Celebrating 79 years of Press Photography in Southern California e Press Photographers Association Just of Greater Los Angeles One June 2015, Volume 79, Number 2 DOWNLOADABLE EDITION Check our web site at www.ppagla.org for complete More, Jr. monthly contest results and judges comments Daily Breeze/Press-Telegram Thomas R. Cordova, Thomas R. Cordova, FEBRUARY, SPOT NEWS, THIRD PLACE: Long Beach Fire Department PIO Jake Heflin checks in with the man who lived in the apartment that caught fire after firefighters battle the two-alarm blaze at the apartment complex near the northern edge of Long Beach East Village neighborhood. IN THIS ISSUE President’s 2015 Point Staying February March 3Message 4Standings 5Safe Photo6 Contest Photo8 Contest PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE & NEWS SEE, TOUCH AND GET THE FACTS VIDEO CONTEST RULES TO CHANGE By Paul Buck Canon 5D Mark II with RedRock System, also available for other DSLR Hybrid PPAGLA President Cameras. DSLR cinema can shoot anytime, any place, discreetly and without drawing attention. Switching between motion and still photography is a snap. Recently I ran across a box of negatives from assignments I shot in the 80s and 90s. Look- Revolutionary Cinema Accessories for the Digital Filmmaker ing at those stacks of caption envelopes each one scribbled front to back with my meticu- RedRock Micro Available in Our Sales & Rental Departments lous notes, my hand cramped from trying to Marshall Electronics hold a loupe Photos: Paul Buck APO 50-500mm and a strip of F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM said negatives Firefighters Safety Seminar pointed to the window, 20mm F1.8 EX DG PPAGLA members attended a Los I reminisced Aspherical RF Angeles City Fire-led fire safety class about my transition from film in late May. This was refresher for photography to digital photogra- established photographers and vid- phy way back then. eographers and new information for Unsure at first, I knew that others. The director of public affairs, this transition was crucial to my Zacuto USA - DSLR Kits Peter Sanders, was on hand as they success as a photojournalist. discussed fire and weather conditions Once I got going, I found it eas- plus past history of fires that the fire ier to work digitally. I worked department learned from and how to faster and more efficiently. I approach large wild fires. They also became computer literate. Zacuto - DSLR Gunstock touched on possible El Nino condi- In today’s market we must all Shooter Starter tions that may be coming this winter. be multi-taskers but on a much broader level. We must know how to shoot, edit photos and light a portrait. We are being LAYOFFS AT LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS asked to shoot video. Record now co-workers at sister newspapers and many sound and even do interviews. By John McCoy Our employers are using our Chairman Emeritus jobs have been consolidated into what is now known as the Los Angeles Newspaper Group. imagery in a variety of ways. It It was not that long ago that photographers In the year 2000, nearly 300 people worked is transition that is the basis for had an irreplaceable position in the newsroom. in the editorial department at the Daily News. this message. Your PPAGLA board mem- Nikon Authorized Dealer We knew how to anticipate the decisive mo- In 2015, fewer than 40 people remain. ments, and then capture the light and shadows A couple of weeks ago, Daily News staff bers are revisiting some of our ALL NIKON PRODUCTS INCLUDE NIKON INC. USA LIMITED WARRANTY. Zacuto - DSLR Marksmen video contest rules. Taking into AUTHORIZED NIKON DEALER, NIKON USA INC. in a magical box holding emulsified grains of photographers Michael Owen Baker and Andy silver. We were the keepers of the magic. The Holzman were unceremoniously relieved of consideration the web and multi- tradesmen and women, who knew how to an- their careers. Combined, they had more than media projects, we will be mak- ing some changes. Nothing too ticipate the action, read and understand people, 35 years of experience at the paper. The once JUNE 2015 • and position our cameras to compose images robust Daily News now has three staff photog- drastic. Nothing too sweeping. that communicated more than words. raphers. Stay tuned for the news. Also When I first went to work at the Los Being a journalist is an idealistic profes- in this JOM Jr. please take a few The Largest Selection of Imaging Equipment on the West Coast Angeles Daily News more than 25 years ago, sion, so important, that free speech is protected minutes to check out pics from I was one of a staff of 27 photographers and by the