At the Reynolds Institute, we'll work with camcorders, tripods, stick microphones and editing software used by professionals. I've recommended that you bring a still camera; a simple point-and-shoot will do, but if you use high-end equipment by all means bring it. You'll have access to the latest version of Photoshop.
As we produce content for the institute blog and offer share information via social media sites such as Twitter, please also consider the potential of your cellphone or smartphone. I've been amazed by the things I can do with the iPhone I was lucky enough to get a couple of months ago. Having something so powerful always at hand lets me do crazy things like put a video camera under a hummingbird feeder and hope that something special happens (see above). And I can create snarky photos mocking misspelled signs as well as offer panoramas (see below). This technology is fast turning phones into legitimate tools for gathering and posting content.
(NOTE: To save real estate on the main page, you can break a post by hitting the "insert jump break" icon on the Blogger toolbar, as I've done here. Readers can hit the "Read more" link for the rest.)
We won't have formal instruction on tapping the potential of cellphones, but much of the instruction on photography, photo editing and video shooting/editing transfers to this realm. And there will be plenty of opportunity during breaks and social hours to trade tips on smartphone software and techniques.
For the video above, I was able to edit and post directly from the phone by using the iMovie app costing $4.99. For the soundtrack, I pulled the video onto a computer and added a public domain music track in Final Cut Express. For the first photo below, I used an iPhone app called Comic Touch ($2.99 last I checked). For the panorama, I used an app called Pano, also costing $2.99.
If you use a smartphone, a Google search for best apps for journalists will offer plenty of ideas.
Here are some other things on my mind:
-- If you aren't already set up to blog on this site, you need to create a Google account and let me know the email associated with it so I can give you privileges.
-- I strongly recommend that you practice using Blogger by introducing yourself and saying what you hope to take away from the institute. If you can, please accent your post with a photo or embedded video. If Web links would enhance your post, I recommend adding them to increase interactivity.
-- Please be sure to share three story ideas for the institute publication by June 8. I will be heading to the national IRE convention that day, so I will have a special place in my heart for those who submit early.
-- Please sign off on your posts and comments as I do below. The idea is for fellow participants and visitors to know who's talking.
Steve Elliott
Arizona State University
Phoenix
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