National Guard members build a gate at one of the fences along the U.S. border with Mexico near Yuma, Ariz. The gate will give Border Patrol agents access to the area between the two fences. "This small part of Arizona has become an example in the federal government's effort to stop illegal immigration and other traffic,'' The Arizona Republic says today. Photo by Pat Shannahan, Republic.Cutlines Only showcases Gannett website art. E-mail suggested links here; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green sidebar, upper right. Or leave a note in the comments section, below.
I love the cutline only feature but am bothered by the selection process. Maybe you can settle it (within my mind) with answers to a few questions:
ReplyDeleteWhen you display the cutline only feature, are you searching within lots of media sources? Or, is it specially Gannett or, a few select Gannett markets? Those questions goes to how the sourcing/search is so you find/select them. I DO feel that that photos displayed in this feature have been compelling and tell a story and adore them--Thank you for going to the trouble of presentation. I ask because sometimes smaller markets get great shots and ought to be in the mix. At the same time, markets outside of Gannett get great shots too. Sometimes, even the "submitted" photo from the public is good too...
When you make your selection, who are you giving credit too? That is a landlord verses artist question. My reason for asking is that equipment is one thing. Consistent, good shots are completely another thing. Photo equipment is less expensive than it was in the past and Gannett is offering more photo equipment now than ever. Are you crediting Gannett or are you crediting the photographer and locale that captures the moment in time that tells a story? My reason for asking is that anyone can take a great photo now and again but it takes a good photographer to take good ones that tell a story, consistently.
I can't help but think that non-professional photographers get great shots too. Do you look or consider those? About a year ago, the Cincinnati Enquirer (Michael Keating) posted many tips and tricks for getting better photos. This household contains no professional photographers (and do not want to be) but we got good shots for us due to that advise. How do amateur rank in the Gannettblog cutline only feature?
Sidebar: No, I don't care who you are specifically. I DO care about what newspapers and whatever newspapers and main stream media becomes. I DO care about where I live, everywhere that I have lived and the people I have met. If it helps you to say who you are, do. If not, don't. At the same time, know who what your actions might hurt on the personal level and adjust accordingly.
Peace be with you.
Oooph! You get the prize for longest comment so far. Lots of good thoughts and questions. I'm trying to focus more on Gannett's smaller papers in this feature. As the tagline says, I'm showcasing Gannett website art because, well, this is a blog devoted to Gannett. I credit the local paper and the photographer whose byline appears with the photo. As to non-professional photographers, I suspect that Gannett will be using more and more reader-submitted photos as main art outside of the many reader-driven photo slide shows.
ReplyDeleteI'd be interested in what staff photographers think about this: Is it a good thing -- or a threat to their jobs? Discuss!