Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Meet Reynolds Journalism Institute
I took this last October during a moment of Zen on my way to the library. These are the stairs into the amphitheater outside the new RJI building here on campus. Purdy.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Meet some football and some thinkin'
About a week ago, I was digging through some folders, looking for a photo, when I found other photos from an assignment I keep forgetting I shot. I'm not sure why, but it keeps slipping my mind that I shot a high school football playoff game in Jefferson City last November for the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Real newspaper. Got paid, got a clip...plus it was sports coverage - my favorite. And, considering it was only the third time I'd photographed football ever, I was pleased with what I got. No real award winners were made that night, but here are a few of my personal favorites:
(If you're in the critiquing mood, #4 vs #5 and why? And image #2 is mostly just a photo of the weather conditions in which I was working.)
So, now for the second part of the title.
I'm in a class this semester that's really making me think (I know, the nerve) about my photography. Buzz words like "passion" and "personal" and "meaningful" are flying. We're on day three of this class and I'm already panicking. Probably because I'm thinking. And not shooting. I tend to do (or not do) these things.
I came to Mizzou to expand on my photo skills, which were firmly and fairly exclusively rooted in sports photography. I've made it a point while here to not shoot sports, to look for stories that in no way are connected to athletics or athletes or physical fitness or...well, you get the idea. And, aside from a wrestling picture (a bad one, at that) in February, some Show-Me-State Games coverage in the late summer (kickball, dodgeball, and geriatric darts - I hardly feel these count), and a few football slips in the fall, I've stayed pretty clean. Expanding the horizons. Getting out of the comfort zone. Learning new tricks. Yadda, yadda, yadda, personal growth and edification and such.
But then I looked through this Jeff City shoot. I thought about the experience. The game was frigid. Blustery. Excruciatingly cold. I could barely hold the metal cameras, lenses and monopod, even with the sexy grip gloves I had and, despite four clothing layers, two coats, a hat and a waterproof outer shell, I started shivering in the second half. At random points throughout the game, it rained, of course, and the wind was nearly constant. My 500mm lens kept spotting up from the rain, even though I had the hood on, had it wrapped in a trashbag, and kept it pointed down. The water was blowing up into the lens and also hampering the functionality of my glasses. Of course it was.
In addition to my personal trials on the sidelines, the team I was covering was having issues. They were kind enough to score a touchdown early in the game, right in front of me, so I could send that picture, but then the wheels fell off. I could only take so many pictures of their defense running away from me, after the opposing guy with the ball in the end zone, but I made my deadlines by camping out in the faces of fans and cheerleaders who were watching their team lose their playoff run and then forcing myself out on the field after the whole mess to document burly teenage boys openly sobbing and desperately trying to hide from me.
And I loved every damn second of it.
I did what I do best, which was photograph sports action and couldn't have been happier. The weather never bothered me, despite how terrible it was. I was prepared for it, knew it would suck, made the most of it. I made deadline, sent complete captions, gave coverage to both on and off the field, sent options. Sent good pictures. Rocked the assignment. Was encouraged to apply for an internship. Didn't destroy any equipment, didn't lose any fingers, wasn't hit by a football or a player.
Even though I hadn't been on a sideline in almost six months, I was home again, and never missed a beat. Fell right back in stride. In terms of how I felt during an assignment, that game was the high point of my time in Missouri.
My point here - and I do have one - is that maybe I've been trying so hard (too hard?) here to create a new passion when I already identified it. I seem to always want to take the toughest road I can find. If I'm too comfortable doing something, then it's just too easy and I'm not learning enough and I really must challenge myself more and move outside my comfort zone to grow as a journalist and a human and all of these other poetic things, yet all of this growth involves such an overwhelming gnashing of teeth and wringing of hands and, as you can see, late night blog posts about existential crises and ultimate purposes of grad school and life in general.
So, really now, what am I doing here?
---
[This question will be revisited, rehashed and, perhaps, if we're all lucky, may even be answered before too long. Hopefully before I graduate in December.]
(If you're in the critiquing mood, #4 vs #5 and why? And image #2 is mostly just a photo of the weather conditions in which I was working.)
