| Ohio News Photographer |
| September 2000 |
Wise advice but that wasn't possible. Or was it? Well it might not work for her daughter, but what about another candidate.
With that thought in mind Ware found she had the perfect person for the job right under her nose. Atoyia Deans, a youthful looking 24 year-old graduate student who was an intern in the photo department was about to get her next assignment. To go back to eighth grade.
Ware's next mission was to find a school district that would go along for the ride. She approached several with the plan but the only bite came from the Black River School District in rural Medina County. The superintendent of schools and building principal were the only two people in the district to know Atoyia's true identity.
On Friday morning the teachers were told her true identity and a select group of students which she had quickly made friends with were told the news face to face at the end of the day. As one would expect all were surprised.
The following week The Gazette ran a day by day diary kept by Deans during her trip back in time. The stories were accompanied by photos taken by her editor Shirley Ware who went to the school on the premise of photographing the eighth graders before their field trip to Washington D.C.
The experiment was well received in the community and received national attention as well. The story was featured on Disney Radio Network as well as NBCıs Today Show. Both Ware and Deans were flown to New York and appeared with host Katie Couric.
Those wishing see the photographs and read the full story as it appeared in The Gazette can point their browsers to: http://www.medina-gazette.com/photo/atoyia.html.
Atoyia Deans is a graduate student at Ohio University and spent the past
summer as a intern at The Washington Post.
But this time, his hunch paid off. The "May Day" partying turned ugly. Soon police were everywhere.
"Eventually the whole street was full of tear gas," says Reece, photojournalist with FOX, O&O and WJW-TV8, Cleveland. "The first time I got the tear gas in my eyes, I worked through it. But the second round of it really hurt. I set my camera down for a second and realized I'd had enough. I had my story and I was done."
Fortunately, not all compelling stories happen at the expense of personal harm. Last Spring, Chris did a piece on a local Easter egg display called "Eggshell Land." The annual event is a local family's labor of love.
Imagine an entire lawn full of carefully colored eggshells (34,000 of them to be exact). They're shaped in figures like Chief Wahoo and Mickey Mouse.
"Even though a lot of the familyıs children are grown now, they come back home to do this," Chris says. The pictures were visual and beautiful. But the family bonding is what tugged at the heartstrings."
While Chris will be the first to tell you he likes having quality time to do a story, he knows it usually doesnıt happen that way. Thinking on your feet is key. When he and anchor/reporter Mark Spain were quickly assigned a story in a Cleveland neighborhood one day, time was limited.
The story called "Grease Pole" involved a contest in which men climb a pole slathered in grease, each vowing that their team will be the dirty, yet exuberant winner.
"We only had 40 minutes to shoot that package, so team work was key. Mark would keep his eye on the action on the pole and gather details while I combed the crowd for good reaction shots," says Chris. "We know how to work together and that makes all the difference."
The winners, by the way, were exuberant - and filthy.
Chris admits his desire and ability to tell a good story didn't happen overnight. When he began his career at WTHI-TV in Terre Haute, Indiana a decade ago, there were few photographers who could teach him how to be a strong storyteller. But by the time he left the station two years later, he thought he had gotten pretty good...Until he met Ali Ghanbari at WKEF-TV in Dayton.
"I remember when I got to Dayton, Ali had a natural sound piece on drive-in movie theaters," Chris says. "As I sat in an edit bay watching the piece, I couldnıt believe how good it was. I felt deflated for a moment. The bar had just been raised. Now I knew I still had a long way to go."
Ali took Chris under his wing and showed him what it meant to live up to NPPA standards. Chris won his first award several months later.
After Dayton, Chris moved on to WXIX-TV in Cincinnati.
That's where he learned the importance of being a solid editor.
"A lot of photographers can shoot well, but their editing suffers. Your skills as a photographer improve when you see what you actually need to put together a good piece," he says. "If youıre a mediocre photographer, but a great editor, you can make yourself look a whole lot better."
Chris continued to polish those skills when he went to WPGH-TV in Pittsburgh. Then after spending nearly two years in Steelers country, WJW-TV called. As with most stations, there can be challenges. Time limits can make it difficult to spend enough time on a particular piece. But Chris takes advantage of his personal gear and take-home vehicle. "It makes it easier to do a story on my own time when I already have all the tools I need," Chris says.
He also credits some talented photographers and editors at FOX8 for keeping his interest fresh.
"Matt Rafferty and Tim Roskey are both very talented editors at the station who have won national awards," Chris says.
And the photographer who taught Chris so much about his craft years ago at the NBC affiliate in Dayton continues to challenge him. Yes, Ali (a 5 time POY himself) is also at FOX8.
Apart from work, Chris emphasizes the importance of watching NPPA winners tapes and attending seminars and conventions.
"I spent my vacation last year in Denver at the NPPA convention. Networking is key," he says.
Advice from the pros may not keep you from getting sprayed with tear gas at a college party. But it can help you come home with one hell of a story.
