Chicago Photographer and Director John Gress

Covering MLB, How Times Have Change

John Gress — Sun, 13 May 2012 14:59:45 +0000

Ozzie Guillien was spitting mad when he lost his cool. REUTERS/John Gress

I think this is my 9th season covering baseball since moving to Chicago… It’s funny how things have changed over time. On a week where the President came out against gay marriage I noticed a new first. But before I just throw open the closet door, we need a little context. At one point, while Ozzie Guillen was the White Sox Manager, he called a reporter a “fucking fag,” and little happened. This weekend, I saw a security guard at Sox park tell a fan he couldn’t yell out at a player “you’re a sissy!” It may seem simple, and some of you might say this post is “so gay” … but that, is, progress.

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) is dressed in a White Sox uniform as he smiles while standing on the field prior to his throwing the ceremonial first pitch before the Chicago White Sox met the Los Angeles Angels in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series in Chicago October 12, 2005. REUTERS/John Gress

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 12: Luke Hochevar #44 of the Kansas City Royals led his team to a 5-0 victory and allowed just three hits in seven shutout innings at U.S. Cellular Field on May 12, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)

I can believe they didnt call the game. CHICAGO, IL - MAY 12: Luke Hochevar #44 of the Kansas City Royals checks his cleets for mud while playing the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning of their MLB game at U.S. Cellular Field on May 12, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 12: Alejandro De Aza #30 of the Chicago White Sox misses a fly ball hit by Alcides Escobar #2 of the Kansas City Royals during the fourth inning of their MLB game at U.S. Cellular Field on May 12, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 12: Billy Butler #16 of the Kansas City Royals hits an RBI single as A.J. Pierzynski #12 of the Chicago White Sox looks on during the first of their MLB game at U.S. Cellular Field on May 12, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)

A moment tonight reminded me of my first game in Chicago when a fan thwarted the Cubs world series hopes in 2003. CHICAGO, IL - MAY 12: Alex Rios #51 of the Chicago White Sox looks on as a fan tries to catch a fly ball hit by Humberto Quintero #33 of the Kansas City Royals during the fourth inning of their MLB game at U.S. Cellular Field on May 12, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)

Royals Give The Night To The White Sox

John Gress — Sat, 12 May 2012 14:52:08 +0000

By RICK GANO
AP Sports Writer
Associated Press Sports
updated 10:11 p.m. ET May 11, 2012

CHICAGO (AP) – Adam Dunn hit his 11th homer to match his total from last season, leading Gavin Floyd and the Chicago White Sox to a 5-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.

Dunn’s long homer to right off Felipe Paulino gave the White Sox the lead in the first. Dunn’s sixth homer in his last 10 games was enough offense for Floyd (3-3), who allowed five hits, struck out five and walked two in 7 2-3 innings.

Floyd escaped a bases-loaded situation in the second when he got Alcides Escobar and Humberto Quintero to hit back-to-back comebackers. Kansas City loaded the bases again in the eighth on three straight singles before Floyd struck out Billy Butler for the second out on a full-count offering, ending his night after 116 pitches… Read More

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 11: Adam Dunn #32 of the Chicago White Sox is gongratulated by Paul Konerko #14 of the Chicago White Sox in the first inning of their MLB match at U.S. Cellular Field on May 11, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 11: Felipe Paulino #59 of the Kansas City Royals reacts to giving up a home run to Adam Dunn #32 of the Chicago White Sox in the first inning of their MLB match at U.S. Cellular Field on May 11, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 11: Eric Hosmer #35 of the Kansas City Royals reacts to striking out with the bases loaded as his team faces the Chicago White Sox in the eighth inning of their MLB match at U.S. Cellular Field on May 11, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)

I’ll Have Another – Please

John Gress — Sun, 06 May 2012 14:43:34 +0000

Yesterday was my 9th Kentucky Derby and possibly the steamiest one I remember. It was also my 13th major horse race setting up and operating multiple cameras to capture the finish. This year I used six cameras firing simultaneously to cover the race.

Jockey Mario Gutierrez celebrates after I'll Have Another wins the 138th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 5, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress

I'll Have Another (C), with jockey Mario Gutierrez in the irons, wins the 138th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 5, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress

A race fan holds a mint julep during preliminary races ahead of the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 5, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress

Race fans in fancy hats watch preliminary races ahead of the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 5, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress

I'll Have Another (C), with jockey Mario Gutierrez in the irons, wins the 138th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 5, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress

Emily Taylor watches preliminary races ahead of the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 5, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress

Race fans in fancy hats mingle on the grounds ahead of the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 5, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress

I'll Have Another (C), with jockey Mario Gutierrez in the irons, wins the 138th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 5, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress

This break-away post, which I call "the P" is where I mounted a camera for the previous photo. Photo by Nellie Hertenstein

This is my view from the ladder where I shoot the race.

