Week Five - News/Feature

Cascade Chautauqua visited LBCC on October 18th and brought Ben Franklin with them. Event attendees were able to watch Ben Franklin perform a monologue where he brought everyone up to speed on his life up until 1776. The audience was then invited to ask Ben questions that pertained to the life that Ben had lived up until that moment in time. The Cascade Chautauqua movement used to be very strong in Albany due to its location and the train depot. Slowly over years the movement has subsided but this organization is trying to bring it back to Oregon and specifically Albany. They try to make history come alive for generations through historical interpretations.

The Nousen Brothers play music prior to the Benjamin Franklin
performance. Part of the Cascade Chautaqua experience is a musical
interlude followed by a portrayal of a famous historical figure.

The audience at LBCC was able to interact with Steve Nousen, portraying Benjamin Franklin,
and learn the complete history of Franklin up until 1776.

Steve Nousen, a.k.a. Ben Franklin, speaks to a large crowd at LBCC on October 18th.

Topic One - Favorite Photo Story

In Chapter 11, Photo Story, of the textbook Photojournalism: The Professionals' Approach I was particularly moved by the Face to Face with Breast Cancer photo story. A photographer documented her personal experience with breast cancer from the initial diagnosis through recovery. It was an intimate photo story that was just captured by a third party but was captured by the subject actually enduring the situation. The two challenges she faced was going through this process is often painful and she had the ability to set her own pain aside and think about capturing the moments for her audience. Often times we see breast cancer from an outside perspective but her intimate approach leaves the audience feeling something a little more powerful at the end of the story. Breast cancer is not a pretty process and she was willing to set aside her own personal vanity and capture moments that are so powerful and really impact the viewer. The visual consistency of the photo story was that of a selfie photo book. She wasn't worried about overall composition she was more focused on journaling the process from the patients perspective which gave an intimate feel to the story. Beyond taking photos Annie Wells, the photographer, had to work on capturing not just the ugly moments but also the moments that the audience doesn't typically get to see. Her approach of being vulnerable and making something so beautiful out of such a tragic process in life was amazing to see.

Topic Two - My Photo Story Ideas

For my upcoming photo story I have two ideas that I am bouncing around. The first is my favorite which is making a photo story of the upcoming play at the Albany Civic Theater. I am planning on contacting the theater and asking for permission to photograph rehearsals, back stage, set build, actual performances and then the after math of the shows. My second idea is to follow my nephew at his job at Regal Cinema in Salem and capture the day in the life of a theater worker. I would capture those moments that a typical customer has no idea are even happening while they watch a movie. For both of these ideas I plan on contacting my subjects and beginning by asking permission to take on this task. I also plan on offering the final product to them so that they can use the images as they want. I am excited about this project and will be starting to work on it this week.

Week Four - Environmental Portrait

For this assignment I chose to capture the LBCC mail room delivery driver. Pete McDanal has worked at LBCC for many years and is almost an institution on campus. He delivers all the campus mail and packages all around Albany campus and his personality is something staff look forward to seeing every day.

Pete McDanal is the LBCC mail room delivery driver.

He handles all the Albany campus mail and packages and ensures

they arrive at their designated delivery locations timely.

Pete McDanal has worked in the LBCC Mail room for nearly ten years
and serves as the delivery driver for all on campus mail and packages.

Topic One - NPAA Code of Ethics

The National Press Photographers Association has a Code of Ethics. There are 9 different standards that they suggest all photojournalists follow. The most interesting code for me was number 5 which states: "While photographing subjects do not intentionally contribute to, alter, or seek to alter or influence events." This particular code can be a bit tricky to manage as a photographer. Often times we are met with a particularly impactful subject that pulls on our heart strings. There is the choice to just photograph the scene as is without impacting the subject(s) or to choice to render aid, change, alter the situation before taking a photo. It is important to remember that a photojournalist needs to be able to tell a truthful story as if they are a fly on the wall and not become part of the story or impact in anyway as that would only water down the end product for the viewer.

The NPAA also publishes a list that says "Ideally, photojournalists should:". The overall list was very useful but the most impactful item to me was number 7 which states, "Strive by example and influence to maintain the spirit and high standards expressed in this code. When confronted with situations in which the proper action is not clear, seek the counsel of those who exhibit the highest standards of the profession. Photojournalists should continuously study their craft and the ethics that guide it." I found this interesting because it points out that following the Code of Ethics is a daily challenge and struggle and should be considered heavily when you choose to become a photojournalist. It is important to find that mentor that will help guide future decisions as you are faced with new circumstances on a daily basis. It is important for all photojournalists whether new or in the field for 20 or 30 years to constantly remind themselves of these core values and set out to follow them and model them daily.

An example of following a specific guideline from the NPAA Code of Ethics would be if you choose to photograph an event in the local community and someone offers to pay you for your service or sends you a gift afterwards. While it might be tempting to accept such an offer it is important to remember number 8 on the list and not accept those gifts as it may influence the coverage you give to that event or subject. It is important to maintain a sense of neutrality when photographing any event/subject so that the reader is able to focus on the photograph but not be unduly influenced by your own thoughts/opinions.


