Best Albums of 2009
January 1st, 2010 by Rob Hart
In keeping with my annual list of my favorite records here’s the albums that got a lot of ear time this year. According to my last.fm page the Thermals and M. Ward got tons of spins. This is also the second year in a row a band has topped my list that was recommended by Mr. John P. Huston.
1. The Thermals – Now We Can See
2. M. Ward – Hold Time
3. Camera Obscura – My Maudlin Career
4. St. Vincent – Actor
5. Girls – Album
6. The xx – xx
7. The Very Best – Warm Heart Of Africa
8. The Avett Brothers – I And Love And You
9. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
10. Chuck Mead – Journeyman’s Wager
11. Bon Iver- Blood Bank EP
12. Real Estate – Real Estate
13. Great Lake Swimmers – Lost Channels
14. Art Brut – Art Brut Vs. Satan
15. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
16. The Flaming Lips – Embryonic
17. Neko Case – Middle Cyclone
18. Karen O And The Kids – Where The Wild Things Are
19. Neon Indian – Psychic Chasms
20. Passion Pit – Manners
21. Wilco – Wilco (The Album)
22. The Mountain Goats – The Life Of The World To Come
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Year of the Cat
December 15th, 2009 by Rob HartAs the year wraps up everyone makes lists. I’ve been digging Señor Strazzante’s 2009 photo roundup, the Big Picture Blog, the Denver Post has great stuff, and I’m sure there will be many, many more.
I have friends that always complain about people sending him photos of their children, so my wife decided to make him a calendar of our cats. She asked me to come up with my favorite 12 photos. So here’s my 2009 year in cats.
Tags: 2009, best of, cat, Rob Hart
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Economy Shopping
December 4th, 2009 by Rob HartThis story has been done and I’m ok with that. My newspaper wrote a story about the Economy Shop in 1919. I really wanted to find someone doing their holiday shopping on the cheap, the same way people have been doing here for 90 years. I love the hunt for a story, when the door opens and you stalk each room, spark up conversations and figure how comfortable you can make them quickly.
After 30 minutes of wandering a three-story house filled with treasures I found Patricia Green picking out five cent ornaments. “I’ve been coming here for the last, oh my god, thirty years. This place has been just a blessing for me,” Green said as I fumbled to get my audio recorder rolling. She was so cute and nice. Green allowed me to follow her as she shopped for everything you can imagine. Christmas tree with ornaments, bows, shoes, towels, bundt pan, wreaths, jewelry, and a $1 winter jacket. She shops for 7 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and many kids in her Austin neighborhood that are in need.
They’ve got a few more sale dates before Christmas. It’s an adventure and shopping all in one.
OAK PARK 12/3/09 Patricia Green inspects an umbrella she would eventually purchase at the Economy Shop in Oak Park, Dec. 3, 2009. The 90-year-old store is staffed by volunteers of local charities. "I've been coming here for the last, oh my god, thirty years. This place has been just a blessing for me." Green said. Green shops for her seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and some of the other under privileged children in her Austin neighborhood. "Every Thursday, every Saturday I'm here. I look forward to coming here and shopping. When I leave I'm always happy like a little child at Christmastime," Green said. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
Tags: Economy, Economy Shop, Holiday, Oak Park, Patricia Green, Rob Hart
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Vegetarian Pulled Pork
November 27th, 2009 by Rob Hart
Earlier this summer my wife bought a box of vegetarian “pulled pork” in BBQ sauce from Whole Foods and I was kinda in love with the idea. The sauce was terrible and the texture was too mushy. I’m a fan of seitan but it’s time consuming. So after much searching on the internet I found a recipes using jackfruit. Guess what, I don’t keep jackfruit in the pantry. So I used the next closest thing I could think of in hearts of palm. I was pretty much against leaving the house so everything had to be available in my pantry for this. Also I’ve never eaten a pulled pork sandwich so really I’m not trying to get it to be exactly like it, just an inspiration.
Just shred the canned hearts of palm and toss them in a skillet. I used a bit of liquid smoke, soy sauce, garlic, and bourbon to add a bit of flavor. Keep ‘em on medium heat for 10 mins and toss in the bbq sauce and cook for another 5. I use my homemade Bourbon BBQ Sauce. Quick and easy.
Then I needed some slaw for the top. I’m not a fan of mayo and all I had was shredded carrots in the fridge. I used about 5oz of carrots, some chopped purple onion, 1/4 cup of pureed broccoli (leftover from a breakfast frutita) 1/4 cup of Michigan apple cider, pinch of garlic, some real maple syrup and salt and pepper to taste. Saute that in a pan for 10 mins letting the juice cook off and you got a nice hot slaw to top on your sandwich.
Tags: cooking, vegetarian
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More sports, more action.
November 15th, 2009 by Rob HartLake Zurich 24, Wheaton North 17.
