Megan's Blog

Ed Epley, an 82-year-old peace activist from Corvallis, Oregon, stands in front of the Benton County Courthouse every day from five to six PM with his 1961 VW bus, which he bought brand new back in the day. Epley joined this vigil a week after it was created in 2001. The vigil's first meeting, which began on October 7, 2001, in accordance to the first US bombing of Afghanistan, took place in front of the courthouse with about 50 people. Now, Ed is one of the few people who still stand out in front of Courthouse every night, helping the vigil reach its name of being the longest lasting daily anti-war peaceful protest in the United States. Most of the people who were part of the original group are gone: some grew too old, some can’t come down due to the cold weather, and some have moved away. Ed, however, continues to stand despite the challenges. Ed Epley, on December fourth, told me he protests in hopes to “keep the issue current to the people here that we still have t...

Topic 1      My favorite photo is the environmental portrait I took of Eddie Hernandez. This photo really shows who Eddie is as a person. His smile is great, the colors all work well together, and it is easy to tell what his job is. This photo just really makes me proud; this picture was also published in the paper the next week!      The composition, color, and angle of this photo really show what I have learned in this class. For that, I am proud of myself. During week one, I had no idea what I was doing. I had never worked with a camera professionally, and I had touched a real camera once before this class. To know I am capable of doing awesome things with the camera because of this class is really refreshing and makes me proud. My photos in the first two weeks really lacked the interest and composition. There wasn't much about them that really caught the eye, but this photo was a turning point for me. I feel the photos in the week after really shine...

     My favorite story in It's What I Do  by Lynsey Addario would have to be when she is in Istanbul during chapter five and a bomb goes off for the first time very near to her. The bomb ended up killing one of the reporters there, whom she knew and talked to. This was a huge reality check for her; it showed her there was real danger in what she did, and the experience made her so deeply upset, she had to excuse herself do the back of the building to cry. All she wanted in the moment was to call her mom, but she soon realized someone had stolen her phone. To me, this really shows not only what she was experiencing, but it showed Addario what was truly important to her--her mom. Not just this though, because although this experience was traumatic for her, and many others, she still wanted to go to war zones and photograph the atrocities; so in many ways, this was also the beginning of her love with war.      Addario has some notable photographing ...

Natasha Shevel “Right now, I’m between psychology and social services. I initially went into social services because it was a way for me to help people. Then I talked to my academic advisor and that helped me understand that psychology also allows me to go into counseling and therapy, and that’s what I would love to do. I did want to go into law enforcement for the longest time, but for law enforcement, you don’t really need a degree. One of my coworkers explained to me the importance of figuring out what you want to do and what you’d enjoy doing. She helped me work out what I’d like to do. The counselor here as well really helped me work things through and if opened my perspective up about what I truly want to do.” Cat Bricker “Right now I’m getting my accounting clerk certifications. I’m contracted at HP, so I decided to go back to school to butter up my resume. My husband works here, so that’s a bonus. He’s an instructional assistant in the welding department. I...

Lebanon, Oregon, Mayor Paul Aziz has decorated his house since 2010, and accepts donations, in the white mail box located in his front yard, for a charity every year. This year, donations are going toward the new Applegate Veteran Facility. The lights will go on in six days, for more information, go to cascadechristmaslights.com. The Kuhn Theater in Lebanon, Oregon was built in the 1930s. In recent years, 2005, it has been restored and reopened thanks to national pressure and donations to help renovate the cinema in order to show movies in the modern era--projections instead of film. Now showing Frozen 2, the theater is set up for Christmas and open daily. For more information and show times, go to kuhncinema.com. Linn Lanes Bowling Alley in Lebanon, Oregon is a staple for Lebanon families and many bowling tournaments. Elizabeth Wright has worked here for quite some time, and although Thursdays aren't that busy, Fridays can get insane, she says. Known for the b...

     I am going to photograph Albany, although I live in Lacomb currently. I lived in Albany for 15 years. I was born in Lebanon, but we moved to Albany when I was three. I went to school in Albany, and some of my fondest memories growing up were in this town. I am going to go to the Albany Regal Cinemas to take a portrait. I have always loved going to the theater, and this photo would really be able to demonstrate that. For the landmark, I am going to photograph Monteith Park, specifically the stage. I have always loved getting on that stage when no one is around to just dance and be a goof, not to mention the countless times I went to River Rhythms as a kid. Finally, for the action, I would like to try to get people representing a presidential candidate or Kate Brown outside City Hall or Target, where they usually are. Sometimes there are even people on 34th who are part of a Union. These movements really make me smile because I remember when I was little, I loved how m...

