STORIES ARE ALL AROUND, OFTEN RIGHT BEFORE OUR VERY EYES.
This lesson is based on two principles:
1) A lot of Journalism begins “in the mind” or, put differently, in the eye of the beholder, in this case yours as a reporter and/or photojournalist. How you think about an object, situation or event can often be the basis for a good story.
It’s all in how you think about it.
2) Things or people in plain view and which, at first, seem commonplace often have a story behind them. Your “Journalist’s radar” needs to be on alert as much as possible when you are out and about — or just thinking at home — and something that sparks your interest and curiousity might be worth a second look or second thought.
As adults or students we walk or drive by potential stories everyday. We miss them because we are not seeing them ‘differently’ or as something ordinary which is actually out of the ordinary once you dig into the details that tell people ‘what they didn’t see’ or think about before you crafted your story.
Here is one such example in front of The Veteran’s Memorial Building on 2203 Central Avenue in Alameda. The structure is currently home to The American Legion Post 9, and serves as a Recreation Center.
Driving by one day, having passed the converted postal letter drop box hundreds of times, the color scheme finally caught my eye.
The “Ahah!” moment struck and I realized there was a story to it, as well as the prospect of this lesson for developing journalists.
That said, the question is how did it take me so long to finally see the box for something more than it was in the many times I drove, rode or walked by?
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** NOTE: If you are taking this lesson for purposes of becoming a “CCC” for ANN, please add the work to your portfolio. Be sure to provide the lesson number.
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1. Examine the two photos, taken at moderately different angles. How does each of them convey a different visual message to the viewer? Which elements does one accentuate or emphasize over the other.? What are the imperfections of each from a framing standpoint, especially number 0559? How might you shoot them better than I did?
2. Write a photo caption and photo header (photo headline) for each or that could work for both.
3.What is the major “photo flaw” in the “high angle” shot that depicts 3 flags on the box’s plateau? (think framing; aka ‘read the perimeters of your view finder/phone screen)
4. What do you find noteworthy or curious about the fact that the three flags on the box are in plain view ? How does their presence add to the meaning of the photos?
5. Go and take some shots of your own that are better than these two samples (optional but recommended)
6. Based on prior learning from this course, List the angles (especially human interest angles) questions and sources you would use if you were to write a feature story or create a photo essay or video product.
7. View the video and take notes as a ‘wrap up/overview’ of the prospective story. Take notes.
8. Assume you were doing this as a video product. Provide a “location and shot” script that includes 3-5 different SHOT SETS
Ie. “SHOT ONE: A slow zoom-in shot of box at moderate distance, moving closer until box fills the frame, accentuating the flags on the landing; move to high angle tilt accentuating the “Flags Only” sign at top of screen with flags at bottom screen; CUT.
Compose Narration to provide context, setting and human interest angles as follows: “————“
Approximate Time of shot (10- 15 seconds) “
Include individuals (generic or actual) who would be sources for such a work for a given Shot set as needed.
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IMPORTANT INSTRUCTION NOTE: PLEASE DON’T DO THIS STORY!
It is tempting to have you actually build a story around the flag collection box, but we don’t want to flood the Vet Center/Legion post members with scores of repetitive inquiries.
A small number of students enrolled in the ANN “CCC” program may be asked to do the story at a later date, to showcase their work. But please wait until asked.