Looking Back…
I am glad this Graduate program includes a writing course. I did find the assignments difficult at times to complete, but this stemmed more from my own pressures I tend to put on myself. At the beginning of the course I really wasn't sure what to talk about. Maybe it was "writer's block" or just a fear that I would not sound intelligent. Well, I obviously had to get that insecure voice out of my head if I wanted to move forward in the program. As the course progressed I became more comfortable expressing myself and I am confident I will eventually find my voice.
In this particular course I learned how crucial it is to re-read and re-write (although I wish I had a little more time to do this). I also realized re-reading my work isn't as bad as I made out to be. I liked and I didn't like Twitter, but now I do understand the use for it. I am still going to try using it for a business tool. I liked that we were all required to have a blog and I found the Professor's feedback to be extremely helpful and encouraging.
I plan on continuing to work on my chosen niche of photography. I am sure it will look a lot different over the next several months. Overall the course and introduction to "pitching" online was useful and I anticipate my graduate proposal will continue to manifest the more I learn throughout the program.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Media Campaign Review
I did a Google search and found this social media campaign to spark an interest for me:
Social Media Campaign Critique
When I saw this campaign I thought it had similar concepts to the online photography pitch I had just done for the course. Blogger: Roderick Low's campaign is called, “Real People, Real Stories”. My pitch is called, "Untouchable Storytelling". Both ideas surround the main focus around photography and everyday people.
I like the idea that Low's approach to get his target audience involved. But, I'm not exactly sure how I would get that much money to give away. I'll have to think about that piece a little more. People want to be involved. This is quite clear from the public's overwhelming participation to all the networking sites that have developed over the years (especially with YouTube).
This is the gist of Low's campaign:
I would concentrate on Twitter because I feel like there is probably more regular activity by more everyday people on Twitter than You Tube. With YouTube, although there are many viewers not everyone has video recording equipment or may not know how to effectively use it properly. I may also coordinate with Flickr somehow, since their a popular photo sharing site.
Social Media Campaign Critique
When I saw this campaign I thought it had similar concepts to the online photography pitch I had just done for the course. Blogger: Roderick Low's campaign is called, “Real People, Real Stories”. My pitch is called, "Untouchable Storytelling". Both ideas surround the main focus around photography and everyday people.
I like the idea that Low's approach to get his target audience involved. But, I'm not exactly sure how I would get that much money to give away. I'll have to think about that piece a little more. People want to be involved. This is quite clear from the public's overwhelming participation to all the networking sites that have developed over the years (especially with YouTube).
This is the gist of Low's campaign:
With consumers in mind, the campaign invites AirAsia travelers to submit their stories on how the budget airline has changed their lives for the better.
Launched on eYeka platform, consumers are asked to submit a 30 to 90 second video or animation to share their AirAsia stories. Here’s the carrot: At the end of the campaign (29 August), a total of 35 tickets worth up to USD$30,000 will be given away.
Alexandre Olmedo, the CEO of eYeka Asia describes this campaign with the following words:
“By engaging real people to share their stories on how their lives have changed for the better demonstrates AirAsia’s authenticity, openness and appetite for innovation.”
I would concentrate on Twitter because I feel like there is probably more regular activity by more everyday people on Twitter than You Tube. With YouTube, although there are many viewers not everyone has video recording equipment or may not know how to effectively use it properly. I may also coordinate with Flickr somehow, since their a popular photo sharing site.
Blah-Blah-Blah...
Conversation in today's world has been redefined by technology and has encouraged more communication among people. Many alternative options have emerged over the last several years and as a result everyone is virtually connected with everyone. So, now that we are all talking, is anyone really listening? Is there some truth to Professor Kalm's statement,
Modern day conversation has become a 24 hour, 7 days a week activity. Social media supports conversation, but it also creates a social pressure within society. For anyone who may not have a particular passion in something, but wants to have a voice it forces the person to identify their belief; or passion; or niche. Before taking this course I never thought I had a niche in anything. I realize now how beneficial it is to have even just one passion and if one hasn't been established to at least be thinking about possibilities. There are many people out there who do not have a passion, or maybe they might have one and not realize it. A true interest in something is not only good for conversations, it also makes a person more well-rounded.
No wonder why conversation is difficult, but as long as communication continues evolving this will always be the case. Regardless, good conversation should still remain the standard with all forms of communication. Professor Kalm's list of things that deem conversation as being good(i.e., comfort, one-on-one situation, time, listening) are more than reasonable, and you would think it could easily be followed through. But why so difficult then? The mind needs to be actively engaged and this requires self-discipline. This is what supports a good conversation.
We will always be learning how to modify and adjust the ways in which we communicate with one another. This I am sure of. It is important not to get caught up in the inevitable change we experience each and everyday, and also to remind ourselves of our original intention for setting out to do something. While technology will keep producing new gadgets to "simplify" our lives, we need to have the insight to be self-disciplined enough to set our own benchmarks to achieve our goals.
The stage is full; the seats are empty.And if this is true, how should we avoid it?
Modern day conversation has become a 24 hour, 7 days a week activity. Social media supports conversation, but it also creates a social pressure within society. For anyone who may not have a particular passion in something, but wants to have a voice it forces the person to identify their belief; or passion; or niche. Before taking this course I never thought I had a niche in anything. I realize now how beneficial it is to have even just one passion and if one hasn't been established to at least be thinking about possibilities. There are many people out there who do not have a passion, or maybe they might have one and not realize it. A true interest in something is not only good for conversations, it also makes a person more well-rounded.
No wonder why conversation is difficult, but as long as communication continues evolving this will always be the case. Regardless, good conversation should still remain the standard with all forms of communication. Professor Kalm's list of things that deem conversation as being good(i.e., comfort, one-on-one situation, time, listening) are more than reasonable, and you would think it could easily be followed through. But why so difficult then? The mind needs to be actively engaged and this requires self-discipline. This is what supports a good conversation.
We will always be learning how to modify and adjust the ways in which we communicate with one another. This I am sure of. It is important not to get caught up in the inevitable change we experience each and everyday, and also to remind ourselves of our original intention for setting out to do something. While technology will keep producing new gadgets to "simplify" our lives, we need to have the insight to be self-disciplined enough to set our own benchmarks to achieve our goals.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Time For BP To Step Up
Social media campaigns thrive over the internet. The purpose for campaigns like these are to attract more people. What if the campaigning draws attention, however the attention mostly negative, what's the point then? BP oil needs a miracle to reestablish any amount of credibility they once had. Nevertheless, BP recognizes when the need for impeccable marketing strategies is critical. Recently, I read in Wired that:
I am thinking BP may be a little late with their campaign efforts. BP's campaigning attempts have only fueled (no pun intended) the media to mock BP with counteracting comical campaigns. An example:
It makes sense that BP would want to regain trust from the public, but it may be smarter to salvage the reputation of the business by focusing more on helping those that were directly affected by the oil spill. The resolution to the oil spill is so complex the answer for fixing the problem is not easily answered. Rather than focus on attracting more business (because I think BP has that part fully covered) with marketing campaigns, a more proactive approach is in demand and just take accountability.
BP didn’t begin its social networking campaigns in earnest until one month after news of the spill broke, says David Binkowski, senior vice president of word of mouth marketing at the MS&L Group. Wired
I am thinking BP may be a little late with their campaign efforts. BP's campaigning attempts have only fueled (no pun intended) the media to mock BP with counteracting comical campaigns. An example:
It makes sense that BP would want to regain trust from the public, but it may be smarter to salvage the reputation of the business by focusing more on helping those that were directly affected by the oil spill. The resolution to the oil spill is so complex the answer for fixing the problem is not easily answered. Rather than focus on attracting more business (because I think BP has that part fully covered) with marketing campaigns, a more proactive approach is in demand and just take accountability.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Pitching For Pictures
Elevator Pitch Idea A
The internet, an integral part of most aspects of our lives has become a necessary component in order for us to function from day to day. Undeniably, we have benefited from the internet, but while it has connected us globally it has also disconnected us in many ways also. Today, professional photographers are no longer necessary to hire, because availability and retrieval of images through online stock photos is so easy. As a result of this there is not such a demand for professional photographers, but should remain as a recognized skilled craft even though all of us have the means. Snappy Story, a useful online resource to professional photographers, offers as a hub for them to connect with businesses'. These businesses' are requesting for specific types of photographs to be created. The photographs typically will involve a strong message to be conveyed through a visual creation. The hub will foster and support an ongoing working relationships between the professional photographer and businesses'. Snappy Story meets with potential clients to further discuss ideas and all other possibilities.
Query Email Idea A
From: Julie Heffernan [mailto: julie.heffernan@quinnipiac.edu]
Sent: Friday, July 16, 2010 4:47 PM
To: _____(potential sponser)______
Subject: Images To Empower
Hi ________(potential sponser)_______,
As more and more content is received and delivered over the internet, our attention span for stories becomes shorter with each passing day. Professional photographers deliver images based on a code of ethics and standards. Snappy Story wants to link professional photographers and businesses' because as technological advancements continue to occur we are gradually losing professional photographers in today's world where everyone is a photographer.
I believe professional photography is a skilled profession that should be a distinguished group of its own, as well be given the opportunity to thrive. If you are interested in help making this possible, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you,
Julie Heffernan
(Business name and address), Hamden, CT
(Business phone number)
(Business email)
One Sentence Pitch Idea A
Snappy Story fosters working relationships between business and pro photographer. The outcome: a creative image with a telling story and an important message.
Elevator Pitch Idea B
Do Gooder is an online community portal for the amateur photographer who wants to be part of a social cause to promote positive change in the world. Idea B is slightly similar to Idea A in that it is also an online portal for photographers to use as a networking community. Do Gooder however is aimed towards an amateur photographer and is more like a source for photo contests that are solely focused on social change, which their will always be a need for. Do Gooder website will have most of the global issues that exist today and will be organized in categories. Any amateur photographer can link to a desired cause and then just follow the instructions. Each cause will have different requirements for its contest. The winner of the contests will be guaranteed a public spot on Do Gooder website for 1 full month. This spot will be their own space on Do Gooder webpage to display personal work samples. Also, Do Gooder would feature a story on the up and coming photographer on one of the major photography websites Do Gooder is affiliated with. In addition, the winner may also receive a separate prize from the organization of the featured cause.
Query Email Idea B
From: Julie Heffernan [mailto: julie.heffernan@quinnipiac.edu]
Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2010 4:47 PM
To: _____(potential sponser)______
Subject: Doing Good Things With Your Photos
Hi ________(potential sponser)_______,
Many social issues are addressed by a number of charities, but the need for support for social change is never enough. Do Gooder is a non-profit website that provides opportunity for everyone involved. The target audience: amateur photographers will have the opportunity to select from a number of affiliated organizations that work for a cause to change. The idea is to provide opportunity for an important cause and also for an aspiring photographer.
