Kent D. Johnson's best photos for the AJC

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The best of AJC photographer Kent D. Johnson

Atlanta Journal-Constitution Visuals Editor Kent D. Johnson died on Aug. 5, 2017. Here are some of the photos that he selected as his best.

AJC visuals editor and photographer Kent D. Johnson died Aug. 5, 2017 while on assignment. Here are some of Kent's favorite photos that he took for the paper over the years, with some of his own commentary. This photo was taken in 2015 at the end of the APS trial, which Kent covered daily.

I'm a New York Yankee by birth but I also spent a lot of time in Oklahoma with grandparents growing up. I also worked on a small-town newspaper in their town. I was introduced to rodeo rather rudely when a steer ran over my foot at the county fair. Since then I've been hooked. I always wanted to shoot the Bill Pickett Invitational rodeo and in 2010 I had that chance. Tory Johnson of Oklahoma City, dismounts while taking down a steer during bull-doggin' action Oct. 3 in College Park.

Atlanta--Haley Blankenship, 5, prays during the State of Georgia's Memorial Day Ceremony at the state capitol Thursday May 25, 2011. Blankenship's cousin Sgt. Jonathan Peney, was killed June 1, 2010. He was among 22 Georgia soldiers who have given their life for their County since May 27, 2010. Her father is currently in boot camp.

This is one of my favorites from 2012. This pint-sized drum major shows all the spirit of his larger namesakes. January 16, 2012 STONE MOUNTAIN Roderick Norwood Jr, honorary drum major for the Ronald McNair HS band, performs as the band marches in the 9th Annual Martin Luther King Holiday parade sponsored by the Dekalb County chapter of the NAACP, in Stone Mountain Village Monday January 16th, 2012. Kent D. Johnson, kdjohnson@ajc.com NIKON D2Hs, ISO 800, 1/320, f11, 300mm

I didn� get much of a chance to shoot sports this year, but I managed to get some shots of a game or two leading into the HS playoff season. February 17, 2012 LITHONIA Chamblee's Quinton Walker #44, has his shot blocked by Southwest's William Goodwin #2, during action Friday night. Southwest Dekalb Panthers versus Chamblee Bulldogs in high school basketball action in the Region 6-AAAA basketball tournament at Miller Grove High School Friday February 17, 2012 The Panthers beat the Bulldogs 82-62. Kent D. Johnson, kdjohnson@ajc.com NIKON D3, ISO 3200, 1/250, f2.8, 70mm

We covered the arrival of the President on a campaign stop earlier, but didn� have anyone to cover the late night departure. I decided to volunteer after working on the desk earlier in the day. It made for a long day, but was also one of the highlights of the year. March 16, 2012 HAPEVILLE President Barack Obama boards Air Force One for his flight back to Washington following a campaign stop in Atlanta Friday March 16, 2012. President Obama landed in Atlanta on Friday for a number of campaign events that were expected to raise several million dollars for his 2012 re-election bid. Kent D. Johnson, kdjohnson@ajc.com NIKON D3, ISO 6400, 1/125, f2.8, 400mm

After 11 years, it was becoming difficult to get an original image from the annual 9-11 remembrances. This one jumped out at me as the fire department was hanging the flag prior to the ceremony. September 10, 2012 ATLANTA Atlanta Fire Rescue Sgt Ferrell Davis secures a 50-foot American flag from the raised ladder of Truck 1 before the citiy� 9-11 ceremony Monday, September 10, 2012. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the Atlanta Police Department at the Public Safety Headquarters in the courtyard at 226 Peachtree Street, SW. Atlanta Police Chief George N. Turner provided opening remarks. Public Safety Chair, Council Member Michael Bon, police and officials laid a wreath before closing remarks by Atlanta Fire Rescue Chief Kelvin J. Cochran. KENT D. JOHNSON / KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM NIKON D3, ISO 500, 1/320, f9, 180mm

Street artists painting buildings in vibrant colors and strong shapes, what's NOT to like about shooting that? October 26, 2012 ATLANTA Mural artist Born works on a mural on Broad Street Friday afternoon. Elevate South Broad Mural Project: Entire Block Gets An Artistic Facelift! The City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs is presenting Elevate, a contemporary art series, all this week in downtown Atlanta. Five world-class muralists are painting an entire block of buildings on South Broad Street! Visitors and residents of the area are watching the work of artists Hense, Tilt, Push, Sever and Born as they transform the neighborhood. All the artists will be there tomorrow afternoon from Noon-6 pm up on lifts, busily working on the project.For more details: http://www.ocaatlanta.com/Elevatesouthbroad KENT D. JOHNSON / AJC

