Photo by Ryan Balbuena
A beach volleyballer set up a shot in Santa Cruz last weekend. Students from the San Jose State Photojournalism program participated in a weekend retreat to focus on building storytelling and picture editing skills.
Everyone really seemed to love this picture by Angela Goodman showing a man playing with his dog on the beach. It's a nice moment and Angela's timing and framing really make this picture work.
This weekend just flew by with the completion of our first annual photojournalism retreat with photojournalist-in-residence Michael Franklin of the San Diego Union Tribune. Not only is Mike a first class photographer and picture editor he is also a natural and gifted teacher. His patience in explaining what editors are looking for in photojournalism was refreshing and welcomed by the participants. I am looking forward to podcasting some of Mike's final critique soon as well as offering a link to a web page Angela Goodman is building for the Dawn to Dusk project we conducted in Santa Cruz.
SJSU photojournalism students, from left, Julia Weeks, Ashley Bess, Benjamin Favela, Ryan Balbuena and Adam Heyman. Photo by Jason Fithian!!
For me, one thing that I have taken away from the retreat is Mike's advice on the three qualities he looks for most in a photojournalist -- passion, knowledge and attitude. Mike recognizes that a photojournalist must have the ability to keep their fires burning, understand and have curiousity about the world they live in, and also , and this is perhaps the most difficult for many of us, the capacity to engage with people through building trust and rapport.
Photo by Michael Franklin of photojournalism student Angela Goodman during an afternoon critique at the Saturn Cafe in Santa Cruz.