Sunday, May 2, 2010

FSPA Journalism Convention in Tampa

So I tried to update this blog while I was away this weekend in Tampa for the state journalism convention, but for some reason, fancy hotels think you should pay for wireless internet on top of the exorbitant prices you are paying for the room when even a crappy Days Inn provides free Wi-Fi and breakfast. Well, anyway, so now is when I can finally update.

So, as I was saying, this past weekend I was in Tampa for FSPA where I learned a lot of journalistic skills, things I can do to help our school publication, visited the University of Tampa, and even visited the city of Downtown Tampa. All in all, it was an amazing trip and I had a blast while learning an awful lot.

At FSPA we took part in these seminars where I learned about the convergence of news media, photoshop skills, getting jobs in journalism and sports photography and how to get the best effects. These seminars gave me an idea of what I would want to do if I were to have a career in journalism.communications.

I definitely am not a news writer. It's not something I really want to do, I'm not passionate bout it, but I really do have a passion for meeting and interviewing people as well as photography. Something that is becoming very important in the new convergence of media. There were all these really cool slide-shows the advisers showed us of picture slideshows with audio behind them of either background noise or interview with the subject. Something I think I would be very capable of doing and actually enjoy doing. So I still think a career in journalism is feasible for me.

I also learned a lot about photography, like what kind of lenses to use for certain things and that shutter speed and ISO need to be controlled for certain photographs and that flash photography is harsh and unnecessary unless you are photographing sports because it stops the action and then it is only  effective if the action is close enough to receive the flash. But that got me into thinking that I need a new camera... a good one. So im going to write up a wish list of things I want for graduation since it seems that I will be living at home for college in any case.

This is the Nikon D300S. $1,699.95 It comes with:

  • EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
  • MH-18a Quick Charger
  • UC-E4 USB Cable
  • EG-D2 Video Cable
  • AN-DC4 Strap
  • BM-8 LCD monitor cover
  • Body cap
  • DK-5 Eyepiece Cap
  • DK-23 Rubber Eyecup
  • Software Suite CD-ROM



 The Sony A380. $1050 (two lens kit) Although the A230 and A330 are fine as well and are cheaper.

The Canon EOS50D. $1099.99. It comes with:

EOS 50D Body
Eyecup Eb
Wide Neck Strap EW-EOS 50D
Video Cable VC-100 (D)
USB Interface Cable IFC-200U
Battery Pack BP-511A
Battery Charger CG-580
"Great Photography is Easy" Booklet and "Do More with Macro" Booklet
EOS Digital Solution CD
Software Instruction Manual




Nikon D90. $899. This one was recommended to me by my cousin. I looked up the specs and it seems like more of a possibility than the D300S. Comes with:

  • EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
  • MH-18a Quick Charger
  • DK-5 Eyepiece Cap
  • DK-21 Rubber Eyecup
  • UC-E4 USB Cable
  • EG-D2 Audio Video Cable
  • AN-DC1 Camera Strap
  • BM-10 LCD Monitor Cover
  • Body Cap
  • BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cover
  • Software Suite CD-ROM
 The Camera my cousin has is a Nikon D60. $649.95. Comes with:
  • EN-EL9 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
  • MH-23 Quick Charger
  • UC-E4 USB Cable
  • DK-20 Rubber Eyecup
  • AN-DC1 Camera Strap
  • BF-1A Body Cap
  • DK-5 Eyepiece Cap
  • BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cover
  • Software Suite CD-ROM

Pentax K-x. $599.95 for black, red, navy blue or white camera. $649.95 for the green, blue, purple or orange camera. Comes with:
  • K-x Black
  • DA L 18-55
  • Software CD-ROM S-SW99
  • USB Cable I-USB7
  • Strap O-ST53
  • Hotshoe Cover FK
  • Eyecup FQ
  • Body Mount cover
  • AA lithium batteries (*4) 


The Pentax actually seems to be a really good camera for the best price out there, which means that considering that I payed less for the camera, I would have money to buy a tripod, external flash or extra lenses. 
 
In any case, I need a good digital SLR camera and these are my options. Taking the advice of one of the speakers at the convention I plan to create business cards and start photographing events for pay during the summer and building a repertoire for myself. I'll start with little things like family parties, but I hope to eventually do maybe bigger weddings or other events like sports games, recitals, Broadway shows, etc. And I think I can do it. Why not? Someone has to. It may as well be me.
 
At FSPA I also made the decision that I am not going to study journalism necessarily. I don't have to. I can major in something completely opposite and still have a career in photojournalism. So I think I am going to get a degree in business management and minor in photography/photojournalism. But first I am going to go to Miami Dade College. At least for my Associates degree, which I will do in photography. After all, I'm just going to be taking classes that I'll have to take at any other four year university except I'll be paying more for it. And then after my two years are up and I've hopefully made a little money, I'll go to a unversity (not sure which one yet) and I'll make my start there.
 
All in all, FSPA was an amazing experience for me. I had fun and learned a lot and now I am planning for my future.
 
 *This is a photo of me and some of my newspaper staff colleagues as we had fun in Downtown Tampa.




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