WKU Senior Cody Duty photographed this couple in a somewhat different way, focusing on a tender touch of toes, using the contrast in footwear to tell the story of a soldier departing for war.
Mary Lewin (left) spends the remaining moments with her husband, Sgt. Mark Lewin of the U.S. Army, before the 36th Sustainment “Rawhide” Brigade Deployment Ceremony in Temple, Texas on July 4, 2009. “I’m proud of him, but it’s hard for us,” Mary said. The soldiers will be deployed for a 13-month tour overseas.
Since 1992, IVUmed, a volunteer group of doctors and nurses from the United States, has traveled to developing nations worldwide using their medical expertise to change lives. Founded and directed by Dr. Catherine deVries, a pediatric urologist working at the University of Utah, the organization’s mission is to perform operations for people in need, while also teaching these medical procedures to the local doctors and nurses so they can eventually take care of their own. The ultimate goal of IVUmed is to be no longer needed in a country.
This multimedia project, which is narrated by Dr. deVries and produced by James Kenney, highlights IVUmed’s accomplishments in Vietnam, Mongolia and Nigeria. It is a story about how the work of a few dedicated doctors and nurses has made a profound difference in thousands of lives.
Every fall the WKU Photojournalism program invites Directors of Photography from newspapers across the region to spend the day with students reviewing portfolios and conducting intern interviews. Gary Hairlson, of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, addresses colleagues and students during a round table discussion.
WKU student Ben Severence greets Kevin Swank, Assistant Managing Editor, Visuals at the Evansville Courier & Press.
In June 2009, I left the United States for East Africa. The primary purpose of my trip abroad was to document the efforts of The HALO Foundation (www.haloworldwide.org) working with disadvantaged youth in Kampala, Uganda. The majority of my time was spent creating a portrait series for each of the homes HALO works in, but in my off time I pursued other stories dealing with issues across east Africa. For years I have wanted to be a documentary photographer working in the Third World. This was the perfect opportunity for me to embrace my dreams and take a step into a career that I will hotly chase for the rest of my life.
I spent two months photo-mentoring a group of boys living in one of the group homes HALO supports. There isn’t much art appreciation in Uganda, so giving disadvantaged kids cameras and allowing them to explore the world in a way that they never thought possible allowed them to grow and appreciate a little bit of something that they never had.
I will continue to return to Uganda to document human stories an elements. My trip this summer allowed me to solidify my passion and honed my vision for my future.
As leaves fall annually the Mountain Workshops draw a team of dedicated teachers and determined learners to a small Kentucky town, where together they explore the richness of community, the beauty of landscape, and the possibilities and challenges of visual storytelling. In 2009 the gathering place for the 34th workshops is Murray, Ky., in Calloway County.
The Photojournalism Workshop focuses on still photography, as coaches and participants explore individual character, the give and take of relationships, the deeply-felt sense of belonging to a place and the pride of participating in a shared heritage.
The Picture Editing Workshop draws on the design sensibilities and electronic publishing expertise of its coaches to help participants learn to weave photographs and text together into memorable narratives.
The Multimedia Workshop challenges participants to gather still images, record sound and shoot video, and then use cutting-edge digital and online tools to spin all these threads into stories that captivate.
Enjoy this multi-media journey through some of the stories in our region as twenty-five students worked together on this team project for a mid-semester exercise on group projects and storyboard development.
Over the last 35 years, the Workshops has influenced thousands of people – many of them in life-changing ways. When asked what was the most important part of their experience, some talk about the spectacular beauty of the environment, others praise the excellence of the programs, the world-renowned faculty or state-of-the-art equipment. Many respond by acknowledging the staff and their dedication to creating exceptional experiences. The comment received most often, however, reflects what is created when all these essential elements coexist: an appreciation for the ability to completely immerse oneself in one’s art and become part of a community passionate about creativity.
There are many different programs at the Workshops. Some concentrate on lab or studio work where others involve field trips to view the enchanting scenery. What they all have in common is an opportunity to remove oneself from the demands of everyday life and join a passionate community committed to learning a new skill or improving one’s work. While discussions of theory, history and criticism may be part of any workshop, what sets these workshops apart is a dedication to making. Students learn by doing, by trying new things, by seeing what works and what doesn’t.
Besides the programs themselves, there is no shortage of other opportunities for growth at the Workshops. Whether waking before dawn to catch the early morning light, attending after dinner gallery shows or screenings of work from some of the world’s finest artists, or working into the night on projects or assignments, the Workshops experience is intense and all encompassing. It affords the participant the opportunity to live one’s passion 24/7.
Full days are punctuated with hearty meals served under the eating tent or in the dining hall. This is a time for informal discussions with classmates and faculty as well as to meet other people at the Workshops involved in related programs. The spirit of sharing that permeates the community destroys any pretense and breaks down barriers of age and experience. Participants end their rich days at any of a wide variety of accommodations both on- and off-campus.
The week’s end is capped by a traditional Maine lobster dinner complete with corn on the cob and baked potatoes (alternative choices are always available). The campus community then usually gathers in the sound stage to celebrate the week’s hard work. Expertly produced presentations premiere the creations of each week’s workshops. It is amazing to see the quality of what can be accomplished with such intense energy in just one week’s time!
Gregory Heisler, us a New York-based photographer who is renowned for his technical mastery and thoughtful responsiveness. His enthusiasm, curiosity, and drive are manifested in his hands-on approach to all aspects of the image making process.
His iconic portraits and innovative essays have often graced the covers and pages of many magazines, including Time, Life, Geo, Sports Illustrated and The New York Times Magazine. He has also photographed advertising campaigns for clients such as American Express, Merrill Lynch and Nike.
Heisler will be speaking at Mass Media and Technology Hall at Western Kentucky University on Thursday April 9th at 8:30pm. He is sponsored by Canon USA.
Faculty member Tim Broekema and former WKU student Mark Osler worked together during the Democratic National Convention in the fall of 2008 telling stories forAARP Bulletin Today.
Osler gathered content in Denver and transmitted his pictures and audio back to WKU where Broekema worked on deadline overnight producing multi-media projects that were posted on the AARP web site within hours after the close of each nights activities.
This particular project was noticed by the judges at the NPPA BOP contest and was awarded a 2nd place in the “Unde” category for audio slide shows that documented the road to the White House.
Gregory Heisler, us a New York-based photographer who is renowned for his technical mastery and thoughtful responsiveness. His enthusiasm, curiosity, and drive are manifested in his hands-on approach to all aspects of the image making process.
