Crown Fountain

(Chicago, IL USA) A face smiles at visitors to Crown Fountain in Millennium Park on a fall day in downtown Chicago.  The changing images on the panel are created by LED lights behind a wall of glass blocks.  During warmer weather the panel sprays water from the ever changing images.  This panel is one of two that face each other and form the fountain.

Millennium Park is a favorite spot for visitors to Chicago.  This image of a Crown Fountain tower panel was shot on a fall day after the water had been shut off for the season.  When the water is flowing you might see a face, which is created by an LED panel behind glass blocks, spurting water from pursed lips.  The fountain is comprised of two panels which face each other, spray water and change the image created by the wall of LED's.

Chicago Street Musicians

(Chicago, IL  USA) Two street musicians at the intersection of State and Monroe in downtown Chicago the Friday after Thanksgiving.  People were rushing everywhere to start their Christmas shopping.

I watched these two musicians from the other side of the intersection for quite a while before I crossed the street and grabbed a few shots of them playing.

Lara Logan - Ernie & Lucha Vogel Moral Courage Speaker

(Elsah IL USA) CBS foreign affairs correspondent Lara Logan stands backstage and reviews material for the audience immediately before lecturing as the Ernie and Lucha Vogel Moral Courage Speaker at Principia College.

(Elsah, IL USA) CBS foreign affairs Correspondent Lara Logan onstage during her lecture as part of the Principia College 2011-2012 speaker series.  Logan is the chief foreign affairs correspondent for CBS News, and a correspondent for CBS's 60 Minutes.

Lara Logan has put herself in dangerous situations many times in order to report issues and events that shape the politics we see unfold in the middle east.  This has come at a very steep price and in February 2011, she was sexually assaulted and beaten by a mob while reporting on the Egyptian revolution in Tahrir Square.

Logan at one point addressed a question she has been repeatedly asked, "Was it worth it?"  Her answer was that if she had died, no, it wasn't worth it.  But she lived, and yes, she thought that it was probably worth it.  Then again, her husband, he would say that it wasn't worth it.

Personally, the woman I met was extremely pleasant.  She sometimes struggles as all parents do with juggling a career, a home life and children.  I give her credit for standing up and telling exactly what has been happening in places where we many times only see a sanitized view. 

Lara Logan smiling and talking in the "green room" before her lecture at Principia College. 

You can see all of the images by clicking on the link.

http://michaelweaver.zenfolio.com/p427496849

Calhoun Girls Volleyball & A New Feature!

New feature, slideshow with music!

The Calhoun High School girls volleyball  team won the regional title and is now off to sectional play.

Leica M8 With Firelight (Beer Drinking, Bonfire and Hayride)

(Brighton, IL USA) Three friends sit on a bale of straw during an annual fall bonfire and hayride. L to R Bill Huebener, Bob Sancamper and Art Tunnicliff.  Leica M8 and Voigtlander 35mm f1.2  1/20 second at f1.4

(Brighton, IL USA) A young boy and his dad sitting near a roaring bonfire at an annual fall party.   Leica M8 and Voigtlander 35mm f1.2.  1/20 second at f1.4

Went to a fall party that included a day of shooting most every type of firearm available to the general public, followed by a bonfire and hayride.  I used my Leica M8 to capture a few images after dark to see how well it worked with firelight.

As expected, because of the extreme IR sensitivity, full color images have a distinct magenta cast.  The black and white images look superb considering the conditions.

Calhoun Girls Volleyball Regional Championship



(Hardin, IL USA) Calhoun High School students cheer their team during the Illinois Class A girls volleyball regional tournament held at Calhoun High School.

The Calhoun High School girls volleyball team is now off to sectional Play after their defeat of Franklin/Waverly.

(Hardin, IL USA) The Calhoun High School girls volleyball team holds up their Class A regional award plaque as fans cheer from the bleachers.

See all the photos from the game by clicking on the link.

Cheerleaders and Football

(Hardin, IL) Cheerleaders for the Calhoun Warrior football team leaping for photos by friends and family before the game with North Greene of White Hall.

Nothing sets the mood for a football game better than leaping cheerleaders.  See more from the game by clicking on the link.

http://michaelweaver.zenfolio.com/p302775436