Class work-Casarrubias

ISO: 1600
Shutter Speed: 1/60
F-Stop: 5.6

ISO:1600
Shutter Speed: 1/60
F-Stop: 11

Navy Veteran Henry Garcia working at home on accounting for his personal business. Since he is his own boss; he has the flexibility of simply taking his work with him anywhere he goes.   

Classwork_West

Shutter: 1/100

ISO: 400

F-Stop: 5.6 

Shutter: 1/40

F-Stop: 5.6

ISO: 400

Business Marketing Junior Kyle Martin studies for his business test at the courtyard of Brooks City-Base Campus. The courtyard is located in the middle of Brooks and includes tables for students to use.

Classwork_Espino

ISO 800...FStop 3.5...Shutter Speed 1/60

John Amundson, graduate student in counseling and guidance, is setting up for the counseling club's fundraiser Sep. 30 in the welcome center at Brooks. The club is selling assorted flavors of Capri Sun.       

ISO 800...FStop 5...Shutter Speed 1/60 

Luna_classwork

Marketing senior Amanda Mueller is studying for her International Marketing class during a break between classes at a student lounge at Texas A&M-San Antonio on Brooks City-Base.

Both photos were shot at 1/60, f stop 5.6 and ISO 800

Homework assinment_Thorpe

 ISO:6400
F-stop:18
Shutter: 1/60

ISO:6400
F-stop:6400
Shutter:1/60

The neighbor kid walking back to school for lunch.

Classtime Sept. 30,

Class time Sept. 30,

I have the Flu, instead of me giving it to Ya’ll I am going to stay home today.

For those of you who were suppose to present, you will do it next week.

I would hate for you to get rusty in shooting so during class time Please photograph and post on the blog one environmental portrait and one mug shot of the same person with a cutline/caption of a complete stranger. Please include all camera data as well.

Keep up with your readings, Thank You, Tricia

Monkey Assignment_De La O

 ISO: 400

Shutter Speed: 1/250

F-Stop: 16

ISO: 400

Shutter Speed: 1/500

F-Stop: 16

What was hardest part about this assignment?

It was just trying to capture the monkey itself. I think that i hesitated and missed some good shots. So the lesson from this assignment was to NOT hesitate. I had trouble with the camera because i did not put on continous shooting, but when i fixed it i finally got my shots. 

Monkey Assignment_Sanchez

Shutter Speed: 1/250

F-stop: 16

Iso: 400

Shutter Speed: 1/500

F-stop: 16

Iso: 400

What I found hard about this assignment?

This assignment was difficult at first when I did not have the right settings to shoot the monkey, while the monkey was flying through the air my lens would not focus on the monkey correctly. 

Also, the way the monkey was thrown was difficult to gauge where I had to point and shoot my lens. 

Once, I got the right settings and the shutter speed was faster, it was easier to focus and shoot the monkey, getting a clear picture.

This assignment was fun and informative, but I feel like I still need some assistance with the different settings when it comes to fast paced movement. 

Monkey Assigment - Casarrubias

ISO: 400
Shutter Speed: 1/500
F-Stop: 16

ISO: 400
Shutter Speed: 1/250
F-Stop: 16

The hardest part of this assignment was that my camera was not shooting. I believe that the fact that my camera is different from everybody's doesn't help much. Once the tree was in the background the camera work.

Monkey_West

ISO: 400

F-Stop: 20

Shutter: 1/250 

ISO: 400

F-Stop: 13

Shutter: 1/500

What was hard about the assignment?

The hard part about this assignment was trying to zoom in and out with a 18-55mm lens. 

Monkey assinment-Thorpe

Shutter Speed:1/250

ISO:400

F-Stop:22

Shutter Speed:1/500

ISO:400

F-Stop:22

The hardest part of this assignment was making sure i got just the monkey and the sky or just the monkey and the tree and just getting a focused picture of all that i was told to get. Just the monkey and the sky was the easiest part but getting the tree and the monkey was hard.

Monkey_Espino

ISO: 400

F-stop: 20

Shutter: 1/500

ISO: 400
F-stop: 20
Shutter: 1/250

The hard part about this assignment was zooming in and out while taking photos. I was worrying about following the monkey as it came down that I was forgetting about getting the monkey into frame.    

