Week 1 Forum
Three things I learned in chapter 1

"Writers and photographers should resolve conflicts between words and pictures before the story goes to the press" (15).

"The medium shot should tell the story in on photographer, shoot the picture close enough to see the participants action, yet far enough to see the participants action, yet far away enough to show their relationship to one another and to the environment" (16).

"Photojournalists must catch their subjects as unaware as possible to record real emotions...In a good candid picture, subjects never gaze at the camera. Eye contact tips off the reader that the picture is not candid and suggests that the subjects was at least aware of the photographer and might even be preforming for the lens" (21).




*I recieved 4/5 on this assignment and was hoping this would bring it to 5/5 taking my grade from a 78% to 80% with 40 points instead of 39.

My three goals of the term was to become more comfortable with taking pictures of people and talking with them, becoming a better photographer, and learning about professional photographers and their stories.

The most difficult task was getting more comfortable with taking pictures of total strangers however I soon overcame that feeling as I took more and more pictures. I think that as a photographer I improved greatly mostly because I got the chance to use a real camera as appose to my phone. I got the chance to learn about lots of incredible photographers through the Photographer of the Week assignment and readings in the textbook.

This is my favorite shot of the entire term because it captures the aesthetic of the store as well as the customers who shop in it. I think Sofia's style really comes out and overall it looks really cool. This photo reflects my learning experience throughout the term because I slowly began to feel more comfortable with taking pictures of strangers and asking them their names as well as other questions. I had a really great conversation with Sofia that night. I believe my photo skills increased with my level of comfortability with the situations I was apart of. In the future I plan on taking more photos of people and capturing their daily lives.

Arthur "Weegee" Fellig is an extremely simple and stylistic photographer. His work of the "real" New York City encourages many people to lift their idea they had on Manhattan and think about it differently. The dark and unseen aspects to living in a socially destroyed and crime ridden city are made apparent through Fellig's work. I loved the black and white still photos that capture evil endulgences such as the pictures of dead bodies on the ground and blood spatter. I love that he had a dark room in the back of his car so that he could get the printed pictures in the newspaper as soon as possible before any other reporter had the chance.   

I am going to shoot a photo story pertaining to the idea of an individuals struggle to gain acceptance into a social group. I plan to get pictures of teenagers doing things to gain acceptance such as bullying, smoking, sex, drinking and driving, and fashion choices. I will get an overall picture of a kid pinned up against a locker and bystanders just walking by. For the medium shot I will get a picture of teenagers in a car filled with alcohol and a visibly impaired driver. For the close up shot I want to photograph teenagers smoking and the subject looks ashamed. For the picture reguarding sexual pressure I will get a picture of a girl and guy in a car. For the fashion choice photo I will take pictures of girls at the mall looking at racey clothing.

I will be shooting the volleyball practice at the Y.M.C.A in Albany on Thursday night at 7:30 until it ends. For the overall shot I plan on getting a photo of the entire team working together to get the ball across the net. For the medium shot I plan on taking photos of the players setting up for a spike by setting the ball in the air. As for the close up shot I want to get an individual player in active motion leaping or diving for the volleyball.

Y.M.C.A of Albany Volleyball team practicing on Wednesday night November 16.

Middle blocker strikes down with a spike leading the team to victory!

Player dives to the ground in order to save their team from loosing.

Y.M.C.A volleyball team front setter tosses the ball in the air for a winning strike!

Peaceful demonstrators at the presidency protest chanting "Black lives matter, Women's lives matter, American lives matter!" in downtown Portland Wednesday night, November 9. 

Mila Youngstrom, German student from Eugene joins protestors at Pioneer Square in Portland voicing her opinion on the outcome of the presidential election. 

Portland's Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on southwest broadway street shines bright as an iconic monument for tourists and locals alike to gaze at. The Oregon Symphony and other venues for concerts and entertainment show every night. 

I will be photographing Corvallis Oregon, a small town situated in the foothills of the Oregon Coast and Cascade mountain ranges. Corvallis has an exuberant culture of love and expectance of new ideology. This liberal and welcoming college town is home to 53,000 happy citizens going through everyday life and living it to the fullest. Since Corvallis takes great care of their small businesses, I will photograph a owner of a local business for a portrait shot. For the landmark I will photograph the train at Avery park. Perhaps the most difficult to photograph is the activity portion of the assignment. Do I take pictures of college kids drinking beer at Block 15? Do I take pictures of hikers at Bald Hill? Do I go to the gym and watch a basketball practice? Hopefully as I walk through the city something exciting will catch my attention!

Linn-Benton sophomore Sofia Torres, 19, searching through a wide array of vinyl records at Happy Trails in downtown Corvallis on Wednesday November 2.

Whiteside theatre in downtown Corvallis offers a wide array of showings including the Oregon State production of 'Synofie der Großstadt', a german silent film from 1927. Showing begins on Wednesday November 9 at 7pm. 

The Benton County Courthouse accepts ballots for local and federal office, turn in your ballot to the dropbox, no stamp required. Ballots must be returned before 8 pm on Tuesday November 8, election day.