Slideshow Reject

Today we worked on our slideshows. Some of my pictures did not make the cut. This one is of my future roommate Jamie Becker. I think it has great character, but it did not really fit into the theme for my slideshow. I also did not quite get her body as close to the third line as I would have liked.

Becker was working on writing a paper for her American Catholicism class with Doctor Janus. It was on the Mass for Palm Sunday on April 5, 2009. She said, "I'm glad not to have classes on Student Symposium Day; it gives me an opportunity to catch up on some homework."

Capturing the Symposium

Tomorrow is Student Symposium. Our assignment for Journalism Workshop is to take pictures of a specific topic. My topic is studying inside. Some spots that I plan on scoping out is the library, the Armstrong-Douglas lobby, and various dorm rooms. I hope that there are people studying and not everyone is just drinking all day.

I do not personally own a digital camera but my friend let me borrow hers. I have experimented with the settings on the digital camera. I think I have a good understanding of the features of the camera. Some of the things I am focusing on are lighting, the thirds rule and getting tight, close-up shots.

I am currently trying to make a map for the technology portion of my article. I am planning on making it of some local area churches in Cedar Rapids. I am using the quikmaps site.

I am having a hard time with it. I can’t figure out how to import locations. It seems like a good site, but I am not technology savvy at all. This is a skill I really need to work on.

My Shed is on Fire!

Today I was browsing through the Gazette Online. I was attracted to a story about my hometown. I read it, and it was about a hay shed catching on fire.

Later that day I was talking to my mom. She told me that was our hay shed that caught on fire. The article said that a grass fire got out of control. That was incorrect. My parents and the fire department suspect it was arsen.

Click here to read the article.

Photojournalism

Today in Jouralism Workshop Jane talked about taking good photographs. The most interesting thing I learned was the thirds rule. Basically, a subject should not be in the center but rather on one of the thirds lines.

Emphasis was also placed on vary shots between tight and far away.

Action Shots were another great way to get a killer photograph.

Photography

Technology is great! History can be preserved in many new and exciting ways now. Digital cameras allow the photographer to make sure they picture they took is the picture they want or need.

Photographs are an important part of journalism. They add depth and dimension to any story. The cliché says, “a picture is worth a thousand words.”

One other great new advance in the world of photography is photo-editing software. Some funs sites are Picnik and Fotoflexer. These sites offer basic tools for free and some advanced tools for a charge. They can do everything from fixing red eye to designing.

My meeting with Jane went very well today. She told me I chose an interesting topic, which makes me happy. I still am struggling with a hooking lead. I also need to schedule a meeting with Kristen Hudson. She is a Presbyterian minister, Coe College Chaplain and Director of Religious Life. I have a very good start to my article. I have interviews with three priests and some students. I am sticking to my schedule for this week so far. We will see how long this lasts.

Schedule

Projected schedule for the week…

Monday-writing conference with Jane
Tuesday-meet with Kristen Hudson
Wednesday-Write rough draft
Thursday-Take rough draft to writing center
Friday-Make corrections

This looks easy right? WRONG!

I wanted to have my rough draft done before my writing conference. I could stay up until three to do that tonight, but that seems unlikely.

I have never met Kristen. I always get nervous about meeting new people. I have heard great things about her, so it should be okay.

Cranking out a rough draft should not take too long, but my little brother has a track meet he wants me to go home for. I will have to manage my time very carefully if I want to do both.

I hate going to the writing center because it is always very hot. I always start to pit out through my shirt. After that happens, I always worry that I smell.

I have a horrible time with grammar. I have to proof-read stuff at least three times. I hope my article is the best one I have written yet.

Weather Wishes

One of the worst characteristics about Iowa is the weather. It goes from hot to cold to perfect to awful. Last week was perfect weather for a picnic. It was around 70 degrees and sunny. Everyone was wearing shorts, and the more daring girls had on tank tops.



Today it is cold in the forties with an overcast sky and occasional cold rain. Walking about side requires a coat and a hood for optimum comfort. Some students on campus refuse to give into the gloom of mother nature and try to pretend like the weather is warm by wearing flip flops. I envy their bravery.



What I am really waiting for is the summer months to come. Swimsuits and flip flops are some of my favorite things to wear. I cannot wait to pull them out of the back of my closet. I can tell I am not the only one by the look of longing on everyone's faces when a ray of sunshine sneaks through the clouds.

You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours

For my article, I asked priests several questions. One Father answered them but then asked me to do him a favor. One of the questions I posed was “What is your church doing to attractive college students?” I got a response from Father Mark of St. Matthew’s. He filled out the survey for me, but I asked me what I thought would be good ways to attract students. My idea was to make flyers about mass times, and he asked me if I would do that. St. Matthew’s is one several Catholic Parishes located close to Coe College. Students who head on 1st Avenue towards Marion cannot miss St. Matthew’s on the left (Map).

Mass Schedule
Sunday 8:00 am & 10:30am
Tuesday 8:00 am
Wednesday 8:35am*
Thursday 8:00 am
Friday 8:00 am
Saturday 4:00 pm & 6:00 pm
* During Summer months Wed mass is at 8am


Anyone with ideas about how churches can draw college students to their masses should share their ideas as a comment.

Write Me Back Father!!

Today I am getting very frustrated. Over a week ago, I sent out emails to several priests and ministers. I have only received one response. I thought that these men of God would be much more cooperative. Apparently, I was wrong.

These priest interviews are an important part of my article. The one response I did get was very short. I was still happy that I got a little bit to start with. I wanted to receive responses from several different religions to get different perspectives.

I am planning on sending the same email out again and just changing the subject line. I hope to get a better response this time. I know that priests are very busy right now and might not have time to write me back, but hopefully, at least three more can find time.

Blog??

Today I start learning an important skill for my journalism arsenal: blogging. I am the most amateur of writers. This blog should give me a good place to practice so feel free to criticize me. My life goal right now is try to figure out what career I want to pursue. I am giving journalism a fair shot. To read some of my work, you can visit my website soon hopefully.