Photo: JLM
Apologies for the blog having been a bit quieter in the past few days, but you'll be happy to know it is only because I've been a little busier at work. I've had a little less original material being printed this week, as I'm finally getting the chance to do some job shadowing.
I can't even begin to tell you how many reporters and photographers I've engaged in recent days, watching them come to life as they describe a passion for reporting, snapping or writing as we drive across the city to a job or hang in the newsroom.
I think I've met almost everyone at the three newspapers now, with most people happy to have me hang out and share ideas. I'm not much of a talker as you all know (more like a bullshitter), but I'm a great listener. Everyone wanted to hear your opinion of course This weekend I will have to make some decisions for my remaining 4 weeks at my work (all work, and no pay) experience/internship.
My supervisor has asked me in the past few weeks what I want to spend my days doing. Ask and you shall receive. 'Would it be cool if I hung out with the photographers today?' What do I spend the following day doing? - Setting up a photo shoot with one of the country’s top magazine photographers.
We shot a local rock band yesterday afternoon, and my idea and musing for the shoot is now being used as the cover photo on the weekend Herald Magazine (See Punk Rock Photo Shoot). 'Would it be cool if I hung with the sports desk?’ I was subsequently kidnapped by the sports department, who are walking me through how the paper gets written and put together each day.
I think they just wanted to wind me up about my tartan/plaid ‘golf trousers’, and perhaps finally get a decent understanding of that heathen sport we call ice hockey. They would be happy to let me work in trial and error until the end of the summer (something the news department really doesn’t care to do, or have the time for that matter). I must get in my bed early tonight; as I have another 5:00am wake up tomorrow before spending the day laying out the sports section, which is surprisingly the only department at the newspaper that has complete autonomy on what gets printed.
The sports guys write, edit their photos, and lay out all the pages. They are masters of InDesign, the layout program we use at the Calgary Journal. Free work experience is great, yeah?
So, after heading over to work as a news reporter originally, I’m bouncing around a bit, and can say I’m learning more than ever before about the guts which make a newspaper. Doing some digital media stuff as well, but everyone will tell you how inadequate our website is for this day and age.
So, I can work in photography, sports, features, and possibly even at the Sunday Herald doing those long-winded profile stories and investigations I so love; choices and opportunities. I think I’ll just do it all. Sports when the soccer season starts again, photography in the early week when it’s slow (so I can shoot and edit), and news when it’s crazy on a Thursday or Friday. Features? - Saturdays maybe. Sleep? Nahh.
Goodnight.
I can't even begin to tell you how many reporters and photographers I've engaged in recent days, watching them come to life as they describe a passion for reporting, snapping or writing as we drive across the city to a job or hang in the newsroom.
I think I've met almost everyone at the three newspapers now, with most people happy to have me hang out and share ideas. I'm not much of a talker as you all know (more like a bullshitter), but I'm a great listener. Everyone wanted to hear your opinion of course This weekend I will have to make some decisions for my remaining 4 weeks at my work (all work, and no pay) experience/internship.
My supervisor has asked me in the past few weeks what I want to spend my days doing. Ask and you shall receive. 'Would it be cool if I hung out with the photographers today?' What do I spend the following day doing? - Setting up a photo shoot with one of the country’s top magazine photographers.
We shot a local rock band yesterday afternoon, and my idea and musing for the shoot is now being used as the cover photo on the weekend Herald Magazine (See Punk Rock Photo Shoot). 'Would it be cool if I hung with the sports desk?’ I was subsequently kidnapped by the sports department, who are walking me through how the paper gets written and put together each day.
I think they just wanted to wind me up about my tartan/plaid ‘golf trousers’, and perhaps finally get a decent understanding of that heathen sport we call ice hockey. They would be happy to let me work in trial and error until the end of the summer (something the news department really doesn’t care to do, or have the time for that matter). I must get in my bed early tonight; as I have another 5:00am wake up tomorrow before spending the day laying out the sports section, which is surprisingly the only department at the newspaper that has complete autonomy on what gets printed.
The sports guys write, edit their photos, and lay out all the pages. They are masters of InDesign, the layout program we use at the Calgary Journal. Free work experience is great, yeah?
So, after heading over to work as a news reporter originally, I’m bouncing around a bit, and can say I’m learning more than ever before about the guts which make a newspaper. Doing some digital media stuff as well, but everyone will tell you how inadequate our website is for this day and age.
So, I can work in photography, sports, features, and possibly even at the Sunday Herald doing those long-winded profile stories and investigations I so love; choices and opportunities. I think I’ll just do it all. Sports when the soccer season starts again, photography in the early week when it’s slow (so I can shoot and edit), and news when it’s crazy on a Thursday or Friday. Features? - Saturdays maybe. Sleep? Nahh.
Goodnight.
3 comments:
Fabulous experience....WOW. I know there are others out there reading, but not sure if they can send comments!!
Awesome Possum! i'm glad you are walking away with what you wanted and needed. And what are your plans after you are done? back to Calgary or traveling on?
Travelin on... No, I'll be in Glasgow until the end of the summer, trying to get my hands on some interesting writing and photography projects
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