One of the last assignments in Beginning Visual Journalism at SJSU was to interview a photojournalist and find out a bit more about their background and how they broke into the field. I decided to post the interview here because I feel that it is always interesting to know the various ways that people found their way into photojournalism and their differing opinions on the field. Hopefully this will be the first of a few.

I found Chad Pilster through aphotoaday.org. Mr. Pilster graduated from SJSU in 2002 with a major in Photojournalism and a minor in Anthropology. While at San Jose State, Chad shot for the Spartan Daily, participated in the Eddie Adams workshop, and interned at the Metro Newspapers, the Grand Forks Herald, and the Hays Daily News. He is now a staff photojournalist at the Daytona Beach News-Journal in Daytona Beach, Florida.

How did you become interested in photojournalism?

In high school I wanted to get closer than a point and shoot would
let me at a pro baseball game. My dad had an old SLR that he gave me and I started learning how to use it and shooting sports with it. I got tired of sports and wanted to do something that would force me to get closer to people. I've been working with newspapers ever since.

How long have you worked in the field?

Three years. After I finished my second internship at a daily (The
first was at a weekly, the SVCN newspapers in the San Jose area. The first daily was the Grand Forks Herald, ND and the second was the Hays Daily News, KS) After graduating I moved to St. Louis.

How hard was it to break into the field?

Probably one of the hardest things I've done or seen done. I didn't
want to stay in the Bay Area or go to a weekly (Which might of made things a little bit easier), because it's so expensive to live and the traffic sucks. If you are going to get a job at a daily newspaper you have to be very good and very determined that this is what you want to do, or just lucky. I found out the other day that there are only 2500 newspaper photojournalism jobs in the U.S. and that number is going down. After graduating I applied to over 100 jobs and internships and only had a few bites. At one point you have high expectations of where you would like to end up and then you move those expectations to going to any newspaper.

I jumped in my car with my girlfriend (Who I had met on my last internship in Hays, KS and is now my wife) two weeks after graduation and started driving back to her house in KS. From there we went to the NPPA Convention in Minneapolis (The convention's are probably one of the best places to find jobs. I think it's called the BOP awards banquet now. A ton of bigwig photo editors from all over the country are there. Don't be bashful showing your portfolio around.) I didn't land a job, so we just randomly chose a place after talking to some people.

We headed off to St. Louis. I met with the Photo Editor at the Post-Dispatch, after dropping the name of someone who I had just met who previously freelanced for them, and showed my portfolio. They gave me enough work to live off of. Not until three months later, after I had stopped applying for new jobs, did I get a phone call from my current boss. Now I work at a 120k circ paper. I graduated with about eight people and I think all eight are still in the industry, but I thought they were all better shooters than me and only one of them is at a larger paper than me. In the three semesters that had graduates before me, with at least 12 people graduating, I think only a few people broke in the field.

Did digital technology change the way you work?

I started right on the verge of digital technology taking over. I was at internships where I would shoot film and the staff would shoot digital. They would loan me a digital if they were headed out of town or if we were on a tight deadline. I don't have a ton of experience with film outside of school. Even though it doesn't feel like it I think I shoot more now. When I shot film I shot a lot, but I have cameras with faster motor drives and I probably shoot even more now.

It's definitely much faster on the turn around. I can go back to the office much closer to deadline. If my paper would get me a wireless cell phone connection I wouldn't even have to go back to the office, but I haven't had a chance to experience much of that yet.

In reality we almost don't have to go into the office anymore. Although access to our assignments and the archives is only available at the office, because of a firewall.

Although we are able to get farther away from the paper more papers are pulling travel budgets and photographers are sticking closer to their newspapers more often. We almost never leave the county and use AP stuff for everything else. Even stuff within two hours driving distance we will use AP.

How has your work changed and/or developed over time?

At first most of my work was straight forward. I started making pictures, composing pictures with the basics in photography and just documenting what was in front of me. In college and over time I've learned of the elements that make the moment in pictures. After college I started looking at photographers who's work I would ask how they decided to make a picture or what were they thinking when they took a picture. Especially street photographers. I started trying to put that into my photography. I do a lot of layering now. Many of my images are about composition, light and the moments are a lot more subtle, but they are there. Sometimes I use the details in a photo to tell a story, but one image won't tell the whole story, instead it may make you ask the question "huh?" You won't always know the conclusion until you look at the package or a couple photos.

Which photographers influenced your style?