John Biever of Sports Illustrated won the Dave Boss Award of Excellence for Photograph of the Year with his photo, "Over the Top" from the Jacksonville Jaguars game against the Cleveland Browns.
Heckel who has worked at The Repository since November 1986 has previously received two honorable mentions in the Pro Football Hall of Fame photo contest winning in 1989 and 1992.
Heckel is a veteran on the sidelines of NFL games covering over 80 games
including 16 regular and preseason games in the Browns inaugural season in
1999.
The first order of business was handled by Richard Bixler who swore in all current officers to another two-year term. A motion was then made to waive the reading of the previous meeting's minutes, which passed.
Barth reported that the ONPAıs checking account was in good shape. The organization lost $491 in 1999. She also stated that last year's convention, which was held in Dayton, lost $1,972. DeMay had talked with Still Monthly Clip Contest Chairman Chris Parker who reported that there is a need to separate the News category into General News and Spot News. Also it will be easier and faster to get out the results if entrants put their e-mail address on the back of the entries.
The Annual Picture Contest was discussed next. Suba, who has been the interim chairman, said that we had more entries this year and the quality was up. A discussion then followed on making the competition digital instead of slides. DeMay and Suba talked about their experience judging a digital contest in Pittsburgh. The biggest problem they saw would be people following the directions. If you did not do it correctly, the judges would not see your picture.
It was decided that the judging will stay in Columbus because the turnout has been good. Finally, David Polcyn volunteered to chair next years Annual Picture Contest. Thank you David.
New television contest chairman Tony Giordullo reported that sending the tapes out to be judged worked well and they plan to continue doing that. David Colabine and Giordullo are pushing members to enter the quarterly clip. It can be a great help with the annual contest. They have been discussing making a few changes. The board would need them by the summer board meeting.
A round of applause began the discussion of the newsletter by DeMay. People are very happy with it. The biggest need is for more information and tidbits from members. If something interesting has happened at you paper or with co-workers, simply e-mail DeMay. He also invited members to write articles.
There was no old business.
Under New Business, it was announced that The ONPA Board and the Beacon Journal would be hosting the 2001 convention at Atwood Lake Lodge near New Philadelphia on March 30-31. Volunteers are needed to help out. This will be the 50 anniversary of the organization and its history will be emphasized. Any members with information they think would be useful should get in touch with a board member.
The ONPA's website was the next topic of discussion. The general feeling was that it needs to be beefed up. Forum discussions, links to personal websites, pictures and video clips of winners were among the ideas tossed around.
Mark Duncan reported that he has had numerous problems with the Ohio Net server presently used. They also provide only 5 megs of space. Phil Long then made two motions. The first was to secure a domain name. The second was to seek a donated site with 15 megs of space. If it can not be found the ONPA would pay for the space. Both motions passed.
Later in the day Mark Duncan secured www.onpa.org.
The final item on new business was the George Smallsreed Estate. DeMay reported that the estate is settled and the money is in a trust. A tax lawyer has been hired and should have the money figures in time for the next newsletter. The board would like input from members on the best way of using the money. The operating fund should enable the board to keep dues where they are currently.
The meeting was then adjourned.
David I. Andersen/ONPA Secretary
Nelson died in April after a long battle with cancer. He was 58 years old when he died.
A was a graduate of Kiser High School in Dayton, and a veteran of the US Army, Nelson started his career at the Dayton Daily News in 1959 as a wirephoto operator and later became a staff photographer, a talent that was self taught.
Nelson never backed off when he was on assignment. It didn't matter if it was a "routine" feature in the suburbs, or covering The President of the United States. They all got equal intensity, a sincere look, an objective but creative view, through Nelson's lens.
Nelson was a stickler for detail, a photographer who had the patience to wait for that "right moment." He pushed deadlines because he wanted to make sure the reader got the best possible picture. He wasn't interested in his ego, he was interested in sharing his view with the readers. He made sure he reported each event in a fair manner, sometimes agonizing over the negatives during editing to be sure he didn't miss the right photo.
While Nelson won many awards over the years from the ONPA, AP , SPJ and other groups, his real goal was to share his photography with the Daily News readers. He truly chronicled daily life in the Miami Valley, and his vision will never be replaced.
Skip Peterson - Dayton Daily News
This years speakers include: Boston based freelance photographer Paula Lerner, civil rights photographer Will Counts, Rob Finch the 1999 NPPA still POY, Doug Legore, 1999 NPPA Television POY, Maria Mann, director of photography for the Americas for Agence France-Presse.
Also speaking are Chicago Tribune national photographer Pete Souza, Brian Storm, director of photography for MSNBC.com and David Sutherland, documentary film producer for PBSıs Frontline series.
Pre-registration prices are in effect until Oct 11. Rates are $45 for NPPA members, $55 for non-members, $25 for students. Those prices increase $5 after October 11.
