Recent Posts

71

General Discussion / 2020 NPOY rule added

« Last post by Crystal Schick on January 09, 2021, 09:03 PM »

Since the NPAC/APPC 2020 National Pictures of the Year contest has opened, concerns have been brought to us by photojournalists that work in all aspects of our industry regarding the issue of photographers in positions that grant them unique access. And since our post last night about there being no rule against how photographs are made or access obtained, we have heard from many people with opinions on the subject.

A general consensus among those who have voiced their concerns is that while some of this work may otherwise conform to a high journalistic standard in terms of honesty and integrity, it is created in conditions that have been specially accommodated to the photographer, and release of the images controlled by the employing body.

After further discussion and some research, we as council agree. The NPAC/APPC will therefore be adding the following to the 2020 National Pictures of the Year contest rules:

"Photos captured in the employ of or commissioned by an organization, including but not limited to governments, government agencies, corporations, or sports teams, where access is restricted to or unique access is granted to that photographer, can not be entered."

While we live in a time of flux for our industry and photojournalists are pushed to find new revenue models for themselves, we feel it is important to maintain this line in the interest of journalism in Canada, and in the interest of protecting the role of the editorial photojournalist.

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General Discussion / FOX NFL 8K Camera- Big Upgrade

« Last post by Ken Gigliotti on January 09, 2021, 11:24 AM »

FOX NFL introduces a new 8K hand held camera to it's normal array of game day camera technology and it is truly a remarkable upgrade. This Megladon camera is a Sony DSLR operated by a joystick. The photographer can run forward after a touchdown to cover the end zone celebrations with redefined clarity.

My first thought when I saw the images was 3D, it had the effect of a smart phone portrait mode. The background was very soft in a way not like diminishing focus to infinity that normal lens depth of field rerecords. The image had an unreal feel to it because it was so different. It was something like watching realistic gaming graphics, my eye was confused by the background. When ever they went back to that camera, I became more  accustomed to this new imagery.
 
The effect definitively separates the subject from the background through a soft focus effect in wide angle, something even depth of field of F2.8 or 1.4 could not.  This is a hand held camera that looks at players from eye level, but also shows the empty stands in the background. Most of the NFL coverage avoids the empty stands and this gives the game presentation a work around from the low angle. The effect brings the players and not the empty stands into sharp focus. I think the technology is a big step up, especially on large flat screen tv's.

I saw it used this past weekend in the LA vs Arizona game. (Jan.2 20210) FOX used it near the players bench for cutaways and the images really stood out. There are clips from the Seahawks vs San Francisco game that are not as impressive on a small computer screen. I watched part of the Seahawks game to see if the same technology was used but I didn't see any TD celebrations so I guess I missed it. (can Google comments from the Seahawks/SF game and explanation and examples of the image technology)

The Seahawks did have an overhead cable camera that swung across the width of the field that started at the top of the stadium and slowly moved across the field to the opposite side getting lower and lower to just above the teams coming out of the huddle in a near circular swing of 300 degree motion. The NFL did have a cable camera running down the middle of the field in the past, this angle running across the field is pretty neat.
 
The NFL has been a real pleasure during the pandemic. They had the Super Bowl before it hit in Feb.  2020, then the jaw dropping Tom Brady move to Tampa Bay, QB free agency scramble that included the Patriots, and the NFL Draft hosted by Roger Goodell that really demonstrated the NFL Way in innovation to create a very cool and interesting program. Live television really struggled with Covid. The NFL went all out with features about the players livening up the actual draft. Goodell was a very surprising, lively  and engaging host. The season itself dealt with Covid, games were moved and played. The intrigue builds with the older QB's vs the new studs from Buffalo, Baltimore  and Tennessee and many others.

Without fans moving a game to Tuesday or Saturday was not such a big problem and good for TV, with normal Sunday day/night, Monday Night  and Thursday night games. The NFL added game fan sounds for a time,even home fan groans at controversial calls.
Give the NFL credit, great adaption to a very limiting pandemic.

Funny thing, a studio camera photographer was shown in extreme closeup of his NFL FOX sock and logo. Say that three times, fast.

All sports has fared poorly without fans, the NFL I think has made the best of it. Let the playoffs begin in to the post Christmas wave of the Pandemic. GOOD Luck , I mean that sincerely. Opinion by Ken Gigliotti 2021



  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On further review, after seeing a few more shots Jan 9/10th Wild Card Weekend , the effect looks more and more like a very slim depth of field effect. A slowed down view in the end zone seemed to show the very narrow field of focus move from chest to shoulder on a moving player. Other shots from the sideline view seem to isolate the subject in a more dramatic way. Must be shooting wide open on a 1.4 or 1.8 lens. It is a very interesting view quite different for TV cameras with long lens compression.
 

73

General Discussion / NPOY entry clarification

« Last post by Crystal Schick on January 08, 2021, 09:37 PM »

There have been questions by some members if shooting for a private organization and having special access should or would exclude you from entering the NPOY contest.

At this time, the NPOY rules state that a photograph does not need to be published in print, and does not state that photographers must be on assignment or be working for a specific news organization to be eligible. Photojournalists must be an NPAC member and in good standing.

We see no reason at this time to create a rule to exclude how work is created, so long as it is keeping within journalistic standards. 

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General Discussion / NPAC Responds to Violence on Photojournalists

« Last post by Ali Ledgerwood on January 06, 2021, 08:39 PM »

 This has been issued via Cision for immediate release...


NEWS PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION OF CANADA REACTS TO ASSAULT OF PHOTOJOURNALIST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 6, 2021)

Vancouver, Canada: Over the past hours, days, weeks and months, the power of visual journalism could not be more evident. Members of the News Photographers Association of Canada (NPAC) are strongly condemning and calling for criminal action in today’s assault of Canadian photojournalist Ben Nelms, who was on assignment covering a pro-Trump rally in Vancouver.

Nelms, a photographer and videographer with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), was on assignment at the rally which occurred in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery. The award-winning photojournalist, the current Canadian News Photographer of the Year, was punched in the face and assaulted in a completely unprovoked attack by a demonstrator. The attack occurred in front of the crowd.

"In an era where epithets like 'fake news' are undermining the integrity of journalists around the world, we are seeing real, tangible effects of a concerted effort to establish distrust between the public and the press corps," says NPAC President Crystal Schick. "A free press is necessary for an informed public. Photojournalists, reporters and editors are committed to a code of ethics built on truth, accuracy, humanity and accountability. The assault on Mr. Nelms underscores the growing challenge our colleagues face in simply doing their jobs, and that's not acceptable. The incident was captured by a number of media, including Mr. Nelms, and we urge the Vancouver Police Department to take immediate action to identify and charge this individual."

Additional physical assaults on members of the working media also occurred in Washington, DC, undermining the important work those journalists and visual journalists were undertaking in the United States today.

“This is completely unacceptable,” says Schick. “We join our voice to professional organizations from across the United States in support of those journalists and their important work.”

About NPAC:

NPAC celebrates and champions quality and ethical photography in journalism. Through a variety of efforts, the association challenges its members to better themselves and to continually raise the bar of industry standards.

This national organization includes over 300 professional press and documentary photographers, photo editors and photojournalism students from across Canada.

-30-

For further information:

Laura Ballance
Laura Ballance Media Group
laura@lbmg.ca
604-771-5176 (mobile)

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Forum Français / Évaluation des besoins de formation pour journalistes immigrants

« Last post by Ali Ledgerwood on January 05, 2021, 07:16 PM »

New Canadian Media (NCM) est un organisme médiatique sans but lucratif qui offre une perspective immigrante sur l’actualité canadienne. NCM remplit aussi une mission éducativevisant à aider les journalistes immigrants à tracer leur voie au pays grâce à des séances de mentorat et à des ateliers. Jusqu’à ce jour, NCM a publié le travail de 177 journalistes, dont la plupart sont nés à l’étranger.
 
Nous lançons une nouvelle série de formation nationale pour journalistes immigrants qui couvrira plus de territoire et offrira davantage de séances de mentorat.
 
