Multimedia

Keeping up with the chase

2008-10-15T06:11:00.000-07:00

It was late in the afternoon of Sept. 10 when we heard police radio traffic over the scanner that caught everyone's attention.

An officer was trying to stop a person in a car and it had evolved into a pursuit. No sooner did it start and the officer reported the suspect's car had struck a child on a bike. It was that second part that raised the situation to one that we must cover.

It is our duty to inform the public of what happens in their community. Sometimes it is a pleasure, other times it is heartbreaking. As I began to drive to the scene, I hoped it was not the latter.

Upon arriving, I saw police officers, firefighters and a fallen bike. After asking questions of bystanders, it was clear that the child's bike was struck but the girl was not seriously injured. Though I am bound to be as objective as possible, that information came as a great personal relief. Still, there was little time for that feeling to sink in.

Within seconds, I saw police officers running and more officers flooding the area. Another bystander clued me in "he ran that way" she said. I grabbed my cameras and headed into the edge of the fray.

Now, this is where adrenalin and common sense like to compete. The chaos of the pursuit with neighbors pointing and yelling can lure journalists into the middle of the action and the middle of danger. I have been guilty of succumbing to the rush on prior occasion but, thankfully, I safely learned my lesson.

My choice at this event was to keep a minimum distance of three homes away from the action and always have a place to hide. There was no report of a weapon but that only means that if there is one, it hasn't been seen yet. So I ran, jogged and walked and carefully watched my surroundings. It was hard to be patient. It was hard to stay back.

Now, you might not believe me when I write it, but I thought I was two full blocks from the chase. These things can go for hours so I had decided to slow down and reevaluate the situation. I never got time for that.

As I was standing on a street corner, surrounded by spectators who also though the pursuit was far away, the suspect came running from between two houses and directly at me. That was a moment of some quick mental expletives. As he ran up the sidewalk, two men behind me cheered and told him to turn and cross the street. To my personal relief, he complied.

As he turned, I began to shoot photos. Just then, a NYS parole officer blasted from between the same two houses, drew his gun and while yelling "get down" tackled the suspect.

It took less than five seconds from the moment I saw the suspect until it was all over. It is a mental twist to roll from one mental state to the other. I went from hoping for everyone's safety to hoping I had the shot.

Twenty minutes later while sitting at my editing terminal I knew I had it.CAPTION:
WILLIAM P. CANNON / Observer-Dispatch
New York State Parole Officer Anthony Stucchi, left, chases and tackles Joseph Elias, 22, Utica, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008, on Wager Street, in Utica, as residents Tyler Wallace, 8, Noah Napp, 6, and Kathy Docko get out of the way. The suspect fled from police by car, hit a bicycle with a child on it, and then fled on foot, police said. The child was not injured. The man was arrested.

Photo of the Day: Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008

2008-08-05T07:55:00.000-07:00

MICHAEL LAPOLLA / Observer-Dispatch
Lauren Smith, 8, of Utica, punches a punching bag during a Boxing Youth Sports Camp at Martin Luther King Junior Elementary School, Monday, August 4, 2008, in Utica.

Editor's note: This is a shot that changed the face of the front page. The editor's dream is to have a strong photo like this that forces a debate as to which photo should run as the main photo.

Photo of the Day: Monday, Aug. 4, 2008

2008-08-05T07:51:00.000-07:00

WILLIAM P. CANNON / Observer-Dispatch
A rainbow stands in the clouds behind a row of trees, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008, in the Town of Trenton. Scattered storms moved through the area throughout the day.

Photo of the Day: Tuesday, July 8, 2008

2008-07-09T17:37:00.000-07:00

MICHAEL LaPOLLA / Observer-Dispatch
Saul Rivera, 10, of Utica, jumps into the water to cool off at Buckley Pool on Culver Ave., Tuesday, July 8, 2008, in Utica.

Photo of the Day: Sunday, July 6, 2008

2008-07-09T16:54:00.000-07:00

NICOLE L. CVETNIC / Observer-Dispatch
Fort Smith, Arkansas Nighthawks goalie Levi Hicks, 8, guards the net as teammates Adam Harrison, left, and Lane Caldwell, both 9, attempt to drive the ball away during the 48th United States Roller Hockey National Championships at The Aud, Sunday, July 6, 2008 in Utica.

