On Wednesday April 16, 2008, photojournalist Bruce Squiers came as a guest speaker to a journalism 200 course at the University at Albany. Squiers works for the Daily Gazette in Schenectady, N.Y. He spoke to a class of freshman and sophomores about his experiences. He said he majored in journalism. From there he started at a small weekly paper where he took photos and and wrote but started liking the photo taking part of reporting more.
Squiers said, "visual literacy is a broad term." Everyone has it, it can be photo images in your head. Two photo images from his head were the assassination of JFK and 9/11. He said that as a photojournalist, you miss more moments that you can capture on film but not to worry because "good pictures happen everywhere and all the time." So a moment lost can usually be made up for later in time. He also said "you can be anywhere in the world and shot great photography."
"Good pictures are suppose to speak for themselves" but "most pictures are improved with a little explanation information,a caption," Squiers said. He said a good photo depends on all the elements coming together. The elements are the photographers perspective, which is the position of the camera, the light, the sense of composition, and form. When the photo has a certain balance, it means that they are all in symmetry.
The famous french photographer Henry Cartier Bresson said "the eye, and the brain, and the soul makes the picture, the camera merely records." Squiers said, "I only took basic psych but you are your experiences, your life." "Your interpretation my be different from someone else so be aware the your filters may be different from everyone else." What he meant by filters is the minds eye that tells the photographer what type of shot he likes, for example, being attracted to outdoor shots over fashion. As Squiers implies by saying, "I report with a camera," photojournalism is journalism through photography. A picture is a thousand words, "you pick the time, you pick the moment."
Monday, April 21, 2008
Cooling off at the Fountain
Monday, April 21, 2008, the main fountain on the uptown campus at the University at Albany.
It is very warm outdoors at the University at Alabany. Almost all the students outside had on shorts, T-shirts or a bathing suit. The photograph was taken from the stairs leading away from the campus center and to the fountain. The students in the photograph are tossing a frisbee around. The water is cold upon entrance but your body gets used to it. For most students, the water in the fountain does not go above their knees so swiming would be a bit difficult.
Most female students there were seated or lying down on the side of the fountain tanning. A student brought his blow-up turtle to the water. Not everyone got into the water, most just sat on the side with their legs dipped in chatting with friends. The sun was high in the sky at 3 pm and the only shade there was inside or under the staircases. No one there chose that.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
International Exchange
Through the University's International Programs, an English teacher from the Republic of Tatarstan,Russia, came to the University at Albany to share her culture and family story with SUNY Albany students. Julia Ziyatdinova's goal is to research the higher education system here to improve on her nation's own. She spoke excellent English as she stood before a lecture hall filled with students and told them about her country and family. She said that she was friends with Mr. Pasquil, who is the Director of Study Abroad and Exchanges in the Office of International Programs. She also said that she spent an entire day on the plane coming to the America and walked around the airport for a few hours listening to others conversations to get used to the new environment of an English-speaking country.
There are many differences in American and Tatar culture. Ziyatdinova loves the American tradition to smile and their manners. She noted that Americans are always drinking something, from bottles or cups. She meant that it was strange to see people drinking as they walked along their way because in Tatarstan, it is rare to see someone walking around drinking anything. Another odd and amazing thing to her were the brightly colored rain boots; her country only carries it in black. In Tatarstan, restaurants are very expensive and mainly used for official dinners. Here, she went to one and it wasn't as expensive and not used just for official occasions.
Ziyatdinova was reluctant to say anything on the topic at first but still shared the information that divorce isn't something people openly speak about in Tatarstan. She is divorced and has a 2 and a half year-old daughter. She didn't act as if she were trying to hide anything. She was very open with all questions asked and even offered up little stories to help the students understand her better. She thinks America is very clean because she didn't have to clean mud from her shoes when she returned to her hotel room. She was surprised that mostly everyone drove or took the bus here. The highway with no side walk came as a surprise too because she said "in Russian, many people walk."
Her mother is Russian and her father a Tatar. Her father was raised speaking Russian, but his parents were Tatars who only spoke the language, Turkish, amongst themselves. Her parents were raised in the time of communism and "communists couldn't be religious" so she was raised with no religion. Tatars were originally Muslim, Ziyatdinova said, but Christianity was forced onto them in the 16Th century by Ivan the Terrible. Both religions are practiced in Tatarstan today along with others.
The Republic of Tatarstan, which is a part of the Russian Federation is a small nation with an area of 67,838 km². It is surrounded by land on all sides and has large oil deposits. There isn't a lot of mixed culture in Tatarstan, said Ziyatdinova, "there are more and more Chinese but it's hard to see an Afro American." Ziyatdinova also said "there, we call ourselves independent. It is impossible to be independent in the middle of the country." Her research will lead her to Chicago and Los Angeles. She says after coming back home, she loves to walk around the city; Kazan, Tatarstan.
