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Ryan is a Loyalist College photojournalism graduate currently working as a photographer/videographer at the Guelph Mercury.
Pictures are a great way to document things, and enable other people to see things they might not otherwise be able to see. Pictures are a great communication tool, and good pictures make this communication that much easier. I am particularily fond of club photography. The lighting at these events provides an excellent opportunity to capture interesting images.
I've been a fan of photography since I took my first class in Grade 10. What an amazing tool the camera is. I was taught all the basics of SLR photography, and also had the opportunity to develop black and white film. I took another introductory course in my first year of university, which taught me more about composition. It also taught me that photography can be expensive. I didn't see much value in paying $20 for film and developing, only to be disappointed with the results. Photography remained an interest, but not one that I actively pursued.
Digital cameras appealed to me, but didn't have enough features to interest me. Then my 3rd year graphics teacher recommended we try to pick one up. After doing some research, I decided on the Nikon Coolpix 995. It offered the advantages of shutter speed control, aperture control, 4x optical zoom, and the ability to get within 2cm of the subject. Despite the hefty initial investment, this camera provided me with exactly what I needed. Freedom. I could take as many pictures as my card could hold, review the results immediately, and delete the pictures I was not happy with. More importantly, with 'unlimited' shots, I began to experiment in ways I otherwise would not have. I took more pictures more frequently. I played with shutter speeds and f-stops. I brought my camera with me everywhere I went. And I had fun doing it. Since its purchase in September of 2001, I have taken over 25 000 pictures. My D-70 is even busier shooting over 700 frames a week.
In January of 2004 I made a decision. After years of going to school for programs I wasn't enjoying I looked into photography schools. After weighing my options I decided that the Photojournalism program at Loyalist College in Belleville would be best suited for me. I liked the idea of going out and capturing life as it happens. As part of the school requirements, I was required to purchase a digital SLR. Being a Nikon user, the obvious choice for me was the new Nikon D70. I wasn't sure what to expect from this camera but so far I love it. It's a considerable investment though. It looks like I'm going to have to buy a few more lenses to really take advantage of all that it offers me.
I have finished my schooling at Loyalist College, and am now officially a photojournalist. So far things have been going well for me, and I have worked at a number of quality newspapers including the Ottawa Citizen, the Winnipeg Free Press, and the Windsor Star. I hope to continue to work in this field for some time.
My Equipment (3rd generation)
Nikon D200 Digital SLR
Camera with Vertical Grip
AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED
2nd Nikon SB-800 Speedlight System
SanDisk Ultra II 2GB CF card
My Equipment (2nd generation)
Nikon D70 Digital SLR
Camera
AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5~4.5G IF-ED
AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED
AF DX Zoom-Nikkor 10.5mm 1:2.8G ED
2 Nikon EN-EL3 Rechargeable Li-ION Batteries
Nikon SB-800 Speedlight System
Umbrella/stand lighting kit
Lexar Media 512MB CF High Speed Professional Digital Film with Write Acceleration
My Equipment (1st generation)
Nikon Coolpix 995
Nikon MC-EU1 Remote Cord
Nikon WC-E63 Wide Converter Lens
2 Nikon EN-EL1 Rechargeable Li-ION Batteries
Nikon 16MB CF Card, SanDisk 64MB CF Card, Lexar 256MB CF Card
Minolta Auto 360PX Flash
PAST WORK EXPERIENCES
Guelph Mercury - Staff Photographer/Videographer
November 2007 – present
Full time job as a staff photographer/videographer for the Guelph Mercury. Responsibilities include obtaining assignments, independently completing assignments in the field, and processing and filing images at the office. Sometimes I am assigned to capture video for our website.
Cornwall Standard-Freeholder - Staff Photographer
July 2006 – November 2007
Full time job as a staff photographer for the Cornwall Standard-Freeholder. Responsibilities include obtaining assignments, independently completing assignments in the field, processing and filing images at the office, and some writing. I am also responsible for producing a weekly picture page on a subject of my choice.
Princess Cruises - Staff Photographer (contract work)
November 2005 – July 2006
Six month contract working onboard the Golden Princess travelling through the Caribbean. Started a 2nd six month contract onboard the Crown Princess before leaving for my current position. Responsibilities included shooting formal portraits and candid pictures, developing and printing pictures, selling pictures in the photo gallery.
Windsor Star - Staff Photographer (summer job)
June 2005 – August 2005
Three month summer job as a staff photographer for the Windsor Star. Responsibilities included obtaining assignments, independently completing assignments in the field, processing and filing images at the office.
Winnipeg Free Press - Staff Photographer (internship)
April 2005
Three-week internship as a staff photographer for the Winnipeg Free Press. Responsibilities included obtaining assignments, independently completing assignments in the field, processing and filing images at the office.
