2007 Miami Photo Schedule

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1

PHOTO MEETING: PhotoShootOut; Photo Silent Auction Production Meeting;
Student Photo Critiques; Unity Planning Meeting
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Photographers Room Gardenia BC

PHOTOSHOOTOUT: “MIAMI HEAT”
Those interested in competing for the annual Dith Pran Photo ShootOut Award are invited to discuss the rules of the contest for this year’s theme, “Miami Heat.” Named in honor of the photojournalist who survived the Cambodian “Killing Fields,” the perpetual trophy will be presented at the Gala Banquet on Saturday night.
Contest Start: as soon as the convention starts on Wednesday, August 1
Deadline: noon, Friday, August 3
Limit: FIVE .jpg images – any size.
Prizes: Canon digital camera; SanDisk.
Equipment: bring your own digital camera. Laptops will be available.
Coordinators will help with assignments and helping out entrants with images to be turned in by Friday’s deadline.
Turn in (maximum of five) images on any media no later than noon, Friday, August 3 deadline in Photo Room. Place caption information in “File Info” in Photoshop. Your name must be in the “File Info”. Save .jpg with your entrant’s last name only.
Moderators: Vino Wong, photographer, Atlanta Constitution Journal;
Marc J. Kawanishi, photojournalism instructor, Eastern Carolina University

PHOTO SILENT AUCTION PRODUCTION MEETING
Production meeting for photos to be included in the Silent Auction. Photographers will organize an exhibit from AAJA photographers around the country who have contributed their photographs to help raise money for Asian American college student scholarships. The photographs will be auctioned off during the Silent Auction on Saturday night.
Moderator: Corky Lee, freelance photographer in New York

UNITY PLANNING MEETING
Planning meeting for next year’s Unity in Chicago.
Moderators: Paul Sakuma, Associated Press; Stan Honda, photographer, Agence France Press; Eugene Tanner, photo editor, Orange County Register

STUDENT PHOTO CRITIQUES – ALL WEEK
Students are invited to bring their portfolios in for critiques in a casual atmosphere.
Moderators: Eugene Tanner, photo editor, The Orange County Register
Cheryl Diaz Meyer, photographer Dallas Morning News

VOICES MULTIMEDIA STUDENT PHOTO PROJECT – ALL WEEK
Multimedia photo editors: Laura Pohl, freelance photographer; Bernadette Tuazon, photo editor, Associated Press
Mentors: Al Diaz and Ronna Gradus, photographers, Miami Herald

5-7 p.m. Hyatt Regency Miami – Student Night. Open to all students.

7-9 p.m. Opening Reception at the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts.

THURSDAY AUGUST 2

MULTIMEDIA FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS, SESSION I: SIGHTS AND SOUNDS
10:15-11:45 a.m. Photographers Room Gardenia BC
Enhance your audio slideshows with our photo stories. Learn about equipment, software, interviewing and ambient recording, editing your audio smartly, and working with reporters on daily assignments.
Moderator: Dai Sugano, photographer/multimedia, San Jose Mercury News.
Presenters: Ben de la Cruz, video journalist, washingtonpost.com
Andrew DeVigal, multimedia editor, The New York Times

MULTIMEDIA FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS, SESSION II: VIDEO STORYTELLING
1:45-3:15 p.m., Photographers Room Gardenia BC
Newspaper photographers will learn a variety of video storytelling styles including narrated, subject-driven, and reporter-as-analyst. Also learn how to shoot HD video for print and Web and use Final Cut Pro for stills and video. Long term project with video.
Moderator: Dai Sugano, photographer/multimedia, San Jose Mercury News.
Presenters: Ben de la Cruz, video journalist, washingtonpost.com
Andrew DeVigal, multimedia editor, The New York Times.

INTRODUCTION TO FLASH
1:45-5 p.m. – Room TBA
Hands-on training in Flash, a powerful tool in today’s multimedia industry. Learn the basic tools necessary to make simple slideshows and interactive presentations during this 180-minute session. Limited to 30 participants.
Coordinator & Presenter: Belinda Long, graphics reporter, South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

MULTIMEDIA FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS, SESSION III: MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM
3:30-5 p.m Photographers Room Gardenia BC
Learn about the multimedia used in the newsrooms of today and tomorrow, including using Flash, going beyond Soundslide, working with a variety of content providers and shooting with concepts.
Moderator: Dai Sugano, photographer/multimedia, San Jose Mercury News.
Presenters: Ben de la Cruz, video journalist, washingtonpost.com
Andrew DeVigal, multimedia editor, The New York Times.

