In A Moment: October 2012

Friday, October 12, 2012

Recent Soccer Work

Elgin's Antonio Escamilla jumps to beat Larkin's Emanuel Sanchez to the ball.

Judson goalie Sara Hoffman makes a save during the second half of their game against Illinois Tech.

Larkin Erik Rodriguez stops a ball with his face during the first half of their game against Metea Valley.

Larkin's Hector Mendoza heads the ball over Elgin's Edgar Zavala.

St. Edward's Johnny Shepherd (8) celebrates his goal against Elgin Academy in their Class 1A Regional game.

Part 5: On the pitch

Finally, all caught up. Most of the soccer I have shot has been in the past two weeks as the season is winding down.

Here are a few from some recent games. Now off to shoot more football tonight.

-john

An afternoon with Ella

Ella watches a video with her classmates.

Ella and her fellow first graders give it their all in a tug-of-war against the second graders.

Ella waits her turn to bear crawl during the relay races.

Ella shows her mom a cancer awareness ribbon pin she made during the rally.

Ella gets a hug and kiss from her mom Katie during the rally.

Ella, right, holds hands with Hayley D'Alexander as they walk back to school.

Part 4: Childhood Cancer Awareness Rally

On September 27 I wandered out to Cambridge Lakes Learning Center in Pingree Grove to shoot a Childhood Cancer Awareness Rally. The school was holding a rally with the first and second graders and it is there I got to meet Ella Van Gheem, a first grader who has been fighting Leukemia since August 2010.

By far the most rewarding part of my life as a photojournalist is being able to tell people stories. Ella's mom is a photographer and has been blogging about the families journey through leukemia since the beginning. You can follow them HERE.

Here are a few moments I made in the few hours of following Ella with her friends that afternoon.

-john

Recent Volleyball Work

South Elgin's Allison Osborne jumps for a ball during a game against Elgin.

Central's Jess Emrich (left) lunges to save a ball.

Central's Allie O Reilly (top) makes a diving save.

Harvest Christian's Jordan Sollars scores on Elgin's Jackie Shioli (8).

Elgin's Taylor Powers (1) bumps a ball over Taylor Hedl.

Central's Allie O Reilly (1), Lauren Wiltsie (14) and Jess Emrich (10) celebrate.

Part 3: High School volleyball

"Practice, Practice, Practice!"

After graduating from the U of I and while working at the Northwest Herald in the late 80's I took a few classes at Columbia College. I can still hear those words from my teacher and Sun-Times photographer John H. White.

Like most sports I am always hunting for the perfect position to capture the moments of the game. At the beginning of the season I feel like I am shooting too loose and just fighting to get basic photos. With a few more games under the belt I can work a few different angles and look for better moments.

Here are some pix from this season.

-john

Recent Football Work

Huntley's Marcus Wright II (39) is planted after a first down run against Jacobs.

Jacobs' QB Bret Mooney slips into the end zone bringing the Eagles within one point of Huntley late in the fourth quarter.

After stopping a game winning two-point conversion in the final minute Huntley players celebrate with their fans.

Elgin's Mitch Poltersdorf is upended by St. Charles East's Anthony Sciarrino.

Elgin's Jaylen Clemons breaks up a pass intended for St. Charles North's George Edlund.

t. Charles North's Nicholas McCollough and Reece Conroyd (37) celebrate a touchdown run.

Bartlett's Alex Piedra sacks Lake Park quarterback Zach Gehant.

Lake Park's Nico Daniello dives for a loose ball.

Streamwood's Tyler Hendershot lets off a little steam after the game.

Bartlett's Chris Kantzavelos pressures Larkin quarterback Jeffon Pruitt.

Larkin's Alex Schabert ices his knee on the bench late in the game.

Streamwood's Austin Mugnai gets a lift from his teammates after intercepting a ball in the end zone.

Part 2: High School football

I have been pretty happy this year to have at least one high school football game a week to cover. The more you shoot of one sport the more comfortable you get and it makes it easier to start to look for different angles and shots. Of course there are some fields that you are just happy to keep the motion blur to a minimum.

Here are some pix from the gridiron I made over the past few weeks.

-john

Parade of Recent Work

Fallen soldier and scoutmaster Kevin D. Grieco is honored by his father and son, left, and local scouts at Camp Big Timber.

Jacobs H.S. color guard members practice before a performance in Hampshire.

US Army PFC Eric Luna, 20, surprises his sister Ivette in her sophomore English class at Dundee Crown High School.

Omar Sanchez munches an ear of Mexican corn on the cob at a fundraiser at Sunny Hill Elementary School.

Part 1: General Assignments

I have sorted the next 5 posts into categories of recent work from the past 5 of 6 weeks. One of the downsides of being busy is not having enough time to share work on my blog, but that is a good thing. In this first post are a few images from some general assignments.

I have always believed that how you handle the average everyday assignment is the true test of a really great photographer. Sometimes you find a great moment and other times you need to use just the right lens and find just the right angle to make something you can go home with.

Here are a few from some recent work for the Courier-News.

-john

Monday, October 8, 2012

26.2

Tears at the finish line.

A hug after finishing

Almost there.

Finishing with one shoe.

Fighting to make the last few steps.

Super heroes cross the line.

Warning juggler approaching.

5 years Bitches!

Where is the wrestling match?

Anatomy man.

Bacon man.

Family finish.

A little help to the line.

Sunday, October 7, 2012: The end is near

I was on assignment for Nike Sunday at the Chicago Marathon shooting a first time marathoner.

I got up at 3:30am to be in Pilsen by 5am and the day began. With an estimated 45,000 runners and 100,000 spectators the stage was set for some great photos and a lot of fun. People come to the marathon for all kinds of reasons from the elite runners going for their best times to the first timers and those running for a cause just trying to make it to the end of the race.

In another life, in the late 70's, I ran in the Mayor Daley Marathon with a bunch of cross country buddies. We only ran half because it was right before our regional meet and did not want to take a chance on the recovery time but I can remember that day like it was yesterday.

By far some of the best moments of the day are the first timers in the last 100 yards as they head for the finish line. Of course the people in costumes take it to another level of entertainment. Here are a few moments I captured as I hung out at the finish line.

-john