Archive for the ‘Morris Daily Herald’ Category

Relying on a Freshman

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

This weekend the MDH covered the Minooka wrestling team at state. The day starts with the quarterfinals; meaning the state champions have to win three meets in one day.

The top two ranked teams in the state ended up meeting in the 3A championship – Minooka and Sandburg. Fittingly enough, it was tied 20-20 going into the last two weights. Minooka got the 23-20 edge, but it was still anyone’s game going into the last weight. A simple decision would tie it for Sandburg, and anything better would win it.

I can’t even imagine what was going through freshman Matt Meyer’s head when he took the mat – or when the referee raised his arm in the air as the winner – or when his team rushed around him and lifted him onto their shoulders.

The championship was the first ever for the school. It was the wrestling team’s fifth trip to the state finals.

Posted in Morris Daily Herald, Sports | 1 Comment »

What makes an Idol anyway?

Friday, February 26th, 2010

A couple weeks ago, the Morris Daily Herald was finally able to interview our local singing phenom Paige DeChausse after she returned from the first Hollywood round of American Idol. Unfortunately the judges didn’t allow her to move on, but fortunately for me her experience allowed me to get a photo shoot with her.

As per my usual, I wasn’t able to give myself a lot of time with her – or to plan much at all. It was too bad, because she was really willing to work with me. In all, the shoot only lasted about a half hour. We did some photos at her home and a couple at a nearby park.

Paige’s style isn’t exactly ‘pop.’ She performs a lot of blues and prefers older music. Might be part of the reason Simon didn’t get behind her, yet Shania Twain did. But, if you’d ask Patti LaBelle, the judges don’t know what they’re talking about anyway.

Paige and I are trying to set up some dates where I can come photograph her band, the Chicago Blues Angels. They play each Wednesday at Rizzo’s in Naperville.

Posted in Morris Daily Herald, Portraits | 1 Comment »

Artificial intelligence

Saturday, February 6th, 2010

Tomorrow’s lead article in the sports section is about how Coal City is contemplating installing an artificial surface on their football field. The whole idea is a little crazy for a 3A school, since fields start at $400,000 and need to be replaced every 8-10 years.

Regardless, we needed lead art. I chose to do a side-by-side illustration of the two surfaces. Thanks to Romeoville High School for allowing me to check out their field.

When I asked people if this photo looked weird at all, they all said ‘no, why?’ It’s actually two photos merged into one down the middle. That middle finger of mine is half from one photo and half from another. Since I did too good of a job blending them, we labeled the two surfaces in the print edition.

Posted in Morris Daily Herald | 1 Comment »