I enjoy looking at pictures when the day has been long, negative, and you just need something not so horrible to enjoy. I had already fallen in love with Vizcaya Museum and Gardens when I visited the location over a year ago. The beautiful and romantic setting in the middle of Miami made the place one of my favorite locations in Miami-Dade. So clearly, when the Herald posted photos of Vizcaya highlighting the $50 million renovation the grounds are undergoing, I had to take a peak.
I like the Herald's new photo viewer. It keep me on the page with the ability to easily change the the photo show that I'm watching or make the shows full screen. The photos are engaging but the captions are what really annoyed me. Every single photo had the same information about Vizcaya being under construction. Some had another sentence describing the photo in detail while others did not. I don't think it's necessary to constantly remind people that the grounds are undergoing construction eighteen times. It gets a little redundant after the first three pictures.
What I found most interesting about the photo show was the option to purchase the pictures. I was curious to know what a Miami Herald photo was going for and surprisingly they aren't that expensive. You can get a 5x7 unframed for $9.99. That's right, you have the option to get the photo framed. I didn't even know the Miami Herald had a store to buy things from! At the bottom of this page they even give you gift ideas: like placing the photo on a mug or greeting cards. Needless to say, I have truly learned something new about The Miami Herald that I did not know before.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Blogging Wonderfully Well
An outpouring of people attended the Join the Impact movement and demonstration that took place this past weekend all over the country. Locally, people from South Florida came out to protest the passing of Florida Amendment 2 which defined marriage as the union of only one man and one woman.
Steve Rothaus, who blogs about gay and lesbian issues in South Florida for The Miami Herald, placed photos from the Join the Impact event on his blog. I don't know if I can blog about a blog, seems a little odd, but I'm going to anyway. Rothaus' blog post displays a wonderful way that blogs can be used to give people the news in an interesting and new media way.
The photos from the event are big and colorful but most importantly they really show the atmosphere and feeling in the crowd. The mass outpouring of people and all the support from both the gay and straight communities really displayed that there are people who are willing to speak out against injustices. I truly appreciated the fact that Rothaus didn't only focus on the people who were there to speak out against Amendment 2 but he placed photos of the lone protester who was FOR Amendment 2. I think that by doing this Rothaus was able to show that although he might feel a certain way towards the topics he blogs about he is able to remain objective and give people the news they want straight. I truly enjoyed his posts and the creative ways that he blogs. I think that everyone who is blogging could really learn a thing or two about how to make blogging most useful. Rothaus shows that bloggers can indeed be journalists.
Steve Rothaus, who blogs about gay and lesbian issues in South Florida for The Miami Herald, placed photos from the Join the Impact event on his blog. I don't know if I can blog about a blog, seems a little odd, but I'm going to anyway. Rothaus' blog post displays a wonderful way that blogs can be used to give people the news in an interesting and new media way.
The photos from the event are big and colorful but most importantly they really show the atmosphere and feeling in the crowd. The mass outpouring of people and all the support from both the gay and straight communities really displayed that there are people who are willing to speak out against injustices. I truly appreciated the fact that Rothaus didn't only focus on the people who were there to speak out against Amendment 2 but he placed photos of the lone protester who was FOR Amendment 2. I think that by doing this Rothaus was able to show that although he might feel a certain way towards the topics he blogs about he is able to remain objective and give people the news they want straight. I truly enjoyed his posts and the creative ways that he blogs. I think that everyone who is blogging could really learn a thing or two about how to make blogging most useful. Rothaus shows that bloggers can indeed be journalists.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Metromix Let's You Know What's Happening
Metromix South Florida, as part of the Sun-Sentinel, provides information about what is going on in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and more. Packed with information on entertainment, local restaurants, and events the site allows people to enjoy all that South Florida has to offer without having to search several websites for the information.
What I really enjoyed about the site is the fact that there are several stories that include little blurbs about restaurants. When looking to try out a new place, I want to know something about them and what makes this place unique and different. Pictures of desserts and entrees were even included which naturally helps in the decision making. The event section includes a calendar, which makes it easy for people to find events and things to do on any particular date. One thing that I have noticed is consistent with both the Sun-Sentinel and Metromix South Florida is the availability of photos. Both sites provide a vast number of slideshows from different events all over South Florida.
