Lecture Five- Photojournalism

This lecture detailed the pros and cons of photojournalist. We've all heard the saying 'a picture is worth a thousand words'. I owe my knowledge of this saying to the movie Princess Diaries, starring Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews, but it's probably steeped in literate history that I haven't subjected myself to yet. That aside, it's a profound quote and rings true in every news article accompanied by an image, and that's quite a few.
The biggest mind-blower concerning this issue is the fact that the first internet photo was uploaded in 1992, only 2 years before I was born. Since then, the Internet can't get enough of images and eats them by the plateful. The inclusion of photos in journalism lies in accordance with how applicable or hard-hitting an image, or now a group of images (scientific term, you may have heard of it: a gallery), is.
Nowadays, there are so many means and modes of manners mankind can utilise as a means to publish their photos. It's as portable as anything with Wi-Fi, so your dog's future microchip, or iPads or Kindles or iPhones or anything invented by the late Steve Jobs. It's an absolute snake-pit, and we love it.

Lecture Four: Video Killed the Radio

This was one of my favourite lectures so far. Not because I listened to it in the comfort of my own home with a mug of coffee and my dog at my feet, because I wasn't. I was at the train station 10 pm waiting to come home from work, and it was a welcome distraction from the various sorts that frequent train stations late-night just because it's fun. Thank god for my iPad. 
This lecture detailed the personality of radio, and comparatively speaking, it has a lot.

It's phonetic journalism, if you will, and it's up to the hosts quick-thinking and spontaneity to draw people in, to create traffic. No mean feat when you think of all the multi-tasking that listeners couple with an AM or FM station, women especially (nudge-nudge to all the feminists out there). Unfortunately, live radio is on the decline, with many listeners opting for pod-casts and other current equivalents. This is a great loss, considering there will never be anything quite like laughing Fifi and Jules and Hamish and Andy on the way home from work in the car. And yes, I did exclude the Kyle and Jackie O Show, for obvious reasons. The most obvious being she's not funny and he's not nice. 

Lecture 3 - Telling Stories with Text

 Skye Doherty, a Brisbane-based  print journalist, was a guest speaker in our lecture and discussed the flexibility of print journalism. Perhaps the lecture's 'thesis' was this: text is a fairly adaptable platform for journalism. It is easy to produce, easy to understand, easy to control and is also a very portable medium. It is text that dominates the majority of online space. 
Physically, most newspapers utilise the triangular pyramid as a means to organize and indicate the order of importance of pre-published stories.

·      Stories then assume specific formats when published- the most important stories stand out due to boldness, text size etc. All of this is implemented because:

People look for words before images.

To write an article isn’t just about its content – it’s also about how accessible and how formable it is. Online journalism, interestingly, hasn't exploited multimedia or interactivity. Online link use is very limited and is restricted to the content on the very same site, rather than exploiting the immense intertextuality that the Internet offers. There is very little correlation to primary sources, and this results in lack of depth, detail and limited traffic. 
Skye also argues that the most crucial facets of online journalism are these:

1. Metdata

2. Excerps

3. Tags

 These three facets make your story accessible 

Lecture Two - New News

Lecture Two detailed the features of 'old' media versus 'new' media. Comparatively, their separate pros and cons speak volumes concerning the future of journalism and unpacking the notions behind both was an enlightening experience.
Terms that best describe 'old' media are: heritage, traditional and legacy- the three facets of mass communication. These modes of address are:

'essentially instruments of mass communication targeting large audiences, albeit within their own specific markets'-- Harrison (2009:9). 

The internet playground we call the world wide web, I found out, is comprised of 3 iterations - 1.0,2.0 and 3.0 (and yes, I'm sure if there was one more that one would be named 4.0, and perhaps if there were TWO more ((gasp)) the one after 4.0 just might be named 5.0. Oh, continuity. You continually excite me). 

Web 1.0 'Old Media'
Focus: Companies
Chiefly an advertiser-friendly domain.

Web 2.0 'New Media'
The 'social web' - houses Facebook, Twitter, Myspace etc.
Spurred Axel Bruns' coinage of the term 'prod-users':

'Modes of production which are lead by users or at least crucially involve users as producers- in other words, the user acts as a hybrid user/producer, or a produser, virtually throughout the production process.'
(Axel Bruns, QUT 2005).

Web 3.0 The 'Sematic Web' and the NOW.
Focus: Individuals 
A step further. Adds machine-readable meaning to the packets of information, hence known as the semantic web.
Metatagging becomes possible in Web 3.0 - a means of grouping material so that it becomes search-friendly. Although largely helpful, metatagging also poses a whole new set of problems. There are concerns that it can cause an individual's news to be 'hyper localised' - too personal and selective, which makes complete sense if they can choose the only facets of news they are interested in. This creates an international sense of lack of general knowledge; if individuals only read within their realms of interest, the categories that remain unread by individuals reach a lesser amount of people. 

