I'm currently working on editing the images I like in my top 100 and pushing thumbnails around to see what I will like my book to look like. I have contacted the parents of the children I shot in hopes of them letting their children draw me some sort of picture to include in my book.
And after a recommendation from Jennifer Shaw I have started reading A Confederacy of Dunces and so far I am thoroughly entertained. :)
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Driving Around NOLA With Chris Granger
While we were in NOLA we got the chance to ride along with photographers from the Times Picayune Newspaper. Whitley and I rode around with Chris Granger and while on this little journey he was telling us about how not all the time ( and I'm paraphrasing here so don't take this as a direct quote :) ) is it that the best equipment will get the best pictures and equal the big prizes in photography. He told us about a particular photographer who used lots of little point and shoots and tucked them inside his jacket in Iraq. This let him get into places and past check points because he didn't look like the press. That was really interesting to me because I've never really heard anything like that. So I looked it up, of course.
I found a couple of photographers who shoot with point and shoot cameras but I think the main guy Chris was trying to explain to us was Alex Majoli. In 2004 Majoli won Magazine Photographer of the Year for his work for News Week. He did stories on China, The Congo and Iraq. Here's a sample of his work:
http://www.pocko.com/press/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/picture-20.png
While explaining this we also got on the subject of cell phone cameras and more specifically the iPhone camera and how it takes some pretty good pictures. Whitley and I don't have iPhones so we don't have as much practice as Chris does. Here's a couple of shots I took while on a stop:
Overall, I know I had fun riding around and talking with a photographer who isn't also my teacher. Thanks Chris for the opportunity! And of course thank you to Becky and Colleen for taking us all on this amazing trip! :) I feel like I've grown as a photographer since the end of last quarter and that feels great!
I found a couple of photographers who shoot with point and shoot cameras but I think the main guy Chris was trying to explain to us was Alex Majoli. In 2004 Majoli won Magazine Photographer of the Year for his work for News Week. He did stories on China, The Congo and Iraq. Here's a sample of his work:
http://www.pocko.com/press/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/picture-20.png
While explaining this we also got on the subject of cell phone cameras and more specifically the iPhone camera and how it takes some pretty good pictures. Whitley and I don't have iPhones so we don't have as much practice as Chris does. Here's a couple of shots I took while on a stop:
Overall, I know I had fun riding around and talking with a photographer who isn't also my teacher. Thanks Chris for the opportunity! And of course thank you to Becky and Colleen for taking us all on this amazing trip! :) I feel like I've grown as a photographer since the end of last quarter and that feels great!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Dear Nola
I will miss you. Thanks for the late September tan lines, the fire ant bites and the many interesting people we came across. It was all fun J.
Some of my favorites from the trip:
-Riding in Becky’s van listening to 80s on 8 or 90s on 9
-“EVERYTHING’S FINE!”
-“Hot Dogs”
-“Don’t fire Becky…”
-Being able to go to bed at 2 am and some how magically get up at 6 and be able to go until 2 again.
-listening to everyone’s stories
-working closely with other photo students
- Acting like “real tourists” with Niky
Friday, October 1, 2010
Last Day In NOLA :(
Today is the day we leave NOLA and I keep thinking of an article in the Oxford American where the writer says NOLA never leaves your heart. I want to come back!! Well really I don't want to leave. Niky said today if home could come to here it would be okay. I thought that was funny.
In all of the go-go-going we did I did manage to buy some souvenirs for some people close to me :) and I bought one of those cheesy tourist shirts that say I <3 NOLA and a few things for myself. I managed to have some really good food as well. But I wish I could come back soon! Usually when you go somewhere you miss home, which I did, but when I go back I feel like I might miss NOLA just a little bit :).
We also had a little critique last night at the New Orleans Photo Alliance which I think went well. Becky suggested that I become pen pals with the children that I've photographed and include that into my final product for this class. I thought this was a really cute idea and I want to contact the parents and see what they think.
In all of the go-go-going we did I did manage to buy some souvenirs for some people close to me :) and I bought one of those cheesy tourist shirts that say I <3 NOLA and a few things for myself. I managed to have some really good food as well. But I wish I could come back soon! Usually when you go somewhere you miss home, which I did, but when I go back I feel like I might miss NOLA just a little bit :).
We also had a little critique last night at the New Orleans Photo Alliance which I think went well. Becky suggested that I become pen pals with the children that I've photographed and include that into my final product for this class. I thought this was a really cute idea and I want to contact the parents and see what they think.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Claudio
Today I got to shoot a little boy named Claudio (5). He is the son of Jen one of Colleen's friends here in NOLA. She is also a photographer herself. I had so much fun shooting Claudio and even a little bit of his younger brother Mason (2 1/2). The two were so full of energy as little kids are, taking shoes off, running back and forth and back and forth again.
