karen e wink

For transparency sake, let me state that I am a complete “sucker” for any kind of animal or story related to an animal. So when I was first contacted about four furry stowaways on the USS Orleck, I could not wait to write this little fluffy tale. No hard news here: just cute, cuddly orphaned kittens. I am just lucky to have walked away without adopting one.

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When the USS Orleck departed Orange, TX for Lake Charles on May 18th, the gearing-class, navy destroyer had four extra passengers.

The stowaways hid out-of-sight and managed to remain undetected for the two day trip to Lake Charles. Once the Orleck docked at its current location on the Calcasieu River, their adventure was foiled.

Continue reading Furry stowaways

Much of my time this summer has been spent shooting and learning video editing. Combining video with my stories and photo essays offers a compelling way to tell a story. With the iPad and other tablet computers, I am super ‘geeked’ about the advances in journalism and the art of story-telling.

Right now, I’m working on my website and I plan to post some of my favorite photos from the year. Below are my favorite videos of the summer. You can see all on them on my Vimeo page.

Home Grown, Part I from Karen Wink on Vimeo.

Local attorney, Erik Fain discusses his reasons for planting a garden using sustainable methods. Read more on the American press website: http://www.americanpress.com/lc/blogs/wpnewssum/?p=9654

At the “harp” of the matter from Karen Wink on Vimeo.

In its 11th year, the McNeese Harp Camp draws people of all ages and all ability levels for a week long camp of harp fun. Campers are immersed in the history, maintenance, and music of the harp. Look for the full feature in Sunday’s American Press on August 1, 2010.

The Beat goes on from Karen Wink on Vimeo.

Damon Thibodeaux and Chad Richard love banging on drums. So much so they started The Lake Area Drum Circle in October 2009. The recreational drumming group meets twice monthly at the Gazebo at Millennium Park. Please sure to pick up Sunday’s American Press to read the feature (July 11th)

cheers

I, on the other hand, am a fully-rounded human being, with a degree from the University of Life, a diploma from the School of Hard Knocks, and three gold stars from the Kindergarten of Getting the Shit Kicked Out of Me – Rowan Atkinson

Saving pets from Karen Wink on Vimeo.

Saving pets, 2nd edit from Karen Wink on Vimeo.

Little changes can make all the difference in a good video and a not so good video. I changed a few things on the second edit that I believe make a big difference. Having the major issues on the front of the video drives the point home and cleans up the story on the SNAP Clinic.

On the plus side, I’ve mastered the basics of Final Cut. Two things I want to change: my audio recorder and/or microphone and utilizing a tripod or monopod more.

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” -Anatole France

Most of the stories I have written so far have been about the arts. Recently I was given the opportunity write a news feature. The story was a tough one but I have a great editor that helped me through the uncharted waters. It was very invigorating to cover all aspects of a news story: photo, video, and the written words. The bottom-line, I loved every minute of the process even the gut-wrenching parts. This is why I came back to journalism.

The color photos are from the spay/neuter facility. The black & white from the euthanasia room at the local shelter. The story is at the end of the post. It ran on the front page (my first story ever on A-1).

Here is a link to the first draft of the video. I have decided on some changes to make after self-critiquing and some advice from a friend. Those changes will be posted later. Also, I welcome all advice since my goal is to do the best job possible.

Continue reading Saving pets

When you photograph a face, you photograph the soul behind it. – Jean-Luc Godard

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band gave their first concert in Lake Charles last week. It was a special treat to be able to photograph this group. They embody New Orleans Jazz and the spirit of that city. Here are a few of my favorite shots. I did post a slideshow here on the American Press site.

There is no such thing as taking too much time, because your soul is in that picture.- Ruth Bernhard

My job has a long list of perks. Covering the arts sits close to the top of that list.

Louisiana Public Radio and the Arts Council produce a series called Crossroads that airs in SW Louisiana on KRVS. The series visits other cities but the broadcast version is held at Lake Charles’ Central School Theatre almost monthly when it is “in season.”

This concert series has been on my to-do list since I first learned about it. Finding the time to cover this event has been an issue for almost every event. On January 20th that all changed and I was able to cover Chris Thomas King’s Crossroads concert.

King is the son of a famous blues musician, Tabby Thomas, but he is not walking in anyone’s shadow. He is a great blues man in his own right with multiple Grammies, 3 gold and platinum awards, and movie performances. His website is christhomasking.com if you would like the complete lowdown. It was a great performance and a photo ran on A-1 the next day.

My black and white favorites are below. I shot this event with my personal Olympus E-3. Love Love Love my camera. Cheers!

<-kew->

Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow. – Imogen Cunningham

Collecting tear-sheets is a task I often forget to do. It takes more time if you don’t collect them as you go along. Add that to my revised list of New Year Resolutions. Below are the year end tear-sheets from 2008 and 2009. I also threw in one from my helicopter ride over Cameron after Ike.

Stare. It is the way to educate your eye, and more. Stare, pry, listen, eavesdrop. Die knowing something. You are not here long. – Walker Evans

The period between Christmas and Mardi Gras in South Louisiana is a slow news period. Add rain to the mix and it becomes an even slower news day. This means that I hunt for “wild art.” Yesterday that translated to a barge floating into the void of fog and rain on the Calcasieu River. The photo ran in color. I prefer it toned in a black and white version.

A technically perfect photograph can be the world’s most boring picture. - Andreas Feininger

The end of 2009 marks my first full year in Lake Charles.

My employment with the American Press began in June of 2008. My first six months were swamped by Ike and Gustav. Hurricane coverage buffed the newbie shine off my forehead.

January 2009 creeped in and life in Lake Charles without storms became a daily reality. Looking back over the year, southwest Louisiana has revealed itself to be a well kept secret in Louisiana. Continue reading One Full Year

The American Press lost an incredible sport writer last week. The living world lost a sweet happy soul who was always quick to smile.  Even though I did not have the opportunity to work with Brian Guilbeau for long, his positive spirit helped make my first months at the American Press more bright. For this I am eternally grateful.  May you rest in peace, Brian.

This photo was taken when Brian and I  patrolled around Lake Charles to cover the damage from Hurrican Ike. I would have been lost without him.

Here’s the obit we ran this past Saturday in the American Press:

Brian Guilbeau, an award winning sportswriter, columnist and page editor for the American Press, died Friday. He was 38.

He had battled cystic fibrosis, undergoing a pair of lung-transplant surgeries.

Guilbeau was the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s 2005 Columnist of the Year. He covered high school and McNeese sports for the American Press over the years, with assignments ranging from LSU’s national championship game to a high school basketball matchup played behind closed doors because a fight marred the teams’ previous meeting.

He won awards from The Associated Press, Louisiana Press Association and LSWA for game coverage, columns and headline writing.

Guilbeau also served as editor of the Health & Fitness page and was a page designer on the nighttime news desk.

His wife, Cassondra, and daughter, Lilly, are among those who survive him.