The Metromix site is easy to navigate but the only major problem I had was the fact that the ads blended in with the actual content. I don't like having to navigate around ads to find the information that I really want to see, but on the other hand it might be helpful to the eye that the ads aren't so incredibly distracting. So either way it's a lose-lose. Besides this ad issue, the website is informative and gives residents and visitors alike the opportunity to truly enjoy all that South Florida has to offer.
What I really enjoyed about the site is the fact that there are several stories that include little blurbs about restaurants. When looking to try out a new place, I want to know something about them and what makes this place unique and different. Pictures of desserts and entrees were even included which naturally helps in the decision making. The event section includes a calendar, which makes it easy for people to find events and things to do on any particular date. One thing that I have noticed is consistent with both the Sun-Sentinel and Metromix South Florida is the availability of photos. Both sites provide a vast number of slideshows from different events all over South Florida.
The Metromix site is easy to navigate but the only major problem I had was the fact that the ads blended in with the actual content. I don't like having to navigate around ads to find the information that I really want to see, but on the other hand it might be helpful to the eye that the ads aren't so incredibly distracting. So either way it's a lose-lose. Besides this ad issue, the website is informative and gives residents and visitors alike the opportunity to truly enjoy all that South Florida has to offer.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Murder at a Broward High School
Fifteen-year-old Amanda Collette was shot at a Broward high school this week and died. The young girl was shot by a fellow classmate who was known to have behavioral problems. The family is now trying to cope with the death of a bright young ballet dancer while parents of students at Dillard High School try to figure out what necessary actions need to be taken next.
I think the Sun Sentinel did a wonderful job in covering this story. There is a wide variety of multimedia that was used and I think that makes the story more accessible for different people. There is a video, an article, and even a poll to find out if people think that metal detectors should be placed in schools. I personally watched the video first since that was the first thing that is at the top of the page and it a press conference that Collette's aunt held speaking out about school violence and remembering her niece. The article I read next and it gave all the background information about the shooting and how the family is dealing with the situation. I felt that the video was a great compliment to the actual article.
There is also a Google map that places a little balloon over all the places in the United States that school shooting have occurred. I felt that this just proved the point that these types of crimes happen all over. The comment section I thought was the worst. I know that media outlet place comments so that people can express their feelings towards the situation but I think that they are not regulated enough. People were blatantly racist and the comments remain up. Other commenters than retaliate towards the people who are being insensitive and begins a vicious cycle of arguing. Overall, I feel the Sun Sentinel did an absolutely wonderful job in covering this story.
I think the Sun Sentinel did a wonderful job in covering this story. There is a wide variety of multimedia that was used and I think that makes the story more accessible for different people. There is a video, an article, and even a poll to find out if people think that metal detectors should be placed in schools. I personally watched the video first since that was the first thing that is at the top of the page and it a press conference that Collette's aunt held speaking out about school violence and remembering her niece. The article I read next and it gave all the background information about the shooting and how the family is dealing with the situation. I felt that the video was a great compliment to the actual article.
There is also a Google map that places a little balloon over all the places in the United States that school shooting have occurred. I felt that this just proved the point that these types of crimes happen all over. The comment section I thought was the worst. I know that media outlet place comments so that people can express their feelings towards the situation but I think that they are not regulated enough. People were blatantly racist and the comments remain up. Other commenters than retaliate towards the people who are being insensitive and begins a vicious cycle of arguing. Overall, I feel the Sun Sentinel did an absolutely wonderful job in covering this story.
James Nachtwey Online
Photojournalism has found a permanent home within online journalism. The internet has allowed such photo based magazines like National Geographic and well-known photographers to have websites. Famed war photographer James Nachtwey has been no exception.
James Nachtwey's website includes riveting images from horrible wars and situations all over the world. The internet has enabled Nachtwey to share these images with everyone all over the world so that people can be aware of the injustices and horrible situations that have occurred.