If you are interested in help making this possible, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you,
Julie Heffernan
(Business name and address), Hamden, CT
(Business phone number)
(Business email)
One Sentence Pitch Idea B
Do Gooder is an online non-profit organization that supports both amateur photographers and various social issues. Creating opportunity and recreating images. Addressing issues and making change.
The internet, an integral part of most aspects of our lives has become a necessary component in order for us to function from day to day. Undeniably, we have benefited from the internet, but while it has connected us globally it has also disconnected us in many ways also. Today, professional photographers are no longer necessary to hire, because availability and retrieval of images through online stock photos is so easy. As a result of this there is not such a demand for professional photographers, but should remain as a recognized skilled craft even though all of us have the means. Snappy Story, a useful online resource to professional photographers, offers as a hub for them to connect with businesses'. These businesses' are requesting for specific types of photographs to be created. The photographs typically will involve a strong message to be conveyed through a visual creation. The hub will foster and support an ongoing working relationships between the professional photographer and businesses'. Snappy Story meets with potential clients to further discuss ideas and all other possibilities.
Query Email Idea A
From: Julie Heffernan [mailto: julie.heffernan@quinnipiac.edu]
Sent: Friday, July 16, 2010 4:47 PM
To: _____(potential sponser)______
Subject: Images To Empower
Hi ________(potential sponser)_______,
As more and more content is received and delivered over the internet, our attention span for stories becomes shorter with each passing day. Professional photographers deliver images based on a code of ethics and standards. Snappy Story wants to link professional photographers and businesses' because as technological advancements continue to occur we are gradually losing professional photographers in today's world where everyone is a photographer.
I believe professional photography is a skilled profession that should be a distinguished group of its own, as well be given the opportunity to thrive. If you are interested in help making this possible, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you,
Julie Heffernan
(Business name and address), Hamden, CT
(Business phone number)
(Business email)
One Sentence Pitch Idea A
Snappy Story fosters working relationships between business and pro photographer. The outcome: a creative image with a telling story and an important message.
Elevator Pitch Idea B
Do Gooder is an online community portal for the amateur photographer who wants to be part of a social cause to promote positive change in the world. Idea B is slightly similar to Idea A in that it is also an online portal for photographers to use as a networking community. Do Gooder however is aimed towards an amateur photographer and is more like a source for photo contests that are solely focused on social change, which their will always be a need for. Do Gooder website will have most of the global issues that exist today and will be organized in categories. Any amateur photographer can link to a desired cause and then just follow the instructions. Each cause will have different requirements for its contest. The winner of the contests will be guaranteed a public spot on Do Gooder website for 1 full month. This spot will be their own space on Do Gooder webpage to display personal work samples. Also, Do Gooder would feature a story on the up and coming photographer on one of the major photography websites Do Gooder is affiliated with. In addition, the winner may also receive a separate prize from the organization of the featured cause.
Query Email Idea B
From: Julie Heffernan [mailto: julie.heffernan@quinnipiac.edu]
Sent: Saturday, July 17, 2010 4:47 PM
To: _____(potential sponser)______
Subject: Doing Good Things With Your Photos
Hi ________(potential sponser)_______,
Many social issues are addressed by a number of charities, but the need for support for social change is never enough. Do Gooder is a non-profit website that provides opportunity for everyone involved. The target audience: amateur photographers will have the opportunity to select from a number of affiliated organizations that work for a cause to change. The idea is to provide opportunity for an important cause and also for an aspiring photographer.
If you are interested in help making this possible, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you,
Julie Heffernan
(Business name and address), Hamden, CT
(Business phone number)
(Business email)
One Sentence Pitch Idea B
Do Gooder is an online non-profit organization that supports both amateur photographers and various social issues. Creating opportunity and recreating images. Addressing issues and making change.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Viewfinder
Life is all about trial and error. The challenge is not to dwell on the mistakes we've made, because this only clouds our focus; keeping us in a kind of stagnated realm of state. This is easier said than done. Writing and re-writing is self searching. It parallels with the discoveries we encounter throughout life.
When I began thinking about my online presence and how I wanted others to view me I really had no idea where to begin. I was constantly changing my ideas even before I put it down on paper. I wanted to get it just right in my mind first, and then I could ascribe my thoughts in any formal way. For me, declaring a pseudonymous identity meant I needed to evaluate myself and I don't think I ever looked at myself in such a truthful way.
I started with a Biosketch introduction of myself: I am Julie Marie Heffernan, a photographer and artist who sees the real world every night shift in the Emergency Crisis Unit where I provide mental health assistance. I have a BA in Psychology from the University of Arizona and am pursuing my Master’s in Interactive Communications at Quinnipiac University.
Over the next several weeks I would think about the kind of online presence I would exemplify and how it related to the niche I had not yet discovered.
A Sample
The sample writing I chose to use at the beginning of this writing course: Holism Helps Others was a paper I did when I was in nursing school. The premise of the paper was synergy. After reviewing this written sample of mine I realized it only highlighted things about myself I didn't want highlighted, such as being too wordy. I did not write in my own voice because this was never asked of me. My writing was predictable and safe. This is seen below in the excerpts I've extracted from my writing sample.
As I continue searching for, essentially my identity, I start to worry that I will not find it anytime soon. Nevertheless, I just kept peeling away my many layers, one layer at a time.
For the Love of Research
As I began my research I realized it fostered self learning. It reflects self-autonomy and a desire and permits for self-growth.
Today's Modern Painter
Enriching images help us to understand the societal changes as they occur. Applying photography with painting is just another visual way to tell a story from a different perspective. Although recognized as separate disciplines, photography and painting combined bring a new kind of mode for expression that reflects our everyday evolving world.
In 1827, photographs were first produced by a device called the camera obscura. It was the beginning of an optical revolution. The idea of using both photography and paintings to create a more realistic expression is a practice that's been in place since the invention of the camera.
My Photographer's Eye
The topic of interest I selected focuses on the subject of photography. I always hear a good picture is all in the "photographer's eye". I consider myself a serious photographer and I appreciate the creative variety it brings to light. Not only does it allow for creative self expression, it also helps to develop my eye for art.
The People's Eye versus The "Photographer's Eye"
Photographs allow us to always remember a certain memory of someone or something; maintaining a legacy. Today, paprazzi dominate photography, but it is important to recognize that they are not the ones to choose what to photograph, the people are. Paparazzi just deliver the goods. Photography is considered art only when the photographer's intentions for taking the picture in the first place is of their own motivation.
Story of Truth
Visual influence has become an integrated part of our everyday society. Today, there is a relentless craving for attention that seems to exist. Images that once shocked seem to only desensitize us more.
The things we choose to photograph tell a story. The question is: is it going to be a photograph that tells a story of truth or one that bends the truth? I think in this day and age-the truth may actually be more shocking.
Memorable Pictures
When a picture is taken with intention, your viewers will be much more intrigued. An image is much more than just visual aesthetics, you want it to convey a meaningful message. The objective for this kind of artistic expression is to tell a story.
Try using the following mnemonic:
POISE
'P' stands for Panoramic
'O' stands for Object
'I' stands for Interact
'S' stands for Subject
'E' stands for Emotion
Start by PANNING the scene of the location of the shoot. Then observe how either how the OBJECT interacts with the SUBJECT (or vice versa)? WHat is the EMOTION being conveyed?
The composition, the surrounding space of the photograph, should not distract the person from the picture's main focus, rather it should enhance it.
More Niche Pondering
I like the idea of editorial photography because it delivers a story through a visual medium with the goal to evoke emotion among its audience. Macro photography, also referred as micro photography, is a type of close-up shot. Even though this type of photography requires a lot of time and patience, the end result is a magnificent closeup shot that is precise and accurately focused.
From this point on I have made the decision to live my life with eyes wide open. I have many interests and am curious about many more. I am an honest writer who likes to learn new things and share new found knowledge with others. I will focus on writing about editorial and macro photography, but I will not limit myself to other areas of interest if it appropriately fits with my niche.
When I began thinking about my online presence and how I wanted others to view me I really had no idea where to begin. I was constantly changing my ideas even before I put it down on paper. I wanted to get it just right in my mind first, and then I could ascribe my thoughts in any formal way. For me, declaring a pseudonymous identity meant I needed to evaluate myself and I don't think I ever looked at myself in such a truthful way.
I started with a Biosketch introduction of myself: I am Julie Marie Heffernan, a photographer and artist who sees the real world every night shift in the Emergency Crisis Unit where I provide mental health assistance. I have a BA in Psychology from the University of Arizona and am pursuing my Master’s in Interactive Communications at Quinnipiac University.
Over the next several weeks I would think about the kind of online presence I would exemplify and how it related to the niche I had not yet discovered.
A Sample
The sample writing I chose to use at the beginning of this writing course: Holism Helps Others was a paper I did when I was in nursing school. The premise of the paper was synergy. After reviewing this written sample of mine I realized it only highlighted things about myself I didn't want highlighted, such as being too wordy. I did not write in my own voice because this was never asked of me. My writing was predictable and safe. This is seen below in the excerpts I've extracted from my writing sample.
The Synergy Model helps the patient identify personal intention, providing a higher sense of awareness, internally and externally. Integrating aspects of one life area to another is important, because immediate competing demands and/or preferences may arise, and one’s well-being is dependent on environmental factors (social influences), which may involve interaction (interpersonal influences), and potentially prompt a response; affecting the outcome.
The larger ideas from each theory contribute meaning to the term of Holism. Holism is the idea of a “sacred space” that is so impressive that it permeates a certain kind of confidence. I hope to reach this pinnacle point someday by maintaining a positive outlook on life’s unexpected events; seeing them as opportunities.
As I continue searching for, essentially my identity, I start to worry that I will not find it anytime soon. Nevertheless, I just kept peeling away my many layers, one layer at a time.
For the Love of Research
As I began my research I realized it fostered self learning. It reflects self-autonomy and a desire and permits for self-growth.
Today's Modern Painter
Enriching images help us to understand the societal changes as they occur. Applying photography with painting is just another visual way to tell a story from a different perspective. Although recognized as separate disciplines, photography and painting combined bring a new kind of mode for expression that reflects our everyday evolving world.
In 1827, photographs were first produced by a device called the camera obscura. It was the beginning of an optical revolution. The idea of using both photography and paintings to create a more realistic expression is a practice that's been in place since the invention of the camera.
