"Life in the Valley"

The Mcallen Convention Center at Night: A Beautiful Sight -Repetition :)

Enjoying the nice weather, a woman rides her bike along the convention center. -Framing

Bike Ride!!! This photo follows the framing composition, framing the woman who is peacefully riding her bike.

A great day to be outside. Children play by the water at the convention center. -Curves

Jazzy Garza speaks about how great it is to be at the park. -Rule of Thirds

Ducks!!! The ducks enjoy being outside despite the cold weather. -Center of Interest

Jazzy Garza walks along the dock to get a better view of the ducks. -Leading Lines

Mission After Dark. The city is busy as Jazzy Garza walks to Whataburger for a nice snack. -Rule of Thirds

Oh What a Beautiful Sunset! 

A little girl gazes at the ducks as she waits for her mother to come back from her walk around the park. -Curves, Rule of Thirds.

100 Photographs That Changed The World

1. The "story" here is a worried mother that is struggling to feed her family during the really hard times of The Great Depression.

2. Even though the main focus is on the mother,  her children leaning on her creates a greater effect.

3. I learn how tough these times were. We have been told about The Great Depression before, but words are nothing compared to pictures. 

4. This photograph has become iconic because it depicts what everyone went through during The Great Depression. It conveys the feelings of helplessness and worry. 

5. This photo appeals to me the most because it shows exactly how life was during those times. It conveys exactly how Americans felt. How they felt like giving up and that their struggles would never end. 

6. The photographer was trying to find shots that would depict exactly what was going on, and he got it. 

7.The impact I believe would be the same whether you see it right after it was taken or 100 years from now. It is part of history and conveys what one cannot see with words. People can read about The Great Depression but it is the pictures that illustrate the struggles and hardships during the time. 

 

8. This photograph in particular is in black and white. Our pictures now are mostly in color unless they are trying to create a different effect. Besides that there are not many differences. The composition used is the same as what we would use today. The difference between personal photography and photojournalism is that personal photography is posed and not always tells a story like photojournalism does. Even though sometimes photojournalism pictures may look posed, their purpose is to convey something and create a feeling in the viewer that is greater than what they would get from words. 

9. Professional photographers tend to pay attention more on finding what composition techniques are used and the effect they create. 

10. Any photo can be good. However, to make it great one has to portray emotion and show something extraordinary that would leave an impact on the viewers. Conveying emotion, telling a story through one single frame, and using strong composition techniques makes a photo great. 

The 10 Businesses the Smartphone Has Destroyed

1. Are you or people you know less likely to buy any of the products listed as a result of the development of smart phones? 

• Yes because I would rather have a really nice, awesome smart phone. New developments would make me want one even more.

2. In general, do you think it is an advantage or a disadvantage to have so many of your technological functions in a single device?

• It is an advantage. It causes you to do more things without wasting time having to go somewhere such as paying a bill or anything like that. It is just more convenient.

3. How have smart phones improved our lives?

• In ways, they make life easier. Although, they sometimes lead people to be too soaked into their phone they do improve many of the things we do.

4. What do you think has been the most important invention of your lifetime? How do your answers compare with the most important inventions of your parents’, grandparents or great-grandparents’ lifetimes?

• The most important invention of my life has probably been the cell phone and how it has evolved throughout the years. It has made communication much more easier and faster. My grandparents would say otherwise and talk about the television or any old school stuff like a kind of transportation. Things have changed a lot from then to now.

5. “There are plenty of studies which insist that smart phones will begin to replace the PC as the common vehicle for accessing the Internet.” Do you agree? If so, does this mean PCs are on their way out? Would you ever stop using them?

• I do see that happening however I would not want that to happen. If they want to make a smart phone like a PC that would be nice; but, I would still want the PC because it is just easier, bigger and better for me. So hopefully PCs aren't on their way out, unless they come up with a really cool holographic computer or some other great invention. 

6. Do you have any need for TVs, radios, and other devices, rather than just using your computer for everything? Would you ever want to use your phone as a TV or radio? What are the barriers to either of these things happening? 

• Honestly, I really do not because now you can do a lot on the computer their is no reason for anything else. I would be okay with using my phone as a radio but not as a TV. The screen is too small. The barriers lie within the size of the smart phones and the people that are prone to change. 

Critical Lenses: Looking Closely at Photographs

(Action Picture) Phillip Scott Andrews

1. When I first looked at this photograph I immediately found it humorous.

2. This picture defines spring break because this is what people do. People let loose and do not hold back during this time of year. It would not be hard to convey this in words as it is believable that a couple of friends wrestle for fun during spring break, however it illustrates it which makes it more colorful than words. 