This is one of my most memorable shots of 2012. Most of us think of cops as stone faced individuals that are either attacking crime or giving us an unwanted ticket. This shows that there� another side, that most folks won� see. November 9, 2012 ATLANTA Childhood friend and fellow APD officer Sgt Archie Ezell is overcome by emotion as he told the audience at fellow officer Richard Halford� funeral, "He was bigger than life." He and Halford met as 13 year old boys while playing football in Columbus GA. APD Officer Richard Halford's funeral services were held Friday, November 9th at Jackson Memorial Baptist Church, 534 Fairburn Road NW, Atlanta 30331. Halford was piloting an APD helicopter searching for a missing 9-year-old boy last week when the helicopter crashed killing both officers on board. KENT D. JOHNSON / KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM NIKON D4, ISO 3200, 1/160, f5, 300mm

DECEMBER 31, 2012 ATLANTA The crowd celebrates the New Year at Underground Atlanta for the 24th annual Peach Drop in downtown Atlanta Tuesday January 1, 2013. A crowd of a hundred thousand people watched the Peach Drop and fireworks signaling the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013 KENT D. JOHNSON / KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM It was my first time covering the annual event ushering in the New Year in Atlanta. I decided that an elevated position, from a roof around Underground would give me the best vantage point also allowing me to transmit the photos as soon as possible. Made with NIKON D4, 15mm, f/4, 1/160 sec, 5000 ISO.

Most HBCU college alumni are fiercely loyal to their schools and for one of the original Atlanta University Center schools, Morris Brown alums are no different. Even though the school has fallen on very hard times, they still managed to hold one of their most memorable events. October 18, 2012 ATLANTA Morris Brown sophmore class president Rashad Davis-Gladney celebrates at the end of the Miss Morris Brown coronation ceremony Thursday October 18. On Aug. 25, Morris Brown College filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection, giving them 90 days to come up with a plan that would prevent parts of the heavily indebted school from being sold at action. Saturday, October 20 marks day 57, but it also marks Homecoming for the school that many people would argue has very little to celebrate. Yet, alums are gearing up to revisit the campus this week to reflect on the past - although there is little indication that the celebration will lead to anything - unless, as economist Bill Dickens said, "A man on a white horse comes into the stadium at half-time with a $30 million check." KENT D. JOHNSON / KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM NIKON D3, ISO 2000, 1/60, f9, 19mm

LEDE JANUARY 5, 2013 STONE MOUNTAIN A cannon shot punctuated the Stone Mountain Village's celebration in honor of the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in Stone Mountain Saturday, January 5, 2013. KENT D. JOHNSON / KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM I� a big history buff and also can� resist photographing whenever someone� shooting a cannon off. Getting the muzzle flash is a bonus. Made with NIKON D3, 56mm, f/4.5, 1/3200 sec, 640 ISO.

JANUARY 7, 2013 ATLANTA Rev Jesse Jackson Sr shares a moment with Congressman Lewis during the recessional. The services for Mrs. Lillian Miles Lewis, wife of U.S. Rep. John Lewis, were held at Ebenezer Baptist Church Monday January 7, 2013. Rep. Lewis and his wife were married there 44 years ago. Reverend Jesse Jackson, former Ambassador Andrew Young, Xernona Clayton Brady, Christine King Farris and Anita Hill were among those giving remarks and remembrances. Singer Jennifer Holliday performed "The Last Mile of the Way." Reverend Raphael Warnock, Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, gave the eulogy. KENT D. JOHNSON / KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM I�e been honored to cover some of the Civil Rights era's most notable personalities. I wanted to show how these are normal folks that were put into extraordinary circumstances. When Rev Jackson leaned down to comfort Rep Lewis, I knew I had the moment. Made with NIKON D3, 200mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec, 3200 ISO.

JANUARY 26, 2013 ATLANTA The 11th Honda Battle of the Bands in the Georgia Dome Saturday, January 26 2013. Featured Bands: Albany State, Alcorn State, Bethune-Cookman University, Edward Waters College, Jackson State, North Carolina A&T, Tennessee State and Winston-Salem State. KENT D. JOHNSON / KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM There were several hundred band members from 8 different college bands on the field. I got a �here� Waldo�moment when two of them from Albany State checked each other� uniform. Made with NIKON D3, 400mm, f/7, 1/200 sec, 2000 ISO.

