Learning lighting on my Feature photo hunt

To find an event was a tad difficult for me to shoot this time. I caught the tail end of the Art Achievement Awards so my chance for good photo ops was limited. The only thing left to photo graph when I go there were people talking in big groups so I decided to photograph the people working the event (Camera people, photographers, DJs) . I took pictures of them tearing down and putting away the equipment. I had some problems with lighting on my camera at the time. I was trying to use a wide depth of field but also capture any motion. Because my fstop and shutter speed were turned up my ISO was at the highest setting so many of my pictures came out with a lot of noise.

I decided to post a couple extra pictures from my enterprise photo experience because it made for more interesting pictures. I walked along Wayne State’s campus for a couple hours before I walked into the art building and found what I was looking for. I walked into a ceramics class where the students were working on Still life projects. Even though these projects seemed to be in their beginning stages the work was still enjoyable to shoot.

Jena Arslamn, a Wayne State student, works on her still life project for her ceramics class. (Photos by Gabriela Aguirre)

Another Wayne State student, Tiara Hill works on her ceramic still life. 

David Romas, the DJ for the Arts Achievement Awards, shuts down his gear as the awards come to a close. 

Camera woman, Lanise Pannell tearing down the camera equipment from the event. 

Camera man, Chris Scalice tears down his equipment.  

Camera Controls 2

On adventures we go. It's a dreary, cold February afternoon in Michigan. The Sun goes down by 5:30 and we struggle to get every shot we need before dark. Well, I struggle. I struggle with getting just the right settings using my ISO, Shutter Speed and Aperture to adjust to the changing light conditions. The secret is to set your ISO and then set either your shutter speed or fstop. Meter off of something grey to set the other setting and voila! Ready? Set? Shoot!

SHALLOW DEPTH OF FIELD                                                                                   ISO 1600, Aperture 3.5, Shutter 1/500

WIDE DEPTH OF FIELD                                                                                                 ISO 3200, Aperture 13, Shutter 1/20

SILHOUETTE                                                                                                                 ISO 6400, Aperture 5.0, Shutter 1/800

STOPPED ACTION                                                                                                        ISO 400, Aperture 3.5, Shutter 1/500

BLURRED ACTION                                                                                                         ISO 1600, Aperture 8.0 Shutter 1/25

PANNED ACTION                                                                                                             ISO 1600, Aperture 13, Shutter 1/60

EXTREME PERSPECTIVE                                                                                            ISO 800, Aperture 3.5, Shutter 1/500

RULE OF THIRDS                                                                                                            ISO 800, Aperture 3.5 Shutter 1/800

REFLECTION SHOT                                                                                                         ISO 800, Aperture 13, Shutter 1/40

EXTREME LIGHTING                                                                                                         ISO 800, Aperture 13, Shutter 1/40

The First Amendment: My Cave Painting

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 of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."  



Throughout the entire evolution of human existence, one aspect of life has always remained in our nature. Story telling. Early peoples did this through cave paintings, whereas our generation now has media and its various outlets which greatly expanded the universe of storytelling.  Story telling through cave painting was important to not only pass on the history of the cave men and women but also to leave a mark on the world, however insignificant, and say "I was here."

The First Amendment allows our generation to leave our mark in this way as well by protecting the rights each person has to free speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition.  "Sometimes it's just adding one voice to many voices or sometimes, it's blazing a trail." As a collegiate photojournalism student it is my right to show truth and expression through the art of photography, leaving a modern day cave painting on the world.



On my way!

It wasn't until this summer that I realized I loved anything about the journalism field. I always hated writing essays and papers and completely dreaded sitting through English classes. I started off my college career in nursing because I felt as though I could secure a job easily after graduation (like many incoming college students do). It wasn't until a year ago that I realized I had no passion for nursing or the sciences whatsoever. Therefore,  I opted for something that sounded interesting.

I shadowed at a TV station (WoodTV 8) in Grand Rapids as my final project for my first ever Communication class (besides speech classes). WoodTV 8 changed my whole perspective on the communication field. Never thinking I would actually get the gig, I applied for an internship and sat through an interview before my shadowing day was over. Less than two weeks later I was the new intern for the department of community affairs. I had the time of my life. I went on shoots, wrote web stories, took pictures, made photo galleries for the website, worked the weekly Maranda Park Parties, and even started my demo reel.

I don't know where the field of Broadcast Journalism will take me (reporting, production, etc.) but I found what I am passionate about and that's a good start in my opinion!