My Photographer's Eye
The topic of interest I selected focuses on the subject of photography. I always hear a good picture is all in the "photographer's eye". I consider myself a serious photographer and I appreciate the creative variety it brings to light. Not only does it allow for creative self expression, it also helps to develop my eye for art.
The People's Eye versus The "Photographer's Eye"
Photographs allow us to always remember a certain memory of someone or something; maintaining a legacy. Today, paprazzi dominate photography, but it is important to recognize that they are not the ones to choose what to photograph, the people are. Paparazzi just deliver the goods. Photography is considered art only when the photographer's intentions for taking the picture in the first place is of their own motivation.
Story of Truth
Visual influence has become an integrated part of our everyday society. Today, there is a relentless craving for attention that seems to exist. Images that once shocked seem to only desensitize us more.
The things we choose to photograph tell a story. The question is: is it going to be a photograph that tells a story of truth or one that bends the truth? I think in this day and age-the truth may actually be more shocking.
Memorable Pictures
When a picture is taken with intention, your viewers will be much more intrigued. An image is much more than just visual aesthetics, you want it to convey a meaningful message. The objective for this kind of artistic expression is to tell a story.
Try using the following mnemonic:
POISE
'P' stands for Panoramic
'O' stands for Object
'I' stands for Interact
'S' stands for Subject
'E' stands for Emotion
Start by PANNING the scene of the location of the shoot. Then observe how either how the OBJECT interacts with the SUBJECT (or vice versa)? WHat is the EMOTION being conveyed?
The composition, the surrounding space of the photograph, should not distract the person from the picture's main focus, rather it should enhance it.
More Niche Pondering
I like the idea of editorial photography because it delivers a story through a visual medium with the goal to evoke emotion among its audience. Macro photography, also referred as micro photography, is a type of close-up shot. Even though this type of photography requires a lot of time and patience, the end result is a magnificent closeup shot that is precise and accurately focused.
From this point on I have made the decision to live my life with eyes wide open. I have many interests and am curious about many more. I am an honest writer who likes to learn new things and share new found knowledge with others. I will focus on writing about editorial and macro photography, but I will not limit myself to other areas of interest if it appropriately fits with my niche.
Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.
Ashley Smith
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
A Little Closer To Finding My Niche
After much searching I have shaved my interests in my chosen niche down to: Editorial Photography and Macro Photography. The difficulty I found in narrowing my niche down was something many photographers often struggled with. Just like many other photographers I enjoyed shooting a wide range of subjects and objects. To simplify would be difficult, but something that would eventually have to be done. It is common for photographers to earn a living in more than one market. I chose Editorial Photography and Macro Photography as the current niches I will toggle between.
Photojournalism
You may be asking yourself (because I did): how does this niche differ from photojournalism?
The niche's, similar in function, with some even considering editorial photography as a subtype of Photojournalism. Both deliver a story through a visual medium. While photojournalism and editorial photography both potentially evoke emotion among its audience, editorial photography most always strives to do this.
Editorial photography offers a diverse selection of opportunities for photographers to get their work seen and published. Many businesses' utilize photographs through a stock organization, which the internet makes this easy to do.
Macro Photography
Macro photography, sometimes referred to as micro photography, is a type of close-up shot of something. The technical skills to obtain an image that is the same small size as the object/subject requires time and patience. The end result is a magnificent, precise, and accurately focused closeup shot.
Photojournalism
You may be asking yourself (because I did): how does this niche differ from photojournalism?
The niche's, similar in function, with some even considering editorial photography as a subtype of Photojournalism. Both deliver a story through a visual medium. While photojournalism and editorial photography both potentially evoke emotion among its audience, editorial photography most always strives to do this.
Editorial photography offers a diverse selection of opportunities for photographers to get their work seen and published. Many businesses' utilize photographs through a stock organization, which the internet makes this easy to do.
Macro Photography
Macro photography, sometimes referred to as micro photography, is a type of close-up shot of something. The technical skills to obtain an image that is the same small size as the object/subject requires time and patience. The end result is a magnificent, precise, and accurately focused closeup shot.
The Layers of Researching
The older I get I seem to love researching on random information. I imagine their are many reasons for this, but the most distinctive one is that it foster's self learning. Each time anything grabs your attention it is a healthy implication that your interests surpass the scope of your everyday routine. It reflects self-autonomy and a desire to discover and reveal self actualization.
Although I admit the last module on researching was not the easiest assignment for me. For some reason I had the worst case of writer's block. I eventually was able to find the words I wanted to voice, at least in a first draft kind of way. Little by little I found myself peeling away the layers of myself and the preferences I have developed up to this point. The assignment forced me to open that door and to take the first step inside to an otherwise untraveled terrain of myself.
I learned a little about history, art, and the many niches that fall under the genre of photography. Abraham Maslow defines self-actiualization in, A Theory of Human Motivation, to be
Researching not only fulfills a curiosity for something, it also permits for self-growth. Through researching I scaled my chosen niche down to Editorial Photography. Even though I am declaring this to be my niche now, I recognize the likelihood it will evolve or it will change completely. Only time will tell as I continue on with my journey.
Although I admit the last module on researching was not the easiest assignment for me. For some reason I had the worst case of writer's block. I eventually was able to find the words I wanted to voice, at least in a first draft kind of way. Little by little I found myself peeling away the layers of myself and the preferences I have developed up to this point. The assignment forced me to open that door and to take the first step inside to an otherwise untraveled terrain of myself.
I learned a little about history, art, and the many niches that fall under the genre of photography. Abraham Maslow defines self-actiualization in, A Theory of Human Motivation, to be
"the desire for self-fulfillment, namely the tendency for him [the individual] to become actualized in what he is potentially. This tendency might be phrased as the desire to become more and more what one is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming."
Researching not only fulfills a curiosity for something, it also permits for self-growth. Through researching I scaled my chosen niche down to Editorial Photography. Even though I am declaring this to be my niche now, I recognize the likelihood it will evolve or it will change completely. Only time will tell as I continue on with my journey.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Today's Modern Painter
Unique experiences and technological advances promote opportunities for more creative expressions, as well as accommodates to modern day standards. The experiences that shape our world as we know and perceive it is kept alive through images brought to us by both photographs and paintings. Photography, a mode to visually communicate is the creative process of capturing a moment in time with a recordable device, such as a camera. Lighting and exposure are key factors in producing a descent photograph. Painting is another type of visual communication used throughout history. Although recognized as separate disciplines, photography and painting combined bring a new kind of mode for expression. Over the years, the two mediums have been the cause for controversy, raising the question to whether photography should be considered an art form. Photography and painting should not be viewed as counterparts to each other, but rather a synergistic model that reflects our everyday evolving world.
Photography As An Art Form
Today, a photographer has a plethora of creative tools to work from than in previous years. The first documented attempt to freeze an image in time was about 330 BC when Aristotle questioned why the sun could make a circular image when it shined through a square hole. At the time Alhazen had invented the pinhole camera or camera obscura, which functioned as a mode to view things and assist artist in drawing. It wasn't until 1827 that the camera obscura was used as a way to produce photographs, which at that time photographs were referred to as either heliographs or sun prints. This event signified the beginning of an optical revolution.
Since this time the camera has evolved in its ability to produce astounding photographs. The idea of using both photography and paintings to create a more realistic expression is a practice that's been in place since the invention of the camera. Photographs often helped the painter to create a more accurate depth of field. And then their were some artists who felt that,
Today, photographs are utilized with paintings much differently. It is common to see art
The ease of obtaining the creative work of another person should not be abused. It is a right and a privilege to share our ideas with one another. Enriching images help us to understand the societal changes as they occur. Applying photography with painting is just another way tell a story from a visual perspective. The modern painter is keen to recognize and utilize resources when necessary in order to effectively communicate ideas. Creative ideas are the result of our experiences combined with the ideas from previous thinkers, but is unique because it comes from our own perspective.
References:
-About.com Guide, Bellis, M., (2010) History of Photography
Pinhole Cameras to The Daguerreotype
http://inventors.about.com/od/pstartinventions/a/stilphotography.htm
-Ask.com (2010), Painting and Photography
http://www.answers.com/topic/painting-and-photography
-Columbia College, Museum of Contemporary Photography (April 2005),Painting on Photography : Photography on Painting, Chicago.
http://www.mocp.org/uploads/PaintingPhotographyPR.pdf
-Kleiner, F.S., (2009) Gardner's Art Through the Ages: The Western Perspective Wadsworth Publishing, Boston.
-Phaidon (1994) The Art Book, Phaidon Press, NY.
-Wells, L., (1996) Photography: a critical introduction, Routledge, NY.
Photography As An Art Form
Today, a photographer has a plethora of creative tools to work from than in previous years. The first documented attempt to freeze an image in time was about 330 BC when Aristotle questioned why the sun could make a circular image when it shined through a square hole. At the time Alhazen had invented the pinhole camera or camera obscura, which functioned as a mode to view things and assist artist in drawing. It wasn't until 1827 that the camera obscura was used as a way to produce photographs, which at that time photographs were referred to as either heliographs or sun prints. This event signified the beginning of an optical revolution.
Since this time the camera has evolved in its ability to produce astounding photographs. The idea of using both photography and paintings to create a more realistic expression is a practice that's been in place since the invention of the camera. Photographs often helped the painter to create a more accurate depth of field. And then their were some artists who felt that,
"Photography has greatly disturbed the imagination, because one has seen things devoid of feeling. When I wanted to get rid of all influences which prevented me from seeing nature from my own personal view, I copied photographs(Quote by French artist Henri Mattise, 1933)."
Today, photographs are utilized with paintings much differently. It is common to see art
"mimic paintings, some paint pictures based on recognizable photographic source material, and some violate photographs by painting or drawing on their surface (Columbia College, 2005)."Modern technology makes it possible to capture a more accurate image. For example software tools like Photoshop make it easy to take a photograph and upload it and use it as a template to paint over. It is important to note, images taken by another person other than yourself need to be properly credit for.
The ease of obtaining the creative work of another person should not be abused. It is a right and a privilege to share our ideas with one another. Enriching images help us to understand the societal changes as they occur. Applying photography with painting is just another way tell a story from a visual perspective. The modern painter is keen to recognize and utilize resources when necessary in order to effectively communicate ideas. Creative ideas are the result of our experiences combined with the ideas from previous thinkers, but is unique because it comes from our own perspective.