South Albany High School in Albany, Oregon, is home to the award winning SAHS Cheer. A stunt group made up of Kaylie Johnson (flier), Summer Ohling, Alissa Welch, and Kinna Cangiuna, practices a Tick-Tock, a move where they switch legs in a stunt. SAHS cheer practices in the commons, the South Albany cafeteria. Stunter Alyssa Marstall, an All-State member of the South Albany High School cheer in Albany, Oregon, achieves a successful Tick-Tock in stunt. The whole South Albany High School cheer team erupts in applause as she takes in the success of an advanced move. SAHS cheer in Albany, Oregon, practices combinations in the Commons Cafeteria Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3-6:30. They start with stretching, then they stunt for a while, practice forms and their routines, and finally, they practice tumbling and combination jumps.

     Lynsey Addario's adventures so far in this book are absolutely insane. I can't think of any other way to describe them. To think one person has had the ability to experience so many different cultures first hand just in their twenties is pretty amazing. The war, loss, and lives she has had the privilege to photograph is impeccable. I admire her love for what she does, and it is inspiring to read about such a young person doing such incredible things around the world and in what we consider dangerous atmospheres.      The main thing which has made an impact on me is when a car bomb goes off right in front of her and the guy who was standing just within arms length of her ends up dying because he wanted to capture the action. It was so close to being her and not Paul. This was her first real experience with loss, which I think is also really notable. Her reaction is so relatable and raw. When she goes out of eyesight to cry, I got pretty emotional while...

Eddie Hernandez has worked at Beggs Tire and Wheel in Albany for the last two years, but has been in the industry for over 20, working at Les Schwab and South Pacific Auto Sales. He is an Assistant Manager and the lead mechanic for the shop. What are his favorite parts of the job? "Helping out those that are less fortunate than us, being able to give back to the community with great service, compassion, and understanding."  Eddie Hernandez

     For my portraits this coming week, I am going to reach out to Taylor Bell. I went to high school with her. She works at an Albany Dutch Bros as a Barista. She has worked there for a few years, and she's known for being an absolute sweetheart.      I'm going to photograph her at Dutch Bros. Preferably inside the shop, but also maybe walking around with her fanny pack on and the tablet they use. These are good props, but also a Dutch Bros cup or the products they use to make the drinks. To contact her, I am going to message her on Instagram and also text her or snapchat her, depending on if I have her number or not.      A couple good tips I picked up were try to get something different. Don't go for the obvious shot. For example, I don't just want to get Taylor standing outside Dutch or just her face through the window. I need to get a shot that is unique, something that evokes an emotion and shows Taylor's personality well. Another goo...

The Red Cross held a blood drive in the Calapooia Center on Wednesday, October 23. Dane Welch, pictured above, enjoys his time in the chair reminiscing over a friend who passed out just thinking about the needle at a Red Cross event a few years back. The Red Cross blood drive had a good flow of traffic all day on Wednesday, most slot times were taken up by 10:30 a.m. Greg Smith cracked multiple jokes to keep his patient Celestino Birrueta comfortable. The Red Cross blood drive, which ran from Wednesday, October 23, to Thursday, October 24, was nearly booked for Thursday during the Wednesday morning appointments. The Red Cross holds blood drives around town and in neighboring cities quite often. For more information on how to help out, call the Albany Red Cross at (541) 926-1543.

     The artist I chose for photographer of the week is Diane Arbus, born Diane Nemerov, on March 24, 1923 in New York. Arbus's skill for art began to show at a young age. She was raised in a wealthy family. This gave her the ability to pursue art as a career. At age eighteen, she married her husband Allan Arbus. Diane, however, did not know photography before she met Allan. Allan began to teach her the skill of photography when they met, and nurtured her talent when he realized she had quite the knack for it.      As she began to grow in her skill set, Diane and Allan focused mostly on fashion and marketing photography. Together, they got published in many magazines, including Vogue . After her success in this field, she began to focus on her own artistic vision, starting in the 50s, and practicing with photographer Lisette Model.      During this period, she would roam around New York City and photograph the people she saw as she walked a...

