Dai Sugano: Passionate about Pictures
By Justin Riray
When a person has a hobby that they are passionate about, they will end up doing it until four or five in the morning.
“Editing until 4 a.m., you’re in that mode--like writing a love letter to your girlfriend. You might wake up in the morning and think, ‘Oh s**t! I wrote that!?’ It’s crazy like that.” -Dai Sugano
For the San Jose State Vis-Com day, Dai Sugano, a photo journalist with the San Jose Mercury News spoke to students about how he turned his passion into a career.
In DBH 133 at 10 a.m. on April 23rd, Sugano spoke about his journey as a photographer and gave students the privilege of watching his photo and video slideshows as he provided behind-the-scenes commentary.
He began as a street photographer, someone who uses a still shot camera to capture people, places, and things in their usual element. He made mundane scenes into beautiful pictures. Of these photos were a dog with his tongue out, a person walking out into the light from a dark alley, and a woman in a red dress, walking on the sidewalk. His ability to make aesthetics out of buildings and streets is amazing.
He explained that the reason many people yield from trying their passion as a professional job is because they are used to just being on their own and having no one to criticize them.
Sugano made the entire room nod in realization and laugh at the same time when he said, “We feel… we don’t want to suck.”
Sugano added, “You are doing it because you like to do it. It is the key to success.”
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Focus Story Structure
Football Injury leaves a 16-year-old Wheelchair-bound
His team is lined-up and ready for their opponents to move. His focus is narrowed as he watches the ball is thrown to the enemy receiver. Like a bullet, he makes a b-line straight toward the ball carrier. He can feel the rush of the tackle he is about to make. It’s going to be a perfect hit!
Pete Stenhoff, 16, a junior at Chula Vista High School in Redmond, Calif., is stuck in a wheelchair. As he rammed his head into the ball carrier’s chest, he cracked vertebrae in his spine. He could not graduate with his class because of the injury.
There are 20,000 injuries in high school football each year -- 12 percent of them permanently disabling the victims. Thirteen youths died last year. Thirty-five percent of the injuries are to the neck or head. Most critics blame the helmet.
Note:
My focus is on youth football injuries. I used Stenhoff's anecdote as the hook for my lead.
The second paragraph of the exercise stated, “Pete Stenhoff, 16, a junior at Chula Vista High School in Redmond, Calif., was hurt in a game during his senior year.”
How is he a junior, but was hurt in his senior year. Just pointing out that the would be impossible, unless he was demoted a grade. Weird.
His team is lined-up and ready for their opponents to move. His focus is narrowed as he watches the ball is thrown to the enemy receiver. Like a bullet, he makes a b-line straight toward the ball carrier. He can feel the rush of the tackle he is about to make. It’s going to be a perfect hit!
Pete Stenhoff, 16, a junior at Chula Vista High School in Redmond, Calif., is stuck in a wheelchair. As he rammed his head into the ball carrier’s chest, he cracked vertebrae in his spine. He could not graduate with his class because of the injury.
There are 20,000 injuries in high school football each year -- 12 percent of them permanently disabling the victims. Thirteen youths died last year. Thirty-five percent of the injuries are to the neck or head. Most critics blame the helmet.
Note:
My focus is on youth football injuries. I used Stenhoff's anecdote as the hook for my lead.
The second paragraph of the exercise stated, “Pete Stenhoff, 16, a junior at Chula Vista High School in Redmond, Calif., was hurt in a game during his senior year.”
How is he a junior, but was hurt in his senior year. Just pointing out that the would be impossible, unless he was demoted a grade. Weird.
Find that Feature Lead: Spring 2009 Access mag.
These leads were taken from SJSU’s spring 2009, Access magazine.
1 . “The End is Near” by Jasmine Duarte
In the 21st century, people live their lives day by day, not really thinking about what they want to do in the next year or even next week. But what if you knew the world was ending in four years? What if a thousand years ago, an ancient civilization predicted that the end of the world was coming? That day, “doomsday,” may be coming closer and soon it will be December 21, 2012, or as the Maya know it: The end of the world.
This is a direct address, startling statement lead. The writer is using second-person to speak to the reader directly. The statements made, about how the end of the world might not be so far in time, are quite startling.
2. “Eighth story sunset” by Justin Perry
Silence, or close to it. Gentle sounds counterpoint the subtle drone of air conditioning and the insect-like buzz of fluorescent light fixture that needs replacing. Gently rustling pages, a dropped pen, chair legs dragged across carpet, a muted cough, a gliding zipper, all punctuated by the soft chime of the elevator arriving at its destination. The monotonous hum of the downtown streets below is muffled by the eight-story distance and the great curtain of double-paned glass
This is clearly a scene-setter lead. The entire paragraph is a detailed description of the environment from the use of sound and sight.
