Multimedia slideshow: Family Kocktail
For advanced techniques, we’re supposed to find a slideshow we like or think could be better. I thought about using this story for the EPJ multimedia critique a few weeks ago, but used the Post’s “Scene In” series instead.
I really enjoyed her story. Take a look.
Chouteau Grotto
I headed out Saturday morning to attempt the fill portion of the fill and balancing flash advanced assignment. I first went to Rock Bridge High School, but no one out and about. I then thought about following some tailgaters, but got frustrated with traffic before getting to the major tailgating areas. I turned off the road into Capen Park, and I’m glad I did. I found members of the Chouteau Grotto spelunking club. They were preparing for an up-coming dive by practicing on the rock face at Capen Park. I really enjoyed following them for about an hour and a half in the warm sunny weather. It was over 70 degrees, at 11 am, in November!
Over the summer, I had come here to take photos but had run afoul of strong shadows. The subjects’ faces disappeared in the shadows. I looked at this shoot as an opportunity to rectify my previous efforts. Inspired by Joe McNally’s recent visit, I used the flash wirelessly, instead of using a cable. I think I did much better this time, thanks to the flash. This first photo is my select for the advanced class. The others are part of my set.
Kirsten Alvey, Zhenyu Wang, BJ Sidell, Matthew Hodges, and Derek Carson (left to right) watch as Jay Dolph demonstrates safety procedures before rappelling a cliff at Capen Park on November 7, 2009. Members of the Chouteau Grotto were preparing for an up-coming trip to help conservation departments count bats and cave-dwelling salamanders in Pulaski County, Missouri.
Behind the Scenes: Joe McNally
We had a different form of advanced techniques class today. Joe McNally came and we watched as he worked with 3 ballerinas from Stephens College. It was pretty interesting watching him work. We got to see a master at work, and the dancers got free portraits. Not a bad deal. Here are a few photos from behind the scenes.
Kirstie McDermott in mid-air.
The setup. Strobe in the balcony, controlled by an on-camera flash.
Multimedia critique: Scene In
I’m back to the Washington Post for our second multimedia critique. I actually stumbled upon the “Scene In” section and fell in love with it halfway through the first video. Alexandra Garcia is the main force behind the series, which shows fashions in different parts of Washington D.C., and what the owners think their fashions say about them.
I found the navigation to be pretty self-explanatory with a plethora of options. The video window is on the left side of the screen, with the accompanying information and navigation to the right. The information explains the series, supplies contact information, and provides a map showing where episodes have taken place. The map is clickable, providing yet another navigation option. At the bottom of the right side, there is a list of the episodes, beginning with the most recent. A tab at the very bottom brings up a list of all the episodes. On the left and right sides of the videos are arrows that lead to the previous and next episodes, respectively. There is also a constant link to “get these looks,” which could be a form of interactivity. The viewer can find information to eventually participate in the project’s experience. Underneath the video window is a link to the comments section, which turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Read more…
City Lights Show Choir
With 7 days remaining until we were supposed to turn in our first take of the single flash assignment, I was starting to panic. It was a rainy ugly day, so I looked for an indoors event to shoot. I found a volleyball game at Rock Bridge High School and decided to wait until the start of the varsity game. In the meantime, I was walking around when I heard singing coming from down a hall. I headed down then and found the City Lights Show Choir about to start rehearsal. I debated between shooting the volleyball game and the choir practice at the same time, running from one to the other, but choir won out.
The previous post contained the two relevant photos for the assignment. This is the set.
During a rehearsal break, senior Caroline Sovick, left, watches as junior Hannah Overfelt dances.
Mike Pierson directs the City Lights Show Choir during rehearsal October 13, 2009.
Single Flash Assignment
During a rehearsal break for Rock Bridge High School's City Lights Show Choir, senior Jackie Montano, left, and junior Hannah Overfelt listen to director Mike Pierson on Tuesday, October 13, 2009. The group was preparing for an intense weekend of choreography instruction.
Multimedia project critique
"Hard Times" by Travis Fox
I reviewed the Washington Post’s “Hard Times” series by Travis Fox. The project looks at “how Americans are coping with the economic downturn, and how it may influence their vote” in the 2008 presidential election. Read more…
An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
Playing with the phrase “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” I turned the stethoscope into a rattlesnake, stalking the apple as its prey. The photo is also an expression of my uneasy history with doctors. I put two modeling wires through the rubber part of the stethoscope to give it strength to maintain its shape. I feel this layout best displays my theme with the smallest amount of empty background space. The photo was taken in the MU photo studio on October 11, 2009, with Eve Edelheit assisting. Read more…
Photographer Portfolio Critique
Opening page, JohnIsaac.com
I chose to look at John Isaac’s webpage. The photo above shows the opening page, which contains a small sample of his work. The opening page also shows his name and title. I felt the content was fine, clearly showing ownership, but had trouble with the navigation. Rolling over the center image brightens it and reveals the word “enter.” The first time I visited the site, I instinctively rolled over the more solid version of his name looking for a way to enter the site. The current method doesn’t feel intuitive to me. I figured that to enter a person’s site, I should click on his name. I did not assume the center image was the entrance link. Perhaps the site could show the word “enter” without requiring a rollover. Read more…