References:
-About.com Guide, Bellis, M., (2010) History of Photography
Pinhole Cameras to The Daguerreotype
http://inventors.about.com/od/pstartinventions/a/stilphotography.htm
-Ask.com (2010), Painting and Photography
http://www.answers.com/topic/painting-and-photography
-Columbia College, Museum of Contemporary Photography (April 2005),Painting on Photography : Photography on Painting, Chicago.
http://www.mocp.org/uploads/PaintingPhotographyPR.pdf
-Kleiner, F.S., (2009) Gardner's Art Through the Ages: The Western Perspective Wadsworth Publishing, Boston.
-Phaidon (1994) The Art Book, Phaidon Press, NY.
-Wells, L., (1996) Photography: a critical introduction, Routledge, NY.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
A Good Conscious Point
The Station
Tucked away in our subconscious is an idyllic vision.
We see ourselves on a long trip that spans the continent. We are traveling by train. Out the windows we drink in the passing scene of cars on nearby highways, on children waving at a crossing, of cattle grazing on a distant hillside, of smoke pouring from a power plant, of row upon row of corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of mountains and rolling hillsides, of city skylines and village halls.
But uppermost in our minds is the final destination. On a certain day at a certain hour, we will pull into the station. Bands will be playing and flags will be waving.
Once we get there, so many wonderful dreams will come true, and the pieces of our lives will fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. How restlessly we pace the aisles, damning the minutes for loitering—waiting, waiting, waiting for the station.
“When we reach the station that will be it!” we cry. “When I’m 18!” “When I buy a new 450 SL Mercedes Benz!” “When I put the last kid through college!” “When I have paid off the mortgage!”
Sooner or later we must realize there is no station, no one place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of life is the trip. The station is only a dream.
It isn’t the burdens of today that drive men mad. It is the regrets over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who rob us of today.
So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, climb more mountains, eat more ice cream, go barefoot more often, swim more rivers, watch more sunsets, laugh more, and cry less.
Life must be lived as we go along.
The station comes soon enough.
--Robert J. Hastings
Tucked away in our subconscious is an idyllic vision.
We see ourselves on a long trip that spans the continent. We are traveling by train. Out the windows we drink in the passing scene of cars on nearby highways, on children waving at a crossing, of cattle grazing on a distant hillside, of smoke pouring from a power plant, of row upon row of corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of mountains and rolling hillsides, of city skylines and village halls.
But uppermost in our minds is the final destination. On a certain day at a certain hour, we will pull into the station. Bands will be playing and flags will be waving.
Once we get there, so many wonderful dreams will come true, and the pieces of our lives will fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. How restlessly we pace the aisles, damning the minutes for loitering—waiting, waiting, waiting for the station.
“When we reach the station that will be it!” we cry. “When I’m 18!” “When I buy a new 450 SL Mercedes Benz!” “When I put the last kid through college!” “When I have paid off the mortgage!”
Sooner or later we must realize there is no station, no one place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of life is the trip. The station is only a dream.
It isn’t the burdens of today that drive men mad. It is the regrets over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who rob us of today.
So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, climb more mountains, eat more ice cream, go barefoot more often, swim more rivers, watch more sunsets, laugh more, and cry less.
Life must be lived as we go along.
The station comes soon enough.
--Robert J. Hastings
Using Logic in Writing
One of the inevitable facts of life is we eventually grow out of childhood and into adulthood--some earlier than others. More often than not innocence and curiosity, which invoke passion and interest, are left behind. Instead, our focus becomes more narrow with each passing year as we continue to search for the pinnacle moment when all our questions are answered.
We ascribe to a life of "algorithms", based on logic and reason. I for one am glad we have not yet found the missing piece to the Logic Puzzle. For now I can at least rest assure "we are still unique" as individuals should be; we have not been stripped of this just yet.
Maybe it is a good thing that" imagination is now practical". Our unique experiences shape each and every one of us and this is the foundation for the developing of our own logic.
Even though it is true that "all catastrophes force innovation", it is a necessary part of the creative process. It gives us a reason to be creative. Otherwise it is a skill that seems to gradually diminish once we enter adulthood.
We ascribe to a life of "algorithms", based on logic and reason. I for one am glad we have not yet found the missing piece to the Logic Puzzle. For now I can at least rest assure "we are still unique" as individuals should be; we have not been stripped of this just yet.
Maybe it is a good thing that" imagination is now practical". Our unique experiences shape each and every one of us and this is the foundation for the developing of our own logic.
Even though it is true that "all catastrophes force innovation", it is a necessary part of the creative process. It gives us a reason to be creative. Otherwise it is a skill that seems to gradually diminish once we enter adulthood.
Friday, June 25, 2010
How To Take Pictures That People Remember
The Focus: Intentional Picture Taking
When a picture is taken with intention, your viewers will be that much more intrigued. By doing this you are adding dynamic elements to your work, to which those viewing will most likely take notice. A picture can be much more than just visual aesthetics, conveying meaningful messages. ideas. The objective for this kind of artistic expression is to tell a story, whether it's your own or someone else's. Applying some sort of origin or story to your photos is by no means mandatory, but it does make for a more interesting picture. The experience for both the photographer and the person being photographed becomes more of a creative collaboration.
Prior to picking up your camera, take time to think about the premise for the pictures you'll be taking. It will help to clear the mind and make room for more productive thoughts and ideas. Try using the following mneumonic whenever you take a picture.
POISE
'P' stands for Panoramic. What is the scene that lies in front of you? Take a Panoramic stance when considering the image you will be taking.
'O' stands for Object. --How does the Object interact with the subject?
'I' stands for Interact.
'S' stands for Subject.
'E' stands for Emotion.
Start by PANNING the scene of the location of the shoot. Then observe how either the OBJECT INTERACT with the SUBJECT (or vice versa)? WHat is the EMOTION is being conveyed to set a particular mood?
For example, maybe the person being photograghed (subject) is reading (interacting)a book (object). Integrating details such as these will naturally implicate a story that its viewer can interpret the story behind the image, from a more personal standpoint based on their individual experiences.
Every time you take a picture and you address these things you are also learning to develop your photographer's eye. In a way you're simply critiquing your own work and applying the basic rules related to photography.
Some important key points to remember are to carefully observe the composition of your subject, as well as consider the rule of thirds. Positioning the subject or object dead center does nothing more than make a picture just as ordinary as before. Experimenting with differnt angles and center points will help to set your own preferences related to your intention. Also, the surrounding space of the photograph should not distract the person from the the picture's main focus, rather it should enhance it.
How does the picture look when you take a step back? Is it too cluttered? Is it too empty. Always do a quick mental rundown of standard things that may be factors for your desired outcome.
And most important step to remember is to just have fun.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
When a picture is taken with intention, your viewers will be that much more intrigued. By doing this you are adding dynamic elements to your work, to which those viewing will most likely take notice. A picture can be much more than just visual aesthetics, conveying meaningful messages. ideas. The objective for this kind of artistic expression is to tell a story, whether it's your own or someone else's. Applying some sort of origin or story to your photos is by no means mandatory, but it does make for a more interesting picture. The experience for both the photographer and the person being photographed becomes more of a creative collaboration.
Prior to picking up your camera, take time to think about the premise for the pictures you'll be taking. It will help to clear the mind and make room for more productive thoughts and ideas. Try using the following mneumonic whenever you take a picture.
POISE
'P' stands for Panoramic. What is the scene that lies in front of you? Take a Panoramic stance when considering the image you will be taking.
'O' stands for Object. --How does the Object interact with the subject?
'I' stands for Interact.
'S' stands for Subject.
'E' stands for Emotion.
Start by PANNING the scene of the location of the shoot. Then observe how either the OBJECT INTERACT with the SUBJECT (or vice versa)? WHat is the EMOTION is being conveyed to set a particular mood?
For example, maybe the person being photograghed (subject) is reading (interacting)a book (object). Integrating details such as these will naturally implicate a story that its viewer can interpret the story behind the image, from a more personal standpoint based on their individual experiences.
Every time you take a picture and you address these things you are also learning to develop your photographer's eye. In a way you're simply critiquing your own work and applying the basic rules related to photography.
Some important key points to remember are to carefully observe the composition of your subject, as well as consider the rule of thirds. Positioning the subject or object dead center does nothing more than make a picture just as ordinary as before. Experimenting with differnt angles and center points will help to set your own preferences related to your intention. Also, the surrounding space of the photograph should not distract the person from the the picture's main focus, rather it should enhance it.
How does the picture look when you take a step back? Is it too cluttered? Is it too empty. Always do a quick mental rundown of standard things that may be factors for your desired outcome.
And most important step to remember is to just have fun.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
LinkedIn Resume
Julie M. Heffernan
Summary
At this point in time much of my work experience relates to healthcare fields. However, I am exploring new avenues related to social media in the graduate program I am currently in. I hope to integrate my future degree with the various other disciplines I am experienced in.
Specialties
Non-profits, Storyboarding, Photoshop, Adobe CS4, HTML, usability, SPSS
Education
University of Arizona
BA Psychology
1998 – 2002
Quinnipiac University
Masters Interactive Communications
Mental Health Worker II
Yale New Haven Hospital
Non-Profit; 5001-10,000 employees; Hospital & Health Care industry
November 2005 – Present (4 years 8 months)
-Practice direct patient care within the range and scope of a psychiatric emergency department
-Involved in collaboration with a team of psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, social workers, and other various hospital professionals
-Involved in helping patients through psychiatric related crisis', ranging from patients with behavioral issues to patients with chemical imbalances
Responsible for networking with other psychiatric facilities in the community related to patients treatment
Critical Care Unit-Clerk/Multi-Skilled Technician
Griffin Hospital
Non-Profit; 501-1000 employees; Hospital & Health Care industry
September 2005 – January 2006 (5 months)
-Transcribed patient medications
-Assisted medical staff with patient bedside duties
Program Counselor
Vista Vocational and Life Skills Center
Higher Education industry
July 2005 – November 2005 (5 months)
-Assisted students with life skills related tasks (i.e. finances, problem solving)
Child Protective Specialist II
Youth, and Families Child Protective Services
Higher Education industry
March 2004 – April 2005 (1 year 2 months)
-Allegation screening and investigating allegation of child abuse and neglect
Carried out child assessments related to child safety along with any other imminent risk of harm
Attend court hearings related to the abused child or children
Case Manager
COPE Behavioral Services
Higher Education industry
October 2002 – March 2004 (1 year 6 months)
-Monitoring and documenting clients' compliance with medications, attendance to therapy groups and medical appointments, and employment attendance.
-Advocating for individuals who are seriously mentally ill and/or substance abuse related issues.