MONKEY-JIMENEZ

BLUE SKY

iso 400

f/s 5.6

1/250

MONKEY & TREE

iso 400

f/s 20

1/500

What made this assignment easier, is that I understand the very basics of the f-stop, shutter speed and the iso.

Monkey_Ramirez

Blue Sky and Monkey- 

Shutter-1/250

ISO-400

Fstop-20

Tree and Monkey- 

Shutter-1/500

ISO-400

Fstop-20

I found it hard to focus on the monkey, I kept getting shots of the ground instead of the monkey in the air. 

The Image Deconstructed-Jimenez

Sorry this is late but it completely slipped my mind....I selected this photo because it reminds me of high school.  I attended Lytle High School and for 4 years was the team manager for most of the girls sports, including basketball.  There is no indication of whether or not the girls are competing at a high school level, collegiate, or professionally.  When I look at this photo however I think of high school girls.  I like photos that make you smile, and can inspire you, and that's what this photo does for me.  Being part of a team can be a very special journey.  These girls who obviously won, are overjoyed, but seeing them celebrate I can understand their achievement.  When they began their season they probably had no idea that it would culminate into this victory.  On the other hand the photo also shows the other side of competing, losing.  This photo captures the essense of the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat, which I can tell you being from a small school was as experience I know all too well.  I think the thing that I learned most from this photo, is how much more compelling this photo is made, by capturing the girl on the floor from the losing team.  I also learned that, although it's just one photo, there are so many questions and assumptions that can be made by this still moment.

ShadowAssignment_West

For my shadow assignment, I shadowed Alison Wadley, as she took photos of the banned books in the University Library for Rossi's Banned Books Week advance. As she took photos, she took photos from different angles. I learned that you should always check your camera settings before taking the photos. I also learned to take a few notes for your caption. Who, what, when, where and why.

I was suppose to follow Ashleigh last Thursday, Sept. 12 at the “Latinos Americans” viewing and panel discussion but things came up where she couldn’t attend. I ended up taking photos myself since I was covering the event for The Mesquite.

It’s hard to take photos and try to write down important quotes at the same time. I know the newspaper industry is cutting back and wants “backpack journalist,” but it’s not easy. That’s why I think it’s best to have a recorder on the entire time and when something important is said, to write in your notebook the time on your recorder, so you won’t scramble as you try to take photos, take notes, write down names, and write quotes at the same time during a panel discussion.

While taking photos at the discussion, I wanted to use my flash but knew I didn’t know how to use it well. By the end of this semester, I want to learn how to use my flash and take photos without looking at the screen as many times as I do.

Image Deconstructed_West

Photographer David Surowiecki shot photos of model, Linda Vojtova, for Elle Magazine in Prague. I clicked on this photograph because I'm interested in taking fashion photography. The image screams at the viewer with popping colors and her hair is pretty big as well. The photo shoot took place in New York, where the model actually lives. Before the shoot, Surowiecki got together with the magazine to discuss two photo stories to shoot. I learned in a fashion shoot, direction for a photo comes from the current style, which includes model outfit, hair and makeup.
I also enjoyed looking at the photographer's contact sheet to see what the photographer was seeing. It's awesome knowing every photo came out great. My contact sheets usually contain intervals of blurry photos followed by sharp ones.
"As far as reviewing the photos during a shoot, I almost never shoot tethered to a computer, and more and more, I try not to look at my camera screen too much." Surowiecki said in the
article.
I want to get to that point where I don't have to look at my camera after every photo I take, by knowing which f-stop and shutter speed to use.
Surowiecki said you have to "feel the shot" and be in the "mood" during the photoshoot to
help you know what lighting, location, posing and style to use.
He said shooting an editorial fashion shoot isn't very different from an editorial portrait shoot. The only difference is in fashion shoots, you're trying to tell a story with 10 photos that feel connected and go together.
One day, this will be my job.

