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Archive for February, 2012

Photographing Photographers III – A case of the Mondays

February 28th, 2012

Monday is a photographer’s Sunday. I wish everyday was making pictures for no reason. I even shot 2 rolls of film. Yes, film. That’s not a typo.

From left Gary Middendorf, Candice C. Cusic, Vincent Johnson, Rob Hart, Shauna Bittle, Brian Valentin, Matt Piechalak, Brian Powers, and Sol Neelman.

Then we found a sweet spot at the Crimson Lounge at the Sax Hotel.

And the Billy Goat.

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Photographing Photographers II

February 24th, 2012

Marianne Mather Morgan

Corey R Minkanic

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It’s Personal – I Don’t Believe You’ve Met My Baby

February 23rd, 2012

Sometimes the most meaningful photo is the one you don’t make. As an editor told me of our ultrasound picture, “Did you take this photo? It is dark, blurry and out of focus.” Brilliant Mr. Beasley.

Last weekend we surprised our parents with a photo of the newest Hart baby. It’s pretty exciting to be welcoming a baby girl into the mix this summer. I’m not sure the cats will be as excited.

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It’s Personal – Baptisim

February 23rd, 2012

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. – Matthew 5:15

Everyone who’s a photographer gets invited places with the catch, “You’re bringing your camera, right?” After almost two decades of having a camera hanging off my shoulder it’s just assumed that I’m the pool photographer for the family. If you can’t share your talents with the people you love then you’re not doing it right.

I’ll refer you to #60. “Give to life and life will give back to you.” My awesome cousins Mike & Becky getting their third baby girl baptized. Very cool moment.

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Ashes to Go

February 22nd, 2012

I spent the morning with Shawn Schreiner, Rector at Grace Episcopal Church in Oak Park, while she performed the Ash Wednesday rites for commuters getting on the Green Line. Ashes to Go brings the spirit to you. Although most people pass on having a stranger smudge their faces, there were lots of people who appreciate the Church meeting them along their busy day and giving them a small moment. Megan Opel, third photo down, was near tears with this unexpected encounter on Ash Wednesday.

“It was really special,” Opel said as she boarded the Green Line. For someone who was on their way to work her face showed the appreciation. “Just very touching, she said.”

Isn’t that was we all want, no matter your faith just having something nice, surprising and meaningful happen to you before 9 A.M.? That’s pretty cool.

Shawn Schreiner, Rector at Grace Episcopal Church, marks the forehead of commuters with black ashes in the sign of the cross on Feb. 22, 2012, at the Harlem Avenue Green Line station in Oak Park. Schreiner was giving Ash Wednesday rites on the street as part of an "Ashes to Go" program she helped bring to Oak Park. Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media

Shawn Schreiner offers to commuters to give the sign of the cross on their foreheads on Feb. 22, 2012, at the Harlem Avenue Green Line station in Oak Park. Schreiner was giving Ash Wednesday rites on the street as part of an "Ashes to Go" program she helped bring to Oak Park. Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media

"It was really special for me, very touching" said Megan Opel, of Oak Park as she boarded the EL after receiving Ash Wednesday rites from Shawn Schreiner on Feb. 22, 2012, at the Harlem Avenue Green Line station in Oak Park. Schreiner was giving Ash Wednesday rites on the street as part of an "Ashes to Go" program she helped bring to Oak Park. Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media

Shawn Schreiner, Rector at Grace Episcopal Church, talks with Kristin Kirby, of Oak Park, after Kirby received the sign of the cross in ashes on her forehead on Feb. 22, 2012, at the Harlem Avenue Green Line station in Oak Park. Schreiner was giving Ash Wednesday rites on the street as part of an "Ashes to Go" program she helped bring to Oak Park. Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media

on Feb. 22, 2012, in Oak Park. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media Assignment ID: 00080966A View in Trax: http://172.27.20.6:80/scripts/foxisapi.dll/webtrax.wt.request?rq=showform&doc=assign&view=assign_details&a_code=00080966A Slug: ashes-OAK-022212 Assigned to: Hart, Rob Start: Wednesday 02/22/2012 07:00 AM End: Wednesday 02/22/2012 08:00 AM Can time be changed? No Reporter: Clark, Jennifer Business: 847-486-7467 Cellular: 312-730-5370 email: jclark@pioneerlocal.com jclark322@hotmail.com For Desk: NWS Will be there? No Requested by: Clark, Jennifer Business: 847-486-7467 Cellular: 312-730-5370 email: jclark@pioneerlocal.com jclark322@hotmail.com Editor: TBA Contact: Julie Ruth Harley Contact phone: 708-386-5215 Contact e-mail: Deadline Date: Wednesday 02/22/2012 05:00 PM Planned Section: Place: Metra/Green Line Station Street Address: Oak Park** 7am or 12pm, IL, US South Boulevard near Harlem Avenue ________________________________________________________________ Summary: Photo and video of pastors performing Ash Wednesday rites on the street called "Ashes to Go." See press release below. There are two times: 7 a.m. time for commuters and the noon time. Pastors and priests from Oak Park and River Forest will take to the streets on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, to offer Ash Wednesday rites marking the beginning of Lent. At 7 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, you will be able to find âAshes to Goâ° at many train stations: Oak Park Avenue Green and Blue Lines, Green Line and Metra Station at Harlem Avenue. At noon âAshes to Goâ° will be present at Marion and Lake streets in Oak Park. From 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. âAshes to Goâ° will be offered near Lincoln Elementary School right by Christ Church, 515 Franklin Ave., in River Forest. The ministers taking to the streets are: ï£¿ the Rev. Kathy Nolte from Good Shepherd Lutheran, River Forest; ï£¿ the Rev. Julie Ruth Harley from First United, Oak Park; ï£¿ the Rev. Parish Coffey from St. Christopherâs Episcopal Church, Oak Park; ï£¿ the Rev. Pete Campbell from Christ Church, River Forest; ï£¿ the Rev. Shawn Schreiner from Grace Episcopal, Oak Park; and ï£¿ the Rev. Kelly Faulstich from Grace Lutheran Church and School, River Forest. They will be joined by members of their congregations. The Rev. Shawn M. Schreiner brought the idea, that started in the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago by the The Rev. Emily Mellott, rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in Lombard. The initiative called âAshes to Go,â° is meant to reach people who canât attend church services, where ashes are places on the forehead in the shape of the cross. The Rev. Schreiner mentioned that this will be her third year to take to the streets with this important religious symbol and has found it to be an amazingly powerful ministry. People are searching for the spiritual and this happens to be a symbol that so many people yearn for. Jesus was always going to the people and so will area pastors and lay members. Schreiner also mentioned that the group is very respectful of other religious traditions and states that this is in done in such a way that those for whom this religious symbol is important will know that it is available to them in the middle of winter. For more information, call the Rev. Shawn M. Schreiner at (708) 386-8036. ________________________________________________________________ Directions: Harlem Avenue to South Boulevard, Oak Park

Miko Bruno, of Oak Park, gets Ash Wednesday rites from Shawn Schreiner, Rector at Grace Episcopal Church, on Feb. 22, 2012, at the Cozy Corner in Oak Park. Schreiner was giving Ash Wednesday rites on the street as part of an "Ashes to Go" program she helped bring to Oak Park. Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media

Shawn Schreiner, Rector at Grace Episcopal Church, gives Ash Wednesday rites to the staff of Cozy Corner on Feb. 22, 2012, in Oak Park. Schreiner was giving Ash Wednesday rites on the street as part of an "Ashes to Go" program she helped bring to Oak Park. Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media

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It’s Personal – Closer

February 15th, 2012

There’s the old Robert Cappa quote, “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” It could be the most repeated quote among my crowd, and honestly, it happened Monday night at a photo critique. And that got me thinking that I’ve been wrong about what it means to most people.

I always took it to mean an emotional closeness, not a physical one. When my good friends Joel Wintermantle and Jessica Majors had their baby, Mia, you want to be at the hospital as a friend, but also as a documentarian. Your access issues are instantly non-existent.

The idea is, as the Beastie Boys’ Adam Yauch so eloquently expressed, “If you can feel what I’m feeling then it’s a musical masterpiece. If you can hear what I’m dealing with then that’s cool at least.” Getting to what room felt like is much easier when it’s people you care about.

Last week I told a Northwestern student during a critique, “If you’re not making pictures of shit you care about then why the hell should I care about these?” And then I realized it’s time to start documenting what, and who I love.

And when you’re managing an archive make sure to not file baby photos in a folder with cat pics. It’ll take you months to figure that out. Remember when she was this small? Crazy.

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unpeak action

February 11th, 2012

I’ve always enjoyed flaws over perfection. I’m a connoisseur of clumsy. A regular contributor to Awkward Aficionado, if you will. Unfit for even impolite society. When you’re on you’re 100th basketball game of the season you gotta relish in things that aren’t great, or even good, but just off. And sometimes I enjoy the ungraceful gawkyness of the in-between moments.

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LMAO+LOLing = Laughter Yoga

February 9th, 2012

Laughter Yoga. The kind of phrase that when you see it on a bulletin board or community calendar you stop, and your mind starts to imagine all kinds of insane combinations. I did the same thing. I couldn’t be as simple as adults walking around laughing for no reason, acting the fool, could it? Answer, yes.

This shit is hilarious. And for someone who has to fill a photo page every week these are the stories I love to tell. It’s not complicated, there’s no arc, no issue, no big whoop. Just people trying to make themselves feel better, havin’ a laugh. Try spending an hour LOLing. It’s a good time and kinda exhausting. Check it out, there’s all kinds of videos and supposed health benefits. And it’s all over Chicago. No joke.

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a boardroom with a view

February 8th, 2012

Sometimes a picture just happens in front of you while you wait for the IT people to fix your computer. Photographers tend to be people who love the interaction of meeting new people, exploring the world, seeing what we’ve never seen. Or just find the beauty in the boring.