Group Home Staff
Catholic Community Services
Non-Profit; 51-200 employees; Non-Profit Organization Management industry
February 2000 – July 2002 (2 years 6 months)
Independent Study
University of Arizona
Higher Education industry
September 2000 – May 2001 (9 months)
Summary
At this point in time much of my work experience relates to healthcare fields. However, I am exploring new avenues related to social media in the graduate program I am currently in. I hope to integrate my future degree with the various other disciplines I am experienced in.
Specialties
Non-profits, Storyboarding, Photoshop, Adobe CS4, HTML, usability, SPSS
Education
University of Arizona
BA Psychology
1998 – 2002
Quinnipiac University
Masters Interactive Communications
Mental Health Worker II
Yale New Haven Hospital
Non-Profit; 5001-10,000 employees; Hospital & Health Care industry
November 2005 – Present (4 years 8 months)
-Practice direct patient care within the range and scope of a psychiatric emergency department
-Involved in collaboration with a team of psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, social workers, and other various hospital professionals
-Involved in helping patients through psychiatric related crisis', ranging from patients with behavioral issues to patients with chemical imbalances
Responsible for networking with other psychiatric facilities in the community related to patients treatment
Critical Care Unit-Clerk/Multi-Skilled Technician
Griffin Hospital
Non-Profit; 501-1000 employees; Hospital & Health Care industry
September 2005 – January 2006 (5 months)
-Transcribed patient medications
-Assisted medical staff with patient bedside duties
Program Counselor
Vista Vocational and Life Skills Center
Higher Education industry
July 2005 – November 2005 (5 months)
-Assisted students with life skills related tasks (i.e. finances, problem solving)
Child Protective Specialist II
Youth, and Families Child Protective Services
Higher Education industry
March 2004 – April 2005 (1 year 2 months)
-Allegation screening and investigating allegation of child abuse and neglect
Carried out child assessments related to child safety along with any other imminent risk of harm
Attend court hearings related to the abused child or children
Case Manager
COPE Behavioral Services
Higher Education industry
October 2002 – March 2004 (1 year 6 months)
-Monitoring and documenting clients' compliance with medications, attendance to therapy groups and medical appointments, and employment attendance.
-Advocating for individuals who are seriously mentally ill and/or substance abuse related issues.
Group Home Staff
Catholic Community Services
Non-Profit; 51-200 employees; Non-Profit Organization Management industry
February 2000 – July 2002 (2 years 6 months)
Independent Study
University of Arizona
Higher Education industry
September 2000 – May 2001 (9 months)
Monday, June 21, 2010
A Story of Truth
At this point in my life I am pretty sure I want to incorporate photography to some degree into my professional career, I am just not sure yet in what capacity. Photojournalism covers an array of topics, tailoring to specific audiences. At times it is mind boggling to think of how much power and influence the media has. Photography has become a highly used tool for controlling and manipulating the media. Visual influence has become an integrated part of our everyday society. Nearly all modes of communication, from flat screen television sets and net books to magazines and newspapers, are grazed with images that consume us, both pleasing and horrifying to the eye.
It seems like the most talked about news these days either relate to celebrities and their publicized "private" lives. I think that is an oxymoron. I started to wonder if the paparazzi were considered photojournalist. The suppose the two do have similar characteristics, but when I think of any form of journalism I'd like to think it always tries to obtain the closest version of the truth. Paparazzi i are the polar opposite of this. Knowing the truth is not relevant to getting the job done. Whereas with photojournalism I imagine that uncovering the raw truth through a visual expression is main objective to the profession.
Their seems to be this relentless craving for this need for attention that exists, which is evident through the media's contents I chooses to make public. It is almost as though our personal lives are not fulfilling unless their is some shock value attached to it. Hence, the reason for the popularity of reality shows. Drama continues as long as different media platforms continue to supply and distribute.
Have you heard the latest hollabaloo surrounding Miley Cyrus? Celebrity Gossip Blogger: Perez Hilton apparently posted an inappropriate photo of the 17 year old tween singer, and may possibly be considered child pornography. Besides the fact that the young star seems to be just fine exploiting herself to the public, with racy music videos. Miley Cyrus's recent music videos for song 'Can't Be Tamed' portrays the star as this seductress black bird in a cage, who provocatively plays with the other fellow bird friends of hers. Besides being an odd concept, the contents of the video minimizes the implications connected to this sort of behavior, especially for young females.
In a Huffington Post interview Cyrus is quoted saying, "when you're 11, the word you would use to describe someone is definitely not sexy, and as you get older I think you grow into that. And I think I've done that but that's not my schtick. That's not what I'm trying to do to sell records. I want people to buy my record because of my music." Statements like this, along with her actions is suggestive to young women coming to age that sexual element is correlated--saying it's okay to explore and experiment. It is important to address the potential consequences that all forms of media has on the general public, because people are so easily influenced.
Often the paparazzi are the ones to take these scandalous photos we see in the news. The truth is
these images that once shocked us seem to have only desensitized us even more. So you see it is unnecessary to continue photographing for shock value, because it has no real relevance in a
world where we've become immune to these types of images.
Just as celebrities have a responsibility, so do photographers. The things we choose to photograph tell a story. The question is: is it going to be a photograph that tells a story of truth or one that bends the truth? I think in this day and age-the truth may actually be more shocking.
It seems like the most talked about news these days either relate to celebrities and their publicized "private" lives. I think that is an oxymoron. I started to wonder if the paparazzi were considered photojournalist. The suppose the two do have similar characteristics, but when I think of any form of journalism I'd like to think it always tries to obtain the closest version of the truth. Paparazzi i are the polar opposite of this. Knowing the truth is not relevant to getting the job done. Whereas with photojournalism I imagine that uncovering the raw truth through a visual expression is main objective to the profession.
Their seems to be this relentless craving for this need for attention that exists, which is evident through the media's contents I chooses to make public. It is almost as though our personal lives are not fulfilling unless their is some shock value attached to it. Hence, the reason for the popularity of reality shows. Drama continues as long as different media platforms continue to supply and distribute.
Have you heard the latest hollabaloo surrounding Miley Cyrus? Celebrity Gossip Blogger: Perez Hilton apparently posted an inappropriate photo of the 17 year old tween singer, and may possibly be considered child pornography. Besides the fact that the young star seems to be just fine exploiting herself to the public, with racy music videos. Miley Cyrus's recent music videos for song 'Can't Be Tamed' portrays the star as this seductress black bird in a cage, who provocatively plays with the other fellow bird friends of hers. Besides being an odd concept, the contents of the video minimizes the implications connected to this sort of behavior, especially for young females.
In a Huffington Post interview Cyrus is quoted saying, "when you're 11, the word you would use to describe someone is definitely not sexy, and as you get older I think you grow into that. And I think I've done that but that's not my schtick. That's not what I'm trying to do to sell records. I want people to buy my record because of my music." Statements like this, along with her actions is suggestive to young women coming to age that sexual element is correlated--saying it's okay to explore and experiment. It is important to address the potential consequences that all forms of media has on the general public, because people are so easily influenced.
Often the paparazzi are the ones to take these scandalous photos we see in the news. The truth is
these images that once shocked us seem to have only desensitized us even more. So you see it is unnecessary to continue photographing for shock value, because it has no real relevance in a
world where we've become immune to these types of images.
Just as celebrities have a responsibility, so do photographers. The things we choose to photograph tell a story. The question is: is it going to be a photograph that tells a story of truth or one that bends the truth? I think in this day and age-the truth may actually be more shocking.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Niche Searching
The term: niche remains to be this abstract idea I am unable to wrap myself around. Determining a niche is more difficult than I thought it would be. I wondered if everyone had a niche or if it was just for those in marketing. Even though I am not sure what my niche is, I am going to do my best in coming up with some interesting topics for future discussions.
I thought about things I am interested in and it boiled down to photography, people and their life story, traveling, and art. Right now my dream job would be a photographer for National Geographic. I figure I could create photographs into beautiful pieces of art. The subjects' would be from all over the world (this is where National Geographic might help me with this component). I can combine all my favorite things into one profession.
I suppose a marketing niche would be photography. Although I am not sure how specific one's niche would have to be. Would I have to identify with some subcategory of photography? These are all things I will have to look into more in depth. I am content for now because I am a little closer with finding my niche today than I was from yesterday.
I thought about things I am interested in and it boiled down to photography, people and their life story, traveling, and art. Right now my dream job would be a photographer for National Geographic. I figure I could create photographs into beautiful pieces of art. The subjects' would be from all over the world (this is where National Geographic might help me with this component). I can combine all my favorite things into one profession.
I suppose a marketing niche would be photography. Although I am not sure how specific one's niche would have to be. Would I have to identify with some subcategory of photography? These are all things I will have to look into more in depth. I am content for now because I am a little closer with finding my niche today than I was from yesterday.
Thesis Mode
When I saw this week's lecture topic: The Thesis, I easily recalled the days in school I struggled in writing a substantial thesis statement. This being said I couldn't say I was very thrilled to delve into my next writing assignment. As procrastination grew throughout the week it became clear I wasn't going to learn anything if I wasn't practicing. I realized the only way I was going to improve this artful skill in thesis writing is by using it in regular practice. I just have to start somewhere with something.
The first step in determining one's thesis it is to narrow the focus of your paper to a single idea that expresses your standpoint. This also requires looking at the big picture of things and deciding what is worth arguing one point over the other. I have always found it difficult to make decisions. The reason for this I was told once, stemmed from the fear I had with commitment. This fear of letting someone down or letting me down eventually had to be addressed if I wanted to accurately express myself to others.
Decision making, an inevitable part of life, contributes to our self growth through the choices we make everyday. Once we claim our own personal stance on some issue, then we can start to understand other's viewpoints, as well as them understanding yours. A good thesis is setting the stage for other's to participate to some similar idea. As a result we become active participant's to a constant changing thought of idea.
The first step in determining one's thesis it is to narrow the focus of your paper to a single idea that expresses your standpoint. This also requires looking at the big picture of things and deciding what is worth arguing one point over the other. I have always found it difficult to make decisions. The reason for this I was told once, stemmed from the fear I had with commitment. This fear of letting someone down or letting me down eventually had to be addressed if I wanted to accurately express myself to others.
Decision making, an inevitable part of life, contributes to our self growth through the choices we make everyday. Once we claim our own personal stance on some issue, then we can start to understand other's viewpoints, as well as them understanding yours. A good thesis is setting the stage for other's to participate to some similar idea. As a result we become active participant's to a constant changing thought of idea.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
The Other Me
All of us have googled our names at one time or another, curious as to what might pop up. Before entering graduate school (which I've now been in for about 5 months now) the only Julie Heffernan that would consistently come up was: this fairy painting artist that happen to have my same name.