1 . “The End is Near” by Jasmine Duarte
In the 21st century, people live their lives day by day, not really thinking about what they want to do in the next year or even next week. But what if you knew the world was ending in four years? What if a thousand years ago, an ancient civilization predicted that the end of the world was coming? That day, “doomsday,” may be coming closer and soon it will be December 21, 2012, or as the Maya know it: The end of the world.
This is a direct address, startling statement lead. The writer is using second-person to speak to the reader directly. The statements made, about how the end of the world might not be so far in time, are quite startling.
2. “Eighth story sunset” by Justin Perry
Silence, or close to it. Gentle sounds counterpoint the subtle drone of air conditioning and the insect-like buzz of fluorescent light fixture that needs replacing. Gently rustling pages, a dropped pen, chair legs dragged across carpet, a muted cough, a gliding zipper, all punctuated by the soft chime of the elevator arriving at its destination. The monotonous hum of the downtown streets below is muffled by the eight-story distance and the great curtain of double-paned glass
This is clearly a scene-setter lead. The entire paragraph is a detailed description of the environment from the use of sound and sight.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Revised: Topical Blog Post #1 - Twitter
News at Your Fingertips
By now, everyone either loves or hates Twitter. This mass “microblogging” has become a household name in modern communications.
“Kansas City Star” writer Laura Bauer wrote that “more people flock to Twitter as a conduit for information.” What started as another evolution of texting or instant messaging has became somewhat of a personal wire service.
Twitter allows for normal people to document their every moment and let all of their followers know what is going on in their lives. Bauer said Twitter is “about real information, in real time.”
Twitter can be used by companies, organizations, public officials, and even celebrities to broadcast the latest news to the public.
We have seen the Obama election campaign use Youtube as a guerrilla marketing form of communication. It most likely helped win over the younger generation of voters who seem to live off of the internet.
Now police departments or schools can warn the local community about immediate danger. Companies can issue mini press releases to inform their stockholders of sudden changes or important events.
We have seen information be spread by mail, radio, television, phone, internet, and now the time it takes to receive news has been cut to a few seconds. If it hasn’t already, Twitter, and other microblogging programs will revolutionize the way information is communicated.
By now, everyone either loves or hates Twitter. This mass “microblogging” has become a household name in modern communications.
“Kansas City Star” writer Laura Bauer wrote that “more people flock to Twitter as a conduit for information.” What started as another evolution of texting or instant messaging has became somewhat of a personal wire service.
Twitter allows for normal people to document their every moment and let all of their followers know what is going on in their lives. Bauer said Twitter is “about real information, in real time.”
Twitter can be used by companies, organizations, public officials, and even celebrities to broadcast the latest news to the public.
We have seen the Obama election campaign use Youtube as a guerrilla marketing form of communication. It most likely helped win over the younger generation of voters who seem to live off of the internet.
Now police departments or schools can warn the local community about immediate danger. Companies can issue mini press releases to inform their stockholders of sudden changes or important events.
We have seen information be spread by mail, radio, television, phone, internet, and now the time it takes to receive news has been cut to a few seconds. If it hasn’t already, Twitter, and other microblogging programs will revolutionize the way information is communicated.
Favorite Magazine: Game Informer
Men’s most favorite magazine isn’t Playboy.
Game Informer magazine combines video game knowledge with humor, two things that people loved since they were kids.
It is interesting that they target gamers, considering that they come in all ages, races, and social classes. Guys and girls can both be into video games. They are fun, interactive, and can be played solo or with friends, and now even cooperatively or competitively online.
The writers of Game Informer focus on two things, how games can be enjoyed and how players can up their skills. They know that there are the gamers that play to have fun and the ones that play to win.
Their blunt, know-it-all, and sometimes satirical delivery of reviews, previews and help guides make sure that anyone can find useful information and entertainment in their magazine.
Their writing style is conversational. They don’t use a lot of big words, except for the terminology that only players would know. They sneak innuendos and references to older, classic games that make readers feel like they are part of a whole separate culture of gamers. The fact that the readers can understand these references creates a more comfortable and personal feel to the magazine.
Still, the only downside to focusing on the gaming industry is that the majority of non-gamers won’t even pick up an issue because it is completely irrelevant to their lives. But, for gamers all over the world, Game Informer will always be their source of information and entertainment.
Game Informer magazine combines video game knowledge with humor, two things that people loved since they were kids.
It is interesting that they target gamers, considering that they come in all ages, races, and social classes. Guys and girls can both be into video games. They are fun, interactive, and can be played solo or with friends, and now even cooperatively or competitively online.
The writers of Game Informer focus on two things, how games can be enjoyed and how players can up their skills. They know that there are the gamers that play to have fun and the ones that play to win.
Their blunt, know-it-all, and sometimes satirical delivery of reviews, previews and help guides make sure that anyone can find useful information and entertainment in their magazine.
