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.

Javier Manzano

  

Javier Manzano

Javier Manzano's career started in the newspaper industry as a photo and video journalist, and later expanded into television and electronic media. After The Rocky Mountain News closed their doors on February of 2009, Javier has since worked as a freelance photographer for the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Foreign Policy and other news outlets.

Manzano's Pulitzer Prize winning photo of Two Rebel Soldiers Photo was taken October 2012 in the Karm-al jabal district of Aleppo Syria- during the siege of Aleppo. Lee C. Bollinger, President of Columbia University, presented the 2013 Feature Photography prize to Manzano. Other awards he has taken home are, the 2013 World Press Photo- International News Story, Pictures of the Year International- News Story, 2011 World Press Photo- News Single, another award that year, and 10 other awards before it.

Specializing in video production and documentary photography-

Manzano has reported in Syria, Afghanistan, Mexico and the United States.

Known and prized mostly for his coverage on drug and civil wars, although a large extent his work is focused on the many cross-border issues. 

Also photographs commercially- fashionista, lifestyle, portraits, eclectic, and still life.

Manzano’s work is published in the New York Times, the Washington Post, TIME Magazine, along with many others.

http://www.javiermanzano.com/index3.html

https://www.worldpressphoto.org/collection/photo/2013/spot-news/javier-manzano

Blog Forum VI

The city I want to photograph for my "hometown" is our state capital Salem.
A news/feature photo I hope to capture is the Saturday Market, where a good part of the community  spends their morning in search of fresh veggies and fruits, plants, woodworking, jewelry, baked goods, art/craft goodies and many more.
Salem has a wonderful park, The Riverfront, a large park with a playground, a carousel and gift shop, and a great bike/walk path. This park hosts a lot of outdoor concerts and events, along with outdoor evening summer movies. A great new addition to the park is a pedestrian bridge over the willamette river- what I hope to capture in an evening sunset.
An environmental photo will be the most challenging for me, as I'd like to capture something that speaks 'Salem', also this involves shooting a person, which is still a challenge I have yet to feel comfortable and confident in just yet. Something that would be absolutely amazing to capture would be someone in their office at the state capital, maybe even them on the steps heading up work; with the 'gold man' the background would be even better.

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A couple ideas of a photo story I have in mind are
A woman in her third trimester of pregnancy. I could photograph her at appointments, at home, her daily errands. If she has other children I hope to show how it is to take care of her children and herself/unborn baby; what it's like to cook dinner with kids running around, what its like to relax in a nice hot bath after the kiddos are asleep. I'm involved in many local mom groups in my community and I'm sure writing a Facebook post about myself and my assignment I will get a few people willing.
If I don't have anyone reach out-
Salem's homeless community is large and always a topic of conversation. Taking photographs of women and men who don't have a stable place to rest their head- where they spend their time, what they do doing during the day and the struggles of pan-handling. Downtown homes the majority of the homeless in Salem. The bus station, UGM of Salem homeless shelter, and street corners is where I can find people to talk to and photograph. A good time to catch these images would be int he evening, when the line starts to form at the shelter door for the 'first come first serve' evening beds. It's unfortunate how many men and women have makeshift beds and huts on the sidewalks and alleys downtown to spend their day and night, no time is a wrong time to get pictures of them.
Working around my family life and school will be the only arrangements I will really need to make for an extended assignment like this.

Mother's Day Plant Sale (Free Shoot)

Linn-Benton's Horticulture Club hosts a Mother's Day plant sale on Wednesday, May 9th.
Students and community members gather in the greenhouse looking for plants for the garden or a good Mother's Day gift.

Michelle Giles, in search for a great green, explores high and low amongst the vast selection of plants for something to take home with her. The plant sale has much to choose from, including veggies, hanging baskets, flowers, and succulents.

 The student volunteer workers are very friendly and have a vast knowledge in plants,
helping answer any questions shoppers have.

News/Feature Event: Ag Fest

Ag Fest, at the Oregon State Fairgrounds, teaches the public about the importance of agriculture.
No one misses a ride around the fair from these strong steeds.

 Parents and their children gather for a lesson about life on the farm.
Activities at the festival demonstrate agriculture practices and logistics.

Lilly the calf (above) is educating visitors where the food we eat comes from.
The barn holds many animals, all available to feed, pet, and learn about their economic impact.