2008-07-01T10:15:00.000-07:00

MICHAEL DOHERTY / Observer-Dispatch
Sherrill Post shortstop Jermy Roden throws put a Clonan Post batter in an Oneida County American Legion baseball game, Monday, June 30, 2008, at Sauquoit Valley High School in Sauquoit.

Editor's note: It is the expression that really makes this shot.

Photo of the Day: Saturday, June 28, 2008

2008-06-30T14:20:00.000-07:00

MICHAEL LAPOLLA / Observer-Dispatch
New Hartford Senior High graduate Elijah Norwood performs a victory dance while walking across the stage during the New Hartford Central School Commencement at the Stanley Center for the Arts, Saturday, June 28, 2008, in Utica.

Editor's note: This is a great reaction shot. Given the fact that such ceremonies can make us feel a bit sedated, this shot is a real gem.What gives it the extra punch is the fellow students smiling an watching. This brings your eye into the frame and stregnthens the moment.

Photo of the Day: Tuesday, June 24, 2008

2008-06-27T09:48:00.001-07:00

NICOLE L. CVETNIC/Observer-Dispatch
Professional Bicycle Stunt Rider and Motivational Speaker Chris Poulos performs a stunt against the gymnasium wall at Waterville Middle School, Tuesday, June 24, 2008 in Waterville.

Editor's comment: A unique moment that catches you eye makes you want to read the caption.

Photo of the Day: Monday, June 23, 2008

2008-06-27T08:45:00.000-07:00

NICOLE L. CVETNIC / Observer-Dispatch
Alisha Porter of Utica reads, This Is the Way We Eat Our Lunch by Edith Baer to daughter Asiyah Hunter, 3, at the Utica Public Library, Monday, June 23, 2008 in Utica. They said frequent the library once a week, but will go more often now that it is summer.

Editor's comment: I really enjoy the angle where you can see the faces of both the mother and daughter. So often, we see this photo shot from the side where someone's face is blocked and the book is the focal point.

Professional vs. snapshot

2008-05-05T14:44:00.000-07:00

One way the O-D is trying to get news out quickly is being accepting that some of visual coverage is not going to be as refined as we are used to.

Once, we depended solely on our photo staff for images. Each was professionally made by someone who specialized in the trade. Now we are now using the reach of our entire reporting staff, coupled with modern camera technology, to allow us to bring forth photos that we used to just plain skip. It wasn't that we deemed something unworthy. We simply couldn't get a photographer to each event. While that is still true, we are now able to bring you some level of photos where we once had nothing.

Is the quality the same in reporter-made photos? No. Do we still care about quality? Absolutely.

(left photo caption)
NICOLE L. CVETNIC/Observer-Dispatch
Riders participating in The Ride For Missing Children cycle along the road near the entrance of the Mid-State Correctional Facility, Friday, March 18, 2007 in Marcy.

Our photo staff still shoot photos everyday and they are the core of the visual report that we present. We have simply decided that often some visual coverage is better than none. We have also found that now we can better allow our professional visual journalists a little more time to find a shot that makes you say "wow!"

Riders participating in The Ride For Missing Children cycle along the road near the entrance of the Mid-State Correctional Facility, Friday, March 18, 2007 in Marcy.

William P. Cannon
Multimedia Editor

What is multimedia at the O-D?

2008-04-30T09:58:00.000-07:00

The evolution of new media, such as video, audio clips and slideshows, has transformed our newsroom into a group of multi-talented people who bring you stories using many tools and formates. Sometimes, a story is a traditional printed package with a photo or two. However, more than ever, these are expanded online to give you a wider range of coverage of the topic. This is where multimedia comes into play.

For example, we can describe to you the reaction of a courtroom when a man is convicted of killing a police officer, but it can't compare to the sight and sound of the real thing. Now that we can bring you online video, it is possible to gain full context with the story, while getting the visceral emotions through the photos and video made when the verdict was announced.

The media business is changing rapidly. In the coming months, you will continue to see changes and additions to our multimedia coverage. More video, more slideshows and an effort to continue to give you the best, most complete coverage of your local news.

If you have any comments, suggestions or questions, feel free to drop me a line at wcannon@uticaod.com.

William P. Cannon
Multimedia Editor

Welcome

2008-04-30T09:36:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the UticaOD.com Multimedia Blog. This is a forum for the staff to share with you thoughts about their work and some of their experiences along the way. The goal is to offer you a glimpse inside the workings of our talented staff.