Photo Story

Morganne and Aubrie Morales (right) fell in love in December of 2013 and tied the knot September 25th 2016. Meeting through mutual friends, just before Aubrie joined the military, their sparks would have to be put on hold. After five years, two deployments, and having her son Dylann, Aubrie's contract was over and she was happy to settle down. Morganne and Aubrie picked up where they left off shortly after Aubrie's return, with Morganne stepping in as 'step-mama'. Through the years together, Aubrie has another child, a daughter named Keilani on June 8, 2015.

 Dr. Heather Diaz finding baby Rhyatt's heartbeat, while Aubrie and Keilani listen with excitement, during a routine sixth month appointment at the Lancaster Family Heath Center in Salem. The couple, conceiving through IUI, ultimately had success after a couple years and many tears. This time it's Morganne with the morning sickness and swelling feet. A talented hairstylist and colorist, Morganne works a few days a week at Glamour Salon in Salem to stay busy before baby three comes. 

While Aubrie takes night classes Morganne takes care of the kids, Dylan and Keilani, and holds down the fort. Living in a quiet new housing edition the kids are safe to ride their scooters along the street and sidewalks. Morganne, an active mom, plays outside with them daily. "We are a very active family. We hike, camp, take bike rides, and do yard work together. We are a busy family, having kids doesn't mean we have to slow down" -Morganne

Nothing out of the norm here, Keilani wanting to help wash dishes, Dylann needing help, an the aches of pregnancy after a long day. When Morganne came into Dylann and Aubrie's life, as another mom, "it was difficult for us to adjust because he was so use to having just Aubrie for so long... at this point he doesn't remember life without me." As far as Keilani, Morganne was there from conception to delivery, "I have always been her mama... even though she isn't biologically mine, being her mom came very natural to me. 

After a winning game of little league baseball at the Crossler Middle School fields on the evening of June 6th this family is all grins. Aubrie (mommy), Morganne (mama), Keilani, and Dylann are excited to welcome Rhyatt Hayes Morales, expected to arrive September 25th 2018. 

Blog Forum X

This photo stands out as my 'best photo' because of the low angle, the vibrant colors, and the great 'model' Michelle Gilles. It reflects what I have learned in PhotoJournalism by use of a different angle, the low angle, which was a challenge i put on myself to understand and somewhat 'master'. This photo shows a bit of comfort/confidence I had with the subjects at the event and the event itself, where at the start of the semester I was nervous to even walk around with a camera; to be comfortable and confident in the area your shooting, will definitely result in better photos, as this photo shows.

My photo skills at the beginning of this semester were almost non-exisitant aside from quick shots off my iPhone, where I saw the aesthetics of a photo make the photo, but what this class has taught me is that an aesthetic background doesn't make the photo better, the angle, the lighting, the intimacy, the subject is what makes a good photo.

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I hope by the end of this term I hope to have some knowledge of the qualities it takes to make a successful documentary photo. I want to have the ability to use a camera to create a good image/photo, not a filter on an app. Lastly, at the end of this term I hope to understand the contribution of photojournalism. 

Now that the semester is coming to an end, I have more of an understanding of what qualities go into getting a great photo. Along with getting good lighting, variety of angles, correct camera settings, the dedication, time, and effort it takes to getting a good shot was not completely aware to me before this class. I assumed taking a great photo comes natural to people, and to some it may. However, I have learned that most photographers have had to learn, just as I, their way of photographing through practice. At the beginning of this semester, I barely knew how to work my camera or even the basic terms such as ISO, depth of field, and aperture. Now, I have a basic understanding of adjusting those levels for the type of scenery I'm shooting, and why I need to adjust them, in order to get a good photo without having to edit it with a filter on VSCO. I can see some improvement in myself with a camera, which makes me eager to learn more. Lastly, I hoped to know the contribution photojournalism meant to the world, and exactly what photojournalism is. After taking Rob's Intro to Photojournalism course and reading Lynsey Addario's autobiography and memoirs I have the desire to learn more, to follow photojournalists. I look at National Geographic and cover story pictures differently, for the knowledge I have of editing and the Code of Ethics. I appreciate and applaud photojournalist; for their dedication and devote work, for their beautiful images and strong stories, for going out into the field, to tell a story of 'whats right in the world' or whats is terribly wrong, just writing a story to have it shared to open people's eyes. 
Without photojournalists the world would be naive.     

My Hometown

Oregon's capital building, located in the heart of Salem on Court street, houses the state legislature,
and the offices of the governor, secretary and treasurer. Built in 1938, this is the third house to Oregon's state government; the two former capital buildings were destroyed by fire in 1855, the other in 1935.

Salem's Saturday Market April 7- October 27 9am-3pm.
Over half the community gathers downtown Salem to wander and shop local booths of
agriculture, handmade goods, and delicious grub. 