A1 LEDE PHOTO FEBRUARY 25, 2013 STONE MOUNTAIN Board members Donna Edler (from left), Sarah Copelin-Wood and Jay Cunnigham have an animated discussion before Dekalb School Board members reconvene after an executive session Monday, February 25, 2013. The DeKalb County school board held what may be their last meeting as currently constituted Monday, February 25, 2013. Gov. Nathan Deal is expected to announce his reaction to a recommendation to suspend two-thirds of the nine-member board at a press conference at 2:30 pm Monday afternoon, which was originally scheduled for 11 a. m. A federal judge decreed Sunday that any action taken by Deal, except suspension, would be enjoined pending a Friday court hearing. Deal can suspend this board but cannot appoint replacements. That likely means the DeKalb school board will not have a quorum to meet for at least the rest of the week. KENT D. JOHNSON / KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM This was among the ongoing coverage of Dekalb County school board issues. Late in the year, Mrs Edler lost her long battle with cancer. Made with NIKON D4, 300mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec, 5000 ISO.

APRIL 14, 2013 AUGUSTA Tiger Woods leaves the #18 green following his play during the final round in the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday April 14 2013. KENT D. JOHNSON / KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM My assignment for the Masters had me editing the photos shot by our staff team. On Sunday, I decided to go out to the 18th green and make some photos while waiting for photos from the lead group, which didn� include Tiger this year. It had been good weather for most of the weekend, but on Sunday, the clouds opened up and I had not brought my raingear. After about an hour in the rain, I finally made it back inside with at least one memorable photo. Made with NIKON D3, 80mm, f/6.3, 1/640 sec, 5000 ISO.

LEDE MAY 7, 2013 ATLANTA APD Honor Guard member Sgt Debbie Harris holds a folded flag presented in honor of fallen APD officers. The City of Atlanta held its 22nd annual Atlanta Police Memorial Service in the Atlanta City Hall atrium Tuesday, May 7, 2013. This year's service was dedicated to Officer Richard Halford and Officer Shawn Smiley, who lost their lives in a police helicopter crash while looking for a missing boy in November 2012. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. KENT D. JOHNSON / KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM I try to cover police and fire memorial services as a way to honor those folks that work to protect the public. Seeing them in situations other than on the street, humanizes them for me. Made with NIKON D3, 62mm, f/5.6, 1/250 sec, 2500 ISO.

SECONDARY JUNE 7, 2013 ATLANTA Jacobi Jones, 9, and his sister Azarel Butler, 5, head home from a memorial their mother just outside their home on Macon Drive. David Howell built a streetside memorial for his niece, Juliann Jones, shortly after she was killed in August 2011. Alleged shooter Javaris Crittenton could only sit and watch as his former team, the Memphis Grizzles, failed to make the NBA finals this year. Crittenton, who wears a monitor shackled to his ankle, stands charged with killing Jones in an August 2011 drive-by shooting. Jones was 22 when she died and left 4 young children. KENT D. JOHNSON / KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM We were doing a story to update the murder charges on a former NBA player and needed to talk with the family of the victim, who didn� get nearly as much exposure as the NBA star. These kids don� know much about the murder, but still get emotional and miss their mother. Made with NIKON D4, 70mm, f/9, 1/320 sec, 800 ISO.

LEDE SEPTEMBER 13, 2013 DECATUR Columbia quarterback #4 Andre Brown loses his helmet on the hit during first half action in the Stockbridge Tigers at the Columbia Eagles football game at Panthersville Stadium in Decatur Friday, September 13, 2013.Columbia led 7-0 at the half. KENT D. JOHNSON / KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM I like covering HS football early in the season because the weather is nearly ideal for an evening game. Made with NIKON D3, 300mm, f/3.2, 1/250 sec, 5000 ISO.

FEBRUARY 6, 2014 ATLANTA Dr Bernice King, daughter of Rev Martin Luther King Jr, addresses the media during a press conference at Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, Thursday, February 6, 2014. King's emotional comments came at the heels of a lawsuit filed against her by her brothers who are demanding that she turn over their father's 1964 Nobel Peace Prize and personal Bible so that they could sell them. KENT D JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM Taken February 6, 2014, 11:08:56 AM with NIKON D4, 1/250sec, f/7, ISO3200, 125mm

MARCH 8, 2014 MACON McEachern Indians players rush the court after the game. Coverage of the Class AAAAAA girls basketball championship between the McEachern Indians and Archer Tigers at the Macon Coliseum Saturday, March 8, 2014. McEachearn won, beating Archer, 81-62 . KENT D. JOHNSON / KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM Taken March 8, 2014, 8:43:34 PM with NIKON D4, 1/160sec, f/5, ISO2500, 24mm

