Wlowe09's Blog

A Life Worth Living

wlowe09 — Wed, 06 May 2009 07:08:25 +0000

The final blog entry focuses on a feature story from Texas Monthly. Skip Hollandsworth is the narrator of a story about John McClamrock. The slide show, A Life Worth Living, is supplementary to the magazine article called Still Life. McClamrock was a star football player in high school who became paralyzed from the neck down. The slide show displays various pictures that chronicled the life, struggle, determination and death of McClamrock.
In all of the slides, the photographer mainly uses pictures and newspapers instead of living subjects. Despite using pictures, the photographer managed to present some of the images by manipulating angles and range. For images that showed newspapers, a yearbook and papers, the photographer used somewhat of a horizontal, midrange shot. An overhead angle was used for most of these images. The type of angles and shooting range for these images help to show the viewer the items in their entirety. Other sets of images were pictures that may have been used in photo albums. Slides 11 and 13 were the only two images that the photographer used a close up shot. Shooting the images in this manner gives the viewers a sense that the picture was taken at the actual setting of the image.
Some pitfalls in the slide show were the limitations in visual dynamics and the condition of items used in the pictures. Because the photographs were pictures of images, the photographer could do little to add more action to the pictures. The condition of the items also may have served as a set back because of the images wearing down over time. Despite these disadvantages, the photographer did a good job in having a chronological sequence of events. The photographs of the picture also followed along with the narration and made an inspiring story for the audience. To see the story and others go to http://www.texasmonthly.com.

Enough to Survive

wlowe09 — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:38:12 +0000

This week’s blog entry looks at another visually told story from the On the Line multimedia website. Enough to Survive is a news feature that looks at how the rough economy is affecting the elderly of North Carolina. Photographer and audio narrator Joanne E. McVerry follows an elderly woman named Ms. Anne Brathwaite. The day to day struggle of Ms. Brathwaite represents the hardship that all of the elderly nationwide are facing during the recession. While telling Ms. Brathwaite’s story, McVerry utilizes the photographic elements of close ups and rule of thirds.
Close up shots used within the slideshow can be seen in pictures 3, 17, and 19. Out of all three images slides 17 and 19 shows the most emotion. In slide 17 there is a close up of Ms. Brathwaite getting a lecture from one of the nursing home staff members about keeping up with her blood sugar levels. Image 19 shows a close up of Ms. Brathwaite smiling for the camera while the caption below explains that the elderly woman has no immediate family and relies largely on the support from members of the church and care giving center in her neighborhood. While image 3 is another close up of Ms. Brathwaite, her facial expression makes it confusing for viewers to decipher her emotional state or actions despite the caption. From the captions and the images displayed in pictures 17 and 19, the photographer shows Ms. Brathwaite’s positive personality despite her situation.
Rule of thirds are best displayed in slides 9 and 12. Image 9 shows Ms. Brathwaite on the porch of her house, waiting for her ride to the nearby Center. The caption fits well with the picture describes her daily routine of getting a ride to the Center to socialize with the staff and other visitors. Picture 12 shows Ms. Brathwaite along with other elderly visitors in a work out routine with one of the Center’s staff members. Together these two pictures not only tell the story of Ms. Brathwaite’s day to day activities, but the photographer does a great job in creating active images for viewers.
Overall, the photographer does a great job of exercising visual elements to bring a since of optimism in a slideshow topic that could easily create a bleak story. The captions and sound bites were also a great help to the audience about the main topic. To see the Enough to Survive and other stories go visit http://www.carolinaphotojournalism.org.

On The Line

wlowe09 — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:52:39 +0000

On the Line is a website link that branches from the Carolina photojournalism workshop site. This web site focuses on the economic hardships that people in the state of Carolina face. The web site shares several stories through audio slide shows about different people who either struggle with the school systems or just trying to make it in a tough world. For the sake of this discussion, a particular slideshow that is the focus this week is To Hell with Society. This title may sound harsh, but after following the story of a homeless veteran of the Vietnam War, the audience soon understands his message and how America as a society still has a lot of work to do. Photographer Galen Clarke shows visual elements while sharing the story of what life is like for Vietnam veterans like Howard Tutor.
The first few slides do a great job in setting up the story for its viewers in introducing the characters and showing the predicament that the main character faces. As far as visual elements are concerned, slide 2 shows the perfect example of framing. The picture shows the face of the main subject through the window from of a car. At the midpoint of the presentation, slides 10 shows a close up picture shot of the main subject. This shot does a great job displaying the emotional depth of the Mr. Tutor’s story. Perhaps the best shot throughout the rest of the slideshow is image 9. The picture capitalizes on contrast in size by making the trees in the background very tall while the subject of the story is dwarfed by the trees. This image almost reflects the situation of the main character in that his problem is overwhelming.
All of the pictures together create a complete story. The photographer also does a great job in manipulating different visual elements to make each image more dramatic. To see more stories from On the Line take a look at http://www.carolinaphotojournalism.org/ontheline/.

