Interactive Narratives

While searching for some interesting sites within the Multimedia Journalism and Storytelling, I came across this site.

“Ok, cool,” I thought. “I’ll search through here for some interesting stories to share with the class.”

The story I landed on was so simple.  So clean.  So touching.  It’s a story I have to share with you all.

“Days With My Father”

So many emotions swept over me while viewing this story and reading the text.  Dread, happiness, sadness, etc… I think my overwhelming show of emotion while viewing this has something to do with my dad recently overcoming throat cancer. (He was diagnosed at Stage 4 in September 2010… He was given a 20 percent chance. The cancer was a result of Agent Orange exposure during Vietnam).

I think it also has to do with the declining health of my grandparents, especially my grandfather in the recent years… months… weeks.  I’ll spare you the emotions, but it’s a constant battle with myself accepting that I cannot be in Sheridan being able to help my family.

So what with the emotions?  So this:  As storytellers, what are we doing when we decide to tell a story?  Why are we telling the story?  Are we bringing awareness to something?  Are we helping someone?  Are we trying to connect with people?  What are we doing?

I believe the answers are different for each person and for each story.  However, these are questions we should ask ourselves.  Storytelling doesn’t have to be glamorous with lots of special effects or glitzy camera shots.  Sometimes less is more.

I didn’t log on to my computer tonight looking for a story that would stick with me for the rest of my life… But I found one.

-MM

To Instagram or Not To Instagram.

Wait–We’re still talking about this?

Wired’s Raw File had a post in July that came to mind this weekend when the subject of Instagram was brought up between me and my husband.

The post focuses on how we need to stop debating about whether or not mobile phone photography is photography or not.  On top of that, how we need to stop worrying about whether or not using a filter from the app is photography or not.

I won’t lie–Sure, I get tired of some people I follow on Facebook and Twitter who seem to repost every single photo they’ve ever taken using Instagram.  It can get overwhelming; however, it doesn’t mean Instagram and mobile phone photos aren’t contributing to the world of photography and digital photography.  And since Instagram is no longer exclusive to Apple users (the app was released for Android in 2012), the possibilities are endless and now open to almost everyone!

There will always be those who say putting a filter on something is cheating.  The Raw File post makes a good point by saying, “We’ve moved beyond the argument about slapping a filter on something and calling it art. Everyone knows that if it’s piss-poor, it’s gonna stay that way with or without a filter.”  I agree.  This is the same situation as those who purchase expensive DSLR cameras and still produce crappy photos.  A crappy photo is a crappy photo– doesn’t matter how awesome your equipment is if you don’t know how to correctly use it.

There are other benefits to having Instragram other than just sharing a photo of your cat to your friends–Marketing and Public Relations.

More professional brands and such are turning to Instagram: Whole Foods Market, NBC News, Starbucks

Here are a few articles about what brands are doing with Instagram: Hubspot Blog’s 10 Best-Branded Companies on Instagram, Business Insider’s These Brands are doing Amazing Things with Instagram, Social Media Delivered’s Top 20 Companies on Instagram.

Instagram’s Help Center even has a section dedicated to helping brands use the app.

So tell me– What do you think about Instagram?  Is it a photography killer? Photography breakthrough? Public relations dream come true? Let me know!

-MM