So, now for the second part of the title.
I'm in a class this semester that's really making me think (I know, the nerve) about my photography. Buzz words like "passion" and "personal" and "meaningful" are flying. We're on day three of this class and I'm already panicking. Probably because I'm thinking. And not shooting. I tend to do (or not do) these things.
I came to Mizzou to expand on my photo skills, which were firmly and fairly exclusively rooted in sports photography. I've made it a point while here to not shoot sports, to look for stories that in no way are connected to athletics or athletes or physical fitness or...well, you get the idea. And, aside from a wrestling picture (a bad one, at that) in February, some Show-Me-State Games coverage in the late summer (kickball, dodgeball, and geriatric darts - I hardly feel these count), and a few football slips in the fall, I've stayed pretty clean. Expanding the horizons. Getting out of the comfort zone. Learning new tricks. Yadda, yadda, yadda, personal growth and edification and such.
But then I looked through this Jeff City shoot. I thought about the experience. The game was frigid. Blustery. Excruciatingly cold. I could barely hold the metal cameras, lenses and monopod, even with the sexy grip gloves I had and, despite four clothing layers, two coats, a hat and a waterproof outer shell, I started shivering in the second half. At random points throughout the game, it rained, of course, and the wind was nearly constant. My 500mm lens kept spotting up from the rain, even though I had the hood on, had it wrapped in a trashbag, and kept it pointed down. The water was blowing up into the lens and also hampering the functionality of my glasses. Of course it was.
In addition to my personal trials on the sidelines, the team I was covering was having issues. They were kind enough to score a touchdown early in the game, right in front of me, so I could send that picture, but then the wheels fell off. I could only take so many pictures of their defense running away from me, after the opposing guy with the ball in the end zone, but I made my deadlines by camping out in the faces of fans and cheerleaders who were watching their team lose their playoff run and then forcing myself out on the field after the whole mess to document burly teenage boys openly sobbing and desperately trying to hide from me.
And I loved every damn second of it.
I did what I do best, which was photograph sports action and couldn't have been happier. The weather never bothered me, despite how terrible it was. I was prepared for it, knew it would suck, made the most of it. I made deadline, sent complete captions, gave coverage to both on and off the field, sent options. Sent good pictures. Rocked the assignment. Was encouraged to apply for an internship. Didn't destroy any equipment, didn't lose any fingers, wasn't hit by a football or a player.
Even though I hadn't been on a sideline in almost six months, I was home again, and never missed a beat. Fell right back in stride. In terms of how I felt during an assignment, that game was the high point of my time in Missouri.
My point here - and I do have one - is that maybe I've been trying so hard (too hard?) here to create a new passion when I already identified it. I seem to always want to take the toughest road I can find. If I'm too comfortable doing something, then it's just too easy and I'm not learning enough and I really must challenge myself more and move outside my comfort zone to grow as a journalist and a human and all of these other poetic things, yet all of this growth involves such an overwhelming gnashing of teeth and wringing of hands and, as you can see, late night blog posts about existential crises and ultimate purposes of grad school and life in general.
So, really now, what am I doing here?
---
[This question will be revisited, rehashed and, perhaps, if we're all lucky, may even be answered before too long. Hopefully before I graduate in December.]
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Meet more of the LBC fall concert
As you can see, today has been a photo-filled day and I finally made some time to go through my take from the LBC gospel concert that I shot at the end of last semester. I posted two photos right after the concert and those two images were probably my favorite of the evening, but below is a slideshow of the runners-up.
I'm still frustrated with this project. I still don't feel I have really shown the story. I keep missing the little telling moments that piece together an accurate portrait of this choir and this genre of both music and worship. Feedback is much appreciated. Also, I apologize for the graininess, but I was not able to check out a camera that could handle the church's low light, so I did what I could with my 20D and RAW files. I hope you enjoy:
I'm still frustrated with this project. I still don't feel I have really shown the story. I keep missing the little telling moments that piece together an accurate portrait of this choir and this genre of both music and worship. Feedback is much appreciated. Also, I apologize for the graininess, but I was not able to check out a camera that could handle the church's low light, so I did what I could with my 20D and RAW files. I hope you enjoy:
Friday, January 9, 2009
Meet the Devil's Icebox...and Josh Bickel
Josh and I took advantage of the amazing weather (it was 68 degrees when we went) and communed with nature at Rockbridge State Park, hiking to the Devil's Icebox and poking around a bit. We didn't realize that we needed flashlights to explore the caves, but we had some fun taking photos at the entrance. Please enjoy:
Nature is purdy, eh?
