Journalism is fun

You meet many interesting people, you need to create compelling images in a strict timeframe, you have to fight against circumstances to make the shots the best they can be, all while trying to present the viewer with the story in as clear a manner as possible. I really, really enjoy it. If you ever find yourself in a position to accept that sort of assignment, give it a try. Yes, it's daunting, there is much to remember, and it can get scary at times, for many different reasons, but seeing your shots next to a story and how the two work together and build on one another really is a great feeling. We see very little of that sort of work here, and I sort of wish that could change. If you have a history of journalism or that sort of work, go ahead and share. The more photographic areas we explore, the better off we'll be.

I will post some shots when I can, I have had a good run with a local paper. They used 11 of my shots over the past three weeks, of those I will pick some good ones and try to give the background and articles if I can. Some will have to wait as my contract stipulates that I can not publish the used images for ten days after the print run. Web sites are a grey area, but I'd rather be safe, I value my relationship with the photo department and don't want to jeopardize that.

So come on, show us what you've got! :D

How about this...why don't you give us an assignment? I am willing to bet that some, if not most of us, have probably never had to confront this aspect of photography. So I'm willing to give it a shot (no pun intended), provided I'm given something to cover and a deadline to have it done. Limit everyone to one post of four pictures, and let's see how we all do.

Ray

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by schrackman

How about this...why don't you give us an assignment?

---

Could be fun - but the photo project is along these lines too. I admit I've never done much there though.

Reminds me, I need to call the weekly here. I've sent a couple of emails (including shots) to someone I know there but had no responses. Photojournalism is something that really interests me, but it looks like a tough way to make a living. Good to teach you about working under pressure and coming back with a shot though. They don't care how hard it was to get the shot or what you had to go thru to make it happen, they just want the shot.

Wife just opened the second bottle of wine - I guess I'm signing off for the night...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by schrackman

How about this...why don't you give us an assignment? I am willing to bet that some, if not most of us, have probably never had to confront this aspect of photography. So I'm willing to give it a shot (no pun intended), provided I'm given something to cover and a deadline to have it done. Limit everyone to one post of four pictures, and let's see how we all do.

Ray

---

Ray,

I would love to, but it'd be really tricky. For one, I have no clue what's going on in everyone's local areas, so I can't specifically give out assignments. But how does this sound? Let's pretend I'm an editor, I will list some categories of events that I would want to see pics of. Your job would be to find an event that matches one of the categories, shoot it and edit the images. Then, we all post them here by a certain "deadline" that would be representative of a deadline for submission for a print run the next morning. And then we'd critique each other's work to see how well we covered the event.

How does that sound??

Anyone else interested? If more people want to do this, I will have to go over several things before we start.

Well...ya know, since I'm an "amateur" and all, I could use the practice :P - I'm game. Add me to the list.

I'm willing to give it a try.

;-)

OK - I'm in. It'll be good experience to have to come back with something worthy of a critique.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sebastian

Anyone else interested? If more people want to do this, I will have to go over several things before we start.

---

Sounds like fun, let's go for it. It's been 32 years since I worked on a dead line. I worked for a small local paper just out of college and did everything. I would shoot the event, develop and print (in the john), write the story, edit it, and do the page layouts. Yeah you got me revved. Just remember some of us don't live in big cities. My home town is about 3000 (on Saturday night when the farmers come to town), try to make it something that will fit all of us.

It sounds interesting and fun *smile*... I was always being "yelled at" for being late for deadline...
and it looks as though I may have found a job at a local newspaper here freelancing... at least I'm hoping it works out....
I can't wait to see some of your pics

That's about exactly what I was thinking. Go for it.

Ray

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sebastian

Ray,

I would love to, but it'd be really tricky. For one, I have no clue what's going on in everyone's local areas, so I can't specifically give out assignments. But how does this sound? Let's pretend I'm an editor, I will list some categories of events that I would want to see pics of. Your job would be to find an event that matches one of the categories, shoot it and edit the images. Then, we all post them here by a certain "deadline" that would be representative of a deadline for submission for a print run the next morning. And then we'd critique each other's work to see how well we covered the event.

How does that sound??

Anyone else interested? If more people want to do this, I will have to go over several things before we start.

---

I'd love to do this, I'll just have to run out and grab a USB- CD-ROM drive to get my images online (driver problems..no CD, sound, video, or LAN at the moment).

Dude,

Way cool. Totally Rad.

Yes, you can't count me in. I am sure I can find something to shoot.

Dennis

No, I'm really not trying to dis you Seb. It's a great idea, but seems to me you're just starting to learn this journalism stuff, and most of the others here have never even tried it, so I'm wondering just how valuable critiquing each others work is going to be...

Whadyouall say to me stepping in and playing "Grand Marshall" to your upcoming parade of pictures?

I can draw up some rules, start a thread for the shots, and get Liz or Charles to stick it. Of course, comments from everyone would be welcome, but I can give you a good idea of just how well the images would work in the real world of publishing...

Ya think???

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sebastian

Ray,

I would love to, but it'd be really tricky. For one, I have no clue what's going on in everyone's local areas, so I can't specifically give out assignments. But how does this sound? Let's pretend I'm an editor, I will list some categories of events that I would want to see pics of. Your job would be to find an event that matches one of the categories, shoot it and edit the images. Then, we all post them here by a certain "deadline" that would be representative of a deadline for submission for a print run the next morning. And then we'd critique each other's work to see how well we covered the event.

How does that sound??

Anyone else interested? If more people want to do this, I will have to go over several things before we start.

---

Steve,

Absoultely!! Thanks for the offer, it is eagerly accepted. :D I was just trying to work with what I have...which is me. :)

Let's go over the "rules" via email. I'd like to discuss that with you before we start this whole thing.

Good job Sebastian. I cannot wait to see the images, but if they are being used then they are effective images for the story.

This could be a great start into something bigger and that's exciting.

Congrats again,
Loren

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sebastian

Ray,

I would love to, but it'd be really tricky. For one, I have no clue what's going on in everyone's local areas, so I can't specifically give out assignments. But how does this sound? Let's pretend I'm an editor, I will list some categories of events that I would want to see pics of. Your job would be to find an event that matches one of the categories, shoot it and edit the images. Then, we all post them here by a certain "deadline" that would be representative of a deadline for submission for a print run the next morning. And then we'd critique each other's work to see how well we covered the event.

How does that sound??

Anyone else interested? If more people want to do this, I will have to go over several things before we start.

---

That would be a great photo-project and that would be exciting. Have Mr. Aslyum and you come up with some rules, and let's see where it goes.

Loren

Sounds great, Seb and Steve...keep us posted.

Charles, great to see you're interested. It shouldn't be much of a departure from your typical way of shooting. :)

For everyone:

Take a look at this site for some inspiration: http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/

I have to warn you some of it is graphic, so if you can't handle the sight of human suffering you might want to avoid it.

Count me in. This sounds like not only a great learning experience, but lots of fun as well.
Brian

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sebastian

Take a look at this site for some inspiration: http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/

---

We're being judged against him? Umm... the dog ate my homework...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by another view

We're being judged against him? Umm... the dog ate my homework...

---

Uhm...NO. If we were, I would be sellign my gear and taking up professional knitting. It'd be less embarassing that way.