On the First Day of School

wlowe09 — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 04:50:19 +0000

First Day of School at Marco is the title of a 2008 slideshow from the marconews.com website. This audio slideshow is another bright feature story about the students of Marco Island Charter Middle School on their first day of class. Photographers Quentin Roux and Kelly Farrell of the local news website shadow teachers and students throughout the day while capturing images of daily life at Middle School. Vonna Keomanyvong, the producer of the slideshow, uses composed music and word captions to narrate the story. Within the slideshow both photographers effectively use visual aesthetics to capture key moments through student life at school.
For the first slide, the photographers introduce the audience to the setting of the Charter school. Using the shot of the school building to introduce the setting adds a narrative element to the slideshow. Other narrative elements can be found in the contrast of wide and narrow shots. In image nine, the photographer shows a wide shot of a science teacher instructing her class. This picture shows the daily activities that students participate in everyday when they come to school. In slide eight the camera shot is a close-up of a student who is separated from the other students as a disciplinary measure. The close-up shows the emotion of the student and displays tension in the story.
For visual aesthetics, balance and symmetry can be found in both slides three and 12. In slide three; a mother escorts her two daughters to school. In the picture she is the taller subject compared to her two daughters. With the mother in the middle of the trio as she holds the hands of her daughters that are on either side, the photographer creates balance in the picture using the size and positioning of the three subjects. Slide 12 shows symmetry and an implied line when a group of students are seated at a slightly arched desk. Because of the arrangement and the even number of students, the picture creates balance and symmetry.
Overall the photographers did a great job of telling the story through various picture shots and angles. In addition to narrating the story through images, the photographers also displayed visual aesthetics that draws the viewer’s eyes into the picture. To see more bright features from the local news site go to http://www.marconews.com/slideshows.

On the Cheap

wlowe09 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 07:41:21 +0000

On the Cheap: How to Eat Well in Hard Times is another bright feature story from Texas Monthly magazine’s website. Like many of the presentations shown thus far, On the Cheap is a combination of an audio narration and a visual transition slide show. For the month of April, Patricia Sharpe narrates as pictures taken by one of the magazine’s photographers show a variety of good food from restaurants across the state of Texas. As the title indicates, this feature shows audiences how they can still enjoy a great deal while saving their money during a time of unstable economy. Though each slideshow presents visual aesthetics from photography, this presentation is different from the other slide shows covered because of its focus on inanimate objects.
Picture one from the slideshow displays a bowl of soup from the Esperanza’s Café. The focused image does show symmetry and the photographer manages to leave enough room for the viewer to recognize the image while minimizing distraction of other objects on the table. Picture eight of the slideshow displays a Ceviche from Rosario’s restaurant. Image eight does capitalize on the use of color from the arrangement of the food. Picture eight is somewhat similar to the first image in that the food and plate are in center view. The only differences in these images besides the focused subject is that the photographer uses elevation view for picture eight while taking the picture of image one at eye level.
Though the photographer took some good pictures, these images alone could communicate the complete story of the month’s feature. Most of the pictures within the slideshow seemed static, showing images similar to the pictures mentioned in the previous paragraph. Despite the author taking three pictures within the slideshow that displayed the interior of some of the restaurants, the captions were the only indicators of the setting where the pictures took place. To help with the setting the photographer could have taken pictures of the outside of the restaurant to introduce the setting before showing a series of interior shots. To make the pictures within the slideshow more dynamic, the photographer should also capture instances where people are enjoying the food. Since the story is about how to save money while enjoying a good meal, the photographer should capture that aspect while maintaining good visual aesthetic to match the mood of the feature. Some of these suggestions may give the presentation more action and a gist of the story.

