Iris PhotoCollective

African Diaspora Panel by Jennifer Kay

2011-12-12T22:11:00.002-05:00

On Dec. 3, at the peak of Art Basel Miami Beach, a panel of artists, educators and Miami community leaders met at the Little Haiti Cultural Center to discuss African Diaspora art. Among the panelists were Iris PhotoCollective’s Carl Juste and Andre Chung. Other panelists at the symposium entitled “Miami Crossroads: Developing the African Diaspora Art Footprint” included Marshall

Preparing for Concert Photography: Sacha Suarez

2011-12-07T23:03:00.001-05:00

I recently received an amazing opportunity to shoot a concert for my company’s site and I was so excited I did not realize the minor details that make or break the assignment. My purpose was to capture the concert for the fans for my company’s site to view. I will walk you through my challenges, my learning’s and finally the outcome. A couple of challenges I faced were the following: ·

OCCUPY 305

2011-11-17T23:21:00.001-05:00

Occupy Miami Rally November 17, 2011 I went to the Nov. 17 Occupy Miami rally and march looking for faces, and I found one face everywhere: Guy Fawkes, the “V for Vendetta” mask that has become a symbol of the 99% protests, was reproduced in several forms. Some wore the pointed, smiling mask tipped back on their heads, leaving their own faces visible beneath it. The grin was also

Shot in the Dark

2011-11-10T22:25:00.001-05:00

By Jennifer Kay Photography is problem solving, Brian Smith told us at his Miami launch for his book “Art & Soul.” Photography is creating opportunities out of problems. Lately, I’ve made a point of shooting in problematic situations. I’ve only allowed myself to shoot with available light, which means I’m often shooting in the dark. Solution 1: Find the Light I’ve incorporated a lesson

Iris Rising: Miami Ironman 70.3

2011-11-05T08:31:00.009-04:00

By Jenny Romney/IPC Visual Lab StudentSince its inception in 2006, the Ironman 70.3 series has become the fastest growing triathlon series in the world. Events around the world qualify athletes for the Ironman World Championship 70.3. The grueling Miami triathlon took place this past Sunday, October 30 in downtown Miami and about 3,000 physically fit men and women participated to test their

Inner Vision: Day 66 - 70

2011-09-18T08:35:00.007-04:00

Jennifer Kay is a Miami-based reporter for The Associated Press who has enrolled in Iris' IPC Visual Lab. Before moving to Miami in 2005, Kay was an editorial assistant in the AP’s Philadelphia bureau, and previously graduated in 2001 from Dartmouth College, where she was the photography editor of the daily student newspaper. Kay is looking to expand her knowledge of the visual language and to

Completion of the 7x10 Project

2011-09-14T06:13:00.008-04:00

PROJECT 7x10The purpose of Project 7:10 was to produce one image each day for 10 weeks. Taking a photo every day was the easy part. The challenge was creating a photo, on a daily basis, that actually illustrated my thoughts, concept, or vision of the subject or scene being photographed, and which had a strong composition. The real challenge for me was having to push myself creatively and seeing

Inner Vision: Day 61 - 65

2011-09-14T01:03:00.009-04:00

Day 61: DockWhen: 15 April, 8:19 p.m.Where: Publix parking garage, 3rd level, South BeachExposure: F3.3, 1/50, ISO1600Inner Thoughts: As soon as I pulled into the rooftop lot I saw this guy half-illuminated under the light and I liked the near-symmetry of him and the shopping cart in the light at two otherwise equal picnic tables. Jennifer Kay is a Miami-based reporter for The Associated Press

Inner Vision: 56 - 60

2011-09-13T09:22:00.008-04:00

Day 56: My BlockMy third walk around my block, camera in hand and Carl in tow. Colorful scooters caught my eyes - colors and hues what a surprise!When: 16 MayWhere: my block, South BeachInner Thoughts: I think I'm starting to get it now, thanks to a walk around the block with Carl.Jennifer Kay is a Miami-based reporter for The Associated Press who has enrolled in Iris' IPC Visual Lab. Before

Inner Vision: Day 51 - 55

2011-09-12T18:02:00.009-04:00

Day 51: GraffitiThe narrow view of the graffiti through the fences gives a "peeping tom" sense to this scene. It's as if the curtains are being pulled apart on a secret scene.When: 11 May, 7:29 a.m.Where: Alton Road between 9th and 10th, South BeachInner Thoughts: I just liked how the light looked in this empty lot and coming through the green fences.Jennifer Kay is a Miami-based reporter for The