Here are some images from today's shoot:
Here are some images from today's shoot:
 |
| Claudio (5) sits on a ledge at the park where his mother takes him and younger brother Mason (2 1/2) to play. |
 |
| Claudio (5) puts his shoes back on after getting a small cut on the bottom of his foot and a band-aid to heal the tears. |
 |
| Like most little kids, Claudio (5) kept taking his shoes off in different places. |
 |
| Claudio (5) lies in the middle of the park. |
More Images
   |
| Shaniya (9) whispers to younger sister Shamiya (7) the answer to a riddle in their grandpa Robert Green's home. |
 |
| Shamiya comes out of the bathroom at her grandfather's, (Robert Green) house, after laughing because her mom packed her two pairs of pants and no tops. |
Going Out Early Once Again
I didn't get a chance to post pictures last night I tried editing some but didn't put them up. I got up at 6 today so we can leave at 7 to go to an oil affected area. There won't be oil but we can tell already what sort of impact the oil has had on NOLA. A man yesterday said it's been so hot this summer and they couldn't even swim because of BP...so they couldn't really go to the beaches because of all of the oil. That's sad I think.
Today I'm going to call Jennifer and see if she can meet with me. We thought this would seem slow, which it did the first couple of days but it's catching up on us, well me at least!
Today I'm going to call Jennifer and see if she can meet with me. We thought this would seem slow, which it did the first couple of days but it's catching up on us, well me at least!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Quick Post Before Dinner
I thought I would post quick before I go out to dinner. I had the chance today to sleep in! Yay! But then we did some quick shopping like actual tourists bought some keychains and magnets. Then we got "cited" for being pretty girls by a fake police officer who was actually raising money for New Orleans Meals on wheels. It was a pretty funny way to get people interested so Niky and I both donated a dollar to him.
I was told I couldn't get into the edible school yard because the head chef was unavailable for the week because the school is on break. Colleen decided it would be a good idea to just go and maybe get some pictures outside of it. So a few of us went and Becky suggested after walking around the outside of the fence that I should climb on top of the van and take pictures over the fence. So as I was climbing a woman pulled up in a pick up and when she got out Becky started to talk to her. She said it was okay if we went in. So we did and I took lots of pictures of the plants and the outdoor classroom. But it was really hard trying to show that it was a schoolyard not just a garden. But then a girl named Alisha came, she was a junior at another school but she used to go to school there when the edible school yard first started and now she works there. Then after that someone else showed up. It ended up being the garden teacher! Which was super exciting I got to talk to them about the school, gardening and their personal lives a little bit. I got some great pictures and will edit after dinner and possibly post a few of my favorite and some of the shoot yesterday.
I was told I couldn't get into the edible school yard because the head chef was unavailable for the week because the school is on break. Colleen decided it would be a good idea to just go and maybe get some pictures outside of it. So a few of us went and Becky suggested after walking around the outside of the fence that I should climb on top of the van and take pictures over the fence. So as I was climbing a woman pulled up in a pick up and when she got out Becky started to talk to her. She said it was okay if we went in. So we did and I took lots of pictures of the plants and the outdoor classroom. But it was really hard trying to show that it was a schoolyard not just a garden. But then a girl named Alisha came, she was a junior at another school but she used to go to school there when the edible school yard first started and now she works there. Then after that someone else showed up. It ended up being the garden teacher! Which was super exciting I got to talk to them about the school, gardening and their personal lives a little bit. I got some great pictures and will edit after dinner and possibly post a few of my favorite and some of the shoot yesterday.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
The Bare Minimum
Very short post tonight I have had very little sleep in the last couple days, the coolest tan lines you've ever seen and a really bad headache. But I got some great shots in today and now I'm going to get some well needed rest....
Saturday, September 25, 2010
First Day Out
So guess who was up and ready by 6:30 am after going to bed after 3:00 am...yes, yes I made it. Along with everyone else, well one person missed it. It was beautiful. We went and walked around Bourbon Street which was quite a bit different from the three hours before. Pictures to come soon I wanted to get an initial post for the day before I get into pictures. We also took a "Hurricane Katrina Tour" which I wasn't too sure about because I'm never really into those real touristy things. As we were on the buses we passed people sitting on their porches and I kept wondering what are they thinking about us?
Also, Shelly had a good day it was nice of her to share her contact with Devin and I. I have a solid appointment tomorrow morning with Robert and his granddaughters. I knew Robert had a rough story but I didn't know if I wanted to hear it until Shelly did her documentary and told us about it and all that. But after meeting him and he was willing to let me photograph his granddaughters I figured it was time and for the record I just spent the last 20 minutes crying. Here is a link: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2005/katrina/green.family/map/roof.html. This was incredible. I knew there was a hint of something bad, you know going into his yard that two people had died, an older woman and a younger one, only 3 years old. Then when he was talking to me he said it's okay tomorrow if I want to ask them questions while we shoot. He said they aren't phased by what happened if you ask them they won't be emotional is what I'm getting out of it, because they were so young, two and four years old. Their sister was in between them at three. He said that even though they watched their sister fall into 25 feet of water they're not phased. WOW. I couldn't even believe what I read. That's all I can say. You have to read it and I don't think anyone can get through that story without reacting in a similar way to the way I did.
To answer my question from above from one person's perspective, Robert said and I'm paraphrasing so don't take this as a quote from him, but something a long the lines of the people on those buses care enough to come see what has happened and that's a good thing. It shows that people want to help New Orleans.
