Patient Appreciation Day

The irresistable face painting shot. Doesn't matter how many times you shoot it, the lighting always looks beautiful when you do these shots for some reason. Just wish everything you could shoot had this kind of soft natural light.



Yesterday was the Wills Chiropractic patient appreciation day. It ran from around 1o am to 2 pm. Unfortunately I was only able to shoot until 11:30 because I had to go to work by noon. I love the fact that I get to pull my camera out every couple of days and sometimes daily. I'm getting ready for Steph's sister's senior portraits. I need to find a few more places and wait for a day that she is free. I really need to get it done soon though.

I should be starting a freelance thing with the Rochelle News Leader soon. I'm just going to do it part-time until something more permanent comes along. I can work on my portfolio for a little bit and hopefully make a change in the level of journalism done here.

I don't really want to quit my job at the camera store because I really like it, so hopefully I can do both for a couple of months until I'm ready to quit completely. Either way I just want to start my own business eventually. I'm really coming to learn how important it is for me to be my own boss.

Breaking In Again

Rochelle firefighters wait around to clean up a gas spill at a station on Illinois Route 38 on Thursday August 3, 2006 near Rochelle, Ill. Firefighters estimate about 60 gallons leaked onto the pavement.



I covered my first breaking news assignment today in about 4 months. Though I'm actually not working for anyone it still felt nice to go out and cover something. I was running from business to business and trying to promote Creative Vision Photography on my day off when I happen to hear and see the fire truck take off.

It wasn't even a conscious thought really. I just kind of took off. I find it so funny how as a journalist you immediately react to any kind of a siren. I guess everyone reacts in their own way to look and see what's going on or pull over, but journalists immediately think oh my god, what's going on and where are they going?

I'm going to go ahead and send one of the photos to the Rochelle News-Leader. If they use it, they use it, if not, who cares. I saw another lady shooting there, but I didn't know if she was with the paper or if she was just shooting on her own. She was a bit strange and seemed really startled by there being another photographer.

Anyway, I'm getting excited for Lindsey and Kristi's wedding. I really wish I could get my camera cleaned from Canon before I go, but it would take too long. Til then I'll just have to edit my photos carefully in Photoshop.

Back in the Macro Mode...Only with no Macro Lens

A photo of one of Stephanie's angels using my homemade built softbox on Saturday July 29, 2006. This photo was shot using a Canon 550 on 1/4 power at 1/250 second at f20. The lower highlights are blown a little out.

I found a cheap way of making a small softbox from another blog named Strobist. The name of the article was "How to: DIY $10 Macro Photo Studio." In actuality I made it absolutely free. It took me about an hour to make it and I justed used gift wrap paper. I'm going to make it a little bit better tomorrow when I can get some more materials, but I had to do with what I had tonight.

I need to work with it a bit, but I'm slowly getting the hang of it. I really need to get a small stand for my 550 and apparently clean either my lens or camera really bad. When you have an all white background like that you never realize how much dust shows up. I thought I cleaned it pretty good at work today too. Anyway, just sitting here bored on a Saturday night with nothing to do. I did buy a 1963-66 Polaroid camera from a Salvation Army today. I'll have to get a shot up of that pretty soon. Off to finish my movie, "The Squid and the Whale." Definitely recommended for anyone with divorced parents and/or people who like dark humor such as "Life Aquatic" or "The Royal Tenenbaums."

IPPA Photonight = Fun Times

I wonder if Mr. Manley is excited about the homerun he just hit or the fact that now he can go back to his 312 beer and his Camel Lights?



I went to the 4th annual IPPA Photonight at Chris Hankins' home in Belvidere, Ill., the other night. I posted a few of the photos that I took from the event. My three favorites are the one listed above, the semi-silhouette of Brian Valentin and Scott Bort playing whiffle ball, and one with Bill Manley and Ryan Rayburn playing whiffle ball. I had a blast. It was nice to be around photographers again.

Speaking of which I got a new job Saturday. I got a position as a camera salesman at Lundgren's Camera Store in Rockford Ill. It's less pay, but I think it will be better for me mentally and artistically. At least I won't groan to go to work everyday.

