Thursday, June 24, 2010

June 24th, 2010

Today was my first day as an intern at The Olympian on an assignment with my field supervisor Tony Overman, staff photographer. Our assignment was to go cover the birthday party of a woman, Marianne Andrews, who was turning 100 years old. The significance behind this event was she works out twice a week and she was celebrating this birthday by working out.

We arrived at Providence St. Peter hospital too meet with the hospitals P.I.O (public information officer). A P.I.O is the person in charge of handling the media for an organization. This person is the contact you talk with about the event before hand and the person who shows you where the event is happening. They also have the people whom we the media take photographs sign waivers to allow us to take there photo. Now this is not necessary for everyone to do in public you are allowed to take photos of whoever with or without permission. But since this is on private property, if we take a picture of someone and use it without proper permission since it was on private property legal action can be taken.

When we arrived Tony introduced himself and I to the subject of the story and the coordinator of the exercise program. Tony made a point of talking to the woman and the people around her and telling them to basically ignore our presence and go about there business as if we were not around. Furthermore it was important for him to talk to them about there day and Marianne's life in order for them to be comfortable with us.

As these elderly folks began to work out together we began to shoot. Tony was aware of there space but still was able to get close from a good distance. He also was aware of moments of emotions and when a certain smile or facial expression that illustrated the even happens. After a little workout the cake that was brought for Marianne was cut and 'Happy Birthday' was sung. Tony was clearly aware of where to shoot and when. More importantly how to shoot in order to frame up. Probably the greatest lesson for me was to be aware of the backdrop and where things are positioned. While this is a given in most situations I feel I've learned more from it being point out to me in my work and given the solution. Learning by doing is always the best.

After the cake was cut, Marianne sat down to eat and be interviewed by the reporter that had accompanied us. Afterwards Marianne went into the main exercise room where we photographer her doing her daily work out. Tony gave no quarter for this and shot her at every point while the reporter followed and we continued to talk. I was impressed at how comfortable Marianne was with us and Tony. The point being is that as a photojournalist you must be able to blend in and not stick out in order for the people to be comfortable and relaxed in their own environment so you can shoot them naturally.

Overall I feel this solidifies things I have read in books on photojournalism and really gives me more of memorable experience in the idea. I have learned so much from just a few hours of shooting and editing photos I'm so excited to continue working with The Olympian and Tony to further my work in journalism.