A year ago today, I started at CNI. Twenty-six years ago today, I was born. Since birthdays are a million times more exciting if you're still in the single digits, this morning I told one of my 5-year-old subjects that it's my birthday. I figured it'd be a great distraction. He guessed I just turned 10 years old. God bless him.

Anyways, if I'm lucky, I may be doing a little of this tonight ...

Nikon D2H, 170 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/250, Manual
Brooke Bollis, 4, licks her fingers during a cake icing art project Friday, June 20, 2008, held at the Franklin Public Library. Children and their parents played with safe and edible craft materials.

There's been graduations. There's been floods. There's been more graduations. And there's been more floods.

Let's start with the graduations. I had five of them to shoot this month. When you photograph the same event five times within three weeks, you really start to work. This year, I struggled a bit. Hundreds of graduation photos taken by other news photographers kept flashing through my mind. "Look for something different. Avoid the typical getting-ready-in-the-bathroom-mirror shot." As close-knit as photographers are, we NEVER want to get the same photo. It's like, The Battle of the Photographer Ego, Times 100.

Week after week, I looked for different moments. Different details. Different expressions. A different type of centerpiece photo for each community. Sometimes, the events most catered to be perfect photo opportunities are the hardest assignments for photojournalists to put behind them.

Here is a sampling of what I found.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 800 ISO, f2.8, 1/100, Manual
Graduating seniors at Franklin High School receive their flowers and diplomas Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at the FHS Commencement Ceremony, held at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex. This year's ceremony — originally scheduled for Sunday, June 8, 2008 — was delayed two days, due to flooding in the Sports Complex. The FHS valedictorian for the Class of 2008 is Ryan Spott.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/1000, Manual
Josh Hintz, a graduating senior at Franklin High School, stands in a ray of sunlight Tuesday, June 10, 2008, shortly before the FHS Commencement Ceremony, held at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex. This year's ceremony — originally scheduled for Sunday, June 8, 2008 — was delayed two days, due to flooding in the Sports Complex. The FHS valedictorian for the Class of 2008 is Ryan Spott.

Nikon D2H, 185 mm, 800 ISO, f2.8, 1/100, Manual
Graduating seniors at Franklin High School face their friends and family members Tuesday, June 10, 2008, during the processional the FHS Commencement Ceremony, held at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex. This year's ceremony — originally scheduled for Sunday, June 8, 2008 — was delayed two days, due to flooding in the Sports Complex. The FHS valedictorian for the Class of 2008 is Ryan Spott.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/125, Manual
A graduating senior at Whitnall High School gets a drink of water Sunday, June 1, 2008, shortly before the start of the Whitnall High School Commencement Ceremony, held in the school's gymnasium. The WHS Class of 2008 valedictorian is Amy Strasburg.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 800 ISO, f2.8, 1/400, Manual
Julie Voelkel, a graduating senior at Whitnall High School, enters the gymnasium Sunday, June 1, 2008, during the processional shortly before the Whitnall High School Commencement Ceremony, held in the school's gymnasium. The WHS Class of 2008 valedictorian is Amy Strasburg.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 800 ISO, f2.8, 1/125, Manual
Some personalities could be seen through the shoes hidden underneath the gowns of graduating seniors at New Berlin West High School Saturday, June 14, 2008, during the school's Commencement Ceremony, held in the school's field house. The valedictorian for the New Berlin West Class of 2008 is Hilary Monaco.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/200, Manual
Tyler Valkoun, the salutatorian for the New Berlin West Class of 2008, addresses his peers Saturday, June 14, 2008, in the school's field house. The valedictorian for the New Berlin West Class of 2008 is Hilary Monaco.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 800 ISO, f2.8, 1/400, Manual
Graduating seniors at New Berlin West High School line up to accept their diplomas Saturday, June 14, 2008, in the school's field house. The valedictorian for the New Berlin West Class of 2008 is Hilary Monaco.

If I weren't a photojournalist, I can't honestly say I would have attended a Memorial Day ceremony Monday. It's far too easy to sleep in on what would normally be an additional day off, or head off to the family barbecue an hour early. But that's exactly why I love my job: It forces me to experience and appreciate things I might otherwise pass on by. For those who have served our country or lost a loved one in war, no other day is more important.