3. The subjects of the photograph are the people that are wrestling. All of the guys attention in the photograph is fixed on the two men wrestling. 

4. The lighting is natural and the time of day could be after midday through the afternoon because of the sun. 

5. The boy's swim trunk colors stand out against the color of the sand. 

6. No parts are out of focus because they do not need to be. The attention is automatically fixed on the boys on the floor.   7. The photographer seems to be very close to the subjects, which creates a greater effect because it makes the action that much more entertaining. 

8. The subject is slightly centered, not rule of thirds though. One of the guys also seems to be framed by the others legs.

9. The photo is impersonal because they are just crazy guys having a good time.

10. The wrestling strikes me a lot because everyone is so focused on it.

11. The background is a lot of people on the sand at the beach.

12. This photograph was taken to illustrate how crazy spring breakers are.

13. This does qualify as photojournalism because it tells a story.

14. It is timely because it could have happened just this past spring break. It might become iconic in the spring break world, but it is not as important as soldiers in the war are.

15. I notice the people in the background also paying attention to the "fight".

(Random Picture) Jamie Mcdonald

1. This photograph is beautiful to me it creates a fun, happy feeling to me.

2. This photograph tells the viewer of a dancer happily performing to the crowd. It does capture something that wouldn't be conveyed in words because one would have to see it or be there to see the beauty in the colors and everything during the olympic games.

3. The subject is the woman.

4. The lighting is artificial but it looks nice. It's at night.

5. The gold stands out from the red in the background.

6. The background is out of focus making it selective focus only focusing on the woman in gold.

7. The distance may be far or close; however, it still creates a great effect and captures the emotions of the picture.

8. The picture is selective focus and rule of thirds.

9. The picture is impersonal because it is a performance to a huge audience.

10. The woman strikes me the most and how the photographer took the picture to where she is the one that captures the attention.

11. The background are the drummers in red which complete the performance.

12. The photograph was taken to show a little bit of the asian olympic games.

13. This qualifies more as commercial photography because it advertises the olympic games; it could even be art photography because of the performance.

14. This photo is recent it was taken in 2010 and it might become iconic because the olympic games are a big deal.

15.  I do not notice anything else.

(Close up) Sam Panthaky

1. This photograph makes me feel sadness and hope for the person.
2. This photograph tells of faith in that the person is touching the beads and praying. It would not be hard to convey in words, but the feeling wouldn't be the same.
3.The subject is the person's hand holding the prayer beads.
4. The lighting is natural even though it is inside.
5. The brown prayer beads stand out against the person's white robe. It focuses all the attention on that which creates a feeling to the viewer.
6. The background seems a bit out of focus because of the focus on the prayer beads.
7. The photographer is very close to the subject which creates a deeper effect of the prayer beads.
8. The picture is centered and in a way selectively focused.
9. The picture is personal because of the prayer beads,the hand, and the feeling of hope.
10. The prayer beads strikes me the most about this photo because they stand out a lot.
11. The background is the person's white clothes.
12. The photograph was taken to show the prayer before the person's departure.
13. This does qualify as photojournalism, it tells a story.
14. The photo could have been taken recently nothing says otherwise.
15.  I do not notice anything else.

Looking Closely at Photographs

1. What feeling does this photograph create in you, the viewer?
This photograph makes me very curious as to what is actually happening here. 
2. What story do you think this photograph tells the viewer? Does it capture something that would be hard to convey in words?
The picture shows how war can be and it captures a soldier that is not in his uniform which is unusual.
3.  Who or what is the subject of this photograph?
The soldiers are the subject; out of all of them, it is the one in the pink shorts that stands out.
4. Is the lighting natural or artificial? What time of day is it?
The lighting is natural; it seems to be early in the morning because it seems pretty cloudy.
5. What colors stand out?  
The pink and the red shirt stand out.
6. What part or parts are out of focus, if any?
The parts in the distance are out of focus.
7. What is the distance between the subject and the camera/viewer? What is the effect of this?
The distance is not that far between them. The photographer seems to be a little above the soldiers and the effect makes for the viewer to only focus on the main thing, to emphasize the subject.
8. How is the picture composed? Is the subject centered? Is the "rule of thirds" followed?
The subject is not composed. Rule of thirds is followed and it also has repetition.
9. How personal/impersonal is this photo? What elements make it this way?
This photo is personal; the boxers make it this way.
10. What strikes you most about the photo? Why do you think that is?
The fact that the soldiers are following orders. One guy isn't even wearing his clothes but he is still fulfilling his duties.
11. What is the background for this image?
The background is a mountain range and the sandbags they are leaning on, a bunker.
12. Why do you think this photograph was taken?
The photograph was taken to capture something so unusual, something that people are not aware of. I suppose it shows how soldiers are completely with following rules. 
13. Does this qualify as photojournalism? As commercial, casual or art photography, or some other category? Why?
Yes it qualifies as photojournalism. It depicts a soldiers life.
14. Is the photo timely? Does it have a timeless quality? Both? Might it become iconic? Why or why not?
The photo is recent because we are in a war right now.It might become iconic because of how severe the war is becoming.
15. What else do you notice about the photograph?
I notice they are standing on rocks.