Online journalism goes beyond just the news media and has extended to even photojournalists who can share the world and the news in a different way. Without this type of media photojournalist would only be able to share their work through books or in publications. The internet has allowed photographers to give people the images that they want in the way they want without having a publication decide what people see. Everyone should witness the work of James Nachtwey to bring awareness to all the things that happen in the world.
James Nachtwey's website includes riveting images from horrible wars and situations all over the world. The internet has enabled Nachtwey to share these images with everyone all over the world so that people can be aware of the injustices and horrible situations that have occurred.
Online journalism goes beyond just the news media and has extended to even photojournalists who can share the world and the news in a different way. Without this type of media photojournalist would only be able to share their work through books or in publications. The internet has allowed photographers to give people the images that they want in the way they want without having a publication decide what people see. Everyone should witness the work of James Nachtwey to bring awareness to all the things that happen in the world.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Inside Obama's Election Night
With the advent of user-generated content that has been able to be shared on the internet people from all over the world can now witness things that at one point could only be found in print. Print media chooses the things that people see in their publications and have space restrictions, but the internet has provided an outlet in which tons of information can be shared.
Flikr, a user-generated site that allows people to share their photography, has a slideshow of pictures from Obama's election night. The photos make the family seem more real and shows images that makes the viewer feel like your there. The slideshow is done extremely well, although some of the pictures display a blur from the movement. There are thumbnails at the bottom that allow individuals to either click through the image or allow the slideshow to play through. This is the way a slideshow should be done. I enjoyed the fact that such images existed and that through a user-generated website a photographer was able to publish the most intimate moments of election night for everyone to enjoy. People wonder what the candidates are thinking and doing while citizens wait at home for the results and now everyone can finally witness the answer for themselves.
Flikr, a user-generated site that allows people to share their photography, has a slideshow of pictures from Obama's election night. The photos make the family seem more real and shows images that makes the viewer feel like your there. The slideshow is done extremely well, although some of the pictures display a blur from the movement. There are thumbnails at the bottom that allow individuals to either click through the image or allow the slideshow to play through. This is the way a slideshow should be done. I enjoyed the fact that such images existed and that through a user-generated website a photographer was able to publish the most intimate moments of election night for everyone to enjoy. People wonder what the candidates are thinking and doing while citizens wait at home for the results and now everyone can finally witness the answer for themselves.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Gay Couples Marry In Connecticut
This is one of those stories that is made for online journalism. The discussion of gay marriage has been one of serious importance following the elections last week. Three states passed laws have banned same-sex marriages but Connecticut's Supreme Court has spoken and they are allowed. Same-sex couples have begun to wed in Connecticut which makes the state second in the United States following in the foot steps of their New England neighbor Massachusetts.
After reading the article I was filled with happiness to know that so many people will now be allowed to experience something so many people take for granted- a marriage, a bound, and everything that entails. I was afraid to look at the comments and was prepared to start reporting people for abuse but the truth was that for the most part people were accepting and the one's who were not remained respectful of the whole situation. Mind you I only few the first page because there is over 1,000 comments about this article and it is so popular that it is on the USA Today homepage. I think it would have been nice to have a video of some the people who will be taking advantage of this new found privilege and to visually see their excitement and happiness. I have come to realize that USA Today doesn't really place many video along with their stories but I must say they do know how to write a heck of a story.
There are some inspirational and touching comments on this story and I suggest everyone take a look. It is truly eye-opening. I have truly grown to love the comments on stories.
After reading the article I was filled with happiness to know that so many people will now be allowed to experience something so many people take for granted- a marriage, a bound, and everything that entails. I was afraid to look at the comments and was prepared to start reporting people for abuse but the truth was that for the most part people were accepting and the one's who were not remained respectful of the whole situation. Mind you I only few the first page because there is over 1,000 comments about this article and it is so popular that it is on the USA Today homepage. I think it would have been nice to have a video of some the people who will be taking advantage of this new found privilege and to visually see their excitement and happiness. I have come to realize that USA Today doesn't really place many video along with their stories but I must say they do know how to write a heck of a story.
There are some inspirational and touching comments on this story and I suggest everyone take a look. It is truly eye-opening. I have truly grown to love the comments on stories.
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