THURSDAY NIGHT PHOTO DINNER
Where: Versailles Cuban Restaurant (Little Havana)
3555 SW Eighth Street
Miami, FL 33135
Restaurant phone: 305-444-0240
Time: 7pm
Cost: $25 for dinner. Choice of Roast Pork Cuban Style or Shrimp Creole dinner.
(price includes tax, tip and cost for photo student dinners. Drinks on your own.)
Photo Students: FREE
RSVP by July 31 to photographer James Yee: fotoguyf16@mac.com
Payment: check payable to “Paul Sakuma” at convention by August 2. Paul will be in photo room “Gardenia BC”.
Leaving Hyatt: Will meet in lobby at 6:30pm and share taxi to restaurant. ($20)
Maximum: 30 AAJA photo and guests.

FRIDAY AUGUST 3

LIVE PHOTO CRITIQUES FOR STUDENTS
10:15-11:45 a.m. Photographers Room Gardenia BC
Professional photographers and photo editors provide live critiques of students’ work. Students will talk about their work. A professional will share ideas for students getting into the profession. They will discuss how to strengthen a portfolio with tight editing of the best images, how to develop story ideas and talk about trends in current photojournalism. They will also address common mistakes in looking for your first job and what students can do to be best prepared for the ever-changing marketplace.
Moderators: Cheryl Diaz Meyer, photographer, The Dallas Morning News.
Eugene Tanner, photo editor, The Orange County Register.
Critiquers:
Victor Vaughan, national photo editor, Associated Press New York
Marta Lavandier, Florida photo editor, Associated Press Miami
Rolando Otero, Deputy Director of Photography, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Amy Beth Bennett, Sports Picture Editor, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Taimy Alvarez, Assistant Director of Photography, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Luis Rios, Director of Photography, Miami Herald
Roman Lyskowski, Deputy Photo Director, Miami Herald
Erik Kellar, photo assignment editor, Naples Daily News
Judy Lutz, photo editor, Naples Daily News
Akili-Casundria Ramsess, Director of Photography, Orlando Sentinel
Students:
-Michelle Le, San Francisco State University
-Matthew Hashiguchi, recent graduate of Ohio State
-Cheryl Guerrero, San Francisco State
-Shaminder Dulai, San Jose State University
-Kirstina Sangsahachart, San Francisco State

MICHAEL YAMASHITA: A NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPHY SPECIAL
2:15-3:45 p.m. Photographers Room Gardenia BC
National Geographic photographer Michael Yamashita discusses and shows photos of world explorer Zheng He, the Ming Dynasty naval commander who led seven epic voyages to more than 30 countries between 1405 and 1433 A.D.
Moderator: Stan Honda, photographer, Agence France Press
Presenter: Michael Yamashita, photographer, National Geographic

OVERSEAS PHOTOGRAPHY
4-5:30 p.m. Photographers Room Gardenia BC
Everyone wants to cover the international story, but how do you do it? Veteran photographers will discuss how to travel, what equipment to take, how to live in less than ideal conditions, how to deal with languages and local customs, how to get the story — and then, how to get your pictures back to your newspaper/magazine/wire service if there’s no Starbucks nearby.
Moderator: Stan Honda, photographer, Agence France Press
Presenters: Laura Pohl, freelance photographer
Kuni Takahashi, staff photographer, Chicago Tribune
Michael Yamashita, photographer, National Geographic

FRIDAY PHOTO DINNER
Where: Tap Tap Haitian Restaurant (South Beach)
819 Fifth Street
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Restaurant phone: 305-672-2898
When: 7pm, Friday, August 3
Cost: $30 (Price includes dinner tax, tip and cost for photo students. Drinks on your own.)
Photo Students: Free
RSVP by July 31 to photographer James Yee: fotoguyf16@mac.com
Payment: check payable to “Paul Sakuma” at convention by August 3. Paul will be in photo room “Gardenia BC”
Leaving Hyatt: Will meet in lobby at 6:15pm and share taxi to restaurant ($25)
Maximum: 30 AAJA photo and guests

