Commentary: End of year wrap-up

Ever since I joined photojournalism, I have acquired many skills as a photographer. To take a good photo, one needs to compose the subject as well as the angle to present the right message.

With the professional gear the school provides, I was able to improve my photography skills even more. By using the right settings such as aperture, ISO, and shutter speed I was able to capture great pictures throughout the year.

Where I have improved the most however, is the ability to use the programs Camera Raw and Bridge. By using these tools I was not only able to capture great images, but also well organized galleries allowing people to find the image they need quickly.

Being part of photojournalism has impacted me greatly. It pushes me to meet daily goals as well as participate in many more school events that I did not have access to before.

Throughout the year, I have participated in many events. However there were three in particular that I remember the most.

Homecoming week:

Besides this being the most memorable event for many high school students, homecoming week also means a ton of work for journalism. The meetings before school, schedules for individual photographers and group texts helped the entire team to pull off this huge event. Apart from having numerous events happening each day and on homecoming night, the well organize plan allowed us to pass through the task effortlessly.

Portrait of Kamryn Schultz:

Having a quiet personality is hardly a good thing when it comes time to take a portrait picture. After my poorly taken picture, Kori Friesen took me out to retake the picture under the instruction of her. This allowed me to learn a brand new set of skills; taking pictures of a person at a close distance. I have learned how to take a picture of a person, while at the same time showing the confidence and the beauty of the subject.

New York Trip:

Aside from this being one of the most anticipated events for high school journalism, the New York trip is the ultimate test for photographers. Entering a new environment with hours of tours during the day, the trip was a test of the endurance and the skill of each photographer; keeping up our professionalism while facing tiredness and constant changing of plans.

My future plans with regards to photography skills is to help out my college, and maybe even start a side job to earn some money during college. Looking through my college’s social media and picture classes they offer students, I feel there is great potential for photojournalists. Not only do I have the skill of photography, but also the ability to help improve the social media.

Photojournalism is a very important part of the new Feather. Working on both an old and new website allowed me to see the change firsthand. Taking pictures and posting daily is just a part of the job. Photojournalism will take you out from your classes regularly. It will ask you to spend a Friday evening driving to several locations taking pictures; it will make you stay after school finishing work.

However, what you will learn is much more rewarding. Learning how to take a great picture with fancy equipment is only half of the what being a photojournalist is. Posting daily, writing photo essays, and working on full length articles is what makes you a true photojournalist.

There are many people I’m thankful for, but perhaps the individual I am most grateful to is Greg Stobbe. He has taught me everything about journalism, and tirelessly pushed me to keep writing articles and going off campus to interview people for podcasts.

Even now that I’m no longer working under his journalism program, every morning when I come to school for my office aid period, I am one hundred percent sure that Stobbe will give me an assignment to go and take pictures at 8 o’clock in the morning.

I am also thankful for Kori Friesen; who is not only my photojournalism teacher, but also a mentor and someone who truly cares for her students. Ever since Friesen became adviser of photojournalism, she has made nothing but great changes to it.

Last but not least, I am grateful for my photojournalism team. Not only did we have an amazing team, helping each other to build up photojournalism skills, but also support of each other through the tough time in the last year of high school.

Reflection gallery below is a collection of images showing my growth throughout this year.

For more Feather photos, visit media, photos 2015-16.