photography

Reflecting on the Visual Storytellers by admin

In preparation for writing this reflection, I took some time to reflect on what this course has meant to me as an instructor. In short and technically, the course was truly not much different than most other courses. It was as simple as: complete assignments to earn credit.

I saw the girl with the flag, and I knew I had to tell her story.

Since each of my students was asked to cover the same event, I requested one thing from each of them from the start of the semester… to just share their story. During those few weeks before the race, they were to explore numerous processes through several assignments that were meant to challenge them to step outside of their comfort zone. They were also encouraged to take a different look at those things commonly around them.

Upon the UCI Road World Championships arriving in Richmond, I encouraged them to take what they learned in the weeks prior and capture the international event through their individual vision and stories.

What most of them delivered was a collection of shared light, texture, motion, and spirit. They shared Richmond and VCU. They shared friends and strangers, days turning into night, and on occasion, nights into days. They shared emotions, and color, and life in the spotlight, but also the ever-important life of those behind the scenes and far, far away from the stage. They shared the quiet, the loud, and the heart of an urban environment. They shared the details of the beauty often hidden behind the grit. They shared the energy of the world, all taking place in a town that each of us calls home. These are just a sampling of the things that I have seen through the incredible and honest work of my students.

When I proposed the concept for this course last spring, it seemed like an interesting and fun idea. On paper, it was simple. Capture and document the event using a mobile device solely. Technically, that was the assignment. What they delivered, however, was far more than I could have ever imagined. The photographs and words they shared during the six-week course are a genuine and remarkable reflection of their passion for creating. It was also a reflection of themselves.

What gives them strength? Maybe a spiritual power, or maybe the thousands of hours they have put into their honing their skills and stamina. And as a result, the real race may just be another trial session for them.

There was a remarkable visual story shared with the world during this course, and each of my students was the storyteller.

I am grateful for such a rewarding opportunity to be involved in this project. Thank you to VCU, to VCU ALT Lab, to the VCU Robertson School of Media and Culture, and especially to my students. For me to say that I am proud of what was accomplished during this course would be an absolute understatement.

In the end, we each leave behind a story. Without it, how will we ever share where we've been? Keep your eyes open as you continue to capture and tell your own story.

Look for the good in your day.. Then share it.

New Semester Invites New Media by admin

Checkered Past ©2015 Gary Garbett

Checkered Past ©2015 Gary Garbett

Creating a powerful and impactful story or image no longer requires that the photojournalist carry a bag of expensive cameras, lenses, and tripods. Capturing and sharing creative, personal, and engaging stories has changed with the technology of today’s smartphones and handheld devices.

This semester I'm teaching a New Media Photojournalism course at VCU. All student work for the course will be created using mobile media exclusively for capturing and post-processing. Registration for the course is open through August 24, 2015.

By challenging ourselves to step outside of our comfort zone, each of us will uncover new artistic approaches. By layering them, and molding them, we'll make them your own. The result will assist in developing your own unique and personal style.

Being creative requires practice, practice, and even more practice. The return will inspire us all.

A Morning of Levels by admin

Remembering 9/11

Remembering 9/11

Sticks and Stones

Sticks and Stones

I sipped coffee by the lake this morning just to process this day infamously and always to be known as 9/11. Sitting in the Blue Ridge sunshine, I remembered watching the events of that morning. It remains a day of horrors as the world changed and unfolded minute by minute. Despite the ugliness of the day, the heroes were the winners - the coworkers, the bystanders, the emergency response personnel, the nurses, the single parents, the teachers, the rich, the poor, the hurting, and the average Joes each brought their heart, their love and compassion to New York, rural America, and to cities all across the globe.

Gentle ripples reflected the new day's light at the exact time on my watch when history changed humanity twelve years earlier.

Remembering 9/11

Remembering 9/11

I took several photographs commemorating that moment while sitting on the dock. Though the scenes through my viewfinder are certainly a world away from the urban waves of concrete, steel, and mass humanity, the images of calm clearly define that peace and remembrance always win.

What a lovely morning on so many levels. I anxiously look forward to what the rest of the day gifts me. Love and goodness and memories abound.

Winter Survival by admin

I have a list of favorite things that wrap themself around my life. Even after deleting a few of those faves from my youthful years, my list still stretches longer than I can reach.

Following last night’s wintery weather, I spent today’s lovely Saturday morning with a few of my listed items. Each of these faves played a big part in preparing my breakfast feast of egg, bacon, and mozzarella on thick cut fresh baked whole wheat bread; arugula, spinach, and avocado salad with balsamic and parmesan; navel oranges; and steaming pot of freshly ground java all accompanied by a soundtrack of Grover Washington, jr. arrangements.

It’s important to note that these are in no particular order of preference since each carries about the same weight of goodness in winter survival… or for any day.

  • cameras of various kinds

  • a spinning turntable

  • aromas from the kitchen

  • snow

  • hot coffee

  • warm socks

  • deli cheese

  • fresh produce

  • obedient pups (who also scored breakfast eggs for their good behavior)

  • bacon

  • more coffee

  • a record collection of 43 years

  • a flickering fireplace

  • me time

  • love of life