What Not To Do

John Gress — Fri, 04 May 2012 13:46:07 +0000

The Ultimate Guy With Camera

I’m neither the sharpest tool in the shed, nor am I some sort of savant… but I can tell you one thing you shouldn’t do. When 20 photographers are trying to shoot the favorite at the Kentucky Derby, don’t take a picture of yourself while standing in everyone’s background.

Kentucky Derby favorite Bodemeister is led to the track with his exercise rider for early morning workouts at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 3, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress

Flash From The Past: May 3, 2006

John Gress — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:01:54 +0000

During the 2005 world series Chicago White Sox Third Baseman Joe Crede made two amazing diving catches within a few innings of one another, one of which I captured below. When the 2006 season got underway, I was determined to make a better photo of Crede, which you can see above.

Chicago White Sox third baseman Joe Crede dives to catch a ball hit by Houston Astros Brad Ausmus during the fourth inning of play in Game 2 of Major League Baseball's World Series in Chicago October 23, 2005. REUTERS/John Gress

May Day Protesters: ‘America – No Longer Cares About Its People’

John Gress — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:26:09 +0000

BY MAUDLYNE IHEJIRIKA AND NATASHA KORECKI Chicago Sun-Times Staff Reporters

More than 1,500 protesters from all over the region converged on the West Side Tuesday, to rally against everything from corporate excess to failing schools to immigrant deportations.

“America is on the wrong path and no longer cares about its people, only about corporate greed, deportation, and self-interest over the whole,” said Janice Solomon, who came to Union Park with Iglesia Unida de Cristo in Berwyn for the May Day rally.

The protesters left the park at 1:15 p.m. and headed to Federal Plaza… Read More

Protesters participate in Chicago's May Day March, May 1, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress

Protesters march in Chicago's May Day March, May 1, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress

Protesters prepare to march in Chicago's May Day March, May 1, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress

Seattle Sounders FC Burn Chicago Fire 2-1

John Gress — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 02:15:14 +0000

Shooting any game where people leap into the air with excitement and fight at the end is always enjoyable and last nights MLS soccer Chicago Fire Seattle Sounders FC game was no exception!

BRIDGEVIEW, IL - APRIL 28: Jalil Anibaba #6 of the Chicago Fire and Osvaldo Alonso #6 of the Seattle Sounders FC fight on the field in the second half during their MLS match at Toyota Park on April 28, 2012 in Bridgeview, Illinois. (Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)

BRIDGEVIEW, IL - APRIL 28: Leonardo Gonzalez #12 of the Seattle Sounders FC and Dominic Oduro #8 of the Chicago Fire go up for a header in the first half during their MLS match at Toyota Park on April 28, 2012 in Bridgeview, Illinois. (Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)

c16 s6BRIDGEVIEW, IL - APRIL 28: Marco Pappa #16 of the Chicago Fire battles Leonardo Gonzalez #12 of the Seattle Sounders FC in the second half during their MLS match at Toyota Park on April 28, 2012 in Bridgeview, Illinois. (Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)

BRIDGEVIEW, IL - APRIL 28: Patrick Nyarko #14 of the Chicago Fire struggles for control of the ball with Marc Burch #8 of the Seattle Sounders FC in the second half during their MLS match at Toyota Park on April 28, 2012 in Bridgeview, Illinois. (Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)

BRIDGEVIEW, IL - APRIL 28: Marco Pappa #16 of the Chicago Fire celebrates while playing the Seattle Sounders FC in the second half during their MLS match at Toyota Park on April 28, 2012 in Bridgeview, Illinois. (Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)

Bridgeview, IL - April 28: David Estrada #16 of the Seattle Sounders FC celebrates scoring a goal on the Chicago Fire in the first half of their MLS match at Toyota Park on April 28, 2012 in Bridgeview, Illinois. (Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)

BRIDGEVIEW, IL - APRIL 28: Eddie Johnson #7 of the Seattle Sounders FC and Daniel Paladini #11 of the Chicago Fire struggle for the ball in the first half during their MLS match at Toyota Park on April 28, 2012 in Bridgeview, Illinois. (Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)

His Holiness Honored

John Gress — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:09:04 +0000

The Dalai Lama aknowledges the crowd before speaking at Loyola University in Chicago, April 26, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress

The Dalai Lama receives an honorary degree from Dr. Frank Fennell (L), Dean of College of Art and Sciences, at Loyola University in Chicago, April 26, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress

The Dalai Lama laughs as he speaks at Loyola University in Chicago, April 26, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress

New Cameras – Bringing Home The Bacon

John Gress — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:50:58 +0000

I used my new 5D Mark III cameras last night for the first time shooting sports. I have to say this camera is no joke…. moving forward I just need to get some settings dialed in and these cameras will be perfect for what I do.