My current influences are Alex Webb, Nikos Economopolous, Robert Frank, Larry Towell, William Klein, Joachim Ladefoged. I love looking at the World Press Photo awards, they have some of the most cutting edge photojournalism and in my mind the best. I also like to watch independent/different films, they give you a different perspective on telling a story. Films like City of God, Punch Drunk Love, Mulholand Drive, Memento, 21 Grams, Amores Perros. I'm trying to do better with my portraits these days, so I've been looking at people like David Lachappelle. My influences change over time. I used to always look at the POY books so even though I don't look at them as much now I looked at them then, such as Rob Finch, Scott Strazzante, Brian Plonka, Kathy Plonka, Richard Koci Hernandez, Nachtwey, Salgado, Annie Liebowitz. Robert Capa and Weegee have also have an influence.

How have you balanced your professional and personal life?

My wife (and dog) comes first, but she what my job is about. My wife is currently in school and working about 60 hour weeks, so if I can get a chance to spend with her I will take it. She has Saturdays off and I work Saturdays, but I will usually be done by mid afternoon and we can do things at night. If the paper asked me to work on a day off, my first question is if I was going to spend it with her. If I am going to be doing nothing anyway, then I'd rather be out shooting. I haven't had any big projects that have tested my professional life against my personal life, but I believe that I have excellent communication with my wife and she would support whatever I was passionate about.

On another note, I carry a camera with me 90% of the time on or off the clock. I think the biggest thing that keeps me from shooting more personal stuff is finding time to organize and manage all of those images that I make. I have CDs and CDs of archived images, which I am sure I have good stuff and great memories on, but I can never seem to find the time to go through them. I try to save good personal and work images when I make them before they get lost in an archival abyss.

For more about Chad Pilster, please visit his website.

As reported by DPReview on Tuesday, May 24, 2005:

Scientists at Canada's Universite Laval have invented a lens that is five times thinner than a piece of paper and can zoom without using mechanical parts. The lens is created by adding a small quantity of photosensitive material to a liquid crystal cell. When a weak electrical current is applied, the crystals realign differently from those in the periphery and thus take on the shape and behavior of a lens. The researchers have been able to modify the lens’ focal distance from 1.6 to 8 meters in a few milliseconds by increasing the voltage from 1.5 to 4.5 volts.

This sounds very similar to liquid lens made by French company Varioptic that Professor Dunleavy blogged about last March. Unless I am mistaken, both use liquid lenses which take advantage of electrical currents to help shape the lens and both feature no mechanical parts.

In related photography news, according to this New Scientist article found on digg, Japanese researchers are developing a system that would eliminate photographs in which the subject blinks, often caused when red eye reduction is turned on.

The system developed by Kaneko's team gets around the problem by snapping 15 frames in 0.5 seconds after the shutter button is clicked. A computer then rapidly analyses these image, discarding those in which the subject is blinking, leaving photographer with a better final snap.

This month's Digital Journalist features an article by contributing columnist Bill Pierce. Pierce asks the question: Is it possible that photojournalism is not a good profession for young people to enter?

The article focuses mainly on the numerous downsides facing those who wish to enter the field of photojournalism:

Today, most photographers sell all rights, losing not only all future income from the use of the images but, sometimes, even the ability to use the images in personal portfolios, exhibits, promotion pieces, personal Web sites, etc. They are, in essence, camera operators taking somebody else's pictures for them.

However, it does end somewhat optimistically, citing the Internet as a source for hope.

The mass media is not so mass anymore. A lot of conventional news sources, newspapers, network television are diminishing in reader and viewership. But some very interesting news sources are showing up in increasing numbers on the Web. Many spring from the newspaper and TV news sources. Some, like Slate, are Web originals. There are specialty sites like The Digital Journalist. And, of course, there are a lot of sites that are the new, modern version of yellow journalism.

Pierce also directs readers to the New York Times Multimedia page, calling the audio slide shows featured there "the equivalent of stories in the old Life and Look magazines."

The Internet has altered photojournalism in many more ways than the slide shows that Mr. Pierce refers to. One can find just a few of these ways by reading Professor Dennis Dunleavy's blog. Professor Dunleavy has blogged about how the Internet is changing the way that photojournalists interact and operate. In his post on APAD, Professor Dunleavy writes:

Aphotoaday is more than a blog, listserve, website or anything e-info. Apad is a community and is a wonderful example of the power of the Internet.

Aphotoaday gives photojournalists a place to come together to share work, critique, and build a community. Professor Dunleavy also blogs about how the Internet has allowed for the creation of online Stock Photo markets:

I believe photojournalism is changing in the digital age because of the development of virtual stock spaces like the Digital Railroad. The Digital Railroad is like a shopping mall for images on the Internet. Photojournalists rent space in the mall and can now maintain more creative control over content.

Once in the digital mall editors can select images from photographers from around the world who rent what amount to a cyber retail shop within the mall to show off their work. It's like going to the mall and instead of shopping at the GAP we go to VII or any number of terrific sites to get the right image for publication.

The Internet is indeed changing not only photojournalism, but media as a whole. As such, students must be aware of all of the resources and technological developments available in order to be the most prepared when entering the job market.