Hard Times for Everyone

wlowe09 — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 05:36:50 +0000

An online newspaper called The New York Times presents a slideshow that focuses on a major event that is hindering the lives of many people throughout the United States, the recession. Seeking Work in Morrison, Tennessee looks at a social and economic dilemma during the recession in which Americans and immigrants from Mexico struggle with unemployment, finding and keeping their jobs. With photos from Josh Anderson and a mixture of sound bites from each struggling worker, Julia Preston is able to report the story of hardship from two perspectives. Like in many other slideshow presentations, the photographer effectively utilizes visual elements to add substance to the story.
Pictures that deliver visual elements of depth perception are found in slides 29 and 35. On slide 29 the photographer captures the image of Donnie Parker at the computer searching for another job. Within the picture, the photographer also captures the image of a sign that says Coping with Unemployment. While Parker is the furthest subject form the camera’s view, the depth perception makes him the clear image within the picture while the sign is blurred. This picture communicates the hardship of job hunting during the recession. Slide 35 shows another unemployed worker named Joe Goodson Jr. The picture shows Goodson working on a machine. The picture uses depth perception by focusing on his hands putting the machinery together while blurring the face. The picture also takes a different angle on the picture, making the viewers eye level look from Goodson’s perspective. The image of Goodson looks at the preparation aspect of the recession where unemployed workers train in order to be ready when a job opportunity presents itself.
The third picture chosen from the slide show presents a combination of visual elements. Image 38 looks at the story from the point of view of an immigrant from Mexico. The photographer uses a unique combination of depth perception, focal point and a diagonal angle to help communicate the subject’s ordeal. Depth perception shows a blurred background while the focal point focuses on the hand injured hand of Enrique C. The diagonal framing of the subject within the picture not only acted as a visual aesthetic for the photo, but was also used to protect the identity of the subject. This picture shows the adversity of unemployment on immigrants as well as the risk of deportation.
The photographer effectively showed viewers the obstacles that the recession causes for many workers. While the pictures selected shows different parts of the story, all of the slideshow pictures use narrative elements in its pictures by showing the setting, plot and characters of the news story. The slideshow overall presents a complete story and gives the viewer a since of urgency and concern in the economic plight that is taking place across the nation. To check out the slideshow check out The New York Times at http://www.nytimes.com.

Thank God Its Saturday

wlowe09 — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:28:24 +0000

This week’s blog focuses on another one of Texas Monthly’s slideshow presentations. The audio slideshow is called Big Night Out, which displays photos that captures the vivacity of the Saturday night life in different areas of Texas. Narrated by Jordan Breal and photographed by LeAnn Mueller, the duo successfully creates a story about Texas style fun around the Metroplex. Though the slideshow is relatively short, the photographer utilizes different visual elements of photography to execute the right kind of tone and attitude to the story.
Slides one and two are images that exhibit great examples of vertical emphasis within the picture as well as retaining their own unique nature. Picture one presents an image of a man and a woman at Broken Spoke, a bar in Austin, Texas. The slide has a narrow, vertical focus where very few items are within the photo except for the background. This image almost acts as a portrait for the two subjects of the photograph and the background does give clues to the viewer about the setting and atmosphere. Picture two has the same narrow, vertical appearance similar to picture one. The portrait shot has a single subject with a wooden wall for the background. Unlike image one; however, the photographer utilizes lighting because the slide is in black and white. While image one shows a couples outing as one aspect of the Texas nightlife, the other photo, which was taken at a Church in Houston, reflects entertainment for older night dwellers.
In contrast to slides one and two’s emphasis on vertical appearance in the photo is shown in slide nine. Within the picture is another couple in an outside setting at Dos Amigos in Odessa. The photographer performs great manipulation of horizontal images using both the subjects and the background. The positioning of the subjects highlights the horizontal direction of the picture. In the background, the fence behind the couple adds more of a horizontal appearance to the picture. Slide nine’s subject looks at the countryside motif of the Texas nightlife.
Photographer LeAnn Mueller does a great job in capturing the Saturday nightlife across the Texas region. All of her picture shows a diverse venue of hangout spots and the people that attend them. To take a look at this short feature on the Texas style nightlife, visit the multimedia section at http://www.texasmonthly.com.

A Prayer for Kyle Smith

wlowe09 — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 01:51:25 +0000

This week’s blog looks at the heart felt tell of Kyle Smith, a 15 year old patient who was suffering from cancer. The audio slideshow follows the day to day struggle of Smith’s ailing health. The show also presents the young man’s strong faith in God and full support of his family that have always been there by his side. The photographer, Ryan Wood, shows the pictures in a black and white. Brett Marshall is in charge of the audio production of the slide show in addition to Tim May’s guitar accompaniment. Together the combination creates an emotional experience for the viewer as the narrator follows the remaining moments of Kyle Smith’s life. While all of the pictures in the slideshow exhibit great visual elements of photography, I have selected pictures from the slideshow that evokes the most emotion for the audience.
Depth perception is one of the visual elements that Ryan Wood effectively utilizes to show emotional depth and values within the slideshow. Slide three shows depth perception by blurring the image closest to the viewer’s eye. In this case the closest figure is Kyle’s profile. The clear focus of the picture is directed at the quote stitched into the pillow slightly behind Kyle’s profile. Another depth perception photo with emotional intensity can also be seen in slide eight. Within the picture, the image of Kyle’s mother at her son’s bed side is out of focus. The clear focus of the picture is Kyle’s face and motioning gesture as he holds his mother’s hand. Both pictures portray strong emotional themes of Kyle’s ordeal. Slide eight shows the subjects vulnerability or pain in his struggle against the disease while slide three displays the religious faith that gives him the strength and reconciliation of the life changing ordeal.
The emphasis of the focal point and perspective are other visual elements that contribute to the emotional depth of the slide show. One picture that executes both visual elements is seen in slide 13. The picture shows the Smith family surrounding Kyle in the hospital bed as they join in prayer. Kyle is located in the center of the photo, making him the focal point of the picture. The arrangement of the Smith family draws in the focus of the focal point from the direction of the joined hands of each family member. Wood successfully executes the theme of family support, togetherness and strong religious values.
Both the entire slide show and the pictures selected, successfully told the whole story of Kyle’s ordeal. The slideshow presentation also does an excellent job in showing the positive aspects of the ordeal such as family support and religious faith. To take a look at the slideshow presentation, go to http://home.ourmidland.com/multiMedia/soundslides/eternity/.

