Getting back to basics to strengthen skills

Stop Action

Side lighting using window light

  This assignment was mostly a review of what I had learned in other photography classes. 
   However, I did have some trouble with the test on the News U, Language of the Image. I got very few of them right; either I marked to many or not enough elements, which tells me that I need to study and practice more. 
  As I have always said, the more I learn about photography the more I learn that there is more to learn.

 When I did the equipment inventory sheet I didn’t think I would have much to put on it, but surprisingly I did. I only have two cameras, but there is so much other equipment you need for photography and it adds up quick.

Narrow Depth of Field

         For the shooting part of this assignment we had to choose three photography techniques and shoot examples of them. I couldn’t decide which three to shot so I shot several to see what would come out the best. I enjoyed this part of the assignment the most, it took me back to basics and gave me the freedom to experiment.

The challenge of cell phone photography

Sarah McRitchie at EnPuzzlement on Monday, October 6.

Shannon Turner (left) and Leilani Turk at EnPuzzlement on Monday, October 6.

       

 

      Cell phone cameras are one of the tools used by photojournalists; how useful they are depends on the quality of the camera. Most cell phone cameras have options you can find on a DSLR such as focus mode, picture size, picture quality, ISO, and white balance. While it is nice to be able to adjust these things most phones won't have the full range of choices you have for each option on a DSLR. Another downfall of cell phone cameras is that if you use the zoom on them the quality of the image deteriorates and it becomes harder to stabilize the camera to get an in focus image. The biggest downfall of cell phone cameras is the inability to adjust your aperture and f/stops.

      I know that I sound very anti cell phone camera but that's not the case. Some of the newer phones take beautiful images when well composed. I just don't think they should be viewed as a total replacement for DSLRs. If a photojournalist finds themselves confronted with a newsworthy event and they do not have their camera a cell phone camera in their back pocket is an invaluable tool.

      When I shot my cell phone photography assignment for class I ran into a few obstacles. My phone is about four years old and has been dropped more times than I can count, plus it's only a 3.2 mega pixel so the quality of the images isn't the greatest to begin with. A combination of my phone having a delay in image capture and not being able to control my f/stops caused me to have a lot of blur in most of my images. The lighting conditions weren't the greatest so I had to constantly change my angles to play with the light because I could not adjust my aperture or f/stops and I couldn't do a custom white balance.

      This assignment really made me have to think and get creative to compensate for what my cell phone camera couldn't do. I think if I had a better cell phone camera this assignment might have been easier but I probably wouldn't have learned as much.

To caption or not to caption that is the question

          Some pictures do not need a caption because the image it says all. However, not all images have that power.

          All pictures in a newspaper or magazine require captions because they need explanation. Images need the five w’s and the h answered. Whois in the photo? What is happening in the photo? When was the photo taken, or the event take place? Where did the event take place? Why is this important, or why was it taken? How did the people do something, or how did this event happen? 

          All good captions depend on these questions being answered correctly so the image and the photojournalist maintain credibility,  and the readers understanding of the photos intent. 

          The AP Stylebook and good research are the primary tools used in making sure captions are thorough, factual, and done correctly.

A deeper understanding of the First Amendment

     The First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
     This amendment consists of only 45 words but it gives us so much. 

     What does this amendment mean to you? To me, it means that I have the right to my opinions and beliefs. I have the right to speak freely without fear. I have the right to question and challenge the world around me. These are rare and precious freedoms that are important to preserve.
     In my photojournalism class we studied each part of this amendment, then took the First Amendment Quiz. The quiz challenged us, and left us with deeper understanding of this amendment. I encourage everyone to take this quiz because it is important that we know and understand our rights.

Starting over and moving forward

            I started this blog last fall as part of my Photojournalism class at Owens Community College, but unfortunately I was unable to finish the class due to a car accident. 
          I have fully recovered from that accident and I am retaking the class this semester. I will be using this blog not only for class assignments, but also for professional use in journalism, photojournalism, and documentary work.

          I am excited and honored to be the new News Editor for the Owens Outlook online student newspaper this semester. I feel that I have a lot to learn from this position, and hope to contribute to it.

          I am a communications major at Owens and will graduate in December. After graduation I plan to attend BGSU to obtain a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
          My passions are writing and photography. In an effort to inspire positive change in our country and around the world, I hope to one day do documentary work that spotlights both the best and worst of humanity.

          Follow me on twitter @JanelleSmith1 and you can also follow the Outlook on twitter @OwensOutlook.

The First Amendment: 45 words that mean so much

The First Amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

          This amendment is unique to our country and I am grateful we have it. 
          The rights that are protected in this amendment would be punishable by imprisonment or death in some other countries. As a photojournalism student this amendment will be my saving grace as I venture out into the field.
          When I started this Intro to Photojournalism class I already knew what my first amendment rights were, but as we went into detail in class I learned more about what each one meant. We took the First Amendment quiz as a class and got 25 out of 30. Some of the questions were easy for me to answer but others made me have to really think.
          I encourage everyone to know their rights and to exercise them. Follow the link above for the First Amendment quiz and let me know how you did.

Love of Photography and Need for Knowledge

          I am a journalism student at Owens Community College. I created this blog for my Intro to Photojournalism class.

          I have lived in Toledo for most of my life. I have been married 14 years and we have three boys and one girl.

          My goal after completing my degree at Owens is to get my bachelor’s degree in photojournalism. I chose this path because it combines my love of photography with my constant need to know more about everything.