How We Got The Picture: 'Determined to make a difference'

The assignment was to photograph Alex Mathiesen, an area man and former heroin addict who now works as director of programs for the Arlington Heights-based Live4Lali community recovery center.

This is an important story to the community with strong opinions for and against this man's efforts. I knew the portrait needed to be strong and I envisioned moody lighting and a serious tone.

When I arrived I met a man with stories to tell and an obvious drive to make a difference. But the setting did not match his passion. It was a small room with a low ceiling, a couple of small couches and several wooden chairs arranged in a circle. The walls and backgrounds were cluttered with pictures and tables were piled with papers and boxes. It was neither quiet nor calm visually.

But it was late afternoon with large windows facing west that were covered with dark horizontal shades. I could feel the warmth of the setting sun on the other side and see it peeking through the edges.

I turned off the sterile overhead lights and positioned Alex seated at a desk, facing a window and I twisted open the blind until is created strong lines of sunlight on his face. He understood what I was going for as I asked him to bring his hands to his face. I adjusted my exposure for the strong sunlight, which made everything else dark and underexposed. It didn't take long to find the right angles.

In postproduction, I adjusted the contrast to de-emphasize a lamp in the background and bring more attention to Alex's eyes.

The final picture matches Alex's serious determination to help his community.