Photo Journalism Blog

Action Photo

2009-11-20T08:02:00.000-08:00

In Corvallis the action is on weekend nights. By just walking down the street at night you can run in to many interesting things to photograph. In this photo, Oregon State junior Carl Rupp is caught in the thick of the action as he shows off his "pong" skills. When asked to offer up any advice on the game the the wise junior says, "it's just like a free throw in basketball, you have to really focus on the shot and use the same technique every time.

Photo Critique

2009-11-18T08:19:00.000-08:00

While searching the LIFE photo archives I came across this interesting photo taken during the training for the Apollo 7 mission. I like this photo because the photographer was able to catch the astronauts with a look of authentic emotion in their faces. I also like how all of their faces are positioned in the photo, they aren't lined up all together. I think that also helps to make this photo look like it's taken during the action and not taken as a set-up portrait. The guy on the far left is one thing I don't like about this photo. His face is not seen as well as the other faces and it also looks like he is moving.

My Neighborhood Project

2009-11-06T08:13:00.000-08:00

I live on 9th street in Corvallis. My house is the last house down the street before it becomes all businesses so we don't really have very many true neighbors. I haven't lived here too long but i have gotten that the feel of my neighborhood is one of transactions and invoices, so for my neighborhood project I wanted to really show the uniqueness of the place that I live in by capturing that.

Cafe Convenient

2009-11-06T08:12:00.000-08:00

Waking up to a warm cup of coffee is no problem for me, there is a coffee shop less than one hundred yards away! Shown here in this portrait Kelly Bacher of Corvallis adds "a little cream to the bean."

Late Night Delight

2009-11-06T08:02:00.001-08:00

As funny as it might sound, Shari's is a local land mark around here. College students from all around flock to this restaurant in the inebriated masses. Known for there 24 hour policy it is quite common for the diner to see more business after the sun goes down then when it is coming up. They even have special rules to accommodate the late night masses safely and effectively.

Some Things Never Change

2009-11-06T07:46:00.001-08:00

Sharon Johnson of Corvallis is caught here doing her laundry at the next door laundry mat. " I have done my share of laundry," she joked. Sharon is 85 years old and will hopefully have many more enjoyable years of laundry to come.

Photo Critique 6

2009-11-04T08:08:00.000-08:00

I found this photo on topleftpixle.com. I really like the picture taken of this photographer, it's cool that the person taking the picture is getting some attention for once. Another thing I like about this photo are the fountains in the background. They provide lighting for pretty much the whole photo and make for an awesome display in the background, they also silhouette the image of the photographer. I think the silhouette of the photographer is probably the coolest thing about this photo. The way he is sitting makes him look kind of like a statue. This picture could be considered a portrait almost, but the person who took this photo also had to account for the fountains and take the picture when they were on. One thing I think that would make this picture better would to have the photographer's subject in the picture also.

Photo Critique 5

2009-11-04T07:52:00.000-08:00

I found this picture on Google image search. I really like this action photo. It has perfect timing, the ball is at her eye level and she is just about to hit it. The player also has a look of concentration on her face that tells that she is focused to make contact. Another thing I like about this photo is the lighting. It has really good lighting for an action shot, her face is fully visible, and there aren't any wierd shadows being cast on her. The last thing I like about this photo is the photographer was able to make this shot only about the player; there is nothing going on in the background bringing the viewer's full attention on her.

Photo Critique #4

2009-10-28T14:16:00.000-07:00

I found this picture on Amazon.com being sold as a poster. If it's big enough to print out 24" X 36," then it must be a good photo. One thing I like about this picture is the lighting and the shadows. It really silhouettes the two band members making them stand out. I believe that the creator of this picture changed the grey scale for the best. Another thing I like is the precise timing the picture was taken at. It really is an awesome moment. The fog was another cool thing that I think makes the picture that much better.

Mug Shot

2009-10-23T08:01:00.001-07:00

Taken in the depths of Gill Coliseum where Volleyball Team Manager Brendan Brucker shows off just how serious and intense he is about his job. When asked about the venue he works at he explains, " A lot of people come here to have fun, watch a show, and get there game face on in support of the team. When I walk in here I have to be able to get a very different game face on and go to work."

Enviornmental Portrait

2009-10-23T07:42:00.001-07:00

Oregon State Volleyball Team Manager Brendan Brucker has a lot of responsibilities to juggle while on the job. Gill Coliseum serves as a second home to him as the Volleyball team practices year round.

Photo Critique #3

2009-10-21T10:06:00.001-07:00

I found this picture searching the LIFE image base on Google. I like this picture because it is of one of my favorite Blazer players but there is a lot of other things I like about this photo as well. I love the intensity of the moment that the photographer was able to capture here, both players are looking up anticipating the rebound. Another thing I like about this photo is the way the light falls on the players. It keeps the focus on them and really brings the attention to the player's faces and arms. It's cool how the light enhances the intensity by highlighting the players flexing muscles. In my opinion the only way to make this photo better would be to make it sharper, however, this picture was taken in the 1970's so the camera technology wasn't as good.

The Sultan of Song (Photo Critique2)

2009-10-14T10:04:00.000-07:00

I chose this picture I found on Kalamu.com because this week our focus in class has been portrait and mug shots. I like this mug shot not only because it's of one of my favorite guitar players, but I like it because the picture actually accurately portraits how cool of a cat Hendrix really was. I love the use of the guitar as a prop because that shows what he was all about, his hand is on it ready to play. Another thing I like is the depth of the guitar. Hendrix's face is in the front of the picture remains the focal point while the guitar is present in the background. I also like the guitar strap prop. It is wrapped around Hendrix and acts as a symbol. Like the guitar is a part of him and is attached to him. Overall I think this is a really good picture. It is a mugshot but it tells a lot about the subject of the picture as well.

Halloween in Full Swing

2009-10-11T21:36:00.000-07:00

Jared Wheeler of Corvallis tries on a potential Halloween costume at the SPIRIT store. SPIRIT is located on Circle St. in Corvallis. 10-8-09

Photo Critique

2009-10-07T09:08:00.000-07:00

This is a photo by Allan Grant that I found at Google Images. I really like this photo because it is taken during an intense moment of action. I think it is cropped just right focusing just on the surfer and the wave he is riding. One thing that could make this photo better would be to add color to it. It would help to make the photo more dramatic and it would make the natural elements of the photo stand out more. However, this photo was taken in the 60's so maybe they didn't have the technology back then. It would be fun to mess around with this photo in photoshop to try and make it sharper and maybe add color.

2009-10-02T09:54:00.000-07:00

2009-10-02T09:53:00.000-07:00

Why I'm Taking Photo Journalism

2009-10-02T09:22:00.000-07:00

Journalism has always been a career field that I have been interested in. Writing a news story is something that I think I can do well and I like the idea of going and getting a picture to add to your story. I also like the process of getting a good picture. I think of it like a treasure hunt. When you go out with your camera you never know what kinds of things your are going to record.