Pay it Forward

Starting this blog was at first very intimidating for me. But it quickly became a task that I looked forward to. Being able to express my opinion and interests through pictures as well as writing about them is a powerful tool.


One of the first things  I learned that is very helpful, is to keep organized. Develop a work flow and follow it. Once you get that then the rest falls into place.

I was able to get the caption writing book at the public library, which saved on money. However, this is a book that I would purchase if I was going to  continue with journalism classes. It is very helpful.

Getting the images is the same with photojournalism in many respects.  The basics do not change.  Lighting, background, composition, the  rule of thirds still apply in this class.

One thing that I would do differently if I were to take the class again, is to start thinking about the final project sooner and line up what I wanted to do. Also have several backups if the first should fall through.
Other than that, I think that this blog is a great learning tool, I plan to keep it up and add some interesting topics from time to time. 

Just something interesting

I have been watching an Eagle family for the past few weeks.  It is very interesting to see how they work together and take care of the young eaglets.  I wanted to share it with any other nature lovers.

 

Live Video streaming by Ustrea
Live Video streaming by Ustream
Decorah Eagles @ Ustream.TV: The Raptor Resource Project brings you the Decorah Eagles from atop their tree at the fish hatchery in Decorah, Iowa.

www.ustream.tv

Bittersweet Farms

   I recently had the pleasure of meeting some very interesting individuals at Bittersweet Farms, which works with and is home to autistic adults.  Bittersweet Farms has a variety of interests that keep the residents busy, from art work, horticulture, woodworking and general maintenance to tending to animals.

   I followed a group of men for a while whose duties were gathering and cutting the wood that is the sole source of energy used for the wood burning stoves in the hoop houses and the woodworking house.   My images are of some residents that gathered around the fire in the woods.

Marcus Churski of Whithouse,enjoys the warmth of the fire on this cold day.

Marcus Weigel saws a branch that will be used in one of the
wood burners on the farm.

Capturing the emotion

  Capturing a slice of life is something I enjoy doing at any given time,  whether it is a family occasion or something I see as I'm walking down the street.  When I have my camera, my intent is getting some type of emotional  moment in an image.
   Feature images are a large part of why I decided to pursue photography.  Getting the best composition, lighting , aperture and shutter speed, will be issues to consider and work with for every type of image.

  I originally planned on capturing girl's 16th birthday party as my event for this assignment.  However, there were others at the pool who provided great rover images.   I decided to use the pool photos as rovers. and looked around for a suitable event image.  

Melissa Croad, 16, on the shoulders of Josh Seiberson, 17, both of Toledo, plays the game of  chicken  with their friend Alison Thomas, 16, Oregon at Maumee Bay Lodge in Oregon, Ohio,  Saturday, March 19.  (PHO245/Teri Birtwhistle)

Abbey Holiday, 7, of Oregon,  Ohio plays at the waterspouts Saturday.  Abbey's mother, Tina, said  the family enjoys the pool at Maumee Bay to combat cabin fever. (PHO245/Teri Birtwhistle)

Roy Alojado,  of Chicago displays  remote control airplanes for  Horizon Hobby during  the Weak Signal Expo at the Seagate Center in Toledo Ohio, April 3.  Toledo has hosted Weak Signal expos for 57 years, bringing enthusiasts from as far away as Australia. (PHO245/Teri Birtwhistle)

Experience vs. Luck

Catching a good image in sports comes down to a lot of experience and a little bit of luck.  I find that just like anything else in life, practice makes perfect, or at least better.  My attempt to get good images at basketball did not work.  Between my lack of knowledge in basketball, my camera's capabilities and the lighting in the arena, I did not fair well.  But, luck was with me and I was able to shoot a rugby game.  The weather cooperated with no rain and plenty of available light, so I was able to get much better action images.  I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I did taking them.

The Detroit Tradesman defeated the Bowling Green Falcons rugby team Saturday in Southfield MI. The game was close from the beginning and continued through the game with a final score of 33-35.

 The Falcons and Tradesmen come together to form a scrum.

"A scrum is a  play in Rugby in which the two sets of forwards mass together around the ball and, with their heads down, struggle to gain possession of the ball"(PHO245/Teri Birtwhistle)

Detroit Tradesmen, Richard Gallaher of Southfield, catches the ball as Tony Kueling,  Bowling Green, moves in to retrieve it. (PHO245/Teri Birtwhistle)

Fly-half Nick Viviani of Bowling Green, prevents Detroit's Bill Robinson from grabbing the ball.(PHO245/Teri Birtwhistle)

                                                               

 Dave Carrow of Bowling Green dives for the knees of Detroit's Greg
Standish while Tim Moody, Bowling Green moves in from behind.

