Week 8 Forum

Chapter 9: The most dangerous place in the world, is my number 1 ranked chapter and chapter 10: Driver Expire was ranked number 2. I ranked chapter 9 above chapter 10 because it had a better lesson about photojournalism, chapter 10 was more about the realities of being over in a war torn country.

In chapter 9, "The Most Dangerous Place In The World", Lyndsey and her fellow photographer friend Elizabeth Rubin were on an embed with the US troops in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan. They photographed a lot of injured Afghans who had been brought to the US base. Lyndsey had become close with a few of the troops and began learning about their personal lives and why they joined the army. Her and Elizabeth went out on multiple patrols with the men, which lasted 6 hours. They both witnessed multiple deaths of both Afghans and US troops. On one of their patrols they were ambushed by the Taliban with AK-47 bullets buzzing past them. Lyndsey was alone, trying to get the attention of anyone willing to save her. During that ambush is when Sergeant Rougle, who Lyndsey had gotten to know well, had been shot and killed. That is when Lyndsey knew she had to get out of the most dangerous place in the world. Lyndsey pleaded with Captain Kearney to get her out any chance he could. The next day she was flown out, leaving Elizabeth, who was more than dedicated to her story. Lynsey flew back to Turkey joining Paul at his place. She was overwhelmed with emotion by the sights she had seen in the Korengal Valley. Elizabeth and Lyndsey had discrepancies with the New York Times, on what story line they wanted to show. 

"I couldn't believe Rougle-so vibrant and alive just an hour before-was now dead, in a thick, black, rubbery bag, being carried to the first of so many stops along the way home to his final resting place." This quote stuck with me because of how much we learned about him before, wanting to propose to his girlfriend, all the tours he has take since 9-11, just to have that fresh life with so many goals be taken.

My favorite photo is the blurry photo of the soldiers from the 173rd Airborne as they are being targeted by mortars the Korengal Valley. Even though it's blurry, it shows what she witnessed. That is why Lyndsey went, to document what she witnessed, and that is exactly what she did.

What I learned about being a photojournalist is that without even thinking, you put your career first. When Lyndsey was being shot at on a patrol, she just wanted to get out alive, and to photograph what was happening. Then when the troops dropped a bomb on Yaka China and there were civilian casualties, (Lyndsey and Elizabeth decided before to stay at base with Captain Kearny), she said, "And there I was, stuck with the overwatch team clear across an impassable valley, unable to document the human cost of war. I was there to bear witness but not witnessing anything at all." The fact she was willing to risk her life for the story of human cost of war, was something not everyone is willing to do.

Sports Action

Brad Baker jumps his Honda CRF 450 dirt bike on the dunes in Coos Bay, Oregon.

Chase Stallings stops to take a rest as he watches his buddies ride around the dunes in Coos Bay, Oregon.

Spencer Burnette wheelies his dirt bike on the dunes in Coos Bay, Oregon.

Walker Evans Report

Walker Evans was an American Photographer born in the early 1900's. Walker started photographing in the late 1920’s and like most photographers, he was stuck between paying bill and being dead broke. He had a day job to pay bills, which was a night job so that he had all day to take photos. He is most known for photographing the Great Depression as well as people on the streets of New York in the 1930’s. He called photography a “forbidden fruit” which is why he wanted to do it because he often went against the grain of society. He photographed his interest because it wasn’t really the thing to do, so he did it. Walker started not only photographing people but letters and signs as well. He stated that lettering and signs were very important to him, perhaps because he would like to be a letterer. He always tried to capture the emotion of his subjects. Walker mainly shot in black and white, however he experimented with color but felt that black and white captured the true essence of his subjects. Walker says, "What draws me to street photography is how honest and real it is. However, it can be quite cruel and brutal." He partly did not want to be established at all, when he explained it, it didn’t make total sense but I imagine he just wants to photograph for a purpose not for fame.

My Hometown / My neighborhood

Inn at the 5th is said to be "The best hotel in downtown Eugene." It is a luxury hotel for fine dining, wine tasting and all kinds of shopping wrapped up inside.

Spencer Burnette polishes up his dirt bike just in time for a weekend full of riding at the Oregon coast dunes for Memorial Day.

Taylor Sustello

Week 7 Forum

Topic 1:

1. Karl talked about getting the background before anything. I have never thought of that before, I was always more focused on the subject and the background was just there. Now that I know that, my photos have been 10 times better.
2. Karl also shared tips on how he was able to make subjects more comfortable when taking portraits so they don't look awkward and uncomfortable.

Topic 2:

1. WHAT is your Sports/Action subject? The kids that I babysit play softball and baseball. I think I will take photos of Asher and his baseball team at their game.
2. WHEN and WHERE are you going to shoot it? It is in Veneta, on Monday or Wednesday's game.
3. Karl/Scobel talked about their approach to shooting sports/action. Your approach must include an "overall,” "medium” and a "closeup/detail” shot. While one of these can be a “sideline” shot, you must have at least one good ACTION PHOTO. List your ideas for:
1. OVERALL -- Picture of the teams in the middle of their game, including the outfielders.
2. MEDIUM -- Pitcher getting ready, batter walking to the plate, player getting coached at a base, team cheering on their mates from the bench
3. CLOSEUP/DETAIL -- batter or pitchers serious game face, catcher, foot of a runner getting ready to take off, bats on the fence

COMMUTER: Diversity Day

Sin and Tes Melendez, a brother-sister duo, having fun dancing to the band, Gerencia Elegenta's authentic music.