MARCH 8, 2014 MACON Buford Wolves players become emotional after the game in their loss to the St. Pius Golden Lions. Coverage of the Class AAA girls basketball championship between the Buford Wolves and St. Pius Golden Lions at the Macon Coliseum Saturday, March 8, 2014. St. Pius Golden Lions beat the Buford Wolves, 48-45. KENT D. JOHNSON / KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM Taken March 8, 2014, 4:55:14 PM with NIKON D4, 1/320sec, f/2.8, ISO2500, 300mm

MARCH 25, 2014 ATLANTA Pete Wheeler, commissioner of Georgia Department of Veterans Services, salutes during the Pledge of Allegiance. family members and state officials attend a ceremony honoring Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War at the Georgia Capitol Tuesday, March 25, 2014. Twelve Georgians, veterans of the Vietnam War, possess the Medal of Honor. It is the highest accolade this nation gives its warriors. On Tuesday, they were recognized in a special ceremony at the Capitol. Gov. Nathan Deal proclaimed March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day in Georgia. KENT D. JOHNSON / KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM Taken March 25, 2014, 11:08:57 AM with NIKON D3, 1/160sec, f/2.8, ISO2500, 70mm

MAY 17, 2014 ATLANTA Participants in the 2014 Peachtree Junior 3K 8 year old division leave the starting line in Piedmont Park Saturday, May 17, 2014. Three thousand kids, joined by their parents and family members as well as 200 Atlanta Track club volunteers, participated in the events. The 3K event was open to ages 7-12, while the Lil' Peach 50m Dash was open to ages 6 & younger. After Peachtree Jr. Participants crossed the finish line, they had the opportunity to sample new track-and-field disciplines under the hands-on guidance of Olympic athletes Adam Nelson, Chaunte Lowe, Dwight Phillips and Terrance Trammell. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM Taken May 17, 2014, 9:13:42 AM with NIKON D4, 1/1000sec, f/9, ISO500, 24mm

APRIL 1, 2015 ATLANTA Former APS School Reform Team Director Tamara Cotman is led to a holding cell after a jury convicted her of a RICO charge Wednesday. A jury of six men and six women rendered their verdicts on the eighth day of deliberations in the Atlanta Public Schools test-cheating trial on Wednesday, April 1, 2015. Jurors sorted through roughly five months of testimony against 12 former educators accused of engaging in a racketeering conspiracy to inflate test scores. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Kent D. Johnson, Pool) Normally I was confined to a certain area of the court room to shoot, but I’d talked with the judge beforehand who said I could have freedom of movement at the end of the verdicts. As the defendants were being handcuffed and lead out, I was able to move to where I shot photo. The expression, the body language told the story. Taken on Wed, April 1, 2015 with NIKON D4, on Shutter Priority, 1/320 sec, 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8 lens at 24mm, f/3.2, 12800 ISO

APRIL 14, 2015 ATLANTA Fulton County Superior Court Judge Jerry Baxter describes how the three former SRT directors were at the top of the chain when sentencing them. Former APS SRT Directors Sharon Davis Williams, Tamara Cotman and Michael Pitts were sentenced to 20 years, to serve 7 years, 2000 hours of community service and $25,000 fine. Sentencing continues for 10 of the 11 defendants convicted of racketeering and other charges in the Atlanta Public Schools test-cheating trial before Judge Jerry Baxter in Fulton County Superior Court, Tuesday, April 14, 2015. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Kent D. Johnson, Pool) From the beginning of the first hearings on the case, Judge Jerry Baxter strove to be a fair jurist. I believe he was, but that’s not something I’m qualified to judge. One of the aspects of the trial was the intense media coverage, and in that regard, Judge Baxter gave us all good access. I was selected as the pool still photographer and was the only journalist, print or broadcast, to attend the trial from start to finish. Taken on Tue, April 14, 2015 with NIKON D4, on Shutter Priority, 1/320 sec, 300.0 mm f/2.8 lens at 300mm, f/2.8, 7200 ISO

