AMANDA SCHWENGEL

19 January 2011

bears bonanza

The game against the Bears and Seahawks Sunday went smashingly. A beautiful fluffy snow fell during the first half, and I was mostly toasty aside from some cold feet and a frozen trigger finger half-way in. Due to a recent winter bicycling injury I opted to shoot from the sidelines rather than kneel in the endzones. (And for the record I am staying true to my Wisconsin roots for a Packers win this Sunday...)

Here is my favorite shot. Lots of photos but this is some history in the makin'!
Chicago's Greg Olsen escapes a tackle by Seattle's Marcus Trufant with a 33 yard gain in the first half of the game Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field. The Bears defeated the Seahawks 35-24.

The Chicago Bears enter the field for their game Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011 against the Seattle Seahawks.

Chicago's Greg Olsen catches a 58-yard pass from Jay Cutler in the first quarter to score the first touchdown of the game against Seattle Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field.

Chester Taylor celebrates.

Chicago's Jay Cutler scores a touchdown in the second half as Seattle's Jordan Babineaux tries to tackle him.

Coach Lovie Smith smiles after the Bears score a touchdown.

Chicago's Anthony Adams celebrates with a somersault in the fourth quarter.

Seattle's Matt Hasslebeck looks to pass just before he gets tackled in the second half.

I don't know if this works but I like this photo.

And the sports page...

18 January 2011

january saturday

I spent Saturday outside all day, shooting pond hockey and land conservation efforts. It was good practice for the Bears Seahawks game Sunday.

Participants in the Lake in the Hills inaugural pond hockey tournament play Saturday afternoon on Woods Creek Lake off Indian Trail. Twelve teams from throughout Illinois and Wisconsin competed in 30-minute four-on-four games throughout the day.

Here is a video I shot from the event:
http://ssm.nwherald.com/northwest-herald/video/20110116PondHockey/pond-hockey-tournament/

Spectators stay bundled up for the inaugural Lake in the Hills pond hockey tournament Saturday. Twelve teams played 22 games Saturday on two rinks created on the frozen surface of the lake, and the tournament was for players 18 and older.

Neil Smith, right, and Dave Heelein carry logs in the restoration effort of land near Pioneer Fen and Dutch Creek in Johnsburg on Saturday morning. Volunteers meet every third Saturday of the month to remove and combat invasive plants and encourage native plant growth.

And here is how it all came together in the newspaper.

workplace workout

Do you ever wish you could just work out in your office? Not have to drive to the gym? Have someone come to you? Well it can be done, and these ladies make it happen.

Personal trainer Suzanne Janusz, of Destination Fitness, works out with client Nancy Effert in her office downtown Crystal Lake Friday. The pair workout once a week for an hour.

a snowy tuesday

Here is a winter feature from last week.
Ice fisherman try their luck on Crystal Lake on Tuesday afternoon. In general, new ice is usually stronger than old ice, and four inches of clear, newly‑formed ice may support one person on foot.

donkey basketball

I photographed donkey basketball last week. What is that, you may ask? Well it is exactly what you would think it would be, players ride donkeys until they fall off and try to score a basket with a smaller than average ball.
Marengo Fire Protection District's Scott Klaassens chases after his donkey during the game Thursday evening.

Marengo Fire Protection District's Jake Adamson attempts a shot as Marengo Middle School principal Tracy Beam tries to block him at the Donkey Basketball fundraiser held at Marengo High School on Thursday evening. The event, hosted by the Marengo Community High School Booster Club, raised proceeds to help fund the athletics program.

11 January 2011

the aftermath of a visit to the chicago cultural center

I took a visit Monday afternoon to see the new exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center, "Finding Vivian Maier: Chicago Street Photographer." It is everything it is cracked up to be. Read more about her here:

http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/January-2011/Vivian-Maier-Street-Photographer/index.php?cparticle=3&siarticle=2#artanc

I rather liked her quote: “I suppose nothing is meant to last forever... We have to make room for other people. It’s a wheel—you get on, you go to the end, and someone else has the same opportunity to go to the end, and so on, and somebody else takes their place. There’s nothing new under the sun.”

Consequently, here are some photos I took inspired by Maier. Enjoy!

Feedback is welcome.
Also, here are my favorite fellow cohorts, Sam and Sophie.

bird in the newsroom

A feathered friend paid a visit to the office of the Northwest Herald a few weeks ago. I forgot to post this but it happened a few days before Christmas and subsequently the bird got cornered in HR, but then took off once it heard about the 401k plan. Check out this short video I made from some raw footage I took:
http://vimeo.com/18029593