How we photographed the explosion and storm aftermath in Indiana
This week’s top photo comes from Photojournalism Intern Jeremy Battle. Follow him on Instagram.
What makes this photo important?
The community of Portage, Indiana, was ravaged by severe storms Tuesday. Heavy winds brought down over 100 trees and power lines, landing on homes and vehicles. The community was left without power, internet and cell service for days. Among the worst of the damage was a home on Harrison Avenue that exploded during the storm. The only person home at the time was Leona Rice, 88, who died in the accident. The city is still trying to determine the cause of the explosion. On Wednesday, they began picking up the pieces.
How did you get this photo?
Reporter Elijah James and I arrived at the scene among other reporters and city workers clearing the debris. The nearly hour-long drive to Portage had been marred by heavy rain, and by the time we got there it had only dissipated a little. Amid the rain and fallen trees in the yard of nearly every home, most residents stayed inside, peering through windows, to see the press. We went door to door, finding the few who were outside, taking cover under awnings and garage doors. It was important that I presented myself as a person first and a photographer second, as I never wanted to bring a voyeuristic lens to their community’s suffering. I focused on wide angles, trying to document the full breadth of damage caused by the storm.
Technical details:
Equipment: Sony A7III with a 70-200mm f/2.8L lens
Focal length: 70mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure: 1/640
ISO: 800
Plus, 9 more great photos from Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ photojournalists:
Pam Pasyk, whose house on Forest Avenue near Terrace Drive in Munster, Indiana, was among those damaged by the tornado on Tuesday, speaks to a reporter while cleaning up on Thursday.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Chicago White Sox catcher Edgar Quero, wearing a pope hat, celebrates a home run with teammates Tuesday during the White Sox-Cincinnati Reds game at Rate Field.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
A baby squirrel monkey, born July 30, clings to its mother’s back on Aug. 6 in their Tropic World habitat at Brookfield Zoo.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Andrea Martin stands outside her home, which is separated from Pullman Innovations by an overgrown lot, in South Deering on Wednesday. Martin said a smell that resembled garbage has been emanating from the sewers in front of her home.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Christine Thompkins, Derek Jordan’s mother, speaks about the death of Jordan during a press conference Monday to announce a lawsuit against the city of Chicago and police officer Max W. Walzer at the law offices of Romanucci & Blandin in River North. Walzer shot and killed Jordan as he refused to exit his vehicle as fellow police officers tried to de-escalate the situation in Humboldt Park.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Laura Murillo on Monday beside her van, folding table, coolers and umbrella, near 47th Street and Halsted Avenue in Back of the Yards, where she sells tamales in the neighborhood. Murrillo was taken into custody by ICE and released nearly six months later.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Willie Wilson announces his fourth run for Chicago mayor at an event in East Garfield Park on Monday.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
The exterior work on the first of two planned towers at 400 North Lake Shore Drive, photographed on August 7.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
A cat eats on a balcony while people below watch during the “Chonk” route of the Lincoln Square Cat Tour on Aug. 8.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
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