Other problems our technologically advanced generation faces is our growing sense of entitlement.  Bruce tactically utilised our tastebuds as a means to appeal to our better senses - specifically, our sense of taste (which is my personal favourite). He handed out jelly beans and then cruelly asked us to return them. It was like snatching candy from a baby - downright mean. Interestingly, news can be thought of in the same way. Our sense of entitlement concerning news - our right to read what is happening in the world whenever and however we want to, is now being compromised, and is instigating much uproar worldwide as website after website asks us to pay or log in to read what's the latest and greatest. This uproar is hardly surprising, considering our news has been immediate and accessible since the first slice of bread. The notions behind subscription set the tone for our subsequent acrimony. We don't want to have to subscribe to a website in order to read what we perceive to be rightly ours. Much less do we want to deal with paywalls- paying for a basic human right seems ridiculous. Kind of like bottled water. Unfortunately, The Australian and tabloids have taken a left-wing approach and are charging what we fear most- money and loyalty.
The lecture was an eye-opener, that's for sure. It made me a little angry (which is good! I need more activism in my life) and a little scared for the future of journalism. What's even more scary is in a few year's time, I will become a part of it. 

E

Kristian Schuller and my Undying Love for Him

Kristian Schuller holds a place in my heart that no teenage heart-throb can ever hope to fill. Not even Tom Daley, or Harry Styles, and that's a fact. If Tom or Harry ever photographed fashion and styling with as much insight and direction as Kristian, he'd be left for dead. But they can't, so he's not. Anyway.
Kristian was born and raised in Romania, and unless he was the wed-locked lovechild of Karl Lagerfeld and Annie Leibovitz, his natural talent grew into one of pure superiority after many years of honing his skills under the informed instruction of Vivienne Westwood, his professor at a local fashion school.
Since then (thank god) Kristian's rapport among the it-list of the world continues to glow brighter and brighter, photo by photo, shoot by shoot. Take a peek if you're concerned my unhealthy obsession appears unfounded:

His website: http://www.kristianschuller.com

xoxo obsessed and well- aware,

Mackie

Lecture One - A Brief Overview of a Brief Lecture

Lecture One was an enlightening taste of what was to come. I found Dr Redman introduced the ethos of the programme in such a way that I  felt that utilising my blog and Twitter as a means to express my personality/interests was an exciting mode of assessment and was legitimately eager to begin my networking. I also was a big fan of the 'no set texts' tenet of the Course Profile - very financially appealing. Tina Fey's brief mention also did the lecture justice - 'Bossy Pants' pg 9 was shrewd and the sentiments expressed lent themselves extremely well to the ears of naive first-year journalism students. All in all, an enjoyable lecture that set the tone for what this semester holds.

Matchy-Matchy

The turbulent world of side-street fashion has undertaken a new trend: matchy-matchy. Yes, Mum's wardrobe has been revived after lying comatose for roughly 15 years and is now sweeping wardrobes and catwalks alike worldwide.

Before you cancel your subscription to Vogue and rock back and forwards in the foetal position, Mum's generation were in fact a fairly fashion-forward bunch. It was the children of the 60s, 70s, 80s that rocked double denim and flared jeans like no other, and it's common knowledge that that's no mean feat.

Big-name brand-names such as Versace and Stella McCartney have wasted no time in  releasing their own versions of matchy-matchy - Versace in opulent whites and nautical prints, and Stella's in tailored pyjamas. Although the latter sounds slightly disconcerting, both have made commendable advances on the catwalk and were received with much enthusiasm.

Versace Spring 2012

               

Affordably speaking, popular fashion website ASOS has reserved shotgun  on the trend's bandwagon and has in-the-know sophisticates worldwide blogging about the rise of the matched set. Lulu & Co designed a series of printed swing shorts and matching swinglets (aww). Topshop is also a fan, and by channeling their inner Natalie Portman they released black bralets and matching tutu-inspired skirts- ces chic. 

Lulu & Co Spring 2012

The trend is also doing the rounds on Tumblr and is gracing a sidewalk near you. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and this particular trend can best be described as an acquired taste. However, given the immediacy of its popularity and its increasing pervasiveness, you may not have a choice but to find it yummy. 

-- Mackie. 

Media Use Diary

Part One: the boring stuff.


In order to convey my information accurately, I felt that a stacked bar graph served as the most useful vehicle for depicting my own media use logged over a period of 10 days - from Tuesday the 7th of August until Friday the 17th. I logged the facets of media that are applicable to me; comparatively speaking, it wouldn't make much sense for me to compare my non-existant use of Pinterest or Google Plus when I have no interest in either or (I've probably spoken to soon, like I did with Instagram and Twitter).

FIGURE ONE: PERSONAL MEDIA USE LOGGED OVER A TEN-DAY PERIOD

Hours

Although this graph is guaranteed to become a sight for sore eyes (literally) and the three shades of blue look like unidentical triplets, it effectively conveys what shallow activities I actually get up to when exploring the vast jungle we call Media.

Below is a list that specifies exactly what I do when accessing these sites/ working underneath any of the above categories. Most of the specifics are conventionally ordinary- nothing too exciting.

