When this blog was started by Goh Iromoto it was meant to be more than just an alternative way to distribute the pitch list, it was designed to promote photography at our paper and among the team. This is why I'm asking what you're looking for in this blog, whether that be tips and tricks, links to tutorials, photo break downs, or ideas to get away from the desk and out shooting. [Cont'd]. I want this to be a tool that is useful, but I need you to tell me what would be best.
That being said, I was inspired to write this post by The Globe and Mail's Photodesk. It's a new approach to engaging more readership on the website. It takes the ideas from blogs like Lens at the New York Times and combines it with resources and advice from professional photographers. It's a great looking resource with engaging Canadian content. Go check it out, comment on what you think.
One last thing to check out. Canon has put out this great Vimeo channel to show off the 5Dii's video. It's cameraporn to be sure, but it's great cameraporn.
Ciao,
Geoff
>> SEE FULL POST HERE
What is this?
| October 15 |
So it's short notice. Why? Because it's been one of those weeks. So please pick up something!
In other news: Hootenanny! It's our annual fundraiser for NASH (the national journalism conference every year) and we need you to come out and bring all your friends! It's a $10 all you can drink event, $5 for the door, no outside alcohol. All the details (and the RSVP) can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=143910485654024
Want to Volunteer for Hootenanny? Come help prepare the place for drunken shenanigans, man the door, or serve beer. If you volunteer for more than two hours, you get in free.
And on to the pitches:
For Sunday
Apple Fest
Photographer: Tara M.
Free food. That's right, you show up, you shoot a few people tasting apple based products, and then you may partake yourself.
The Beanery
Photographer: Jess L.
Take a few pictures of people working. Be sneaky and quick though!
Canzine Review Saturday
Time/Place: 1-6pm Saturday, W2 Storium
Photographer: Open
Go hang out with our culture people and shoot some cool stuff at the local independent publishers conference. You'll learn a thing or two and meet some great people.
For Wednesday
ALLIES at UBC
Photographer: Open
ALLIES is a group for pro feminist men on campus. They're trying to become much more active on campus and have ambitious goals. Go up and get some interesting pictures of these dudes.
Jocelyn Lai Profile
Photographer: Open
She's a musician on campus, and a damn good one. Get her in the sticks of music and make it interesting.
Land use on Campus
Graphic Designer: Open
We need more graphics! Yes, that's right, we're doing another story on land use. Got something creative on this subject, tell me and submit.
Genetically Modified Fish
Graphic Designer: Open
A short story about genetically modified fish. Maybe just a photoshop of a mutant fish?
Environmental Supplement: Deadzone map & article
Graphic Designer: Open
Deadzones are areas of the ocean in which the water has no oxygen. Some are natural, some are caused by man. We want some one to find out where they are in the Vancouver area, and what is causing them. Contact the writer and do a little map.
Environmental Supplement: The wonders salmon run
Graphic Designer: Open
Carbon analysis shows that the BC salmon runs are responsible for a huge amount of the life in the region. Essentially, we want a sappy image of fish jumping out of the water, or something like that.
This year's salmon run
Graphic Designer: Open
We had a lot of fish, and apparently this is part of a cycle, and so we have a writer who is looking into the cohen inquiries and writing a story about them. Photo ideas: a "cycle" in which there are 3 salmon, then 10, then 15, then 1 (in a circle).
Environmental Supplement: Is your food Oceanwise
Graphic Designer: Open
We want some one to look into the Oceanwise certification. What does it mean, how does it matter, and who is looking out for it.
Environmental Supplement: Fisheries go goliath
Graphic Designer: Open
We've been told that BC fisheries are taking orders from Jimmy Pattison, essentially aiming to squash smaller fisheries. Probably something like a big ship blocking off a smaller ship would work for this.
>> SEE FULL POST HERE
| SEPTEMBER 27 |
It's almost October! Crazy? I think so. Midterms fast approach, the weather is, well, it's Vancouver's unique blend, and photos still need taking. We've got an interesting week as our features section starts to release big stories and the different factions across UBC continue (as ever) bitterly debate the finer points of campus.