SATURDAY AUGUST 4

PHOTO STUDENT CRITIQUES
9:30-10 a.m. Photographers Room Gardenia BC
Students are invited to bring their portfolios in for critiques in a casual atmosphere.
Moderator: Eugene Tanner, photo editor, The Orange County Register
Cheryl Diaz Meyer, photographer Dallas Morning News

ISLAND QUEEN CRUISE
Leaving from Hyatt: Meet in photo room “Gardenia BC” at 10am to walk 11 blocks to boat OR meet dockside at Bayside Marketplace located next to 16-foot shark statue or near Hooters restaurant and Sharper Image.
Where: Bayside Marketplace – Bayfront Park
(Similar to San Francisco’s Pier 39 shops and restaurant area)
401 Biscayne Blvd. (11 blocks from Hyatt)
When: Saturday, August 4
Time: sails at 11am; Returns at 12:30pm
Boarding: 10:45am
Boat phone: 305-379-5119
Price: $19 in advance
Maximum: 50 photo AAJAers and guests
Photo Students: Free
RSVP by August 1 to photographer James Yee: fotoguyf16@mac.com
Payment: Check payable to “Paul Sakuma” at convention by August 3.
Paul will be in photo room “Gardenia BC”.
Questions: James Yee 317-640-1873

POST CRUISE LUNCH
Lunch at Mambo restaurant – Cuban and Caribbean dishes
Bayside Marketplace – Bayfront Park. Close to where boat disembarks.
401 Biscayne Blvd. S119 (11 blocks from Hyatt)
Restaurant phone: 305-374-7417
1pm, Saturday, August 4
Price: lunches about $15. Open menu. Pay server directly.
Photo Students: FREE
RSVP deadline August 1 to James Yee: fotoguyf16@mac.com
Maximum: 50 AAJAers and guests
Questions: James Yee

SILENT AUCTION, GALA BANQUET, KARAOKE
530 p.m., Hyatt Regency Miami

More info on AAJA Photo: https://www.aajaphoto.org/
AAJA photography web master: Baron Sekiya

Paul Sakuma
Photographer, Associated Press
AAJA photography
psakuma@aol.com

Silent Photo Auction Print Deadline

Dear AA Photojournalists,

Deadline for 11 x 14 prints for the Silent Photo Auction at the National AAJA Convention is Friday, July 13.

Please donate one or two prints to be sold at the AAJA Silent Auction in Miami in August. You can support student photographers if you come to the convention or not. Last year our prints raised about $5,000 for student AAJA scholarships.

When selecting your donation print, consider what someone would purchase. In other words, spot news doesn’t sell well – sports stars, celebrities and great feature photos sell well. People who buy these photos want to hang the purchased photo on their wall.

Mailing Print:
-Your 11×14 print will be framed in a glass frame in the exact size of 10.6 x 13.6 inches. Regular 11×14 is perfect, but note .4 inches will not be shown due to frame.
-If the print is not the exact 11×14 dimensions, it will be CUT to fit the 11×14 frame.
-Sign your autograph on the lower right under the photo in white border area.
-Include basic caption information of when and where you took the photo and description of photo on separate paper.
-Enclose your name, affiliation, address, phone number and email address.
-Do not send CD or email photo. Prints without autographs do NOT sell.

Send your print(s) to:
AAJA Photo Auction
Paul Sakuma

Print sold for personal use only. No reproduction rights are granted or should be assumed. AAJA will email you the final selling price after the auction.

New York freelance photographer Corky Lee will be curator for the auction and photo exhibit. You can contact Corky: corky@expedi.com

Thanks for helping out future Asian American photojournalists. Deadline: Friday, July 13.

Paul Sakuma
AAJA Photo
psakuma@aol.com

Call for prints

Dear AAJA Photojournalists,

This is my first call for 11 x 14 prints for the Silent Photo Auction at the National AAJA Convention. Please donate one or two prints to be sold at the AAJA Silent Auction in Miami in August. You can support student photographers if you come to the convention or not. Last year our prints raised about $5,000 for student AAJA scholarships.

