Column: Coming face to face with the past and learning
<p>The photo on the left was featured in the first issue of the Mineral Independent I was involved in producing. The photo on the right, also featuring John Pruitt, was featured exactly a year later.</p>
While covering the St. Regis Tiger basketball team go up against Two Eagle River I came face to face with my past. With my brief history in Mineral County.
During halftime of the girl’s game the Tiger Cubs took to the court and it happened. Exactly 52 weeks ago the same thing happened and my instinct then, as it was that night, was to capture the youngsters playing basketball for the newspaper.
Both photos ended up on the front page of the Mineral Independent and quite surprisingly both photos featured the same child, John Pruitt, prominently.
Comparing the two issues side-by-side brings back many memories from my year as the reporter for the Mineral Independent. I can still remember that first night – fresh out of college, no professional experience and absolutely no experience taking photos. The nerves were there and I wanted to perform well, to make a good impression in my first week.
After seeking some advice from a college colleague and current photojournalist I was able to properly set the loaner camera to take shots in the gym and it couldn’t have come at a better time. As I returned, the Tiger Cubs were taking the court and playing their hearts out in front of an encouraging crowd.
I got the shot.
Well, I got a shot. Looking at it now it is evident how far I have come over the course of the year.
The shot from this year is clearer, there is a definite subject and the composition is cleaner.
The growth came from trial and error, from accepting constructive criticism and most importantly from always trying to be better. From always striving to improve from week to week.
It also came from keeping in mind how I felt during the first week on the job – nervous, full of energy and ready to prove myself. Continuously channeling that has yielded the improvement I, and hopefully the reader, see today.
Over the course of a year here in Mineral County I have covered a wide range of stories.
There has been conflict and unity, loss and victory, sadness and joy.
Through all of those moments I have grown not only as a professional but as a person and as a new member of this community.
I look forward to seeing what 2013 has in store and by maintaining the same mindset I had on day one I know this will be another year of growth.