Also, Shelly had a good day it was nice of her to share her contact with Devin and I. I have a solid appointment tomorrow morning with Robert and his granddaughters. I knew Robert had a rough story but I didn't know if I wanted to hear it until Shelly did her documentary and told us about it and all that. But after meeting him and he was willing to let me photograph his granddaughters I figured it was time and for the record I just spent the last 20 minutes crying. Here is a link: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2005/katrina/green.family/map/roof.html. This was incredible. I knew there was a hint of something bad, you know going into his yard that two people had died, an older woman and a younger one, only 3 years old. Then when he was talking to me he said it's okay tomorrow if I want to ask them questions while we shoot. He said they aren't phased by what happened if you ask them they won't be emotional is what I'm getting out of it, because they were so young, two and four years old. Their sister was in between them at three. He said that even though they watched their sister fall into 25 feet of water they're not phased. WOW. I couldn't even believe what I read. That's all I can say. You have to read it and I don't think anyone can get through that story without reacting in a similar way to the way I did.
To answer my question from above from one person's perspective, Robert said and I'm paraphrasing so don't take this as a quote from him, but something a long the lines of the people on those buses care enough to come see what has happened and that's a good thing. It shows that people want to help New Orleans.
Oh Bourbon Street How I Now Love You
So as a group we decided to follow Niky along to her shoot at The Royal Sonesta to shoot her Burlesque dancers and it was pretty fun. I hope she got some good shots in considering the conditions and it sounds like she got a great interview. I can't wait until I start making progress and doing some good work on my project. Props to Niky for starting the first night! Maybe I'll throw up my images later but we'll see. Everyone is so nice here :)
I also found Sara Herbst's twin tonight! They could pass as twins for sure! I'll have to post either my images or video so Sara can see!
As you can see I posted this at about 3 am and I have to be up at 6 yay for sun rise shooting and we'll be back to Bourbon Street...I Love this....
I also found Sara Herbst's twin tonight! They could pass as twins for sure! I'll have to post either my images or video so Sara can see!
As you can see I posted this at about 3 am and I have to be up at 6 yay for sun rise shooting and we'll be back to Bourbon Street...I Love this....
Friday, September 24, 2010
It's Real As Of Now
So we are officially mostly unpacked and in our hotel room. After a good flight, where we met some French-Canadians who were proud to say so...but not until after they asked us if lower 80s was hot or not....they then continued to practice their suture knots with dental floss. Quite entertaining and as if we didn't have enough entertainment they continued to tell us how the floss was going to turn into a friendship bracelet...ha. Wow.
Well tomorrow should be exciting, the first sunrise shoot is at 6:30am on Bourbon Street.
Well tomorrow should be exciting, the first sunrise shoot is at 6:30am on Bourbon Street.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
It's creeping up on us...
I am for sure not packed but the reality of hauling lots of equipment onto a plane and around New Orleans has set in. I'm having nightmares about uncharged batteries, forgetting equipment and even one where I forgot how to use the equipment. Funny how photographers have nightmares of these things vs. getting things stolen or bad weather. This by far is going to be one of the most exciting things I've done since I started at this school. So glad I transferred.........
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
If You Call Yourself A Photographer You Must Look At This....
http://www.jennifershaw.net/hurricane%20story/index.html
Hurricane Story was made into a book by Jennifer Shaw the images are amazing and by the last one I was almost in tears and happy and a full spectrum of feelings at the same time. I am a huge fan of square format and anyone who is a photographer needs to look at her website.
Hurricane Story was made into a book by Jennifer Shaw the images are amazing and by the last one I was almost in tears and happy and a full spectrum of feelings at the same time. I am a huge fan of square format and anyone who is a photographer needs to look at her website.
It's Count Down Time....!
So I haven't updated lately, but New Orleans is in 3 days! I'm excited and nervous. I haven't heard anything back from a contact I made through my instructor so I haven't even gotten her phone number! Scary... but I still have a couple days and I want to make some solid appointments soon.
I am focusing on children at least one for sure, some shots that I hope to get are:
- a shot of a classroom, from behind all of the children focusing on the teacher
- some shots of a kindergartner as they get ready for school and coming home
-brushing teeth
-putting back pack on
- facing out of the door with backpack on
- coming inside the house, shot from inside facing the model
This clearly depends on if I get someone who is willing to let me into their home with them.
I am focusing on children at least one for sure, some shots that I hope to get are:
- a shot of a classroom, from behind all of the children focusing on the teacher
- some shots of a kindergartner as they get ready for school and coming home
-brushing teeth
-putting back pack on
- facing out of the door with backpack on
- coming inside the house, shot from inside facing the model
This clearly depends on if I get someone who is willing to let me into their home with them.
Click Here: This Looks So Tasty!!
Click through until you find the "Muffuletta"..... Looks so good. Yum.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
"You're a Gamma Phi Beta for Life"
I can't believe I didn't think of this earlier but last week I finally realized I should look to see if there is a Gamma Phi Beta collegiate chapter or Alumni chapter near where I'm staying. Turns out there's one less than 5 miles away! So I contacted both chapters and have yet to hear back from the Alumni chapter but received a very nice email from the President of the Collegiate Chapter. She was very polite and it was nice to have a fellow GPB be so awesome and helpful.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Interesting Story About Spike Lee
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/23/spike-lee-returns-to-new-orleans-for-if-god-is-willing-and-da-creek-dont-rise/
Cool interview with Spike Lee, check it out.
