New Chapter: Madison

Above is a photo of the hallway outside the Press-Gazette's multimedia studio, newly decorated with four pictures from each photographer on staff (mine are at far left). It's an area of the building that I feel like I've left a really positive mark... and a place where I really came to feel comfortable. It's important to me to reflect on this because today is my last day of work at the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

On Nov. 8, I'll begin work as a photographer at the Wisconsin State Journal in Madison. Change is change... it's agitating but exciting, risky but with the possibility of greener pastures.

In Madison I'll be one of four photographers (3.5 technically since the chief photographer will be doing a good amount of scheduling and planning). I'll be busier, which is great because I got into this field in the first place to work my butt off and be out in the community. I'll be asked to help shape the video and multimedia strategy for the staff going forward. And I'll be more a part of major sports coverage, my first photographic love.

My hope with every endeavor is to make myself and the place I'm at better. I feel like my time in Green Bay allowed me to do that and now it's time to do it at the next level in Madison.

It's game time.

Yoga

The Press-Gazette offered a local perspective on Southern Baptist church leader Albert Mohler's controversial statements about yoga, saying that the popular form of exercise and meditation was at odds with Christianity.

Karen McArthur of Green Bay participates in a group chant in Kathleen Kelly-Hoffman's Gentle Yoga class at Bay Area Yoga Center in Allouez, Wis., Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010.

Halloween costumes

I've written on the topic before: I'm really not a fan of Halloween. Worst holiday ever. And I always get assigned to either a business story talking about how it's the best Halloween ever for costume and decorations stores, or Trick or Treat night.

I got the business story this year and headed over to Halloween Express in Ashwaubenon. I was struck by how... umm... risqué costumes have gotten. I can't believe how much people are willing to pay for so little fabric. Such costumes seem to far outnumber the superheros, goblins and ghosts.

Anyways, I saw this stack of people rolling down an aisle and I loved the various faces and eye directions. I love finding moments at business assignments... who says business photos have to be dry!

Holly Wilsmann of Mishicot shops for Halloween costumes with her children, Allison, 4, and Jackson, 6, at Halloween Express in Ashwaubenon, Wis., Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010.

It's... pedometer hand-out day... woohoo?

Fourth grade students Brandon Coopman, left, Jake Hayes, center, and Andrew VanBoxel, right, take a look at their newly issued pedometers in Carie Jens' phy-ed class at Webster Elementary School in Allouez, Wis., Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010.

The "grassy knoll"

I'm a big fan of the semi-elevated view for shooting sports. Field level is often great. Upper deck or catwalk can be great, too. But so often I think photographers get caught up in those two extremes. Maybe it's my middle-of-the-road personality, but I think there's something to be said for halfway.

The biggest issue with this, though, is that often there's no place for photographers to work in the stands without blocking the spectators. But every so often you get lucky enough to shoot at a field – like Green Bay Notre Dame (below) or Lawrence University's Banta Bowl – with the coveted "grassy knoll."

Big fan. Grassy knolls rule.

Sheboygan North High School's Danny Weber (22) is stopped at the goal line by Green Bay Notre Dame's Peter Mortell (15), creating a third and goal situation for North, in the first quarter of a game in Green Bay, Wis., Friday, Oct. 15, 2010. North scored later on a fourth and goal from inside the one yard line.

Green Bay Notre Dame's Alex Miller (20) runs the ball in the first quarter of a game against Sheboygan North High School in Green Bay, Wis., Friday, Oct. 15, 2010.

Cross country

I love looking for different angles, and this time I got lucky with the athletes' uniforms color-coordinating with the newly-turned foliage.

From left, Ashwaubenon's Brady Selner, Green Bay Southwest's Ian La Mere, and Ashwaubenon's Jordan Carpenter lead the boys varsity race at a Fox River Classic Conference cross country meet at Colburn Park in Green Bay, Wis., Thursday afternoon, Oct. 14, 2010.

Fox Point Boat Launch, De Pere

Sunday morning, 10/10/10.

Green Bay Duathlon

Mike Christman of Green Bay pulls his bike off his car before the 2010 Aurora BayCare Sports Medicine Green Bay Duathlon began at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., early Sunday morning, Oct. 10, 2010. Heavy fog blanketed the Green Bay area overnight.

