Hey Scholars,
Here’s what I’d like us to share this week:
1) How is your internship and what you’re learning and observing at your papers changing your thoughts about daily journalism?
AND
2) What’s something you wish you had known going into your internship?
Thanks — and carry on — Coach Col
Aaron Montoya
07.29.09
What I’m learning about daily journalism…
Well, I think there’s a wide range of skill in my newsroom and I suspect others’ too.
I look at some Post employees and wonder how they got a job, and sometimes what they do exactly. I look at others and say “Wow” as I marvel at their excellence in their craft and their extremely hard work.
So, I guess I’m learning that major metro newsroom’s aren’t these places filled with elite professionals — there’s a whole range of skill levels. It makes it a little less intimidating for me.
As an addendum to that, I’m finding that it’s extremely important to push yourself everyday — don’t wait for anyone else to push you, cause they won’t. If you need work in a particular area, then you need to step up and make that experience happen. If you want to pursue a story, then do it and persuade your editors to publish it. I guess I’m finding that more of a competitive, freelance-type mindset in a newsroom is a good thing to have. Just because you’re on staff doesn’t mean you’re safe and can be lazy. You must constantly strive to make your work better, tell better stories.
I wish I knew more about my editor and this whole world of higher photojournalism I’m discovering before I came to The Denver Post, but things are good.
Peace be with you.
Coach Colleen
07.29.09
Hey Aaron, thanks for your thoughtful reply. Very helpful.
I’m curious: Can you tell me what you mean, exactly, by “this whole world of higher photojournalism”?
Are you talking about skills (if so, which ones?), way of seeing the world (if so, how?), way of acting within the profession (if so, how?)…..and/or……..? And what would you have liked to have known in advance about your editor?
Thanks –Colleen
Aaron Montoya
07.29.09
I’m still trying to figure out exactly what I mean by “higher photojournalism”, though that is just how I envision this concept.
I guess I am talking about your last two suggestions — a way of seeing the world and a way of acting in the profession. This “higher” form of photojournalism isn’t necessarily about visual aesthetics — it’s not the composition, angle, framing, shutter speed, aperature, focal length, color or even quality of light that makes a photograph — it’s feeling. I’ve been exposed recently to the idea that the true goal for many photojournalists is to tell great stories through their images — not single daily images, which could be likened to a brief of little consequence, but extended photographic stories that really allow a viewer to delve into a life that isn’t their own and to see it through a lens they don’t have.
I’ve always been extremely focused on the technical skills and abilities, I think because it’s easier to focus on things so concrete. Now, what I’m beginning to understand is that these skills and abilities, though important, do not determine who is and is not a great photojournalist. What determines that is character, drive, the ability to connect with another person or people, and the ability to interpret feelings and channel them into photographs. I almost see photojournalists as these vessels through which stories flow and are transformed into images for mass consumption — and hopefully understanding laced with compassion. I’m finding that in order to be a good photojournalist, I should really be focusing on how to make myself a proper vessel, rather than merely thinking about my shutter speed and composition.
I hope that makes sense — it’s still a little fuzzy to me right now too, but answering your question is helping me to hash it out further — thanks for that
As for my editor, I guess I would’ve liked to know his personality a bit more before I showed up, which I know is not really possible, I just feel as though because it’s taking me a while to figure him out that I’m using valuable time that I could have been using to form a good relationship with him. Another obstacle to which is that he has been on vacation for several weeks now.
He’s got an extremely intimidating, rough outer shell — a kind of get your work done, do it right and don’t talk to me kind of perception is what I have. And I actually like that because that’s how I operated as editor of my school paper — I’m sure it can be debated whether this is the route to go or not, but nevertheless, I connect with it and understand it. However, it’s still intimidating. Beyond that, I spent some time talking to one of my co-workers the other day about him and confirmed my suspicions that he really is a helpful caring guy, he just doesn’t offer it outright — you have to work for it. So, if I want advice or help or critique or anything I need to ask for it. That can be hard when mixed with his intimidating persona, but I can get over all that. So, I intend to approach him when he gets back from vacation and ask him to critique my work so far and see if he wants to get a beer or something.