I also decided on a new name for my photo business. Creative Vision Photography is what I decided. I have new business cards coming and hopefully within the next 2 months I can start posting my photos to Clark's Photonews Website.

Love the Laundromat

Damn you parilax. I was in such a hurry to shoot a photo earlier I forgot to zoom a little more to get rid of that. I need to buy some better short lenses as well. Anyway, at leat I'm thinking more creatively now. It's not an outstanding phtoo, but anything helps me these days.


I'm gaining motivation. Whether or not I'm shooting well or not right now doesn't matter. The fact is I'm constantly thinking about something to shoot. I'm also constantly thinking about new equipment I can buy. I'm buying Scott Bort's old 550ex flash tomorrow so I'm stoked. I think the new name for my photography business is going to be Creative Images Photography. Not 100% locked down, but if I had to make an instantaneous decision that's what it would be.

I just loaded up another wedding for October. Steph's friend Laura and her newly acquired fiancee are getting married Oct. 13. If I can line up 2 weddings I'm going to quit TLC. It will be enough to cover me for that little bit.

Oh btw. The photo is in sepia tone because I wanted to learn how to do it for portraits. There's about three different methods I've found and I'm sure I'll find about another 10 before I'm done searching. Any suggestions let me know.

Expect a photo almost everyday for the next couple of days. I'm going to try and get on 'A Photo A Day' as well.

Quick Photos

I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate the 4th of July than by sticking an American flag on mannequin head and setting on your front porch. Only in Rochelle.



After moving to Rochelle I have realized it's the Pekin, Ill., of northern Illinois. The only difference is less stores and more hispanics. I can't remember the last time I filled up with gas and didn't see someone buying a case of beer. This includes when I've filled up at 8:30 am.

Anyway, I threw up like 3 or 4 photos from the parade. I basically just took the camera out just to use it. I didn't get anything exciting. I'm going to start doing Steph's sister's senior portraits soon so hopefully those turn out nicely. I'm going to do her photos over a period of a couple of months so she has plenty and she can kind of be my first model for Cropreality. Speaking of which, I think it's time to find a new name. I don't think the Cropreality is working very well for two reasons. The first is that people can't seem to pronounce it properly. They keep saying Croprealty instead of reality. Also I don't think people really understand what it means. I had originally taken the name from a class I took with my advisor Brian Poulter and he said photographers are essentially "cropping reality." So I will be taking suggestions for new names as I don't feel my audience relates.

Be sure to check out this kid from the parade that I got a photo. He drove by in this electric batmobile so fast I couldn't get his name but I'm incredibly jealous.

Oh, I almost forgot to add links to the Terrapin photos I got up. I particularly like this b&w one of him and Steph. As soon as I get my light systems working I will try to get some photos of our new ferret Nalla. Well she's not necessarily new. We've had her for about a month. She looks like a racoon, but you'll see soon enough.

Finally Back

It's been so long since I updated this blog. Since June 6 actually. I have to admit it's been a combination of me being depressed, busy and lazy.

I've been depressed because I'm working in a cold storage faciltiy on an average of 50-55 hours a week. It's -10 in the freezer and 30 in the cooler. I work 12 hour days 4 days of the week one week and 5 days a week the next week. The job is running a fork lift all day and stacking boxes on pallets. It leaves me drained and exhausted by the end of the day and when the weekend comes all I want to do is lie around.

I'm almost depresed because it leaves me little time to do anything photographically. Which in turn leaves me even more depressed because I feel stagnant and incomplete.

I'm obviously busy because I just moved into an apartment, started a new job am trying to get a set schedule. Not to mention that I've also been running to the suburbs for job interviews that my friend Nick Kempen has hooked me up with.

After an unsuccessful search for journalism and photography jobs in the area I've decided I might have to go another direction just for now. That's why I applied as an "admissions advisor" for DeVry University Online. Basically I would be a salesman, but making a really good salary. The job woldn't be my dream job, but it would free up time for me and provide me with enough funds to purchase some more camera equipment.

Other good news as well. I might actually get some work with the local newspaper here in Rochelle. I'm going to do some freelance work for free for a bit just to keep working on my portfolio. Most importantly I'm going to start building a writing portfolio. There is a rumor that I could possibly create a spot on the staff if my work is quality enough. Only speculation though.

