Photographer: Mike Yoder

Camera: D1H Nikon digital

A burglar stole some items from a vehicle of Kory Wilcoxson's and then left evidence of attempting to break into the Wilcoxson home. Wilcoxson and his 14-month-old son, Avery, sit in Avery's bedroom where someone cut the screen. The Wilcoxsons are not satisfied with the way Lawrence police have handled the burglary and the possible attempted break-in.

Lens: 17-35mm (set to widest angle)

ISO: 320

Aperture: F6.3

Shutter speed: 1/60th

When I get assignments I often start imagining the “best case scenario” of photographs that might match the story. This can be frustrating because I really don’t know what to expect, and the photograph in your head is often 10 times as good as what exists in reality.

The story on a break-in attempt at an east Lawrence home resulted in a portrait situation that actually matched some pre-conceived ideas. The screen window on a young child’s bedroom had been cut, and the story dealt with the parents’ concern for their child’s safety.

When I asked to see the location of the window and was told the family still had the cut screen, an earlier idea became a reality. I had the father and his son sit in the room’s rocking chair, which got them lower in the window, and I placed a halogen light inside the room to match the light outside. I then went outside the house and shot several frames using the window and screen as a framing device.

“Behind the Lens” is an ongoing weekly series that features an image selected by the Journal-World photo staff that previously ran in the newspaper or online. Wondering how a certain picture was created? Nominate it for “Behind the Lens” by contacting chief photographer Mike Yoder at 832-7141 or myoder@ljworld.com.