I actually volunteered for this. High school football on a Saturday night, on my day off. I know crazy. Lake Zurich’s Jacob Brinlee, 20 carries, 140 yards, 2 TD, busted off touchdown runs of 80 and 21 yards in the first half. The Bears were leading 24-3 with just over seven minutes remaining in the game and the Falcons almost came back. Kevin Gratys intercepted a pass by QB Reece Butler in the end zone with 2:28 remaining and that sealed it for the Bears. They advanced to host No. 1 Glenbard West next week. Good luck with that.
When you’re in a visual rut football can right the ship. You just stand there and photos come to you. Not a bad day at the office.
WHEATON 11/14/09 Lake Zurich's Zach Johnson (34) watches his team in the final minutes versus Wheaton North in the class 7A quarterfinal in Wheaton, Nov. 14, 2009. The Bears advance by beating the Falcons 24-17. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
WHEATON 11/14/09 Lake Zurich's Andy Belchschmidt (8) break up a pass in the end zone to Wheaton North's Hunter Thorson (89) late in the fourth quarter of the class 7A quarterfinal in Wheaton, Nov. 14, 2009. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
WHEATON11/14/09 Lake Zurich's Jacob Brinlee (5) gets his hand in the face of Wheaton North's Carson Rajcan (7) as Brinlee runs for an 80-yard touchdown in the class 7A quarterfinal in Wheaton, Nov. 14, 2009. Brinlee scored both touchdowns for the Bears and lead the Falcons 14-3 after the first half. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
WHEATON 11/14/09 Lake Zurich's Jacob Brinlee (5) gets hit by Wheaton North's Carson Rajcan (7) as Brinlee leaps to catch a pass in the class 7A quarterfinal in Wheaton, Nov. 14, 2009. Brinlee scored both touchdowns for the Bears and lead the Falcons 14-3 after the first half. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
WHEATON 11/14/09 Lake Zurich's fans celebrate with their team after defeating Wheaton North in the class 7A quarterfinal in Wheaton, Nov. 14, 2009. The Bears advance by beating the Falcons 24-17. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
Tags: football, Lake Zurich, sports, Wheaton North
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Any Given Saturday
November 7th, 2009 by Rob Hart24 hours, 3 games, 6 teams, 16.6 gigs of JPG’s, 4111 frames, 54 photos transmitted, 1 car battery almost died, 3 burritos.
“I *hate* sports.” I’ve been quoted saying that so many times. But really, I love sports and high school football in particular. Just in moderation. Let me refine that. I love playoff sports. Give me a poorly lit field with the smoke from the brat grill slowly creeping into your nose. Knowing for a lot of kids this moment will be a highlight of thier lives. Running to your car at halftime to send the first wave of photos back in the 15 min before the 2nd half kickoff. I love the cold, the rain, the mud, or sometimes snow. Those days like today that are 70 degrees in November. I love talking to those Chicago guys who know everything about the teams, the ones that go back and link to your photos on their message boards. I love when a moderately crappy marching band plays Soul Finger.
Everything that happens outside that rectangle is great, but it’s the game that gets me. Maybe because shooting sports is like a video game. You gotta be there and be ready to push that button. It’s Duck Hunt. I read the formation as they line up, looking for a clue just like a defender. Sometimes you follow the correct receiver, have him in focus right as the ball is hitting his hands. And sometimes a ref, player, parent, coach, or mascot decides to place themselves between you and the action. Then lots of times you blow it cause that’s what happens.
So today I drew Glenbard South vs. Vernon Hills and then rushed over for top ranked Maine South versus Leyden. Here’s a few of my favorites from inside that rectangle.
