POYi Issue Reporting Picture Story

I watched the POYi judging for the Issue Reporting Picture Story category. One of the first things that I noticed was that there were a lot of picture stories about war. I also noticed that there were many stories that incorporated religion into the story in some aspect. There were also a lot of photos that had their edges darkened or vignetted and quite a few people had actually commented on that. I liked being able to see the variety of stories that were entered. One story caught my eye because it reminded me of a story done once before. The story was about a doctor that did house visits. It was voted out but it made me think back to the famous picture story Country Doctor by Eugene Smith. I could start to see why some of the stories were voted out because I couldn't see the "thread" that held them together. It was hard to see how some pictures related to the theme of the story. The favorite part of the voting was the very end when we got to hear what the judges really felt about the stories and about photography in general. All the judges basically agreed by this point that photography was far from being objective. One of the judges specifically said that photography can make you feel and believe many things in any way. The judges also mentioned the common theme of war and violence and the different ways picture stories had showed them. There was a specific story that was being judged toward the end that was in black and white and expressed war in a very violent and rough way. It depicted a lot of visual violence where the judges felt that lacked a connection that they felt we were supposed to feel so they didn't vote it to the final round. I found it interesting that in the final round, all the judges agreed that the photography was amazing and that they focused on the issue and what they thought should be the most important issue that people should see. They were stuck for a while between the story "Love Me" and "For Better or Worse." They went back and forth for a while until they decided that the increasing problem of beauty on society was a more important issue, so "Love Me" won first place. Personally, I really enjoyed the story "For Better or Worse," which won second place, because I think that there were a lot of things going on in the story, but the photographer did a great job at piecing all of the events and problems into one great picture story that flowed. I think that the photography was amazing and I believe I would have voted that one first. The photographer showed great detail as well and personal moments that made you really feel what the story was about. Below is the first and second place for Issue Reporting Picture Story.

First Place

Second Place

One Day Story

I apologize for not getting this up sooner. I had to go home to St. Louis for a funeral this past weekend.

Shelle Bartram helps assemble the Frankenstein Monster and the Bride themed float for the Mardi Gras parade on Saturday, February 13, 2010. Bartram has attended and helped the same Krewe with Mardi Gras floats for ten years.

Thousands of beads are placed along the inside of the Frankenstein and the Bride float for easy access to throw during the Mardi Gras parade on Saturday, February 13, 2010.

Fans scream and grab beads while floats drive by during the Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis, MO on Saturday, February 13, 2010.

Michelle Younce gets the crowd to yell louder for her beads during the Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis, MO on Saturday, February 13, 2010. This is Younce’s second year participating on this float.

Nancy Fish helps with the tear our of the float by throwing things away after the Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis, MO on Saturday, February 13, 2010. The float must park next to one of several dumpsters and disassemble the float.

I'm beginning to like this Lamott book more and more every time I read another chapter. I can really see the resemblance of our work as photographers to her work, and how we can make our work better. Lamott is right on target when she explains how our understanding of characters grows with each time we see them. But it is how we really pay attention to them and what they do that helps our stories unfold. I need to keep this in mind with every character I photograph for assignments or stories. I must see what it is that interests me that the character shows and I must try to show that in the most truthful way. And one of the most important things I read from this chapter was that you probably won't know your characters until weeks or months after you've started working with them. I feel like photographers must keep this in mind, especially us for our 30 day project, because people will unfold who they really are gradually, and it takes time and our patience to figure that out. I also believe that what she says about our relationship building the plot to be very true. It is our relationship that affects the character and how they unfold their true self.

Oh my goodness, I just realized I was supposed to post about the reading we did for Monday. I just have to say that I love this book by Lamott. I feel like every time I read a chapter, I learn more about how to make my photography better. In the chapters School Lunches and Polaroids, I learned a bit more about just letting your mind wander about subjects and to see what comes up throughout your thinking process. Sometimes we focus too much on the main ideas of subjects that we miss little parts or ideas that may come up. I really like how Lamott compares writing to a polaroid. I think it is a great way to look at picture stories develop. I believe we, too, must realize that our stories may change based on various things that come up and keep our eyes and ears open for new possibilities that can make our story grow in any direction. I think it is when we have that mindset that our stories can be stronger.

While I was reading Chapter 1 in Langton's book, I found myself getting bored because I have already learned a majority of these things in History of Photojournalism. I actually really enjoyed that class and took a lot from it, but reading through it again in this book just seemed redundant. Although, I think the history of photojournalism is something photojournalists should really know in our industry. I think it defines our processes today and how we got to where we are now.

I found the Chapnick reading very interesting. I really liked reading about famous photographers stories because I find it inspiring. Although I have heard most of these, it is always nice to re-read about these photo essays and how much of an impact photojournalists can have on the world. I was especially inspired by Bill Eppridge's story because of the incredible access he had gotten. I can only hope that in my future I can become aware of such stories and gain access in the way he has. Although, I don't know how comfortable I would be with such a subject. One thing I was happy to see was a list of how the structure of a photographic essay should be. Although we have learned about most of these in school, it is always nice to have something else to look at and tell how how and why it's important that photo essays are structured like that. I plan on using this while figuring out my 30 day story subject and throughout other stories.