Thursday, April 21, 2016

ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAIT and MUG SHOT








Hard working Rafeal Velazco on the job.








Rafeal Velazco April 2014

NPPA CODE OF ETHICS


The nine points of ethical conduct developed by the NPPA all have a common goal: 

To conduct photojournalism with honor, integrity, accuracy, unbiased truthfulness, transparency, and respect to the subjects being photographed.

Item number three, to be complete and provide context, avoid stereotyping, and recognize and avoid one's own biases, stands out as a solid foundation for these codes. 



    1. Next, look at the list under "Ideally, photojournalists should ...” Again, pick the item that most stands out for you and EXPLAIN WHY you think it matters.

The use of the term "strive for" goes hand in hand with what photojournalists ideally should do and be in regards to their work. Item number seven highlights this by stating that "striving by example and influence to maintain the spirit and high standards set in the code of ethics", photojournalists can be counted on to present complete, unbiased and factual information.


  1. Write about an EXAMPLE that illustrates one of the principles you highlighted from the NPPA Code of Ethics.

If a photojournalist has strong opinions or belief systems how can the information or story being presented be trusted to be the accurate facts....?

For example, I have a very strong, adamant belief in a woman's right to a safe and legal abortion. If I were to write a story regarding this topic, it would require great effort on my part to present both sides of this legal (and some say moral) issue with no bias. I'm not saying it cannot be done. That is where the NPPA code of ethics would need to be utilized, and practiced.
I am happy to have the opportunity to compliment several of my fellow class mates on some of their recent photos submitted in the class blogs. I actually had already started poking around in them before knowing it would be an assignment. 

I have gotten to the age where I know not to compare myself with others. I find that someone always loses in a better than/less than situation. I genuinely enjoy and learn from others and their work and am grateful for the many opportunities that affords.

This photo taken by Alyssa Campbell just came at me full force . The use of gray scale gives it an impact that is then balanced by the simplicity of a human hand. It tells a whole story in one shot.

This photo taken by Elliot Marshall  demonstrates to me a knowledge of the camera as well as the final intention of the picture. He knew exactly what he was doing. While the background is blurry the message is clear!


Well Done Alyssa and Elliot 
                                                 and THANKS!

Friday, April 15, 2016

Feature Story Fact Check 


Nicki Sinfield is one of the main persons that is highlighted in the feature story on the LBCC Horse Center. I have followed up with her to review the story and to take more photos.
She is a very enthusiastic and generous girl to accommodate my requests.

The fact checking is still in progress. It is important to review the written article with Jenny Strooband, the program director and instructor. To be continued......

LIME BERRY FROZEN YOGURT! 

Up for review


Even though there are some very serious events happening in the world, it is okay to stop and take a break. Something fun to help that along is a cool, creamy, and refreshing bowl of tasty frozen yogurt.

Julie Wink is the co-owner of the Lime Berry Frozen Yogurt shop on Pacific Blvd near the LBCC campus. She is the main reference source for my review of the shop. Her co-owner is Becky (?...need to verify her last name)

And lucky me I am the third source. Since there are 10-15 flavors to choose from I have had to make several trips to taste test the product! 

While not the most exciting place to hang out or the latest IT band or movie, it is an enjoyable place to cool off as the days warm up. 


One Subject - Three Views 

OVERALL a very large dirt digger

One half of a MEDIUM dirt digger

Hydraulic cables CLOSE UP on dirt digger


What I consider to be my best and worst photojournalism class blog shots 


Honestly, I am a bit discouraged at my seemingly utter lack of technical skill or effective framing when trying to take pictures for the class assignments. That said, I will refocus ( hahaha) on keeping a bird by bird attitude (See the book by Anne Lamont ).


The BEST

The photo that least disturbs me and even makes a tiny twitchy movement at the side of my mouth is Taylor Shannon at her pizza oven station in the LBCC cafeteria. 

I enjoyed the assignment and meeting Taylor. Seeing her eyes sparkle in the photo just made me feel good about it. 

There are several technical elements that could have been done better. For example, a different shutter speed so her paddle is not blurred. But the bottom line is it is a pretty girl with a happy smile and that is what really counts ( to me ) for now.....





The WORST 

Horses Butts. Horses butts seen from far away.

My father had some colorful cuss words, one of which was most people who didn't drive like him were a horse's ass. 


    "Under the Grandstand" by Seymour Butts.


   Two possible sources for the environmental portrait                                 and mug shot assignment




Environmnetal Portriat # One


Rafael Valazco is the owner and operator of Valazco's Lawn Service.