Inner Vision: 46 - 50

2011-09-12T01:01:00.008-04:00

Day 46: 2 WomenWhen I shot this frame, I mostly saw the symmetry of the two women on either side of the trash can. Carl saw an analysis in the frame: What the women carries reveals information about where each is in her life, how much she needs to buy from the same store.When: 6 May, 7:02 p.m.Where: outside Publix, 6th and Alton, South BeachInner Thoughts: I saw these two women outside the

IPC Visual Lab Open House - Sept 16th, 2011

2011-08-24T08:55:00.008-04:00

IRIS Rising IPC Visual Lab is holding its Open House and Exhibition on Friday, September 16th, 2011 in conjunction with the Rhythm Foundation's Big Night in Little Haiti Third Friday event. The photography of present and past IPC Visual Lab students along with the works of instructors, André Chung, CW Griffin, Carl Juste, and Jeffery A. Salter will be showcased inside the beautiful gallery of

Inner Vision: Day 41 - 45

2011-08-24T08:07:00.007-04:00

Inner Vision: Day 36 - 40

2011-08-24T07:30:00.012-04:00

Inner Vision: Day 32 - 35

2011-06-28T07:45:00.010-04:00

Iris Rising: I Am Multimedia Journalist

2011-06-22T16:30:00.013-04:00

United Nations security officers raise national flags in front of the UN complex during the UN High Level Meeting on AIDS in New York City on June 9, 2011."My name is Aaron Morrison and I'm a photographer." Whenever I've said those words, I want to take them back seconds later. Don't get me wrong -- I think I have a good "eye" for making compelling images. I so much admire the stories and the

Jia's Blog: My House, My Life - 3rd Entry

2011-05-31T18:00:00.008-04:00

My name is Jia Garcia and I am nine and in the third grade at St. Rose of Lima. I like taking pictures because it is fun. I do not own a camera, so I use my itouch which was given to me by my grandpa for Christmas. I am also a IPC Visual Lab student who enjoy making pretty pictures. I want to share my visual world with the pictures that I am making while attending photo classes. These are photos

Iris Rising: Ethan Bitton

2011-05-25T22:47:00.014-04:00

I first became interested in photography some time ago when my parents asked if I could take a picture of them with their point and shoot camera. They were as impressed with their photo as I was inspired by their camera. Not long after that, I found a digital camera in the garage and started to snap away every day. Finally, a creative outlet for my artistic inclination! I sought every

Inner Vision: Day 22 - Day 31

2011-05-23T19:04:00.017-04:00

Half way through shooting (attempting to shoot) for seventy consecutive days a picture a day, Jennifer Kay makes it up the proverbial mountain with one goal - get to the top. The difficulty with shooting a frame a day at this point is staying motivated, keeping my eyes fresh. Some days, it's a chore just to look around. To get past this, I have to remember: Look for the light, look for the

Inner Vision: Pictures of the Day - Round the Block

2011-05-23T18:30:00.010-04:00

Iris Rising: Eye Blog

2011-05-17T14:07:00.017-04:00

"Powder Eye", Miami,Fl 2011My name is Rubyann Smith-Hernandez. I am an 11 year-old girl in 5th grade.I am a student at the IPC Visual Lab photography program. This is my third semester. My love for photography started when I took my first image. "Eye Blog" is my photojournalism essay on the eyes of some of the people who are close to me. I find eyes are interesting in their color and shape. Eyes

Inner Vision: Boteco

2011-05-16T10:11:00.020-04:00

Iris Rising: Jenny Romney Photo Blog

2011-05-05T17:47:00.019-04:00

My interest in graphic design led me to photography, thus expanding my creative horizons. I bought a DSLR with a kit lens five years ago and have been shooting and learning since. During this time, I read several books and articles and attended various seminars and workshops. But none as significant as the classes I have been able to attend at IPC under the personal guidance and instruction of

Inner Vision: Photoblogs 14 -20

2011-05-02T18:15:00.027-04:00

Day 14: LimesWhen: 4 April, 9:44 p.m.Where: my kitchen, South BeachExposure: F3.3, 1/2, iso400 What: a Cuba LibreInner thoughts: This is not a picture of lines. It is a picture of limes. Completely different. Well, I missed all the good light outside, so I tried to make something out of nothing.I blame Bogus Focus. I got home too late for the good light, and I needed a drink, and maybe the

Jia's Blog

2011-04-27T22:26:00.014-04:00

St. Agnes and La Via Crucis

2011-04-23T13:11:00.005-04:00

Every Good Friday, the day Catholics observe the death of Jesus, St. Agnes Parish in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood walks the way of the cross, or La Via Crucis. It's a live journey that explores the Passion of Christ. A group of volunteer actors from the church act out the Stations of the Cross as they walk through a neighborhood that is torn by gang violence.Faith is one of the aspects