So a funny story about the first time I found out about this other Julie Heffernan. I thought it was pretty funny at the time.
When I was in 5th grade my dad says to me one day, "Jules look you are in the New Yorker". Surprised I responded with, "I am?" Excited to find out how I got in a prestigious magazine like The New Yorker I quickly went to the section where my name was supposedly mentioned. And then I found it. There in print was my name.
While feverishly reading all about the art work I had done, I was overcome by a sense of pride. I then remember saying to my dad, "Wow, I can't believe it. My art teacher must have submitted this picture I made in class". Then my dad just says, "Julie, you know that's not really you?". I say, "It isn't?"
This story portrays a little bit about my personality. Some say it's gullibility, while other's say I am more naive. I believe it is more of a tendency I have to want to believe what people say is genuinely true. And also I think it's a little bit of a learned behavior with which over the years I've observed in my mom.
Since creating my blog(s) for school and becoming a member of various social networking sites, google is able to identify me with some thing. I feel like I have taken the first step in making my mark in the internet world.
So a funny story about the first time I found out about this other Julie Heffernan. I thought it was pretty funny at the time.
When I was in 5th grade my dad says to me one day, "Jules look you are in the New Yorker". Surprised I responded with, "I am?" Excited to find out how I got in a prestigious magazine like The New Yorker I quickly went to the section where my name was supposedly mentioned. And then I found it. There in print was my name.
While feverishly reading all about the art work I had done, I was overcome by a sense of pride. I then remember saying to my dad, "Wow, I can't believe it. My art teacher must have submitted this picture I made in class". Then my dad just says, "Julie, you know that's not really you?". I say, "It isn't?"
This story portrays a little bit about my personality. Some say it's gullibility, while other's say I am more naive. I believe it is more of a tendency I have to want to believe what people say is genuinely true. And also I think it's a little bit of a learned behavior with which over the years I've observed in my mom.
Since creating my blog(s) for school and becoming a member of various social networking sites, google is able to identify me with some thing. I feel like I have taken the first step in making my mark in the internet world.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Is Their an Upside to Having a Bad Persona?
For many the popular choice for communicating with one another is via the internet, whether it is in the privacy of our home or on our personal cell phone. This way everyone that is everywhere can always stay connected. Geographical location no longer determines one's accessibility to the rest of the world. Because the chances that someone can access the internet, even for free, is a given. In conjunction, free information, whether true or not, has gone rampant. Practically anyone can publicize anything they want over the internet, which is exactly what people do.
In recent years, airing out our everyday dirty laundry has gone from being a social phenomenon to being just another fact of life that we've sensitized to. Today's ease in broadcasting capability gives privacy a whole other meaning. We've literally adjusted to a lifestyle in which privacy realistically does not carry too much weight. Although, it is desired to establish a good persona, if someone were to develop a bad persona it wouldn't be the end of the world and easily turned around and rendered.
Once a good persona is established it is a good idea to sustain and maintain this reputation. The intended audience listening will naturally fall into this relationship with you--connecting and building a stable foundation from the very beginning. In the fast paced world we've become accustomed to, we've also become a society that lives and craves in the "now". Therefore, any damage done regarding persona's does not have to become the end of the world.
In recent years, airing out our everyday dirty laundry has gone from being a social phenomenon to being just another fact of life that we've sensitized to. Today's ease in broadcasting capability gives privacy a whole other meaning. We've literally adjusted to a lifestyle in which privacy realistically does not carry too much weight. Although, it is desired to establish a good persona, if someone were to develop a bad persona it wouldn't be the end of the world and easily turned around and rendered.
Once a good persona is established it is a good idea to sustain and maintain this reputation. The intended audience listening will naturally fall into this relationship with you--connecting and building a stable foundation from the very beginning. In the fast paced world we've become accustomed to, we've also become a society that lives and craves in the "now". Therefore, any damage done regarding persona's does not have to become the end of the world.
The Eye of The People or The "Photographer's Eye"
It is sad but true, photography has become somewhat of a trade of the past. The social media has a lot to do with the stripping away of photojournalisms' reputability. Countless magazines fill the stands of photographs of celebrities taken by the paparazzi. Mainstream society has become obsessed with the private lives of Hollywood's biggest star's. The paparazzi hold the key to accessing this otherwise private world. So, are the paparazzi considered photojournalist, and are their photograph's an artistic expression?
Photographs allow us to always remember a certain memory of someone or something. In some cases they maintain a legacy, but today photographs have become somewhat of a disposable thing. Practically anyone has the capability to shoot, edit, and develop pictures from home. So long are the days of Dark Rooms, a time when specialized skills and knowledge still were required.
The paparazzi are driven by money and money alone. This takes their photographs from an artistic viewpoint to more of a marketing viewpoint. Paprazzi are not independently expressing themselves through the photos they choose to take. Furthermore, they do not choose what to photograph, the people do. Paparazzi just deliver the goods.
Celebrities are people, which then make people the primary subjects' of these photos. So, are people then art? People are in a way pieces of art, but they should not be used as the primary sourse for today's art. I think we are astounded by each other and whether or not it is considered art truly lies in the photographer's intentions for taking the picture in the first place.
Photographs allow us to always remember a certain memory of someone or something. In some cases they maintain a legacy, but today photographs have become somewhat of a disposable thing. Practically anyone has the capability to shoot, edit, and develop pictures from home. So long are the days of Dark Rooms, a time when specialized skills and knowledge still were required.
The paparazzi are driven by money and money alone. This takes their photographs from an artistic viewpoint to more of a marketing viewpoint. Paprazzi are not independently expressing themselves through the photos they choose to take. Furthermore, they do not choose what to photograph, the people do. Paparazzi just deliver the goods.
Celebrities are people, which then make people the primary subjects' of these photos. So, are people then art? People are in a way pieces of art, but they should not be used as the primary sourse for today's art. I think we are astounded by each other and whether or not it is considered art truly lies in the photographer's intentions for taking the picture in the first place.
My Niche Search
The Webster dictionary definition for niche is a position particularly well suited to the person who occupies it; "he found his niche in the academic world". To me, the word niche associates with someone who has a strong sense of themselves and once they find their niche, it's like the person's finally arrived home. Finding a place to identify with has always been a challenge, which I attribute it with being adopted. Even though this is just a small part of who I am, it has had siginificant influence over my life, positive and negative.
Despite putting myself in every type of possible environment, I have yet to discover a true niche. I tried finding it in college where I joined various clubs. One these club's was the Asian American Club, which I only attended one meeting and that was enough for me to know I did not want to return. What I am going to share with you next may sound funny, but I had never been in a room full of so many Asian people. My desire to be "part" of a cohesive group has always been strong, but whenever the opportunity arose it only left me feeling uneasy.
The fact that I was considered the "minority" growing up, it only engrained this yearning to always be part of something, like a niche. At the same time the notion of "groups" is not in line with my own beliefs. Part of me feels that I would only be segregating myself into a distinct group that are selective of its members. The very thing that has caused me to feel like I am an outlier, which has been something I've become more accepting of in the recent years. So in "picking my niche", I would have to say I am still trying to find one I can identify with.
Despite putting myself in every type of possible environment, I have yet to discover a true niche. I tried finding it in college where I joined various clubs. One these club's was the Asian American Club, which I only attended one meeting and that was enough for me to know I did not want to return. What I am going to share with you next may sound funny, but I had never been in a room full of so many Asian people. My desire to be "part" of a cohesive group has always been strong, but whenever the opportunity arose it only left me feeling uneasy.
The fact that I was considered the "minority" growing up, it only engrained this yearning to always be part of something, like a niche. At the same time the notion of "groups" is not in line with my own beliefs. Part of me feels that I would only be segregating myself into a distinct group that are selective of its members. The very thing that has caused me to feel like I am an outlier, which has been something I've become more accepting of in the recent years. So in "picking my niche", I would have to say I am still trying to find one I can identify with.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Biosketch 2 Sentence Rendition: Take 3
Julie Marie Heffernan is an Interactive Communications Graduate student at Quinnipiac University with a Bachelors degree from the University of Arizona. She is a Mental Health Worker in the Emergency Crisis Unit, who also loves photography and sketching.
Biosketch 1 Paragragh Rendition: Take 2
Julie Marie Heffernan is an Interactive Communications Graduate student at Quinnipiac University. She earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona in 2002. She is also employed by Yale New Haven Hospital, where she is a Mental Health Worker in the Emergency Crisis Unit. Areas of interest includes photography and sketching.
Biosketch Formal Rendition: Take 1
Julie Marie Heffernan is an Interactive Communications Graduate student at Quinnipiac University. She is also employed by Yale New Haven Hospital, where she is a Mental Health Worker in the Emergency Crisis Unit.
Previously, Julie earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona in 2002. Followed by various jobs, with the intention of find her niche in the working world. Julie recognizes the significance of having a job that you enjoy, oppose to having a job just for the sake of income.
Presently, I feel confident I have found something that will lead me to something I will enjoy doing. The area of interactive communications has sparked a genuine interest and I look forward to see where the field may bring me.
Areas of interest: photography and sketching.
Previously, Julie earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona in 2002. Followed by various jobs, with the intention of find her niche in the working world. Julie recognizes the significance of having a job that you enjoy, oppose to having a job just for the sake of income.
Presently, I feel confident I have found something that will lead me to something I will enjoy doing. The area of interactive communications has sparked a genuine interest and I look forward to see where the field may bring me.
Areas of interest: photography and sketching.
BioSketch Re-Write
The process of proofreading can be quite arduous at times, but it is an important step to include if you want to write good. It identifies any grammatical errors before submitting your final work. Sometimes proofing requires several re-writes and this is obviously the part no one really loves to do.
Reading something over and over becomes monotonous. I've learned that taking a break before each proofread session gives your mind time recharge; allowing for more creative juices to flow. This also addresses' the issue of time. Make sure their is enough time to proofread and edit. While scanning your paper for any errors, read out loud. I find that I catch more errors this way.
In effort to write better biosketches in the future I plan to identify grammatical errors I commonly make. For example I tend to write exceptionally long sentences, therefore, this will be one of the errors I want to look out for when proofreading.
The first submission of my biosketch is a bit wordy and veers away from the idea of utilizing a biosketch more as a type of resume. With this said, my biosketch may have been to informal. These are a few things I edit, in addition to simplifying exactly what it is I want to convey to my audience.
