Forum Week 10

Topic 1:

I think the best photo I took this term was of the resume doctor at the career fair. I think its a really good photo. It is interesting, it captures a lot of emotion, and I was able to fight the terrible lighting in the building to get it.

The biggest difference from the start till now is that I have some basic camera skills. Most of the time I was just shooting on Auto, but I was put into a lot of situations where I had to learn on the fly. I feel like things really came together when I had to take pictures in the theatre and had to fight the awful lighting.

Topic 2:


My initial goals were:

First I want to learn how to use a camera with some degree of professionalism. I want to be able to take good pictures and do so confidently. I also want to learn how to properly attribute photos of what I take so I don't violate any ethical or legal rules.

Second I want to get over my the hesitation I have of taking photos in public. I want to get comfortable taking photos and getting the information I need to publish them.

Finally I want to be able to take what I learn from this class and apply it to my work at The Commuter and any future work I do relating to the field of journalism.

I would definitely say I fulfilled my first goal. I know how to work a camera and I am confident I know what I can and can't do as a photographer. As for my second goal I would say I am mostly over being sheepish about taking photos. I still have trouble getting up close and personal, but I will work on it. Finally I was definitely able to apply what I learned here at the Commuter. I took a TON of pictures that ended up in the paper and was very satisfied on how they turned out.

Overall I am totally thrilled I took this class. Thanks Rob!

Week 9 Forum

Topic 1:

I think the next step in photojournalism for me is to get my own camera and just start experimenting. I am certain I would like to continue doing what I did for this class, though probably only in a casual sense for awhile. After I get some more advanced camera skills I will most likely revisit the exciting photojournalism scene.

I plan to buy or to borrow a new camera over the summer and just take a whole bunch of pictures and see what I can come up with. I want to developer skills that will help me in my journalism career so that I can be a man of many talents. If I can get my own pictures as well as right my own stories then I feel I'll be pretty well off.

I really want to start taking pictures of things that get me excited and of cultures that I find interesting. I am excited to see where it takes me. I plan to mostly just go with the flow.

Topic 2:

I would say that Arthur "Weegee” Fellig made the biggest impression on me. I like the thought that he was one of the first to get really involved with reporting and he took some really powerful photos. He started getting photos that no one had the ability or the guts to get before him.

I also think its interesting that he was one of the first to start altering photos. I don't exactly approve of how he did it, but its noteworthy that he pioneered the practice to a certain degree.

Photo Story - James Reddan prepares for his final concert at LBCC

James Reddan enthusiastically leads his chamber choir students, during the warm up period of their penultimate rehearsal for the "Singing from the Heart" performance, on Tuesday, May 26.

James Reddan wipes the sweat from his face after a particularly energetic session of conducting the chamber choirs penultimate rehearsal.

James Reddan takes a small break to examine a sheet of music during the concert choir's second-to-last rehearsal on Friday, May 29.

James Reddan up close and personal with the men's singing group "Blue Light Special" as they practice  a mix of "Lose Yourself" and "Skyfall," by Adele and Eminem, during their Tuesday, June 2 dress rehearsal for their "Singing From the Heart" performance

James Reddan shouts instructions to the light and sound technician after a slight mishap during the rehearsal for the woman's singing group "The Sirens," as they were practicing their secret performance of "Space Jam," 

James Reddan has been a music instructor at Linn Benton Community college for nearly ten years and has been a vital part of expanding and perfecting the school's music program. This will be his last term teaching at LBCC and the term's music performance "Singing From the Heart" is his final and most difficult performance.

He attributes most of his success to his students and he considers his decision to leave to teach at Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Md. to be one of the most difficult decisions he has ever made. He will be greatly missed by both students and staff of LBCC, but he has certainly decided to go out with a bang.

Week 8 Forum

Topic 1:

I would say that the single most important technological innovation in photojournalism would be the 35mm film camera when they were made available to the public. It allowed a much greater ease of access to photography and portability. I imagine it was similar to how most phones now have cameras. "Anyone" could be a photo journalist because of it, though at a much smaller scale than today.

I would say "Weegee" stood out the most for me for many reasons. First, his access to police information was invaluable and sparked the go-getting on-site journalism of today. I think he was a little too radical at times and I think how he started doctoring images was a little shady, but I think it was important to start setting a precedent so early. Lessons learned from his more questionable work likely helped forge the solid set of ethics we have today.

Topic 2:

I am currently planning to cover James Reddan's last performance as a teacher at LBCC.  I plan to shoot a preview sometime next week, I plan to shoot during the show on June 4th, and I plan to shoot after the show, when I assume everyone will be saying their goodbyes. I will contact Reddan later today to get things set up.

For an overall shot I am hoping to get the audience watching the performance. For a medium I will get the performers during their practice and possibly on stage if it is allowed. For a closeup I intend to get a picture of Reddan, preferably in his stage outfit.

Action Shot - Fire Dancers

Fire dancer Shireen Press eating fire during her performance at LBCC's second annual Hypefest.

Fire dancer Jill Schofield swinging a flaming hula-hoop during her perforamcne at LBCC's second annual Hypefest.

Jill Schofield spinning flames during her performance at LBCC's second annual Hypefest.

Forum Week 7

Topic 1:

I will be taking pictures of the motorcyclists that meet on campus every weekend. I will go and take pictures during the afternoon as they run through their drills.

My overall shot will likely be the entire course while everyone is driving on it. My medium shot will likely be a few cyclists together. My closeup will be as close as I can get without being in the way, maybe a shot of someone slowing down or going around a sharp turn.

My primary contact will be the instructor for the program who attends each session.

Free Shoot

A member of the Mexicatiahui Danza Azteca during a traditional mexican dance performance during LBCC's Diversity Day celebration.

Members of Mexicatiahui DanzaAzteca kneeling during their performance at LBCC's Diversity Day celebration performance.

The traditional mexican dance group, Mexicatiahui Danza Azteca, concluding their performance at LBCC's Diversity Day celebration.