For our fifth project, we were asked to create a TikTok video of an event, or a place, and I decided to shoot the solar eclipse, from 4/8/24, and it was a very interesting, but rewarding experience. Knowing the risks of looking at the eclipse with a blind eye, and recording could damage my equipment, I was very nervous at first, but I got some good shots, and had a nice interview with a coworker about it after. It was a very nice experience recording an event like such, due to the rare occurrence of its happening, definitely one to look back on.
hosted the special trio therapy dog event that was designed to be a stress reliever during finals, which can be a challenging time for some.
At first, organizers had requested hypoallergenic dogs to accommodate the needs of everyone, however due to their limited availability, only one hypoallergenic dog was able to attend the event. Skadi, a beaitful standard poodle, who was born September 1st2019, and has became a beloved member of the GO Team.
She attended the event with her handler Wes Varbedian, I had the pleasure of interviewing Wes for this video, where he shared his feelings and the valueable work that they do as a therapy dog team.
He explained that they have many different dogs, all over the world, and how they’re very well trained to provide comfort to people in such trying times.
During the event, Skadi attracted many visitors, with her calm attitude, and playful nature. Students and staff were pleased with their interactions with her, and how her handler was very welcoming and explained what their program does, and more info about Skadi as well.
Wayne State player Shea Tripp goes for a pass to Taylor Thompson at the Wayne State University Field House in Detroit on 2/8.
Photo by Demani Coleman
Gabi Lutchka of Wayne State attempts to retrieve the ball from Grand Valley State’s Molly Anderson and pass it to ZaMaria Polk.
Head Wayne State Coach Carrie Lohr has an end of quarter huddle with the team to discuss tactics.
Players on the sidelines and team aid cheer as Wayne State closes the gap in score.
Gabi Lutchka of Wayne State attempts a pass to a teammate, while GVSU player Nicole Kamin attempts to block said pass.
With 7 minutes left, Wayne State head coach Carrie Lohr encourages the team and the sidelined players cheer for their teams lead.
Wayne State’s Becca Fugate attempts in passing to teammate, while Nicole Kamin attempts to block said pass.
Fans cheer and watch in excitement for the close game.
Head Coach Carrie Lohr watches as the team continues to close the gap in score.
By Demani Coleman
Published on 3/26/24 – Event from 2/8/24.
For our third project, we were asked to find a Wayne State or high school sporting event and cover it. I chose the women’s basketball game from Thursday, February 8th, at 5:30 vs Grand Valley State University. Being someone who is not much of a sports fan, I knew this assignment would already be hard. Sports photography is much harder than I had planned, as I did not know what to look for. Professor King had given us tips, but this assignment was just like the rest, where we had to do it ourselves. I know we couldn’t be biased, as we were there for the media coverage, but it was a very entertaining and close game, more on that later. At first, the game was looking like a blowout, as we were told before that the away team was a very strong opponent, but as the game picked up, so did the score.
The game started around 5:30, and the first quarter seemed to be a bit of a blowout in some people’s eyes. GVSU was able to attain the first 11 points in the game, in the first 5 minutes. Not soon after, Guard Mckenna Ferguson ended the lack of score for WSU 5 minutes into the quarter. WSU would go on to score 7 more points in the rest of the quarter. All the points in the first quarter were scored by Mckenna Ferguson, having 5, and Becca Fugate having 4. After 10 minutes, the score was 22-9.
In the next quarter, WSU had picked up the pace and was able to score 9 points to cover the deficit from 13. A three pointer from GVSU put them ahead by 7 points, but after that the score was never closer than 4. After the three pointers from GVSU, WSU had another set of 8 points and got their first lead of the game, with about 4 minutes left of the second quarter. In that last 4 minutes, GVSU were able to pick up the pace and were up in score by 2.
A free throw would tie the score at 36-36, before a lay-up gave the home team an advantage in score of 2. The score would be tied throughout the 3rd quarter, until GVSU took the next 5 points from a triple and were able to have the score advantage of 5. The last 2 minutes consisted of a foul shot.
In the final quarter, WSU were able to attain the first seven points from a layover from Mckenna Ferguson and put WSU ahead by 3 with 7 minutes left. WSU managed to hold the largest lead of the entire game with about 6 minutes left. The lead soon switched between 3 and 4 minutes, until GVSU got the score finally around 3 minutes. A three pointer closed the score to one, and a stop by WSU gave them one last chance for a win. Unfortunately, a missed 3 pointer caused GVSU to take the win by 1, for a score of 63-62 respectively.
Surprise service held on 3/2 at 3:30 PM.