In other news, interested in getting good, direct, constructive feedback on your photography? Flip me an email and I'd be happy to look over a prepared selection of photos or photos that you've taken for the paper. Figure out why we choose certain images over others and what makes a powerful image in photojournalism. I'm free most days, evenings, and weekends so give me a shout.
Did you see something on campus? Did you take a picture of it? Submit it for the Photos of the week starting this week. I'll be running a recap in photos. Make sure the photo is well captioned and send it along for consideration.
This week's stories
Paid versus Aid
Photographer: Open
Campus for Christ has a draw for $1000 bucks for tuition. Trick is, will the lucky winner take the cash for their own tuition, or donate it to schools in Africa. Create a graphic image that displays this choice.
UBC study finds gender gap between Asian students
A UBC study has found a pretty severe gender gap between the performance of east Asian students in school, with women doing quite a bit better. Photo illustration maybe? Get a couple of friends together and take this photo, could be a fun studio thing to do?
Women's Rugby
Photographer: Open
Time: 3pm Friday
It's at Thunderbird park, it's hard-hitting action. Pick it up
Women's Field Hockey
Photographer: Open
Time: Saturday 1pm
It's more vicious than it sounds. Trust me.
NCAA -> CIS
Photographer: Open
A bunch of people switched. Sportraits galore!
Faculty Association
Photographer: OPEN
The UBC Faculty Association has reached an impasse with the university regarding contract renegotiation. You can read more about the specifics here http://www.facultyassociation.ubc.ca/bargainingblog.php#B20
Textbook Monopolies
Photographer: Dave
CASA (Canadian Alliance of Student Associations) is arguing that textbook monopolies drive up prices. Get a shot of a student with too many receipts and bills and the like piled up in their hands. Fun and easy.
AMS Council
Time: 6pm, Wednesday September 29
Photographer: Jess, Jon
We need file photos for AMS things, if you're interested in what's going on around campus, then this is the gig for you. Did I mention free food? It's in the AMS chambers in the SUB.
Parking Costs
Photographer: Dave
Parking costs at UBC have skyrocketed because of HST and transit taxation. It's about $350 bucks tax on a $600 dollar pass. Take a picture of a parking ticket in someone's window or think up something more creative.
UBC Child Care
Photographer: Hazel
We are doing an in-depth piece on campus child care. This could be a very good photo essay if you are willing to put the time in on it. Don't pick this up if you are not. It'll probably run online and in print.
>> SEE FULL POST HERE
| SEPTEMBER 21 |
Hi everybody,
Yet another week and we're up again with pitches for everyone. A little short this week as we now have a deluge of holdovers from the last few issues. It's an exciting week and we've got an exciting event planned for you on Friday, September 24. Check your emails for more details or email me.
This week our photo of the week goes to Josh Curran for his shot taken during the homecoming game on Saturday. Kudo's to Josh. Check the photo above to see it.
IMPORTANT DAY OF PHOTO (and it's a concert, yep)
Fine Mist @ The Railway
Photographer: OPEN
Time: TUESDAY<- TONIGHT @9pm
They're pretty cool, we're writing a story on them, and you get to hang out with the totally awesome Jonny Wakefield, guardian of the Culture section. Want to shoot a show? This is THE show to shoot.
Coming up this week
AUS Elections results
Photographer: Open
It's a big party on Friday night, tons of fun and all you have to do is snap a few quick ones of the crowd erupting at the presidential announcements. Just sneak out during desk crawl, we'll get you an exact time of the announcement.
Farming
Photographer: Open
We're running a story on farming and the UBC farm. If someone wants to run down and grab a few shots of the farm I would be forever indebted.
Olio Music Fest
Photographers: Dave, Open (Friday), Open (Saturday)
Olio Fest is a pretty big thing for Culture right now. I'm looking for someone to shoot on Saturday or Sunday night, downtown. Confirm band details with culture@ubyssey.ca (Jonny and Bryce).
