirls’ Brandy Rettig (Rettig to Rumble) signs books with Sol at the Rendezvous Jewelbox Theatre in Belltown. Brandy, also a weird sports aficionado, wrote the forward to the book and is featured in it.

Switching back to digital.

Backstage.

Outgoing John Moffitt, right, and introverted James Carpenter couldn’t be more different, but the Seahawks hope they’ll pair up to give stability and durability for years to come.

To read Seattle Times staff reporter Danny O’Neil’s story: http://bit.ly/pWNuFB

All images copyright Erika Schultz/The Seattle Times

Swimmers practice before competing in the 16-17 team semi-finals during the 2011 eSynchro Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships held June 24-July 2 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way. The competition, which hosts more than 900 athletes from around the country, is the largest synchronized swim meet in the world, said Toby Smith, vice president of competitive operations for USA Synchro.

A swimmer peaks behind the curtains at the eSynchro Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.

Swimmers warm up in the 16-19 age group figure competition on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the 2011 eSynchro Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships.

A swimmer on the Buffalo Swimkins warms up for the figure competition Friday, July 1, 2011 at the 2011 eSynchro Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships.

Westfield Y Aquaducks, celebrate after competing in the 16-17 team semi-finals on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the 2011 eSynchro Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships held June 24-July 2 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.

Teams compete in the 16-17 team semi-finals on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the 2011 eSynchro Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships.

Swimmers warm up for the figure competition Friday, July 1, 2011 at the 2011 eSynchro Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships.

Sydney Sprinkle, of the Seattle Synchro Swim Team, competes in the 18-19 solo semifinals Friday, July 1, 2011 at the 2011 eSynchro Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships held June 24-July 2 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.

Swimmers in the 16-19 age group warm up for the figure competition on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the 2011 eSynchro Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships held June 24-July 2 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way. The competition, which hosts more than 900 athletes from around the country, is the largest synchronized swim meet in the world, said Toby Smith, vice president of competitive operations for USA Synchro. The finals for the 16-19 age groups will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is open to the public. Admission fee for adults is $7 and $5 for seniors and children. Ages 5 and under are free.

Swimmers look at their draw numbers before the figures competition Friday, July 1, 2011 at the 2011 eSynchro Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships held June 24-July 2 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.

Swimmers warm up for the 2011 eSynchro Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships held June 24-July 2 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.

Swimmers in the 16-19 age group warm up for the figure competition on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the 2011 eSynchro Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships held June 24-July 2 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way. The competition, which hosts more than 900 athletes from around the country, is the largest synchronized swim meet in the world, said Toby Smith, vice president of competitive operations for USA Synchro. The finals for the 16-19 age groups will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is open to the public. Admission fee for adults is $7 and $5 for seniors and children. Ages 5 and under are free.

Menomonee Falls Dolphinettes prepare before competing in the 16-17 team semi-finals on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the 2011 eSynchro Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships held June 24-July 2 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.

Swimmers practice before competing in the 16-17 team semi-finals during the 2011 eSynchro Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships held June 24-July 2 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way. The competition, which hosts more than 900 athletes from around the country, is the largest synchronized swim meet in the world, said Toby Smith, vice president of competitive operations for USA Synchro. The finals for the 16-19 age groups will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is open to the public. Admission fee for adults is $7 and $5 for seniors and children. Ages 5 and under are free.

Swimmers in the 16-19 age group warm up for the figure competition on Friday, July 1, 2011 at the 2011 eSynchro Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships held June 24-July 2 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way. The competition, which hosts more than 900 athletes from around the country, is the largest synchronized swim meet in the world, said Toby Smith, vice president of competitive operations for USA Synchro. The finals for the 16-19 age groups will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is open to the public. Admission fee for adults is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and children. Ages 5 and under are free.

The Sacramento Synchronized Swim Team practices Friday, July 1, 2011 at the 2011 eSynchro Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships held June 24-July 2 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.

The last day of the 2011 eSynchro Age Group Synchronized Swimming Championships will be Saturday, July 2, 2011 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way. Admission fee for adults is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and children. Ages 5 and under are free.