Photos by Demani Coleman
The congregation waits for Bishop Walter Davis to direct the service
Bishop Walter Davis leads in praise and worship before the baptism and sermon.
Bishop Walter Davis prays for the baptism partakers and blesses the water
Up close shot of the drums and shambles used at Pilgrim Baptist Church
Bishop Walter Davis leads the congregation in prayer.
By Demani Coleman
From 3/2/24
For our feature story, we had to choose an event that was relevant to us. Not to get personal, but as someone who has not gone to church as much as they used to, this was a very special and beautiful experience to be a part of. Most Baptist churches hold service on Sunday’s, but this one was a bit different than others. Bishop Walter Davis holds his services almost every Saturday around 3 pm, with a varying location. This specific Saturday consisted of the baptism of several church members, out of respect I did not include pictures of them, as that is a sacred moment, and we must respect that. But the service starts with Bishop leading the congregation in order of service, then we lead into praise and worship, followed by a special baptism. and finally, a small speech. After that, there were photos taken, and the service was over. I thought that it was very nice, as someone who has kind of “strayed away” in a sense, it is nice to see that the fundamentals of the modern have not changed. Old songs with lyrics such as “Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!” – Psalm 150:3-5 are old songs that my elders grew up with, and it makes me very happy to see that. Following the service, a heartfelt and meaningful speech which showed many pieces of faith, community, and growth. The words conveyed a certain emotion that I have not felt in a while. It was evident that there is some sort of spiritual guidance in fostering community and sharing a purpose amongst others. Despite changing times, the service on Saturday still held up a sense of punctuality, with tieless elements that have been a part of practices for generation. Going here was a reassuring experience. It was a call back to what I remember from my earlier days. It gave a glimpse of commitment and faith that people have to their spiritual journey, and what one calls life. The photographs taken during and after the service captured the joy and closeness of the congregation, giving visual reminders of the experience. All I all, the service was more than just a gathering, it was a gathering of individuals, a celebration, and a testament to the community. As I write this and reflect, I am grateful for the being able to reconnect and experience the beauty of life.
“The first amendment states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
With relation to photojournalism, images have a big effect on one’s perception, so being able to balance law and ethics is very important.
The first amendment is integral for free speech and press, giving photojournalists with the legal right to capture and distribute images to the public. The supreme court has played a part in recognizing the importance of visual communication, in terms of relaying ideas and images have been seen as important as written or spoken communication. This shows the role that photojournalism has in informing the public.
However, the government still holds the right to regulate certain aspects of speech to protect the public. This creates a bit of tension between freedom and regulation, and it creates a line that photojournalists cannot cross, one must be mindful legally and ethically. In terms of ethical concerns, it helps to have a balance of first amendment rights and responsibilities that come with visual storytelling. Photojournalists often take consent, dignity, and impact and of their images on people and communities. While trying to uncover the truth, there is a fine line between reality and respecting the people being shown. For example, when a tragedy occurs, the decision to shoot parts of it requires one to be careful and considerate. Forcing a balance between delivering information, and the harm caused by outside sources. An example of three rules The NPPA Code of Ethics calls for specific guidelines to keep integrity. The first being, be accurate and comprehensive in the representation of subjects. Another guideline details on one resisting being manipulated by staged photo opportunities. The third one tells one to be complete and provide context when photographing or recording subjects. Avoid stereotyping individuals and groups. Recognize and work to avoid presenting one’s own bias in the work. And that is just part of the code of ethics.
National security concerns complicate the landscape for photojournalists. In some situations, the government could argue that the publication of certain images is a threat to security. Courts often have the problem of balancing the public’s right to know versus the governments need to protect information.
Technologies impact has moved photojournalism forward, causing it to have new challenges, but also opportunities. Ease and speed with how images can be taken raises questions on misinformation, manipulation, and invasion of privacy. Furthermore, the rise in citizen journalism adds another layer to ethical considerations, as they are not formally trained and could possibly insight public panic.
In the growing field of journalism, specifically digital journalism, and photojournalism, the First Amendment, law and ethics all tie together to create the practice and responsibilities of the people who capture and distribute such media. Creating a balance between the right of free speech, and the ethical obligations to society has become a big challenge. As technology moves forward, the need for a thoughtful and planned approach to navigating legal and ethical complexities of photojournalism becomes ever more important. In this landscape, the fundamentals of the first amendment are evident, serving as a guide to those who want to pursue truth through photo communication. New tech has made a low barrier to entry for new photojournalists, blurring the line between amateur and professionals.