Lastly, the depression just makes me feel lazy. I don't know if you could consider everything I do lazy, but I at least feel that way.

One last thing to mention. Clark Brooks just told me last week that his business The Photo News will start hosting photos for other photographers for a percentage fee a month. I believe he said the split will be 80/20 with a $12/month fee that will be waived for every month a photographer makes over $300. Something I'm definitely planning on taking advantage of for a while until I can afford my own server and website.

I'm planning on a posting a few photos later today if I get around to it. Nothing that cool or interesting, but just something to get me in the mood.

Dusk

I love pictures at dusk.


This isn't really that great of a photo, just one that I like personally. Every night that I worked at Pizza Hut I would end up driving by this Marathon gas facility in Champaign and on good nights I would see a beautiful sunset kind of like this one in the background. It's something I always wanted to get a picture of so I didn't forget what it looked like so I forced myself the last night I was in Champaign to go shoot it. I got lucky and had a nice clear night to shoot it on and even got part of a crescent moon in it.

It's sad I just now tooks the time to edit it, but I guess better late than never, huh? If I would have been able to get inside to shoot I could have done something really neat I think, but that's what I get for procrastinating so much. If I ever get back there I should find a way to get inside.

Green Thumb

In the move to Rochelle I apparently brought a green thumb with me.



It's been a while since I've gotten on here, but that has to do because of many factors. One being the insane amount of time I've spent moving stuff in, putting it away, and then moving it to a new place because it's not in the right place. The second has to do with not having internet until about a week ago. I'm trying to find the time now to blog between working my full-time job, working part-time around the apartment complex as an assistant maintenance, and having a life.

good news though. I have a new lens on the way. I've got a 70-200mm lens that I can shoot some sports with. I'm going to hopefully start something like what Clark has going on in Champaign here in Rochelle. I think it could work, but it's going to take a lot of work and hob nobbing. Maybe by then I'll be able to get a job with a paper. I'm starving to do something journalistic.

I'll fill in what my regular job and everything is tomorrow when I get the chance. It's about 10:15 pm and I'm wiped out. So much for the college hours.

Old Beer+Nasty Bottles+Random Items=Perfume

Attn: News-Gazette, this was shot on my own time with my own equipment and didn't run with the story in the paper. HA!



Happy Sunday everyone. Today I went down to Charleston to help clean up the house so we could get part of our deposit back on it. I have to say it's absolutely gross in that house. The oddest part of it was when I took the bar apart and underneath there was a whole bunch of old cups and nasty bottles just hanging out and I was picking them up and it ended up being the only part of the house that didn't smell moldy or like vomit. My conclusion is that old beer+nasty bottles+lots of random items= nice perfume.

On another note, my photostory with Caitlin Allen finally ran in the News-Gazette today. I have to say I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. If I find a link to the story I wrote for it I'll post it later, otherwise I'll post the story on here myself. Well it's almost 11 pm and Aroma's is closing and kicking me out so I gotta go.

Beware the Army of Angels

Believe...

The newly formed band from former Blink-182 band member Tom Delonge, Angels and Airwaves, is on the brink of releasing their debut album. There is only one word to describe this band. EPIC!

After Delonge's departure from Blink-182 and he spent 3 weeks thinking of what his next move in life would be. After many sleepless nights he decided a new band would be perfect. He set out to create his perfect ideal band. Not the best musicians, but the best possible band.
After careful consideration Delonge laid out the guidelines for the new band. First and foremost band members were to be respectul to the other members at all times and to understand that family was to come first before the band, which points to signs of tension among Blink members and somewhat verifies rumors of the band's demise. He also made it clear this band was not a side project, but the next step in the musicians lives.

After thinking of names for the new band he eventually came up with the name of Angels and Airwaves. Delonge was unsure about the name for awhile until he realized if you invert the middle 'A' it spells his daughters name. (Ava)

The new band consists of Ryan Sinn on bass, Atom Willard on drums, David Kennedy on guitar and obviously Tom on vocals and guitar. Sinn is former bassist for The Distillers, Kennedy is formerly of Boxcar Racer and Hazen Street, and Willard has a list of bands but most importantly (to me) are The Offspring and Rocket From the Crypt.