Constitution. But the lofty ideals that the firefighter safety seminar and the BBQ out in Redlands. For your convenience order online at www.samys.com or call 888-Samy’s Camera the Daily News photo department was state of once drove journalism have been replaced by the art. At any given moment, a dozen or more profit margins. Spread the word about your organization and recruit a new Visit our new Rental and DV & Edit location 12636 Beatrice Street, Los Angeles • 310.450.4365 photographers would be working in the lab. Holzman is spending his summer coaching member or two if you have a Los Angeles 323.938.2420 I Culver City 310.450.4551 I Pasadena 626.796.3300 I Santa Barbara 805.963.7269 I Santa Ana 714.557.9400 Those days are gone. Digital has replaced his young sons in baseball, while Baker is cast- chance. JUST ONE MORE, JR. Pro Departments Fairfax 323.938.2420 ext.1009 | Corporate Sales 866.726.9463 | Playa Vista - Rentals 310.450.7062 the camaraderie of the darkroom. ing around, trying to build a freelance career. I The journalists we used to compete with are will miss them. 3 NEWS & POINT STANDINGS NEWS 2015 CONTEST POINTS STAYING SAFE IN THE FIELD THROUGH MARCH 2015 Reprinted from the Summer tions: “We need to have someone engineers and others who are unrest there, they were told to re- 2015 issue of the NABET News besides a reporter in sync with us helping to get the story out,” trieve gas masks and get training and watching our backs.” In some says Marinaro. “If they didn’t from the network in Washington Terry Pierson The Press Enterprise 315 ay-to-day news cases, armed guards have ac- have the guts to take these as- before heading to Baltimore. Ringo Chiu Los Angeles Business Journal (freelance) 210 coverage can have companied crews, but only when signments, people wouldn’t be Upon their arrival, however, its hazards — water talent is involved in the story. seeing these stories.” they were told that the company Stan Lim The Press Enterprise 120 main breaks, toxic “When we ask for additional There are provisions regard- didn’t have any more masks. Dspills, fires, inclement weather, personnel, it’s for safety reasons ing safety in the NBC contract, “We are the final arbiters of Hans Gutknecht Los Angeles Daily News 75 or hauling heavy equipment. It and not just that we want more including the right to turn down our safety,” says Cooke. “But Thomas R Cordova 70 takes on new meaning when an people on the job,” said Local an assignment if a member feels there is a disconnect between Daily Breeze/Press-Telegram assignment calls for covering a 11 President Lou Marinaro. It is they are in imminent danger. what we know is our legal right Keith Birmingham Pasadena Star-News 70 protest, riots, or a war. difficult for just one person to do “Safety is priority number one,” and what managers in the heat of “There is such a wide range a live shot and also break down says Marinaro. “The Union is the moment want you to do.” Karen Quincy Loberg Ventura County Star 60 of issues that affect our safety, the mast and remove cables, 100% behind our members.” Will Lester 60 from a slippery side walk to especially if you have to get out Noseworthy and Cooke serve Common Sense and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin someone dying in a hazardous of a situation quickly. on Local 11’s three-person safety Good Training Crystal Chatham The Desert Sun 50 war environment,” said Mike Some journalists covering committee, along with Bill Crews should take a com- Noseworthy, a NBC production the Baltimore riots in April Clark (Chair), which monitors mon sense approach. Marinaro Jeff Gritchen Orange County Register 50 sound mixer, who has worked in were attacked and robbed by the safety aspects of work in the suggests calling the assignment war zones. angry locals and pepper-sprayed field and in the workplace. The desk to find a safer location if John McCoy Los Angeles Daily News 50 He says the average network and detained by police. In the committee keeps in direct con- you feel that you are not in a Ed Crisostomo Orange County Register 50 cameraman pushes upwards of protests against a police killing tact with members about their good situation. Safety is more 300 pounds of equipment on a in Ferguson, MO, 15 journal- needs and relays the information important than the story, but Robert Hanashiro USA TODAY 50 cart. In addition, news crews ists were arrested. Some were to the company. you must alert the company must do their jobs very quickly told by police that their safety All of the ENG trucks are about your decision. Live shots Sarah Alvarado The San Bernardino Sun 40 and often on their own. Today, couldn’t be guaranteed.