Officially Published

When I came to this course back in September, I wasn’t incredibly interested in working for a Newspaper, ironic right? Someone joins a photojournalism course without the intention of working at a paper. I don’t believe I’m the only one who initially had this thought, but I know fellow students have had work previously published in local papers including the school paper.

Diane Burley, Carrie Allen, Rob Lloyd, and Esther Parry in Doubt

In the First semester I had no intention of being published in a paper, partly because I felt my photography didn’t belong in a paper and partly because I was avoiding it. One of the important things I’ve learned is that news doesn’t mean murders crimes and accidents. I always knew sports were part of the news, after all that used to be the only section of the newspaper I paid attention to. But news really entails so much more than just that. Most people come to this program with a wish to travel, as have I, we look for the documentary side of photojournalism as being something that we would want to do in the future. But now a’days most of what the newspaper is are small little documentary articles they’re just split up into different categories, Life, Sports, Arts and Entertainment, Business etc.  You see this more in smaller cities, where there isn’t a large amount predominate subject matter, you get smaller feature stories that can be interesting and intriguing.

Just like the way I shoot, I hope not to stray to far from my personal preferences when it comes to what I choose to write about. This is why I have chosen a bit of a Live Arts theme this semester, not just for writing but also for both my multimedia and multiple pictures classes. The first product of my labor was for writing, I chose to write about a play and try to get a photograph. I hadn’t had much experience with hands-on legitimate articles about people. I didn’t have a lot of time to photograph and interview the cast of the play but I’m proud of the outcome it was a great learning experience. The article ended up being my first published work, both the photo and the story.

No this hasn’t affected the lack of desire to work for a newspaper, it sure is a good feeling to have your work noticed and published, even if its just the school paper.

Check it out the full article  at http://www.qnetnews.ca/?p=6850

The Journey of Photo Journalism

   Welcome to college, to the process of learning, the process of maturity. Some days I see it and some days I don’t. Some times I feel it and sometimes I don’t. At the beginning of the second semester I made a promise to myself, commit. To do so the first thing I felt I needed to do was get myself organized in every way possible. First I got myself a day planner… yes, a day planner. It works… when I remember I have it, which is becoming more and more often.

   And to improve my overall feeling and functionality I’ve re-organized my room… twice, the feng shui was a little off. Also I’m proud to say my room has been spotlessly clean for the longest consecutive period since my parents stopped cleaning it for me. I know this doesn’t seem like I’ve done much but I’ve noticed some improvement already. But still, I don’t feel good about everything. It’s odd, some days I don’t feel like going out and shooting, some weekends even.

   At first I didn’t know why, but it’s pretty simple; laziness and procrastination among other things. No one said this course was going to be easy. Sometimes I need to be reminded of that. I often question my commitment, my work ethic. I try not to make excuses because excuses are… well… exactly that; excuses. I thought I was a hard worker, but right now I certainly don’t feel that way.

   There’s a lot that goes on through my mind the more and more I get into the course. It’s true, some days I don’t feel I have what it takes and other days I feel on top of the photographic world. We learn a lot here and I have no doubt that I am a better photographer than when I started. But sometimes doubt can sneak its way in. I occasionally find myself wondering if I’m doing the right thing here. Whether I’m in the right place, both geographically and mentally.

   I feel as though I lose touch of what these courses are here for. I feel like when I go out I’m shooting for assignments, I lost sense of the reason I personally wish to be a photographer. But theses courses aren’t meant to force you to shoot one way or another. I don’t need to want to shoot an assignment; it’s the process of shooting an assignment that is gearing me to shoot what I want to shoot.

   Part of the reason I don’t always like shooting here is because I haven’t felt the greatest here. When it comes to photography and this program, Belleville comparable to a public washroom. They’re over used, people write on the walls, and leave their mark. It’s hard to write a line that hasn’t already been written on the wall.

   I’m not saying I don’t like it here; I do enjoy the course and the people. All I can say is that I might be looking forward to what’s coming after the program more so than what is happening during the program.

Notes: I’ve taken down the photo of the week blog because I’m busy enough trying to get things ready for assignments. Also I’m hoping to start a bit of a project soon, nothing spectacular but stay tuned.

Also for some of my recent photos be sure to check out my photo log at www.andrelphotolog.blogspot.com

Thanks,

Andre