There are many differences in American and Tatar culture. Ziyatdinova loves the American tradition to smile and their manners. She noted that Americans are always drinking something, from bottles or cups. She meant that it was strange to see people drinking as they walked along their way because in Tatarstan, it is rare to see someone walking around drinking anything. Another odd and amazing thing to her were the brightly colored rain boots; her country only carries it in black. In Tatarstan, restaurants are very expensive and mainly used for official dinners. Here, she went to one and it wasn't as expensive and not used just for official occasions.
Ziyatdinova was reluctant to say anything on the topic at first but still shared the information that divorce isn't something people openly speak about in Tatarstan. She is divorced and has a 2 and a half year-old daughter. She didn't act as if she were trying to hide anything. She was very open with all questions asked and even offered up little stories to help the students understand her better. She thinks America is very clean because she didn't have to clean mud from her shoes when she returned to her hotel room. She was surprised that mostly everyone drove or took the bus here. The highway with no side walk came as a surprise too because she said "in Russian, many people walk."
Her mother is Russian and her father a Tatar. Her father was raised speaking Russian, but his parents were Tatars who only spoke the language, Turkish, amongst themselves. Her parents were raised in the time of communism and "communists couldn't be religious" so she was raised with no religion. Tatars were originally Muslim, Ziyatdinova said, but Christianity was forced onto them in the 16Th century by Ivan the Terrible. Both religions are practiced in Tatarstan today along with others.
The Republic of Tatarstan, which is a part of the Russian Federation is a small nation with an area of 67,838 km². It is surrounded by land on all sides and has large oil deposits. There isn't a lot of mixed culture in Tatarstan, said Ziyatdinova, "there are more and more Chinese but it's hard to see an Afro American." Ziyatdinova also said "there, we call ourselves independent. It is impossible to be independent in the middle of the country." Her research will lead her to Chicago and Los Angeles. She says after coming back home, she loves to walk around the city; Kazan, Tatarstan.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The Bill Of Rights
Amendment 1
"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."
For journalists, who are also citizens, this means that they can say, write, and publish what they want.
Amendment 2
"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."
Amendment 3
"No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law."
Amendment 4
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
Journalists can keep their files private and they can't be searched without rational reason and a detailed warrant.
Amendment 5
"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."
Journalist can't just disappear, the government would have to give them a fair trial with charges against them so that they can have a fighting chance.
Amendment 6
"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense."
Amendment 7
"In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law."
Amendment 8
"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."
Amendment 9
"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."
Amendment 10
"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."
All information is from this website:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.billofrights.html
"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."
For journalists, who are also citizens, this means that they can say, write, and publish what they want.
Amendment 2
"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."
Amendment 3
"No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law."
Amendment 4
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
Journalists can keep their files private and they can't be searched without rational reason and a detailed warrant.
Amendment 5
"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."
Journalist can't just disappear, the government would have to give them a fair trial with charges against them so that they can have a fighting chance.
Amendment 6
"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense."
Amendment 7
"In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law."
Amendment 8
"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."
Amendment 9
"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."
Amendment 10
"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people."
All information is from this website:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.billofrights.html
British Press Hides Prince Harry's Military Service
Prince Harry of Wales, was stationed in the southern Helmand province of Afghanistan from December 2007 to March 2008. Most people knew nothing of this until the story was leaked in late February. His service was to last until April but when the word got out, he was rushed home. The British media struck a deal with the military when Harry went to war. They kept all information on the subject to themselves because they were promised interviews and first hand photos of him in action.
The whole purpose of the media; journalists, newspapers, news broadcasters, news radio stations; is to keep the people informed. In Bill Kovach & Tom Rosenstiel's The Elements of Journalism, the first principle that all journalists go by is "Journalism's first obligation is to the truth." The second is, "It's first loyalty is to citizens." What the British press did by keeping the story a secret, until someone leaked it, does not follow those principles.
Prince Harry is a public figure. His personal life has never been hidden. It can be said that keeping the story may have kept him safe, but his safety isn't the media's concern. Not to sound cold but the citizens should come before a Prince's whim to serve in secrecy knowing that he can endanger his comrades. That would have made for a great story. The story that we have now is, Prince Harry the hero who fought along British citiens as an equal. That sounds like the press did his image a service and that is not their job. They are hired to tell the citizens the truth and all of it.
The whole purpose of the media; journalists, newspapers, news broadcasters, news radio stations; is to keep the people informed. In Bill Kovach & Tom Rosenstiel's The Elements of Journalism, the first principle that all journalists go by is "Journalism's first obligation is to the truth." The second is, "It's first loyalty is to citizens." What the British press did by keeping the story a secret, until someone leaked it, does not follow those principles.
