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.

Neighborhood Photos

Mark Chambers, the residential manager, manning the front office of the Lindenwood apartments.

The common area of Lindenwood apartments serves as a mail center, laundry room, and general recreational area.

The center courtyard of the Lindenwood apartment complex, dominated by the residential swimming pool.

Forum 6

Topic 1:

I love this photo because it makes Frisbee look so intense. It is a good action shot and the focus is good as well, which from my experience can be very difficult when it comes to people moving around, even if they move slowly.

Here are some questions I have:
How does one go about photographing a marathon? Do you stake out an area and wait?
How conscious does someone need to be on the sideline during a competitive event?
What sport/event is most challenging to photograph?


Topic 2:
For my neighborhood assignment I did the Lindenwood apartment complex next door to the school. It wasn't my first choice, but my other topic didn't pan out.

My biggest challenge was finding people who were willing to talk to me and get a picture. College students are shy, who knew.

I think the environmental portrait turned out great. He has a great expressions, the lighting seemed good, and it is more interesting than the others. I managed to catch him right before his shift ended.

If I had to do this assignment over i would get more pictures with people in them and people doing things. I would also try to find a more interesting area like downtown Albany or Corvallis.

Forum Week 5

Topic 1:
The photo story Phillip Toledano: Days With My Father really blew me away. It was very emotional, interesting, funny, and sad. The photos seem very real and personal. They made me think about my relationship with my own father and grandfather. Adding in the subject's short term memory loss and it makes it a very compelling story.

The most obvious challenges would have been the photographer's personal connection to the subject and dealing with the constant memory loss. Toledano talks about both the frustration and joy he felt while taking care of his father.

The theme is generally rather light-hearted, though there are the occasional bits that are rather dark. Most of the pictures are upbeat and even a little funny, like the one with the sheep sleeping mask. The narrative was very powerful and I was hanging on the writer's every word. It was overall an inspiring and though inducing story.

In my own photo story I realize I will have to spend a lot of time with my subject and try to get some good candid photos. Its important that I get a good understanding of who the person will be and what drives them to do what they do.

Topic 2:
I could do a story on the restaurant on the LBCC campus and talk to the staff during their daily routine.

I want to get some shots of things behind the scenes and how it transfers to what everyone else sees when they just go in to eat. What happens so the food gets to the table? I intend to find out who is in charge and see if they will allow me to observe things from both behind the scene and in the restaurant itself.

I could also do a photo story on the life of an LBCC security guard and what their job on campus entails. What is their daily routine like? What do they do when theres an emergency or an incident on campus? I'll have to find a security person who would be willing to work with me and let me shadow them for awhile. this might be a challenge since they seem pretty shy.

Week 5 Feature Photos!

Janeen Phillips, Career and Employment Specialist, helps LBCC fix up their resumes for the annual Career Fair.

Carl Callow and Elijah Callow practice their backhoe driving skills with a nifty simulation.

Benton County Deputies manning their booth at LBCC's annual Career Fair.