Every Wednesday he arrives at my house to mow the lawn, trim bushes and trees, and weed the flower beds. He does this with out fail, no matter the weather.

He has a bright yellow enclosed trailer that he pulls behind his pick up truck full of yard care equipment. The red lettering boldly proclaims his business name and information.

He works hard, gets dirty and always has earplugs on. He is a bit gruff looking but when he smiles he has dimples and beautiful straight white teeth. 

He allowed me to take some pictures of him riding one of his lawn mowers (he was insistent on using that particular one even though it is too big for out little yard. He pulled it out of the trailer specifically for me to shoot him on it). 

The mug shot was taken against the side of his yellow trailer. 
It was a good background that highlighted his olive colored skin and dark black hair. 



Environmental Portrait # Two 


I am very keen to do my main environmental portrait on a person who makes their living fishing. I have contacted several fishing charter boat companies in Yachats, on the Oregon coast, with my request. 

On Sunday, accompanied by my faithful dog Skye, I will off to the coast to see what photos I can obtain! 
I believe we will have many types of props to choose from. The boat itself and also rods, reels, and other various equipment used for ocean boat fishing.

Even though I learned that environmental portraits do not mean to take photos of someone outside in nature, both of my choices seem to reflect that anyway. However, it is with a more specific end in mind to shoot a poised portrait reflecting a persons job or passion.

Ahoy matey!

Friday, April 8, 2016

Week 2 OverAll, Medium and Close Up

Feather enjoys eating a treat of alfalfa hay at theLBCC Horse Center.
Cindy Gooch (in fuchsia jacket)  keeps watch over her riders in the LBCC Horse Center arena.

Nicki Sinfield gives her horse Marshmallow a cool rinse at the LBBC Horse Center barn.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Week Two Review Ideas



Frozen Yogurt may not be the most exciting of a topic for a review. However, I found a place near the LBCC campus, called LimeBerry that is a bit unique in the frozen yogurt world.

Another review I am interested in doing is on the book, "The Rosie Project", by Australian Graeme Simpson. It is the debut novel about a man with autism, whose life is upended by the meeting of a woman named Rosie.

Reviews are personal. No matter if the writer is trying to explain something to a large audience, it is still something that comes from a personal perspective.

Here is a review of a similar type of book entitled "The Summer Before The War", written by Helen Simpson.
http://www.npr.org/2016/03/24/471343375/shadows-haunt-a-lovely-season-in-summer-before-the-war

While the story starts out simple and infused with place and time and weather, with snappy dialogue and witty remarks, the reviewer soon lets the reader know that things are more serious and difficult.
I wanted very much to go to this little place, walk about and see what the reviewer tells us might be found there. I also know that life is not always that way, gentle and kind, and cared about what might be happening to the characters.

I was drawn into this review because without revealing the plot twists, it still told me what the book was about. The reviewer explained a bit of the setting and even gives some characterization examples, while keeping the reader wondering. As a potential reader of the book, I want to feel confident that I am interested in the book or subject yet able to explore its depths on my own.
The review gives a quote from the book that offers that kind of information.

"The contrast between pastoral peace and the violent chaos of war is what gives this novel its heft."

The most notable aspect of reviewing a book review showed me that it is not a book report. The reader does not want to know the details, plot twists and or even worse, the ending. They just want to know if possibly they might find it among their particular interests and then read it for themselves.

I look forward to reading this book!



Forum 1

oops! I see now that I failed to submit this assignment.  uh oh...is my usual response to my dog losing her ball in the bushes. But like her... I always manage to find the way. And while I may not collect the points associated with it, I can come around around full circle just for the fun of it... let the ball roll, investigate what else is out there, and bring it on home.

Week 2 Topic Two Finding Feature leads....

Taken from page 79 in the PHOTO Journalism textbook by Kenneth Korbe`:


1. Get on the mailing lists of organizations- the more the obscure the better! 
When potential free advertising comes their way, most business's, organizations, clubs and groups are more than happy to provide requested information about themselves. Then I would follow up and show up!

2. Take the time to stop ( whatever you are doing, driving, walking, flying, ect.) if you see a situation that lends itself to a feature. 

Maybe I am a busy body, or nosy, or just care about what is going on around me. Perhaps I am highly tuned to some electrical pulse that seems to make me notice odd details and then wonder how or why it is that way. Or I simply just appreciate it for what ever it is. Nonetheless, I have been known to ask questions. A lot of questions. 