Josh Bickel, thinker.
Josh Bickel, statesman.
Josh Bickel, philanthropist.
Josh Bickel, intrepid newsman.
(I have already secured the rights for this photo to be used on the cover of any Josh Bickel biographical paraphernalia. Let me know if you want to order the t-shirt.)
Josh Bickel, nature lover.
Josh's photos can be seen at www.joshuabickel.com/blog
Nature is purdy, eh?
Josh Bickel, thinker.
Josh Bickel, statesman.
Josh Bickel, philanthropist.
Josh Bickel, intrepid newsman.
(I have already secured the rights for this photo to be used on the cover of any Josh Bickel biographical paraphernalia. Let me know if you want to order the t-shirt.)
Josh Bickel, nature lover.
Josh's photos can be seen at www.joshuabickel.com/blog
Meet my holiday card
As one should do on one's winter break, I have been lazing about in a brilliant imitation of a pile of shoes or laundry and, as a result, have been woefully neglectful of my dear blog, though I have many images to post.
To ease back into the habit, I would like to share with you the image I shot for my "holiday card" (because I failed to get my act together in time to send out cards that would arrive before the most notable of winter holidays but could still be used to celebrate the dawning of the new year).
I shot it in my apartment (yes that is my (most beloved) K1000 modeling), then jazzed it up in Photoshop, had a stack printed up via one-hour photo and then taped the pictures to blank cards. I am quite happy with the final product - it's exactly what I was hoping to produce and share with my friends.
To ease back into the habit, I would like to share with you the image I shot for my "holiday card" (because I failed to get my act together in time to send out cards that would arrive before the most notable of winter holidays but could still be used to celebrate the dawning of the new year).
I shot it in my apartment (yes that is my (most beloved) K1000 modeling), then jazzed it up in Photoshop, had a stack printed up via one-hour photo and then taped the pictures to blank cards. I am quite happy with the final product - it's exactly what I was hoping to produce and share with my friends.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Meet LBC Gospel Choir's Fall Concert - part 1
I work best when I have rewards waiting for me and tonight, while I plugged along on a paper, I decided my reward for doing such would be to post two photos on my blog from Mizzou's Legions of Black Collegians Gospel Choir's concert I went to Friday night. I'm working on filling in some gaps for my story, so I was glad to get to photograph them in a performance setting again.
Anyway, more on all of that later, here are two photos for you to look at:
Anyway, more on all of that later, here are two photos for you to look at:
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Meet Phoebe, the early years
Hooray, it's my birthday! I turn 25 today and so far, it's been going great. I got a cake from my Boot Camp family (...it's a j-school thing) and went out for some dancing and shouting and laughing. Lots of well-wishing AND, because I'm a Starbucks Gold Card Member, a free drink of my choice (and what a large one it is).
I am so happy.
So here are some of my baby photos, because those are always fun to look at:
I am pretty sure this is exactly 25 years ago:
6 months old:
A year...?:
And my kindergarten school photo:
I am so happy.
So here are some of my baby photos, because those are always fun to look at:
I am pretty sure this is exactly 25 years ago:
6 months old:
A year...?:
And my kindergarten school photo:
Friday, December 12, 2008
Meet the feeling
Last spring, when I first started here at Missouri and was trying to figure out how to be a non-sports photographer, I took the photo you see below for my portrait assignment. I liked the shot but couldn't figure out why. It wasn't technically strong, in my opinion. But still, I liked it.
David Rees, my professor at the time and Mizzou's own Yoda, articulated why I liked it: it didn't just show something, it showed how something felt. It wasn't just "this is what I saw" but also "this is how it felt."