Benjamin Harrison (#7) of Manitowoc walks his bike out of the transition area. He later finished fourth overall with a time of 1:43:06.3.

Molly Bouressa (#29) of Kimberly begins the bike stage heading south on Oneida Street and rounding the corner at Potts Avenue. She later finished first in the female division with a time of 1:55:56.3.

NBA preseason: Milwaukee Bucks 86, Charlotte Bobcats 78

Milwaukee Bucks mascot "Bango" uses himself as a bowling ball during timeout entertainment at a preseason exhibition game against the Charlotte Bobcats at the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon, Wis., Saturday evening, Oct. 9, 2010.

The Charlotte Bobcats run a play in the third period.

Milwaukee Bucks Drew Gooden (0) drives to the basket in the second period.

Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Jennings (3) brings the ball up the court on a fast break in the first period.

Milwaukee Bucks Drew Gooden (0) drives to the basket on Charlotte Bobcats' DeSagana Diop (7) in the second period.

Milwaukee Bucks Earl Boykins (11) falls backwards after being pushed off by Charlotte Bobcats Sherron Collins (11) in the second period.

Milwaukee Bucks Larry Sanders (8) shoots over Charlotte Bobcats DeSagana Diop (7) in the first period.

Milwaukee Bucks Keyon Dooling (55) attempts a three-point shot over Charlotte Bobcats Gerald Wallace (3) in the third period.

Milwaukee Bucks Ersan Ilyasova (7) shoots a jump shot over Charlotte Bobcats Darius Miles (24) late in the fourth period.

The Wienermobile visits Green Bay

Andy Pierre of Howard takes a picture of his girlfriend Jodi Bennett of Milwaukee in front of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile during its appearance at the Festival Foods store in Suamico, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010. The custom vehicle sports a Wisconsin vanity license plate, "BOLOGNA."

The interior of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. Those are "ketchup and mustard" seats according to the drivers.

Jim's Music

One from a series of photos about new businesses moving to Military Avenue despite the area being ravaged by months of construction.

Randy Rasmovicz, a musician with The Renegade Band, which is out of Abrams, plays a Fender Jeff Beck American Stratocaster electric guitar while shopping for new pickups at Jim's Music on South Military Avenue in Green Bay, Wis., Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010.

Ashwaubenon remains undefeated

Bay Port High School's Stephen Wisniewski (13) levels Ashwaubenon High School quarterback Austin Kassner (14) in the first quarter of a game in Suamico, Wis., Friday, Oct. 8, 2010.

Bay Port High School's Alex Peterson (2) breaks loose on a run play in the second quarter.

Ashwaubenon High School's Ryan Klapper (44) fumbles the ball after being hit by Bay Port High School's Stephen Wisniewski (13) in the second quarter.

Ashwaubenon High School's Andrew Clark (81) can't make the catch while being hit by Bay Port High School's Sawyer Fumelle (28) in the first half.

Ashwaubenon High School quarterback Austin Kassner (14) scrambles through the Bay Port High School line for a first down in the second quarter of a game in Suamico, Wis., Friday, Oct. 8, 2010.

Ashwaubenon High School's Derek Brenwall (45) and Trevor Campbell (24) narrowly miss making an interception in the first quarter.

Ashwaubenon High School head coach Mark Jonas argues a call with an official in the third quarter.

Bay Port High School's Evan Weiss (20) intercepts a pass intended for Ashwaubenon High School's Joonho Choe (8) as Bay Port's Sawyer Fumelle (28) follows with the tackle in the third quarter.

Ashwaubenon High School defenders swarm Bay Port High School's Alex Peterson (2) behind the line of scrimmage on a run play late in the third quarter.

Words of encouragement

Bob LeMieux of Green Bay wishes his daughter, Sophie, 9, good luck before taking the ice in the 2011 Upper Great Lakes Regional Figure Skating Championships at Cornerstone Community Ice Center in Ashwaubenon, Wis., Friday, Oct. 1, 2010. Behind them is coach Amy Brolsma. LeMieux, who is part of the Greater Green Bay Figure Skating Club, has been skating since the age of 3, according to her father.