 
Ce sondage, préparé en partenariat avec l’Association canadienne des journalistes (ACJ), cherche à rendre les formations encore plus adaptées à vos besoins. Veuillez envoyer toutes questions à Rhea Lisondra (admin@newcanadianmedia.ca).
 
Temps estimé : 3 minutes

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NCMSurveyforImmigrantJournalistsFR

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General Discussion / Assessing Needs for Immigrant Journalists - Survey

« Last post by Ali Ledgerwood on January 05, 2021, 07:12 PM »

New Canadian Media (NCM) is a unique non-profit media organization that offers an immigrant perspective on Canadian current affairs. NCM also has an educational mandate to help immigrant journalists find their voice in Canada through mentoring and workshops. To date, NCM has published the work of 177 journalists, most of them born overseas.

NCM will soon be launching a mentoring + workshops training series, building on the success of a pilot program delivered earlier this year.

This survey, in partnership with the Canadian Association of Journalists, is designed to tailor our training series to your real needs. Please address any questions you may have to Rhea at admin@newcanadianmedia.ca.

This survey will take approximately 3 minutes and your help is greatly appreciated.

You can access it here:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NCMSurveyforImmigrantJournalists

77

General Discussion / Adobe Flash end of life

« Last post by Warren Toda on January 02, 2021, 05:01 PM »

Adobe Flash is now officially dead (as of December 31, 2020) and will no longer be updated. If you have Flash on your computer or your kids' computers, you could/should remove it as a security precaution. Most current web browsers will not load the Flash plugin.

Mac:
https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-mac-os.html

Windows:
https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html


Since Adobe Flash had constant updates because of its many security holes, some people downloaded and installed Flash updates without thinking. This is why scammy sites use fake Adobe Flash installers to spread viruses and malware.

From now on, there are no more Flash updates. If you ever encounter something that says Adobe Flash or is in any way related to Adobe Flash, it is absolutely fake. Unfortunately Adobe and some third-party software download sites are still promoting Flash on their web sites.

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General Discussion / Re: A Dumb Covid Question-Are Sick Seniors in Care Homes Getting Remdesivir

« Last post by Warren Toda on December 31, 2020, 05:17 PM »

I don't think Remdesivir has been approved for use in Canada. The WHO has said it has little to no benefits to COVID-19 patients. However seniors and others are receiving dexamethasone, a corticosteroid used to fight inflammation. Canada's mortality rate for the virus has dropped over the past 10 months by about 55% and is currently about 2.7%. However the number of COVID-19 cases is now higher than earlier this year so the lower mortality rate is counteracted by the higher number of cases.

There are no cures for any virus. It may be semantics but vaccines don't cure viruses. There are drugs that fight infections caused by viruses. The new COVID-19 vaccines don't prevent you from getting SARS-CoV-2, and may not prevent you from being contagious, but they should prevent the virus from progressing to COVID-19.

The seasonal flu vaccine doesn't prevent you from catching the flu virus. It prevents the flu virus from making you sick. For comparison, most COVID-19 vaccines are at least 90% effective but seasonal flu vaccines are around 50% effective. Hopefully everyone is keeping up with the exciting FluWatch 2020

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General Discussion / Re: A Dumb Covid Question-Are Sick Seniors in Care Homes Getting Remdesivir

« Last post by Fred Lum on December 30, 2020, 06:01 PM »

iirc, he was also given a monoclonal antibody. so he got a serious cocktail of drugs that regular plebes can't access.

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General Discussion / A Dumb Covid Question-Are Sick Seniors in Care Homes Getting Remdesivir

« Last post by Ken Gigliotti on December 30, 2020, 12:21 PM »

Dumb Covid Question- Are Sick Seniors in Care Homes getting Remdesivir?
 With all the talk about vaccines ,what about the cure. President Trump had a remarkably recovery from Covid 19  and within a few days continued to campaign for president, hardly missing a beat. He was given Remdesivir injections  and steroids.  Are sick seniors in Canadian care homes hot-spots getting Remdesivir? People were recovering in a shorter time, is that a cure or  treatment? Is there a difference with so many fatalities.