As I approached a veteran in the crowd at Muskego's ceremony and asked him for his name, he actually thanked me for taking his picture. It caught me off guard for two reasons: First, it's rare for people to thank me for taking their photos. Some actually run away. Second, he shouldn't have been the one doing the thanking — it was HIS day to be recognized.

Nikon D2H, 170 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/5000, Manual
Joseph Streff (center), a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 488, salutes Monday, May 26, 2008, at a Memorial Day ceremony, held at Highland Memorial Park, New Berlin. Mayor Jack Chiovatero and Senator Mary Lazich addressed the crowd.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 320 ISO, f2.8, 1/8000, Manual
Dennis Duran, commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8171, watches the red, white and blue balloons float into the air Saturday, May 24, 2008, during Muskego's Memorial Day Ceremony, held at ProHealth Care Regency, Muskego. The ceremony included several readings, songs, a Memorial Wreath, a salute by the Rifle Squad, and remarks by Tracy Snead, Muskego's Common Council president.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 320 ISO, f2.8, 1/4000, Manual
Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8171 bow their heads in prayer Saturday, May 24, 2008, during Muskego's Memorial Day Ceremony, held at ProHealth Care Regency, Muskego. The ceremony included several readings, songs, a Memorial Wreath, a salute by the Rifle Squad, and remarks by Tracy Snead, Muskego's Common Council president.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/1250, Manual
Patryk Schlomann, 12, a member of Boy Scouts Troop 93, out of New Berlin, grabs a balloon Monday, May 26, 2008, at a Memorial Day ceremony, held at Highland Memorial Park, New Berlin. Names of deceased veterans were attached to the balloons and released at the conclusion of the ceremony. Mayor Jack Chiovatero and Senator Mary Lazich addressed the crowd.

If you give 10 rolls of duct tape to a room full of feisty middle school students, they're probably going to ... tape you to a wall. And then throw pies at your face.

God bless Matt Lesar, principal at Forest Park Middle School. He actually let them do it. I can't say I was surprised — every time I step into the school, Matt seems to be bouncing around the hallways with a big smile on his face. I never doubted he'd be up for a laugh or two, even at his own expense.

"This isn't as fun as I thought it was going to be," Lesar said Friday morning as whip cream pies were being flung at his face. But it's all for a good cause, he reminded himself. The students raised more than $2,000 for Hoops for Heart, an organization that helps fight heart disease and stroke.

"Leave him up there for the rest of the day!" one of the seventh-grade girls jokingly said to a friend. The students succeeded in securing Lesar to the wall, using nearly every inch of the 1,200 feet of tape they were given.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/250, WITH FLASH, Manual
Matt Lesar, principal at Forest Park Middle School, Franklin, gets taped to the wall Friday, May 23, 2008, by top fundraisers for the Hoops for Heart challenge. Forest Park students raised more than $2,000 for Hoops for Hearts, which helps fight heart disease and strokes. Using 10 rolls of duct tape, the students succeeded in securing Lesar. As he hung from the wall, the students then threw numerous pies in Lesar's face.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/250, WITH FLASH, Manual
Matt Lesar, principal at Forest Park Middle School, Franklin, gets taped to the wall Friday, May 23, 2008, by top fundraisers for the Hoops for Heart challenge. Forest Park students raised more than $2,000 for Hoops for Hearts, which helps fight heart disease and strokes. Using 10 rolls of duct tape, the students succeeded in securing Lesar. As he hung from the wall, the students then threw numerous pies in Lesar's face.

Nikon D2H, 20 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/250, WITH FLASH, Manual
Matt Lesar, principal at Forest Park Middle School, Franklin, gets taped to the wall Friday, May 23, 2008, by top fundraisers for the Hoops for Heart challenge. Forest Park students raised more than $2,000 for Hoops for Hearts, which helps fight heart disease and strokes. Using 10 rolls of duct tape, the students succeeded in securing Lesar. As he hung from the wall, the students then threw numerous pies in Lesar's face.

Nikon D2H, 145 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/250, WITH FLASH, Manual
After he was taped to the wall, Matt Lesar, principal at Forest Park Middle School, Franklin, gets slammed with whip cream pies Friday, May 23, 2008, by top fundraisers for the Hoops for Heart challenge. Forest Park students raised more than $2,000 for Hoops for Hearts, which helps fight heart disease and strokes. Using 10 rolls of duct tape, the students succeeded in securing Lesar.

