In A Moment: August 2012

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Illinois Drought

Dry cracked earth are common on midwest farms this season.

Dought-damaged corn stalks July 15, 2012.

Corn is slow to grow with the lack of water.

Dry soil in Coles County.

High-yielding corn hybrids will be producing less bushels per acre this year.

Poor condition of midwest corn is cutting into profits and is driving global prices higher.

Weather conditions are driving farmers to their fields early to harvest corn.

Heat and drought have devastated corn yields.

The USDA declared Coles County one of the 65 Illinois natural disaster areas.

August 28, 2012: A bad year for corn farmers

Extreme drought conditions are taking their toll on central Illinois farmers. In the past few months I documented midwest corn while traveling through Coles County in central Illinois.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported in late August that 52 percent of that crop was listed as being in very poor shape. These poor condition are cutting into farmers' profits and is driving global prices higher.

Here are a few images from mid July and late August.

-john

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Recent Work

Jason Huebbee, right, waits for his turn in the ring for a heavyweight title bout.

Giovanni Navarette, from Round Lake, pounds Ben Pauwels.

Trainer Dwight Anderson, right, celebrates as David Santiago, from Waukegan, wins his bout.

Alex Mendez, from Waukegan, warms up for his match with his trainer Dwight Anderson.

Tom Angelhoff lands a knockout blow on Charlie Hayes.

Tom Angelhoff celebrates after knocking out Charlie Hayes.

After winning his match, Edgar Jasso, right, hugs Demond Wade.

Alex Mendez rests on the cage after beating Theron Neisius.

Fans cheers for Waukegan's Alex Mendez after his win.

August 25, 2012: MMA

I always love covering a new sport. Saturday night I covered my first Mixed Martial Arts event in Waukegan for the News-Sun. After figuring out the angles I settled in to document the evening.

-john

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Recent Work

(L-R) Hawk's Donny Nordstrom, Pat Maloney and Matt Alviti wait to take the field.

Warren fans get fired up before their game.

Maine South quarterback Matt Alviti (10) slips by Warren's Deonteja Sims (45) as he scrambles for a first down.

Maine South's George Sajenko (85) cannot get to a pass as Warren's Ryan Sweeney (7) defends.

Maine South's Anthony Mitchell (48) is pushed out just short of the goal line by Warren's Davn Hicks (32).

Maine South's Clay Burdelik (33) breaks a tackle by Warren's Roderick Pompey (20).

Maine South's Anthony Mitchell (48) gets a lift from Pat Maloney (73) after his fourth quarter touchdown.

August 24, 2012: Week 1

After waiting 9 months for high school football to start again it is finally here. I traveled to Gurnee Friday night to knock a little rust out of my cameras at the Maine South / Warren game for Sun-Times Media. Here are a handful of images from game.

-john

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Recent work

Larkin's Dylan Ganow, right, sizes up his putt at The Highlands of Elgin Golf Course.

ECC president Dr. David Sam, right, dances the Cupid Shuffle with students during new student festivities.

U.S. Army Spc. Nick Mapson gets a hug at his family's new home in Lake County.

August 2012: Putting, dancing and hugging

Here are a few photos from some recent assignments for Sun-Times Media.

TOP: Larkin golf invite for the Courier-News.
MIDDLE: Elgin Community College kicks off a new year with a new student party for the Courier-News.
BOTTOM: Injured Afghanistan veteran, U.S. Army Spc. Nick Mapson gets a hug during a presentation of the front porch his new home at Newport Cove near Antioch for the News-Sun.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Recent work

Larkin's Alex Schabert.

Hampshire's Grant Bende

Huntley's Tanner Bergquist.

Dundee Crown's Raymond Griggel.

August 2012: Football Previews

High school football season starts on Friday. Here are a few preview portraits I made for the Courier-News.

-john