Shadowing Assigment - Casarrubias

Shadowing Assigment

For my shadowing assignment I shadowed Senior communication major Ashleigh Gow. The name of the assignment was “Messy Boards”. The report took place at main campus located at One University Way, San Antonio, TX 78224. The purpose for this report was to bring awareness of the need for more welcoming and informative boards. Ashleigh explained to me that the bulletin boards at main campus weren’t enough and the ones that were indeed there were plain and not inviting. As she moved through the hallways she pointed out how there were many signs instead of boards. She also pointed out that the bulletins in the boards did not mentioned that the information could also be found on the school’s website. Ashleigh also stated that if the quality of the boards was better more students would stop and actually read them, especially while waiting for their next class. Lastly she also explained that to make the point clear the bulletin board pictures taken during this assignment will be compared to bulletin board pictures that would be taken later at the Alamo Colleges.

 Throughout the shadowing assignment she explained me the importance of having the right ISO, shutter speed, F-Stop, and angle. Ashleigh also suggested that you need to make sure your pictures do not get too much lighting and that you should not erase any pictures. She is a very efficient, prepared, and great photographer. I learned a lot from this experience.

The Image Deconstructed - Casarrubias

Photographer Christine T. Nguyen lives in Durham, N.C. and is a staff photographer at The (Durham) Herald-Sun.

I selected this photo because the first thing that caught my eye was the dog. I loved the fact that this pictured reflected the partnership of Elizabeth and her dog. I also selected this photo because I loved all the aspects in it, the couch, her expression, the frame, the window, and especially the light coming through the door. I learned that Elizabeth Fox lives with her dog Tootles and Danny an in-home caregiver. Elizabeth suffers from congestive heart failure, diabetes and arthritis. Because of her medical conditions she cannot longer function even when it comes to simple things such as walking.  Elizabeth does have family that visits her and whenever she feels up to it she will even visit them too, however; her medication keeps her asleep most of the time.

This picture made me feel very sad.  It was very self-explanatory and as I read the story I confirmed that it was indeed sad. After I read the story it became even sadder because I learned that Elizabeth was ready to die and at the same time she asked God to let her get better if it wasn’t her time yet. The photographer Christine Nguyen did a great job while capturing this picture. She reflected Elizabeth’s pain, helplessness, yet still faith. It was hard for Christine to take these pictures because they reflected Elizabeth’s struggles and vulnerability. What surprised me about this picture was that although the picture reflects a very vulnerable old lady, Elizabeth was a very strong minded woman as Christine stated. Overall this story was heart touching and more than just telling a sad story, it was a real story that reflected what senior citizens can experience towards the end of their years.

Image Deconstructed Assignment_Espino

What got my attention about this photo was that I felt as if Chantel Blunk was looking at the camera, and this is not typical during this situations. At first, I thought this was about someone who died in combat, I was wrong; it was about Navy veteran Jonathan Blunk was one of the victims of the Aurora shooting. If I were to be the photographer for this assignment, I would have to make a great effort to not be sentimental and overwhelmed with emotions. Doing the opposite of that, was one thing I learned from, photographer RJ Sangosti. In this type of assignments, photographers need to know how to deal with the victim's family and friends, who often become offended when the press is present at a love one's funeral. Being calm when they confront you, and maintaining a reasonable distance was Sangosti best advise.                  

Shadow Assignment_Ramirez

For my shadowing assignment I followed photographer Alison Wadley. Along with another classmate, we drove to main campus to shoot photos for the Mesquite. The photos were for an advance on Banned Books Week. The library is hosting a read aloud event for the week-long celebration of freedom to read. The campaign also raises awareness on the problem of censorship on books that are removed or challenged in libraries and schools across the United States.

When we arrived to the library there was a display of books on a shelve wrapped around with caution tape. The books displayed,  are books that have been challenged at the university library. However, students are still aloud to check out the books throughout the semester.

As we shadowed Alison, she would explain the reason for shooting in different angles. She told us because of the lighting in the library to shoot around 800 ISO. She was very descriptive when explaining the ISO and shutter spent to shoot with.

Overall, my experience shadowing Alison was a great opportunity. The shadowing provided me with preparation when I go out on my own shoot. It’s always important to get the write ISO for lighting and the correct shutter speed to take a photo. 

Shadow Assignment, Espino

Shadowing a Mesquite photographer.

