Phototaking 101

Usually when people take pictures they will hold the camera any which way and take shots that they think will be good shots. But after the class discussion yesterday, I learned more about taking pictures the right way than I had ever learned before. I have always been aware of using different angles, being lower or higher, to get some pretty cool types of pictures but when you are actually taking them in the middle of the moment, you may forget. It's not always the first thing on your mind to stoop down or stand on something to make that shot look better.

But after class Wednesday, these sort of tips make you more aware that doing these kind of things will make the picture "pop" and come alive as Dr. Spaulding mentioned. One of the things I remembered about taking better pictures is that you need to fill the frame when taking photos of people or news-story type pictures like in the frame link. Sometimes the shot works both ways, but depending on the situation it's better to get rid of all the "junk" space that can confuse the reader as to what the story is about.

Dylan Rothman, left, a junior business major at Towson University and Kenny Walters, a sophomore business major at Towson University, rock on a see-saw for their support of testicular cancer research. The 48-hour event organized by Delta Sigma Phi went towards the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Having a ball in the Fall

THE PIECE: The story I plan on covering this time around involves the Joppatowne 15-19 Fall Ball team and their journey towards the Harford County championship and it being possibly the last time a lot of the kids play together on the team. A lot of the kids on the team have grown up together and played baseball for years with each other, so I want to write this story as kind of a going out piece on them and seeing where they go from here as they start whatever journey in life they go through.
The questions I want to cover:
1. I want to find out why the team came together this season after not having a team for the last few seasons....
2. I also want to get a sense of how the community feels about the team and their shot at winning the championship, in the same sense interviewing some of the parents and finding out their feelings.
3. I want to ask the coaches what they want the kids to take from this experience and how they can apply it to their life, if possible after baseball ends.....
SOURCES:
I plan to speak with coaches (Head coach and assistants), some parents, possibly a player and also the organizer of the team because I am curious as to how and why they got the team together.

I already have some advanced information such as the team record and how they raised some of the money for the team (although I want to find out more about this). This should be a neat story to cover because I know quite a few of the players from my days coaching them.

Question 2 looking to work for residents of Maryland

With the nation's economy spiraling out of control, and with no quick fix or easy answer to correct the problems, the trickle-down effect starts to find its way to the states of this country. In this state of Maryland, it's no different. With residents worried about taxes being raised and the risk of jobs being lost, not to mention numerous other negative factors, something had to be done to alleviate the problems, and it seems at least a few of those problems, could have an answer, albeit, a controversial one.

On November 4th, along with electing the 44th President of the United States, Maryland will be voting on Question 2, which would approve and support the Maryland slots referendum looking to help schools and colleges, along with keeping millions of dollars that Marylanders spend at regional slots in Delaware, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, in-state.

The fact that 660 million dollars in new state funding by 2012, will result in no tax increases and also help make schools and colleges stronger, was music to my ears, as it should be to everyone else that struggles each semester trying to come up with money without fear of colleges having to raise tuition in the midst of the fiscal crisis.

While the proposed bill is controversial, in that some opponents, like Comptroller Peter Franchot, say gaming shouldn't be going on in this state and that slot machine gambling is corrosive to the state's economy , the referendum is quickly picking up steam, right before it's set to be voted on.
To some, voting for Question 2 is more of a moral and value-based issue, and do not want facilities near residential areas or numerous ones popping up throughout the state. While these are valid concerns, looking at For Maryland- For Our Future's website the solution represents a minor expansion of existing gaming, only allowing 5 facilities in very specific areas and no more than 15,000 video lottery terminals, and the so-called "slippery slope" which prevents further expansion of gaming anywhere in Maryland.

This should be great news to those looking for something, anything, positive to come out of government programs that are trying to help generate revenue to improve areas that need to be improved, and while I don't gamble myself, anything that helps prevent future tuition increases as well as helping teachers receive pensions and have more resources for the classes they teach in, has my vote.