"Really good photos don't just show you something, they also make you feel something." That's roughly what David wrote in my critique and it was a bit of an ah-ha moment for me that I still keep with me.
Below are a few photos from a jam session that broke out my last night at Hazel Kinder's Lighthouse Theater and one from backstage that, for me, also convey this. They stick in my mind for the simple reason that they show how the scene felt at the time. Dark and mysterious, perhaps, but with intense and purposeful light in just the right places. Like the riffs played to the basic melody that evolved on stage.
Understanding and shooting this kind of photography is why I came back to school.
(Saxophone player)
David Rees, my professor at the time and Mizzou's own Yoda, articulated why I liked it: it didn't just show something, it showed how something felt. It wasn't just "this is what I saw" but also "this is how it felt."
"Really good photos don't just show you something, they also make you feel something." That's roughly what David wrote in my critique and it was a bit of an ah-ha moment for me that I still keep with me.
Below are a few photos from a jam session that broke out my last night at Hazel Kinder's Lighthouse Theater and one from backstage that, for me, also convey this. They stick in my mind for the simple reason that they show how the scene felt at the time. Dark and mysterious, perhaps, but with intense and purposeful light in just the right places. Like the riffs played to the basic melody that evolved on stage.
Understanding and shooting this kind of photography is why I came back to school.
(Saxophone player)
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Meet Hazel Kinder's Lighthouse Theater
Here is my contribution to my group's final project on Hazel Kinder's Lighthouse Theater. I took most - but not all - of the photos and edited the pictures and the audio.
UPDATE! Check out the full project here.
(Also, I highly recommend the new full-screen option. Click the box with the four arrows pointing outward to see a GINORMOUS presentation.)
UPDATE! Check out the full project here.
(Also, I highly recommend the new full-screen option. Click the box with the four arrows pointing outward to see a GINORMOUS presentation.)
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Meet 1,000 words
--or--
"Advanced Techniques of Photojournalism in a photographic nutshell"
In direct opposition to my previous post of optimism and serenity, I am putting up a picture that sums up the experience of using flashes/artificial light both for the subject and the photographer. I'm editing for my final project and found this very poorly executed gem in my outtakes.
I'm thinking 2009 CPOY...this screams "personal vision" (or lack thereof?).
(Sorry, mister.)
"Advanced Techniques of Photojournalism in a photographic nutshell"
In direct opposition to my previous post of optimism and serenity, I am putting up a picture that sums up the experience of using flashes/artificial light both for the subject and the photographer. I'm editing for my final project and found this very poorly executed gem in my outtakes.
I'm thinking 2009 CPOY...this screams "personal vision" (or lack thereof?).
(Sorry, mister.)
Meet simplicity
At the risk of being overly poetic, let me tell you that last night, as I was parking my car, I had a moment of serenity where I was glad and thankful to be a photographer. I have the ability to see beauty in unexpected places and find myself appreciating somewhat random scenes. The parking garage was one of them. I looked out my window and thought "how pretty" and, after a few seconds, "how weird...to think that a parking garage is pretty." This morning, I spent several minutes watching the smoke from my incense waft around in the sunlight. Simple, beautiful scenes can bring such serenity.
For more waxing photographic, check this out.
For more waxing photographic, check this out.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Meet Multiple Flash
(November 30, 2008 Columbia, Mo.) Alita Stoneking, left, and Tom Weisburger, from St. Peters, Minnesota, warm-up their instruments and fingers in the lobby of Hazel Kinder’s Lighthouse Theater Saturday afternoon before the theater’s first annual fiddle contest. Stoneking, who plays in fiddling competitions throughout the Midwest, won first place out of four fiddlers in the open division and Weisburger placed second. (Photo by Phoebe Sexton)
Lighting Diagram:
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Meet Hazel Kinder's Lighthouse Theater (pt. 1)
Some fun shots from the fiddling contest and bluegrass show at Hazel Kinder's Lighthouse Theater:
Meet Kevin, your multi-light assistant
I wasn't paired with Kevin for the multiple light assignment, but since he's in my group and we were all working on our final project together, I got some fun shots of him assisting.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Slideshow examples
Audio slideshow for class:
The Flower Show
---
While poking around online, I found it interesting that various universities' news/photo offices are doing multimedia. A sample:
Tufts:
Science Takes Center Stage
Harvard:
Harvard's Election Excitement
Boston University:
The Hot Seat
The Flower Show
---
While poking around online, I found it interesting that various universities' news/photo offices are doing multimedia. A sample:
Tufts:
Science Takes Center Stage
Harvard:
Harvard's Election Excitement
Boston University:
The Hot Seat
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Meet some of my role models
While in Boston, I was able to get some face time with a few of the folks who had a hand in helping me become the person and photojournalist I am today. Many thanks to them; I hope I can continue to make them proud.
Professor Mitchell Zuckoff, Boston University Journalism Department
---
Pastor Lorraine Thornhill, First Holiness Church
(her "oh, can I go there, Church?" face)
---
Vernon Doucette, Boston University Office of Photo Services
---
Professor Peter Southwick, Boston University Photojournalism Department
---
Professor Joe Lippincott, Boston University Photojournalism Department
Joe: "Phoeb! ...What the hell are you doing here?"
---
Justin Ide, Harvard News Office Assistant Director for Photography
I triple-dog-dare you to have a portfolio edit with him. Triple.Dog.Dare.
---
Rick Young, Boston University Office of Photo Services
Professor Mitchell Zuckoff, Boston University Journalism Department
---
Pastor Lorraine Thornhill, First Holiness Church
(her "oh, can I go there, Church?" face)
---
Vernon Doucette, Boston University Office of Photo Services
---
Professor Peter Southwick, Boston University Photojournalism Department
---
Professor Joe Lippincott, Boston University Photojournalism Department
Joe: "Phoeb! ...What the hell are you doing here?"
---
Justin Ide, Harvard News Office Assistant Director for Photography
I triple-dog-dare you to have a portfolio edit with him. Triple.Dog.Dare.
---
Rick Young, Boston University Office of Photo Services
Monday, November 24, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Meet the Inner Strength Gospel Choir of Fall 2008
The whole reason I am in Boston is to follow through on my personal dream to sneak back and surprise my choir for their concert. I tried to do it last year, but ended up canceling the flight because their Spring concert was far too close to finals week for me to both make the trip and pass school that semester. This Fall was one of my last chances to fulfill my dream and still have people in the choir who knew who I was, so I kept my trip super secret and strolled into sound check earlier this evening. For a first-person account of this, go here:
And now, for some pictures (nothing too innovative; all were taken from my seat area):
Tyler at the start of the [really awesome] liturgical dance.
I just like this photo. And she sang really, really well.
The choir had a huge amount of energy - it was wonderful to witness!
Herbert S. Jones, one extremely talented director.
This is my Dionte, with whom I used to sing in the front row of the tenor section. He had two really wonderful solos tonight; I'm so proud of him!
Everyone listening to Matlin's wise words.
I love Marsh Chapel (despite the fact the acoustics aren't too friendly with gospel music) and was happy to get to look at all its intricacies again.
Tyler was KILLING it as a director and brought some extreme joy and energy to his two songs.
It was an awesome concert with such great music - the trip was absolutely worth it.
[More to come from this event - stay tuned!]
And now, for some pictures (nothing too innovative; all were taken from my seat area):
Tyler at the start of the [really awesome] liturgical dance.
I just like this photo. And she sang really, really well.
The choir had a huge amount of energy - it was wonderful to witness!
Herbert S. Jones, one extremely talented director.
This is my Dionte, with whom I used to sing in the front row of the tenor section. He had two really wonderful solos tonight; I'm so proud of him!
Everyone listening to Matlin's wise words.
I love Marsh Chapel (despite the fact the acoustics aren't too friendly with gospel music) and was happy to get to look at all its intricacies again.
Tyler was KILLING it as a director and brought some extreme joy and energy to his two songs.
It was an awesome concert with such great music - the trip was absolutely worth it.
[More to come from this event - stay tuned!]
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