Shooting Spot News

Before attending Loyalist College for Photojournalism I'd never heard the term "spot news".

During the first year (in 2nd semester), as part of the News Photography course, I needed to shoot a spot news photo.  The idea was unsettling.  Taking a picture of an accident, breaking news, fire, etc was daunting and I wasn't sure I could do it.  Speaking to the emergency personnel, stopping and shooting while someone is at a low point (or worse) was not something I wanted to do.   I ended up getting a shot of an accident on the 401 from my car (while stopped).  I couldn't even get out the car.  I didn't want to be in the way and felt like I didn't have the right to stop and ask questions.

Shot on 401 EB near Camden East

Shot at a model train show

This year (semester 3) I've gained confidence as a photojournalist.  I started subscribing to a few local twitter feeds that post alerts for accidents, fires, alarms and medical emergencies in my area.  I bought a reflective safety vest that now lives in the truck of my car.  And I've found myself going towards the accidents, instead of just passing or turning away.  I understand the need for the news to be covered and it can be part of my job.  I've been lucky that everything I've covered so far was just property damage and no lives were lost, but I know that will come.  Don't know how I'll deal with that but I'm going to keep trying to cover my community news, no matter the scene.

HWY38 - First photoj on scene - freelanced image to Kingston Whig Standard

HWY38 - First photoj on scene - freelanced image to Kingston Whig Standard

Small house fire in west end of Kingston - Was the only photoj on scene

First photoj on scene - freelanced image to Kingston Whig Standard

First photoj on scene - freelanced image to Kingston Whig Standard

The Governor General of Canada's Visit to Kingston

I got the opportunity to photography the Governor General during his visit to Kingston last weekend (Sat, Oct 13, 2012).  It was very surreal but I found myself hanging back.  I ended up using this event for my Shooting Your Weakness assignment at school.  I need to be able to just get in there, not hang back and possibly miss a great shot.

Sense of Belonging

Our first big documentary project this semester was "Sense of Belonging".  We needed to find and shoot five individual subjects who belong to the same group.  Then we were to ask each of them a questions.

After some unsuccessful attempts I went to the RMC 1st year Obstacle course and followed one team of first year officer cadets (9 Squadron Warriors) through the course.  I was amazed at the strength, commitment and teamwork it took to just keep going. 

My questions to them was: How did you feel when the entire obstacle course was done?

-->

KINGSTON, Ont. (28/09/2012) – First-year RMC Officer Cadet Sarah Kelly, 20, 9 Squadron.   "When the entire obstacle course was finished I felt so happy and accomplished. I never would have been able to finish something like that without the tough workouts from our staff and support of Warrior Flight."  Photo by Julia McKay

-->

KINGSTON, Ont. (28/09/2012) -- First-year RMC Officer Cadet Cody Pogue, 23, 9 Squadron.   "All my exhaustion just kind of disappeared when the obstacle course ended because I was so exhausted and proud of our flight for finishing.  It just felt great to know that fyop was over and that we had made it through as a team."   Photo by Julia McKay

-->

KINGSTON, Ont. (28/09/2012) -- First-year RMC Officer Cadet Matthias Bowles, 20, 9 Squadron.  “After we finished the obstacle course, it took a little while for the adrenaline to settle down. You still have that rush going on, and so it was hard to relax. But once it did, oh man! I just wanted to sit down and laugh." Photo by Julia McKay

-->

KINGSTON, Ont. (28/09/2012) -- First-year RMC Officer Cadet Kyra Smith, 19, 9 Squadron.   "When I realized we had finished our last obstacle, I got a burst of energy. Even after pushing through all those obstacles, the sprint back to the bell was the easiest. There was so much morale in the air, my team was all smiles, everyone hugging each other."  Photo by Julia McKay

-->

KINGSTON, Ont. (28/09/2012) -- First-year RMC Officer Cadet Illia Poplawski, 18, 9 Squadron.   "When the obstacle course was over I felt amazing and had one of the best feelings of accomplishment I have ever had in my life because 2 months ago I would have never been able to finish the course.  The fact that we got everyone in our flight through it made the experience so much more rewarding."  Photo by Julia McKay

Hard work pays off

After two weeks of hard work, tons of shooting and little sleep, I'm seeing the payoff:

Frontenac This Week - Public Works Open House

Kingston This Week - ChiliFest

Kingston This Week - Diamond Jubilee Garden Party

My Orange Weekend

My weekend seemed to take on the theme of orange.  From RMC 9-Squardon warriors to South Frontenac works to Kingston Chillifest, if I wanted to shoot them they were wearing orange.

Friday

9 Squadron first year cadets competing in the obstacle course

Saturday

South Frontenac Public Works

Hospice Kingston ChiliFest Volunteer

My Pioneer Shift

With the help of my amazing co-editor, Evan, we got a 3 page edition of the Pioneer out Wednesday.  Four stories and a photo page.

The Pioneer - October 3rd edition

Three sports in two days

This weekend I had a goal.  To shoot sports and lots of it.

I had an assignment due Sunday at 6pm.  I needed to submit my best Sports Action shot.  It had to be a competitive game (no exhibitions) and a competitive league (no campus rec).  The picture had to include at least one member from each team at peak action.  AND it must be shot between Sept 17th and 23rd.

So I shot:
Friday - OHL hockey (Kingston Frontenac vs Barrie Colts)
Saturday - OCAA Women's Rugby (Loyalist Lancers vs SLC Vikings)
Saturday - OCAA Men's Rugby (Trent Excalibur vs SLC Vikings)
Sunday - OUA Men's Baseball (U of T Blues vs Queens Gaels)

I was lucky enough to borrow a lens from school (Nikon 300mm f2.8) and rent another from Headshots through Henrys (70-200mm f2.8).  Boy did I look ready for the part.

Things I learned:
1 - Get there early (which I already knew but overslept).  Others will take advantage of your loss (and get the last media pass).

2 - When in doubt, ask.  I'd never even seen a rugby game before so I didn't even know where to point my considerable lens.  Luckily, some fellow photoj's and fans were nice enough to give me the run down of the basics.

3 - If the rhythm of the game is too fast - move up and/or back.  A bit of distance will help slow things down.  Watching the women's rugby game certainly helped me with trying to shoot the faster paced men's game.

4 - Lots of gear means you're gonna get tired of carrying it.  Next time I might just use the 70-200. 

5 - You won't melt in the rain.  Be prepared for changes in the weather by dressing in layers, bring plastic to cover the lens, a towel to help keep it dry and a sense of humour cause you might end up looking like a drowned rat.

6 - Stay with the action but keep moving.  When the whistle blows it doesn't mean the action has stopped.  Try different angles (near the ground, from the top of the bleachers, at the side, from the endzone, etc).  One of the things they teach us is to own your frame.  It's hard in sports because the action is fast but practice will help fine tune your reflexes.

7 - HAVE FUN!!!!!!  It will show in your work.

Fruits of my labour: