Capturing the moment

The following was submitted by staff writer Jerry LaVaute:

The most challenging aspect of becoming a staff reporter has been photography, either still photography using a camera, or video using the Flip Cam provided to me by the Journal Register Company.

I was used to a couple different types of reporting and writing as a freelancer, and the new reporting assignments, like live events coverage, I’ve managed to pick up so that I’m generally satisfied with the results.

But photography is another issue. Unlike writing, I never developed a personal interest in photography. I don’t have a good visual sense, although, like all of us, I know what I like – I just don’t know why.

When my wife and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in Paris, she joked with me that I had cut off the top of the Eiffel Tower in a photo that I snapped of her, using the tower as a backdrop.

She was right, but more telling, I didn’t care. I had gotten her photo reasonably well. Most would know that it was the Eiffel Tower behind her.

What I was missing, something that she knew but was lost on me was the idea of framing a picture, that the background of a photo is nearly as important as the foreground.

I’ve become more sensitive to that, although often as you’re taking the photo it’s difficult to have good judgment with respect to the best background. Most often, you have to look at the recaptured digital image of the photo, especially on a computer screen, to know which photo works best.

And timing and preparedness means a lot. On Monday evening, I went to a Milan City Council meeting at which Millard Phillips, a longtime public official in the city of Milan, would be honored with a proclamation.

I wanted to video the proclamation, and talked with Milan Mayor Kym Muckler that morning to figure out the best position in the city council chambers from which to video.

When the big moment came, I selected my position, got into place without being too obtrusive, but discovered that I had a bad angle on Phillips because he faced the mayor, his back to me as Muckler read the proclamation at the podium.

Live and learn. I did get some good footage of Phillips as he made his remarks after Muckler finished reading the proclamation.

But - and this is sometimes the fun part, at other times the frustrating part - I can and will do better. I’m a little smarter, and I will be able to apply this knowledge at my next opportunity. I’m looking forward to it.