Cool interview with Spike Lee, check it out.
I've Made Contact!
So yesterday I decided to email the person in charge of Project Fleur-de-lis since it was outside of the hours when I found the information. I just checked my email and guess what? He answered back and I must say it's VERY exciting to finally see something in your in box when calls didn't work.
I emailed explaining who I was, what I'm doing and when I'll be there. I then explained how I will be trying to focus mainly on 5 year old children, so pre-k and kindergarten students. I also sent a link to my blog so they could see the progress that I have been making and that way they know it's a real person trying to make a contact.
He responded saying they have 58 schools participating in their program and he is going to ask who would best fit and be willing to let me in.
My freaked out feeling I had while walking in to school is now replaced with total excitement. NOW this project seems real.
I emailed explaining who I was, what I'm doing and when I'll be there. I then explained how I will be trying to focus mainly on 5 year old children, so pre-k and kindergarten students. I also sent a link to my blog so they could see the progress that I have been making and that way they know it's a real person trying to make a contact.
He responded saying they have 58 schools participating in their program and he is going to ask who would best fit and be willing to let me in.
My freaked out feeling I had while walking in to school is now replaced with total excitement. NOW this project seems real.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
New Group Found
In researching for my project I've found a group, or more so an action called Project Fleur-de-lis.
The website is http://www.project-fleur-de-lis.org
Here is the "Our Project" section of the website. I almost can't believe someone put something like this together. It's great though that this has been put in place to help children of all ages before problems get worse.
The website is http://www.project-fleur-de-lis.org
Here is the "Our Project" section of the website. I almost can't believe someone put something like this together. It's great though that this has been put in place to help children of all ages before problems get worse.
"Goals
Project Fleur-de-lis™ core services aim to:
• address symptoms of trauma at the earliest stage before they interfere with a child’s educational, social or emotional functioning;
• heal school communities through multidisciplinary programing that utilizes best practice intentions.
• remain integrated in school communities to provide ongoing mental health care.
Services
Project Fleur-de-lis™ provides specialized training and professional support for school-based counselors. To give the highest level of care, counselors use a cutting-edge electronic records system to track students’ progress and connect with participating physicians, psychologists and therapists. Project Fleur-de-lis™ facilitates the following comprehensive services based on need.
For Children
• School-wide intervention programs
• Classroom-based intervention programs
• In-school counseling
• Assessment, evaluation and referral by professional counselors
• Individual and family counseling
Project Fleur-de-lis™ core services aim to:
• address symptoms of trauma at the earliest stage before they interfere with a child’s educational, social or emotional functioning;
• heal school communities through multidisciplinary programing that utilizes best practice intentions.
• remain integrated in school communities to provide ongoing mental health care.
Services
Project Fleur-de-lis™ provides specialized training and professional support for school-based counselors. To give the highest level of care, counselors use a cutting-edge electronic records system to track students’ progress and connect with participating physicians, psychologists and therapists. Project Fleur-de-lis™ facilitates the following comprehensive services based on need.
For Children
• School-wide intervention programs
• Classroom-based intervention programs
• In-school counseling
• Assessment, evaluation and referral by professional counselors
• Individual and family counseling
For Parents and Teachers
• Educational and healing workshops
• Wrap-around services such as food, clothing and financial assistance
• Educational and healing workshops
• Wrap-around services such as food, clothing and financial assistance
Interventions
Project Fleur-de-lis™ employs the following trauma informed interventions within its tiered model of care: Classroom-Camp-Community-Culture Based Intervention (Macy, Macy, Gross & Brighton, 2006) Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) (Jaycox, 2003), and Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Cohen, Mannarino & Deblinger, 2006).
Project Fleur-de-lis™ employs the following trauma informed interventions within its tiered model of care: Classroom-Camp-Community-Culture Based Intervention (Macy, Macy, Gross & Brighton, 2006) Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) (Jaycox, 2003), and Trauma Focused – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Cohen, Mannarino & Deblinger, 2006).
Three Tiers of Care
Project Fleur-de-lis™ is designed to help traumatized students via a "Stepped Trauma Pathway" that includes the interventions listed above. Project Fleur-de-lis™ is designed to also identify and address all other psychological or psychoeducational problems that occur in children and adolescents. Studies show that 80 – 90% of those touched will be helped in the first tier of care."
Project Fleur-de-lis™ is designed to help traumatized students via a "Stepped Trauma Pathway" that includes the interventions listed above. Project Fleur-de-lis™ is designed to also identify and address all other psychological or psychoeducational problems that occur in children and adolescents. Studies show that 80 – 90% of those touched will be helped in the first tier of care."
I want to contact someone at this organization and see what they're all about in person.