Sorry for the long response, but thanks for helping me think through some of the vague areas of my thoughts — I appreciate it!
Colleen
07.29.09
Aaron,
I went out to dinner last week with Everton Bailey (our group) and Bettina Hansen (CQS spring 09, a photog from Ariz who is an intern this summer at The Hartford Courant), and Bettina was trying to articulate similar things (I think! :). You two definitely should connect!
I’d also say: be patient with yourself.
Here’s one way to look at it — if you don’t learn and become good at executing the fundamental aspects of making a good picture — the journalistic and artistic basics, the “the rules” if you will — then your photos may not be able to captivate and draw in viewers/readers. And then no matter how “vessel-like” you become, readers won’t notice because your pictures lose them from the start. So don’t beat yourself up for trying to master the basics.
(And once you’ve got them down, you can adhere to them, throw ‘em out the window, mix ‘em up, whatever. It’s empowering — more empowering, I’d argue, than if you never learned them.)
And consider, too, that becoming that vessel might involve the passage of time, of experiencing life — either vicariously (through our journalism jobs) or first-hand. It requires living. It’s through living and reflecting on the multitude of life’s experiences that we deepen our understanding of the whole of the human condition — of pain, compassion, love, happiness, injustice, truth, etc. And the more we personally understand those emotions and qualities, the more that understanding can inform our work as journalists and the richer our work becomes.
You can’t hasten the passage of time. (And you don’t want to!! — says this oldster
) What you can do is try to approach every assignment, everything you do with an open heart and with intelligence.
I’ve long believed that one of the greatest things we learn as journalists is the process of very quickly forcing ourselves into other people’s shoes so that we can think as they think, feel as they feel — and then stepping back and just as quickly detaching ourselves so that we can know what the best way to make the photo is. So that we know how to make the deepest connection with people. All within the time allowed by the assignment, whether five minutes, five hours, five days. It’s an amazing skill — and it takes time and practice to develop.
Hats off to you for thinking about, and practicing, these things so early in your career — and lucky for you that you’re in a newsroom with pros who value this kind of thought, discussion, aspiration. I agree, the great journalists are the ones for whom what you’re talking about is deeply important.
This is a great thing to talk with your editor about over that beer you’re going to have with him (or coffee or while just sitting on a stool in the newsroom), once you’ve gone over the strengths and weaknesses in your work and his/your expectations and goals for the rest of the summer.
Carolyn Chin
07.29.09
Part I:
My design internship at the Denver Post so far has been a good experience. Of the internships I’ve done, this isn’t the one I’ve learned the most at, but still, I’m learning everyday. The ME of presentation of design at the DP is very particular about what he likes and what he doesn’t like so that in itself is a learning experience.
In a meeting with Greg Moore, the editor, I got an interesting take on daily journalism. He said that the paper would be moving more toward in-depth stories, not so much breaking news and spot news. Since all of that breaking news would be best suited for the Web, he explained that longer rolling stories and follow ups would be best for the print product.
Before that meeting, I had never really thought of it that way.
I’m also noticing that regardless of people’s natural talents and skills, it’s their personalities that make them fit best with the paper. Regardless of what you come into the paper with, you can be trained to do well and do better. But if your personality fits with the paper, you’re in. That’s why I think that all of us interning is such a good thing because when it comes time to hire someone, they already know us and know what we can bring to the newsroom.
Part II:
Heading into this internship, I wish I had known more about Colorado and Denver. I didn’t go in completely blind, but there are things that still come up that I don’t know about and I wish I did. Things like history, big news from the past, important names and cases, etc.
Hope everyone’s doing well! Miss you guys.
Colleen
07.29.09
Carolyn, great observation about the importance of personality (and I’d add attitude) when it comes to fitting in at the paper (or any workplace). Thanks!