On April 29,2005, Apple released Tiger, OSX 10.4. Hyped by Apple, and given high praise by many, as seen in this Slashdot post, many Apple users quickly upgraded to the latest OS. Not that Tiger is not a worthy upgrade, but as Steve Sloan explains, there are still some bugs to be worked out. While I have not had a chance to really use Tiger (aside from messing around with the computers at the local Apple retail store), I assume that the average user will not be as attracted to easier scripting with Automator or enhanced video conferencing in iChat as they will be to the flashy widgets of Dashboard. Before you shell out the $129 for Tiger, consider Konfabulator, which recently released a new version, has been around since 2003-ish, features a large gallery of widgets, and costs $20. One of my favorite Konfabultor widgets is the Flickr Upload Widget which allows users to simply drag and drop pictures, tag, and upload quickly and easily. Another option for Panther users is Mesa Dynamics Amnesty Widget Browser. This program, which was one of Mac.Merc.com's downloads of the week, allows Dashboard widgets to be used on Panther. In fact, I am writing this post using the Dashblog widget at this very moment. I simply link the widget to my blog and I can post easily without having to open up Firefox and sign in to blogger.

Also of note to those who own Powerbooks... This has been reported before and I received an email on Friday, May 20, 2005. Apple is recalling certain batteries for the 12-inch iBook, 12-inch PowerBook, and 15-inch PowerBook.

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

Dear Apple Customer,

Apple is voluntarily recalling certain lithium-ion rechargeable batteries that were sold worldwide, in systems and separately, from October 2004 through May 2005 for use with the following computers: 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4, 15-inch PowerBook G4. These batteries were manufactured by LG Chem, Ltd. of South Korea. Apple has initiated a worldwide exchange program and will provide you with a new replacement battery, free of charge. This program is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and other international safety authorities.

Issue: The affected batteries could overheat, posing a fire hazard. Apple received six consumer reports of these batteries overheating. Apple urges you to stop using your battery and to order a replacement battery immediately. If you must temporarily use your computer with the battery, do not leave it unattended and check for signs of overheating.

Product: The recalled batteries include those with model numbers A1061, A1078, and A1079 and serial numbers that begin with HQ441 through HQ507 and 3X446 through 3X510. To view the model and serial numbers labeled on the bottom of the battery, you must remove the battery from the computer. The battery serial number is printed in black or dark-grey lettering beneath a bar code.

...

What to do: To begin the battery exchange process, go to the Apple website at www.apple.com/support/batteryexchange. You will be asked for the serial number of your computer, the serial number of your battery, and a ship-to address. After serial number verification, a new battery will be shipped to you free of charge. You may exchange up to three batteries through the website. When you receive the replacement battery, please use the same shipping packaging and the included prepaid shipping label to return the recalled battery to Apple. If you do not have access to the website listed above, you can call Apple at 800-275-2273 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., central standard time, seven days a week, for further assistance.

Thank you for your cooperation with this exchange program.

Apple

This picture from MacMerc.com gives you a better idea of where exactly to look for the model number and serial number. The photo is small so that it will fit onto my blog, but clicking on the image will take you to the original.

The aforementioned student podcast held by Steve Sloan on emerging technology was held this past Wednesday, May 18, 2005 and has been uploaded to the Edupodder website. Mr. Sloan, SJSU Mass Comm grad student Ryan Sholin, Computer Engineering student Harry Wu, and I discussed podcasting, blogging, and wireless internet access among other things, as well as their effects on education in this 48.15 minute, 11.05MB file.

Just what is digg? According to their website, digg is:

a technology news website that gives editorial control back to the community. Most technology websites allow users to suggest content by submitting links or stories to an editor. If the editor believes the story to be relevant to the masses, he or she moves the story to the homepage. With digg, users also submit links for review. But rather than allowing an editor to decide which links go on the homepage, the users do.

Essentially, stories are moved to the digg homepage based on the number of users who find the story useful/interesting as well as the history of the users who are digging the stories. Their FAQ offers a more in depth explanation. The part of digg that I found interesting was the interaction possible between users. digg.com has RSS feeds abound, allowing users to subscribe to specific sections, or even to specific users, letting you keep up with what friends or users with the same interests are digging throughout the day.

SJSU Tech Guy Steve Sloan is holding a podcast for students who participate in blogging and other forms of technology.

SJSU, IRC302...2-3pm and a day, Wednesday May 18...please email me at s_sloan@mac.com and let me know if you can or can't come to the conversation. Faculty and staff are also invited but the focus is going to be on students.

Dan Gillmor, author of We the Media: Grassroots Journalism By the People, For the People has started his Grassroots Media project known as Bayosphere. According to the site, the Bayosphere will:

be a medium through which we could connect and collaborate, for mutual benefit. It's happening. As the Net matures, we are learning to write as easily and fluently as we read.