MY PLAN TO FIND FEATURES by this method is to be myself! Only more so! By doing more follow up to my curious nature, I already am encountering new opportunities and situations in which to ask people questions about themselves, which, with an open mind and a polite friendly nature, can take me to some unexpected places...

The other thing I really need to do is be able to shoot early morning and evening. So, another part of my plan will be to go out during these times and look for photo story leads.



Week 2 Topic One Diane Arbus Facts


I have selected Diane Arbus for my Photographer of the Week assignment.

Diane was born into the Jewish family, Nemerov, who were wealthy New York, Fifth Avenue department store owners.

She started her photo career with her husband Allan Arbus in the advertising and fashion industries.

She committed suicide at the age 48 in 1971.


The most striking features of Diane's photos are they are almost all in a square format, black and white, and portraits.

Her claim to photography fame is that her portraits tended to be of the unseen, deformed, outcast and outer fringes of society. 

The Almost Secret LBCC Horse Center


                                         
Nicki Sinfield gives Marshmallow a cool rinse after their work out together in the arena.

 Nicki Sinfield strides across the LBCC Horse Center arena wearing a black tee shirt that says, “Heels Down & Eyes Up”. It is good advice for anyone sitting in a saddle astride a 1,000 pound horse.  Nicki is a student in Jenny Stroobands’ horse management class. The Horse Center is somewhat of a secret at LBCC. Many students do not know it exists, partly because it is not located on the main campus. But just a mile down 53rd St. is a big red barn, riding arena, stables and pasture pens full of horses. Several of those horses are pregnant and expected to foal in the next six to eight weeks.

The Horse Center has several purposes. Because its daily operations are not funded by the school, horse owners from mostly the western parts of the U.S. can board their horses for a fee at the center. Each semester the students are assigned a horse that they will work with all term. Besides being taken care of, the young horses are trained by the students to wear a halter and bridle, saddle, walk, trot, canter, and follow stop, go, turn and back up commands. Dana Sanders is one of the students. 

“I thought I knew a lot about horses but they have taught me more here than I ever knew," said Sanders. 

She is referring to Jenny Strooband, who heads the program, and her barn manager Cindy Gooch.

Strooband was hired in 2002, the same year that LBCC purchased the Horse Center property that they had been leasing since its inception in 1984. That was when Jim Lucas ran the Agriculture Science Department and saw a need for practical experience in Equine Management. 

There are two degrees offered through the Horse Center program: Associate of Applied Science which also overlaps with Associate of Science in Equine Management. This is a good place for pre-veterinarian students to get started while the former is a two year program geared toward obtaining employment directly into the horse training field.

Another important activity that generates income for the center is breeding. Currently there are four stallions from which the students collect, process, and ship semen around the country. Jenny explained that there are quite a few horses here with very high pedigrees. People pay money to obtain the semen of these stallions to then artificially inseminate their mares.

All the students admit that the class is labor intensive. When the horses are in the stalls, they have to be cleaned out daily, besides twice daily feedings. Just lifting a 25 lb. saddle onto a six ft. horse can be daunting. It’s hot and dusty in the summer, cold and muddy in the winter. Most of them have been either kicked or nipped by a horse. Some even get thrown off. But the students all agree that Jenny and Cindy make everything worthwhile. They infuse all the activities with passionate enthusiasm. 

In fact, Jenny said, "I have the best job on campus". 

She loves what she does and it seems to infect everyone, including the horses. It is rather like a large extended family. Because horses are highly social beings, living at the center allows them to see, hear, smell and talk to each other constantly. When there are 4-8 horses turned out together in the arena during training it could almost be like going to class with your friends. Only a bit more aromatic!

Horses are strong animals yet can be very gentle. They are usually patient and even playful. But sometimes, just like humans, they can get a bit cranky. I witnessed a bit of this when visiting the center. A young girl was attempting to mount her horse, using a step stool for just that purpose, when he pulled away and she got her hand caught just enough to give her a hard pinch. That’s when Whitney Whitaker stepped in. 

Whitney said as she walked towards the arena gate, “I plan to be a horse trainer so doing things correctly is important”. 

She then helped the girl start the exercise over from the beginning.

Nicki’s horse this semester is Marshmallow, a three and a half year old appaloosa. But it is not her first horse or even her first class. She loves it at the Horse Center so much that she re-enrolled after finishing the first time, got hired to help Cindy look after the horses when the students are not there and even lives in the small living quarters that were built after the 2002 purchase.It is a testament to the kind of commitment that is required to care for these magnificent beings.









