Final project: Wood Lane Industries

This is the final project our group did. We took pictures of our visit to Wood Lane Industries and one of the residents' home. The audio interview and music were incorporated with the sound slides from our group visit. Enjoy!

Our team photo story on Wood Lane Industries

Nancy Douglas hugs one of the residents at Wood Lane Industries (PHO245 photos by Nicole Green).

   My final project was to help construct a photo story documenting the lives of individuals with special needs at home and work. Our photojournalism class visited Wood Lane in Bowling Green, Ohio.  I was responsible for recording the interview with the coordinator Linda Brownell, who explained Wood Lane Industries does.

Jessie Rynn works on her story at Wood Lane. (PHO245 Photo by Nicole Green)

   We were split into two teams. The first group had the opportunity to photograph the residents living in one of the group homes provided by Wood Lane. There they took pictures of everyday living, such as cooking, cleaning and leisure home activities. Yusta and I were in the other group and had a chance to tour Wood Lane Industries, where some of the residents there worked doing piece work, like sorting and counting, while others were connected with day rehabilitation activities and other programs.

   I really enjoyed going through the facility and meeting the residents who worked there. The majority of the workers were really nice about us being there and taking such candid pictures of them in close proximity. You can tell how much passion and dedication they have in the work by the smiles on their faces. The staff was friendly and patient, too. Overall, I wished we had all day to visit and connect with the residents and staff.

   Afterward, each of us collaborated in putting together the assigned parts of the photo story. Damien was in charge of the beginning and ending slides. Parth and Yusta were ahead of the arrangement on all the edited pictures and making sure the captions provided were accurate. And I had the audio where I layered the interview with music to go along with the slides, with help.

   It was a fantastic semester and I enjoyed learning about the elements of photojournalism. I would like to thank Linda Brownell for letting us document the lives and work of the residents at Wood Lane. I hope we told their story in the purest form possible.

Tammy Green works at Wood Lane Industries doing piece work.

   I would also like to my classmates Damien, Parth, and Yusta for working so hard on the making of this project. I know at times we all tried each others patience, but eventually we sorted out any difficulties with communication.

   I would also like thank TJ for helping me with the audio and music. Lastly, I would like a special thanks to my instructor Lori King for teaching me the basic fundamentals of photojournalism and what it takes to become a good photographer and an even better writer.

Learning to develop a quick eye in sports photography

Owens Express women's basketball team surrounds coach Michael Llana during a timeout against Lake Michigan in the final NJCAA D-II tournament at Owens Community College on Saturday, November, 16. (PHO245 Photo by Nicole Green)

Alyssa Lassey 22 from Owens Express fumbles the ball while Eboni Adams, 11 tries to regain possession during the NJCAA Division 2 Women's Basketball game against Lake Michigan at Owens Community College. The Owens Express wins 74-71 against the Red Hawks on Saturday, November, 16. (PHO245 Photo by Nicole Green)

   This past week in photojournalism class, we were taught how to shoot a sports feature. As part of my assignment we were to attend any sporting event and cover it. I attended my first ever college women's basketball game played at Owens Community College. The Owens Express faced off in the tournament against Lake Michigan's Red Hawks this past Saturday

 There were a few problems while shooting an action sports game. First was the lighting in the building. There were some spots that were very well lit and I had really good correct exposure photos. Some of the pictures I took of people in the stands had bad lighting which came out underexposed and a  little dark. The other pictures that had dark lighting I figured out by bumping my f-stop up would give me more light to play with.
   The second reoccurring problem was my ability to focus on the subjects while in action. I had a lot of really good shots, but when the picture is amplified it had a lot of fuzz making the picture not acceptable to use.

   I had a lot of fun shooting the fans, the coaches’ reactions, and the intense action shots of each member of the teams during the game on court. Even though I enjoyed myself, I was overwhelmed with everything that was happening during the game. I had a very hard time trying to multitask every moment I captured in picture, while still trying to be aware of what was going on everywhere else in the field house during the game.

   Overall this was a good experience for me to learn on what not to do on capturing photos during live action sporting events. 

A fan shows her support during the women's basketball game between Owens Express and Lake Michigan held at Owens Community College.

The difference between portrait and candid photography

Ray Woods poses with the drum set in Jazz Expression music class at Owens Community College. (PHO245 Photo by Nicole Green)

   During portraits week, I was to find someone interesting within my beat and photograph them in their natural environment. I also needed a head shot on each of the subjects I photographed. I decided to visit a few music classes at Owens Community College for inspiration on this assignment. 

Zach Music

   The biggest obstacle I had to overcome was realizing portrait photography is much different than capturing candid photography. While both are used in photojournalism, shooting portraits of people can become somewhat difficult. It makes the photographer connect directly with the subject. Usually most photojournalist shoots a natural event or an interesting feature. With portraits you have to communicate with you subject and make them feel comfortable to get the perfect picture the subject exudes.
   Another minor obstacle was the position of lighting in the room. Since some of the instruments were to big and not portable, I was not able to move my subject under the light so there wouldn't be shadow and dark spots in the face and background. Instead, I had to work around the situation and have my subjects stand under the light using the capabilities my camera had along with basic knowledge I required in this photojournalism class.

   I want to thank Mr. Eric Wallack and the students in the Pop Music Ensemble class at Owens for granting me access into the classroom and helping me participating in this assignment. I also, want to thank the Jazz Ensemble music class at Owens for letting me come into their familiar territory as well.