Prince Harry is a public figure. His personal life has never been hidden. It can be said that keeping the story may have kept him safe, but his safety isn't the media's concern. Not to sound cold but the citizens should come before a Prince's whim to serve in secrecy knowing that he can endanger his comrades. That would have made for a great story. The story that we have now is, Prince Harry the hero who fought along British citiens as an equal. That sounds like the press did his image a service and that is not their job. They are hired to tell the citizens the truth and all of it.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
"The Paper"
Aaron Matthews, a Venezuelan born, brooklyn raised, documentary maker comes off as a cool older friend. Dressed in jeans and a sweater, he took questions from an audience of a few old journalists and SUNY Albany students who were there for writing related classes. His film "The Paper" focused on what happened to a Penn State student run newspaper, the Daily Collegian, from 2004 to 2005. It showed the declining trend of newspaper consumption and how, even though alot of people read newspapers, their sale is down.
After the Q and A, I went up to Matthews to introduce myself. I asked how did he feel talking to a room of college students, he said I "feel like a dinosouar." Another student spoke to him before me about getting his contact information for an interview about his movie. He made a joke that had him and I laughing but not the student he was talking to. He said, what about me as a human, making it seem as if everyone who approached him treated him like he was from a different plane and was only there for questions and to be examined.
I started by asking for his autograph, he was stunned and joked that the paper would now have less value with his signature on it. He is a warm guy. I can see why he does documentaries where there is little money to be made. Somehow I made it out of the theatre with his card, a big smile on my face and a matching one on his. When I do contact him, I will get the scoop on his next film and have alot more to ask him.
After the Q and A, I went up to Matthews to introduce myself. I asked how did he feel talking to a room of college students, he said I "feel like a dinosouar." Another student spoke to him before me about getting his contact information for an interview about his movie. He made a joke that had him and I laughing but not the student he was talking to. He said, what about me as a human, making it seem as if everyone who approached him treated him like he was from a different plane and was only there for questions and to be examined.
I started by asking for his autograph, he was stunned and joked that the paper would now have less value with his signature on it. He is a warm guy. I can see why he does documentaries where there is little money to be made. Somehow I made it out of the theatre with his card, a big smile on my face and a matching one on his. When I do contact him, I will get the scoop on his next film and have alot more to ask him.
Interview: Barack Obama on Tavis Smiley
This video is on youtube, the link is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXNGg38UcxU
I rate the interview a 9 out of 10.
I forgot I was doing an assignment while watching the first time so I had to watch it another time to answer the questions and then another time to make sure I answered the right. What I didn't like was the length, it was too short. I loved the questions asked. Both parties, Obama and Smiley, looked very relaxed. They were sharing jokes, like Obama and Dick Cheney's blood relation. About 10 questions were asked but many more were answered.
The best question to me was about Obama fretting about the low poll numbers and having to do damage control with his supporters who think the campaign is in trouble.
The answer brought out his thoughts on the polls and the follow up question of "they would look at the U.S differently for what reason" gave his thoughts on how he believed his supporters see him. At the end of Obama's answer, I would have asked about the significance of his name as he brought it up comparing Barack Hussein Obama to the name George W. Bush. Elaborate on how he feels that the name difference would make people, inside and outside of the U.S, look at the nation differently.
After watching 4 times, I feel as if the interview was used to reiterate his views and ideas rather than to clear up mucky areas in his campaign. I felt like nothing bad was said, as if two friends got together for the hell of it to make both look good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXNGg38UcxU
I rate the interview a 9 out of 10.
I forgot I was doing an assignment while watching the first time so I had to watch it another time to answer the questions and then another time to make sure I answered the right. What I didn't like was the length, it was too short. I loved the questions asked. Both parties, Obama and Smiley, looked very relaxed. They were sharing jokes, like Obama and Dick Cheney's blood relation. About 10 questions were asked but many more were answered.
The best question to me was about Obama fretting about the low poll numbers and having to do damage control with his supporters who think the campaign is in trouble.
The answer brought out his thoughts on the polls and the follow up question of "they would look at the U.S differently for what reason" gave his thoughts on how he believed his supporters see him. At the end of Obama's answer, I would have asked about the significance of his name as he brought it up comparing Barack Hussein Obama to the name George W. Bush. Elaborate on how he feels that the name difference would make people, inside and outside of the U.S, look at the nation differently.
After watching 4 times, I feel as if the interview was used to reiterate his views and ideas rather than to clear up mucky areas in his campaign. I felt like nothing bad was said, as if two friends got together for the hell of it to make both look good.
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