Coming up next week
AMS Council
Photographer: OPEN
Time: Sept. 29, 6pm.
A) FREE FOOD. B) I really need some stock shots of this. This is the kind of stuff that will run in the paper for the next year, so I need gold. Get in there and make the exec look interesting. Plus, you'll know what's going on with campus before it goes on.
Day of the Longboat
Photographer: Open
Time: September 25 or October 1
We need photos of this. It's the coolest event of the season put on by rec and tons of people get involved with it every year and bond over it. Lot's of great emotion involved, as well as some absolutely insane competition and spirit!
Belkin Sign "There was and there wasn't a city of Baghdad"
Photographer: Open
Long story short, it's art. Take this one and snap a photo to accompany our more detailed writeup.
The Hungarian Gate
Photographer: Open
Another anecdotal piece from news on why Hungarian Engineers dragged a gate across the world. Make it pretty and run. Fun gig for an easy picture.
The Green Laser (of less than doom)
Photographer: Open
This'll be a tough one. Bring your tripod down past totem and snipe the green laser that appears from nowhere from the back of a truck. A very interesting spectacle at night.
Cool! Hope to see you out shooting (or on Friday)!
Geoff
>> SEE FULL POST HERE
| SEPTEMBER 13 |
Here's the current state of the pitch list, again, feel free to get in contact with me, remind me that you exist (I forget sometimes), or make plans. If you're interested in doing graphics, give me a shout! We're looking for people more talented with photoshop/illustrator than myself (not hard to do) who like to challenge themselves with graphic design and illustration.
Also, general staff meetings start tomorrow at noon. TUESDAY'S AT NOON for the rest of the year are when we have these general meetings, you can see the agenda in the Sunday issue. If you would like to become a staff photographer, you need to attend two out of three consecutive meetings. Bonuses for being staff include:
- FREE Stuff (Ubyssey T-shirt, Ubyssey Waterbottle)
- Vote on stuff
- Get a "@ubyssey.ca" email address
- Attend national and regional conferences
- Put the Ubyssey on your resume
So here it goes: Pitch list three.
En Garde!
Photographer: Chris
Get in contact with the fencing club and see if they... can set up a time this week for a photo shoot. lends itself well to good photos.
WEIRD People
Photographer: OPEN
So apparently us WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) people here at university are the most studied group out of anyone, and it's skewing the results. Take a plain shot of a shrugging, "Hey, it's not my fault" university student (should be plenty around). Bonus points if you can get a psych textbook into the shot.
Film Soc
Photographer: Nicole
They run the norm, cool stuff. Grab a shot and make it interesting
AMS Council
Photographer: OPEN
Time: Wednesday, 6pm
Tag along to council and see what's up. Snap some candids for the archives and for that moment we REALLY need a picture, like now. It's a challenge to catch councillors with something interesting. Also, find out what's actually going on with the referendum. Did I mention free food?
Belkin Sign "There was and there wasn't a city of Baghdad"
Photographer: Open
Long story short, it's art. Take this one and snap a photo to accompany our more detailed writeup.
The Hungarian Gate
Photographer: Open
Another anecdotal piece from news on why Hungarian Engineers dragged a gate across the world. Make it pretty and run. Fun gig for an easy picture.
The Green Laser (of less than doom)
Photographer: Open
This'll be a tough one. Bring your tripod down past totem and snipe the green laser that appears from nowhere from the back of a truck. A very interesting spectacle at night.
Outdoor Pool, what up with that?
Photographer: Jon Chiang
Why did they cover the pool? It's made for some much less interesting moments as of late. It's not really that interesting a plunge anymore. Take pictures from the 10m (I'll get you up there).
Farm Aid Show
Photographer: Tim
Farm Aid was big when they first hit the scene a few years back. Now, it's a fun outdoor concert put on every year in support of UBC farm. Shoot the concert for review shots.