Deadline: Friday, July 13.

When selecting your donation print, consider what someone would purchase. In other words, spot news doesn’t sell well – sports stars, celebrities and great feature photos sell well. People who buy these photos want to hang the purchased photo on their wall.

Mailing Print:

  • Your 11×14 print will be framed in a glass frame in the exact size of 10.6 x 13.6 inches. Regular 11×14 is perfect, but note .4 inches will not be shown due to frame.
  • If the print is not the exact 11×14 dimensions, it will be CUT to fit the 11×14 frame.
  • Sign your autograph on the lower right under the photo in white border area.
  • Include basic caption information of when and where you took the photo and description of photo on separate paper.
  • Enclose your name, affiliation, address, phone number and email address.
  • Do not send CD or email photo. Prints without autographs do not sell.Send your print(s) to:
    AAJA Photo Auction
    Paul Sakuma

    If you already framed your photograph, I will send you address where to mail it to in Miami.

    Print sold for personal use only. No reproduction rights are granted or should be assumed. AAJA will email you the final selling price after the auction.

    New York freelance photographer Corky Lee will be curator for the auction and photo exhibit. You can contact Corky: corky@expedi.com

    Thanks for helping out future Asian American photojournalists.

    Paul Sakuma
    AAJA Photo
    psakuma@aol.com

  • Photo schedule for the AAJA National Convention in Miami

    Dear AAJA photographers/photo editors/photo students,

    Here’s the updated photo schedule for the AAJA National Convention in Miami. Let me know if you are attending? Also let me know if you would like to participate in any of these panels?

    AAJA announces the following professional photo development sessions at the AAJA National Convention in Miami August 1-4.

    Late registration: http://www.aaja.org/programs/convention2007/registration/

    WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1

    Photographers’ Room
    1-5 p.m., Hyatt Regency Miami
    • Voices Multimedia Student Photo Project Informal session held daily.
    Multimedia photo editor: Laura Pohl, freelance photo editor.

    • Photo ShootOut: “Miami Heat”
    Those interested in competing for the annual Dith Pran Photo ShootOut Award and prizes are invited to meet to discuss the rules of the contest for this year’s theme, “Miami Heat.” Named in honor of the photojournalist who survived the Cambodian “Killing Fields,” the perpetual trophy will be presented at the Gala on Saturday night.
    Moderator: Chris Viola, photographer, The Times-Union.

    • Photo Silent Auction Meeting
    Production meeting for photos to be included in the Silent Auction. Photographers will organize an exhibit of AAJA photographers around the country who have contributed their photographs to help raise money for Asian American college students. The photographs will be auctioned off during the Silent Auction on Saturday night. If you have a 11 x 14 for the Silent Auction, see previous email. If you have a photo already in frame or have a Photo Book you want to donate, please mail to:

    Moderator: Corky Lee, freelance photographer in New York.

    • Student Photo Critiques
    Students are invited to bring their portfolios in for critiques in a casual atmosphere.
    Moderator: Eugene Tanner, photo editor, The Orange County Register.

    * Unity Meeting
    Everyone talk about Unity in Chicago.
    Moderator: Paul Sakuma, photographer, Associated Press

    5-7 p.m. Hyatt Regency Miami – Student Night. Open to all students.

    7-9 p.m. Opening Reception at the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts.

    THURSDAY AUGUST 2

    Multimedia for Photographers, Session I: Sights and Sounds
    10:15-11:45 a.m., Hyatt Regency Miami
    Enhance your audio slideshows with our photo stories. Learn about equipment and software, interviewing and ambient recording, editing your audio smartly, and working with reporters on daily assignments.
    Moderator: Dai Sugano, photographer/multimedia, San Jose Mercury News.
    Presenters: Ben de la Cruz, video journalist, washingtonpost.com; Andrew DeVigal, multimedia editor, The New York Times

    Multimedia for Photographers, Session II: Multimedia Journalism
    1:45-3:15 p.m., Hyatt Regency Miami
    Learn about the multimedia used in the newsrooms of today and tomorrow, including using Flash, going beyond Soundslide, working with a variety of content providers, and shooting with concepts.
    Moderator: Dai Sugano, photographer/multimedia, San Jose Mercury News.
    Presenters: Ben de la Cruz, video journalist, washingtonpost.com; Andrew DeVigal, multimedia editor, The New York Times.