A Moment of Pause

2011-04-21T16:52:00.006-04:00

I never met Tim Hetherington and knew Chris Hondros only in passing covering assignments in Haiti and Iraq. However, the work of both photojournalists speaks volumes to the passion and the intelligence in which they approached visual reportage. In industry filled with gadgets and the 'the-next-new-thing," Hetherington and Hondros exemplified the importance of visual story-telling and have paid

My House, My Life : Jia Garcia

2011-04-19T18:07:00.010-04:00

Inner Vision

2011-04-16T19:29:00.002-04:00

As part of the independent study curriculum for the Iris PhotoCollective Visual Lab, instructor Carl Juste asked me to shoot one frame every day for the 10 weeks of the course. Day7: Lost Time It didn't take me long to miss a day. I was sick and wheezing and trying to focus on anything, much less focus a camera lens on something interesting, required more energy than I had. So, I made a

Inner Vision: In My View

2011-04-16T18:27:00.003-04:00

AP writer and aspiring photographer, Jennifer Kay, took the time to reflect on two different books devoted to the art of documentary portraiture. Iris is encouraging photographers to compare styles,approaches,and to deconstruct how, why, and to whom images are made. Here are some of her thoughts.Both books are examples of black and white documentary portraiture, but the photographers’ have

Iris Rising : Inner Vision

2011-03-23T12:25:00.014-04:00

Inner Vision by Jennifer Kay, IPC Visual Lab, Student Jennifer Kay is a Miami-based reporter for The Associated Press who has enrolled in Iris' IPC Visual Lab. Before moving to Miami in 2005, Kay was an editorial assistant in the AP’s Philadelphia bureau, and previously graduated in 2001 from Dartmouth College, where she was the photography editor of the daily student newspaper. Kay is looking

Russell Frederick

2011-02-17T07:22:00.007-05:00

Russell Frederick is a longtime friend of ours and has been photographing the everyday beauty of black people in his community since 1995. Recently written up by the NY Times for their Lens Blog, Russell's star is rising. Currently he's raising money for a solo show of his work this spring in NYC. You can help him by checking out his project on Kickstarter and making a donation.

Tamale Traditions

2011-01-29T16:30:00.009-05:00

We've been making tamales forever. Three generations of my family has been elbow deep in that starchy dough we call masa, using an old recipe that has been handed down orally for well over 70 years. It's been a Christmas-time tradition for the Martinez clan. In times past our scattered family tree would congregate in Chicago's West Side. We would all be together in an old house that was filled

Iris Rising: From Harlem to Haiti

2010-11-17T11:52:00.007-05:00

The Iris Photo Collective Visual Lab will host their final “Speaker Series” for the year from “Harlem to Haiti” a presentation of film, fundraising, music and dialogue. As part of the finale of a very successful 10-week outreach program, IPC will be screening Haitian-American filmmaker, Rachelle Salnave-Gardner’s film 'Harlem’s Mart 125: The American Dream,' a documentary about the gentrification

Carl Juste speaks to students at his Alma Mater

2010-11-12T11:03:00.009-05:00

Miami, FL…November 12, 2010…Award-Winning, Miami Herald Photojournalist Carl Juste paid a surprise visit to Archbishop Curley Notre Dame High School’s newest fine arts class – ‘Introduction to Photography.’ Juste, an ACND alumnus, always welcomes any opportunity to visit students, share his experiences and inspire them to create their own works of art. In the past, he has served as a guest

IRIS RISING: IPC Visual Lab Fall Course and Showcase

2010-09-10T07:22:00.063-04:00

Last spring, thirteen students participated in the IPC Visual Lab, ten-week program, housed at the Little Haiti Cultural Center. For the next two weeks, the students’ work will be showcased alongside renowned photojournalists Carl Juste, and CW Griffin, of the Miami Herald; and Jeffery A. Salter and André Chung, co-founder of Iris PhotoCollective along with Juste, in the Little Haiti Cultural

University of Southern Mississippi Photojournalism Workshop Completed

2010-04-29T18:17:00.007-04:00

This video produced by David Jackson highlights the last Iris photojournalism workshop at Southern Miss. David was one of the original students at the first of these workshops. He and fellow workshop alum, Eli Baylis were invaluable assistants during the course.To see the completed work of all the participants you can visit the Southern Miss Photojournalism Project website.

