Addario Book Report

Lynsey Addario Book

One of the most harrowing and death-defying times for Lysney Addario in the book is when she went out with a patrol group into enemy territory knowing there could be an ambush anytime waiting for them around the corner. When the rebels did finally ambush her group, she was caught off guard and was separated from her group. As the bullets flew, she dug her body into the ground hoping the bullets would continue to miss and fly over her head. Adrenaline pumped through her body while her life was on the line, desperately praying that she would get back to her group alive. This chapter unfolded with lots of close calls for Lynsey, she made out alive, but it was one of the first times she witnessed the after math of war. One of the soldiers she was with was shot and killed, and she was burdened with the full weight of war as she watched the other soldiers openly weep over their friend. Through all of this moment, Lynsey was gripping her camera and was focused and showing the public photos of the events she witnessed.

 This is truly what sets Lynsey apart from another photojournalist. She fully pursues the story, no matter what the circumstance is and how dangerous it might be. She laid her life on the line constantly for her work. She did this in order to create a story that few around the world witness. She always tried to be as close as possible to the action in order for her to capture shots that really feel like you are experiencing what is happening in the photograph. One quote that really explains her thought process throughout the book was "An experienced conflict photographer would know to stay, to shoot the wreckage, injured, and dead, but I was young" (122). This understanding of her role and desire to present a story no matter the danger really changes from the beginning of her career to the end.

 In my mind once she became married and had a kid, the risk she took of going back into war zones to shoot a story was not worth it. Once she shared and committed her life to another person, I don't believe the risks she took were necessary. But whether or not it was a good risk, she made really compelling images and was really good at what she does. My favorite photo is the one of the Arab women wearing the blue burka in the middle of the desert with a really big blue sky. Like most of her she does an amazing job of composing her work and making you feel like you're really there witnessing what she is seeing. 

This book was a very good read and one of the quotes that really stood out to me while reading it was, "Many smiled back, calling me by my title: 'Sahafiya.' Journalist. It is who I am. It's what I do" (341). This quote wraps up the entire book very neatly by just explaining, Lynsey Addario is a photojournalist by heart and it's what she absolutely loves to do. 

Marc Adamus

Marc Adamus

Marc Adamus was born and raised in Corvallis Oregon. He went through high school and into culinary school after graduating. However, at culinary school Marc lost a sense of passion for food and really wanted to explore the world of photography, specifically landscape photography. At the age of 19 Marc obtained his first camera and by the time he turned 24 he really jump-started his career in being a professional photographer. Marc masters in the realm of landscape photography. He has revolutionized what a landscape masterpiece is with his use of light and scenery. He has managed to create a very distinctive style for himself, that few have been to recreate. Marc uses strong foreground elements like wildflowers to pull his viewers into the image towards his main subject. He then wraps the entire image in beautiful light and color to really recreate a scene that unfolded between his eyes.  Marc spends 200 days out of the year in order to capture his breath-taking landscape photos. He is very committed to his career as a photographer and goes to remote locations that few dare to venture of the path and go. He is able to view these locations and witness place that few eyes have seen to photograph and show them to the world. Marc leads groups of people to different continents, providing gear and food and will teach you all about his process for taking the perfect photograph. He will also cook you some gourmet meals from his culinary experience from years back in college when he went to culinary school. Marc continues to pursue landscape photography as a career as he's ended up in many National Geographic books and magazines and has won many awards along the way.



Above is my favorite image of Marc Adamus. I love this image because of the scale of the mountains compared to the guy standing on the rock. It creates a strong sense of depth. Marc finishes the image by wrapping it in a great since of light to make the image feel complete and powerful.


All information has come from Marc Adamus' website and his biography. 

My Hometown

Landmark:

The Benton county courthouse stands tall in the city of Corvallis. This is one of the most iconic buildings in the city as it serves the people and the people get to state their voice in decisions the city has to make. The classic clocktower stands taller than the surrounding buildings, making its statement of justice and human rights in Corvallis. May 23rd, 2019.

Portrait:

Colton Fuller is a Forestry student at OSU. He is a sophmore this year and is hoping to take a summer class to get into Pro-School next fall. He moved from a small town called Days Creek to complete 4 years of college in Corvallis. May 28th, 2019.

Feature Photo:

Members of Corvallis gather on a Saturday afternoon to buy fresh produce at the farmers market. This market is open every Wednesday and Saturday, downtown Corvallis for anyone who wants to come and buy fresh produce and food. May 25th, 2019.