MARCH 6, 2015 MACON Wesleyan Wolves Lauren Frerking (4) and teammate Natalie Armstrong (44) start their celebration as Holy Innocents Golden Bears players leave the court Coverage of Class AA girls championship game between Wesleyan Wolves and the Holy Innocents Golden Bears in the Georgia High School Basketball championships at the Macon Coliseum, Friday, March 6, 2015. The Wesleyan Wolves won over the Holy Innocents Golden Bears 45-31. KENT D. JOHNSON/KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM I like this shot because you can see both sets of emotions, from the joy of victory, to the dejection in defeat. Taken on Fri, March 6, 2015 with NIKON D4, on Shutter Priority, 1/640 sec, 70.0-200.0 mm f/2.8 lens at 200mm, f/2.8, 4000 ISO

JANUARY 19, 2014 ATLANTA Podium guests and members of the audience and choir sing "We Shall Overcome" at the end of the event. Attendees at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Monday, January 19, 2015. The service is the hallmark of the King Holiday Observance. The service is an ecumenical endeavor, engaging members of various religious traditions, and state national and international governments. On this day The King Center encourages the world to engage in volunteer service in tribute to the work and life of Dr. King. Dr. Gwendolyn E. Boyd, the first female president of Alabama State University, was the keynote speaker. KENT D. JOHNSON/ KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM Taken on Mon, Jan. 19, 2015 with NIKON D4, on Shutter Priority, 1/320 sec, 70.0-200.0 mm f/2.8 lens at 200mm, f/5, 5000 ISO

AUGUST 2, 2015 LILBURN Claudia Mariela Jurado is shown in her sleeping quarters above the sanctuary of Our Lady of the Americas Catholic Mission in Lilburn, Sunday, August 2, 2015. Jurado, a pregnant El Salvadorian woman who has been ordered deported for illegally entering the U.S., has fled to an Atlanta-area Catholic mission, where she is seeking sanctuary with her two young children. Jurado recently cut off the electronic monitoring bracelet immigration authorities had attached to her ankle. She absconded after she was asked to report to them Friday for her removal. Now living in a converted office at Our Lady of the Americas Catholic Mission in Lilburn, Jurado said she left El Salvador because a gang extorted money from her there. A Catholic, she said she will stay at the mission until “God decides” otherwise. “I’m afraid for my life,” she said through an interpreter Sunday about the possibility of returning to her native country. KENT D. JOHNSON /KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM Taken on Sun, Aug. 2, 2015 with NIKON D4, on Shutter Priority, 1/160 sec, 17.0-35.0 mm f/2.8 lens at 17mm, f/2.8, 2500 ISO

JANUARY 19, 2014 ATLANTA Law school students from the Black Law Students Association and the Candler College of Theology at Emory University and students from John Marshall Law School stage a protest at the King Center following the Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Monday, January 19, 2015. KENT D. JOHNSON/ KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM Taken on Mon, Jan. 19, 2015 with NIKON D4, on Shutter Priority, 1/1600 sec, 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8 lens at 24mm, f/5.6, 800 ISO

JULY 20, 2015 DECATUR Incoming DeKalb Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson kisses her husband, US Rep. Hank Johnson, after she was sworn in by DeKalb Superior Court Judge Gregory A. Adams, Monday, July 20, 2015. Her election brings the county commission to a full seven members for the first time in more than two years. KENT D. JOHNSON /KDJOHNSON@AJC.COM Taken on Mon, July 20, 2015 with NIKON D4S, on Shutter Priority, 1/250 sec, 70.0-200.0 mm f/2.8 lens at 160mm, f/2.8, 9000 ISO

MARCH 4, 2016 MACON Holy Innocents Golden Bears Jade Dodd-Mungin (4), Holy Innocents Golden Bears Kaila Hubbard (12) and Holy Innocents Golden Bears Erika Cassell (11) celebrate their overtime win as the Holy Innocents Golden Bears play the Wesleyan Wolves in the girls Class AA championship at the Macon Coliseum Friday, March 4, 2016. Holy Innocents Golden Bears beat the Wesleyan Wolves in overtime 66-64. KENT D. JOHNSON/ kdjohnson@ajc.com

Taken on Fri, March 4, 2016 with NIKON D4, on Shutter Priority, 1/400 sec, 24-70 zoom at 24mm, f/4, 2500 ISO

032916 ATLANTA President Obama greets a crowd after he arrives on Air Force One at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport Tuesday March 29, 2016. Obama is in Atlanta to address the National Rx Drug Abuse & Heroin Summit. His speech follows the release of highly publicized safety recommendations on pain medicine from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The U.S. is now struggling with a prescription pain killer and heroin overdose epidemic that killed more than 28,000 people in 2014, more than any year on record. Obama has requested $1.1 billion in new funding for drug abuse treatment. KENT D. JOHNSON/kdjohnson@ajc.com