University of Southern Mississippi Photojournalism Workshop

2010-02-04T18:41:00.002-05:00

The photo essays from the University of Southern Mississippi Photojournalism workshop are now online. Please take a moment to view this work by our dedicated high school and college photojournalists.

Iris Rising: Southern Mississippi Photojournalism Workshop 2010

2010-01-11T19:35:00.010-05:00

Adreain Jean Reynolds , 18, Bruce, MS, 12th grade, Bruce High SchoolHave you ever wanted something so bad you can feel it at the tip of your fingers? Right there just an inch out of reach, gripping at your heart like it belongs to no one but you, designed distinctly for one purpose and one purpose alone- to fulfill your utmost desire, to leave you with a feeling of self satisfaction, and most of

The Recession Chronicles: Build the Wall

2009-07-19T02:00:00.009-04:00

Peter Tobia and Carl Juste have been engaging in several conversations regarding the state of journalism and the demise of the newspaper industry. Here are some highlights. CPJ: There is an interesting debate on how newspaper can charge for content. It is interesting and important discussion but till this date (July 19th, 2009) newsrooms, papers, and readers are steadily on the decline. Why

Iris Rising: Miami Heart Gallery Opening

2009-06-11T22:16:00.036-04:00

Museum-Quality Exhibit of Photographs Taken by World-Renowned Iris PhotoCollective Photojournalists Open at The Freedom Tower in Miami,FloridaAndré Chung MIAMI, FL – June 12, 2009 – For the second consecutive year, The Children’s Trust is spearheading an initiative promoting the adoption of foster children in Miami-Dade County called the The Children’s Trust Miami Heart Gallery.

Recession Chronicles: Help Save Newspapers - The Morton Plan

2009-06-08T23:53:00.016-04:00

Recession Chronicles: Help Save Newspapers - The Morton PlanI have had the honor of working with Peter Tobia for several weeks in Pakistan. During that tour we have had countless conversations about photojournalism, world politics, and assorted subjects. During the years we have stayed in touch, and once in a while we have tried to make sense of the changes in our industry. This blog is a product

Tribute and Tears: Adieu Jean-Juste

2009-06-07T10:39:00.049-04:00

It is believed that leaders are not born, but are created. Created by circumstances, events, and immortalize by forces beyond conscience effort. Miami's Haitian community gathered and shared memories of friends, politicians, and comrades as they bid adieu to Haitian leader Rev. Gerard Jean-Juste. His unexpected death at the age of 62 brought a shock wave to all who continue to demand equal

John H. White

2009-05-29T17:17:00.004-04:00

John H. White - PhotojournalistJohn H. White PJ Love Celebration from Jon Sall on Vimeo. I've been so fortunate to have had incredible teachers in my life. These teachers, from kindergarden (Ms. Lyons), and all the way up to college, have all pushed me to do better. One of these teachers has and still is teaching me about life is, Pulitzer Prize Winner John H. White

The Dream of Excellence

2009-04-21T02:57:00.015-04:00

It is difficult to find a single journalist who does not dream of winning a coveted Pulitzer Prize. To win it, is to join an elite group of journalists. It is the Oscars of print news industry. However, it is as difficult to have dedicated one's passion, work, and life to the single purpose of excellence in an industry which has lost its way and, for the most part, is barely able to sustain its

Recession Chronicles: Bonus Track

2009-03-31T14:22:00.007-04:00

BREAKING: Inquirer CEO Tierney Got Bonus Before BankruptcyThough the company teetered on the verge of bankruptcy at the time, this past December Philadelphia Media Holdings awarded bonuses to CEO Brian P. Tierney, vice president of finance Richard Thayer and Daily News publisher Mark Frisby.PMH board chair Bruce Toll confirmed bonuses of $350,000 for Tierney and $150,000 each for Thayer and

The Recession Chronicles: Peter Tobia

2009-03-30T17:32:00.005-04:00

Peter Tobia has been a photojournalist for 25 years working most recently at the Philadelphia Inquirer where he covered local, national and international assignments for 15 years. He produced photographic essays from Somalia, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, East Africa and Iraq. He is currently freelancing and is based in Philadelphia metropolitan area.NEWSPAPERS NEED THEIR OWN G SUMMITNewspapers across

IRIS RISING: University of Southern Mississippi Photojournalism Workshop

2009-03-29T08:59:00.007-04:00

The University of Southern Mississippi Photojournalism Workshop took place over the weekend and was organized and directed by Clarence Williams, Iris PhotoCollective co-founder and head of University of Southern Mississippi's photojournalism department. Iris PhotoCollective photographers André Chung, Carl Juste, and Pablo Martínez Monsívaís rounded out the instructors. Pablo Martínez works with

