I went to a chess tournament this afternoon. The DeKalb Chess Club was holding a year-end tournament in the basement of a church on New Year's Eve day. Adults and kids were participating and I mainly focused on the children because of their expressions. Happy New Year.
Last Friday morning I began a 300 mile journey to Ford Field in Detroit for the Mid-American Conference football championship game between Northern Illinois and Ohio. About 100 miles into the trip my check engine light began flashing and I had a cylinder misfiring. Since my car seemed to run fine above 55, I continued my drive and hoped that the car would last. Thankfully, I arrived on time and was ready to work. Unfortunately NIU wasn't ready. The Huskies turned the ball over 3 times and trailed by 20 after the first half. The second half started with another fumble on their first drive. Somehow they turned it around and won on a time expiring field goal. I decided to focus on Nathan Palmer, who had a pair of receiving touchdowns during the second half, instead of the field goal. I wish I had used a wider lens, but woulda, coulda, shoulda I guess. Palmer was named the MVP so I'm glad I focused on him. Now with the game over it was time for my 2000 Civic with 291K miles to head back home. I am happy to report that I made it back, but my car, aka Black Beauty, is toast. Best car ever.
On Saturday the Sycamore Spartans football season came to an end. I stuck around for a bit to capture some emotions. Unlike in the past, I was looking for something other than tears. I saw these three senior players near the end zone and I decided to photograph them from behind, because (a) the sun was behind them (b) the background was clean (c) and I think the middle player with his hand clutching his teammate's jersey is just as emotional as someone crying.
Our theme for this year's basketball prep tab is "Where I grew up." This photo illustration came to me during my drive to work yesterday. I know Lebron tosses powder into the air and I know Jordan did too, so I just needed a child old enough to understand what I was looking for. Fortunately for me, our features editor has a 10-year-old son who had three different Bulls jerseys to choose from and he completely understood what I was wanting him to do. So after two weeks of worrying what our cover would be, I came up with this idea and shot it within 2 hours. Stress over...for now.
During a game last weekend I snapped this shot of the Kaneland quarterback resting on the sideline. I was thrilled with the results because my ISO was 2500 and the light just looks good. I want to be a better portrait photographer.
Yesterday I was called to a house fire in Genoa. I was in DeKalb at the time and I could see the smoke as I got into my car. I expected to see huge flames when I arrived, but all I really saw was a lot of smoke and a lot of people watching as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze. I knew why I was there, but I wonder sometimes about the bystanders. A few years back I went to a fatal accident and I recognized one of the bystanders from another tragic event. Apparently he listens to a police scanner and if he hears of something that sounds bad he checks it out. I realize in a way that I too do the same thing, but that's not why I do what I do.
Last Wednesday night I went to a Northern Illinois University Quidditch practice. When I saw the request I wasn't sure what to expect. I thought "is this for real." Sure enough it is. The participants all have to hold brooms and they run around throwing balls through hoops. There is also a snitch that runs outside the game field with a seeker from each team chasing after. To be honest, it took me a couple moments to control my giggles when I first arrived.
Corn Fest, an end of summer festival in DeKalb, takes place at the local airport where there are hangars and lots of concrete. The festival used to be held in downtown DeKalb, but now it is held at a static location with carnival rides, sound stage and vendor booths. I was happy to get this odd photograph during my time at the festival last Friday. At least the Sandwich Fair starts next week.
Last year while exploring sportsshooter.com I saw a series of football preview images by Corey Perrine that was based on the theme Friday Night Lights. The images inspired me and I wanted to do something a little different with our football preview this year. I approached our sports editor and told him I wanted to take portraits based on comic book characters, which he approved. I gave him the names of characters that I wanted to make images for and he found players that fit. For the most part, I'm happy with the results.
The shot above of Sycamore quarterback Ryan Bartels was definitely the least difficult, however the most expensive. The Sycamore Spartans colors are black and gold, so when I found the Superman shirt in those colors I was thrilled.
Shanon Davis of Hiawatha plays on the defensive line and was the biggest of all the athletes that I had to take a portrait of and fit the bill for my Juggernaut themed character. This is for sure my favorite of the six and the one I worried most about making. I used green floral foam bricks that I sprayed red for the wall and I used toothpicks and skewers to give the appearance of bricks flying as Shanon busted through. We have a Hobby Lobby right down the road from our office, so when they had their 40% off one item coupon in the paper, I visited their business just about every day to buy more bricks. James Nokes, one of our writers for the preview tab, got a great quote from Davis to fit the photo, "I like to run people over. I run people over a lot; as much as I can."
Joe Diedrich is a center for the DeKalb Barbs. If I had the time to, I would have liked to re-shoot this one, but I think it still works.
Gabe Williams is a running back for Genoa-Kingston. Before I shot this I had planned to use the rear curtain sync function on my camera to fire my flashes at the end of the exposure. For some reason when it was time to shoot I couldn't get the function to work on site and I had to improvise.
Jordan Kalk plays at least three different positions each game; kicker/punter, linebacker and wide receiver. Batman was the original character that I wanted to base Kalk's portrait on because he's a utility player and the Dark Knight has a belt with which has many uses. I couldn't really come up with anything other than a cape, so I researched more characters and I found Multiple Man. This is a composite and I used three images to create this illustration. The front image of Kalk is the original. I used a tripod and had him move to the sides of the frame to get the two other shots.
Quinn Buschbacher is a wide receiver for the Kaneland Knights. I made the web using a dowel rod painted white and a hot glue gun. I suspended the ball with fishing line and I came up with this.
