Leaving DeKalb

Beginning Monday I will be working in Joliet at The Herald-News and I'm excited. For nearly five years I've worked at the Daily Chronicle in DeKalb and it was time to move on. I'm looking forward to a larger and new area to explore.

Amenti Haunted House

On Friday I got out of covering football to photograph the haunted house at the Egyptian Theatre in DeKalb. My boss found a slideshow online of scared people at a haunted house and wanted us to do the same. Everything worked out, but I wish I had more time. At 7 p.m. when the house was scheduled to open the fire alarm went off, which delayed the opening for a half an hour. Also, since they only allow so many guests through the house at a time I only had the opportunity to photograph nine groups before I had to leave to make deadline.

Red, White and Blue

Receded

I meant to post some photographs of the flooding in DeKalb County when it happened, but I didn't so here you go. The above is from today and the rest are from April 18.

Slacking

So I have been slacking uploading anything new. So here's two that I shot recently.

Long Exposure

If you live in the Chicagoland area you are aware of the wild weather we had last night. On my drive home I decided to pull over to capture some lightning. Within 10 minutes two motorists stopped to ask if I needed any help, which was really surprising to me. Anyhow, I decided to press the shutter as one of the vehicles drove off after I assured them that I was fine and in those thirty seconds I got this image.

Kids

I was told once that I should photograph adults the way I photograph children. Apparently I spend more time and get closer to children rather than with adults. I didn't disagree and it's true, but kids are so much more interesting to me. They don't hold back and I think that's why I'm more interested in capturing their images.

May Work

I have not posted in some time so I just wanted to put something up from my daily assignments. A photo from a story about autism awareness. Dad took his daughter outside to play and she just wouldn't let go of the snow globe.

This child received a new bookcase and a set of books and was just so thrilled about Elmo. Tickle-Me-Elmo must have come out like 15 years ago.

Grad in glasses.

Soldier homecoming party in DeKalb at Sullivans.

Collision during a soccer match.

POY

I haven't posted for some time now and I decided to post some more portraits of student athletes. Taking a portrait of someone that I just met is always weird. I'm not sure that will ever change. I wonder how the subject feels about being photographed. 

Year-End Chess Tournament

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.

Corn Fest

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.

The 'Super' Football Preview

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.

Robots

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.

Back to School

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.

Welcome Home

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.

Jock Jams

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.

Free Throw

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.

Plowed

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.

February First

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.

Zander

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.