Raquel Trevino is a full time student at Willamette University,
a private liberal arts college, located on State street.
Raquel and approximately 2,800 other students attend Willamette,
the oldest University in the western United States.

Action- Roller Derby

Skaters of all ages meet twice a week for practice, at The Madhouse in Salem. Once reaching level C new skaters are able to join a team and compete in their first bout.

New skaters learning the basics like skate control, single footed plow stops, and proper bracing techniques. The result of mastering basic skills is advancement to the next level, where skaters are challenged and taught new skate techniques. 

Cherry City Derby Girls, a group of experienced and talented skaters, lace up their skates excited to take over the floor.

Blog Forum V

Lyndsey Addario's investment in her work reflects in her approach to each assignment. Addario looks at each assignment as an opportunity to learn and show the rest of the world the truth behind the image, maybe not necessarily what story has been previously told. An example is the Afghan women and their burqas.   Addario takes her time getting to know the subject, respecting cultural differences, and pours her heart into her work. 

Two things that have made an impression on me is her compassion and level headed personality. Asking herself questions like "were Westerners imposing their own set of values on a Muslim country? Showing that although everything she had previously read about the strict rule of Sharia, Islamic Law, she could see another perspective.

Personal sacrifices she makes are vast. From relationships, to general safety, putting herself in the line of fire, and the struggle with societal norms of becoming a wife, mom, and being a woman in a career dominated mostly by men. Not seeing family, her up and down relationship with Uxval, adjustment cultural norms, and the fact she is a 'working woman' are some examples of the sacrifices she has made to pursue her career.

My favorite quote from the book so far, would be in Chapter 4, page 84 "The truth was, the difference between a studio photographer and a photojournalist was the same as the difference between a political cartoonist and an abstract painter; the only thing the two had in common was the blank page." Some of my favorite photos are her "Transgender prostitutes in the Meatpacking District in New York. I learned a good value from this story. How she built a relationship with them before taking out her camera and how humbling she was all granted her access to the life of these women, shooting some powerful images.

Blog Forum IV

In the Code of Ethics, the section I find most compelling is number six; Editing should maintain the integrity of the photographic images' content and context. Do not manipulate images or add or alter sound in any way that can mislead viewers or misrepresent subjects.

I find this code to be the most broken in the social media world of Facebook and Instagram, which is trying to aesthetically please the viewer. "This code is intended to promote the highest quality in all forms of visual journalism and to strengthen public confidence in the profession" (NPPA, 2018) I like to know that those photojournalists who practice and appreciate photojournalism are not altering, staging, or manipulating an image to tell the story, and codes are there to help regulate that

On the list under "Ideally, photojournalists should... number three; Strive for total and unrestricted access to subjects, recommended alternatives to shallow or rushed opportunities, seek a diversity of viewpoints, and work to show unpopular or unnoticed points of view. This code to me says to seek and preserve the raw 'image', to get intimate and fluent with your subject, take your time, and capture what YOU see not what image has already been told.

Looking for other angles is what I strive to do. I seek out others work as inspiration and a way of learning how to photograph, then apply that understanding to my shots, with keeping the integrity of the subject.

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Jeremy's Humans of LBCC with Justin Walters is just great. The angle is nice, lighting is great. Justin playing his guitar is a wonderful 'prop' and the fact that he is singing but the expression on his face seems to be almost a smile really captures the setting and the positive energy that was spewing out of him while playing. killme.jpg

Cam's recent sport shoot shows his photography skills. The access he got during the game to get these great shots shows that access means better photos. The 'dugout' photo of the two players is such great photo, the use too depth and the framing of the two baseball players is wonderful, you can feel their excitement through the frame. Gang2.jpg

Blog Forum VII

I really enjoyed Scobel Wiggins coming to class and giving us some of her photography knowledge, wisdom, and pointers. Two things that stood out to me are her angles, she likes the low angle- as it gives a more heroic view of the subject. She emphasized importance of getting to the spot you need to be, set up, and wait for the moment to happen. Knowing where you want to be for the perfect photo is everything. When she shoots sports, Scobel knows where the action is going to be good, posts up there and waits. When she shot the wedding on the trail, knowing the trail in advance, where she wanted to take photos, very detail oriented and well planned. Being well planned, organized, and knowing my scene is how I'm going to tackle my sport photo shoot. Watching a bit of the game, to see who is best at what or where the best action takes place, I'll be able to set up at a good spot and hopefully catch some good shots.
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Kids baseball or T-ball is the sport I am hoping shoot this week. At an evening practice, shooting an overall of everyone in the dugout, or lined up for a drill. A good medium shot of a play at first base, or a celebratory catch or run. A close up of the team name, or a kiddos hand and the ball or griped around the bat. Sports will be the most challenging shoot yet, but I'm excited.