GLEN ELLYN11/7/09 Glenbard South's Tyler Benware (22)gets the ball knocked out of his arms by Vernon Hills' Joseph Morehead (24) after Benware intercepted a Cougar pass in the second round of IHSA Class 5A playoffs in Glen Ellyn Nov. 7, 2009. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
GLEN ELLYN11/7/09 Vernon Hills' Chris Anders (1) tackles Glenbard South's Trace Wanless in the endzone in the second round of IHSA Class 5A playoffs in Glen Ellyn Nov. 7, 2009. The Cougars are losing 33-8 atfter the first half. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
GLEN ELLYN11/7/09 Vernon Hills' Chris Anders (1) tries to get in front of Glenbard South's Connor Douglas (3) in the second round of IHSA Class 5A playoffs in Glen Ellyn Nov. 7, 2009. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
NORTHLAKE11/7/09 Maine South's quarterback Tyler Benez (18) throws a pass versus Leyden in the second round of IHSA Class 8A playoffs in Northlake Nov. 7, 2009. The Hawks advance to the third round with a 34-16 victory. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
NORTHLAKE11/7/09 Leyden's Angel Maldonado (3) outruns Maine South's Cody Fallico (31) for a touchdown in the second round of IHSA Class 8A playoffs in Northlake Nov. 7, 2009.(Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
NORTHLAKE11/7/09 Maine South's Kevin Maloney (5) can't keep Leyden's Adam Bielech (84) from catching a low pass in the second round of IHSA Class 8A playoffs in Northlake Nov. 7, 2009. The Hawks advanced to the third round by beating the Eagles 34-16. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
NORTHLAKE11/7/09 Leyden's Victor Fuentes (22) jumps to block a pass in the endzone intended for Maine South's Luke Mottley (15) in the second round of IHSA Class 8A playoffs in Northlake Nov. 7, 2009. The Hawks advanced to the third round by beating the Eagles 34-16. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
NORTHLAKE11/7/09 Maine South's quarterback Tyler Benez (18) gets tackled by Leyden's Jeff Casella (11) in the second round of IHSA Class 8A playoffs in Northlake Nov. 7, 2009. The Hawks advance to the third round with a 34-16 victory. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
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Friday night slights
November 6th, 2009 by Rob HartTonight was the first ever home playoff game for the Proviso West football team. Earlier that day Kyle Prater was honored with a pep assembly announcing he was selected to play in the US Army All-American Bowl. Prater will play next season at USC and tonight was his final game. I’ve only photographed him once this season and had to leave at the half to cover another game and they never threw the ball his way while I was there. It’s too bad Glenbrook South had to ransack them 44-6.
Prater’s last touchdown catch as a high school athlete was a 40-yard grab as he used one arm to out muscle Glenbrook South’s Alex Garvey a the other to catch the ball. It was beautiful. One of the things I love about high school sports is seeing moments that really matter to these kids before everything is about money and endorsements.
I also got to hang out with David Banks on the sidelines tonight. He’s a great photographer and really good sports shooter, and a good guy.
HILLSIDE11/6/09 Proviso West's Kyle Prater (21) fights off Glenbrook South's Alex Garvey (34) for a 40 yard touchdown at Proviso West High School in Hillside Nov. 6, 2009. The Titans lead the Panthers 24-6 after the first half. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
HILLSIDE11/6/09 Glenbrook South's quarterback Mike Pullano (3) celebrates after throwing for 5 touchdown passes versus Proviso West in Hillside Nov. 6, 2009. The Titans beat the Panthers 44-6.(Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
HILLSIDE11/6/09 Glenbrook South senior Jake Schmidt celebrates after the Titans beat Proviso West 44-6 in Hillside Nov. 6, 2009. (Rob Hart/Staff Photographer)
Tags: football, Glenbrook South, Kyle Prater, playoffs, Proviso West
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Wedding self portraits
October 5th, 2009 by Rob HartI have a collection of images of myself shot using the windows at weddings in my downtime. It’s kinda nerdy, I know, but ingesting cards is super boring. So if you see me shooting photos out a window with a strobe going off come over and get your picture took with me.
Photographer Rob Hart http://www.robhartphoto.com Chicago Wedding Photojournalist.
Tags: Rob Hart, self portrait, Wedding
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Olympic FAIL
October 2nd, 2009 by Rob HartAs I was parking my car to attend a big party where Chicago would be named greatest city in the freakin’ world and get anointed with the crown that is the 2016 Olympic games, NPR reported the vote went the other way. I wasn’t totally in favor of the Olympics, nor against it. The city has way more serious issues that could use attention, like gun violence, poverty, gentrification, failing schools, I could go on. So the reporter I was working with, Chris LaFortune, and I hung out as a handful of students and faculty at Concordia University Chicago watched news reports.
Most people declined to be photographed, the gym was super dark, and we missed the moment. But you can’t publish an excuse.
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GeekFest 2009 St. Pete, FLA
September 17th, 2009 by Rob HartLast weekend I ventured down south of the Mason-Dixon Line for GeekFest 09, a gathering of rabble rousing visual journalists that need a place to commune. Corey Perrine called it Camera Camp. Officially it’s the annual gathering of members from the AphotoAday community. Melissa Lyttle always drops some inspirational speakers on us: Sam Abell, Bryan Moss, Damon Winter, , Allison V. Smith and her Superficial Snapshots, Pat Farrell, Dai Sugano, Bob Croslin, Nicole Fruge, and many other geeks I dearly love.
My friend John H. White always talks about the the need to recharge your batteries, to build your photographic armor, to bask in some PJ love. (video here) These are all people who have a common goal, to document, to tell stories with their cameras, to be awesome visual servants. Everyday in newsrooms it gets heavy, everyday my phone goes nuts with car crashes, shootings, fires, stabbings. You gotta find the small slice that lifts your soul and makes you want to be better. To tell better stories, to effect more change. I love my geeks. I miss them already. But it’s nice to be home and working.
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