Portrait of your paper carrier

Carl Ohler, Holland, Ohio is a rural Toledo Blade carrier.

   I chose Mr. Ohler as a subject because he has an occupation that is widely taken for granted by people.  He works 365 days a year delivering The Blade and other papers.  The wear and tear on his vehicles is astronomical.  Mr. Ohler has two autos, one of which is usually in the shop for brakes and/or something else.  This can be an expensive job that does not pay very well.

   I am not a shy person, so photographing people is not hard for me, especially when it is a subject that I feel passionate about.  Give me an animal assignment and I will cut right through it.  The only problem with that would be trying to stay objective so maybe that wouldn't be such a great idea.  I do like to learn about different people, places and things.
   I like to be challenged, not football games though,  I don't think I'm cut out to be a sports photographer.
   I enjoy exploring people's lives and families.  People and animals interest me. 
Causes and fundraisers would be fun, too.
   I like taking portraits of people, especially with an edge to them.  I like to take things out of the box a bit.

Mr. Ohler's job involves 365 workdays and a lot of paperwork.

Carl Ohler

   When shooting Carl, I could have made him dress better and comb his hair, but I wanted to capture him as he really is, with all of his character intact, because this is how he always looks!

Telling the story

Holland, Ohio resident Carl Ohler rakes his yard Oct. 11.  Ohler said his raking will be nonstop until winter.

Ciara Peace, a volunteer at the Toledo Area Humane Society, is hanging out with some of the cats that are up for adoption.  This picture was taken Oct.11. October is "Adopt a Shelter Dog or Cat Month", with special pricing on most of the pets .

  Feature photography turned out to be confusing for me.  I tried to be "creative" and shoot things related to weather, like coats and Christmas stuff. Not a good idea. I guess when my  instructor says shoot weather with a person in it, that's what they mean.
    I understand that photojournalism is a detail specific aspect of photography. This means that we are telling a story about a subject.

Camera Controls and Lighting

   I just finished reading chapters 8 and 9 about camera controls and lighting.  I have been toying with the idea of updating my DSLR.  It is a 10 megapixel Nikon.  I learned while reading that 10 megapixels is a good starting point.  I'm thinking of putting money into a good strobe and telephoto lens, and wait for the camera body.  It seems that the bodies themselves are upgraded on a regular basis.  You buy the latest and greatest today and tomorrow it will be obsolete!
   I would like to find a camera with more on camera controls.  I don't like going into the camera menu to change settings, such as white balance and ISO.
   I like to use natural light as often as possible.  It seems to bring in such beautiful softness (unless it is high noon!) and the colors can be phenomenal.  I only have the pop-up strobe at this time.  I am not a fan because you cannot do anything with it.

My First Amendment rights

My First Amendment Rights

The First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

   The First Amendment insures our rights as photographers.  Photography has the ability to tell stories.  In photojournalism, these photos are important to the story being told by providing a visual aspect to the story.
   If our rights were not protected by the First Amendment, we as photographers could easily be censored, our photos destroyed because someone may be offended by them and lawsuits against the publication could ensue.  The FA guarantees our rights and allows us to continue telling stories.