I went to Pine Acres Rehab & Living Center in DeKalb on Monday to photograph a robotic seal that interacts with users by sound and touch. The robot is used to provide people with dementia or other cognitive disorders something to talk to and connect with. Seeing the excitement in the eyes of the residents and to hear their laughter as they played with the robot made for a better day.
It's time for children to get ready to go back to school again. This shot was from last night during a fair where children received free supplies. The building was small and I'm sure maximum capacity was reached, but I found this moment and I rolled with it.
I knew before last week ended that I'd have to get a weather photo today as we are in the midst of a heat wave. The problem is that this is DeKalb county. You can drive and drive and see nothing. You can walk downtown, but everyone is just scurrying to get back inside to air conditioning. Also, we've gone to the local pool way too much. I needed a new location so I asked my editor. She told me that there was a beach in Sycamore at the local RV resort. What the what? There's a beach in Sycamore? So I got this while stood on the sandy beaches of Sycamore, Ill.
On Friday evening, Marine Cpl. Chris Piatt was welcomed home with an escort by the Warriors' Watch Riders and local police and firefighters. The parade was to be a surprise, but Piatt heard a local radio station asking for supporters to line the streets of both DeKalb and Sycamore for his return home. After hearing this, Piatt felt the need to put on his uniform. It was great to see a community come out to greet the soldier, especially one dressed in uniform and thankful for the support.
I pass Greenwood Cemetery in Hinckley every day to and from work. The cemetery is located on a small hill with large pine trees and I've always thought of how it would make a great image. Finally, last night on the way home after the storms I captured this. I was glad to see the final moments of daylight after the crumby weather, because the first day of summer is sort of like a holiday in my mind.
The spring season is over and it's time for player of the year portraits. Here's a couple from this week.
An assignment today brought me to the home of Eileen Bosshart who is 78 years old. She is the legal guardian of a 44 year old man who has cerebral palsy and profound mental retardation. Bosshart has been caring for this man for 26 years and told me, "I enjoy every moment of it. He's a special little guy." The story is running this weekend because of Mother's Day. This image isn't the best from the take and I wasn't sure if I was going to process it for print but I did.
Got this rundown situation today without anybody blocking my view, which includes defensive player, on deck batter, or umpire... Amazing!
I finally got my photo of the ball off the bat for the game winning home run yesterday. I think the anticipation was more exciting rather than the photographic result, but oh well. I also thought that 1/6400th of a second would have eliminated the blur on the ball.
This post doesn't have much to do with the photo, but about the music selection played during prep/college games. A couple days ago I heard this playing between innings:
Hot and dangerous
If you’re one of us, then roll with us
‘Cause we make the hipsters fall in love
And we’ve got hot-pants on enough
And yes of course because we’re running this town just like a club
And no, you don’t wanna mess with us
Got Jesus on my necklace
I’ve got that glitter on my eyes
Stockings ripped all up the side
Looking sick and sexy-fied
I think this planet is doomed.
I had the privilege of covering the DeKalb County Spelling Bee this morning. I enjoyed it from start to end and there were a lot of photos to be made. This one probably won't make the paper, but I like it.
Early deadlines make for crumby photos or at least less opportunities for better ones. While covering a regional basketball game last night I had to send in what I had from the first half to make deadline. The team I was covering had a solid 21 point lead and I felt safe sending what I had thus far. With a bad wireless connection sending my photos at a snail's pace, I decided to shoot the remainder of the game for entertainment. Well our team we were covering blew their lead and the game was decided in the final seconds, but they prevailed, 61-57. The coach was frantic for the entire fourth quarter and after they won I got what you see above. I'm not sure if the coach is relieved, but I think a drink may help.
After being fouled, time expired and down by one, Tess Godhardt of Hinckley-Big Rock had an opportunity to win the game for her team over DeKalb. She made both shots and I made this one.
Today we got a call from a reader telling us to check out this car that was stuck in a parking lot. On my way to another assignment I decided to take a look. This is funny unless it is your car.
I really don't like February. I'm not sure why, but it might be because I believe the worst weather is during this 28 day and sometimes 29 day month. Anyway, a blizzard is moving into the area and while I was out looking for weather related art I found this lady carrying groceries on Lincoln Highway in DeKalb. I don't think Crocs are the best footwear during a blizzard or anytime in February.
Last summer I photographed a DeKalb city worker who told me his name was Robin Zander. Right away my B.S. alarm went off, but I didn't think much of it at the time. A couple days later it hit me, Robin Zander is the lead singer for Cheap Trick. Anyway, today I had to photograph the DeKalb snow plow trucks preparing for the imminent winter storm and "Robin Zander" was in the garage working. I asked him for his name and it was Scott something, then while I was leaving I saw this framed image of all the city workers including the photograph of Mr. Zander, or Scott something, that I took.
I always wanted to be a photographer so I could cover sports. When it was a possibility that the Monsters of the Midway may host the Green Bay Packers, I just had to cover the game. The stars aligned and I got the opportunity. It's just too bad the beloved fell to the Pack. Above is the last interception of the game that sealed the Packers' win and a trip to the Super Bowl.
I have been programmed. When I see something that doesn't look right, I try not to notice even though it's obvious. Today's assignment was of a man who was born with legs that weren't the same as most people. He was giving an inspirational presentation to school children. The auditorium was for the most part quiet during the presentation and every frame I snapped sounded as loud as thunder to me. It must be my programming.