My Favorite Images From The Past Year
 |
| Advanced Lighting - Final Project (earlier in the shoot) |
 | |
| Advanced Lighting - Final Project (earlier in the shoot) |
 | |
| Advanced Lighting - Final Project |
 |
| Advanced Lighting - Very last frame of a two hour shoot that started at 8pm due to both of our busy schedules. |
 |
| Advanced Lighting - Final Project ( portrait of my sister ) |
 |
| Personal - I caught my little sister looking at herself in the mirror. |
 |
| Digi Darkroom - My interpretation of "Bandaids" (w/ 2 characters) By Shel Silverstein, his text on the background. |
 |
| Digi Darkroom - My interpretation of "Bandaids" By Shel Silverstein, his text on the background. |
 |
| Editorial - Dakota County Fair |
 |
| Editorial - Night Portrait w/ Speedlight |
 |
| Editorial - Participant in the 1st Annual High Heel Dash (Minneapolis, MN) |
 |
| Digital Darkroom - Environmental Portrait (120mm film) |
 |
| Digital Darkroom - Environmental Portrait (120mm film) |
 |
| Digital Darkroom - Environmental Portrait ( 120mm film) |
 | |
| Digital Photo - Landscape w/ Model |
 |
| Digital Photo - Landscape w/ Model |
 |
| Vertical/Color "Lost Dog" |
 |
| Originally taken for use in Alternative Photography but never used it. |
 |
| Advanced Lighting - Textural Still Life ( Personalized to me) |
 |
| Advanced Lighting - Textural Still Life (Personalized to me) |
 | ||
| Advanced Lighting - Reflective Objects |
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Just Remembered....
I feel so bad, but I just realized I should give credit to whom my profile photo belongs. Even though a simple "snapshot" it was taken by my friend Matthias Orfield. If you're interested here's his site. He has some awesome images.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthiasorfield/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthiasorfield/
More Research
Over the past two days I've narrowed by subject down to the Katrina Babies and where and how they are doing now. In trying to make my first contact I emailed a reporter of the Times Picayune after reading her story about a baby born 3 days before Katrina.
I did put the link in my last post but to make it easy, here it is again
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-
15/1282977047237870.xml&coll=1&thispage=5
It is a wonderful article and I do suggest reading it if you have the time.
I've done some research using Proquest here at school. I've printed out some articles from Psychology journal and education journals about the issues that deal with the babies of Katrina who are now growing up.
I did put the link in my last post but to make it easy, here it is again
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-
15/1282977047237870.xml&coll=1&thispage=5
It is a wonderful article and I do suggest reading it if you have the time.
I've done some research using Proquest here at school. I've printed out some articles from Psychology journal and education journals about the issues that deal with the babies of Katrina who are now growing up.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/08/26/katrina.premature.babies/index.html
http://www.nola.com/katrina/index.ssf/2010/08/boy_born_a_day_before_hurrican.html
http://www.fox8live.com/news/local/story/Katrina-babies-not-forgotten/
http://pediatrics.about.com/od/inthenews/a/05_katrna_babys.html
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-15/1282977047237870.xml&coll=1
http://www.nola.com/katrina/index.ssf/2010/08/boy_born_a_day_before_hurrican.html
http://www.fox8live.com/news/local/story/Katrina-babies-not-forgotten/
http://pediatrics.about.com/od/inthenews/a/05_katrna_babys.html
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-15/1282977047237870.xml&coll=1
Update on Subject Matter for NOLA
Although I love teachers I'm not sure that the idea as a whole can be done by me in such a short period of time. I have been researching an idea Colleen suggested to me in a comment. Where are the babies from Katrina?? Many of them are just turning 5 and where are they. I still can keep a little bit on teachers if it works because many of these "Katrina babies" are entering Kindergarten this fall.
Response to Zeitoun
I first want to start off by saying this is one the best books I've read in a while. I love true stories but this one was very intense. The story is just plain amazing and impossible to put down. For my response I chose to answer the question about Kathy.
“ Discuss Kathy’s situation, and her actions once she learns where Zeitoun is. The aftermath is more difficult, and she still suffers from physical and psychological problems that seem to be the result of post-traumatic stress. What was the most traumatic part of her experience, and why?”
When the story starts off, if goes through a little bit of history of the couple then gets right into a couple days before Katrina made landfall. A lot of people didn’t anticiate the severity of the storm. Kathy kept hearing news reports and how the storm was getting worse. A story that caught her eye was the family who was lost at sea. She worried about them every time she heard the story. Meanwhile, more and more people were packing up and heading out. Kathy wanted to and couldn’t get Zeitoun to commit to leaving. He had stayed before and didn’t see this as any different. So finally Kathy packed up the kids and the dog and headed out to her family. Zeitoun is able to keep contact with her before and right after the storm using his cell phone until it finally dies. While out exploring his properties he discovers a landline that still works and immediately contacts Kathy and does this every day at noon. Until one day he doesn’t call Kathy. Immediately she knows something must be wrong, she is under a lot of pressure from Zeitoun’s brother and family to find him get him back home. Everyday they call her asking where he is. One day someone calls and in a short manner tells Kathy he saw her husband and told her the prison he was in.