At Bayosphere, we're going to create a community fueled by that notion. We will reflect -- and reflect on -- the news, needs and ideas of the San Francisco Bay Area and especially the technology sphere that is the prime economic driver of the area.

...

As you'll see in days and weeks to come, I'll be one of many voices, including yours. I'm a host here, not The Editor. Communities have values; we'll have the kind that make this a place we want to share with visitors and each other. So while our postings and conversations will frequently be impassioned, they'll also be civil. Beyond that, we'll be adding tools that make it easy to join in and to do good work, often collaborating with others.

Let's build a space where people can find news and opinion they can trust, and information that helps us in our daily lives.

Related links:

slashdot.org post

Ryan Sholin's post

In trying to make my blog more functional, I decided to add a google search bar to search the contents of my site. I found this great guide on how to do this from the Six Apart website (owners of TypePad, LiveJournal, Moveable Type). I also found this site, which claims to "Put the power of blogs to work for your business." The site promised to provide the same service, adding a search bar to a blog, for a fee of $25. The author of the blog must also supply the username/password. Not surprisingly, the code for the search bar located on their page is the same as the one given for free by Six Apart. This is not to say that the site does not provide a legitimate service to those who are somewhat technically challenged. But, with a little effort, it is likely you will find the answers you are looking for.

Professor Dennis Dunleavy recently found this item at SJSU. It is a monitor which as been labelled "TRASH" and left out in the hallway.



It reminded me of the G4 CubeQuarium project, and that items can find new creative uses other than filling landfills.



Think different.

In a bit of old news, some of the members of the now defunct "The Screen Savers" have gotten together to produce a podcast they now call This Week in Tech. TWiT is hosted by Leo Laporte and also features former TSS co-host Patrick Norton, G4TV Attack of the Show host Kevin Rose, and Robert Heron. You can subscribe to the podcast through feedburner here or access the BitTorrent files here.

May 3, 2005 marked World Press Freedom Day. According to UNESCO, this day is a date:

...which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

Journalists from around the world marked the occassion. From Thailand to Nepal, and Uganda to the Philippines, all have reaffirmed the need for fair reporting, journalistic integrity, and safety in the field. This fear for fair safety has not been unfounded. According to Reporters Without Borders, 53 journalists were killed last year while working. That is the highest number since 1995. Also, the 56 journalists lost in the War in Iraq over two years is the largest loss for reporters since the Vietnam War.

An article by OneWorld US showed that a separate organization, the Committee to Protect Journalists, listed the Philippines, Iraq, Colombia, Bangladesh, and Russia as the most dangerous countries for journalists.

The organization said that the vast majority of journalists killed on the job since 2000 did not die in crossfire but that 121 of the 190 journalists slain worldwide were ''hunted down and murdered in retaliation for their work.''

This is sobering news to the many students who enter fields such as journalism, photojournalism, and television news with the hopes of covering wars, informing the public, and changing the world.

As many photographers and all computer users know, rapid increases in technology render much of our equipment outdated in just a few years. When businesses, professionals, consumers, etc. purchase new equipment, their old "electronic waste" often finds its way into landfills. The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce (RSA) highlighted this growing problem with the creation of "WEEE man." WEE man is a 7 meter (23 foot) tall, 3 ton humanoid figure that is representative of the amount of electronic waste the average UK citizen will create in a lifetime, 90% of which ends up in landfills. The figure is composed of waste such as washing machines, televisions, microwaves, and mobile phones. WEEE man was named after the EU Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment Directive which, in January of 2006, will require manufacturers and retailers to be responsible for recycling their products. The site also helps businesses and individuals calculate their electronic footprints and outlines steps to manage and reduce this footprint.

Somewhat encouraging, this Mercury News article found that the public is either keeping or donating their old computers in higher numbers, and are less likely to simply throw them away.

The survey, conducted last year, included 7,527 households and 2,500 workplaces around the country. It found that 30.1 percent of household respondents keep their old computers and use them, 22 percent pass them on to friends and 17.3 percent keep them in storage. An additional 8.9 percent donate the old machines to charity and 8.6 percent junk them. Only 3.6 percent said they recycle their old PCs.

Ness noted that his survey suggested that businesses are recycling old computers at a 19.1 percent rate, six times higher than households. Homes with small children were twice as likely to keep and still use their older computers (43.3 percent) than single-person households (20.9 percent).

The survey found that lower-income families were more likely to recycle discarded computers than wealthier respondents.

PC World lists ways to dispose of your old computers and cell phones in an environmentally friendly manner.

On Saturday, April 30, 2005 some of the members of PhotographyReview held a gathering in San Francisco. We met at 9am and toured around parts of San Francisco. Unfortunately we had to end early, but everyone had a great time.



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