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.