The band set out to tour in early May and is now making it's way through the U.S.

The first single was recently released, "The Adventure" followed by "It Hurts." The first album "We Don't Have to Whisper" will be released May 23, 2006. It's being released along with a movie that plays along with the album much in the likes of Pink Floyd's "The Wall."

Influences are bands like Nirvana, The Police, U2 and any other band deemed highly influential to their time.

I'm not 100% sure why I'm so obsessed by this band. I do however know that the music speaks to me for some reason. I already have tickets to their show at the Charter One Pavillion on June 30 in Chicago.

I truly think this band is the next step for rock music as a whole. Delonge seems to have left is immature toilet humor behind and upgraded to a much more influential and determined personality. Though there are still a few 'dick' jokes here and there.

I know I'm not the only one after hearing their music on a commercial for 'The OC.' A clear sign of the soon to come popularity. Check them out and let me know what you think.

Badmitton

Birdie or cock?



I figured if Stephen was going to show you his shuttle-cock I might as well show mine. In case you didn't know I covered IHSA State Finals for badmitton yesterday for Visual Image Photography. I think I found the only sport harder to shoot than volleyball so far.

It wasn't all that bad. At least Stephen and I got to hang out and talk about all the high school girls and say how good of personalities each of them probably had. HA! I'm just disappointed none of them asked me to the Sadie Hawkins dance.

While I was there I had to take a 5 minute break so I could order tickets for a concert. I'm extremely excited. I haven't been to a concert in such a long time. I just wish Ticketmaster would tell you straight up how much tickets will cost. Instead they hide fees in every little part of it.

I went to order tickets for Angels and Airwaves, which they said were $25.50. Now I'm not naeive. I know there are taxes and whatever per ticket you buy. So I had calculated spending anywhere from $60-$65 for both the tickets. I quickly ordered the tickets moving from screen to screen in fear I wouldn't get tickets. I was relieved seconds later when it was confirmed and I had my 2 tickets. I checked my email for the confirmation upon finding my total bill was $78. I mean what the hell Ticketmaster? I paid for a whole other ticket by ordering online. Either way it'll be worth it.

Update

Speedy knows the importance of newspapers.

Nothing really important happened the past few days. I finally fixed the internet at the house here today. For some reason Catie's router wasn't working anymore. The internet was still working but the router wasn't letting the information through. I think today was the last day I got to babysit Speedy. I'mm going to miss the little guy a lot.

I should here about jobs either later today or tomorrow. I'm really hoping for Crystal Lake. We'll see though. I'm hoping to get my check from the University this week so I can start making plans to move up north with Steph.

Other than that, I have another freelance assignment for Saturday and with any luck, my story should be running on Sunday of next week. Darrell should let me know tonight. John had a wonderful photostory in Sunday and Monday's issue with a girl who lost both hands and feet to bacterial meningitis. She seems like a really cool girl from what John had been telling me. Has a real sense of humor about an unfortunate situation.

As soon as my photostory runs I'll post the photos on Sportsshooter, but I don't want to step on anyone's toes.

Good/Bad news with my Hermes (my car). Yes I've officially named my car. I named it Hermes for the Greek Messenger God. He's also the god of travel and thieves. I figured with as much as I drive him around he might as well have a name and Hermes seems to fit him well. Anyway, it was shifting very peculiarly for a bit at work last night and then all the sudden wouldn't shift at all. I thought it was transmission fluid at first, but after a trip to Autozone today I found out it was actually the Vehicle Speed Sensor. I got it fixed here in town for about $160. Not bad considering a rebuilt transmission would cost me over a $1000.

Well I should probably get to bed so I can get up for coffee in the morning.

SPEEDY!

This ferocious little guy's eyes are deceitful.



Just because he's a puppy doesn't mean he can't strike fear in you. Okay, so he's really not that ferocious, but he does have some sharp teeth.

Everyone, meet Speedy. No I didn't go out and get a dog. Catie and Derek did though. They brought home this 10-week-old Beagle puppy Friday night. Since they both work the day and I work night I volunteered to dog sit until Catie's done with school later this week.

