Photo Assignment

Still Shot:

I chose this photo because it follows the rule of thirds perfectly. Both the tiger and the flags are following the rule. I like this picture because I was able to fit in the iconic Stephen’s Hall clock tower.

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Portrait Shot:

I chose this photo because I felt that the plain background helped to focus more on the person in it. I also chose this photo since it follows the rule of thirds. I like this photo because your eyes focus right to the girl’s face and her smile, rather than anything else.

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News Shot:

I chose this photo because neither tree was in the center, but in a third of the shot. I like this photo because I felt that it showed the changing season. The tree to the right is starting to change color and lose its leaves, while the tree to the left is just starting to change color on its top.

Q and A: Towson Alumna Speaks About Social Media In A Journalism Workplace

Photo courtesy of: Brooke Buford

Since graduating from Towson University alumna, Brooke Buford, has succeeded in the journalism world. Buford is currently an anchor/reporter at KALB-TV in Alexandria, LA. For a year and a half Buford also worked in Portland, ME, at WGME-TV. Buford gained experience while interning for ABC News in New York City, “Good Morning America” in Washington, D.C., and WJZ-TV here in Baltimore.

Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing Buford on the topic of social media, and how she incorporates it into her job. Below is the interview:

Journalists and Twitter

   Today we live in a digital world so, it only makes sense that journalists are all over social media sites. An article in the Washington Post states, that 40 percent of journalists rank social media as high in importance in regards to their work. After a select number of journalists were surveyed, it was discovered that Twitter is the most popular form of social media for journalists today. Journalists actively use their twitter accounts to get and report breaking news. The Washington post also stated that 60 percent of the journalists surveyed think that social media creates a quicker way to report the news.

Reaction: 

   I think this article’s statistics are spot on. As I am scrolling through my feed I often find tweets with links to news stories. Also on Tuesday the 9^th, we had a guest speaker from ABC2 News, Nick DiMarco, talk to the class about his job. DiMarco keeps all social media sites for the station up to date and reports breaking news. He does a lot of this using Twitter. So, I now see how important of a roll Twitter plays in the way we find out about some news stories.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/05/06/three-charts-that-explain-how-u-s-journalists-use-social-media/ 

Leads homework

1. By Jill Martin, CNN:

“A new video has surfaced showing Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice punching his then-fiancee inside an elevator at a hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in February.”

This lead got straight to the point and tells you exactly where the event took place. It also catches your attention indicating that there is a new video to watch regarding this incident. The story holds proximity because it involves a player on our home team in Baltimore.

2. By Alison Knezevich, The Baltimore Sun:

“Baltimore County authorities have identified the Towson University student who died at an off-campus apartment this weekend.”

The lead starts off with “Baltimore County authorities”, which instantly catches your attention because of proximity. Also identifying in the lead that a Towson student died brings some impact to the story.

3. By Eric Schmitt, Michael R. Gordon and Helene Cooper, The New York Times:

“The Obama administration is preparing to carry out a campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria that may take three years to complete, requiring a sustained effort that could last until after President Obama has left office, according to senior administration officials.”

This particular lead in the New York Times caught my attention because of its length. The journalists packed this lead with as much information as they could, even though 30 words is typical.

4. By Petula Dvorak, The New York Times:

“Avery Gagliano is a commanding young pianist who attacks Chopin with the focused diligence of a master craftsman and the grace of a ballet dancer.”

I chose this lead because of the lack of interest it held for me. In class we learned that you should never start your lead with the name of an unknown person.

5. By Ben Popken, NBC News:

“Another royal bundle of joy is expected to be a bonanza for the British economy, tempered only by the “baby fatigue” that often sets in with second children (sorry, Harry!)”

I was attracted to this lead because the subject matter was the royal family. However, I found this lead to be weak. It did not ask many of the major W’s.