Iris Rising

2009-03-24T00:02:00.012-04:00

In 2009 and beyond, Iris PhotoCollective will be participating in various international, national, and community-based events in several cities. Iris Rising will serve as a source to explore these events, to keep our friends informed and current on the where, who, and when of various Iris' endeavors.Black Crossroads: The African Diaspora in MiamiOn display March 5, 2009 to January 24, 2010http:

The Recession Chronicles

2009-03-20T10:25:00.025-04:00

American journalism is in peril. Thousands of reporters, graphic artists,designers, writers, columnists,and photojournalists have either lost their jobs, or are in fear of joining the unemployed.Sports blogger Rufus Dawes comments:Newspapers have been the country’s most trusted source of news for most of our history. Between 1790 and 1800, the number of newspapers in this country increased from

Covering Obama's address to Congress

2009-02-26T07:16:00.004-05:00

Iris PhotoCollective member, Pablo Martínez Monsívaís covered President Barack Obama's address to the joint session of Congress on Tuesday night. As an Associated Press staffer, he had the difficult responsibility of pool photographer, meaning that he was the only still shooter allowed on the floor, and that his photos would supply newspapers all over the world. Washington, D.C. based

Miami Heart Gallery

2009-02-19T17:55:00.004-05:00

The photographers of Iris PhotoCollective were among a select group tapped to participate in the Children's Trust Miami Heart Gallery, a traveling exhibit that showcases foster children in need of adoption. More than 70 children in Miami-Dade's foster care system who are available for adoption are featured in the exhibit. More info on the Miami Heart Gallery can be found at

A New Era

2009-01-27T07:36:00.026-05:00

photo by Carl Juste for McClatchy News Service Barack Hussein Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States last Tuesday, and has been received as a champion by people throughout the country and all over the world. No change of leadership in modern history has engendered so much hope and enthusiasm with so many people. He is truly representative of change, of a new paradigm as

Nissa Benjamin: A Photo a Day

2008-08-15T17:24:00.013-04:00

Nissa Benjamin was given the challenge of creating one image every day for one year. 365 photos in 365 days is the goal starting on July 11th, 2008. This is a visual diary of sorts with the aim of helping Benjamin understand the art of visual story-telling and the complexity of the visual language. Wish her luck!7-24-08_dressThis was a day for love. The birds were chirping. The sun was

New Vision: Nissa Benjamin

2008-07-12T08:39:00.008-04:00

Nissa Benjamin is a photojournalist for the Miami Herald. She is a recent graduate of the University of Florida, with a Bachelor of Science in journalism with a concentration in photojournalism and design.Nissa specializes in documentary and feature photography. She has worked at four major newspapers, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel, The Miami Herald, The Philadelphia Daily News, and The Myrtle

New Vision

2008-04-04T15:17:00.011-04:00

Iris PhotoCollective is showcasing the work of student journalists who are looking to engage in the visual language of photojournalism. The New Vision blog is an outlet for student photographers to get instruction and guidance from seasoned professionals.Lauren Pond is a student photojournalist based in Chicago, where she is a senior at Northwestern University. She is pursuing dual degrees in

I AM A MAN

2008-04-02T21:15:00.030-04:00

Forty years ago, two Memphis sanitation workers were crushed to death in the back of a garbage truck where they had sought shelter from the rain. The compactor had apparently malfunctioned. The deaths galvanized a spontaneous strike by sanitation workers for better pay (the high end of the scale was about $1.80 an hour), better equipment (the trucks were old and in disrepair, which probably

Long Live the King

2008-03-28T18:58:00.008-04:00

In Washington, DC while working on an upcoming project and my cell phone rings. I answer in the usual manner, knowing the caller but not the purpose of the call. Before we can recite our common salutations, Luis Rios, my photo editor, insert a statement that would ursher in memories and expel any hope of denial. In an assertive and calm voice he says “Cachao has died. He died late last night

Photovoice

2008-02-19T09:29:00.010-05:00

As yesterday was a holiday for Baltimore City public schools, we took advantage of the free time and perfect weather to take a group of students on a photo safari. Seanté Hatcher is the Youth & Community Liaison for the Center for Adolescent Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. I work with her and the students in the Youth Advisory Committee, otherwise known as the YAC,

Thoughts on Photojournalism

2008-02-09T00:57:00.001-05:00

Foremost, I need to emphasize that photojournalism, at the upper levels of the practice, is something far greater than the intersection of light, composition and moment. These are academic blocks of the discipline that are a given in any good photograph, but do not necessarily add up to reportage. I am a reporter in the truest sense of the word; I research my stories