It's really too bad I'm not single. I could carry him around and have a date every night of the week. I took him to Aroma's with me this morning for coffee with the news crew and almost got mobbed. Don't worry Steph they were all way too old for me.

I took a lolt of photos of him this morning, but this one was my favorite. Check out the gallery if you want to see a few more. I'm sure over the next few days I'll have tons of photos of him. hell, I might buy little accessories to put on him and make him look cool. I believe there's a pair of pink star sunglasses at work that would fit perfect on his head.

It would make it that much more sweet because then I could make fun of Derek saying his dog is turning gay. (Not that there's anything wrong with that.)

Officially Alumnus

In case you're wondering, the glasses are prescription. Because my future is so bright!

My motivation has officially returned from near death and I am back working. I shot the freelance job on Friday night, graduated yesterday, and worked on photos today as well. There's more photos from graduation in front of Old Main as well. I shot some of my little sister and I, my whole family that came, and one with just my parents, sister, and me.

I learned through Clark about a neat little feature to Photomechanic that will help out if I shoot sports photos later on called code replacement. I think if I have coffee with the news crew in the morning I will show them how to use it. That's going to mean getting up really early though.

I need to be up early though because I have to babysit Catie and Derek's new beagle puppy Speedy. There will obviously be photos of him on here when I dogsit because I will most likely be bored.

Good news also. The photo story is almost done. I interviewed Caitlin's mom this morning. I will interview her dad tomorrow and turn the story in. From there I need to fully finish editing the photos for it, and then put it all together. Should be running two weeks from today with all luck.

I had coffee with Clark again today to give him the photos from the jazz fest the other night and there might be the possibility of some more freelance work. I'm getting really excited becaue I'm learning a lot about the way he does business and I might be able to swing something similar to what he has in the Rockford area. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Well I feel like I babbled on too much for this blog so maybe I'll blog later tonight about something else. Or I'll just do it tomorrow.

Yes I'm Alive

Gizmo has an identity crisis. He thinks he's a grey hound!


So what have I been up to you ask? I'll be honest. Not a lot until this last weekend. If it can't be downloaded or played on Xbox I haven't been doing it. Can't figure out if I'm depressed or just lazy. Anyway here's the quick run down from the past couple of weeks:

1. Work at Pizza Hut a lot!
2. Had my alumni weekend.
3. Be lazy.
4. Freelance job in Chucktown
5. Photo conference in Wisconsin.
6. 2 interviews for jobs this past week.
7. Finish my photo essay story.
8. Another freelance job tonight.

I'll try to keep this brief even though I need to update much more if I get time later. I had two interviews for jobs earlier in the week. Both went well and I'm hoping to get one or possibly even both the jobs so I can decide. The first was at the Northwest Herald for a videographer position and the other was at the Midweek in Dekalb, Ill., for an editor position. Both would be excellent oppurtunities for a journalist. I should know by early next week.

I did a freelance job for Visual Image Photography in Charleston last week at the IHSA State Journalism Finals. It was nice to see everyone that was down there and to see the new talent coming out of our high schools.

From there it was directly back home for a conference with my grandfather in Wisconsin the next day sponsored by Herff Jones. Two best things out of the whole thing was the auction and the return of motivation. The conference got me fired up to do photography again, but the other thing is I actually got a light, a background, a super clamp and a fog machine all for under $45. (Excellent deal).

I have another freelance job tonight for Clark Brooks. Hopefully I can get a few more jobs from him if possible before I have to move up north. If I get anything interesting from it tonight I might post the photo, but no guarantees. Hopefully this really breaks my lazy slump and I can get some stuff done.

And for the closing note, I graduate tomorrow. Not excited too much. Just going to go through the motion for the sake of my parents and grandparents. I'm sure I'll be happy I did later, but I just don't care at this point. Don't know if I'm being apathetic or bitter. Maybe I'll be excited about it tomorrow. Anyway, check back.

In It For the Long Haul

What do you do when you don't have cable or a real full-time job? Read!



I thought since I have so much free time on my hands for the next few weeks I would start reading a lot more. I found a list of 101 Great Books for college-bound students. So far I think I counted just over a handful of the books that I've read which is sad considering I'm a pretty avid reader. I know what most of the books are about, I just have never actually read them. I'm kind of looking forward to it. I'm making it a long term goal of mine to finish every book on the list. I think it will take me anywhere from 2-5 years.