When taking images, one must prime the device they are using to film. Whether that may be a top-of-the-line camera, or the phone in one’s pocket, it takes a bit of preparation and understanding what one must do to take the best photo. All of that comes down to handling and understanding camera equipment. ISO, shutter spaces, and apertures are controls that are built into your camera and have lenses that help you manipulate the light that strikes through your sensor in your camera. This concept of bringing it all together is called reciprocity. Knowing what factors control over exposure have been key to taking photos. Some things to look out for are: The amount of light, the sensitivity of the sensor to the light, how much light is being let into the camera, and how long light is let into the camera. There are a lot of techs that goes into capturing images, and understanding what each part does. ISO is concerned with shutter speed, ISO stops start at 400 and go up to 6400, each increment being a stop. The stops are not limited to just one stop, but they do play a big part in how one controls light. The shutter speed is meant to control light, and to control motion. The job is the f-stop or aperture is to control light and the depth of field. However, there is a slight difference in shooting things like sports, one needs a beginning safe shutter at 500. As one would think, different settings and times of day call for different light. As for something like photojournalism, having a faster shutter speed is more recommended. Standard values start quite simple. For an ISO value of 100, the shutter speed is 1/1000, and the stop is 1.4. For an ISO value of 200, the shutter speed is 1/500 and f/2.5. For an ISO value of 400, the shutter speed is 1/250, f/5.6. For an ISO value of 800, the shutter speed is 1/125, and f/11. Lastly, for an ISO value of 1600, the shutter speed is 1/60, and f/22.
Visual Storytelling
Visual storytelling is quite simple, it is the process of communicating through visual media. visuals in storytelling help with making a connection and allows info to be easy to understand and digest. Media methods often include illustration, graphics, and even music. While photojournalism has nothing to do with that, it is important to know the impact of visual storytelling, and how it can impact the audience to leave an impression and promotes communication within an audience.
Visual Storytellers Toolbox
There are many kinds of tools in the visual storyteller’s toolbox. One of them is the camera. The camera could be anything like a top-of-the-line camera for cinematic purposes, but in todays world, you have a camera in your pocket. For more traditional cameras, items such as memory cards, photo editors, and other programs are integral to helping one take the best photo.
“A lot of people see it as these big printing presses, and this is not the case”
The history of journalism has been a long and interesting one, what was once seen as a negative field, full of “drunkards, deadbeats, and bummers” by a Harvard University president is now seen as people who are brave, resilient, and triumphant. Journalism has had a rocky history in the last twenty or so years, especially since the digital age, where it was almost certain its demise was imminent.
My marked up newspaper from a class assignment.
Journalism evolved just like any other way of storytelling or oral tradition, it was first on objects like clay tablets, somewhere along ink and newsprint, then voices, then movies, and now websites. A lot of people see it as big printing presses, that mass printed 100s at a time, and while that is true, journalism dates to way before then.
Very early journalism was religious, and the printing press was used to print Johann Gutenberg’s famous bible. After that in the 1500s Henry VII prohibits printers from getting licenses due to sedition. In the 1600s weekly newspapers begin to show up in Cologne and Vienna.
Journalism, like we see the media today, was often used to market, and cover news in a more professional way. Then came the penny press, a newspaper started by Benjamin Day in 1833, was only a penny and is thought to be what pioneered mass media. It was seen as a good paper due to it being a less serious paper in a sense and delivering what the people wanted to hear.
We often use imagery to communicate, and so do journalists. Photojournalism has changed how we see our world. What started to photograph war has made its way to becoming a way to document things like sports, and even events like protests. Although now we use photos for almost everything, back then it had a much more contemporary meaning.
The first war photographer was Roger Fenton, and he shot images that showed the effects of war. His work was put into the Illustrated London News, which brought these images to an audience for the first time. Such news stories were only possible with extensive technology.
Such technology is seen as a norm these days, but back then it was scarce, and was only available to professional photographers.
Imaging has become something that almost anyone can do. Most people have some sort of device, and with that, they are capable to distribute content all over. But the difference I learned is that you can capture your daily life in one way and use visuals to communicate. Visual communication is a task that is way different from what we see on social media today. With photography, it’s about capturing the moment with purpose. Not to say that social media of today does not have purpose, but photography is about the real feelings and emotions that one can project in just a picture.
Visual Storytelling has evolved in such a way. Like stated earlier, it used to come from images on glass plates, then rolls of film, to what it is now. Photography has almost lost its physical state, and is meant for a more social media audience, an audience that used to be reached through print media, is now on social media, and people are made to adapt.
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Demani Coleman 