Wally the Bull
Photographer: Open
The completely autocratic mascot is now roaming the streets of UBC, terrorizing first years with his tyranny. Get a shot of this bull and get it back to me for the wanted... I mean, the paper.
Start your own Sorority!
Photographer: Open
I have no clue. Apparently there's a new sorority on campus. We're getting details, but we need a graphic/photo. Got any ideas?
Olio Music Festival
Photographers: Dave, Jon
Still working on the details, but it's basically a great big festival with great local music. Details coming, really.
Pesticides on campus
Photographer: Open
We have a great lead on pesticide use on campus (a no no around here). Make a photo illustration involving the private housing on campus. Even a simple shot of clear grass could work here.
DJ's at Thunderbird
Photographer: Open
Apparently UBC Athletics is trying to get a monthly DJ'd event at Thunderbird Arena, it's looking like it might go through. Take a shot of the arena with the houses, try and get a sense of the distance and see give the viewer a general sense of things.
Frats and Sororities on Campus
Photographer: Open
Get a photo at a frat party. Easy enough, if there is one. Rushing is happening all week though..
>> SEE FULL POST HERE
SEPTEMBER 6 PITCH
So it's the first week back to school. Boring? I think not! Tons of events going down this week, get involved while you still can! Also, new this year (a returning feature of the Ubyssey Photo department) is our weekly meeting! Meetings will be Mondays @ 2pm starting next week on Sept. 13. I will pitch first crack for pitches at these meetings, and it's a good chance to come meet who you're working with here at the Ubyssey. It's only a half hour of your time, so come join us. Also, I will be organizing shoot-shops starting the third week of September which will happen around campus.
Again, if you're interested in meeting up, I'm often bored in the office. text/email me and I'll get back to you ASAP. Check out the blog to see who's picking up pitches, I update it as people take things. ubyphotos.blogspot.com
OPENING SHOT - The Gates....
Photographer: Open
Time: Due Tuesday night
So we're running the gates at UBC (they're around 10th and Blanca on the edge of campus) for our Governance special. This is an extremely important photo and I need it quick. Go out to the gates and take a few pictures at various focal lengths. Spend some time because it's a very important issue.
Caught Peeking!
Photographer: Open
So you may have heard a few employees were disciplined for jumping past a few NSFW warnings. We're using this issue to open up a broader case of privacy issues on Campus. I need someone to knock off a photo illustration of this. Someone illuminated by their screen would be a great shot. These photo illustrations require a little more work, but are worth it in the end.
Rave in the Arenas
Photographer: Open
So apparently we're going to be doing raves in the arena. Another Due for Wednesday photo Illustration, News section leader. Any ideas on this? I've got the standard building shot, but would love to see something more interesting. UBC Athletics is going to be holding DJ'd events at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird arena type place.
Get working
Photographer: Andrew Hood
Workout places across campus. This isn't imperative that it happens right away, but it needs to happen soon. A great afternoon of walking around campus and shooting fluff shots of the campus gyms and fields. I'll be sending two people out on this, so ask and you get to meet up with a fellow photographer!
Imagine it!
Photographers: OPEN, OPEN, OPEN
Time: Tuesday Sep. 7, 8:30am-6pm
Imagine day is the first day of en masse students. You're there, you're not a first year, and you're bored? Come take photos for us! We're doing awesome cool things like time-lapse, catwalks, general journalism, landscape, etc. This is a great day to get involved with the team and cover this campus. I have to focus on recruitment for this entire week so I will be depending on you guys.
Grad Art Expo
Photographer: Open
Time: Thursday Sep. 9, 7-10pm
It's an Art show. Make someone look interesting. Although with UBC FA, anything could be there. Try and find something interesting and include more than the art (The surroundings, tell a story). There will probably be free wine and cheese or something to that effect. Just sayin'.