This may seem like a really long time for some people, but I also have to figure in that about once a month I find something I absolutely have to read. I'm actually in the end of Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World' which just so happens to be on the list. It's a great book and would recommend it to anyone. It's a quick read as well.

Other than that, my life has been filled with playing poker, Xbox and working Pizza Hut. I have a couple of leads on jobs, but don't know how they'll turn out. I know I promised to blog more often and I will. I've been really lacking motivation lately with anything. My room has been destroyed for the past week and just finally started getting really picked up today. I should probably pack up some shit to move out of here soon.

On the bright side, I found a way to finance a 70-200/f2.8 lens this week. It's actually really crazy how it's all worked out. First on Tuesday a guy from some Visual Image Photography called me after seeing my stuff on Sportsshooter and wants me to shoot two freelance jobs on April 29 and May 13. Both will earn me around $150-200. Then on Wednesday John (News-Gazette staff photographer) called me wanting to know if I wanted to do a freelance job for the Chicago Tribune. That'll make $150. So altogether I'm looking at anywhere from $450 to $600. Then I called Clark Brooks today to see if he had any stuff to shoot for him and we talked about equipment for a bit and he said he has a 70-200 for sale for around the $650 range. Much better than the $800 range I was thinking I'd have to pay for a used one. Now all I need is a strobe and a wide angle and I'll be in business (with minimal equipment).

Last Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

No I'm not stealing Stephen's bird watching idea. Although after seeing his pictures it makes me more compelled to do some bird watching and photographing as well. I mostl like the way the water was rippling off the fountain so I shot the photo.

Today was my last day at the News-Gazette. I was pretty disappointed to be leaving after these 3 months, but it's time to move on. I'm currently in the search for a job of some sorts. I have no idea what I'm going to be doing. Right now I'll concentrate on my pizza delivering skills and hope for something to fall into place. I really don't want to have to get a job out of journalism, but if that's the case then so be it. I had to get one nature photo before all equipment and was surrendered. I didn't want to give up the cameras (mostly the lenses and flashes) and especially didn't want to give up my University of Illinois parking permit. That thing has helped out in so many situations.

I'm going to be blogging more as I have a lot more time. I'm running a 5k in the morning so I need to get to bed for now, but I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow morning. Maybe I'll even get a photo from the event. Check up soon to see what I get posted.

Feature of the Day

Maybe I'll Catch Fire

This reminded me of the "Maybe I'll Catch Fire" album by Alkaline Trio. It's not exactly, but the warm tones of the city lights kind of did. Anyway, I saw this when I was drving home from an assignment tonight and I was feeling in a featuresque mood tonight. I shot another one for the paper earlier in the day so that technically makes two feature on the day. Possibly a record for me. If anyone knows me, they know that features are my least favorite part of the job most of the time. I'm just usually a guy with schedule and I like to keep that schedule generally.

The most amazing thing about this photo is that this is a handheld 3 second exposure. I braced my body against the windowsill of my driver's side door and held as perfectly still as possible. It's a tad fuzzy when blown up and at 1600 speed it's a little grainy, but I can't complain.

Tomorrow leaves two weeks left at my internship. I'm excited, scared and nervous all in one. I'm looking at possible job oppurtunities as a reporter at the Dekalb Daily-Chronicle and The Sterling Daily-Gazette. I'm hoping one of them if not both will lead to potential jobs. If I had to choose I'm not sure which one I would go with. Obviously money will be a factor, but at the same time Dekalb is closer to Rochelle which will make mine and Steph's life easier. Also, Dekalb's paper is a Lee Corporation paper and would have oppurtunity to advance to another Lee paper especially for moving into a photography position.

I'll just take it one step at a time and see how things fair. I'm suprised more and more at my dad's reaction to all this job hunting. He keeps telling me to calm down and that things will work out and to not get locked into one certain field. It's great advice, but I'm just not used to it. For some reason he seems to be the only person that can calm me down about all this stuff. Well it's late and I would like to read a few more pages out of 'Moneyball' before I fall asleep.