On Sunday February 3rd, photographers converged on Kent State University for the second annual pre-contest editing seminar. The seminar is an informal get together that allows shooters to have their work critiqued by their peers before the year end contest in plenty of time to make any needed changes.

Kent State University photographer Gary Harwood, one of the co-founders of the seminar, and says the critiques give photographers a new way of looking at their pictures.

Photographers brought images on Zip and floppy discs that were projected for all to see. Anyone in the room was welcome to comment.

"I was real nervous at first, but when they don't cut your stuff apart too bad and think it's OK you get a little feeling of pride," says New Philadelphia Times-Reporter staff photographer Bob Christy.

Last year Christy was one of the many photogs that had their pictures edited at the seminar and won in the contest with the new edit. His news picture story on Campaign 96 was edited down quite a bit, and many of the pictures were cropped differently. The story hit in the ONPA year end contest and he had a feature win in the AP contest.

Harwood adds the biggest change the pre-judges made was in cropping.

"They want it tight for more immediate impact. It seems that contest judges don’t give much time to a photo that doesnıt hit them right away."

The five main pre-judges were ONPA president Ed Suba Jr. and Susan Kirkman of The Akron Beacon Journal, Past President Mark Duncan of the Associated Press, Secretary David Andersen of The Plain Dealer, and Pam Panchak-Cohn of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Panchak-Cohn was formally photo editor of The Medina County Gazette.

Andersen was the most adamant about crops and liked everything very tight, but all five changed crops dramatically. Looking at many of the images for the first time, the editors would crop a picture in half to evaluate its impact (sounds like a newsroom doesnıt it?).

The entire room worked hard for a good half hour on editing one photographers story. Trying to get the images down the the 12 maximum allowed for a picture story entry.

The crowd erupted in cheers when Kim Barthıs picture of Indians Catcher Sandy Alomar looking down at a batter that was hit by a pitch.

"During the judging we should just all yell 'IN' when that picture comes up," Suba added later.

"It has the feeling of a contest but the pressure of your photo being out wasn't there", said Christy. "It will be interesting to see if judges for the year end contest concur with their pre-contest peers."

A pre-contest editing seminar can be done anywhere in the state, for next to nothing. It just takes a couple volunteers and a day to kill. This was just something that a couple photographers thought would be a good idea. Who wouldnıt want a chance to get edited by photographers that you respect and have done well in the contest before.

Next year it would be great to have this event in other parts of the state. If you like the idea, just do it. Use the talent in your area to be pre-judges, theyıll be honored you asked.

Christy puts it best when he says "it was a blast, being around other photographers. You show what youıve been up to and they show you. Being exposed to all the different styles, that’s pretty interesting."

It's the start of another year and hopefully ONPA will continue to get better, if only in small increments. Congratulations are in order for Doug Oster and Gary Harwood for our 2nd annual portfolio review and editing session at Kent State. Fairly well attended with many new faces (thanks to Mark Duncan, Dave Andersen and Susan Kirkman for taking time to help out).

What was good to see was that the quality of work was getting better. Though the traditional weakness in most of us as far as cropping and editing was still evident, the images were very interesting and strong. Everyone was eager to learn and the seven hours we spent at the School of Journalism went by quickly.

The convention report is still sketchy but will be the first weekend in April in Cincinnati. We are still trying to figure out how to make everything work so keep and open mind about the whole weekend. The logistics may change a bit but the spirit of the event remains the same. It's always fun to see the work and old friends from around the state.

I especially look forward to the "official" ONPA parties. If youıve never been to one you donıt know what youıre missing. If you get the chance, try and come and tell a few friends.

One item that the new block of officers will be talking about is trying to start a membership drive. (Actually this is something I want to try and do but others have expressed interest) Please let other photographers now about the ONPA. I think it is one of the best organizations around and we are trying to work out ways to improve it.

We would love any suggestion from members and if you make the convention, please attend the business meeting and let us know whatıs on your mind. We've also talked about returning the still contest judging to Kent State on a separate weekend. I, personally think this is a good idea, but it will be open for discussion.

We are looking for volunteers to help out with anything you might be interested in. Even little thing like collecting information for the newsletter. We have been looking into revamping it into an every-other-month publication with news from around the state and industry as well as ONPA business. Again pitching in and helping out is what helps our organization get better and stronger, so think about it.