Lynsey Addario Chapters

TOPIC: ADDARIO MEMOIR - PARTS THREE AND FOUR --

Most Compelling Chapters:

1. "You Will Die Tonight"

To me this chapter is the most compelling part in the entire book, because of how adrenaline pumping it was. This chapter really shows the dangers associated with the job Lynsey has been assigned to. Her photojournalist friends and her were kidnapped by rebel soldiers and were held hostage for a couple of weeks, being physically and sexually abused as well as being laughed at, cursed at and mocked. They bounced around to different checkpoints until finally later in the chapter they made a deal with the embassy and were later released by their captors. The photojournalist suffered from attacks by the rebels at each checkpoint as stated in the book, "At each checkpoint one of us was beaten. I heard the thump of what I imagine was a AK-47 or a fist to the back of my colleagues' heads, and a whimper of contained agony" (287). This quote puts the harrowing experience to life and really shows the terrifying experience of the photojournalist. 

2. "The Most Dangerous Place In The World"

This chapter was about Lynsey going on a mission with the U.S. troops to enemy territory in order to photographer whatever situation that might occur. During this time her group was ambushed by rebel soldiers and she almost didn't make it out alive. For one of the first times she was able to witness the horrific events of what war can be and how a friend can easily be killed in the firefight of a battle. It was a sobering moment for her, as she now understood the full cost and sacrifice of being in a battle. 

As a photojournalist I learned through these chapters that in order to get the most compelling shots, you have to be in the moment of whatever action that is taking place. You have to be passionate about your work and truly love what you do in order to express that through your photography and really get some quality photos. 

Sports/Action Shots

A softball intramural team takes the field to practice batting and pitching after winning another game, after their opponents forfeited. (Left: Blake Peterson, Pitcher: Hayden Lent, Outfield: Colton Fuller) May 13th, 2019.

Left: Blake, Right: Hayden take the outfield to switch out the batting and pitching with the outfielders. May 13th, 2019.

Hayden Lent throws a softball to the batter during Monday nights intramural practice with his team.

May 13th, 2019. 

Week 7 Blog Questions

TOPIC 1: MY NEIGHBORHOOD/MY HOMETOWN --

1. I am going to photograph McMinnville because that's where I grew up for a good amount of my life, and it's the closest thing to home to me.
2. List 3 ideas for photos that you could take: A person in front of their business; downtown area; festival or farmers market.
3. My biggest challenge will be photographing a portrait of someone, because I'm not sure who I will want to photograph.

TOPIC 2: TWO PHOTO STORY IDEAS (See assignment explanation below) --  

Outline TWO photo stories that you could do for your final assignment.

First, answer the questions:

• Who: People in Corvallis
• What: Portraits of students
• When: During the day
• Where: OSU campus

I will go on campus to shoot different portraits and get a little bit of background from them.

First, answer the questions:

• Who: House event
• What: House Retreat
• When: Last Weekend in May
• Where: Suttle Lake

I will make a story out of the trip, taking pictures of the parking, driving, camping and different activities we do there.

Photographer's Choice-Free Shoot

Meet Alisha Van Vlack, an employee working at G3 Sports and Fitness, located on HWY 99 heading North. Alisha works in the cafe/front desk in the gym making drinks, receiving phone calls and providing customers with answers to any questions they may have about the facility. May 10th, 2019.

Alisha Van Vlack an employee of G3 Sports and Fitness, May 10th, 2019.

Feature Event

The Mother's Day sale, for plants and flowers, at the greenhouse on the LB Campus, May 5th, 2019.

Linn Benton student looks at different tomato plants, deciding which ones to pick as a gift, for this upcoming Mother's Day. May 5th, 2019.

The Mother's Day sale remains a huge success, as many LB students pick different plants to give to their loved ones on Sunday. May 5th, 2019.

Sports/Action Ideas

1. Intramural Softball at OSU
2. I'm going to do my shoot Monday night at the OSU turf fields.
3. I think it will be a difficult to stop the action and really capture the expression of the players. Also, it will be difficult to capture the faces because it will be a low light situation, which means i'll have to crank the ISO a little higher and not be afraid to move around and get different angles on the field.
4. 
   
1. OVERALL -- Referee explaining the rules to players.
2. MEDIUM -- Person running to a base.
3. CLOSEUP -- Pitcher or batter in action.

Lynsey Addario

Lynsey Addario Book

So far Lynsey's adventures have been a straight adrenaline rush. I wouldn't even begin to imagine capturing the war-torn countries of Iraq and Afghanistan following 9/11. Every capture it seems like her life gets put on the line in order to show what is happening around the world. This could be anything from missile strikes, kidnapping and dehydration while walking through a desert in Africa. I think the things that have caused the biggest impact on me have been her stories of the U.S. military in Iraq and the devastation that took place in Africa with the rebel group. The U.S. soldiers was disheartening when hearing Lynsey's firsthand experience with them. It was hard to read about them abusing their power and treating the people with no respect and caused a lot of turmoil with the people there. With the rebel group in Africa it's very hard to hear about the stories of many of the villagers and women there who were killed or sexually assaulted by the rebel organization. I think Lynsey brings a different perspective to the lives of many of her viewers reading the book and truly shares the story of those suffering in other countries, to help bring awareness to them.