Facebook: For social networking

Twitter: For course-related interaction/ customizing appearance

Tumblr: For inspiration/ writing

Instagram: For keeping up to date with my friend’s lives

Youtube: For music

Email: Predominantly for replying to work emails 

Homework: Self-explanatory

News: Reddit/Wall Street Journal/ NY Times/ SMH

Shopping: ASOS/ The Iconic/ Free People/ Ebay/ Nasty Gal/ Topshop

Banking: NAB for transactions and account review only

TV: The Olympics (specific to the 10 days I logged my usage), Puberty Blues

Radio: 107.7 and 104.5

Now that my customary/disappointingly regular specifics are out of the way, it is important to discern what I use commonly compared to I dabble in irregularly or minimally. I found a pie chart was the best format to utilise when trying to convey this:

FIGURE TWO: PIE GRAPH DEPICTION OF CUMULATIVE PERSONAL MEDIA USE

(total findings accumulated in the one graph)

Part 3: the interesting stuff (for me, anyway).

This diary becomes an edge-of-your-seat roller coaster ride after comparing graph number two (above) to graph number three (seat belts, please).

FIGURE THREE: PIE GRAPH DEPICTION OF CUMULATIVE PEER MEDIA USE

(total findings accumulated in the one graph).

Findings

My own pie is a little more balanced than that of the average of my peers. Although the bulk of theirs has more ingredients, our online behaviours, while not monumentally conflicting, are interestingly different. Why, for example, do I spend less approximately 50 percent less time on Facebook than those in my cohort? Why am I on Instagram almost twice as much as said cohort? What does this mean, and what format are the patterns of my media use habits assuming?

I believe it all comes down to the individual. Naturally, personal interests and passions define a person's individual use of anything at all. It makes sense for me, a multi-tasker by nature, to spend moderated hours on the facets of the internet I find appealing. It also makes sense that the two exceptions to this rule (Facebook and shopping) are my two most guilty pleasures. I thrive on communication and interaction, and if I didn't have any friends, who could I show my outfits off to?

What the crux of the issue is comes down to trends and patterns. This is a topic abused by many a journalist, school principal, politician (Julia eats them for dinner) and has thusly become a common knowledge, colloquial vernacular, an unfailing point of concern for too many P&F meetings at any school near you. The immense hours adults used to spend whittling away outside (what is that?) or in real life (is this fantasy?) that are now spent safe in the confines of a room housing more electrical/rechargeable/wireless appliances than you could point a biro that doubles as a hair-removal laser at is the NORM. The pattern that is recurring and increasing in today's popular culture - that of abusive media usage- is expected and is statistically forecasted to grow and grow, faster than the kids that are a part of it.

My relationship with journalism and communication falls entirely under the umbrella of 'disappointingly average'- but is the average really so bad? The media provides a platform for international forum and discussion at the click of a mouse, and is home to years and years of extensively archived data. The immediacy and accessibility that the media capacitates is unparalleled; studiously speaking, students have never had it better. And yes, I am biased - but I share the same opinion of any other techno-savvy adolescent, and we are the majority. Whilst extensive media abuse can be detrimental, I maintain that the increasing pattern, albeit alarming, of extensive media usage betters my relationship with journalism and communications rather than worsening it, and this is because of the accessibility and immediacy the media provides.

Novel over. Enjoy!

Belated Introduction to my Blog

It's probably about time I started utilising the 'write post' feature rather than tinkering around with my layout/background. This post serves as a delayed preface for what is to come....

I am a first year Arts student studying predominantly journalism subjects this semester. I dabbled in Ethics, History, Communications and English Language last semester and found the latter two appealed most to my interests.
I've wanted to be a journalist since I was around 10 years old. As a child with a keen interest in reading and writing, I found that English resonated with me and my enthusiasm the most - this was echoed in most of my classwork as I progressed through primary, middle and high school at Somerville House.

Now, as a University student, I have a chance to point my journalistic interests in the direction/field of fashion journalism. Being a fashion journalist with accolades and accomplishments similar to Justine Cullen (Editor-in-chief of SHOP Magazine) and Mia Freedman (founder/editor-in-chief of mamamia.com) is my dream. I've always taken great interest in fashion/styling and I feel that particular career path wouldn't ever bore me. However, many female journalism students and their dogs share the same opinion, and in a field as competitive as journalism, this means I am going to have to work very hard.
I am starting to realise, however, that despite all of the negative media coverage Fairfax etc are receiving at the moment, despite the universal general consensus that journalism is becoming more and more a road less travelled by due to its rivalrous reputation, journalism is still alive and well, safe in the confines of technology. It is up to us to understand which particular niche best suits our goals and work towards it, rather than being deterred by its apparent decline.
It's not all as serious and bookish as it looks, and until there comes a time for me to write a political piece on the conflict in the Middle East and compare it to the rise of consumerism or something, I'll hashtag, tweet and blog to my heart's content.