I decided to shadow Ashleigh Gow for this assignment. The Mesquite assignment we were working on was a story about Tobin Lofts, she was taking pictures and I was writing the story. From the moment she found out about the story she made sure I share my story with her on Google Docs so she could have an idea of the story ‘s angle.

On August 30, we were given a tour of the recently opened apartments and an interview right after that. Even when I was the writer, I realized that she was asking questions as well. Her questions were to make sure she had information to later write a cutline.

She didn’t have a limit on how many photos she needed; she was just making sure she had a picture of all the amenities to latter decide which ones she was going to use.

I realized she wasn't deleting pictures or going through them during the assignment, she just looked at them to make sure she had the proper ISO for her lighting, but then she was quickly back at taking photos.

On publication day she was reading my story to make sure the photos she had chosen were still going with the angle of my story. She never once asked me any information about the the tour or people who came out on her pictures, she had it all down. In the end I learned I need to continue to take pictures and not look at them to see which ones I like, to gather my own information for my cutlines, understand the angle of a story to know what kind of pictures to take and to take comfortable shoes and clothes.

*Note: I did this assignment with Ashleigh Gow, but I forgot to take pictures. My pictures were taken during a different assignment with Alison Wadley.

The Image Deconstructed Assignment_Ramirez

Photo Credit: Kyle Grantham- Staff photographer at the Casper Star-Tribune in Casper, Wyoming. 

The image I chose from the Image, Deconstructed website is a photo of a firefighter carrying a young girl out of a burning building. The photo was taken by Kyle Grantham, staff photographer at the Casper Star-Tribune in Casper, Wyoming.

The reason I chose this photo is because it was a powerful image but a sensitive issue. I think the photographer made an excellent point addressing this issue.  He said that shooting such sensitive scenes with family and friends around can be a difficult situation but it’s a way to get the story and message out. In this case, it’s important to keep fire alarms in the building in case of a fire.  

What surprised me the most about the photo was how young the girl was and how she wasn't the only person trapped in the fire. The photographer mentioned that they ran with a photo of a woman who was also carried out of a fire but later died in the hospital. Posting this photo created overwhelming negative responses to the photographer and newspaper. It makes me wonder what if the photo of the young girl was in the newspaper. What kind of reaction would the community have, especially if she died?

I learned that it’s important to be ready in any situation to snap a photo, you could never be too prepared especially in a situation like a fire. Expect the unexpected.

Image Deconstructed_Luna, Jennifer

What first drew me to this photo was how this child was photographed alone, with dim lighting, this must mean he's going through some kind of hardship, especially because the bed has no sheets. His face shows an expression of relief, and his body composition is spread out on the bed, so even though despite his struggle he looks content, which gives me the message he may not have slept or laid on a bed in awhile.

I feel like children should not be exposed to that kind of hardship, but I know realistically it doesn't always happen that way.  The photo made me feel sad to know the child, Jack is one of so many children going through these hardships everyday.

When I read the caption to this photo, I learned his mother moved to Seattle with the hopes of getting a job during the recession. Without luck, the mother and her two sons moved to a tent city before they were able to move to a room in University District. While it was a small progression, three people living in one room is much better than people living in a tent. This photo reminds me to always be appreciative of everything you have, no matter how much.

Shadowing Assignment_Sanchez

On Tuesday Sept 17. I got to Texas A&M San Antonio main campus around 8:45a.m and met up with my buddy for the assignment Alyssa De La O. Together we ventured around the building as staff were unsure of the room the film we were to document was taking place. We finally were directed to the right place in Room 207.

As we entered the room there were refreshments and fruit on the back table that people were helping themselves to. Dr. William Bush professor of History at Texas A&M San Antonio was talking to the crowd assuring that the film will start shortly as soon as a couple of more people entered.

Alyssa and I asked a woman of staff quietly if we can take of couple of photos of the guest and speaker , she said it was ok. We began to shoot a couple of photos of our own while we waited for Jacob to arrive.

The film was called The Central Park Five a documentary. The purpose of this film was to commemorate the signing of the constitution. Sept 17 is the day most colleges involve themselves in a special event for the signing.

The photos in the film were phenomenal expressing, love, hate and corruption.

