Toot! Toot!

Jan 14
Amy

That’s the sound of me tooting my own horn.  Normally, I don’t like to do that, but what I want to talk about today is just too exciting for me to keep quiet about it.  I have been taking classes at Eastern Oregon University, and I am working towards finishing my Bachelor’s Degree.  One of the courses I am taking this term is Photojournalism.  Our very first assignment was to interview a working photojournalist and write a paper based on the interview.  I chose to locate and interview a photojournalist working for the Tri-City Herald because our local papers photographers, I think, are more reporters with cameras rather than actual staff photographers (no offense EO & HH).  At any rate, I made an appointment to meet one of the TCH photographers for an interview last night.

When I arrived at the office; however, I was greeted with a HUGE surprise.  Paul had me bring my camera into the office and he attached one of their lenses.  You know the kind – one of those really pretty *white* ones that cost way more than I earn in a month.

I now have lens envy.

I did not just interview Paul, he took me on a ride-a-long, much like volunteers do with police officers.  I was able to follow him on his assignments for the evening which included feature pictures of the new Richland Girls’ Varsity Basketball Coach and pictures of the Tri-City Americans Hockey game vs. the Seattle Thunderbirds.  I was free to use the lens and take as many pictures as I wanted, but at RHS, I was more interested in watching him work.  Once we got to the hockey game, though, I started taking pictures.  Hockey is so much different to photograph compared to basketball – the puck moves across the ice at break-neck speed compared to basketballs, and the action is much harder to follow.  We stayed through the first period and then left because he had reviewed his images and knew he had one he wanted to use.

When we returned to the TCH office, he downloaded his card AND mine, picked a couple pictures from both our cards, edited them, and then collaborated with the Sports Editor working nights.  He didn’t tell the sports editor who shot what, just asked him to choose the picture(s) he wanted for his page.

HE CHOSE MY PICTURE!!!

I was immediately so excited, I darn near wet my pants.  I did manage to remain calm until it was time to leave, I got in my car, called Aaron, and yelled in the phone about what had happened.  I’m not sure his hearing has recovered even yet.  Before I left, Paul had me sign a release and said the picture would be in today’s paper. 

Well, it was not just in today’s paper, it was on the cover of the sports section, and it is HUGE.  The best part is the byline below the image, “Photo courtesy of Amy Tolar”!

I’m done tooting my horn now.  Here are the pictures of today’s Tri City Herald:

   

This is my original image.  We just cropped it in a little tighter and cleaned up the noise.

Big Grin.  🙂