Photojournalism
Objective
The images below were taken during my time in a photojournalism course at the University of Oregon. The purpose of this course was for students to understand how to use DSLR cameras to capture reality. I was able to learn how to control the aperture, shutter-speed, and ISO of a camera, as well as to write descriptive captions for each image.
The EMU Amphitheater has a history of being a space for student activism at the University of Oregon. The EMU as well as the amphitheater opened to the public in 1950. During the civil rights movement, student groups such as Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (M.E.Ch.A) and the Black Student Union held rallies and events in the amphitheater to make others aware of current social issues. In this picture, Muslim and minority students share their testimonies on the importance of community cooperation to stop injustice orders and remarks that were recently made by President Donald Trump.
A group of students from Sigma Nu Fraternity play a game of Ultimate Frisbee every Saturday on the Recreation center turf fields at the University of Oregon. The Rec center facilities were recently renovated to provide students with more space and equipment.
Molly Schuster, 19, is one of 103 Polynesian students at the University of Oregon. “Aside from the UO being a predominantly white institution, it makes it even more lonely to see very few Polynesian students,” says Schuster. Schuster is from a small island called American Samoa that is about 6,000 miles away from Oregon. Since there is not a four-year university on the island, students who want to continue their education must leave the island. “No matter where students go, everyone from the island will be charged out of state tuition which makes the decision harder for students like myself to continue on higher education.”
Schuster knew that she wanted to bring the Polynesian community at the UO together. “As a child, I was taught that the most important things in life are family, faith, and dance. That is what inspired me to create POP!” Schuster is the founder of People of the Pacific, a student group on campus for pacific islander students. “Last year POP performed the Taulaga, and the Haka (a traditional Maori dance) at the Black Student Union talent show,” says Schuster. “I am glad to have found a pacific islander community here on campus.”
In Samoan culture, dancing is an important part of the community. “The Taualuga is a traditional Samoan and Tongan dance that is mainly performed by women. This dance connects me not only to my ancestors, but to my island, my community, my roots.” Although Schuster is no longer on the island, she practices the Taualuga near the river because it reminds her of home. “On the island I was constantly surrounded by water, an important element to my people. Although the river is not the same as the ocean, they are one.”
Students play a game of Ultimate Frisbee on the turf fields outside of the recreation center. The student recreation center was recently remodeled and reopened to students in January of 2015. The recreation center not only contains cardio machines and weight rooms, but also offers various club and intramural sports for students to play in or outside the rec.
Kenya Spears, 20, studies for an exam in the lounge area of the School of Journalism and Communication. Kenya is one of 493 black students enrolled at the University of Oregon. As an active member of the Black Student Union and Black Women Achievements, Spears says the lack of diversity on campus is upsetting. “I am usually the only black student in all of my journalism classes.”
Late at night, the Erb Memorial Union stays open in order to provide students with a work environment after hours. The EMU is known to be the home to student groups and resources on campus. Built in 1950 and renovated in 2016, the EMU continues to be a space for students and community members.
The streets of Eugene are empty, wet, and cold on rainy nights. A location that is usually occupied and busy throughout the week, shows its calm environment. Food locations such as Voodoo Doughnuts and Sizzle Pie that are usually busy late join the calm night.
On Tuesday February 10th 2016, students from the University of Oregon gathered in the EMU amphitheater to protest a Muslim ban that was put into effect by President Donald Trump. Around 200 students showed up in solidarity as they listened to speakers from the university and the community.