The event will be held at the Indianapolis Marriott. The seminar rate of $89 is available until Sept 30. Reservations can be made by calling (317) 352-1231.
For additional registration information contact Joe Vitti at The
Indianapolis Star at (317) 272-4407 or jvitti@starnews.com.
For most in the news business moving is no big deal. It's like a fifth season that comes along every three or four years. I was not one who fell into that category. I had reached the age of forty something and was still living seven doors away from the house I grew up in. The old neighborhood was great but it proved to be a few too many miles away from my new employer the Akron Beacon Journal.
Well it took a few months and we've closed the gap between work and home and I write to you now snug and safe in my new home typing away on my laptop sitting in my baracalounger with an Elvis movie on the tube.
In the time it took to move sixty miles the ONPA membership held a convention, missed a newsletter and held a television workshop in Columbus. The missed newsletter was turned into this double issue to get us caught up. Honest I wasn't trying to follow the lead of NPPAıs 4SIGHT Magazine. I'd have to move around the world to duplicate that feat.
The annual convention in April was a success on all fronts. Chairmen, David Andersen, Kim Fatica and their committee pulled off their jobs flawlessly. Still and television speakers were very well received but as sometimes is the case someone steals the show. The day clearly belonged to Life Member, Herral Long from The Blade.
Don't let the title of life member let you believe that Herral is ready for the rocking chair.
Herral was ONPA's first still Photographer of the Year in 1967 and he's still making great pictures today. He has a deep passion for his work and he knows how to make a picture work. Unlike some of his younger brethren who have been dragged from the darkroom kicking and screaming as digital cameras are put in their hands, (sound familiar), Herral has embraced the technology.
Of course after working for fifty years this isn't the first change in cameras for Long. For someone who has gone from a 4 by 5 to a D-1 the secret according to Long is a positive attitude. It was stressed time and again to those who listened to him speak in Cleveland. It's his number one suggestion.
Herral's day wasn't over after speaking though. At Saturday night's awards dinner he was presented the Robert S. Carson Award, ONPAıs highest honor. The award is presented for outstanding contribution to photojournalism. Long's contributions this day weren't quite over though. If he stole the show on the speaking platform, he brought down the house in the hospitality suite.
Backed up by Bill Kennedy and Doug Oster on guitar, Long put the Rolling Stones to shame with his own rendition of Satisfaction. Truly a man of many talents, among them, being a great human being.
The board has met to continue planning for next years meeting which will mark the organization's 50th anniversary. As part of next years program a session will look back on the past fifty years of covering news in Ohio.
Both still and television members are urged to contribute material in advance of the event. It is hoped that most of the material would be near at hand since most news organizations looked back at the last century at the close of 1999.
Newspapers should each contribute one or two photos of what they believe document the biggest news story in the past 50 years in their area. Photos can be features or sports events as well as news. Please donıt delay in submitting. The earlier we receive them the better idea we will have in formulating plans.
Photos can be prints or electronic files. Mail them to: Bob DeMay, 8300 Sapphire Ave NE, North Canton, OH 44721 or by e-mail to bdemay@nowonline.net.
Television members should contact vice president Vince Shivers to make arrangements for their submissions. Shivers can be contacted via e-mail at vshivers@aol.com or by phone at work at (330) 744-8821.
Life members and freelancers are also encouraged to reply.
On the financial front the estate of George Smallsreed Jr has been settled and placed in a trust. The sum of $178,412.55 will remain in trust for 20 years at which time the sum will be turned over to ONPA. In the time between now and then the organization will receive annual interest payments. The first such installment for a portion of 1999 was paid to ONPA in April in the amount of $5,145.05.
Smallsreed's bequest to the organization will keep ONPA financially sound for many years to come with prudent management. We will be able to continue to offer programs like the Buckeye Television Seminar held recently in Columbus.
Hats of to Tim Moushey, Vince Shivers and Ali Ghanbari for coordinating this years program. Over fifty photographers attended this years event.
Programs like this are only offered due to the George Smallsreeds and Herral Longs of the world. Itıs people like them and the many other life members, that we have an organization as successful and and long lasting as we do in Ohio.
Do your part to keep the tradition going strong for the next fifty years. You are the life members of tomorrow. Get involved, if only by pointing a young photographer towards joining. Membership has its privileges. It might be the only way to meet people like Bob "Scoop" Phillips and Ron Kuntz or Paul Schell. There's a chapter missing in your life if you haven't. We've learned so much from them over the years. I couldn't leave you without tipping my hat to Scott Heckel at The
Repository in Canton who helped to ease the transition for me and my family after our move. He played the welcome wagon host by sending an e-mail complete with area doctor listings along with hair stylist, plumber, painter, masusse. He even included information on how to get the local newspaper.
I wonder if they know at The Repository just how dedicated an employee they have there.
Well now you've been updated so I guess itıs time to get up from this comfortable chair and go to bed. In case you were wondering about that movie, Elvis got the girl in the end.
Bob DeMay - Chairman of the Board