No, I still do not have a computer (though I have entertained and actually tore out ads for the damned machine and begun looking at prices.) Not having E-mail has certainly made me feel like a social outcast. But then again I hate the digital cameras, too.

Phil Masturzo ( Sports Boy as we call him at the BJ) says hello. I only mention this because he has no life. Please humor him. Thanks to Matt Detrich who decided to keep it all in the family and become the new still contest chairman. He is busy with the entries as you read this. He has always said he wanted to do something to give back to the ONPA and he is doing just that by pitching in.

And while weıre on the subject, lets keep the contest in perspective. I have been guilty of this in the past but photojournalism is what you make of it. Contest and winning them are fun and a positive.Too many photographers put too much emphasis on winning. I know this is a touchy subject buy Iıve seen "famous" photographers take themselves too seriously when judging.

I have heard numerous accusations of staging or setting up photos. I have been around photographers who think that "getting the wood" is the be all end all of the profession. With anything, there is a dark side to the contests. It took me awhile to get away from thinking that I had to win and keep on winning in order to be part of the profession; to be considered one of the ³good² photographers in the state.

This isnıt meant to be a lecture but everyone needs to realize that improving yourself through your photography is the best lesson to learn. Competition is fine just as long as it doesnıt turn into an obsession.

Last but not least, a get well message to Lisa Dutton at The Toldeo Blade. She had surgery recently and should be fine and back taking pictures soon. I hope to see most of you at the convention or somewhere. (or send me an E-mail......Oh I forgot, never mind)

Fred Squillante of The Columbus Dispatch and Matt Detrich of The Akron Beacon Journal staged the ONPA version of the great race between the tortoise and the hare in the 1997 clip contest.

Someone forgot to tell the two about the sly fox, in this case played by Chris Russell of the Dispatch, who passed the pair with two wins in December to take the title of ONPA Clip Photographer of the Year.

Russell was 50 points behind leader Fred Squillante going in to the final month of the contest and trailed Detrich by 20 points. Russell picked up 70 points with 2nd and 3rd place wins in the feature single category. Detrich and Squillnte were shut out in December giving Russell the title by 20 points.

Graduating from Kent State University 1982, Russell packed everything he owned in his car and spent one year in northwestern North Dakota as staff photographer, won many awards in the North Dakota contest ...thought he would escape the wilds for fame and fortune back in Ohio.

After spending 7 months unemployed, wearing the finish off his parents dining room table writing cover letters he interned for the New Philadelphia Times-Reporter. Russell spent two weeks as staff photographer at The Painesville Telegraph and four years at their competitor The Lake County News Herald.

In 1988 he landed job at the Dispatch where he says he learned many new skills from an especially talented staff, including sage advice concerning the clip contest from my putt-putt pal and air hockey nemesis Fred Squillante, "enter often and enter everything".

The clip title is Russellıs first after placing in the top five on several occasions including runner-up in 1996. Below are two of Russell winning entries in the 1997 Clip Contest.

Youıve heard all about it...the big event. The annual ONPA Convention and Still Contest judging is April 3-5 in greater Cincinnati. "Greater" means Kentucky is involved also.

Events will begin Friday at the Quality Inn Riverview Hotel in Covington, KY with the open still contest judging beginning at 5 p.m. followed by the kick-off party in the hospitality suite.

Convention chairmen Steven Herppich, Kevin J. Miyazaki and Glenn Hartong from The Cincinnati Enquirer have scheduled a full day of activities on Saturday that begin at the Cincinnati Museum Center and conclude with a cruise on the Ohio River.

For still photographers the remaining portion of the open judging begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and will continue until noon.

Video judging chair Ron Strah has put together a top flight slate of speakers for television members.

The television program begins at 9 a.m. with Ken Hamilton, assistant chief photographer at WXIA-TV in Atlanta as the first speaker. Hamilton worked at WAVE-TV in Louisville and KUSA-TV in Denver where his work contributed to the staff being recognized as NPPA station of the year in 1992.

Hamilton is followed by Jim Wilson of WITI-TV Milwaukee. Wilson was the recipient of the Edward R. Murrow award for best sports reporting in 1996 and 1997 as well as NPPA Region 5 Photographer of the Year in 1996.