Stephen King "On Writing" Mr. Rabbit Trick

TOPIC 1: "ON WRITING” -- After reading the first 50 pages of Stephen King's "On Writing”:
1.     What is your favorite anecdote and quote so far from the book?
2.     Summarize the anecdote.
3.     Why did the anecdote resonate with you? In other words, why did you like it?
4.     Write out the quote.
5.     Explain why the quote stood out to you.



I think my favorite anecdote so far in Stephen Kings’ book “On Writing”, while rather simple compared to some of the more wild events, is the most telling of who he still is today.
At age six, he showed his mother a story he had (supposedly) written. She was initially charmed, until she asked and he acknowledged that he copied most of it.

When she declared that he should write one of his own, he tells of feeling immense possibility at the idea. Like endless magic doors that he could open anytime he wanted to.

This inspires Mr. King to write a story about Mr. Rabbit Trick and his three friends who drive around in a car helping kids. His mother genuinely likes it so he writes several more. She pays him a quarter apiece for the four stories. It was his first paid gig in the writing business.

This incident resonated with me because it showed his true nature of wanting, even needing, to write to the point of (unknowingly) plagiarizing. The happiness he said he felt when she said what he had written was good enough to be in a book seems like a good place to start.

I think Stephen is still opening those magic doors.


My favorite quote is the whole Third Foreword. This was the first time I have seen a third foreword in a book and I loved it!  Mr. King says, “To write is human, to edit is divine”.

Over the years I have helped edit some of my husband’s writing work. Of course now writing on a computer allows instant spelling and grammar correction but sometimes you need a fresh set of eyes.

Suggestions and ideas that may or may not improve specifics of the writing are still crucial to being open to the possibility of improvement. I also think it is respectful to the reader that the information put down on the page is as concise and accurate as possible.

It also gives me encouragement that whatever I write does not have to be flawless. After all, I am just a simple human. I am sure that I “fall short of editorial perfection”. That takes off some of the self-inflicted pressure!

Friday, April 1, 2016

All About Me...oh brother!

Not ever having any children I have been free to roam and that I have done. Road Trip is one of my favorite words! I started early, from beach and mountain  camping ( with my parents) to becoming a certified scuba diver when I was 17 yrs old.
In search of that next dive I have traveled to many tropical marine environments. Bonaire, Bahamas, Belize, Honduras, BVI'S, Florida, Mexico, CA, Indonesia, Australia and Hawaii. Almost all of these trips were taken with my husband who is a college science teacher specializing in marine environments. In 2008 we moved to Australia for 3 years, then returned to the "States" for 3 years on the Big Island of Hawaii. Now we are here in Corvallis where my husband took a job at OSU developing and delivering on-line science courses.

Of course traveling requires photographing so I have done my fair share of point and shoot. Also some underwater stuff, which is quite challenging but so much fun!

Goals for the photo journalism class would not be complete without more instruction and practice at using the camera off of the AUTO mode!
Being able to tell a story with a picture, not just capture a moment or place in time.
And having the access to new information, tips, ideas and anything that contributes to increased proficiency is something I appreciate.


Selecting someone to interview for the profile assignment will be a good opportunity for close up photos.
Any excuse to photograph all things nature is good enough for me. The challenge will be to get people in action into those photos.
The diesel and mechanical equipment areas seems like a good opportunity for some interesting photos.



Feature Writing Equestrian Center @ LBCC

Was pleasantly surprised to learn that LBCC has an equestrian center 1.5 miles from the Albany campus.

Why ( and when )  was the center originally established? What was the intention?
How does the center help and educate students about horses?
Does the center actually give grades?
Do the horses belong to the students or to the school or both?
Who takes care of the animals? What is their daily life like at the center?
How is the center financed?

Jenny Srooband interview and then have her refer me to some of her students.

NUT GRAF  Though the Albany campus is located in an area central to many rural farms and agricultural small business, an equestrian center is a uncommon feature at a community college. It is in fact rather unique.




My goals and plans are to obtain a Journalism degree. I wish to develop all the skills associated with non-fiction writing and photography. The use of the AP style will be new to me even though I have and continue to be an avid newspaper reader.

Then there is my fantasy of living on a sailboat with my dog Skye and my husband Philip while cruising around tropical reef islands, observing, studying, photographing and writing stories on the natural history and then having them published ( and maybe even paid for it!)


Overall, Medium, Up close

3 guys getting around campus at OSU 3-28-16

Parking lot is full at OSU!3-28-16

Taylor Shannon in charge of the hearth at LBCC Culinary Center