Photo captions and why they are important

  Photo captions and AP style is something very new for me,but also something that is important that I should know and be able to learnand understand. Every photo caption should include the 5 w’s and the h- who,what, where, when, why and how. It is important to include these and make surethey are correct because as a reader one of the first things you look at is thephoto. The caption can be what determines if you’re interested in reading thatstory or not. Another reason captions should be accurate and concise is becausesomething as little as how to spell a name the right way should always treatedas being important not only to the reader but also the subject you arephotographing. The caption information should also be the same as theinformation used inside the story.

   I think photocaptions can be a little difficult when it comes to the style used, but gettingthem right and accurate is something that needs to be done and done correctly.I hope I will continue to learn to make them perfect.

What is the First Amendment and why do you need it?

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, of prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

            The First Amendment is, I believe, as an American, one of thee most important things we are given. As a college student in photojournalism I see this as being even more of an importance. Students should be aware of their rights the constitution gives them and what is legally allowed as a journalist.

            It is also important however for a journalism student to know the difference between law and ethics. For instance just because your legally allowed to report on some scandal doesn’t always mean its ethically right to do. 

Comparing applications on cell phone photography

Cell phone photo taken with Hipstamatic application

Cell phone photo taken with no filter

        I've learned a lot so far about cell phone photography.
       Mostly from the video online from lynda.com by Richard Koci Hernandez. I found these very interesting especially because I have an iPhone and I love fun filters and edits you can do with photos. Applications like Hipstamatic, ProPhoto, and Camera+ are some applications I already have downloaded and used. My favorite being Hipstamatic because it allows the photo look dated, or use very cool effects.
        Smart phones can also give the option of other applications, not just camera ones, but things like Instagram, and Twitpic. These applications will allow you to post a photo to a website from your phone. In the end I learned most that sometimes you should just grab a photo for a news story from your phone, this is necessary sometimes because of timeliness or just availability.
       Above are photographs I decided to take on September 11th of a flag, one with a camera application and one without, just to show the difference a filter and a few edits can do.
      I'm sure I will continue to learn more everyday about cell phone photography, cell phones evolve all the time and I'm finding so do I.

Evolution and history of news and photojournalism

            Some things I picked up and learned from the history chapter (ch.17) in the Photojournalism book is how news has evolved greatly; from the invention of the printing press around 1440’s, to the 1990’s when the Internet wires the planet. With so many harsh stops in between, how news is told, and shown, has become one of thee most timeless things in history.
            Photojournalism has especially gone through a great evolution. The camera reporter of 1877 evolved into the photojournalist of today. What I love learning the most about the evolution of news and how photography and images have been used is the publics reaction. This reaction could be negative or positive, branching from negativity of war photos of death and destruction, to newfound love of celebrities and politicians like the Kennedys.
            Photojournalism no matter how or who views it will always and has always been one of the best tools to tell a story and get your feelings across. It brings meaning to words and opens the eyes of the sheltered.    

My first blog post

Hello all!
   My name is Samantha Ricker and I am a photojournalism student at Owens Community College. This blog will follow along with the photojournalism course and all I will be following this semester. Also follow me on twitter @srickerocc.