Charles Davis
07.29.09
I’m learning to not be lazy and double-check stories and go through the AP Stylebook instead of expecting my editor to do everything.
BTW, I think daily journalism is very important. You miss one day and you can miss money or opportunities or a chance to yell at your councilmen. I’ts essential, more than ever, to be engaged in your community.
I wish I had known about attention to detail. I wish I knew who Ray Nitschke was. I wish I knew the roads looked like they had been ravaged by Godzilla. I wish I knew 18-year-old young moms back out of interviews. I wish I knew that no one really knows, most just pretend and ask someone who they think does. I wish I knew why I love to make myself smile.
P.S. I would smile bigger if I had a job after this, which I need!
Charles
Colleen
07.29.09
Charles! If you’re studying your AP Stylebook, the quiz will be a breeze for you!
The challenge is still out there — to all Scholars. Take the quiz and win a prize! Here it is again:
Please provide the BOLDFACE ENTRY in your Stylebook under which you would find the answers to the following questions. Please give the ultimate source entry. In other words, if you check one entry and it refers you to another, go to that one; that’s the one I’m looking for (if it’s the final word). Not necessary to answer the question.
1) I’m writing about Des Moines. Where do I go to find out whether I have to also include the name of the state, Iowa?
2) I’m writing about a book by Anne LaMott called Bird by Bird. Where do I go to figure out if I put the book title in quotes, underline it, italicize it or do nothing?
3) I have to cover the Wesleyan graduation. Where do I go to find out the style on the various degrees (bachelor, master, doctorate, etc.) that graduates are receiving?
4) I’m covering a four alarm fire and I want to list in a single sentence the names of all the firefighter captains who are present at the scene. Where do I go to figure out how to handle the term captain in this case (upper case, lower case, plural or do I have to use the word before each name, etc.)?
5) Where do I go to find out whether I write the name of the paper USA TODAY or USA Today? And do I italicize it?
6) Help! I have to write a story about some retail companies that are swallowing each other up. In this case, are the words acquisition and merger synonymous?
7) Do I write coworker or co-worker?
9) I have to quote someone saying, “She stole the silver, for goodness sakes.” Is it “for goodness sakes” or “for goodness’ sakes” or “for goodness’s sakes”?
10) I had to cover an arraignment this morning of a guy who murdered five people. The judge wouldn’t let the defendant go free. So where does he spend his time waiting for the trial to begin – in prison?
Col
PS. The prize is a box of homemade cookies mailed to you.
Emma Carew
07.29.09
Hey Gang - hope you all are getting geared up for fun a fun weekend.
I wish I had known wayyyyyyy more about financial stuff before I came here. I tried to learn what I could, but it’s hard to make sense of things - there’s a lot. I wish I had understood SEC filings (I’m learning LOTS about them — they’re super useful. I kind of wish EVERYONE had to file SEC filings, like Universities and stuff) and stock markets.
I also wish I had known more about the Post before I came. Everyone knows the Woodward and Bernstein stories. I was aware that Katharine Weymouth (the publisher) and Marcus Brauchli (the editor) were new-ish. I knew they had folded the financial section (my section!!) into the A section, cutting the stock agate pages to save money. But I really wish I had done more reading about the paper’s history, rather than bulking up the night before each lunch we have with top editors (skimming over Jimmy’s World and the subsequent fallout coverage before Ben Bradlee, flipping through this month’s Vogue — *after* the Katharine Weymouth lunch).
But, I am learning TONS about journalism and about the news here at the Post. I know that the skills I’m learning as a financial reporter will help me no matter what I cover. Everything costs money, everyone has money or is trying to get more money or is losing/stealing/hiding someone else’s money.
The Post is fortunate enough to still be very optimistic about the daily print product. Our penetration of the Washington area for the print product is ridiculous — something like, upwards of 50% I think? We’re told NYT has like, 8% in the New York area.