Dallas Mavericks Shawn Marion(R) and Chicago Bulls Carlos Boozer go after a loose ball during the first period of their NBA game in Chicago, April 21, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress

Dallas Mavericks Shawn Marion(R) reacts to being fouled by the Chicago Bulls during the third period of their NBA game in Chicago, April 21, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress

Dallas Mavericks' Shawn Marion (0) shoots on Chicago Bulls Luol Deng during the first period of their NBA game in Chicago, April 21, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress

Dallas Mavericks Yi Jianlian of China (R) and Ian Mahinmi react as their team plays the Chicago Bulls during the fourth quarter of their NBA game in Chicago, April 21, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress

Working Not So High On The Hog

John Gress — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:18:16 +0000

I’ve never had to shower before a shoot, or elect to take one after, but my recent visit to a hog farm in northern Indiana was full of firsts. I was also asked to wear the farms clothes, shoes thankfully a Tyvek jumpsuit. All of which kept me clean and my car ride home pleasant… as you might imagine from the pics.

Insight: U.S. barnyards help China super-size food production
By P.J. Huffstutter and Niu Shuping

ALBION, Indiana/BEIJING | Fri Apr 20, 2012 1:41am EDT

(Reuters) – Inside a dimly lit barn in northeast Indiana, where the air smells faintly of corn and earth, the future of China’s food supply is squealing for attention.

A farmhand shuffles through the crowd of pigs inside pen 7E3, patting their fleshy pink backs and checking their water trough. The animals here at the Whiteshire Hamroc farm have been bred for one purpose: to be flown halfway around the world, on a journey fueled by China’s appetite for food independence

In a country where pork is a culinary staple, the demand for a protein-rich diet is growing faster than Chinese farmers can keep up. While Americans cut back on meat consumption to the lowest levels seen in two decades, the Chinese now eat nearly 10 percent more meat than they did five years ago… Read More

Sows feed at Whiteshire Hamroc farm in Albion, Indiana, on March 16, 2012. The farm specializes in raising breeding swine for other agribusiness operations. Such breeding pigs have become a hot commodity in China, where the country is scrambling to ramp up its domestic livestock industry and keep up with demand for a meat-rich diet. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)

A unit of Whiteshire Hamroc farms can be seen in Albion, Indiana, on March 16, 2012. The farm specializes in raising breeding swine for other agribusiness operations. Such breeding pigs have become a hot commodity in China, where the country is scrambling to ramp up its domestic livestock industry and keep up with demand for a meat-rich diet. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)

A hog is quarantined in Dundee, Illinois on March 20, 2012 prior to being flown to China. Such breeding pigs have become a hot commodity in China, where the country is scrambling to ramp up its domestic livestock industry and keep up with demand for a meat-rich diet. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)

Three-and-a-half month old hogs, many of which are bound for China, are seen at Whiteshire Hamroc farm in Albion, Indiana, on March 16, 2012. The farm specializes in raising breeding swine for other agribusiness operations. Such breeding pigs have become a hot commodity in China, where the country is scrambling to ramp up its domestic livestock industry and keep up with demand for a meat-rich diet. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)

Three-and-a-half month old hogs are seen at Whiteshire Hamroc farm in Albion, Indiana, on March 16, 2012. The farm specializes in raising breeding swine for other agribusiness operations. Such breeding pigs have become a hot commodity in China, where the country is scrambling to ramp up its domestic livestock industry and keep up with demand for a meat-rich diet. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)

Keith Haarer, a breeding unit manager at Whiteshire Hamroc farm in Albion, Indiana, moves newborn piglet so she can suckle on March 16, 2012. The farm specializes in raising breeding swine for other agribusiness operations. Such breeding pigs have become a hot commodity in China, where the country is scrambling to ramp up its domestic livestock industry and keep up with demand for a meat-rich diet. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)

Newborn piglets suckle at Whiteshire Hamroc farm in Albion, Indiana, on March 16, 2012. The farm specializes in raising breeding swine for other agribusiness operations. Such breeding pigs have become a hot commodity in China, where the country is scrambling to ramp up its domestic livestock industry and keep up with demand for a meat-rich diet. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)