Vertical Pictures

Junior, Emily Hinojosa, cuts out thanksgiving decorations in Mrs. Mendoza's class.

Senior Zach Ruiz concentrating on Mrs. Roge's Lecture

Mr. Wedde stares blankly at his students while they take a test.

Sophomore, Juan Hinojosa, explains the procedures of the chemistry lab to his group.

Sophomore, Brandy Pena, laughs with friend Liz Otis as people prepare for the science lab.

Senior, Brandonn Melchor, savors his delicious chocolate bar as he walks back to his second period class.

Life in the Valley Photo Assignment

I want to use all of the compositions and hopefully capture a sunset in a beautiful picture. I don't have a specific place or time of day. I live around many beautiful places such as parks and nice landscapes. I think I'm just going to take my camera everywhere and wait for the right moment.

Photo Compositions

Bird's Eye View
George Steinmetz

Worm's Eye View
Sergio Dionisio

Repetition
Michael Schmidt

Rule of Thirds
Sherri Lunte

Curves
James Balog

Leading Lines
Apichart Weerawong

Selective Focus
Michael Maher

Framing
 Sakchai Lalit

Student Life Pictures

Mrs. Pratt and Mr. Wedde looks attentively at senior, Edna Pulido, as she asks a question at a BPA meeting.

Senior, Natalie Rivera, happily works on her statistics assignment in Mrs. Silva's AP class.

Senior, Eduardo Gamba, works on his resume for his internship in Mr. Wedde's Business Practicum.

Seniors, Alfredo Salinas and Kari Kimball, romantically walk together as a bystander observes them.

Seniors, Sarai Maldonado, Mark Salinas, Carmen Cisneros, and Edna Pulido, patiently wait for their bus to arrive so they can leave to their internships.

Seniors, Eduardo Gamba, Natalie Rivera, Karina Torres and Mrs. Payne read the instructions as they wait for their turn to donate blood.

Senior, Michael McGee, takes a moment to rest from all of the craziness in Mr. Wedde's Business Practicum.

Seniors, Mary Paredes and Madison Hiser, talk and doze off in Mr. Wedde's classroom.

Junior, Jesus Cuellar, nervously waits for the blood donation procedure to start.

Senior, Saul Bernabe and junior, Jose Martinez, take advantage of the snacks as they lounge around the Blood Drive area.

First Nine Weeks

It is amazing that already nine weeks of my senior year have passed! Wow does time fly! I'm happy to say that it has been a great nine weeks though. I have hung out with my friends a numerous amount of times and had so much fun; I have grown closer to many people; I have gone out on trips and I have enjoyed them oh so very much. As for school, well that is another story. I am proud of myself for how I have been keeping up my grades to higher B's and even though I could be doing better I am just happy that all is going well. Unfortunately, these first nine weeks I have not started on my college applications but I keep telling myself it's okay because I know myself and I know that I will get it done and everything will turn out for the best. I'm happy that this year is turning out very great and aside from college stuff I don't really have to worry too much about school work because I am good and I know I can make it through the year. In all, the first nine weeks have been great and I cannot wait for what is to come; because, it is our last year and we are going to make the best of it! :]

Taking Photos

I have always loved to take pictures of anyone and anything; however, that does not necessarily mean I am a good photographer. I have a lot of things to work on; and after reading the tips for taking better photos I have a better feel for how to take the photos. I will put those tips to use and take better photos. Normal picture differ from those example given in that a lot of times editors do not want posed pictures. It is like Mrs. Wilson says "we want verbs not nouns (action pictures)."

Photos of the Day

Photojournalism is journalism that presents a story primarily through pictures. It is different from art and other photography because it isn't planned. It tells a story and every snapshot should be an action shot as you are trying to tell people what is going on through this single picture, having the caption only to emphasize the situation. Photojournalism is only an art in the way that it is a photo but it serves the purpose of being much more than just an "art". The purpose is of course to get a situation and explain it through a single frame. New photograph are important and memorable because  it a picture has more color than a newspaper that is black and white and just has a bunch of words on it. People remember pictures for whatever reason because they are always different. Words are words, the text will only look different if you change the font; but, then again it is still text. Pictures change, and that's what we like!

