Tons of Prep Basketball

 Elgin's Arie Williams (center) holds the team's trophy after their victory at Elgin High School in Elgin, Ill., on Thursday, December 22, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

 Elgin's Arie Williams reacts after their victory at Elgin High School in Elgin, Ill., on Thursday, December 22, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

 Elgin's Kory Brown reacts after their victory at Elgin High School in Elgin, Ill., on Thursday, December 22, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

 Elgin's Cortez Scott (13) fouls with La Lumiere's Aaron Emmanuel (5) during the fourth quarter at Elgin High School in Elgin, Ill., on Thursday, December 22, 2011.  Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

 Elgin's Kory Brown (22) passes past Neuqua Valley's Nathan Boudreau (55) during the first quarter at Elgin High School in Elgin, Ill., on Wednesday, December 21, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

 Bartlett's Mitch Reid (32) fights for the ball with Zion-Benton's Mario Burt (23) during the first quarter at Harry D. Jacobs High School in Algonquin, Ill., on Saturday, December 17, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

 Larkin's Quantice Hunter (1) shoots through Rockford East's C'Vontez Johnson (4, lower left) and Diante Hunter (25)  during the second quarter at Elgin High School in Elgin, Ill., on Thursday, December 22, 2011.  Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

 Neuqua Valley's Peter Catchings (44) looks for an opening past Harlan's Blaine Goodall (1) during the first quarter at Elgin High School in Elgin, Ill., on Tuesday, December 20, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

 Elgin's Gerardo Mojica (40) battles with Glenbard North's Ryan Krueger (20) during the second quarter at Elgin High School in Elgin, Ill., on Tuesday, December 20, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

Larkin's Ian Fluhler (12) is guarded by Romeoville's Nate Washington (11) during the second quarter at Elgin High School in Elgin, Ill., on Wednesday, December 21, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

High School Golf

St. Charles North's John Carroll prepares to putt on the 8th hole during the Upstate Eight boys golf tournament at St. Andrews Golf Club in West Chicago, Ill., on Thursday, September 29, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

Even More Football

South Elgin players take to the field of the brand new South Elgin High School Stadium in South Elgin, Ill., on Saturday, September 17, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

South Elgin's Tommy Asa (15) shakes off Metea Valley's Breon Hoosier (20) during the first quarter at South Elgin High School in South Elgin, Ill., on Saturday, September 17, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

South Elgin senior Eric Dela Merced cheers during the third quarter of Saturday's football game against Metea Valley. The contest marked the first-ever home game for the Storm on it new on-campus field. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

 

Larkin's Kyle Newquist (12) carries the ball during the second quarter at St. Charles East High School in St. Charles, Ill., on Friday, September 16, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media 

Recent Work

Hans Beck, left, assistant professor of biology, speaks to his class about removing invasive plants including Honeysuckle at Red Oak Nature Preserve in North Aurora, Ill., on Friday, April 1, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

Home renovator John Curtis installs a new lock at the Cornerstone Young Women’s Learning Center in Plano. The new shelter will offer a home for unmarried, pregnant young women. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kelly Brown signs a banner for Warriors' Watch Riders after being surprised by their arrival with a police escort in Elgin on Saturday, April 2, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

South Elgin's Andrew Weedman dashes towards third during the third inning of Saturday's game at Huntley. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

South Elgin's Kenny Lowden trips up and misses a catch during the second inning Saturday against Huntley. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

Vikings win sectional title

 Geneva's head coach Gina Nolan hugs Katelyn Allen, who scored a game-winning free throw, after their Class 4A Girls Basketball Sectional victory at Jacobs High School in Algonquin, Ill., on Thursday, February 24, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media |

 Geneva players celebrate after their Class 4A Girls Basketball Sectional victory at Jacobs High School in Algonquin, Ill., on Thursday, February 24, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media |

 Geneva players celebrate after their Class 4A Girls Basketball Sectional victory at Jacobs High School in Algonquin, Ill., on Thursday, February 24, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media |

Katelyn Allen (#23, center,) who scored a game-winning free throw, and Kat Yelle (#14, right) celebrate after their Class 4A Girls Basketball Sectional victory at Jacobs High School in Algonquin, Ill., on Thursday, February 24, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media |

Four years later, search still on for Spira

Stephanie Spira McNeil hands out flyers to commuters at Ogilve Train Station in Chicago, Ill. about her brother, John Spira, who has been missing for four years, on Wednesday, February 23, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

Story: http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/news/3971117-418/four-years-later-search-still-on-for-spira.html

Geneva Victory

Geneva's Kelsey Pease, center, and teammates huddle around their regional championship plaque after their Class 4A regional championship win at St. Charles East High School in St. Charles, Ill., on Thursday, February 17, 2011. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

Christmas Eve

 Wyndham Lisle-Chicago Hotel hotel manager Tammy Madajewski, left, unloads donated food at the Reverend Paul Hall Community Center in Chicago, Ill., on Friday, December 24, 2010. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