Still and video photographers will come together at noon for a lunch break and the ONPA business meeting.

The afternoon sessions begin at 1:30 p.m. with Joe Picciotto of WTVH-TV in Syracuse for television photographers. Picciotto is the 1995 NPPA Region 2 Photographer of the Year.

After looking at ONPA members work for two days the still contest judges will show some of their own following the lunch break.

First out of the gate is J. Kyle Keener of The Detroit Free Press. Keener has won the title of NPPA Regional Photographer of the Year six times in three different regions. He has taken the Region 4 title the past two years.

Following Keener will be Brian Peterson of The Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Peterson was the 1996 winner of the NPPAıs Canon Photo Essay award and an eight time winner of the Minnesota Press Photographer of the Year title.

The final speaker for the day is former ONPA POY Natalie Fobes who worked at The Cincinnati Enquirer and The Seattle Times prior to her current position at National Geographic.

Festivities Saturday windup with an Ohio River cruise aboard Celebration Riverboats sponsored by The Cincinnati Enquirer and The Cincinnati Post.

An awards brunch will be held at the hotel Sunday morning at 10 a.m. This event is sponsored by Cincinnati television stations WPCO-TV (ABC), WKRC-TV (CBS), WLWT-TV (NBC) and WXIX-TV (FOX).

Technical representative chairman Phil Long reports that commitments from Wilsonıs Camera Shop, Photo Systems, Inc., Cabbage Cases and Nikon are in hand. Also expected to attend are representatives from Canon, Kodak, Fuji and Nikon Digital.

Registration for ONPA members is $35 prior to March 20. The non-member rate is $45 with the student fee $25. Registration includes one ticket to the Saturday evening Ohio River cruise and one ticket for the awards brunch on Sunday.

Registration after March 20 is $45 and does not guarantee tickets for the cruise and awards brunch. Additional tickets for spouses and significant others are $25 for the cruise and are $8 for the awards brunch.

The ONPA room rate at the Quality Inn Riverview is $79 and reservations can be made by calling 1-800-292-2079.

Thirty two years of leadership experience will give way to three new board members who will take office at the ONPA Annual Meeting April 4 in Cincinnati.

Bob DeMay of The Vindicator in Youngstown will take over as chairman of the board replacing long time office holder Skip Petersen of The Dayton Daily News. Petersen has been an officer in the organization for 18 years. He has served as chairman since 1992 and had been president for 12 years prior to that.

Allan Detrich of The Block News Alliance is stepping down as still vice president after serving eight years in that capacity. Douglass Oster of The Medina County Gazette has been elected to fill Detrichıs seat on the board.

Ron Strah of WJW-TV in Cleveland will be the new television vice president, a position held by Phil Drechsler of WTOL-TV in Toledo since 1992.

The remainder of the board remains unchanged with Ed Suba, Jr. of The Akron Beacon Journal to serve his second term as president. Kimberly Barth of The Chronicle-Telegram in Elyria retains the treasurer post she has held since 1994 and David I. Andersen of The Plain Dealer remains the organizationıs secretary.

The new board members were unopposed in the December election.

In other changes past president Mark Duncan and his wife Terry have turned over the newsletter editors job to Bob DeMay.

The Duncans had served as editors since 1990, a job they inherited from Tom Hubbard, professor at Ohio State University.

Duncan will continue to serve as the official webmaster for the ONPA site on the world wide web. Look for a change to a new server (and simpler URL) in the coming months.

With newspaper reproduction light years ahead of most of the high school gyms we work in the biggest challenge facing photographers today is lighting.

Recently The Columbus Dispatch rented a local YMCA gym and held a lighting clinic for its sports stringers and students from Ohio University. Staff photographer Doral Chenoweth III with the help of Tyler Wirken covered everything from hardware set up to exposures.

Several lighting arrangements were used and photos taken with an digital camera to give the 40 participants an immediate look at the results.

According to Greg Peters of The Dispatch Chenoweth"s idea was, "that if weıre going to have these guys do this, then lets show them how to do it right."

The resulting clinic produced a ten page manual complete with lighting set-ups and the pictures that each produces. Thanks to the folks in Columbus the manuel will be available for those attending the ONPA convention, in Cincinnati. For those who canıt make the convention call Doral or Greg at The Columbus Dispatch.

March 5, 1998