(PHO245/Teri Birtwhistle)

                                                                                

Sylvia McKee of Detroit, cheers for her son Ian as he carries the ball through the goal-posts for the winning score.
(PHO245/Teri Birtwhistle)

Head coach Tony Mazzarella from Bowling Green, instructs his team  from the sidelines.
(PHO245/Teri Birtwhistle)

Dangerous situation?

Rain water flows over this electrical box at an area college in Toledo, Ohio, Monday, creating a potentially dangerous environment for students and employees.  This winters heavy snow accumulation combined with the warm weather are contributing to this seemingly unsafe situation.

Owens Community College student, Kevin Easley, Toledo, Ohio walks in the snow to avoid the flooded sidewalk between buildings Monday.  Melting snow and rain has made walking to class a soggy experience.

Caption Writing

Pen and pad are just as essential as the camera for a photojournalist. Getting an image is only the beginning, and in some cases the easier part of the job. Writing a caption must contain all the necessary information, while being factual and creative. This information must include the 5 W's and the H, and should be in a particular order depending upon the importance of the information.
When writing a caption, the photojournalist also must be aware of the rules of grammar that are particular for “caption-writing.” These can vary from newspaper to newspaper, but for the most part, are universal. Where to put a comma, how to portray the time of day, and what should be capitalized are a few of the particulars that are important.
A photojournalist takes only a moment to capture the image, after setting up the shot by adjusting the camera's settings (iso, shutter speed, lighting, metering etc.) and planning the location, perspective and availability of the subject.
The photographer must also gather all the information that will be included in the caption. Getting the correct spelling of a name and the placement of that person in the image, are extremely important for the photojournalist. These details can make the difference between the image going in the editor's garbage pail and being used for the next edition.

A Tunision Girl: A Courageous Blog

A Tunisian Girl is a very powerful blog.  I read a few passages more than once to absorb some of this blogger’s passion. Lina Ben Mhenni, the author of the blog Tunisian Girl, is passionate about her desire to get the word out about the suppression and violence that is happening, to the rest of the world. She is inspirational.
As an American, I feel it is unbelievable and unconscionable that these atrocities are happening in another part of the world.    
This blog has some very interesting thoughts and photos on her website. The photos give you an idea of the intensity of the situation in Tunisia. Lina is a young woman who risked her life to take the pictures and put the words in her blog.  She is very courageous to keep up with this gathering of information.  
Check it out to get a different perspective of controversial events that are happening beyond our borders.

First Amendment

Amendment I

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.

* * * *


As a photojournalist student and an American citizen I feel that the first amendment is a wonderful portion of the constitution.
The First Amendment allows us, as a nation to be diverse and have the freedom to express that diversity. When I hear of other countries that cannot speak the most basic thoughts that we take for granted, I am humbled. I also am aware that the first amendment is a right that can be abused. Where to draw a line is very subjective and controversial matter that can change as the times change. We are not in the same place as when the words were written. Ideologies and technology continue to evolve, creating new issues for Americans to deal with while upholding the laws of this democracy.

About Me

 My name is Teri, and I am new to photojournalism and blogging.  My interest in learning to take photos and write stories is to build a solid foundation for photojournalism. 

I particularly like getting that shot that you just had to be there at the right time.  I haven’t had many opportunities for that, but when I do, it’s rewarding. Most of the shots I’ve taken are in sports, and not so much in the general news category.  However, those pics and the stories about them can be news for the right audience.

I am taking this class because it is part of the Commercial Photography program.  However, I would take this class on my own anyway because it interests me.

I have learned that news is more than just getting the facts and putting them on paper.  There is a formula for a story that needs to be followed. There should be a flow with the information that makes the story easy to read and interesting at the same time.

I have also learned that when writing, you have to consider the audience and the venue you are writing in.  The tone and wording of a story in a high school blog will be completely different than that of the local newspaper.   For example: the newspaper would give the facts of the story and any quotes that were obtained, give a summary and any useful pertinent information.  The blog could also give this type of information using slang terminology and opinions to round the story out.

In summary, I feel I have an opportunity as a collegiate photojournalist to put an opinion out there that may interest some readers and be helpful to others.