After graduating from the University of Iowa in December (2009), with a B.A. in Journalism and a B.A. in Psychology, I'm literally out into the real world now.
I began a semester long photo internship with the Cedar Rapids Gazette on Monday. So far, so good.
Monday I received a tour of the newsroom - integrated with KCRG, as well as information on rules and procedures - AND an abundant supply of equipment. But that wasn't the end of my day. I was introduced to many people on staff, went on a shoot with Gazette photographer Cliff Jette, and together we shot the Coe vs. Loras Women's Basketball game that night.
Already Cliff has given me so much information and tips on how to survive as a photojournalist for the Gazette. Along with him, I work closely with Rollin Banderob, Jim Slosiarek, Liz Martin and I'm sure when he's around - Brian Ray. Fortunately being in the Iowa City area while working at the Daily Iowan - I have already been into contact with all the Gazette's photographers. Knowing the Cedar Rapids area has helped me as well.
Regardless of that though, every day is a new day - every shoot a new shoot. It's important to take each assignment and make something even when it's nothing - and that becomes the challenge every day.
Yesterday I was presented with a surprisingly new challenge as well. High School Girl's Basketball. It's definitely not the college sport pace, but they have their own thing going on and I think it's something I can learn to get used to. Cliff came to the game with me and helped me get the lights set up...
Shooting with lights - completely new concept for me. That will take some time to get used to. You really have to be patient and wait for the shot - timing it perfectly or you completely miss out. Something that Cliff brought to my attention about shooting sports is he said, look for the conflict.
It might seem like common sense, and maybe it is an instinct that is looked for when doing sports photography - but I never thought of it in that specific sort of way. It makes complete sense and it's going to be something that I keep in my mind from here on out - it might give me a new look to my sports shots.
And then there was today.
Today I had two photo shoots where I was on my own. One of them was a tour of some townhouses opening for prisoners who are trying to get back on their feet. The other was a campaign tour for former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad.
I'm learning new techniques, tighter deadlines, quick edits, getting an image and getting out, and in general the work of a photojournalist at a professional paper. And today was only day 3.
