Outstanding News Story

Source: free.clipartof.com

It is very important for a newspaper story to be well written.  Otherwise, readers are likely not to finish reading the story, and the writer --well-- might not have a job for long.

Source: aibworld.net

Today, I have searched the web in hopes to find a well written news story to share as an example.  After reading several stories, I found a news story from The Wall Street Journal that is written well.

I concluded that this story is well written because:

1. It uses the inverted pyramid
• The most important information is at the beginning, and the rest of the story follows.
2. It has a nicely composed lead
• The lead answers the 5 W's and H.  
3. It provides all details to the reader
• By reading the news story, I feel as if I was there in Birmingham.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

I also found a news story that was not well written.  This news story was from ABC News.  The story didn't seem to follow the inverted pyramid, and the lead failed to answer the 5 W's and H. 

Great Job Wall Street Journal.

Please feel free to leave comments.

Why Black and White Photography?

Source: Picturesnew.com

Color is everywhere. It is all around us.  According to Jason Bradley, "We see and live in a world of color. That's how we've evolved, and it's the world that we know. Naturally, people gravitate to color photography like a kid to candy, attracted to images that pop with Disney-like vibrancy." So why choose black and white photography when shooting in color is so easy? I have come up with 4 reasons to why one should shoot in black and white.

Source: Bestcamera.biz

1. True beauty
• By photographing in black and white, a photographer is able to create true beauty.  True beauty is created by the lack of color. Ted Grant once said, “When you photograph people in color you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in B&W, you photograph their souls!”
2.  Little to no distractions 
• There is usually no distractions when shooting in black and white.  The color of a photograph is what causes the most distractions to a viewer.  By eliminating the color, a monochrome aka black and white photographer is able to create a photograph that is pleasing to the eye. Who wants a photograph hanging on their wall that is full of distractions? No one. 
3. Versatility
• You honestly can't go wrong with photographing in black and white.  Black and white photography is definitely versatile.  Architecture, portraits, weddings, landscapes etc. all look wonderful monochrome.
4. Learning Experience 
• Anyone who has shot in black and white can say that photographing in monochrome is truly a learning experience.  You are able to learn so many skills when shooting monochrome.  How to incorporate light in a photograph is one valuable skill you learn. Lighting plays a huge role in monochrome photography.

All in all, black and white photography is truly amazing.  If you are just starting out in photography, I would highly recommend that you consider shooting in black and white at least once.

Which do you prefer – Black and White or Color?
Please leave your comments

Three leads: The compare and contrast

"If it bleeds it leads"
Source: Caglecartoons

Many writers know the importance of a lead paragraph.  There are many key elements that should be incorporated into a lead paragraph in order for the lead to be considered good.  Today, I will compare and contrast three lead paragraphs from The New York Times, CBS News and USA Today. Each article topic is on the 9/11 anniversary.

In comparison, the three lead paragraphs all incorporate the most important news of the articles.

The lead paragraph from the CBS News article was overall the best lead.  The lead paragraph from this article is only one sentence long, and it includes the most important information of the article.  It also incorporates a majority of the five W's and one H. The lead also invites the reader to continue reading the article.

In contrast, the lead paragraphs from The New York Times and USA Today, are both more than two sentences long which makes them lengthy. Both leads are crowded with information compared to the lead from CBS News.  Also, these two leads fail to answer the four basic questions about a story: who, what, where, and when.

Source: KandiOnline

A "Jokester" of all time dies at 81: Joan Rivers

Yesterday, many people lost a wonderful source of laughter.

Joan Rivers
Source: ABC News

According to ABC News, Joan Rivers went into cardiac arrest after having surgery in New York City on Aug. 28.  Rivers was placed on life support on Sept. 2.  The next day, she was transferred into a private room from intensive care.  Unfortunately, on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 1:17 p.m., Rivers passed away in Mount Sinai Hospital. Rivers was 81 years old.  

Joan Rivers and her daughter, Melissa Rivers
Source: ABC News

On Sept. 4, the world definitely lost a "jokester" of all time.  Many people will agree that Rivers is known around the world for her wittiness.  Also, Rivers is best known for co-hosting E! TV show "Fashion Police", for her stand-up comedy, and for her appearance on several talk shows. Rivers was able to make any crowd or viewer laugh when she appeared on television or in person. According to Rivers' daughter Melissa, "My mother’s greatest joy in life was to make people laugh. Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon.”  Rivers will truly be missed. Her funeral will be held Sunday at Temple Emanu-El in New York, according to USA Today. 

Rivers' tributes and flower mounts
Source: USA Today

After Rivers' funeral, those grieving can hopefully return to laughter.