Their writing style is conversational. They don’t use a lot of big words, except for the terminology that only players would know. They sneak innuendos and references to older, classic games that make readers feel like they are part of a whole separate culture of gamers. The fact that the readers can understand these references creates a more comfortable and personal feel to the magazine.
Still, the only downside to focusing on the gaming industry is that the majority of non-gamers won’t even pick up an issue because it is completely irrelevant to their lives. But, for gamers all over the world, Game Informer will always be their source of information and entertainment.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Slightly Revised - Final Broadcast Project
Video Link
My Youtube Channel
ARE COLLEGE STUDENTS IN AMERICA GETTING A PROPER EDUCATION?
EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST ROXANA MARACHI SAYS AMERICAN COLLEGE SYSTEMS FAIL TO MOTIVATE STUDENTS TO PERFORM TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.
MARACHI HOSTED A WORKSHOP FOR FELLOW EDUCATORS ON MARCH THIRD AT SAN JOSE STATE ON HOW TO BETTER MOTIVATE STUDENTS.
THE U-S COLLEGE SYSTEM IS BASED ON GRADES AS STUDENTS ARE REWARDED AND VALUED BY RANK.
STUDIES SHOW THAT THIS ACTUALLY DECREASES STUDENTS’ MOTIVATION AND EAGERNESS TO LEARN.
MARACHI SAYS THAT GRADES BECOME THE GOAL INSTEAD OF THE LEARNING.
ALTHOUGH THE ACADEMIC RANKING SYSTEM WORKS TEMPORARILY, IT LOWERS STUDENTS’ WORK ETHIC IN THE LONG RUN.
S-J-S-U E-CAMPUS ADMINISTRATOR, MARK ADAMS SAYS THAT THE TOP PERFORMERS IN THEIR FIELD ENJOYED SPENDING AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF TIME IN PRACTICE.
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER, DENNIS HUNG-GRIJ, SAYS THAT THE CULTURAL VALUE OF THE U-S WAS FOUNDED ON HARD WORK, WHILE THE REST OF THE WORLD FOCUSED ON ACTUAL EDUCATION.
CHINA AN INDIA HAVE MUCH HIGHER COLLEGE GRADUATION RATES THAN THE U-S.
EDUCATIONAL SPECIALISTS LIKE MARACHI CONTINUE TO FIND OUT BETTER WAYS TO MOTIVATE STUDENTS AND RAISE LEARNING CAPABILITIES.
MARACHI ADVISED THAT STUDENTS NEED TO LEARN FOR THE SAKE OF LEARNING AND USE THE TOOLS AND KNOWLEDGE OFFERED BY THEIR EDUCATORS.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Revised - Broadcast Shwarzenegger Story
Govenator’s Bear
25 seconds
STARTING TODAY, VISITORS TO THE CAPITOL WILL FIND A BRONZE STATUE OF A GRIZZLY BEAR IN THE HALLWAY OUTSIDE GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER (SH-WAR-ZEN-A-GUR’S) OFFICE.
GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER (SH-WAR-ZEN-A-GUR) BOUGHT THE STATUE WITH HIS OWN MONEY FROM AN ART GALLERY IN ASPEN, COLORADO, WHERE HE HAD STOPPED ON A FUND-RAISING SWING.
HIS SPOKESMAN, AARON MCLEAR SAID THAT THE GOVERNOR THOUGHT THAT SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO TOUR THE CAPITOL WOULD ENJOY TAKING PICTURES WITH THE BEAR.
THE STATUE, BY ARTIST STEVEN BENNETT, IS THE SAME TYPE OF BEAR THAT DECORATES THE CALIFORNIA STATE FLAG.
-25-
Note: I was taught in my broadcasting class with Shrader, to spell out the pronunciation of awkwardly spelled names, even if they are well known.
25 seconds
STARTING TODAY, VISITORS TO THE CAPITOL WILL FIND A BRONZE STATUE OF A GRIZZLY BEAR IN THE HALLWAY OUTSIDE GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER (SH-WAR-ZEN-A-GUR’S) OFFICE.
GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER (SH-WAR-ZEN-A-GUR) BOUGHT THE STATUE WITH HIS OWN MONEY FROM AN ART GALLERY IN ASPEN, COLORADO, WHERE HE HAD STOPPED ON A FUND-RAISING SWING.
HIS SPOKESMAN, AARON MCLEAR SAID THAT THE GOVERNOR THOUGHT THAT SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO TOUR THE CAPITOL WOULD ENJOY TAKING PICTURES WITH THE BEAR.
THE STATUE, BY ARTIST STEVEN BENNETT, IS THE SAME TYPE OF BEAR THAT DECORATES THE CALIFORNIA STATE FLAG.
-25-
Note: I was taught in my broadcasting class with Shrader, to spell out the pronunciation of awkwardly spelled names, even if they are well known.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
