Stamps may be worth 44 cents now, but seeing our photos run at that size seems pretty worthless. True, the two column width size, which is about as small as photos are published in the Herald, is about 3 1/2 inches wide, making it bigger than the average stamp. However, a wide-angle shot is just as unreadable at the two-column size as it would be if it had been slighted even further.
Sometimes these photos are crammed into such a tight space because the whole paper is being crammed into a smaller package. Or maybe the photo had to play second fiddle to a worse photo that is running with a more important story. But sometimes, we photographers scratch our heads, deep in commiseration, and at a total loss as to what we did for our photos to deserve such poor play.
Of course, this always happens to photos we like. No, it would be too convenient if these space issues happened on those dreadful days where good feature photos are nowhere to be found and we settle for the first semi-interesting thing we see (see: dog-walking, yard work, birds, etc.).
So in order to make me feel better, Ill present a few recent shots I would have liked to see run much bigger.
Matthew Jennings, 10, a fourth-grader at Mesa Elementary, finishes the 10-meter wheelchair race at Special Olympics Washington's annual Tri-Cities Track Meet at Fran Rish Stadium in Richland, where 292 athletes representing 31 schools competed. Click here for more photos from the track meet.
Timothy Dalton, executive director of the Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership, removes tape from the newly unveiled statue, "Balancing the Wine," by Tim McClelland, left, during a ceremony on March 16.
There is one common thread between these photos in that they all have a pretty blue sky. I'm not sure if this element curses my photos to run small or if its proof that I'm a hack who leans on consistently interesting Mid-Columbia clouds as a photo crutch. Judging by the fact that the basketball photo shared the front page with my shot of wheat farmer Walt Neff:
I'd say the latter is more likely.
And while Id like to conclude with a rebuttal to my self-deprecating assessment of my skills by showing off an AT photo of twin violinists Edward, left, and Andrew Chiou,
sharp eyes will catch Edward's distracting green wristband, which I am ashamed to say I missed during the shoot. The smaller tab format of our entertainment guide dictates how big photos can run on the inside, and while I wish it could have run bigger, the smaller size thankfully minimized the green eyesore.
It's a small consolation.
~~~~~
kyau@tricityherald.com
(509) 585-7205
Click here to subscribe to the RSS Feed.
Click here to become a fan of Behind the Fold on Facebook
Similar stories:
Stat Infection
Stat Infection
Falling circulation and advertising sales have shrunk the news hole. While a smaller staff sometimes means we're scrambling for daily content, more frequently, space is at a premium in our print edition.
The photo galleries have gone a long ways in reducing the frustration of having your favorite shot squeezed out of the paper and the juicy page view numbers they generate have probably added some marginal stabilization to the Jenga-like structure that keeps me employed.
It's been easy to get carried away in the virtually unlimited space, and I've been trying to rein in the bloated galleries I've too often posted. Some stories lend themselves to photo overload, however, and this year I've been experimenting with a new way to handle the problem.
Geriacrobatics
Geriacrobatics
Covering centenarians' birthdays is often a groaner gig for community photojournalists. I don't think anybody begrudges families for wanting to get their elders featured in the local rag. They do seem to come in waves, though, and I'd be lying if I said I don't roll my eyes in the multi-100-year-old birthday weeks.
Maybe I've just had good luck in the handful of celebrations I've covered, but I really don't mind them that much. One of the most memorable was getting to hang with Opal Coleman, who turned 100 the same day I turned 27.
I awkwardly shot her and myself for Facebook's sake during the party:
Lighting the Way
Lighting the Way
There's no shortage of difficult situations to cover in this job. While there are some in the news biz who get a rise out of covering tragic situations because of the possible contest implications, but most of us are happy to avoid the sadness whenever possible. And though critics often clamor for more positive stories, dodging negative news would be a huge disservice to our readers.
The unbelievable rash of student deaths at Richland High School meant I had back-to-back candlelight vigils last weekend. While they are nowhere near as tough to cover as funerals , vigils include some technical difficulties with the delicate somberness.
Friday's gathering was in honor of Sierra Murray, the 16-year-old who died on Oct. 28 after getting hit by a car. They had a nice portrait of her set up, so I shot a basic scene-setter as a car passed by,
Wildlife shot up (with camera)
Wildlife shot up (with camera)
For someone who has worked with photo professionals for more than 30 years, I should be better at taking my own photographs.
That said, I have learned a few things that have helped. In no particular order, here are some tips I have gleaned by watching or listening to photographers from the Herald that have improved my shots in the outdoors:
Take your camera
About Face
About Face
Humor is a good crutch to lean on for portraiture. If your subject is uncomfortable in front of the camera, crack a joke to loosen her up. Even terrible jokes can work if it makes someone realize the photographer is a bigger dork than he is. If there are multiple subjects, I like having them reminisce about funny situations to get a more spontaneous feel to the set-up situation.
It's an easy way to get a fun photo because even though some people look a little goofy when they're really laughing, there's always a certain charm to it.
Obviously, this technique isn't always appropriate, and our recent month-long series, Faces of Cancer , is a prime example.
Print
Email Story
