Nokia N-95 magic from last night's debate on local media
Well, I'm not pretending it's the entire future of local media, but taking and uploading images from the debate platform is certainly something that I wouldn't have done two months ago.
Pictured here is NUJ northern organiser Chris Morley, making his points at the Press Club's debate at Austin Court last night. Chris, in fairness, was pretty understanding about the challenges faced by a local media squeezed between the vice-like grip of the credit crunch on one side and a move towards the internet on the other.
But he was scathing of what he called the greed of plcs in reducing investment, staffing and pay, making newsrooms an environment where journalists under 30 were "leaving in droves" because of the pressures.
Needless to say, not everyone on the panel agreed. Former ITV Central boss Laurie Upshon was definitely on that wing, however, nostagically commenting on the demise of broadcast journlaism which he felt would see ITV news dead and buried in years to come.
Also on the panel were Marc Reeves, editor of the Mail's sister paper the Birmingham Post, who was ferocious in his criticism of BBC plans to use public cash on local news websites. Local BBC boss Chas Watkins tried to defend this by suggesting such public-funded competition would help... er, yeah.
The Mail's Tony Collins was there to pen a few words for the paper (see page 61 tonight) and to compete for best Nokia photo with myself (it's Tony's shot with the new N96 below versus my two with an N95 above).
For me, the biggest 'debate' occurred with a local government PR who claimed she was trying to stuff press releases into our hands but no longer knew anyone at the papers because they had left. I think I upset her when I quipped that any decent PRs would make sure they knew one of 100+ journalists at our new premises in Fort Dunlop. She did not like that...
Just to put the icing on the cake of the future of local journalism, a live blogger was in the audience. She actually uploaded last night on the comments to my previous blog, but I think her report is so worth a read I've linked it here again. Thanks, Fiona.
And thanks to the Press Club for hosting a debate that attracted a 100+ audience. Plenty of learning points to come (not so may whimsical looks back maybe, and more factual debate about the specifics of the future?) But a great start.
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Steve Dyson - Blog from the Editor on recent issues and events.
If I DO have to defend my Nokia 96 photo (the bottom one) it would be that I was having to take it from a lot further away, and I was having to get all seven panel members in the shot!
But above all, it was a very successful event which was extremely well attended and openly debated the issues we are all facing.
And, from a personal/professional point of view, it was an opportunity for a former Luddite like myself to test my newly acquired multi-media skills!
The quality of the photos is awful, never mind the composition. What next - getting people who can't write to do editorial?
This shows some of the problems with these phones.
Images in dark conditions will result in ropey results unless you can get close to the subject.
Having seen other images taken from these phones used on double page spreads I'd be wary of writing them off at the first few attempts.
To be fair I think the picture from the stage was more interesting than the normal grip and grin so often seen at these events.
'The quality of the photos is awful, never mind the composition. What next - getting people who can't write to do editorial?'
Happened a long time ago from what I hear!
Tony, if you think that is a pic of seven panel members, then do you think education is really the right slot for you?
In Tony's defence, there were seven people on the panel and in his original photo, the picture has since been cropped...
Since when have we let facts get in the way of a story or indeed a merry quip, anonymous dear chap, or indeed chapette.
And why am I drifting into someone else's blog? Have I found a stargate in Birminghammail.net and been sucked into the dark side . . . (cue scary music). I am going back to just being grumpy, it's a lot less hassle.
Come grump on my blog whenever you want, Rog. It's nice to have someone on using their actual name!
As anyone who has ever worked on design for a newspaper will tell you, the quality of the top image would be more than good enough to use. The fact that someone on the panel had a cameraphone to use shows how useful they can be. As for Tony's picture, as he said, the circumstances were difficult - but could still be used, I would argue
Does the top pic (which was actually used in the paper) remind anyone else of the 'I have seen the light' scene in The Blues Brothers, starring Chris Morley as John Belushi.
Aha! A solution to funding a new era of newsprint - get the band back together!
Without trying to turn this into a gadget show type review the pictures on the blog pages have to be re-sized to be uploaded, the only true test of image quality is to get the raw file from the device and not the uploaded or compressed file.
Even top end cameras will produce poor results once you throw away any data and then try to re use the image, some of the above images have added 'noise'not present in the original pix.
Composition however can only be tweaked by cropping but is not a science and open to personal preference, if a picture offends then at least its caught your eye!
and , Mr. Universal , can I just say screen resolution, too add to your list of technical woes ?
Mr. D., re your last comment , are you the new Mr Grumpy on The Birmingham Mail? are you after Rogers job? :)
As one who can go back to the days of NATSOPA and SOGAT when plates at 60 or 72 dpi where the norm and colour was all pre-printed days in advance, the technical woes these days are nothing to the problems we old hacks had then, so there. As for this suggestion Steve is after my job . . . Job!!! Being grumpy is not a job it is a calling.
I really should get out more.
No mention I notice of the mass leaving do in the city on Friday night involving some of the 60+ Post and Mail staff made redundant - an event to which I understand it was made clear you were definitely not invited? That shows how well thought of you are by your own stabbed-in-the-back reporters.
At a time when a once proud newspaper with a tradition of great news reporting stretching back around 100 years needed strong leadership and not a "yes" man, it got you. The Mail has, under your alleged stewardship, been brought to its knees and ripe to become just a freesheet in about a couple of years. Well done!
Hi 'Reg': I'm sure it'll annoy you, but I personally wished those who left the very best, and I understand a great time was had by all who attended the party. As discussed with almost everyone leaving (I think there were only one or two former Mail staff not around in the last week, but the same goes for them), if any help or references are required in the future, they should feel free to contact me. Let's remember that those who left volunteered for redundancy and were compensated as such. I sincerely hope (and know for many) that this package is a real positive when they find other employment. As to the Mail (and sister titles), we have now moved on (literally - to Fort Dunlop), and all publications have continued as normal, with staff in the new structure working hard to bring out the best editions possible. I fully understand your venom, Reg, and as my name's on the can you must continue commenting as you see fit. But the world knows the resource restructure was badly needed, and we are committed to making it a success, seeing through this recession, maintaining jobs and a great service to the public for many, many years to come.
Well if thats the future & quality of image's for the Birmiingham Mail i'm glad to be out of there. What a Joke! Poor quality, terrible composition, Goodbye Birmingham Mail, goodbye Dyson i'm sure Sly will have rid of you in good time.
Well if nothing else this shows you were right to keep the blog going Steve - you're having a 'conversation' with readers - very web 2.0!
Good to see people talking about photography in the mail.
Note I didn't say good photography in the Mail.
That was in the past. If these attempts are anything to go by that is where it's stayling.
I would have been sacked if I had turned these pictures into the picture desk when I was working there.
I applaud you embracing new technology Steve but I must point out that for the past twelve years photographers on the mail have been doing just that.
I was sending images direct to the Mail from mid ocean not the comfort of Austin Court in mid city!
Stick to what you and your word smiths know best and leave the photography to the snappers you have left working there.
You know I of all people embrace change but only in the right direction..forwards.
Don't forsake quality for quantity..oops sorry what is your circulation now?
JJ
Bless you JJ!
Keep up the good work.
Bless you JJ!
Keep up the good work.
After looking at these images and seeing the word 'magic' being used in reference to them, I am a little confused?
If this is the future then God help you!