My Senior Moments

My Senior Year has barely started and already it's been filled with a lot of unforgettable moments. I love it because they don't have to be huge moments or anything out of this world to be unforgettable. The moments could be any little thing such as just starting our senior year. I remember how fun the first day of school was. We didn't do much, but we got a chance to catch up. It's great how a lot of people have had birthdays lately. We have celebrated them by making them special by having pool parties, eating cake and just hanging out. I love my group of friends because I'm guaranteed to have fun no matter what we do; and, it doesn't take much effort to do that. A lot of my senior moments have been with them, but also have been with my class. I loved how the pep rally worked out. The activities were fun and we won all of them! I think we have definitely proved to everyone in the school that we can do anything and come out as winners! I absolutely cannot wait for the rest of the school events or even for the remainder of moments with my friends. Like I have said in my previous blog post, it's going to be a great year!

Nincompoops!

The article speaks of many pros and cons having to do with the advancement in technology and about products that are advertised nowadays. I would have to say that I agree with a lot of it. I mean it's true, we are so used to being handed things that sometimes the simplest thing turns out to be the hardest. Some things that appear hard are just so easy to do. I'd be lying if I told you I have never used google to look up some instructions as to how to construct or cook something. It's just so easy to look it up on the internet; and, in less than a second, it's all there! Not everyone is like this though.  A lot of people do know how to make a lot and in my point of view it all just depends on how you were raised. My parents always enforced chores on me; however, not every parent does that so a lot of kids do not know how to wash dishes, mop, sweep, wash clothes or anything chore-related. Technology makes it fairly easy for us; a lot of people use dishwashers instead of  actually washing the dishes by hand; and, in that way we are spoiled. We are spoiled with all of these new innovative things, it's crazy! I do not think that the new technology is bad. I just think that we should all know how to use technology and still know a little bit about the "old fashioned" ways to do something; so, our generation will not be known as the "nincompoops".

Concert Photography

I discovered Paramore back when i was about 14 years old. Instantly I felt a connection with the band, and very soon I fell in love with it. My friends and I all loved Paramore and still do; and, we have always planned to go see them live. Although it has never happened I do still wish to one day see them in concert. I believe that as they are a great band with great music they will put on an awesome show and the performance will be unforgettable. I would love to take pictures of every instant I could of the concert because I would never want to forget any minute of it; and, I would love to share their concert to my friends. However, I would not want to take pictures throughout the whole concert because I still would want to enjoy the concert; and, it is way better to see the concert with your own eyes as opposed to through a camera lens. I would post the pictures on my blog or internet site so everyone could see; so, yes, I would create an online photo gallery and probably include some videos so more people can see Paramore and get a feel for what it is like to see them perform live.

Paramore<3

A Photojournalist

To be a photojournalist means to be dedicated and to be able to utilize a photo to tell a story. Your mission as a photojournalist not only is to showcase a picture but to be able to portray emotion in that one shot; and, to have the public view your picture and admire it for a while. A photojournalist needs to be ready at any time to have that one shot; so, dedication plays a big role in having success as a photojournalist. I would like to be a photojournalist because I think it is very interesting how words do not have to be shown to the public to tell a story.

Photographic Fakery

In journalism, there are always individuals that are going to play with people's mind and make them believe any picture or story out there. Many of them use photoshop or use different programs to manipulate the pictures which then makes it hard to interpret whether the picture is the real picture. Unfortunately, the photographers that manipulate photos make the public doubt the ones that are actually being honest. Many photographers and journalists are often not given credit for their work simply because of all of the manipulators. It all comes down for photographers and journalists to add a source under their pictures and to never be tempted to manipulate a story or a picture, so that individuals will always have some sort of trust in you. In this way it will be more credible and there will be no doubts.

My First Impressions of School

I ended the summer on a very good note. It went by fast but it was wonderful and filled with a lot of great times! Although I did not want it to end, I was looking forward to my very last year of high school. So far, my year has been extremely fun. The first days of school weren't as bad as imagined; the work load has not caused me as much stress as before and I have had great moments with all of my friends. These past few weeks have led many of us to become closer and create stronger bonds; and they have brought many moments that will later be remembered as the greatest days of high school. I am very happy that the year has started awesomely; and, I absolutely cannot wait to continue making new memories with my best friends and planning for the future!

Photo Journalism 1B 

Having fun in Mrs. Wilson's class. With that I say, it's going to be a great year!