Jacob got there around 10a.m about an hour into the film. He quietly unpacked his gear and prepared for shoot. Alyssa and I watched in amazement as he came into the dark like a ninja.

He also spoke to the woman on staff, quietly whispering who he was and what his purpose is at this event.

Since the lights were off, Jacob quietly advised us to put our ISO to about 6500 and F-stop to 1/185.

He mentioned since this was a film, and not to disturb, keep the photo taking to minimum only shooting certain credible moments and use no flash.

The insight that I took from this experience is that in different situations there are different kinds of shooting and you have to respect the environment around you.

I learned a lot from the film, Alyssa and Jacob. I would definitely do this again.

Shadowing Assignment De La O

The purposes for this assignment was to get an inside look on the photographers’, Ashleigh or Jacob, on what they do. The great thing about this assignment was that there was a challenge. It has been only my second day using this camera, and during shooting the lights were off during the action of the event.

            The photographer that I shadowed with was Jacob Beltran, and he helped me by learning to fix the exposure especially because we were in the dark. He also helped me by getting to know the camera itself a little more. I know we learned it in class, but the assignment was a great opportunity for me to get a better understanding. It was also early in the morning around nine a.m.

            The reason for the event was to present and host a film called, The Central Park Five, by one Texas A&M San Antonio’s History Professor Dr. William Bush. It was located at Texas A&M’s Main Campus in room 204-207 in the Main building.

             It was not only assisting Jacob that was interesting, but the movie as well. It was until after me and Dianna was done that we got to watch the movie. This assignment brought greater interest to me in journalism. The movie gave little previews how journalism/media could impact people’s views at home. It affects people in general in a massive way. So that was a bonus lesson learned from the assignment. I would again like to thank Jacob Beltran for helping me and commend him on his dedication to Photo Journalism.

Image, Deconstructed Assignment De La O

 

 The reason why this picture is brought to my attention is because it is one of the tributes that represented 9/11 in New York City, NY. The gray dull background gives the firefighters' color that stands out. I think what it presented was that even through the trauma that these heroes went through; they were still standing strong for our people. The flag, oh my gosh, especially flag is the one that stands out the most as well. It has a vibrant color of the red, white, and blue. It also brings me deep emotion because that day will always haunt me for personal reasons. The other reason I love it is because it leaves me in a moment of silence. So kudos to Thomas Franklin for making this photography possible.

 

I learned that Franklin took great effort to take this picture. He actually worked in Hackensack, NJ, and made his way on a ferry just to get to the scene. It was while the debris was thrown all over the city of the collapsed towers that he took action to get his shot. He mentions it was silent, and even though he was walking through that big cloud of dust and chaotic rampage of people; all he focused on was getting evidence. The cops did not stop him as much while he charged in through the debris. It would be after he took this particular one above, that he would realize what just really happened.

 

In the picture it shows three NY Firefighters on top of the debris of the towers and having the hold of the American flag. This is literally the picture of a thousand words.

 

TheImage,Deconstructed_Sanchez

When looking through the different photos on The Image, Deconstructed website, I automatically noticed the bright colors of the woman's dress and the way her Fiance held her so tight. It reminded me of the classic Life photo taken in the early 1900's, with the sailor and nurse.

What surprised me about the photo was that this was the photographer's Rachel Mummey's last shot. She was originally looking to shoot Dads who haven't seen their children since they have been gone, but instead captured this moment.

Mummey, also expressed that by her being patient and standing still in a chaotic, crowded area, she can view things clearer. I thought this was interesting because that is typically what you see some photographers doing, they will go with the tide of the crowd instead of watching and observing those special moments.

She also expressed by asking questions and talking to your possible subject can create and not force moments to happen right in front of your lens.

" Let the moments happen in front of you"-Rachel Mummey

"Thick Skin" Assignment part 1

Psychology Junior Pam Harper is doing homework for her Psychology class alone in the Courtyard at Brooks City Base Campus. Harper is studying definitions for her Psychology test that will be coming up this week.

Kinesiology Junior Jamaal Mitchell was on his way to the Courtyard at Brooks City Base Campus. Mitchell was going to rest so before he attended Kick Boxing Cardio class later on today.