Whitney Rodgers engages Nigel Higgs in an "intelligent conversation". Her goal is to challenge people to think, either about topics they chose or topics she brings up.

Gerencia Elegenta, a band that includes (from left) Robert Mendez, Daniel Castillo, Jesus Cervantes, and Leonel Alcantar, plays in the courtyard on Diversity Day, Wednesday, May 9.

Week 6 Forum

1. What town/city are you going to photograph and WHY? I will be doing this assignment in Eugene because that is where I grew up and still live and I have a lot of memories in a few different places.
2. Idea 1: Horse center (landmark), Taylor (portrait), riding (activity) Idea 2: Oak grove (landmark?), Owen (portrait), quads (activity) Idea 3:
3. The landmark photo will be the hardest for me because where I hung out and played when I was a child was at my grandmas house in Eugene so I'm not sure what landmark would work with that.

Outline TWO photo stories that you could do for your final assignment.

• Who? Lane County Mounted Posse member; or Dan Swanson (local business owner)
• What? Going on searches, getting ready for a search; going around to get funding and making deals with clients.
• When? Calling on both today (5/11)
• Where? Eugene, Lane county. Eugene as well

Lane County Mounted Sheriffs Posse:

How many horses do they have to take care of

What do they do to contribute to the posse

How do they train for searches

Dan Swanson:
He has his hands in a little of everything so I could photo his days going to visit clients of his business, going to get donations for his organization, or fundraising. 

For both I need to write down my ideas of what to photograph and what to ask so I don't forget. I need to set aside time to hang out with them for days.

Week 6 Free Shoot

Asher plays catcher for the Elmira Screaming Eagles on the 3rd and 4th grade team. Right now he rides his horse Dude and plays baseball, which he likes equally. In the off-season of baseball, Asher plays soccer, basketball and rides horses year round.

Asher Varozza

Audrey plays softball for the Elmira Sluggers where she plays shortstop, first and pitcher. She plays softball, basketball, volleyball and her favorite, riding horses. When she gets home from softball practices she quickly gets ready to exercise  her horse, then it's in the house to finish homework.

Audrey Varozza

Week 5 forum

Lyndsey's work so far has been so amazing. Reading her adventures has opened my eyes to what really happens during the war. The way Lyndsey is able to stay so calm in such stressful and terrifying situations and still be able to capture such compelling images is inspiring. Also, she is quick to think and react to situations that could easily get her killed but she somehow is so calm and can easily lie to keep her identity protected, just to get a shot. Addario wasn't scared of anything to get a photo. She didn't let anything stand in her way, and reading her book, you can tell that photography was her first and only priority. I have learned that if photography is to be my profession, don't let anything stand in your way. Addario has had to give up so much to do what she loves. She has had to go without seeing her family for months to years, as well as having inconsistent relationships and dealing with infidelity. She also has had to learn how to be okay with seeing injured and even dismembered humans who have just been involved in a bombing. So far, my favorite quote is "Please tell the woman we will not hurt her." because Addario showed she knew how to manipulate the men to get what she wanted. She wanted them to know they were making a woman nervous, because in the Muslim world, respect was reserved for women and children. I love the photos that show the landscape of the country, as well as the locals walking in the streets. It shows what everyday life is in a war torn country, and lots of people here don't know what that looks like. I also like the photo of the injured Kurdish peshmerga soldier, helping his fellow soldier who had just been in a car bomb. I like it because it's real. That is what Addario was trying to do, was get the other side of the story over to America and show what happens. This does the job.

Commuter: Extra photos of the Health and Safety fair

At the Youngevity booth, Becky Franklin (left) and Sheryl Franklin (right), promote the health benefits of their products. (From left) Samuel, Ruban, and Nathan Franklin hand out business cards and charm the crowd with their cuteness. Youngevity featured a variety of "Be the Change Coffee" beans that are grown in the Nicaraguan mountains, and flavors made from pure, natural ingredients to help you stay healthy as well as energized. The profits of each "Be the Change Coffee" are donated to the Be the Change Foundation to help support American Red Cross, Make-a-Wish, My Story Matters, and Caterina's Club. 

Griffindor the dog, from Hope Animal-Assisted Crisis Response got special attention from Joyce Gympantasiri as Ginger Nickel tells her about their mission and the work Griffendor does.

Feature Event: Health and Safety Fair

Students and staff enjoy walking around at the Health and Safety fair on Wednesday, May 2, in the courtyard. Mohammed Saeig and Nancy Oliverio, from Kaiser Permanente, hand out stress balls to everyone passing by.

Joe Adamski (left) and Michael Heinen (right) talk about Team Oregon's moto safety program as well as the importance of inspection and maintenance of bikes.

Guess how many seashells are in the jar at the Youngevity booth to win some free coffee!