Reading something over and over becomes monotonous. I've learned that taking a break before each proofread session gives your mind time recharge; allowing for more creative juices to flow. This also addresses' the issue of time. Make sure their is enough time to proofread and edit. While scanning your paper for any errors, read out loud. I find that I catch more errors this way.
In effort to write better biosketches in the future I plan to identify grammatical errors I commonly make. For example I tend to write exceptionally long sentences, therefore, this will be one of the errors I want to look out for when proofreading.
The first submission of my biosketch is a bit wordy and veers away from the idea of utilizing a biosketch more as a type of resume. With this said, my biosketch may have been to informal. These are a few things I edit, in addition to simplifying exactly what it is I want to convey to my audience.
What to or Not to Write About
Selecting a topic that is interesting to its readers can be harder than you think. Their are two things that are important to address: 1. Grabbing the attention of a wide range of individuals (all with different preferences) 2. Sustaining your own attention with a good topic choice.
So how does one go about in refining the many choices for topics that exist. While this post is all based on my own personal opinion, I feel that it could possibly help out someone out there in the world. Some ideas are:
-Write about your own personal experience. No one tells a better rendition of a story than the person who actually experienced it first hand.
-Make sure your writing is presented as readable material. This means avoid long and dense write ups. You want to maintain the reader's peak interest.
-Keep it simple. Remember be concise and compelling.
-Be genuine. Your readers will not only appreciate the honesty, but also build a better report.
-Write about something you feel very passionate about. This makes the task of writing flow more easily. Oppose to forcing ideas on paper just to meet a deadline, which also sometimes gives your writing a negative or bland tone.
-Once complete think up a clever title to entice readers to read more.
I hope these simple tips helped someone out in selecting a great topic that works for them. Or at least narrow it down to a few choices or less.
So how does one go about in refining the many choices for topics that exist. While this post is all based on my own personal opinion, I feel that it could possibly help out someone out there in the world. Some ideas are:
-Write about your own personal experience. No one tells a better rendition of a story than the person who actually experienced it first hand.
-Make sure your writing is presented as readable material. This means avoid long and dense write ups. You want to maintain the reader's peak interest.
-Keep it simple. Remember be concise and compelling.
-Be genuine. Your readers will not only appreciate the honesty, but also build a better report.
-Write about something you feel very passionate about. This makes the task of writing flow more easily. Oppose to forcing ideas on paper just to meet a deadline, which also sometimes gives your writing a negative or bland tone.
-Once complete think up a clever title to entice readers to read more.
I hope these simple tips helped someone out in selecting a great topic that works for them. Or at least narrow it down to a few choices or less.
A Look Into A Photographer's Eye
The topic of interest I selected focuses on the subject of photography. I always hear a good picture is all in the "photographer's eye". I plan to define what this phrase means, from not only my perspective but from other photographer's as well. As an active student and enthusiast of photography I feel it is most appropriate for me to cover a topic of this genre.
Since I've become more serious in photography I have learned to appreciate varying tastes of both photographer's and non-photographer's. With so many things to photograph, more creative ideas we can learn from one another can flourish. Photography enables me to express my creative side, as well as appreciate the the art of photography even more.
Today, the internet makes it easy for us to narrow our personal preferences as much as we want to. This convenient tool for filtering out the things we think we don't like also potentially has consequences. If we never exposed ourselves to other things besides what we thought we liked, our interests would always be narrow, eliminating any opportunity to expand intellectually.
The photographer's eye supports a diverse outlook on our world today. What may be aesthetically unpleasing to one person, may be eye candy to someone else. This idea supports a culture that continues to diversify itself in so many areas. My hope is that in the process of researching and writing on photography's interpretive elements I also will learn something new about my photographer's eye.
Since I've become more serious in photography I have learned to appreciate varying tastes of both photographer's and non-photographer's. With so many things to photograph, more creative ideas we can learn from one another can flourish. Photography enables me to express my creative side, as well as appreciate the the art of photography even more.
Today, the internet makes it easy for us to narrow our personal preferences as much as we want to. This convenient tool for filtering out the things we think we don't like also potentially has consequences. If we never exposed ourselves to other things besides what we thought we liked, our interests would always be narrow, eliminating any opportunity to expand intellectually.
The photographer's eye supports a diverse outlook on our world today. What may be aesthetically unpleasing to one person, may be eye candy to someone else. This idea supports a culture that continues to diversify itself in so many areas. My hope is that in the process of researching and writing on photography's interpretive elements I also will learn something new about my photographer's eye.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Peer 2 Critique: Addressing First Writing Sample(s) & Presence
A Critique of Lisa's Writing Sample(s):
I really liked reading Lisa's posts, revealing something new about the writer. I even think now I understand the meaning behind the blog name. The writer's post: 'Still down and Out (temporarily in Westchester) was a humbling piece, because I think the contents of the post is something we all share in common at some level or another. Furthermore, I appreciated the writer's candid reflection of the negative impact the economy's downfall has had on her. This personal account conveys characteristics of resilience as well as perseverance during a much difficult time for her and so many others.
Besides liking the writer's stick figure self representation, I thought the post: 'Hello World, It's Me Again' was a fun read. I liked how she created a list of things about herself. The list shows her sense of humor. I was impressed with her major in college was Political Science. I took only one political science course in college and I loved it, but it also slightly intimidated me. I think it was because most of the class were a Political Science major and many just seemed so confident in everything they said.
I have always attributed trivia to being quick wit, which I've always wanted to be good at. I attribute this shortcoming I have with the fact that I had to watch Jepordy almost every night growing up since it was my Dad's favorite show. He always seemed to yell out the right answers before Alex Trabeck even finished reading, and anyone else had the chance to answer. To say the least I think it's affected my speed for recall. I bet the writer loves to watch: Cash Cab (a fun trivia show).
I thought the writer's style is clear and concise. The only suggestion is to just make sure to do a quick skim through before submitting. I just noticed some typos that's all.
Presence:
Lisa's online persona has an element of realism, with a genuine vibe to it. I sense she is someone who is well rounded and also well grounded for that matter. I believe a lot of people will relate to her work because her content she chooses to write about are easily relatable to. Many people just want to be understood and know they're not alone in what they experience. Identifying with your audience is the foundation for establish trust between you and your audience. This is the feeling I get after reading some of Lisa's writings.
I really liked reading Lisa's posts, revealing something new about the writer. I even think now I understand the meaning behind the blog name. The writer's post: 'Still down and Out (temporarily in Westchester) was a humbling piece, because I think the contents of the post is something we all share in common at some level or another. Furthermore, I appreciated the writer's candid reflection of the negative impact the economy's downfall has had on her. This personal account conveys characteristics of resilience as well as perseverance during a much difficult time for her and so many others.
Besides liking the writer's stick figure self representation, I thought the post: 'Hello World, It's Me Again' was a fun read. I liked how she created a list of things about herself. The list shows her sense of humor. I was impressed with her major in college was Political Science. I took only one political science course in college and I loved it, but it also slightly intimidated me. I think it was because most of the class were a Political Science major and many just seemed so confident in everything they said.
I have always attributed trivia to being quick wit, which I've always wanted to be good at. I attribute this shortcoming I have with the fact that I had to watch Jepordy almost every night growing up since it was my Dad's favorite show. He always seemed to yell out the right answers before Alex Trabeck even finished reading, and anyone else had the chance to answer. To say the least I think it's affected my speed for recall. I bet the writer loves to watch: Cash Cab (a fun trivia show).
I thought the writer's style is clear and concise. The only suggestion is to just make sure to do a quick skim through before submitting. I just noticed some typos that's all.
Presence:
Lisa's online persona has an element of realism, with a genuine vibe to it. I sense she is someone who is well rounded and also well grounded for that matter. I believe a lot of people will relate to her work because her content she chooses to write about are easily relatable to. Many people just want to be understood and know they're not alone in what they experience. Identifying with your audience is the foundation for establish trust between you and your audience. This is the feeling I get after reading some of Lisa's writings.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Peer 1 Critique: Addressing First Writing Sample(s) & Presence
A Critique of Kathleen's Writing Samples located at:
Out of the three writing samples Kathleen provided I enjoyed the 'Friendship' one. I liked it because it revealed the personal side of the writer, making them easier to relate to. A simple topic like friendship is so important to establish and maintain throughout your life. The writing sample easily introduces the topic of interest and transitions into the reasons friendships should be cherished. The writer's writing style is constant and systematic.
Some optional suggestions may be for this particular writing sample is to personalize the piece by communicating personal emotion in a way that makes your audience feel those same good and bad emotions you experienced.
The topic in the second writing sample was a good choice. However, I felt somewhat rushed when reading through it. This sample did not grab my attention as much as I thought it was going to.
think this would
The only issue I had with the third writing sample was how the content was projected. At first glance it was way too dense, otherwise I thought the writing was informative and useful. With that said light reformatting of the contents would help with visual appeal.
Presence
There is a certain honesty about Kathleen's writings. I feel like I can easily relate to her interests, aspirations, and even her unsureness with what she wants to do for the rest of her life. I feel like it wasn't too long ago I experienced similar feelings; emotions. Kathleen has a strong and welcoming presence. She sounds like she is open to learning new things and someone who is not easily offended.
Out of the three writing samples Kathleen provided I enjoyed the 'Friendship' one. I liked it because it revealed the personal side of the writer, making them easier to relate to. A simple topic like friendship is so important to establish and maintain throughout your life. The writing sample easily introduces the topic of interest and transitions into the reasons friendships should be cherished. The writer's writing style is constant and systematic.
Some optional suggestions may be for this particular writing sample is to personalize the piece by communicating personal emotion in a way that makes your audience feel those same good and bad emotions you experienced.
The topic in the second writing sample was a good choice. However, I felt somewhat rushed when reading through it. This sample did not grab my attention as much as I thought it was going to.
think this would
The only issue I had with the third writing sample was how the content was projected. At first glance it was way too dense, otherwise I thought the writing was informative and useful. With that said light reformatting of the contents would help with visual appeal.
Presence
There is a certain honesty about Kathleen's writings. I feel like I can easily relate to her interests, aspirations, and even her unsureness with what she wants to do for the rest of her life. I feel like it wasn't too long ago I experienced similar feelings; emotions. Kathleen has a strong and welcoming presence. She sounds like she is open to learning new things and someone who is not easily offended.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Intro2: Lesson of Returning Home
It was the summer of 2005 and I had just relocated back to Connecticut, after living in Arizona for the past 7years. I remember thinking this decision to move home was big and I wondered if it was the right one. Even though, I grew up in Connecticut much of my growing up I attribute to the years I spent in Arizona. Connecticut for me never really felt like home, or maybe it's that my home life never felt like home. Fast forwarding 5 years later I am still in Connecticut and I've adjusted, although it took more time than I thought it would. These days I am learning a lot about myself and developing a sense of my own personal beliefs as an individual thinker. What I've learned from returning home is people change, circumstances ensue; nothing really changes and nothing really is ever the same again.