This afternoon, for the very first time, I felt as though more people were eyeing up my hair instead of my camera.

Students, staff and parents at Ronald Reagan Elementary School, New Berlin, parted ways with their long locks during Reagan Gives Back Day. The ladies (and even one brave man) donated inches upon inches of hair to Locks of Love, an organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under the age of 18 who are suffering from long-term medical hair loss.

It was great to see the girls grinning from ear to ear, in full realization they were doing something positive for those in need. I photographed three or four girls before I finally captured the priceless reaction below.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/125, Manual
Kaitlyn Fischer, a fourth-grader at Ronald Reagan Elementary School, New Berlin, reacts to having several inches of her hair cut off Friday, May 16, 2008, during a Locks of Love donation. The school held an assembly to celebrate Reagan Gives Back Day, where several students, as well as the school's principal, donated their hair. Locks of Love provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under the age of 18 who are suffering from long-term medical hair loss.

Michelle Moore was no more than a few weeks pregnant when she came down with a case of rubella, otherwise known as German measles. In fact, at the time, she didn't even know she was expecting.

The rash lasted just over a day, but for Michelle's unborn child, the effects would last a lifetime.

That was 43 years ago. Today, Michelle's son, Michael, is completely dependent on his parents' care. Michael was born with rubella syndrome, a birth defect that can cause mental retardation.

Although she loves her son deeply, Michelle doesn't want other women to have to experience what she has gone through, she says.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/320, Manual
Michael Moore, of New Berlin, waits to begin his music therapy class Thursday, May 1, 2008, at the Goodwill Community Service Center, Waukesha. When Moore's mother, Michelle, was pregnant with Michael, she contracted rubella, otherwise known as the German measles, which caused Michael to contract rubella syndrome at birth.

A photographer really can't go wrong when a bright blue sky is your background.

I spent some time today at Holy Apostles School, New Berlin, where students and staff participated in High Interest Day. Activities included football, knitting, theater, bubble-blowing, fencing, French cooking, science experiments, and, of course, a rock wall.

Adventure Rock, located in Pewaukee, provided the climbing wall. These kids zipped up the wall faster than I could lift my camera. I tried rock climbing a couple times when I was living down in Australia, several years back. I think what made me check the sport off my list as a potential passion was when the instructor told us a horror story about forgetting to tie the rope to the stump at the top of the cliff and ... well ... gravity isn't very forgiving to forgetfulness.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 200 ISO, f6.3, 1/8000, Manual
Jake Schreiner, a seventh-grader at Holy Apostles School, New Berlin, rappels down a rock wall Friday, May 9, 2008, during the school's High Interest Day. The climbing wall was staffed by Adventure Rock, Pewaukee. Approximately 50 presenters helped the children experience various activities including football, knitting, theater, basketball, rock climbing, cooking and science fun.

Nikon D2H, 35 mm, 200 ISO, f2.8, 1/2500, Manual
A student at Holy Apostles School, New Berlin, rappels down a rock wall Friday, May 9, 2008, during the school's High Interest Day. The climbing wall was staffed by Adventure Rock, Pewaukee. Approximately 50 presenters helped the children experience various activities including football, knitting, theater, basketball, rock climbing, cooking and science fun.

As some of you may recall, we ran a story several months ago on the homecoming of Cpt. Tim Patterson. Patterson, a New Berlin resident and Franklin police officer, had just returned home after serving a year with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.

As a follow-up to the initial story, I spent a little more time with Tim and his family as he readjusted to life back at home.

Please click on the photo below, which will direct you to an audio slideshow I produced. Be sure to check today's paper for John Schultz's complete story. Working with the Pattersons for the past couple of months has been a photographer's dream. Thank you, Tim, Margie and Abby, for sharing your story.

CLICK ...

Thanks to The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota, I had the opportunity to meet a bald eagle and owl up close and personal this past weekend. The center presented a program at the Muskego Public Library. The Raptor Center specializes in the medical care, rehabilitation, conservation, and study of eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons.

