Photographers Replaced By iPhones

I’m just not sure how I feel about this one…

I know this is old news but have you heard about the latest move by the Chicago Sun-Times? A couple of weeks ago they fired nearly 30 full-time photographers, including a Pulitzer Prize winner, opting instead to gain their photos by arming their reporters with iPhones. I have read that “The reporters will be responsible for taking their own ‘in the field’ pictures  and sourcing photos from witnesses.”   This means if they miss the shot with their phone they will then find others standing around with cell phones and ask if anyone else got the shot.

I understand that sells of actual paper newspapers are down; in fact I hear that print media as a whole is struggling these days, while more and more people get their news online. But really…cell phone pictures??

The reporters are to be trained in “iPhone photography basics, as well as capturing and editing video on iOS, and uploading it to the appropriate social sites.”  Social sites?! Is this really the way to save print media?! Why send reporters out at all? Just log into Twitter and see what’s going on. Good grief Charlie Brown.

Ok. I know you can take a good enough picture on an iPhone. Well, I can’t, but I’ve seen others who can. I’m just not so sure this is going to work well for a newspaper. Especially one the size of the Chicago Sun-Times. After all there is a lot more to capturing a photo than just pointing and clicking. And I don’t think that poor quality cell phone images are going to sell a lot of papers. I kind of think they may have shot themselves in the foot with this one. I really think that the public eye will notice a big difference between a quick cell phone shot and a story told by a professionally trained photojournalist with years of experience. I tend to agree with John over at America Blog “Photography is a skill, and at its best, an art.  Just because you’re a great reporter does not mean that you’ll be an even passable photographer.” And yes; I’ve never been a photojournalist out in the field on the scene of a horrific disaster but I still think he’s got something there. And again I say; really…cell phone pictures?? At least give them a nice point and shoot.

Now I’m a fan of the “man on the street” view; you know getting the opinion of eye witnesses. I’m also a fan of all those shots taken by people who happen to be in the right place at the right time no matter what the camera used. There are times when we wouldn’t know what was going on somewhere if those people weren’t there when they were. And for those times when all you need is a quick shot; sure have those reporters pull out their iPhones. I even use mine! But when I want the whole story I want it told with an awesome photo.

I guess maybe I really did have an opinion on this after all.

Have a great weekend everyone; I’m off to visit family and maybe even take a side trip to the little ol’ zoo to snap a shot or two of a cute furry critter. I’ll take that over controversy any day.

Zazzle Product Of The Week — American Glory Messenger Bag

It’s summertime and whether you’re planning a weekend trip to Grandma’s, a week at the beach, or a summer at the local ballpark you’re going to need a versatile bag. Something that can take you from workday commuter, to overnight guest, to traveling adventure.

Check out the Rickshaw Messenger Bags at Zazzle; with vibrantly printed photos on rugged polyester and an interchangeable accessories system this bag is just what you need for all your summer fun.

Carefully constructed with a focus on environmental sustainability, this bag combines form, function, and a small ecological footprint.

*Water resistant, extra durable (machine-washable).

*Large main compartment and 2 front pockets.

*Lightweight and forms to your body.

*Quick-adjust cam shoulder strap.

*Velcro strips accessory system; Holds a 13” laptop (w/optional sleeve).

*Made with a sustainability focus in San Francisco, CA.

*Dimensions 11″ H x 18″ W x 6″ D.

Show your American pride when you carry this American Glory design messenger bag this summer. What could be more perfect than the ol’ red, white, and blue and a beautiful bald eagle.

Check out more of the red, white, and blue All American gifts in the Variety Store today!

A River, Trees, Shotgun Shells, And A Pizza Place

This past Sunday was a pretty quiet day around here; just not much going on at all. It was nice.

Late in the morning I decided to take the camera down by the river and venture along the hiking trail. I managed to talk D into going along; he is using my “old” XTi and I convinced him it would be good practice for him.

The trail(s) were pretty grown over but we made our way along the few clear paths and back into the trees. At first I didn’t think we were going to see any critters at all but then they started to appear. The fish were jumping in the river, the turtles were sunning on the logs, the lizards were wiggling alongside the path, and the deer were napping in the shade.

We never did get a good shot of the deer but we saw 4 of them. Each time we’d get close they would spot us long before we spotted them and off they’d go. We’d get a glimpse of their tails as they ran the other way and see the “glow” of thier eyes when they’d turn to look back.

So we mostly turned our lenses towards the trees; those standing tall and the one that had fallen into the river.

When we finally came to a point where the trail was too over grown to go any further we back tracked a while and headed out of the trees towards the shooting range. There was no one there and we used the range for our own kind of shooting practice.

After the long hike down the road and back to where we had left the car we drove towards the dam just for fun. We took a few shots of the dam and the water falling over it; even if it is just a small little dam that water still makes a lot of noise!

The golfers were out and driving their carts across the dam heading to the course so we decided it was time to get out of the way. I’m sure we looked awfully funny heading into the pizza place for a late lunch all wind-blown and dirty with cameras hanging around our necks. The waiter even teased that we were there to take pictures of him to autograph; for when he becomes famous.

And yes; we were seen chimping our shots while waiting for lunch to get to the table.

As L would say…

“good times… good times”.

The Ads Of Our Youth

I was catching up on bit of blog reading the other day when I came across a post by Colline about the ads of our youth. It’s funny what comes to mind sometimes and when she asked, “What are your favourite adverts of all time?”, one song came to mind.

…I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony…I’d like to buy the world a Coke and keep it company…

Aren’t you glad you can’t really hear me singing right now??

Yes; yes you are.

Have a great weekend everyone!

What I See From My Back Door – A Challenge From C

A couple of weeks ago Cecilia, over at The Kitchen’s Garden, posted a challenge.  [yes; I'm a bit behind on this. who's surprised?]  She wanted to know what we see from our back porch or back doorstep. C lives on a beautiful farm and when she looks out from her back porch she sees a garden, an orchard, fields and barns, and even Queenie her gentle old cow.

Hummm. Look out my back door and you see the grill, a table and chairs, and the wall of the neighbors garage. My  house is kind of odd-shaped and the back door and kitchen door both open onto a little patio that is closed in by the house walls on three sides. To look into the back yard you must cross the patio and go around the corner.

I didn’t think a shot of the neighbor’s garage was very exciting so I put a little twist on C’s challenge and took a couple of detail shot of what was outside my back door the other day.

Don’t you just love it when the weather allows you to cook dinner outside?