     My name is Megan Carroll, I'm a journalism major, and I have zero photography experience. I live in Lacomb, which is the country outside of Lebanon. I have a cat named Momma who I adopted less than a month ago, and I fell in love with writing when I was in elementary school. I took this class because as a journalist, it's very important to be able to take your own photos to add something to your story, and I need to get comfortable behind the camera.      My top three goals for this class would be to get comfortable behind a camera, be able to evoke emotion with my photos, and learn how to use the camera settings to my advantage instead of my demise.      This assignment was very challenging for me because I am used to interviewing people I have at least heard of. In high school, I was editor in chief of the Whirlwind at West Albany, and I knew almost everyone I was interviewing because when there are only 1500 students and staff, you ...

     This week, I photographed the Dollar Clothing Sale that was near the Library. I was really interested in this event because I love the idea of thrifting clothes in order to support fellow students, but also help keep the environment clean by using pre-loved clothing. I did some shopping before taking my photos so I was a little more comfortable in the environment.      It was a little difficult to take pictures of people because they were constantly moving: playing with the clothes, folding things, searching. The good thing is people weren't focusing on the fact I had a camera because they were so preoccupied. The most difficult part was the medium shot because there was so much going on, and when I thought I had the perfect frame, my subjects weren't facing me. A little bit of a bust for sure, but the picture is still nice, I just don't have their faces, which is pretty disappointing. I definitely approached this assignment by talking to people volun...

The Dollar Clothing Sale, which took place Wednesday, October 16, next to the library on the Albany LBCC campus, sold clothing of all styles and sizes to support LBCC scholarships. From left, Nicole Lawler and Bel Krebs shop for everyday clothes in hopes to support their fellow students. LBCC faculty member Gwen Cox helps out at the Dollar Sale for most of the day, the sale took place from 10 am to 2pm. She walks around folding clothes and leading students around to find their section since different brands label sizes differently. Over the course of a few hours, the Dollar Sale had hundreds of visitors, and ultimately raised 800 dollars for student scholarships: a record-breaking number. This is not the only record broken at this year's sale, however; there were a record number of volunteers and donations from student and staff. 

Photographer of the Week: Diane Arbus      The photographer I have chosen is Diane Arbus. Arbus was an American photographer who shot black and white photos, she photographed people who were considered outcasts, and her photographs challenged societal norms.      What I love most about her photos is how beautiful she makes these outcasts, yet how sad and real they also are. These photos evoke emotion from the viewer. For her time, these photos were really challenging society: I love that.       There were a couple moments in her claim to fame. For one, she took photographs for Vogue  magazine and Harper's Bazaar. After getting bored of the mainstream, she returned to the streets to photograph what she had been originally, what she really loved: the strange. These photos ended up in museums next to extremely well known photographers, such as Garry Winogrand. However, they weren't shown until she committed suicide on July 26,...

Allicia Meyer “I want to be a nurse practitioner. I’ve always loved helping people. During the summer I volunteered at a camp with kids who have variations of Muscular Dystrophy. Through that, I figured out I wanted to be a nurse practitioner and help people. The disease is very harsh. It affects their muscles by attacking them, so their muscles are slowly dying. You’ll see a lot of these kids are in wheelchairs, some have different braces they have to wear, some have oxygen tanks to breathe, some even need us to suck up their saliva with tubes because they can’t swallow it on their own, some have feeding tubes. It’s very eye-opening. You definitely become more grateful for the things you have and are able to do; but these kids don’t let their disease stop them. They are the most ambitious kids you’ll ever see. They want to do everything.” Elicia Carlock “My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. We don’t have any cool traditions, we just make a lot of food and then ...

Hannah Zeller Freshman Hannah Zeller, undecided in major, but an interest in science, commutes from Philomath. “My commute’s pretty long. My earliest class is Trigonometry. It’s at nine. It’s two hours, two times a week. We do get a break in the middle. I have to get up at, like, 5:30 to get here. It might be worth it; we’ll find out at the end.” Zeller, still getting used to the commute, says the most wild part of campus is parking. “If I see a spot, I’ll take it, I don’t even care where it is. I’m okay with walking as long as I can find somewhere to park. Today I got here just before class, and I was freaking out. Everyone else was late too, so I was the first person in the class.” Damon Fisher Damon Fisher, a highschooler who is attending LB for free because of his high school grades, is currently attending classes to look toward a music major. “I wish I could sing. I do write, though. I write for piano, guitar, and a couple of different styles of tribal drum...