J.Geil Photography

2013 Chicago Cubs home opener

jgeil — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 06:01:10 +0000

Major league baseball has returned to Chicago’s north side. All is right with the world once again. While the Cubs rallied late, they came up short against the Milwaukee Brewers in their home opener. I didn’t shoot game action but for two or three moments here and there. Instead, I wandered Wrigley. I soaked up the sun in the bleachers and held onto my hat in the windy upper deck. I watched the youthful crowd drink with reckless abandon and observed more seasoned fans as they watched with bridled optimism. Or maybe that was skepticism. There will be many more games to follow, but there is nothing like Opening Day.

Chicago Force running back, Brandy Hatcher

jgeil — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 00:54:57 +0000

Brandy Hatcher, a running back with Chicago Force, poses for a photograph this afternoon before the team’s practice at Trienen’s Hall on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston. Hatcher, a nurse at Rush Oak Park Hospital, will play in Finland this summer as part of the U.S. national team.

I was so glad to get to meet Brandy. She and her teammates, coaches and team owner Linda Bache were so welcoming and all very nice. Most football players refuse to smile for photographs because they want to look tough, so it was a refreshing change of pace when Brandy asked me if she could smile during our brief photo shoot.

Playoffs?!!

jgeil — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 15:18:19 +0000

As Regina Dominican’s Maggie Palmer brings the ball up court late in the second half of an Illinois high school state sectional playoff game, Vernon Hills center Meri Bennett-Swanson screams in the direction of her opponent in an attempt to rattle her. Heck, it just about rattled me. That’s bringing the intensity.

2013 Special Olympics Chicago Polar Plunge

jgeil — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:38:20 +0000

I was honored to photograph for Special Olympics Chicago, documenting their annual Polar Plunge event at North Avenue Beach this weekend. What an awesome day. So much fun, and for such a good cause. Organizers and participants teamed to raise many, many thousands of dollars. They clearly had a good time doing it. Pretty cool.

One moment in particular struck me. I noticed a woman celebrating her 50th birthday (I know this because she was wearing a t-shirt that said, “50. Been there, done that, can’t remember”). She was charging into the lake with a look on her face that just summed it all up for me. Life is a whole lot of fun if you just dive in. Particularly if you have family and friends who will join you for the ride.

Thank you to event organizer Jen Kramer, who is awesome, and to the Chicago Fire Department’s Dive Unit, who gave me a dry suit to wear while standing in the lake for two hours. Also, thanks to David Kindler who made it all come together once again.

You can view all of the images David and I shot at the event here.

And it’s not too late to give to the cause. Donate to the Special Olympics here.

Featured figure

jgeil — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:16:57 +0000

I’ve never felt any trepidation taking chances on photo assignments during my career. I have been fortunate to work for publications that didn’t punish me if I missed a shot, especially if it was because I was trying to find a unique image or angle. In college, I climbed into the rafters of Shoemaker Center and shot, without anyone ever knowing, photos directly above center court. Hand holding a camera a couple hundred feet above the game being played below!

Later, I was actually encouraged to shoot on the edges while at papers like The Cincinnati Post. I think those early experiences trained me to not worry so much about what I might miss, and instead think more about photos others might not be taking.

When I was invited to help document the Park District of Oak Park’s annual ice show at Ridgeland Common this year, I almost immediately thought it would be cool to have a direct overhead camera. So, with the help of Oak Park photographer David Kindler, and the amazing park district staff, I clamped a 5D Mark II with a 35mm lens to the rafters above the ice 30 minutes before Sunday’s show. I only had a few minutes to set it up, and I had to guess entirely on the exposure, but I was able to get a few images.

Unlike basketball, where you know precisely where the action will be and what the lighting situation is, figure skating is a totally different animal. No strobes are allowed so creating predictable light is out of the question, and obviously you can only guess where the skaters will end up. I chose center ice, figuring at least some of the skaters would do something cool there, and let the chips (not the camera) fall where they may. Even with my ISO cranked up to 2500, I wasn’t able to use a shutter speed fast enough to fully stop the movement of the skaters below. While the ice is in focus, the twirling skaters have a soft blur to them.

Freddy Sanchez of Taco Nano

jgeil — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 05:17:17 +0000

There’s a new taco joint in town. Taco Nano in Northfield is a small place, as it’s name would suggest, but it’s packed full of bright color and good food. I photographed chef Freddie Sanchez at the restaurant this week. Tough to resist a bright pink couch when you’re shooting photos! I also shot the portrait of Highland Park resident Dan Rosenberg, who is a cook book editor.

Chef Phil Rubino

jgeil — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 06:48:25 +0000

I shot a portrait of Phil Rubino, the Executive Chef at Royce in Highland Park, Tuesday afternoon. A big snow storm kept the lunch crowd away, which provided me the opportunity to shoot his photograph out in the actual dining area which has some nice features to work with. Rubino was great. He was very laid back and easy going which always makes it easier.

Classic hockey

jgeil — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 05:59:06 +0000

Miami (Ohio) and Notre Dame took part in the first modern-day outdoor collegiate hockey game at Soldier Field in Chicago Sunday afternoon. Notre Dame won the game, 2-1. I photographed about half of the contest before heading out. I really wish I had more time to work on it, but I have a feeling the event could become somewhat regular so I guess there’s always next time.

Loyola Academy defeats St. Joseph

jgeil — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 18:21:36 +0000

I traveled to Westchester, Ill. to photograph Loyola Academy vs. St. Joseph High School Friday night. It was a welcomed deviation from my usual North Shore coverage area as I live just a few miles away in Oak Park. St. Joseph has a rich history of high school basketball, and while this was the third time I photographed legendary head coach Gene Pingatore’s team this season, it was the first game I’ve shot at St. Joe’s historic facility. It’s poorly lit to say the least. In fact, it’s downright awful light, but I white balanced as best I could and shot at 3200 ISO.

Loyola jumped out to a 10-0 lead quickly, but it was a very close game the rest of the way. Only when St. Joe’s final shot attempt lipped out at the buzzer was it decided, and Loyola’s kids went crazy. I knew they were going to celebrate, but I had no idea the team’s assistant coaches had bottles of sparkling grape juice at the ready for a jubilant bunch in the locker room. Made for some sticky photo gear.

Lake Forest Academy’s Dejon Brissett

jgeil — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 16:54:24 +0000

Lake Forest Academy’s Dejon Brissett soars in for a dunk during the first half of a game against La Lumiere School last week.