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|| SportsShooter.com: News Item: Posted 2004-02-27

Live from New York, it's Tuesday morning!
As a class project, Ohio University student Robert Caplin conducted a live video chat with New York Times photographer Vincent Laforet.

By Robert Caplin

Photo by Robert Caplin

Students asked questions to a very largely projected Vincent Laforet.

2/24/04 – ATHENS, Ohio -- This morning, New York Times staff photographer, Vince Laforet, held a live videoconference with the Ohio University School of Visual Communication Advanced Photojournalism II class in Athens, Ohio. This heavy shooting class, which has an emphasis on the photo story, requires that each student present an essay or story by any photographer in the industry. Well, today it was my turn!

Some time back, as I was thinking about picture stories, and who does them really well, it didn't take long to think of the NYT's finest (and youngest) photographer, Mr. Laforet. After months of preparation (aka: finding free time in Vince's hectic schedule) we brought the live feed into the Ohio University network.

During the hour-long conference, Vince spoke about his work in Pakistan, for which he, along with his co-workers, won the Pulitzer Prize for in 2002; and his Carrier project on the USS Abraham Lincoln from the Iraq War. The classroom was filled with students and faculty.

He was asked a vast variety of questions from the students in the room. How does he get such amazing access? How does he come up with such unique angles and original ideas? What are his feelings about internships? How does he balance his work life and his family life? What is it like to get a front page photo in the New York Times?

Photo by Robert Caplin

The interview was conducted live, over the Internet, via an iSight camera.

I learned some valuable things during our classroom chat with Vince.

When he asks students nearing the end of their college career: "Have you had an internship yet?" His biggest fear is that the answer will be "No". Vince expresses great emphasis on getting into the working world and finding internships. He also communicated the necessity of not only being able to take great pictures, but to be polite and respectful.

During the interview, photojournalism student Celeste Elliott asked an interesting question. "How did you get those amazing night vision shots from your carrier project?"

Vince's answer: He borrowed a pair of night vision goggles from a pilot that he befriended, attached them to a magic arm, and made the amazing shots!

It was also very refreshing to hear Vince say that it never gets old for seeing his images on the front page of the New York Times…in fact, that's probably his favorite part of the job!

This interview was possible because Vince bought an iSight camera so he could see his new baby (which is due next month) when he goes to Athens, Greece this summer to shoot the Olympics.

This device is used through Apple's iChat instant messaging program, and allows for the inclusion of streaming audio and video over a standard Internet connection. Based on the success of this experience, Ohio University's Collge of Communication has now ordered four iBooks and eight iSight cameras so they can loan a camera/computer combo to a remote guest lecturer who doesn't already have the means to conference.

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Video from this event are available here:

"The importance of internships."
::: http://www.sportsshooter.com/special_feature/laforet_ou/index.html

"Getting saturated colors with a digital camera."
::: http://www.sportsshooter.com/special_feature/laforet_ou/index2.html

"Paying attention to light at the scene before you start shooting."
::: http://www.sportsshooter.com/special_feature/laforet_ou/index3.html

"Action and timing meets light and composition."
::: http://www.sportsshooter.com/special_feature/laforet_ou/index4.html

"More on technique: Sports photography is the least forgiving thing to shoot."
::: http://www.sportsshooter.com/special_feature/laforet_ou/index5.html

"How did he accomplish his night-vision images?"
::: http://www.sportsshooter.com/special_feature/laforet_ou/index6.html

"What is his next 'big' assignment?"
::: http://www.sportsshooter.com/special_feature/laforet_ou/index7.html

Related Links:

Vincent Laforet's member page

Robert Caplin's member page

Special Feature Index