I couldn't stop focusing on the birds' beautiful faces. Of all their features, I'd argue the most striking are their eyes. It was interesting to see the owl turn its neck completely around to look who's behind its back. Owls have had it figured out all along! An owl's neck has 14 vertebrae, which is twice as many as humans. This allows the owl to turn its head through a range of 270 degrees.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 500 ISO, f3.2, 1/160, Manual

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual

One thing I’ve come to realize about photographing politicians is this: They never come in the front door.

Yesterday, Gov. Jim Doyle stopped by the New Berlin City Hall to discuss responsible use of the Great Lakes waters. Whenever I arrive at a press conference, I try and think of one photo I can grab that is as far away from the podium and microphone as possible. Every newspaper and television station will get that shot. Sometimes, it’s nice to work for something different.

I decided the best opportunity yesterday would be a photo of the governor greeting local politicians as soon as he entered City Hall. It’s something I was almost sure would happen.

As other media set up their cameras around the podium inside, I waited in the lobby. A friendly City Hall employee caught my attention and gave me the “inside scoop” as she pointed to the back door. Minutes later, Gov. Doyle walked in and I made the first photo posted below. The other two shots are from the actual press conference.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/100, Manual
Gov. Jim Doyle shakes a few hands Wednesday, April 9, 2008, shortly after arriving at the New Berlin City Hall. Doyle made the announcement that the Great Lakes Compact is ready to be signed into law under an agreement reached with legislators. The Great Lakes Compact will ensure the Great Lakes waters are used responsibly. Doyle was joined at the New Berlin City Hall by lawmakers, environmental group representatives and business leaders.

Nikon D2H, 155 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/125, Manual
Gov. Jim Doyle addresses lawmakers, environmental group representatives and business leaders Wednesday, April 9, 2008, at the New Berlin City Hall. Doyle made the announcement that the Great Lakes Compact is ready to be signed into law under an agreement reached with legislators. The Great Lakes Compact will ensure the Great Lakes waters are used responsibly.

Nikon D2H, 20 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/125, Manual
Gov. Jim Doyle addresses lawmakers, environmental group representatives and business leaders Wednesday, April 9, 2008, at the New Berlin City Hall. Doyle made the announcement that the Great Lakes Compact is ready to be signed into law under an agreement reached with legislators. The Great Lakes Compact will ensure the Great Lakes waters are used responsibly. 

Last night, as I walked into the West Allis Central Fieldhouse for the Girls Indoor Track Conference Championships, I honestly wondered to myself, "When are they going to turn the lights on?"

Then, I realized ... there was no turning up the wattage on these bad boys.

I looked at my camera and said a little prayer.

Coming from Florida — where nearly every prep sport is played outdoors — indoor track sort of made me want to cry. I looked at the Nikon D3 of the photographer next to me. He sensed my pain and said, "Yeah, you can't shoot anything in here under ISO 5000." In full realization that my camera has no capability of shooting any higher than 1600, he walked away, kindly laughing.

For those who are unfamiliar, ISO is the standard measurement of a camera's sensitivity to light. For film cameras, the ISO is the film speed, which is based on the composition of the film. Back in the film days, in order to change the ISO, the photographer had to load a film with a different speed. With digital cameras, ISO can be changed by selecting a speed from the ISO menu, which reconfigures an electronic circuit that emulates film speed. Sometimes, rooms are so dark that altering the camera's shutter speed and aperture are simply not enough. The ISO is a third variable that can create a correct exposure.

I'm not proud of posting a photo taken at ISO 1600 (as I rarely ever shoot above 500), but I wanted to show you what it looks like. Grain, noise, and lots of it.

However, with the newest, top-of-the-line cameras these days, higher ISO's are able to be used with little to no noise.

The second photo posted below is simply an overall shot to give you a sense of last night's available light. I shot the first photo at ISO 1600, 1/160, f2.8 and the second photo at ISO 640, 1/125, f2.8.

Nikon D2H, 155 mm, 1600 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual
Brookfield East's Morgan Mayer-Jochimsen competes in the pole vault Wednesday, April 2, 2008, during the Girls Indoor Track Conference Championships, held in the West Allis Central High School Fieldhouse, West Allis.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/125, Manual

I've always prided myself on a fairly strong stomach. I've never met a rollercoaster I didn't love. And not even an upside down flight in an open-cockpit WWII Stearman could make me nauseous.