Remembering Buddy Holly

wlowe09 — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:29:19 +0000

This week’s blog posting focuses on a slideshow that is dedicated to a well known rock and roll legend, Buddy Holly. Presented on the Texas Monthly website, Not Fade Away is both an audio and visual presentation. Michael Hall is the narrator who guides the viewer through the history of the music star. Photo shots from Getty Images display the older pictures of Buddy Holly and his fellow musicians. Recent photographs are provided by both David Bowman and Michael Hall, who work for Texas Monthly. The collections of both new and old images revolve around the life, death and memory of Buddy Holly. Photographic composition plays a major role in switching time periods from past to present and gives the audience a glimpse of what Buddy Holly left behind in Clear Lake, Iowa. Some of the key elements of composition that I saw within the slideshow dealt with landscape pictures and balance.
The images shown with in the presentation that focuses on visual aesthetics in landscapes are pictures two and three. Both pictures show the landing site of the plane crash that ended the life of Buddy Holly and other rock and roll stars of the late 50s such as Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. The two pictures use a great deal of foreground in landscapes. The differences found in both pictures of the same setting are the activity. The first picture shows very little activity and the focal point of the picture, the shrine, leaves a vast amount of space in the picture. The second photo featuring the plan crash, however, shows a great deal of activity, making it difficult for the viewers to solely focus on the twisted remains of the plane.
The second visual element shown within the slideshow is balance. Two other contrasting photos of the same scene are presented in pictures seven and eight. Both pictures show the stage in which Buddy Holly and his band performed in 1958. These two pictures are similar in that they both show forms of symmetry. In picture seven, Getty images did a great job of capturing the symmetry on stage that was created by the performers. Buddy Holly is the center focal point of the picture while the other two performers are on either side. Picture eight also shows symmetry from the horizontal lining of the stage as well as the arrangement of the chairs and lights .The picture also presents an implied line in a horizontal direction by widening the scene of the stage.
Overall, the compilation of pictures coupled with the narration of Halls journey through Buddy Holly’s last moments created a since of history for the audience. The presentation also succeeded in showing Iowa’s appreciations of the legacy left behind by the rock and roll legend. To take a look, visit the Texas Monthly website at http://www.texasmonthly.com/2009-02-01/multimedia.php.

Inauguration Photos

wlowe09 — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 06:28:53 +0000

      For the next blog post, I couldn’t help but choose photos from this year’s inauguration. The compilation of pictures consists of fifteen photos taken by photographer Ho Shan. The slideshow of Obama’s inauguration of 2009 shows viewers the importance and impact the event has on the nation. Instead of supplementing the event with sound bites or music, the slideshow relies solely on visual aesthetics. While all of the photos showed the overall atmosphere of the inauguration, a few of the pictures display different aspects of composition in photography. The selected photo from the slideshow exhibits some examples of techniques such as simplicity and implied lines.
      One aspect of composition is simplicity, the singling out of a focused item from its surroundings. Pictures from the slideshow that exhibits simplicity are slide three and nine. On slide three, Ho Shan has a horizontal shot of President Obama standing at a podium. Though the subject is slightly off center, he is the focal point of the picture. Another picture that shows simplicity is slide nine. Among the multitude of people, a man is the focus of shot. The people surrounding him become the background of the picture. While some pictures using a crowd such as slides five and seven may be poor choices for simplicity, slide nine successfully executes the technique.
      A second technique of composition is the use of implied lines. The last picture from the slideshow, photo fifteen, shows a good example of a leading line. The leading line takes place in a picture where a road or a line of objects draws the viewer into the picture. Slide fifteen does just that with the utilization of implied lines of both the street and two parallel lines of buses. These two implied lines lead the viewers into the center of the picture where the United States Capitol building is the focal point of the photo shot.
      Ho Shan does a great job in delivering these two techniques of photography. The three pictures chosen for discussion does show key parts of the event such as the setting, the main person or subject of the event and those who participated in the event. With all of the photos together, the photographer brings the viewer depth and a complete story of the inauguration. To take a look at the slideshow, go to the Radio Free Asia website at http://www.rfa.org.