Once she finds out where he is Kathy is so excited because she knows for sure he is alive and she can let her kids and Zeitoun’s brother know he is alive and hopefully well. She could do nothing while she had no idea where he was but soon after finding out where he is, it doesn’t really change. She makes calls to a lawyer friend, they find out of a court date, together they make plans to help get Zeitoun out. But Kathy soon finds out they won’t let her do anything. She can’t even find out where the court date is because it is “private information”. Kathy described this as the part where she broke, the moment when the woman said it’s private information I cannot tell you. This was because Kathy could do nothing and could think of nothing else to do. Her husband was locked up, she did not know why and she could not help. That would be a breaking point for many people.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
More on Teachers
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/01/novice_teachers_trained_under.html
Finding lots of good things, not many are recent though. I have to keep digging.
Finding lots of good things, not many are recent though. I have to keep digging.
American Federation of Teachers
http://www.aft.org
I also found this group - American Federation of Teachers. This is their main website.
I also found this group - American Federation of Teachers. This is their main website.
United Teachers of New Orleans
http://la.aft.org
I found a group. United Teachers of New Orleans. After just a short time researching today I've found so much information. I had no idea that thousands of teachers were fired after Hurricane Katrina. This organization has many members and keeps track of the law suits that were filed after the firings.
I found a group. United Teachers of New Orleans. After just a short time researching today I've found so much information. I had no idea that thousands of teachers were fired after Hurricane Katrina. This organization has many members and keeps track of the law suits that were filed after the firings.
Brainstorming Subject Matter for Photographic Essay
I started out with a list of things that I like and let ideas form from there.
This was my list:
Love stories
Music
Movies
Food
Children
Schools
Historical things
Landscapes
Books
People
Magazines
Clothing
Environmental Portraits
I’ve always enjoyed interacting with children and my little sister of 9 has kept me young. As she grows I worry about the things she interacts with what is going on in her school and how the people she comes in contact with will help her grow as a person.
I could not settle on an idea for my Photographic Essay, so I set out to read and see what would come from there. I read an article from the October 2008 edition of Oxford American by David Ramsey called “ I Will Forever Remain Faithful – How Lil Wayne helped me survive my first year teaching in New Orleans.” Ramsey used to work on the staff of Oxford American and taught 9th and 10th grade Social Studies in New Orleans. I am not sure if he is still teaching although I am curious to find out. In this article he talks about how he uses Lil Wayne to relate to his students. The article is set up into small numbered paragraphs, like tracks and lyrics. In number 8 Ramsey says,
“ Our students are afraid of rain. A heavy morning shower can cut attendance in half. I once had a student write an essay about her experience in the Superdome. She wrote, without explanation, that she lost her memory when she lost her grandmother in the storm. I was supposed to correct the grammar, so that she would be prepared for state testing in the spring.”
It evolved into something like this:
Children/school aged/ schools
Teachers that come in are “White and out of town”
Learning styles of students
Do Teachers have to alter their teaching styles?
Has Katrina affected the way schools are run now?
What things affect attendance?
Living situations of teachers – salaries pay nothing
I am in love with this idea so hopefully after research I can find many ideas and things to shoot.
I think I have to give an honorable mention to the burlesque idea that Colleen brought up because that would be a good idea too. They have to have day jobs, I hope that someone does this it would be a very interesting subject to shoot.
This was my list:
Love stories
Music
Movies
Food
Children
Schools
Historical things
Landscapes
Books
People
Magazines
Clothing
Environmental Portraits
I’ve always enjoyed interacting with children and my little sister of 9 has kept me young. As she grows I worry about the things she interacts with what is going on in her school and how the people she comes in contact with will help her grow as a person.
I could not settle on an idea for my Photographic Essay, so I set out to read and see what would come from there. I read an article from the October 2008 edition of Oxford American by David Ramsey called “ I Will Forever Remain Faithful – How Lil Wayne helped me survive my first year teaching in New Orleans.” Ramsey used to work on the staff of Oxford American and taught 9th and 10th grade Social Studies in New Orleans. I am not sure if he is still teaching although I am curious to find out. In this article he talks about how he uses Lil Wayne to relate to his students. The article is set up into small numbered paragraphs, like tracks and lyrics. In number 8 Ramsey says,
“ Our students are afraid of rain. A heavy morning shower can cut attendance in half. I once had a student write an essay about her experience in the Superdome. She wrote, without explanation, that she lost her memory when she lost her grandmother in the storm. I was supposed to correct the grammar, so that she would be prepared for state testing in the spring.”
It evolved into something like this:
Children/school aged/ schools
Teachers that come in are “White and out of town”
Learning styles of students
Do Teachers have to alter their teaching styles?
Has Katrina affected the way schools are run now?
What things affect attendance?
Living situations of teachers – salaries pay nothing
I am in love with this idea so hopefully after research I can find many ideas and things to shoot.
I think I have to give an honorable mention to the burlesque idea that Colleen brought up because that would be a good idea too. They have to have day jobs, I hope that someone does this it would be a very interesting subject to shoot.
"The True Meaning of Pictures: Shelby Lee Adams
Watching The True Meaning of Pictures: Shelby Lee Adams’ Appalachia was a very good experience. After about 5 seconds into the documentary I realized I’ve seen it before and I must have somehow forgotten. But instead of popping the DVD out and going to bed like a lot of other college students I sat about two feet away from my monitor and listened intently all over again.