Ottawa Citizen - Staff Photographer (internship)
December 2004
Two-week internship as a staff photographer
for the Ottawa Citizen. Responsibilities included obtaining assignments, independently
completing assignments in the field, processing and filing images at the office.
Freelance Photographer (UK/CANADA)
Summer 2002 - present
Four weeks of experience working on the Loyalist College Pioneer (college newspaper) including one week as editor. Pictures printed in the Belleville Intelligencer, National Post, Cornwall Standard Freeholder. Commissioned to shoot fashion for Finishline Racewear and nudeclothes. Official photographer of the 2005 and 2006 Ottawa Tulip Festival. Official photographer of the 2004 Belleville Waterfront and Ethnic Festival. Commissioned to shoot weddings, receptions and parties. I’ve done photographic work at various clubs in the UK, US, and Canada for clients such as ukclubland.net, Surface Nightclub, Destiny Productions, Aria Nightclub and picturethisdetroit.com.
Andrew Balfour Photography - Studio Assistant
January 2003 - December 2003
Responsibilities: organizing negatives, numbering prints, framing photos, assembling albums, filing bills, entering client data into the computer
Skills: communication, organization, attention to detail, following instructions
ImmageTech - Noritsu Photofinishing Machine Technician
March 2003 - August 2003
Responsibilities: ordering parts, scheduling appointments, completing onsite modifications
Skills: communication, organization, attention to detail
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs DEFRA (UK) - Porter
Summer 2002
Responsibilities: setting up conference rooms, sorting mail, delivering mail, picking up mail, customer service, receiving packages
Skills: communication, dealing with people, teamwork, organization, attention to detail
Abbey Technology (UK) - Sales
Summer 2001
Responsibilities: door to door sales, paperwork
Skills: communication, dealing with people, independence, teamwork, patience, adaptability
The Listening Company (UK) - Telesales
Summer 2001
Responsibilities: calling individuals and reciting a script to sell accidental death insurance
Skills: communication, dealing with people, independence, teamwork, patience, adaptability
Purolator Courier - Relief Courier
Summer 1999 & Summer 2000
Responsibilities: loading truck in the AM, delivering packages, picking up packages, did some work on the sort (loading 18 wheelers)
Skills: time management, efficiency, communication, dealing with people, map reading, driving, decision making, independence, teamwork, patience, adaptability
National Research Council - Technical Writer / Trainer (high school co-op position)
September 1997 - January 1998
Responsibilities: I was given a scanner and asked to write a technical manual on how to use it, scanned and catalogued photographs
Skills: independent working, self teaching, technical writing, teaching peers
Shoppers Drug Mart - Cashier / Stockboy
July 1997 - October 1998
Responsibilities: stocking shelves, working a cash register, receiving, keeping the store in order
Skills: counting money, cash register use, customer relations, willingness to do more
Parkwood Hills Public School - Computer Instructor
February 1996 - April 1996
Responsibilities: instructing children on the basics of computer use in an after school program
Skills: patience, communication, leadership, relating with kids
Robinson’s Independent Grocer - Cleanup Crew
July 1996 - August 1997
Responsibilities: serving customers, stocking shelves, replenishing packing supplies, cleaning machinery, washing floors
Skills: time management, ability to deal with "garbage"
EDUCATION
Graduated from Loyalist College with distinction (June 2005)
- Major in Photojournalism (courses: photojournalism issues, photojournalism techniques, writing for photojournalists, reporting, digital imaging, news photography, studio lighting, freelancing, documentary)
Attended Carleton University (1998-2004)
- Major in Industrial Design (courses: studio, mass production, form and colour, ergonomics, photography, computer applications, ID and the user, graphics, seminar)
- Minor in Business (courses: accounting, marketing, information technology, finance, small business management)
- other courses: psychology, economics, algebra, calculus, physics
Graduated St. Pius X High School (1998)
- recognized on Honour Roll
- recipient of Design and Technology Award 1996
COMPUTER SKILLS (both PC and MAC)
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Photomechanic, Nikonview, Macromedia Dreamweaver, Solidworks, AutoCAD, Word Processing, Internet Skills
INTERESTS AND HOBBIES
Digital Photography, Music, In-line Skating, Skiing, Biking, Golfing, Hockey, Softball, Reading, Drawing, Movies, Video Games
REFERENCES
Andrew Carroll
Managing Editor, The Cornwall Standard-Freeholder
613.330.7533
Bob Carroll
Photo Editor, The Windsor Star
519.255.5776
Jon Thordarson
Photo Editor, The Winnipeg Free Press
204.697.7304
John Major
Photo Editor, The Ottawa Citizen
613.726.5883
Frank O’Connor
Director, Loyalist College Photojournalism Program
613.969.1913 ext. 2270