Intro1: Finding Beauty in the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
No doubt the world and all its living creatures provide the passionate photographer with more than enough ideas to work with. Also, every photographer's eye is unique. I love to photograph anything and everything-in motion or in solitary stillness. Angles and lines often draw me in. I find happiness in finding the beauty in every subject or object I photograph, because all things have this quality. Some are just more obvious than others.
personal samples
personal samples
Thursday, May 27, 2010
My BioSketch
Hello People!
My name is Julie Marie Heffernan. I am currently an Interactive Communications Graduate student at Quinnipiac University. In addition to taking on-line courses I also am employed by Yale New Haven Hospital. Since starting the Graduate program I've started working night shifts. Surprisingly this was not as bad as I had initially thought. I heard somewhere that as you age you need less sleep. I think by the time I reached adulthood I had accrued many long hours of sleep time, because when I was younger I was ALWAYS sleeping. some sleepy facts I found interesting.
My job at the hospital entails helping those in crisis. My official title is: Mental Health Worker, which I was not particularily fond of, but its grown on me.
I earned my Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona. I minored in Special Education and Rehabilitation. Since graduating in 2002 I have had many opportunities to experience an array of interesting jobs. My first being a Case Manager for a non-profit behavioral health organization. I was a Child Protective Specialist, a substitute teacher, a waitress, and I think you get the jist.
After some years I thought I wanted to return to school for Social Work and found that was not for me. Eventually I make my way back to Connecticut and decide to venture in the career of nursing.
I am not a nurse, but I do feel the experience of nursing school alone had opened my eyes to many things I've neglected to see. I was on a straight long road to my castle in the sky, but not even knowing what my motives were. My purpose for everything I've done up to that point lacked substance and passion. Without those components my drive alone would not be able to bring me to wherever it was I thought I wanted to be.
Areas of interest include photography and sketching.
Given my diverse collection of work expertise, some transferrable skills are my basic computer software knowledge and productivity, my organizational skills and ability to work well with others. I've always recognized the importance of good work ethics and open to change.
My name is Julie Marie Heffernan. I am currently an Interactive Communications Graduate student at Quinnipiac University. In addition to taking on-line courses I also am employed by Yale New Haven Hospital. Since starting the Graduate program I've started working night shifts. Surprisingly this was not as bad as I had initially thought. I heard somewhere that as you age you need less sleep. I think by the time I reached adulthood I had accrued many long hours of sleep time, because when I was younger I was ALWAYS sleeping. some sleepy facts I found interesting.
My job at the hospital entails helping those in crisis. My official title is: Mental Health Worker, which I was not particularily fond of, but its grown on me.
I earned my Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona. I minored in Special Education and Rehabilitation. Since graduating in 2002 I have had many opportunities to experience an array of interesting jobs. My first being a Case Manager for a non-profit behavioral health organization. I was a Child Protective Specialist, a substitute teacher, a waitress, and I think you get the jist.
After some years I thought I wanted to return to school for Social Work and found that was not for me. Eventually I make my way back to Connecticut and decide to venture in the career of nursing.
I am not a nurse, but I do feel the experience of nursing school alone had opened my eyes to many things I've neglected to see. I was on a straight long road to my castle in the sky, but not even knowing what my motives were. My purpose for everything I've done up to that point lacked substance and passion. Without those components my drive alone would not be able to bring me to wherever it was I thought I wanted to be.
Areas of interest include photography and sketching.
Given my diverse collection of work expertise, some transferrable skills are my basic computer software knowledge and productivity, my organizational skills and ability to work well with others. I've always recognized the importance of good work ethics and open to change.
Holism Helps Others
My Sample Writing...
In taking a nursing theory course I have learned key ideas emphasize the importance of evidenced based researched interventions by involving a comprised collection of many notions. This includes additional theories of other disciplines integrated with nursing theory; and is known as “borrowed theories”.
The basis of nursing theory is supported by the Synergy Model, which recognizes the circumstantial “totality” of the “patient-nurse” relationship by encouraging a more humanistic and holistic approach to healthcare as a whole. As a result, interventions can be “tailored” to the patient based on their individual, unique needs; establishing opportunity for a positive outcome; which has affected the way in which I now see as the “patient-nurse” relationship. I now have an improved understanding of the perspective of the patient, based on this conceptual framework; along with being able to effectively communicate with patients.
Today nurse’s seem to be unaware to the patient’s core needs, and consequently having a negative effect on the quality of care being conveyed to the patient. Despite the reality that negativity exists and sometimes prevails in our healthcare system today; in knowing the Synergy Model is emphasized in the curriculum of nursing study, brings hope that the discipline of nursing can be steered in the direction of a more patient oriented focus of practice.
The Synergy Model helps the patient identify personal intention, providing a higher sense of awareness, internally and externally. Integrating aspects of one life area to another is important, because immediate competing demands and/or preferences may arise, and one’s well-being is dependent on environmental factors (social influences), which may involve interaction (interpersonal influences), and potentially prompt a response; affecting the outcome. Other influences that may be related to a person’s biophysical, physiological, and/or psychological status will most likely have an effect on their life experiences and health status.
It is important for nurses to look at their own beliefs and practices of patient care ,is will also be a factor in the patient’s wellness. Nursing theory: Modeling and Role Modeling is used to enhance patient outcome by providing an opportunity for nursing professionals to look at a situation from a deeper cognitive point, and to identify the patient’s main objective for therapeutic management.
This model allows for a better understanding of the patient and their needs; recognizing individuality but also providing dependable support at the same time. It just shows how a lifetime of growth and development shapes our surrounding environment; which we learn to adapt to. When modeling is used to enhance interventions, affiliated-individuation becomes more apparent, and role modeling becomes even more effective and linear to the patients unique needs.
The underlying driving force to making personal perceptions into desired realities is self efficacy, which is dependent on one’s ability to utilize specific behaviors for its purpose in improving the quality of one’s health; resulting in optimal wellness.
I recognize the importance learning about nursing theory has on patient outcome. In the beginning of taking this course I experienced some difficulty in understanding the material. In reviewing my earlier pieces of work, I found that I was making things more difficult for myself than I had to, and as a result I wasn’t seeing what the question was actually asking.
Nevertheless, with determination and positive feedback on returned papers (which I believe can make all the difference) I learned from my mistakes. I remained positive in my outcome expectations and over time I was able to build upon my new knowledge of theory and become more proficient in the course assignments.
Cognitively I am confident that this theory course has met my needs in that I feel like I have learned a great deal of useful information that will stay with me throughout my nursing career. As I progress through the accelerated nursing program, I find myself willing to take more risks, which I attribute to some of the theories I have learned about from this course.
The larger ideas from each theory contribute meaning to the term of Holism. Holism is the idea of a “sacred space” that is so impressive that it permeates a certain kind of confidence. I hope to reach this pinnacle point someday by maintaining a positive outlook on life’s unexpected events; seeing them as opportunities. I hope that the intention that motivates me transfers in my nursing practice; having positive impact on others.
In taking a nursing theory course I have learned key ideas emphasize the importance of evidenced based researched interventions by involving a comprised collection of many notions. This includes additional theories of other disciplines integrated with nursing theory; and is known as “borrowed theories”.
The basis of nursing theory is supported by the Synergy Model, which recognizes the circumstantial “totality” of the “patient-nurse” relationship by encouraging a more humanistic and holistic approach to healthcare as a whole. As a result, interventions can be “tailored” to the patient based on their individual, unique needs; establishing opportunity for a positive outcome; which has affected the way in which I now see as the “patient-nurse” relationship. I now have an improved understanding of the perspective of the patient, based on this conceptual framework; along with being able to effectively communicate with patients.
Today nurse’s seem to be unaware to the patient’s core needs, and consequently having a negative effect on the quality of care being conveyed to the patient. Despite the reality that negativity exists and sometimes prevails in our healthcare system today; in knowing the Synergy Model is emphasized in the curriculum of nursing study, brings hope that the discipline of nursing can be steered in the direction of a more patient oriented focus of practice.
The Synergy Model helps the patient identify personal intention, providing a higher sense of awareness, internally and externally. Integrating aspects of one life area to another is important, because immediate competing demands and/or preferences may arise, and one’s well-being is dependent on environmental factors (social influences), which may involve interaction (interpersonal influences), and potentially prompt a response; affecting the outcome. Other influences that may be related to a person’s biophysical, physiological, and/or psychological status will most likely have an effect on their life experiences and health status.
It is important for nurses to look at their own beliefs and practices of patient care ,is will also be a factor in the patient’s wellness. Nursing theory: Modeling and Role Modeling is used to enhance patient outcome by providing an opportunity for nursing professionals to look at a situation from a deeper cognitive point, and to identify the patient’s main objective for therapeutic management.
This model allows for a better understanding of the patient and their needs; recognizing individuality but also providing dependable support at the same time. It just shows how a lifetime of growth and development shapes our surrounding environment; which we learn to adapt to. When modeling is used to enhance interventions, affiliated-individuation becomes more apparent, and role modeling becomes even more effective and linear to the patients unique needs.
The underlying driving force to making personal perceptions into desired realities is self efficacy, which is dependent on one’s ability to utilize specific behaviors for its purpose in improving the quality of one’s health; resulting in optimal wellness.
I recognize the importance learning about nursing theory has on patient outcome. In the beginning of taking this course I experienced some difficulty in understanding the material. In reviewing my earlier pieces of work, I found that I was making things more difficult for myself than I had to, and as a result I wasn’t seeing what the question was actually asking.
Nevertheless, with determination and positive feedback on returned papers (which I believe can make all the difference) I learned from my mistakes. I remained positive in my outcome expectations and over time I was able to build upon my new knowledge of theory and become more proficient in the course assignments.
Cognitively I am confident that this theory course has met my needs in that I feel like I have learned a great deal of useful information that will stay with me throughout my nursing career. As I progress through the accelerated nursing program, I find myself willing to take more risks, which I attribute to some of the theories I have learned about from this course.
The larger ideas from each theory contribute meaning to the term of Holism. Holism is the idea of a “sacred space” that is so impressive that it permeates a certain kind of confidence. I hope to reach this pinnacle point someday by maintaining a positive outlook on life’s unexpected events; seeing them as opportunities. I hope that the intention that motivates me transfers in my nursing practice; having positive impact on others.
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