Dean's Debate
Photographer: Open
Time: Friday, Sep. 10 2:30pm
The dean's debate is often funny, informative, and ironically our own Coordinating Editor Justin McElroy will be moderating. This would make much more sense if he attended but a third of his classes. Dean's debate has a head-to-head portion that makes for a great shot, so go for it. It's at the conversation pit in the SUB (by the Art Gallery).
Design Cubed
Photographer: Open
The architectural firm for the SUB has a cool design forum going up in the SUB. Try and make it look as cool as their proposal. If it's ugly enough though we're running side by sides so people know how we got screwed.
Couching it up!
Photographer: Open
We're doing an article on couch surfing. We have quite a few experts on staff so it's going to be awesome. We need a shot of someone lazing about, sleeping on a couch. Easy, fun, and a great graphic to do!
Twister World Record
Photographer: Open
Time: Sunday, Sep. 12, 2-4pm
This is sweet. There are alot of people going to this. Just imagine twister covering McInnes field, and that's your photo. Do it, bring it into production.
CiTR FEATURE
Photographer: Open
Get a creative shot in the booth. Include lots of things in the picture. My recommendation: Get into the picture and get low. It's a neat space, might need flashes or a tripod. Try to include people in this shot, or person. Doesn't need to include their face, but people are good.
Wreck Beach: How-to
Photographer: Open
This is one of our favourite places. In light of that, our culture Editor Jonny has offered to bare all and pose on the beach. We'd like him to stay well away from the camera though, so I'm thinking a gorgeous sunset shot on the beach with Jonny standing on the shore looking out. Interested yet?
Welcome Back BBQ
Photographer: Open/Geoff
Time: Friday Sep. 10, 4pm onwards
GASLIGHT ANTHEM. Yep. You get to see them free if you shoot this. Music, beer, shows, all in all a good time. We get you in and you get us pictures. Another thing we'll probably send a few people on. It's a good time and you're gonna be there anyways, so bring your camera and make the Ubyssey proud.
MOA Mash-up Mixer
Time: Thursday Sep. 9, 7pm
Photographer: Open
It's a party, we're gonna do some sort of stand up on it so we'd like some shots. It'll be fun and you'll get in free. Kegs expected on-site.
First week Plaza
Time: Wednesday-Friday 10am-2pm
Photographer: Open
We're looking for a photographer who's willing to snap a few on their lunch. Easy, fun gig that will keep you on your toes with candids. It's daylight and timely so get at'er.
Born Ruffians Show
Photographer: Gerald Deo
Time: Saturday Sep. 11, 8pm
See a show, shoot for 15 minutes. It's a pretty good gig. Must be focused to get this. Bring the fast glass - the Pit is a light whore.
MSTRKFT
Photographer: Dave Elop
Time: Sunday, Sep. 12
See above
Engineering Muscle
Photographer: Open
We have quite a few people just insane enough to do varsity athletics and a degree in engineering. Get some contacts from me and get after these people for some profile shots. Make it interesting. Calculators, wrenches, and sporting equipment OH MY!
Men's Soccer - UBC vs. TWU
Photographer: Open
Time: Friday Sep. 10, 7pm
Big game. TWU is one of UBC's biggest rivals, so it should be fun to shoot. it's on the soccer field at thunderbird park, the artificial turf. Should be good.
UBC's Stop - Zac Kalthoff
Photographer: Open
Kalthoff is our goalkeeper for the men's team. Apparently he's pretty good. Bring the speedlites and do a profile of him. (I'll get you contacts).
>> SEE FULL POST HERE
AUGUST 28 PITCH LIST
Well, it's that time again. Pitch time! We're already in print, and shots need shooting. I've included some first week stuff but we'll have another pitch list at the end of the week. Usually, Pitches will come out Mondays with supplemental pitches on Fridays. Weekly pitches will be updated on the blog. See below for those things you are interested in and send me a line. I am currently stuck in the middle of nowhere (Yale) with the rest of the team, so I apologize for my spotty responses over the weekend. I'll be back in the office Monday.
