EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK

• About the photographer: The Manteca Bulletin is blessed to have a talented photographer such as Hime Romero on our staff.
His joy for his craft — and people — are reflected in virtually every photo he takes. This is actually Hime’s second stint at the Manteca Bulletin. He approached me while still at East Union High (he is a 1991 graduate) to work as a stringer. Hime had the attitude and the burning desire to succeed at photojournalism, which, by the way, is much different than other aspects of photography. He eventually became a weekend photographer for us before taking a job at Food 4-Less and then the Tracy Press before coming back to work for us fulltime a few years ago.
Hime left his beloved career as a newspaper photographer for a period for a bigger reason — the love of his life Deanna. Food 4 Less paid better as a meat cutter. The couple now have four children which appropriately are right up their as the loves of his life along with his wife while photojournalism comes in a close second.
A few more things about Hime. He has immense respect for other photographers including Glenn Kahl — a former studio photographer who has also returned to the Manteca Bulletin where he once worked as city editor — and Rose Albano-Risso who is a solid photographer in her own right and is especially on top of her game when it comes to landscapes and capturing nature in all of its glory.
Hime also rates high in my book for another reason. His high school photography instructor didn’t think much of his ability. He barely pulled a “C” from the class. Hime didn’t let that deter him for pursuing his dreams.
You can see more of Hime’s selections that rank among his favorite photographs from 2008 on the Manteca Bulletin website at www.mantecabulletin.com . By the way, if you haven’t checked out our website for awhile you may find yourself pleasantly surprised at what else you’ll find there.
Hime and the rest of the Manteca Bulletin staff are looking forward to covering area community as we start our 101st year of publication today.