Taken on Tue, March 29, 2016 with NIKON D4S, on Shutter Priority, 1/2000 sec, 400mm, f/4.5, 500 ISO

May 26, 2016 STONE MOUNTAIN Students and teachers wave goodbye at Woodridge Elementary School in Stone Mountain as DeKalb schools dismiss for the summer Thursday, May 26, 2016. KENT D. JOHNSON/kdjohnson@ajc.com

Taken on Thu, May 26, 2016 with NIKON D4S, on Manual, 1/320 sec, 24-70 zoom at 48mm, f/4.5, 100 ISO

072416 LILBURN Emily Garrett (left) of Lilburn and Jo-Ann Dixon of Covington join hands during a prayer. Members of several churches gather for a "Lilburn United" rally in Lilburn City Park Sunday, July 24, 2016. The rally was designed to seek "unity among the people of Lilburn, especially in light of all of the tensions and unrestÛÓracial or otherwiseÛÓthat continue to dominate national headlines." Brandon Garret is a pastor at Mountain Park First Baptist Church, which organized the event. KENT D. JOHNSON/kdjohnson@ajc.com

Taken on Sun, July 24, 2016 with NIKON D4S, on Shutter Priority, 1/400 sec, 24-70 zoom at 40mm, f/5, 800 ISO

August 9, 2016 DUNWOODY The State Farm tower rises along Hammond Drive in Dunwoody. State Farm is seeking $48.6 million in tax incentives not just for future Dunwoody office buildings, but for a tower that's already nearly complete. Though tax incentives are usually used as a tool to attract new development, the site's developer says State Farm needs the money to make its expansion feasible. In all, the State Farm project is expected to house about 7,500 employees on a 17-acre campus near Perimeter Mall. KENT D. JOHNSON/kdjohnson@ajc.com

Taken on Tue, Aug. 9, 2016 with NIKON D4, on Shutter Priority, 1/640 sec, 24-70 zoom at 32mm, f/2.8, 1000 ISO

MARCH 4, 2017 MARIETTA St. Francis Knights guard Wallace Tucker (00) goes flying while trying to avoid fouling Greenforest Eagles Justin Forrest (4) as he shoots in the 4th quarter in the state semi-finals of the high school basketball playoffs at the Cobb County Civic Center Saturday, March 4, 2017.
Greenforest will advance to the state championships next week with an 86-56 win over St Francis. Kent D. Johnson/AJC

MARCH 4, 2017 MARIETTA Wesleyan Wolves Mikayla Coombs (3) goes for the shot against the Lakeview Academy Lions in the state semi-finals of the high school basketball playoffs at the Cobb County Civic Center Saturday, March 4, 2017.
The winner will advance to the state championships next week. Kent D. Johnson/AJC

MARCH 5, 2017 6:40:59 AM ATLANTA Traffic on the connector southbound before the implosion. Police blocked the interstate as well as streets surrounding the site. Demolition crews brought down the old state archives building in a controlled implosion Sunday, March 5, 2017. The 14 story state archives building was about 50 years old and was imploded to make way for a new state courts building. Gov. Deal has budgeted about $105 million in next year's budget for the new state courts building. Kent D. Johnson/AJC

MARCH 5, 2017 7:05:10 AM ATLANTA A fireball erupts as demolition crews bring down the old state archives building in a controlled implosion shortly after 7 am Sunday, March 5, 2017. The 14 story state archives building was about 50 years old and was imploded to make way for a new state courts building. Gov. Deal has budgeted about $105 million in next year's budget for the new state courts building. Kent D. Johnson/AJC

Fireworks explode over the stadium as the Atlanta Braves beat the San Diego Padres in the season opener in the new SunTrust Park Friday, April 14, 2017. The Braves won 5-2.

JULY 30, 2017 ATLANTA Usher Jazmine Frear directs parishioners to their seats as members attend the first morning worship service at Friendship Baptist Church Sunday, July 30, 2017. The 155-year old historic church, which started out as the home for both Morehouse and Spelman Colleges, was rebuilt after their former building was demolished to make way for the Falcons' Mercedes-Benz Stadium. KENT D. JOHNSON / AJC

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AJC visuals editor and photographer Kent D. Johnson died Aug. 5, 2017 while on assignment. Here are some of Kent's favorite photos that he took for the paper over the years, with some of his own commentary. This photo was taken in 2015 at the end of the APS trial, which Kent covered daily.

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