UNH Lumberjacks

Chop 'em down

If you missed the chainsaws, axes, and beards at the woodsmen's 62nd annual Spring Meet hosted April 18 and 19 by the UNH Lumberjacks, don't sweat it. I covered the event for my final multimedia project.


I'm pleased with the material I've gathered and I'm currently working through the editing process. I'm going to try and keep this piece short and tight to highlight some solid visual elements, as well as focus on the most powerful audio clips.

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On a side note, I'm really enjoying the multimedia website, Mediastorm.

Salute your short (videos)

I think the most important question to answer when considering what type of video and multimedia to upload on a newspaper website is: what segment of the readership (if any) will I serve by posting this material? If an online newspaper isn't serving its viewers, then it shouldn't be able to call itself a "newspaper." Just because a website gets hits, doesn't mean the quality of journalism provided has helped raise questions, better people's understanding of an issue, or provide an in-depth look at various elements of a community.

Considering the equipment that many small newsrooms have to work with, I have no problem with those who post lower quality videos, as long as content overrides presentation. If the images captured in a video caught by a camera phone can enlighten the viewers, then so be it. However, an online newspaper should remain wary of clutter content and maintaining a high standard of quality. Content and presentation will also be a factor in who will and will not advertise.

Short videos currently dominate the internet to provide entertainment, information, and news. The quality of the majority of online video isn't great, but people still watch. I think online news will and should move closer to making short documentary style videos. Not only will the content be valid and informative, but the quality will also outshine grainy video. Obviously cost is a major factor, but the presentation, validity, and niche market, will allow journalists to provide news in a ways that others can't (right now anyone can blog and post video, but not everyone has reporting skills and can present a well-developed story). Not all of us got into journalism to take pictures and shoot video, but those who are willing to create multimedia projects should at least be willing to try making great video stories and short documentaries as we have seen in class.

A nod for the YouTube awards??

Up and running

Google Maps

Last Saturday, I was talking to a recent UNH alum who knows quite a bit about Google Maps. I already knew that there are a number of useful applications for the web mapping technology, but I didn't fully know the extent to which it is being utilized. One of the websites that came up in conversation was Google Maps Mania Blog. The blog lists 100 useful, interesting, or just plan random map applications mashed-up with the original Google Maps. I know that some online media outlets are using mapping technologies to organize information, but the list on the maps mania blog at least allows one glimpse how journalists can use Google Maps as a way to provide relevant, organized, and specific information in one locale. A specific example of Google Maps being used to organize BBC reporters, their locations, and stories is here.



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Photog for a day

I use a Nikon Coolpix 5200 digital camera. I bought the 5.1 megapixel point-and-shoot back in Dec. 2004 and I haven't had a mechanical problem yet. You'd think that after three years and more than 3,000 pictures later I'd be an expert with my camera, but apparently I'm not. On Feb. 21, I continued to pursue the story about Edra Toth, the former Prima ballerina of the Boston Ballet, and her newly formed Northeastern Ballet Theatre. I attended one of her dance classes in Somersworth and hoped for the best, but unfortunately the 70-plus pictures I took didn't turn out the way I had expected. The pictures aren't bad, but I assumed that I was going to obtain sharper images. The Coolpix 5200 is definitely capable of taking some crystal-clear pictures; however, action shots from a distance are just a little more than it can handle. I could have compensated and moved a little closer to get better facial detail, but the blur of an arm or leg will remain. On the bright-side of things, I did get some shots that I'm pleased with, including:

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I recorded new audio and I'm looking forward to using Photoshop and Soundslides to create my project. Even though I'm considering (and probably will) take another round of photos during one of Edra's dance classes, I know the material that I currently have can be turned into a pretty decent slideshow story. With pictures and audio in hand, my focus is now on editing content to produce a final product.