It’s hard to believe that I could forget about such an amazing body of work but watching the documentary over and seeing the images all over again just sets the artist and the subject matter into a permanent little spot in my brain. In the very beginning is one of my favorite lines from the entire film: “ A photograph that you can remember is just as important as one that you can see.” I love this because if someone has seen an image that they are really drawn to they will remember that, they can picture it in their minds. On the other hand, if someone sees and image that just appalls them, they will remember that too. An image can be remembered as a very positive image or as a very negative image.
Photography for as long as it has been around has had the ability to serve as a misleading medium. Shelby Lee Adams has been accused of stereotyping his subjects into the typical hillbilly category. But in my mind he isn’t stereotyping them at all. I don’t find any of the images to be highly disturbing or appalling. To me they are a strong body of work that represents the people and the area he came from. In the film he mentioned that his subjects are his friends, whom he loves and cares about. There is genuine concern for the well being of the people. They let them into their homes share in meal time and they did this for a number of years. He’s seen deaths and births and almost acts as part of the family when he is there with them.
As a photographer, I believe that it is our responsibility to portray our subjects in an honest manner. But at the same time my honest manner may be something else to another person. Everybody sees things differently and everyone is affected in a different way after viewing things. I think of the woman, I can’t remember her name (she was in the green shirt in the film) but she was very shocked by the image of her sister. In this particular image, a little blonde girl peeks through a screen door, arms crossed and resting her head on her shoulder. In the background a man stands with his hands behind his back next to some empty boxes or bins. The lighting in this is just spectacular and Shelby Lee Adams says so himself, he had to take the picture because everything was set up so nicely. The sister of the little girl in the image is furious with this particular frame. She says in the film her family has been disgrace by Adams and lists a few reasons why. I think the main reason she thinks this is because of the screen and how she describes the look of her sister as being “like she hasn’t eaten in days”. I personally love this image I don’t see a starving child and yes the porch looks run down but who hasn’t seen a screen door that is just destroyed? or a dirty porch floor?
I think Shelby Lee Adams portrayed his subjects in a positive manner. I know the stereotypes of hillbillies include violence and moon shine and much more, he doesn’t show that. If he wanted to misrepresent them and show the hillbilly stereotype he could have set up images of people hurting each other or just drinking moonshine all of the time and doing nothing else. I think every photographer or anyone who would like to call themselves a photographer eventually should watch this documentary.
It’s hard to believe that I could forget about such an amazing body of work but watching the documentary over and seeing the images all over again just sets the artist and the subject matter into a permanent little spot in my brain. In the very beginning is one of my favorite lines from the entire film: “ A photograph that you can remember is just as important as one that you can see.” I love this because if someone has seen an image that they are really drawn to they will remember that, they can picture it in their minds. On the other hand, if someone sees and image that just appalls them, they will remember that too. An image can be remembered as a very positive image or as a very negative image.
Photography for as long as it has been around has had the ability to serve as a misleading medium. Shelby Lee Adams has been accused of stereotyping his subjects into the typical hillbilly category. But in my mind he isn’t stereotyping them at all. I don’t find any of the images to be highly disturbing or appalling. To me they are a strong body of work that represents the people and the area he came from. In the film he mentioned that his subjects are his friends, whom he loves and cares about. There is genuine concern for the well being of the people. They let them into their homes share in meal time and they did this for a number of years. He’s seen deaths and births and almost acts as part of the family when he is there with them.
As a photographer, I believe that it is our responsibility to portray our subjects in an honest manner. But at the same time my honest manner may be something else to another person. Everybody sees things differently and everyone is affected in a different way after viewing things. I think of the woman, I can’t remember her name (she was in the green shirt in the film) but she was very shocked by the image of her sister. In this particular image, a little blonde girl peeks through a screen door, arms crossed and resting her head on her shoulder. In the background a man stands with his hands behind his back next to some empty boxes or bins. The lighting in this is just spectacular and Shelby Lee Adams says so himself, he had to take the picture because everything was set up so nicely. The sister of the little girl in the image is furious with this particular frame. She says in the film her family has been disgrace by Adams and lists a few reasons why. I think the main reason she thinks this is because of the screen and how she describes the look of her sister as being “like she hasn’t eaten in days”. I personally love this image I don’t see a starving child and yes the porch looks run down but who hasn’t seen a screen door that is just destroyed? or a dirty porch floor?
I think Shelby Lee Adams portrayed his subjects in a positive manner. I know the stereotypes of hillbillies include violence and moon shine and much more, he doesn’t show that. If he wanted to misrepresent them and show the hillbilly stereotype he could have set up images of people hurting each other or just drinking moonshine all of the time and doing nothing else. I think every photographer or anyone who would like to call themselves a photographer eventually should watch this documentary.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
“New Orleans was a city surrounded by water”
Last night I watched American Experience: New Orleans. It’s a 2 hour long PBS movie that gives a quick history of the city.