Topic Two - Favorite Fellow Student Work

Looking through our students' pages in my photo journalism class I was immediately drawn to two pictures. The first picture was taken by James Dewey looking at a security camera and I thought it was a very creative and different way to take a picture. Security cameras are often overlooked and to have someone not only notice it but use it in a creative fun way I thought was really intriguing.
For more pictures by James check out his blog at: http://jdewey13.blogspot.com/

Photo by: James Dewey

The next picture I was really drawn to was taken by David Buresh. This photo had a strong emotional impact on me. It was a photo that was captured at just that right moment and the expression on the young child's face coupled with the texture of the woman's hand and the younger child cradled by a father just left me with a happy, positive feeling.
For more pictures by David Buresh check out his blog at: http://davisburesh5577.wixsite.com/jn134

Digital Photography Class

Digital Photography

In addition to the photo journalism class that I am taking at LBCC, I am also enrolled in a digital photography class this term. Here are few of my favorite pictures that I have shot so far this term.

This is my son, Kolton Bouse, who recently earned his Eagle Scout award. In this photo I was experimenting with depth of focus.

In this photo I was excited to play with shutter speed. This photo was taken from my front yard facing Highway 20. I kept the shutter open as long as possible and enjoyed the final result.

I enjoyed looking at this plant from underneath and capturing the details in the stems of the little plant.

Week Three - News and Feature Photos

Feature Photos

Members of the LBCC American Association of Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC) attended a monthly meeting on October 13th in the CC Building of Albany Campus. The theme for this month's meeting was coloring and door prizes included art themed coloring packs.

LeAnne Trask and Kristi May, members of the LBCC AAWCC Chapter, work on coloring skills during their monthly member meeting during the month of October.

LeAnna Trask adds color to her chosen design as she mingles with colleagues at the monthly AAWCC members meeting at LBCC. Members enjoy soup along with learning about current happenings within the AAWCC local chapter.

Week Three Blog Forum Questions

Topic One

Two possible subjects for my environmental portraits are Mindy McCall and Pete McDanal from the Mailroom at LBCC. Mindy McCall works in Public Safety at LBCC and Pete is the delivery man for the LBCC Mailroom. Both subjects have jobs that lend themselves to a great environment portrait. With Mindy I would shoot her from above and below surrounding her with the public officers. I would take the picture on campus with their mini golf cart in the photo. With Pete I would take the picture in the mailroom with him holding boxes and mail bags. I can contact both of these subjects by walking to places of employment at campus. Mindy is located in the Public Safety office and Pete works in the LBCC Mail Room from 9am-1pm every day.

Topic Two

So far in this class my favorite picture I have taken was at the Benton Center Ceramics Studio. The composition on this photo was very pleasing to the eye and I really liked the detail that the image held. 

My least favorite photo was the photo I took this week at the AAWCC monthly meeting. I was generally unhappy with the composition with the photo and felt like it was a boring photo that held no creativity.

The skill I need to work on to improve my overall picture ability is to take more pictures and really make people uncomfortable as I invade their personal space. Getting closer to subjects and taking photos at very different angles and from different perspectives will really help the final picture quality.

Week Two - Shooting News and Feature Photos

Photo Credit: www.charitybuzz.com

Topic #1 - Photographer of the Week

For this assignment I have chosen to research photographer, Nigel Barker. Nigel served as a photographer and judge for 17 seasons of America's Next Top Model which is where I was introduced to him. In addition, he has his own show on VH-1 called The Shot and was awarded the "Film Heals" award for humanitarianism at the 6th Annual Manhattan Film Festival for Dreams Are Not Forgotten.

Nigel's claim to fame is his relationship with his models. Nigel began his career as a model and that seems to influence the choices he makes behind the camera lens. He is able to make his models look timeless through his ongoing ability to look at the bigger picture and makes sure that the model or subject of his photo is comfortable.

"Someone who is comfortable, someone who is happy, you see them immediately sit up, stand up and feel better about themselves. If you're able to capture that in a picture, that's the most beautiful picture you can ever take of someone". Nigel Barker

Topic #2 - Feature Photos

Two suggestions I particularly liked from the 22 Ways To Find a Feature list were:

1) Keep an idea book
2) Shoot from a unique vantage

These suggestions stood out to me because as I work my way through campus as a part time staffer and as a student I encounter many great story ideas and suggestions. Not always are they happening at that very moment so keeping an idea book would help me capture those thoughts and ideas and allow me the ability to preserve them when I have the time in the future to really process the ideas. Shooting from a unique vantage point is something I am working hard at doing this term. I want to make sure and not take the standard photos at eye level (or at least my eye level) and work to show my audience a different perspective that adds drama/emotions to a photo.

Over the next many week in this term I plan on implementing both of these strategies immediately. With all of my future photo assignments I will be making sure to take pictures with a unique vantage point whenever possible. Since we are required to turn in 3 different shots each week I am planning on making sure at least 1 if not all three really try to incorporate a unique vantage in the shot.

Weekly Photo Assignment

LBCC Benton Center offers multiple open studio hours for students currently enrolled in at least one ceramics class. Students can practice a wide variety of clay skills and firing techniques during these times.

Benton Center students Debbie Vandersomen and Susann Underwood (left to right) work on their clay skills during an open lab studio time at the LBCC Benton Center ceramics studio.

LBCC student Rebecca Suing adds design elements to a project for her ceramics class during open studio hours at the LBCC Benton Center. The state of the art facility includes stoneware kilns, raku kilns, electric kilns for bisque, salt kilns and motorized and kick wheels.