Would you print these?

Out of all four of these pictures, I feel that only two of them are suitable for print: 1a and 2a. The other two, even though they conjure up more emotion than the first two, are a little too graphic to run in print. Deciding which is more print worthy out of the first two comes down to which picture captures what is happening better. After some quick mental deliberation, I would have to go with picture 1a:








Picture 1a shows enough to get the story across, but not enough to gross out or possibly offend those who look at it. You can see the despair in his eyes and the fear in his body as his hand reaches out to push back anybody that comes close to him. The picture definitely tells the story.

This is of course if I HAD to pick one of these photos to put in print. The whole subject matter might be a little too risky to put in print. A.) It could offend or disgust readers. B.) This is a very delicate situation and could bring emotional strain to his family.
These pictures are a powerful asset in telling the story, but it is a touchy situation in choosing whether or not to run them. I would never run the final two (even though they probably convey the story/emotion the best), and I would only run one of the first two (most likely the first) if it was completely necessary.


I am actually kind of disturbed by some of the photos in the second group, especially the final one - that is just unacceptable behavior. I would definitely not run that photo. It is way too graphic and inappropriate for print.

All of these photos are very powerful images and most are extremely sad (especially the boy and his dog). They all show great emotion and help tell the story, but some of them might be a little too invasive into the privacy of the subjects.

The second photo of the boy who drowned documents the loss and suffering on his family's face. It makes for one hell of a photo, but printing the photo may just rehash feelings of loss and despair.

The boy on the spike I would print in a heartbeat. It is an interesting story coupled with a great picture - plus, the kid ended up being OK.

I think the biggest problem I have with picking pictures is I don't like to offend people if it isn't necessary. Some of these pictures could possibly offend and it makes it hard for me to come to a complete decision.

ICPA

The 27th Annual Illinois College Press Association Conference is this weekend up in the merry city of Chicago. A few other buzz staff members and I will be leaving this Friday morning to head up there. I really don't know what to expect, except having a good time in the hotel room we have reserved.

One of the conferences I am really looking for is "How to be a Quote Whore in 10 Sleazy Steps:

Its description: "A veteran film critique offers a guide to what passes as film criticism in the 21st Century"

This seems right up my alley.

Oxford Comma

The Oxford Comma has taken over my life over the last few semesters.  In highschool we were always told to put the final comma in a series of three or more.  Now that I am drowning in AP style and indie music in college, that comma has gone missing.

And, much to my surprise, I constantly have debates with people about whether or not to use it. Mostly with my roommate.  I for one have grown to like not putting the final comma.  It just seems like an unnecessary pause for the most part.  It doesn't bother me when people use it, I will just change it if it needs it.  People misusing irony is really what bothers me and that happens ALL THE TIME.   

From what I have seen though, everybody uses it.  Most of my writers continuously use it out of habit even after I tell them that our style guide says we don't use the last comma.  I think it has been driven so deeply into each of our brains that we don't realize we are using it.    

How do you guys feel about The Oxford Comma?

Anti-Senioritis

This is my last semester here at the U of I and I always imagined that I would have the biggest case of seniorirtis ever, but the opposite is actually true. I am going to all my classes, getting there on time (mostly), doing all my homework and most importantly, not procrastinating has much as I did the last 3.5 years. Why did it take me this long to become so motivated? Oh well, better late than never, I suppose.

I have been an editor at buzz Magazine (Movies and TV) for almost a year now and I am just now taking JOUR 420. This really hasn't caused too many problems with my editing, but I imagine it owuld have made my job a bit easer. I probably should have done that much earlier, but it never fit into my schedule the way I liked it to. Oh well, better late than never, I suppose.

Now, to talk about things I know a lot about - Movies and TV.

TV reccomendations:
Pushing Daisies - Why don't people watch genius shows? They always get canceled way before their prime. It happened to Arrested Development, Freaks and Geeks, Firefly and now Pushing Daisies. I highly, highly reccomend this show.

Fringe - For the Sci-fi fans out there. The first 8 or so episodes range from mediocre to "meh," but after that, it gets really good. It is definitely worth sitting through the first episodes to get to the awesomeness.

That is about it. Oh sweet, Lost is on tonight.