Like design? Like taking photo illustrations? Like just doing random things? Obsessive about grammar and punctuation? If you're any of the above, come by the office Wednesdays and Sundays and help us make the paper! it's a ton of fun with many hands, and we are producing the first year issue then! Bring your computer and come see how it's made.
Again, if you're interested in meeting up, I'm often bored in the office. text/email me and I'll get back to you ASAP.
Football Home Opener
Photographer: Open
Time: Sunday Sep. 4 @ 1pm
It's a big game. New coach (he won a National championship with UBC back in '97), new prospects, and it's against UofA. Great game. Bring the big guns as it's a stretch with the glass.
Minnesota-UBC Basketball
Photographer: Open
Time: Thursday Sep. 2 @7pm
Place: War Memorial Gym
This will be a great game against a US team. With UBC joining the NCAA this game should tell us a little bit about the competition down south. High ISO, Wide-open glass. Mid range glass will do.
Women's Soccer Preview
Photographer: Open
Time: Sep. 2 @ 8pm
Place: Thunderbird Park Turf
The women's team is taking on Surrey United (Premiere level). The women's team does fairly well here, so this should be a fun, hard-hitting game.
Simon Fraser Player
Photographer: Open
So apparently a few players have been switching to UBC to stay in Canadian leagues. We're writing a bit about that. It's Sportrait time with this shot, so get creative!
Caught Peeking!
Photographer: Open
So you may have heard a few employees were disciplined for jumping past a few NSFW warnings. We're using this issue to open up a broader case of privacy issues on Campus. I need someone to knock off a photo illustration of this. Someone illuminated by their screen would be a great shot. These photo illustrations require a little more work, but are worth it in the end.
Get working
Photographer: Open
Workout places across campus. This isn't imperative that it happens right away, but it needs to happen soon. A great afternoon of walking around campus and shooting fluff shots of the campus gyms and fields. I'll be sending two people out on this, so ask and you get to meet up with a fellow photographer!
Cappuccino on Campus
Photographer: Open
We need someone with an eye for a good cup of coffee and the mouth to coax a cute barista to make some coffee all pretty. Find a table by a window, shoot a beautiful backlit cappuccino.
FIRST WEEK
Imagine it!
Photographers: OPEN, OPEN, OPEN
Time: Tuesday Sep. 7, 8:30am-6pm
Imagine day is the first day of en masse students. You're there, you're not a first year, and you're bored? Come take photos for us! We're doing awesome cool things like time-lapse, catwalks, general journalism, landscape, etc. This is a great day to get involved with the team and cover this campus. I have to focus on recruitment for this entire week so I will be depending on you guys.
Grad Art Expo
Photographer: Open
Time: Thursday Sep. 9, 7-10pm
It's an Art show. Make someone look interesting. Although with UBC FA, anything could be there. Try and find something interesting and include more than the art (The surroundings, tell a story).
Welcome Back BBQ
Photographer: Open
Time: Friday Sep. 10, 4pm onwards
Music, beer, shows, all in all a good time. We get you in and you get us pictures. Another thing we'll probably send a few people on. It's a good time and you're gonna be there anyways, so bring your camera and make the Ubyssey proud.
Born Ruffians Show
Photographer: Open
Time: Saturday Sep. 11, 8pm
See a show, shoot for 15 minutes. It's a pretty good gig. Must be focused to get this. Bring the fast glass - the Pit is a light whore.
>> SEE FULL POST HERE
Summer Update
So the summer has been slow so far. People doing there thing, editors out of town, the usual. Hopefully we will see another pitch list in the next week, our section editors are hard at work rustling up writers - I'll let you all know as soon as I know what is happening. (Cont'd) In the meanwhile, I thought I'd share some meaningless graphics and links with you: here's what I've been finding, feel free to comment with your own.
13 Signs You're A Bad Graphic Designer
This video here is a video of making, well, videos. It's also a Sandisk commercial, but hey, free and cheap tips?
I've been watching a lot of soccer which means:
And something I found particularly relevant
>> SEE FULL POST HERE