Photography within featured photos

Photos by Nicole Green
 As a requirement for my photojournalism class I'm currently taking this semester, the instructor encouraged me to choose a beat. We are to find interesting people, and then write about them and shoot photographs. 
   This past week I learned about feature photography. It is the fun, goofy and interesting side of photojournalism, which sometimes offers timelessness in the photos. Feature photography brings enjoyment to readers because they can identify with it. These types of featured photos can also happen unexpectedly.
   I went through the halls of Owens Community College, with permission from the lab manager David Cantor and photographed students processing their black and white negatives in the photography lab. I had a lot of fun going around the lab and taking pictures of other students learning about imagery aspects of black and white photography.
   I would like to thank the photography lab manager Mr. Cantor and the photography students at the lab for their time and patience with me doing this assignment.
   If I ever run out of ideas or need more inspiration, I can always consider the tips given to find good a feature in Photojournalism:The Professionals' Approach.

(Above: Student Sonia Rollins is being counseled by her instructor Tina Gionis on which negative would be a good black and white print from her contact sheet. Left: Ben Nassif exits out of Owens' dark room with some of his black and white images he developed).

  

  

Learning design elements in photography

A chalk quote on the steps at the Toledo Botanical Gardens on Saturday. This photo is to show a perspective image with the element of light: shaded and sunny conditions. (PHO245 photos by Nicole Green)

A plethora of pumpkins bargain priced at Sadowski's Produce in Swanton, Ohio on Saturday. This shows the element on the rule of thirds.

   This week in photojournalism class I learned the different elements in an image while maintaining the foundations of design in a photo. In all pictures there are composition rules photographers must abide by such as a extreme perspective, quality of light, depth of field and rule of thirds to make a good quality photograph.

   There are also single elements to take into consideration while capturing an image. For instance: What is the point of entry demonstrated in a photo that draws the viewer to an image? What sense of place or setting is the photograph in? And, what type of mood does a photo convey to make an emotional impact on the view?

Photo taken at the Toledo Botanical Gardens.

   I tried different locations around the vicinity of Toledo to get a fresh perspective of potential photo shots, that I could take to show just what I learned in my photojournalism assignment.While one particular day had good weather, the other day was kind of cloudy. I had a lot of fun shooting on location. And, I'm beginning to feel more comfortable with my camera.
   Even though I haven't had my light bulb moment-yet- with this whole photojournalism niche, I recognize I can take unique pictures despite any negative drawbacks or bad weather.

The process of caption writing

   This week in photojournalism class my latest assignment was on caption writing. For me, the photo is the first thing I notice when reading an article/story. Captions set an overall impression on photographs featured in articles. Here are the major components of writing captions:

• Captions should include the 5 W's: what, who, where, when and why of a picture
• If the photo is vague, in some cases, how is applied to complete it.
• Every caption needs to be concise, accurate and at least 2 full sentences
• Captions should always be written in present tense
• Well written captions will amplify the explanation of a photo without an audience knowing or reading an article beforehand

   Without captions the reader will not know the full information about the photograph taken. This can confuse the reader's misinterpretation of the picture; making them disinterested in the article altogether. Since photojournalists strive for truth, misrepresentation on a picture is something they try to avoid.

Photography using camera cell phones

   When I first took Digital 1 Photography at Owens last semester, I knew nothing about operating a DSLR camera.
   Throughout the course I learned all about the basic fundamentals of photography and the camera. Now, I'm in a photojournalism class, and my first shooting assignment is cell phone photography.
   To get a good picture I always have to consider proper lighting. This is the most important element in photography, including cell phone cameras. Some cell phone, like mine, are not equipped with high resolution capabilities. Many of my photos are dark and grainy. I have to keep in mind that light is essential and should be utilized to make my pictures stand out.

First camera photo taken in lobby of F&PA Center. (PHO 245/Nicole Green)

   There are two types of light used in camera cell phones. The first is natural light known as daylight. I have to remember to incorporate natural sunlight in my photos to make my images feel authentic. The other is artificial light such as indoor florescent lighting, flashlights or other sources of light.  Both of these alternatives to using light are beneficial in cell phone photography. 
   Knowing what type of light to use in the appropriate settings is all part of the learning process on how to take a well lit photograph using a cell phone.

My thoughts on the First Amendment

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


   It is comforting to know the government doesn’t have the control or power to stifle U.S. citizen’s rights. I am glad I can practice any religion I believe in, voice any opinion, hold any type of peaceful protest, and write and publish any works legally done without any restrictions.
   It is no wonder so many people want come to America to embrace true democracy and be given such an opportunity to practice these rights. The First Amendment is what makes our great nation stand out. Without it, media, like journalism and photojournalism, wouldn’t have the ability to print or photograph truth to the people.

My life so far in a nutshell

   As a child I read poetry, short stories and watched the news. Since career day, when I was in 6th grade, I knew I wanted to be in the field of journalism. I took a few photography classes in high school in hopes of working on the newspaper or yearbook staff; nothing became of it. 
   In 2008 I enrolled at Owens Community College in journalism. I’m glad I took digital 1 photography because it reignited an interest I had years ago. Now that I’m graduating this December with an associate's, I’m considering being a photojournalist. My dream job would be to travel the world writing my experiences on the pictures I take. 
   I always live by this lyric motto: Feet on ground, heart in hand, facing forward, be yourself!-Jann Arden "Good Mother"

My first post

Hello cyber land!