 Hundreds line up to receive donated food and toys at the Reverend Paul Hall Community Center. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

 Michael McCormick of Chicago, Ill., smokes while waiting in line to receive donated food at the Reverend Paul Hall Community Center in Chicago, Ill., on Friday, December 24, 2010. McCormick, a retired Taxi driver, was one of the first in line. He stated that he had been waiting outside of the Community Center since 4:45am to claim a good spot. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

Wyndham Lisle-Chicago Hotel general manager Tim Foley unloads donated food outside of Reverend Paul Hall’s Community Center. | Andrew A. Nelles~For Sun-Times Media

Story: http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/photos/galleries/2956147-423/christmas-jones-center-community-chicago.html

Adidas Nations

East Aurora's Ryan Boatright rests during the first period of the Adidas Nation's Basketball Tournament at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Ill., on Monday, August 9, 2010. (Andrew A. Nelles / Photo for The Beacon News)

 

East Aurora's Ryan Boatright (center) sets up for a shot while being guarded by Xavier Johnson (left) and Isaiah Austin (right) during the first period of the Adidas Nation's Basketball Tournament at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Ill., on Monday, August 9, 2010. (Andrew A. Nelles / Photo for The Beacon News) 

Story: http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/sports/highschools/2582328,2_2_AU10_HOOPS_S1-100810.article

Oswego East At The United Center

Oswego East's Wesley Brooks (12) pushes past Plainfield Central's Jon Dubose (4) during the fourth quarter at the United Center in Chicago on Wednesday. (Andrew A. Nelles/For Sun-Times Media)
Oswego East's Auston Keys (34) shoots over Plainfield Central's Alonzo Morgan (20) during the second quarter at the United Center in Chicago on Wednesday. (Andrew A. Nelles/For Sun-Times Media)
Oswego East's Wesley Brooks (12) advances past Plainfield Central's Teo Ervin (21, left) and Dan Gage (22, right) during the second quarter at the United Center in Chicago on Wednesday. (Andrew A. Nelles/For Sun-Times Media)
Oswego East's Darius Williams (10) celebrates with teammates after their victory at the United Center in Chicago on Wednesday. (Andrew A. Nelles/For Sun-Times Media)

Link to Gallery: http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/photos/-1,gallery_osw-e-pfc-bbk_AU021110.photogallery?index=0

East Aurora Basketball - 1D4 ISO 8000

East Aurora's Snoop Viser (24) advances past Curie's Greg Travis (1) during the third quarter at Whitney Young High School in Chicago on Monday. (Andrew A. Nelles/For Sun-Times Media)

Finally had a chance to test the high-ISO on my new 1D Mark IV. This gym was incredibly dark, and wasn't set up in a way that would make strobing reasonable.

Shot info:
ISO: 8000
Aperture: 2.8
Shutter: 1/500

Photo Gallery: http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/photos/1998091,gallery_east-curie-bbk_AU011910.photogallery

Welcome Home

Army Spc. Vincent Otting hugs his Grandmother, Donna Jasper, who traveled from Davenport, Iowa to welcome him home from his tour in Iraq, on Friday, December 18, 2009 in Aurora, Ill. Spc. Otting is returning from a tour near Mosul, Iraq with the Army's 1st Cavalry Division. (Andrew A. Nelles / Photo for The Beacon News)

Story: http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1947613,2_1_AU19_GIRETURNS_S1-091219.article

Oswego Christmas Walk

Ice sculptor Trevor Pearson, of Chicago Ice Works, carves with a chainsaw during the Oswego Christmas Walk along Main St. in Oswego, Ill., on Friday, December 4, 2009. The Oswego Christmas Walk featured food, activities, and a firetruck parade. (Andrew A. Nelles/For Sun-Times Media)

Tree Lighting

Kerrilee Meeker of the Fox Valley Festival Chorus performs during the Holiday Magic festivities at the North Island Center in Aurora on Friday. Many families attended the event, which included a tree lighting and a visit from Santa. (Photo by Andrew A. Nelles | For The Beacon-News)

Story: http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1908407,2_1_AU28_AURORA_S1-091128.article

Black Friday

Roberto Figueroa (left) and Sergio Tellez, both of Chicago, Ill., wait for for friends while shopping at The Chicago Premium Outlet Mall in Aurora, Ill., on Friday, November 27, 2009. (Andrew Nelles/For Sun-Times Media)

Link to the gallery: http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/photos/1908014,Gallery-Black-Friday-Shoppers-AU112709.photogallery

Volleyball Season Opener

Oswego East High School's Hilary Ernst (center) and Brooke Bowman (right) celebrate a point with teammates during the Wolves' three-set victory Tuesday. (Andrew A. Nelles/For The Beacon News)

Baseball

Waubonsie catcher Eric Josupait (#21) tags out St. Rita's Kyle Stearns (#3) at home plate during the fifth inning of the Wednesday, July 29, 2009 game held at North Central College in Naperville, Ill. Waubonsie was defeated by St. Rita 5-6. (Photo for the Beacon News by Andrew A. Nelles)