    Introduction to Flash
    1:45-5 p.m., Hyatt Regency Miami
    Hands-on training in Flash, a powerful tool in today’s multimedia industry. Learn the basic tools necessary to make simple slideshows and interactive presentations during this 180-minute session. Limited to 30 participants.
    Coordinator & Presenter: Belinda Long, graphics reporter, South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

    Multimedia for Photographers, Session III: Video Storytelling
    3:30-5 p.m., Hyatt Regency Miami
    Newspaper photographers will learn a variety of video storytelling styles including narrated, subject-driven, and reporter-as-analyst. Also learn how to shoot HD video for print and Web and use Final Cut Pro for stills and video.
    Moderator: Dai Sugano, photographer/multimedia, San Jose Mercury News.
    Presenters: Ben de la Cruz, video journalist, washingtonpost.com; Andrew DeVigal, multimedia editor, The New York Times.

    7 p.m. – Versailles Restaurant
    Private photo dinner at Cuban Restaurant.
    RSVP to: fotoguyf16@mac.com
    RSVP deadline: July 31
    More details later.

    FRIDAY AUGUST 3

    Live Photo Critiques for Students
    10:15-11:45 a.m., Hyatt Regency Miami
    Professional photographers and photo editors provide live critiques of students’ work. Students will talk about their work. A professional will share ideas for students getting into the profession. They will discuss how to strengthen a portfolio with tight editing of the best images, how to develop story ideas and talk about trends in current photojournalism. They will also address common mistakes in looking for your first job and what students can do to be best prepared for the ever-changing marketplace.
    Moderator: Cheryl Diaz Meyer, photographer, The Dallas Morning News.
    Presenter: Eugene Tanner, photo editor, The Orange County Register.

    Michael Yamashita: A National Geographic Photography Special
    2:15-3:45 p.m., Hyatt Regency Miami
    National Geographic photographer Michael Yamashita discusses and shows photos of world explorer Zheng He, the Ming Dynasty naval commander who led seven epic voyages to more than 30 countries between 1405 and 1433 A.D.
    Moderator: Stan Honda, photographer, Agence France Press.
    Presenter: Michael Yamashita, photographer, National Geographic.

    Overseas Photography
    4-5:30 p.m., Hyatt Regency Miami
    Everyone wants to cover the international story, but how do you do it? Veteran photographers will discuss how to travel, what equipment to take, how to live in less than ideal conditions, how to deal with languages and local customs, how to get the story — and then, how to get your pictures back to your newspaper/magazine/wire service if there’s no Starbucks nearby. Coordinator: Paul Sakuma, photographer, Associated Press.
    Moderator: Stan Honda, photographer, Agence France Press.
    Presenters: Laura Pohl, freelance photographer; Kuni Takahashi, staff photographer, Chicago Tribune; Michael Yamashita, photographer, National Geographic.

    SATURDAY AUGUST 4

    Student Photo Critiques
    9:30-11 a.m., Hyatt Regency Miami
    Students are invited to bring their portfolios in for critiques in a casual atmosphere.
    Moderator: Eugene Tanner, photo editor, The Orange County Register.

    530 p.m., Hyatt Regency Miami
    Silent Auction, Gala Banquet, Karaoke

    To see the full convention schedule, go to http://www.aaja.org/programs/convention2007/schedule

    More info,
    Paul Sakuma
    AAJA Photo
    psakuma@aol.com

    Get Linked

    On the sidebar is a new category called Photographers. Email baron@mediabaron.com to have your webpage linked from here. The link should be to a webpage that you control and not a generic website (i.e. A link to your newspaper’s website wouldn’t work, but if you have a URL for your specific gallery on it would be fine). Send me your name and URL.

    AAJA photog recovering

    Joyce on conch
    Fellow AAJA photog Joyce Lin blogs about her climbing accident recently that she is recovering from. The above frame-grab is from video shot in June as she does her best to sound a conch shell.

    Lin said although she’s alive her camera isn’t. The body, battery and even memory card died in the fall. Lin said the dead camera luckily was her backup camera. But she’s pretty tough as she’s blogging with broken wrists. *ouch!*