But that was back in the day. My younger years (umm, 2006). Something mysterious happens when you hit the age of 25 ...

A balloon sent me over the edge. But trust me ... it was a BIG one. As I stepped inside a 20-foot inflatable Earth Balloon this afternoon, I grounded myself on Antarctica quicker than the 5-year-olds surrounding me could ask where Santa lived on the North Pole. There's something about a huge balloon inflating around you that's a bit unsettling to an empty stomach.

But what an incredible learning experience for the kids. Entire classes at Southwood Glen Elementary School, Franklin, entered the balloon through a zipped doorway and looked at the world from the inside out. The kids then learned an invaluable lesson on conserving our planet's natural resources. Here are a few quick photos ...

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/250, Manual, WITH BOUNCE FLASH
Andrew Smith (right), a second-grader at Southwood Glen Elementary School, Franklin, looks up inside a giant Earth Balloon Tuesday, April 1, 2008, in the school's gymnasium. Students had the chance to sit inside the 20-foot hand-painted inflatable globe. Entire classes entered the balloon through a zipped doorway and looked at the world from the inside out. The experience, presented by WhereAbouts Inc., taught the students about the world's water resources and various cultures.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/80, Manual
Students at Southwood Glen Elementary School, Franklin, raise their hands with questions while inside a giant Earth Balloon Tuesday, April 1, 2008, in the school's gymnasium. Students had the chance to sit inside the 20-foot hand-painted inflatable globe. Entire classes entered the balloon through a zipped doorway and looked at the world from the inside out. The experience, presented by WhereAbouts Inc., taught the students about the world's water resources and various cultures.

Muskego residents are serious about their dodgeball.

The second annual Future Business Leaders of America Dodgeball Tournament was held this weekend at Muskego High School. Approximately 35 teams entered the tourney and pelted balls at one another in front of a packed house. The teams ranged from lunch ladies adorned in hair nets to sports teams decked out in their school uniforms.

I only got hit twice.  

Nikon D2H, 135 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/200, Manual
Erika Drenzek, a member of the Muskego High School varsity girls softball team, celebrates a win Friday, March 14, 2008, during the school's second annual Future Business Leaders of America Dodgeball Tournament, held in the MHS gymnasium. Approximately 35 teams entered the tournament.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual
Lee Perry, a cafeteria worker at Muskego High School, dodges a throw Friday, March 14, 2008, during the school's second annual Future Business Leaders of America Dodgeball Tournament, held in the MHS gymnasium. Approximately 35 teams entered the tournament.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual
Two teams compete Friday, March 14, 2008, at Muskego High School during the school's second annual Future Business Leaders of America Dodgeball Tournament, held in the MHS gymnasium. Approximately 35 teams entered the tournament.

I'm back! 

This past weekend was unexpectedly quite busy. If you haven't heard by now, you must be in a coma. A huge congratulations goes out to the New Berlin Eisenhower boys basketball team on winning their first-ever state championship title. The Lions entered the WIAA playoffs with a fourth seed — they were even left off a list of teams to watch in the sectional. But with hard work, determination and an incredibly strong New Berlin fan base, the boys took home the gold Saturday, with a win over Adams-Friendship, 54-41.

It was great to be a fly on the floor and witness these kids' dreams come true. Here are a few picks from the two games I covered at Madison's Kohl Center.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/320, Manual
New Berlin Eisenhower's Alex Krzykowski, a senior guard, gives a Number 1 to the crowd Friday, March 7, 2008, shortly after the team's Division 2 semifinal win over Monroe, held at the Kohl Center, Madison. The final score was 53-49.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/320, Manual
New Berlin Eisenhower's Kevin Marr (center), a junior forward, goes up for a basket Saturday, March 8, 2008, during the WIAA Division 2 Boys State Championship game, held at the Kohl Center, Madison. Eisenhower won the state championship title, with a win over Adams-Friendship, 54-41.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/320, Manual
New Berlin Eisenhower students cheer on their team shortly after the end of the third quarter Friday, March 7, 2008, during the Division 2 semifinal game against Monroe, held at the Kohl Center, Madison. Eisenhower won the game, 53-49.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/250, Manual
David Scheidegger, head coach for New Berlin Eisenhower, talks with his players shortly after the end of the first quarter Friday, March 7, 2008, during the Division 2 semifinal game against Monroe, held at the Kohl Center, Madison.