Everybody knows New Orleans is a very old city, and people there will tell you that there are many, many traditions. Such as picnics in cemeteries, to most of us that’s strange. Why would someone want to have a picnic in a cemetery, because it’s an entirely different culture in this city.
New Orleans was established as a city in 1718. In the movie Ari Kelman ( art historian) said “It was the worst place imaginable to put a city…on the other hand it was the best place to put a city.” I think a person gets a better perspective when this next line follows – “ We live in a bowl surrounded by water on a flood plain.” I don’t remember exactly who said it in the movie but it helps give someone an idea if you if they’re like me and from North Dakota, where it is pretty much just flat.
I think it’s safe to say in that sense, being surrounded by water, New Orleans has always had a close relationship with water.
New Orleans was known as the most unsanitary city because they had no sewage system. The drinking water for the city was pulled straight from the river, which was also used as a dumping ground for most of the cities waste. In 1914, the city finally had a drainage system.
A pump called the ‘wood pump’ was invented. It was a strong enough to lift the water and push it over the levees. After this they started to drain certain areas in order to expand the city, this started in 1920.
On April 15, 1927 it started raining and it rained a lot. A bolt of lightning struck the pump stations and they all stopped. The city flooded, there was 4 feet of water in the city. I did not know New Orleans had a previous struggle with flooding prior to Katrina.
The board of self appointed bankers in New Orleans then decided they needed to do something drastic to help the city. What did they decide? They decided to blow up the levees so the water would go over the natural flood plain. They evacuated the areas and promised the people compensation for the flooding of their homes.
In the end it took 39 tons of dynamite and 10 days to destroy the levee. And the levee further away broke – just like predicted. So really there was absolutely no reason to blow up the levee and make so many people homeless. Those people were never compensated and the bankers decided to deduct the cost of feeding those people from any settlement they would bring forward. This was such a big event in New Orleans at the time, the newspapers blew up and cause absolute panic in the city.
Then we jump to August 29th 2005 something even worse happened to New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina hit and disaster ensued. I lived in North Dakota on the exact opposite side of this event, of the United States. Of course we heard about it, but unless you were close to it or actually there I don’t think anybody knew or understood the true story of Katrina. I will admit I didn’t and still don’t know a lot about Katrina and New Orleans but know I’ve been drawn in to the city, just by one video and a magazine.
In the video towards the end a woman said “ Nobody helped New Orleans, so in the end we helped ourselves.” Another described the city as “a city too unruly to rule”. This in the end helped them pull through as a community and to survive.
I just want to add that I’m so happy that things pulled together and I get to have an opportunity like this with great people at a great school.
Everybody knows New Orleans is a very old city, and people there will tell you that there are many, many traditions. Such as picnics in cemeteries, to most of us that’s strange. Why would someone want to have a picnic in a cemetery, because it’s an entirely different culture in this city.
New Orleans was established as a city in 1718. In the movie Ari Kelman ( art historian) said “It was the worst place imaginable to put a city…on the other hand it was the best place to put a city.” I think a person gets a better perspective when this next line follows – “ We live in a bowl surrounded by water on a flood plain.” I don’t remember exactly who said it in the movie but it helps give someone an idea if you if they’re like me and from North Dakota, where it is pretty much just flat.
I think it’s safe to say in that sense, being surrounded by water, New Orleans has always had a close relationship with water.
New Orleans was known as the most unsanitary city because they had no sewage system. The drinking water for the city was pulled straight from the river, which was also used as a dumping ground for most of the cities waste. In 1914, the city finally had a drainage system.
A pump called the ‘wood pump’ was invented. It was a strong enough to lift the water and push it over the levees. After this they started to drain certain areas in order to expand the city, this started in 1920.
On April 15, 1927 it started raining and it rained a lot. A bolt of lightning struck the pump stations and they all stopped. The city flooded, there was 4 feet of water in the city. I did not know New Orleans had a previous struggle with flooding prior to Katrina.
The board of self appointed bankers in New Orleans then decided they needed to do something drastic to help the city. What did they decide? They decided to blow up the levees so the water would go over the natural flood plain. They evacuated the areas and promised the people compensation for the flooding of their homes.
In the end it took 39 tons of dynamite and 10 days to destroy the levee. And the levee further away broke – just like predicted. So really there was absolutely no reason to blow up the levee and make so many people homeless. Those people were never compensated and the bankers decided to deduct the cost of feeding those people from any settlement they would bring forward. This was such a big event in New Orleans at the time, the newspapers blew up and cause absolute panic in the city.
Then we jump to August 29th 2005 something even worse happened to New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina hit and disaster ensued. I lived in North Dakota on the exact opposite side of this event, of the United States. Of course we heard about it, but unless you were close to it or actually there I don’t think anybody knew or understood the true story of Katrina. I will admit I didn’t and still don’t know a lot about Katrina and New Orleans but know I’ve been drawn in to the city, just by one video and a magazine.
In the video towards the end a woman said “ Nobody helped New Orleans, so in the end we helped ourselves.” Another described the city as “a city too unruly to rule”. This in the end helped them pull through as a community and to survive.
I just want to add that I’m so happy that things pulled together and I get to have an opportunity like this with great people at a great school.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)