NOCC Walk to Break the Silence (General News)

For the general news assignment in my photojournalism class, we had to photograph some type of newsworthy scheduled event. I had volunteered to photograph the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition's Walk to Break the Silence on Sunday, September 9 and I decided this would fit the assignment perfectly. Since I was assigned specific areas to photograph by the NOCC project manager, I found it difficult to focus on what I wanted to photograph specifically. It was also nearly impossible to get names and speak with people since my responsibilities as a NOCC volunteer came first. However, I was happy with many of the photos I took and enjoyed covering the event. I think a few of my photos would have definitely benefitted from having names or getting a quote, so I realize the importance of that for the future.

A volunteer puts teal paint on a cancer survivor’s hand to be placed on a banner commemorating survivors who were a part of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition’s Walk to Break the Silence on Sunday, September 9, 2012. Before the walk took place, walkers had the chance to participate in activities set up at the North Park Boathouse to raise awareness for ovarian cancer and celebrate the survivors.  

A NOCC Walk to Break the Silence participant studies the wall of courage outside of the memory tent at the North Park Boathouse on Sunday, September 9, 2012. The memory tent honored those who battled ovarian cancer. 

An ovarian cancer survivor hugs a walk participant during the activities before the NOCC’s Walk to Break the Silence on Sunday, September 9, 2012. The walk, which took place at North Park, benefits ovarian cancer awareness and education programs.  

The ribbon is cut at the NOCC’s Walk to Break the Silence on Sunday, September 9, 2012. Walkers had the choice of a 1 mile or 5 mile route. 

Participants of the NOCC’s Walk to Break the Silence begin their walk on Sunday, September 9, 2012. Walkers included ovarian cancer survivors, their friends and family, and those who wanted to honor loved ones who were lost. 

An ovarian cancer survivor walks with her team of family and friends in the NOCC’s Walk to Break the Silence on Sunday, September 9, 2012. Several teams participated in the walk and showed their support with custom t-shirts and signs. 

Nature Photography Final Portfolio

Taking a walk outside is the perfect way to get away from the stress of the world and relax and appreciate the beauty of nature. As one walks along a trail, a path, sand, or rocks, they often look down from time to time to examine where their foot will hit next. When out in nature, one mostly sees what’s at eye level and sometimes an aerial view of what’s directly below them. But what about a bug that’s crawling along the rocks? What does it see? How often do we get down on the ground and look at the view from there? The landscape can completely change when one looks at it from very low to the ground. A forest full of trees is beautiful, but what about the leaves scattered on the ground? Or that unique-shaped rock covered in moss? When one is just looking down at their feet, they only get an aerial view of what’s below them. Sometimes it doesn’t look like much, but if the perspective is changed, it can open your eyes to a whole new view.

My project aims to capture that whole new view. I wanted to place my camera low to the ground and capture what’s on the ground level. Some of my photographs capture a wider landscape of the area while others focus more on the closer details. In order to examine what’s beneath our feet, I wanted a range of both wider shots and closer in. In addition to capturing these low to the ground shots, I also wanted to use a shallow depth of field. In many of my images, the line of focus is often towards the middle of the photograph in order to draw the viewer in. I wanted to keep the focus simple and shallow depth of field helped to keep it uncluttered.

Through these images, I hope that people will take a closer look at the beauty in nature that can be found on the ground. It’s easy to forget to look at the little details beneath our feet.

Abandoned Turnpike

Our last trip for nature photography was to the Abandoned Turnpike, which I was really looking forward to because it was a bit different than the others. I was really intrigued by the turnpike and before the trip, I wondered if I could get anything that would fit my portfolio. Well I think I had success with this trip! I definitely got some different and new photos to add to my portfolio, as well some other interesting ones. I didn't take many photos of the abandonment, mainly because I wanted to focus on getting good photos for my portfolio. These first couple are before we made it to the tunnel.

At the end of the tunnel there was a lot of dripping water, which definitely added some interest to the photos.

Light Painting

For my Arts and the Human Experience class (COPA 251), we had to take on a personal art project. I decided to try light painting because I had always been fascinated with it, but never really got around to trying it. I was inspired by a Flickr group with the theme of light painting in nature, so my focus was nature for this project. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be, so I really respect the amazing light paintings that some photographers are able to create. It's very experimental and requires a bit of patience, but I'm happy with what I did overall. I definitely want to keep experimenting! Below are some of my favorites...

Pittsburgh Zoo

I wasn't sure what to expect from our nature photography's class trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo. Even though I was excited to go behind the scenes, I wasn't really sure if I'd get any good photographs this trip. I've taken quite a few pictures at the zoo, so I wasn't sure if I'd get anything new or exciting. Well, I ended up getting some photographs that I really like! I tried to challenge myself to look at certain parts of the zoo differently so I could come away with unique photographs that I had not taken before.

Probably my favorite part of the trip was going behind the scenes of the zoo's sea turtle program. The Pittsburgh Zoo rescues, rehabilitates, and then releases sea turtles back into the wild. I got a lot of great shots of the turtles, but the one one below is my favorite.

This next group of photos are all from the aquarium. I didn't really expect to get anything good considering the lighting is low and there's glass to deal with, but I ended up liking a lot of them.

Mt. Davis

Mt. Davis is the highest elevation point in Pennsylvania so I was looking forward to some great views on this trip. When we got there, there was an observation deck would could climb up on. Unfortunately, after about halfway, the tiny open stairs/height got the best of me, so I didn't end up seeing that view. My friends and I decided to head off onto a trail. It was rocky and not very green, a little disappointing for photos. I did get a few I was happy with.

We then went to another open area where there were more trees and twigs. I definitely got a few things, but most of the subject matter hadn't interested me that much; it wasn't anything unique. Though I tried my best to find what I could. Although the more I look at my photos from this trip, the more I like them. 

Urban Nature

It was time for another independent assignment in nature photography. My first attempt was in Edinboro since I was visiting a friend there. However, gloomy weather and time contraints kept me from getting anything that I really liked. So when Chris gave us class time to go out and photograph, I gladly took the opportunity to try and improve on what I had already done. Plus everything is in full bloom so I was excited to see what I could find.
I was on my way to Point State Park, but I stopped at the plaza at Gateway Center and ended up getting what I wanted. But after about 20 minutes or so, I got kicked out by a security guard. Luckily I was just about finished anyway!

In these next two photos I wanted to focus on just a tiny sliver of the ground. I really like the way these turned out.