Nikon D2H, 112 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/320, Manual
New Berlin Eisenhower's Tristan Tobin, a senior guard, questions a call Friday, March 7, 2008, during the second half of the Division 2 semifinal game against Monroe, held at the Kohl Center, Madison. Eisenhower won the game, 59-43.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/400, Manual
New Berlin Eisenhower's Tristan Tobin (right), a senior guard, hugs his teammate, Mitch Sperka, a sophomore forward, Friday, March 7, 2008, shortly after the team's Division 2 semifinal win over Monroe, held at the Kohl Center, Madison. The final score was 53-49.

Nikon D2H, 92 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/400, Manual
New Berlin Eisenhower's Tristan Tobin, a senior guard, goes up for a basket Saturday, March 8, 2008, during the WIAA Division 2 Boys State Championship game, held at the Kohl Center, Madison. Eisenhower won the state championship title, with a win over Adams-Friendship, 54-41.

Nikon D2H, 200 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/320, Manual
David Scheidegger, head coach for New Berlin Eisenhower, yells to his players Saturday, March 8, 2008, during the WIAA Division 2 Boys State Championship game, held at the Kohl Center, Madison. Eisenhower won the state championship title, with a win over Adams-Friendship, 54-41.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/320, Manual
With the help of his teammates, New Berlin Eisenhower's Jim Root (left), a senior forward, hoists up the WIAA Division 2 Boys State Championship trophy Saturday, March 8, 2008, following their win over Adams-Friendship. The tournament was held at the Kohl Center, Madison.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 640 ISO, f2.8, 1/320, Manual
New Berlin Eisenhower's Tristan Tobin, a senior guard, hugs his mother, Lori Tobin, Saturday, March 8, 2008, following Eisenhower's WIAA Division 2 Boys State Championship win over Adams-Friendship. The tournament was held at the Kohl Center, Madison.

Go ahead. Tell THESE guys roller skating isn't a sport. I dare you.

When I was a kid, we spent our Saturday afternoons skating in circles to the music of Bryan Adams and Cyndi Lauper. "The Oldies," we called it.

Come to find out, the Oldies now are tunes from Jock Jams and "Come on Ride the Train." Hey ride it ... woo woooo ...

The music may have changed, but the skates definitely are the same.

Here are a few photos from roller skating class at a Mill Valley Elementary School, Muskego. This particular school is one of just two schools left in the area to teach roller skating to its students.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f6.3, 1/30, Manual
Dylan Seawright (right), a student at Mill Valley Elementary School, Muskego, lets out a little frustration while taking a break Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, during a physical education roller skating class.

 
Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual
Cole Janz, a student at Mill Valley Elementary School, Muskego, keeps his balance Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, during a physical education roller skating class. The students are required to arm themselves with helmets and wrist guards before they are allowed to participate. The school has been teaching roller skating for the past 15 years.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual
Andrew Haupenchal (left), a second-grader at Mill Valley Elementary School, Muskego, lets out his excitement Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, during a physical education roller skating class. The students are required to arm themselves with helmets and wrist guards before they are allowed to participate. The school has been teaching roller skating for the past 15 years.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/160, Manual
A student at Mill Valley Elementary School, Muskego, takes a tumble Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, during a physical education roller skating class.

Although I'm no veteran of the business, one thing I've come to realize through experience is this: People in a creative profession need at least one day per week where they don't have to be creative.

Last week, I worked all seven days, but at the end of the week, I barely had a photo I was proud to call mine. So when Sunday hit, I put down my camera. I left it sit, safe and sound, on my living room floor. It was time to relax. Bye bye camera ...

Call it Murphy's Law ... call it Just Plain Unlucky ... but here's what happens when you put down your camera: You see the impossible. You see the photo that editors say will never happen. You have an "Oh S***" moment. 

"We'd like to do a story on wild coyotes in Brookfield." Riiight, say the photographers. How would you ever illustrate that? Maybe we could stake out and wait for a coyote to stroll down Bluemound?

Sunday afternoon, my boyfriend and I were driving through Brookfield. And we saw a coyote, less than 10 yards from the side of the road. "Now THOSE are the types of photos I like," he said, looking in his backseat to see if I had my camera along. "Now THOSE are the types of photos my EDITOR would like!" I replied. Cars were stopping on the road to check out the animal. I stared at the coyote and he stared back at me. It's almost as if he knew I was a photojournalist. I think he even laughed at me.

