Hot-button topics earn their apt moniker from the hard metaphorical line they draw in the proverbial sand. The debate surrounding these issues can drag on for decades, neither side willing to yield an inch.
It's rare for people on opposite sides of issues such as abortion, gay marriage, gun control and immigration to agree about anything in these arenas, but a local story seemed to gain universal agreement, and it came to a happy ending on June 25.
The Korotkovs Alex, Galina, Inna, Yevgeniya, Kristina, and Alex Jr. returned to the Tri-Cities after going back to Russia nearly two years ago to comply with an immigration order after it was discovered their original petition for asylum had never been processed. The Pentecostal family was finally granted asylum as religious refugees.
I had the chance to meet the family during my internship in August 2007, and reporter Joe Chapman has been covering their story throughout. The Herald also has run some editorials on the subject, and senior photographer Paul T. Erickson produced a slideshow of the Korotkovs' farewell party.
Joe and I had the chance to cover their happy return at the Tri-Cities Airport, where around 60 friends and family members gathered to welcome them back. Alex's uncle Fiodor even busted out a mandolin while everybody waited:
I fidgeted like I always do when there's a surefire peak moment of emotion that I have too much time to plan for. There was some uneven, but decent light where the family was gathered and I hoped they would all stay back as the Korotkovs arrived.
Just dont rush up to greet them in front of those ugly ads.
I suppose I mentally jinxed myself on that one. From then on, it was a swirling mess of moments as the family split up to be hugged and welcomed by everybody.
Galina cries with joy as family welcomes her back.
This could have been a strong candidate if it was technically stronger and if the background elements would have lined up better.
I like this shot too, but there isnt enough emphasis on the immediate familys return. Alex is covering his face and Yevgeniya is partially in shadow in the background (she's the one with the hat below the balloons).
Although I usually hate camera awareness, there is something about this shot of Alex Jr. that I really like.
Inna Korotkov, 16, fourth from left, shares stories of her two years in Russia with her cousins. "I'm never going back," she said.
Vera Rakomina, left, welcomes back her granddaughter Kristina Korotkov, 4.
This is my favorite shot from the take, but it, like all of the above frames, lacked the main players of the story. Sadly, the best photo for the story that day was the one with the ugly ads glaring in the background. It didnt help that the story had to compete with Michael Jackson's death and Paul T. Ericksons coverage of Hogs and Dogs and Cool Desert Nights, both of which bumped the Korotkovs photo gallery from prominence within a few hours.
The story may not have gotten the play I had hoped for, but it was still a pleasure to cover the Korotkovs' return. Even nicer was that they remembered my brief visit to their home during my internship.
But the best part was that they were finally allowed to return. As we said in the June 30 editorial, Welcome Home, Korotkov family.
~~~~~
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:
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.
The Mourning After
The Mourning After
There's no doubt this job doesn't always feel like one. Hot air balloon rides, crazy court scenes and the rodeo are fun assignments that highlight some of the joys of making photos for a living.
On the flip side, there's no shortage of tragedy to cover , and photographing funerals is seldom easy.
My first funeral assignment was a good entry point, though, when I covered a memorial for Superior Court Judge Robert S. Day on July 10, 2009 . I can't remember all the details of that shoot now, but it was a pretty light affair. His former colleagues had plenty of fond and humorous memories to share:
9/11 changed lives of these volunteers
9/11 changed lives of these volunteers
As Shirley Schmunk was glued to a TV screen on 9/11 watching the twin towers fall, the Tri-City woman remembers being struck with the fear of what was about to happen.
Schmunk, like so many others, was confused and didn't exactly know what was going on. But her thoughts immediately went to America's young men and women, and the likelihood of them being recruited or even drafted for military service in the wake of the terrorist attacks on this country.
Little did she know at the time that the Tri-Cities would send many of its own overseas to fight terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Avoiding Peeved.R.
Avoiding Peeved.R.
The photos we want to make don't always jive with what the event organizers had in mind. Some media relations people seem genuinely shocked when I dismiss their suggestion that I snap a smiley handshake in front of a logo and sign orgy. Thankfully, many of the media handlers we work with frequently aren't that controlling during these carefully contrived situations.
Some are definitely better than others, though, and in my experience, covering stories at Kadlec Regional Medical Center has always gone the smoothest. Much of the credit goes to Jim Hall, director of community relations, but when he's not there, Delt Clark, community relations coordinator, and Nan Domenici, community relations specialist, maintain their higher level of media care.
I should start by saying that I'm not disparaging the other area hospitals. I've just worked on stories a lot more frequently at Kadlec. While part of that is because of scheduling, I think that's the first reason they're easiest to work with.
ASU official: Erickson out as coach
ASU official: Erickson out as coach
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Dennis Erickson is out as Arizona State coach, a university official told The Associated Press, after another season in which the results didn't meet the expectations for the Sun Devils.
The official spoke on the condition of anonymity on Sunday because details of Erickson's departure have not been finalized.
Erickson will meet with athletic director Lisa Love as early as today and, at 64, could be allowed to retire rather than be fired. He is unlikely to be with the team in any bowl game it might play.
Print
Email Story