The Post, like many papers, is succeeding by capitalizing on hyper-local news — not what you would expect from The Washington Post. But, overtime, the other major dailies in the District have died or been purchased by the Post. This remains the place for not just coverage of Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation hearings, but also the place for top notch coverage of DC and area schools, neighborhoods, prep sports, transportation, etc. It’s crazy to think under one roof are reporters who cover local neighborhood association meetings, and ones who cover national defense.
We’re told our industry is not dying. We’re told there’s hope for us all. We’re also told don’t even think about getting hired at the end of the summer, because there’s no money to keep you.
So… here’s to hoping they’ll change their mind come January. For now I’ll be staying in DC at the Chronicle of Higher Ed, but I’m already actively searching for jobs and opportunities for spring. Internships, if it must be — but I do think I’m getting ready for the real thing.
Andrea V, Adolfo and I are having a mini reunion this weekend - I’ll send pictures next week!
~ Emma
Coach Col
07.29.09
Spot-on, Emma. Thanks for these observations.
Understand and “follow the money” in every story and it will lead you down interesting paths and result in great work.
Col
Andrea Vasquez
07.30.09
This is very late, but I figure better late than never. Also, this is my second to last day (can you believe it?!) and now’s a good a time as any to reflect on the past 10 weeks. Sigh.
1. I’ve learned how alive journalism is, in that it never lies dormant, it’s always growing, changing and evolving. It’s a living, breathing thing. We can’t control when news happens (that, at least, I knew) or what that news will be. I was on assignment yesterday when I got called out to a supposed mudslide, so the photographer and I jumped in my car and headed to the scene. When we got there, honest to goodness I’m not even sure I would have realized we’d arrived if not for the sheriff’s car - the “mudslide” was actually just mud that had overflowed from the ditch out into the road. Wuah wuah. But we didn’t know that, and the man who had called my editor certainly didn’t explain that.
Point is, sometimes a 10-inch story can turn into Watergate (well, more or less), and sometimes a big idea can end up falling flat … or flatter than expected. Journalists just need to swap out their pride or stubbornness for flexibility. They also need to remember to have some empathy for their sources, and keep in mind that whatever the story - even something like Bingo night at the senior center - and however small it may seem, it’s usually a big deal to the source, and it’s important to be sensitive to that.
2. I wish I’d had a better grasp of the area before I came so that I could have developed a project idea early on in my internship. Also I wish I’d known a little more about small-town dynamics: Everyone knows each other (and is most likely “kin”), so schmoozing and chatting with sources is huge. The city reporter sits next to me, and I’ve seen him spend an hour on the phone with sources, long after they had finished the interview. One of our reporters bartends at a swanky bar downtown, where the mayor is more or less a regular - she’s his favorite bartender and knows all kinds of city news.
But, above all else, the most important thing I’ve learned while I’ve been here is that “those damn Yankees ruin everything.”
andrea
08.04.09
Sorry I haven’t gotten around to answering these questions until now. The first set of questions are things I have been painfully mulling over in the last couple of weeks here in Rochester.
And the truth is that I still don’t know what to say.
I’ve felt cynical and I’ve felt hopeful. Much of the money in the Rochester community lies in the suburbs so the paper puts a lot of effort into earning their readership by publishing a lot of feature-y type things that happen there. I can’t tell you how many library story times and summer day camps I’ve been sent to shoot. While it’s fun to wade around a bunch of little kids and take their photos, I was feeling way too saturated with this kind of task. I found myself questioning a lot of things, like what stories am I not getting to tell here because of this initiative?
On the flip side of that, I have gotten the chance to meet a lot of interesting people and be put in a lot of worthwhile situations. I guess that’s sort of the ebb and flow of what daily journalism is now. I had a photo editor I worked with tell me once that his favorite part of shooting was that he could be in a cardboard box with a homeless dude one day and talking to a senator the next day. I still search for that kind of serendipitous itinerary, but find myself caught having to do live video of a three-hour city council meeting.
I wish I had realized that dropping into a community for ten weeks isn’t as long as I thought.