Soooo, I'm sorry to say, the photo of the suburban coyote is well-embedded into my mind, but that's about the extent of it. It happens. Instead, here's a photo from last week that made me smile. I felt about the same as Daniel (below) when I saw the coyote. I'll appease myself by saying ... maybe it was just an ugly dog?

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/80, Manual
Daniel Bonin (center), 7, practices a self-defense move Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008, during "Self Defense for Children," a class put on by the New Berlin Recreation Department. During this weekly class, kids learn methods of escape from various holds, along with verbal and physical skills to avoid attack.

Swimmers have to accept a certain inalienable truth: They're going to be photographed with their mouths open.

I spent a few hours this past weekend at the Greater Metro/Classic 8 Conference Meet, held at Waukesha South High School. The lighting was great. The staff members were helpful. And the heat sheets were correct ... for the most part. Kudos to WSHS for putting on an extremely "media friendly" event.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 500 ISO, f2.8, 1/400, Manual
Sophomore Nick Bietz, of Menomonee Falls, competes in the 200-yard individual medley Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, during the Greater Metro/Classic 8 Conference Meet, held at Waukesha South High School, Waukesha.

Confession — I finally used my flash.

Waaaiitt ... NOT SO FAST! I may have used my flash, but I never turned it on.

I simply used it to prop up the lens on my camera body and avoid as much blur as possible during the five-second exposure of the photo below.

Flash gives me a stomach ache. It's distracting to the people I'm photographing. I'm convinced flash makes people nervous. I like to blend in as much as possible, and if there's a light popping off in people's faces, nothing else seems to be on their minds except, "I hope I look good."

Then again, my resistence to flash photography gives me just one more thing to improve upon. There are hundreds of great photographers in this world who make beatiful images on a daily basis using everything BUT available light. Someday, I just might get there ... but in the meantime, my strobe is a darn good tripod. The picture below is any but extraordinary, but it proves photos always can be made, even in the darkest of conditions.

Hannah Montana fans and their families look through their 3D glasses at The Marcus Ridge Cinema, New Berlin, while watching, "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert" in the state-of-the-art theater. The film captures the sold-out 54-city concert tour and will be shown in New Berlin through today.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 400 ISO, f3.2, 5 seconds, Manual

Before I go shovel my car out of the parking lot, I thought I'd post a quick photo I made this afternoon. While driving down Moorland Road in New Berlin yesterday, I noticed the MidAmerica Bank sign was experiencing some problems. I thought to myself this morning, Why not go back today and make a picture? I crossed my fingers the sign hadn't yet been fixed. Afterall, you must be crazy to work on a day like today ... 

It only took me twice as long to drive to the sign, but the irony of the entire situation is quite photo-worthy. This just may be the worst snow storm I've ever experienced.

P.S. If it's you, Mr. Big-White-Truck-Man, who stopped to help push my car out when I got stuck, thank you very much. I owe you, big time. Strangers like you are why I moved back to Wisconsin. 

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 320 ISO, f2.8, 1/1600, Manual

We hated each other at first sight.

The gymnasium at Franklin’s Forest Park Middle School and I, that is.

Make no mistake — the school’s students and staff are incredibly helpful and polite, but the light in the gymnasium … ummm … leaves a bit to be desired.

As I walked down the middle school’s hallway, coming closer to the glowing “non-light,” the blue and green colors emitting from the double doorway seemed to be laughing at the poor Nikon strapped over my shoulder. I took a seat on one of the folding chairs and watched members of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater wheelchair basketball team warm up. No windows. Flickering fluorescent bulbs. Fast action. Siiiiiigh.

“Yeeeaahhh … I’m sorry about the lights in our gym,” were the first words out of the principal’s mouth as he walked up to me with an apologetic smile on his face. That’s when you know it’s bad.

No worries, though. The event was definitely worth its photographic challenges. Members of the college team spoke to students about their disabilities and then challenged them to a full-court game.

I snapped this photo when one of the players leaned back into a beam of light. He took his shot, and I took mine.

Nikon D2H, 17 mm, 400 ISO, f2.8, 1/60, Manual