Needle Exchange | Recent work for Reuters

My work, photojournalism, Published work, Seattle, Still photography

This was a challenging story at times, but important. Needle exchanges are controversial, especially the People’s Harm Reduction Alliance, because it now provides meth pipes. It is the nation’s largest needle exchange program, and while critics might argue that it encourages drug use, the organizers will say that the benefits outweigh any drawbacks. Read the story by Eric M. Johnson here.

 

A man prepares to inject himself with heroin using a needle obtained from the People’s Harm Reduction Alliance, the nation’s largest needle exchange program, in Seattle, Washington April 30, 2015.

 

(L to R) Shilo Murphy, Misty Kohal, and Jeff Sablosky prepare to open the People’s Harm Reduction Alliance, the nation’s largest needle-exchange program, in Seattle, Washington April 30, 2015. The People’s Harm Reduction Alliance now offers free bubble-ended pipes as part of a pioneering but illegal program launched last month in an indirect bid to curb infectious diseases. REUTERS/David Ryder

 

A pipe for crack cocaine use, a needle for heroin use, and a pipe for methamphetamine use are shown at the People’s Harm Reduction Alliance, the nation’s largest needle-exchange program, in Seattle, Washington April 30, 2015.

 

A man injects himself with heroin using a needle obtained from the People’s Harm Reduction Alliance, the nation’s largest needle exchange program, in Seattle, Washington April 30, 2015.

 

Shilo Murphy, executive director of the People’s Harm Reduction Alliance, the nation’s largest needle-exchange program, is pictured at the exchange’s University District location in Seattle, Washington April 30, 2015.

 

Pipes for methamphetamine use are pictured at the People’s Harm Reduction Alliance, the nation’s largest needle-exchange program, in Seattle, Washington April 30, 2015.

 

Volunteers wait for clients at the People’s Harm Reduction Alliance, the nation’s largest needle-exchange program, in Seattle, Washington April 30, 2015.

 

Shilo Murphy, executive director of the People’s Harm Reduction Alliance, the nation’s largest needle-exchange program, wears the exchange’s logos on his shirt and jacket in Seattle, Washington April 30, 2015.

 

 

Kayaktivism for The New York Times

My work, photojournalism, Published work, Seattle, Still photography, Sustainability

Recent work for The New York Times: I recently covered the ongoing controversy in Seattle surrounding the mooring of a Royal Dutch Shell Arctic drilling rig at the Port of Seattle en route to its oil exploration in Alaska. This weekend will bring large protests both on land and on Puget Sound. The Obama Administration just approved Arctic oil exploration. Read the story here.

 

SEATTLE, WA – MAY 7, 2015: Elizabeth Chiaravalli (C) directs a group of activists during a “kayaktivist” training organized in advance of a floating protest of Royal Dutch Shell in Seattle, Washington on May 7, 2015. Beginning May 16, activists will hold three days of demonstrations, including a kayak flotilla on the waters of Puget Sound, to protest the presence of Shell’s Arctic drilling rigs in the Port of Seattle. CREDIT: David Ryder for The New York Times

 

 

SEATTLE, WA – MAY 7, 2015: Activists Rachell Turner (L) and Jordan Van Voast (C) prepare for a “kayaktivist” training. CREDIT: David Ryder for The New York Times

 

SEATTLE, WA – MAY 7, 2015: Activists, including Elizabeth Chiaravalli (C), cheer together during a “kayaktivist” training. CREDIT: David Ryder for The New York Times

 

SEATTLE, WA – MAY 7, 2015: Activists huddle together at the beginning of a “kayaktivist” training. CREDIT: David Ryder for The New York Times

 

Uncategorized

Fire capped the night at the anti-capitalist protest in Seattle, which turned violent as police used flashbang grenades and pepper spray on protestors, who threw rocks and other objects. At least 15 were arrested and three police officers were injured, while several protestors and observers were also injured.

Uncategorized

Recent work for Reuters: http://www.photographer-in-seattle.com/seattle-may-day-protests-recent-work-for-reuters/

Demonstrators and members of the media flee moments before a police “flashbang” grenade explodes during an anti-capitalist protest in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2015. The anti-capitalist May Day march in Seattle turned violent on Friday when demonstrators threw rocks and wrenches at police, who responded by lobbing “flashbangs” and shooting pepper balls, according to police and media reports. On a day of demonstration traditionally known as International Workers’ Day, Labour Day or May Day, anti-capitalist protesters battled police and caused property damage, with at least 15 arrests made and three officers injured, according to authorities. REUTERS/David Ryder

Seattle May Day Protests | Recent work for Reuters

My work, photojournalism, Seattle, Still photography

As usual, May Day in Seattle began peacefully with a permitted march led by immigrant rights activists, but later turned into a violent ordeal during the anti-capitalist protest. By the end of the night, there were at least 15 arrests and three police officers injured, according to authorities. The protest turned violent as police used “flashbang” grenades, pepper spray, and other means during an hours-long cat and mouse with a group of over a hundred that threw rocks and other objects toward police. Cars and shop windows were damaged along the way, as well.

 

Demonstrators participate in May Day protests in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2015. International Workers’ Day, also known as Labour Day or May Day, commemorates the struggle of workers in industrialised countries in the 19th century for better working conditions.

 

Demonstrators and members of the media flee moments before a police “flashbang” explodes during an anti-capitalist protest in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2015.

 

Police detain a demonstrator during an anti-capitalist protest in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2015.

 

A demonstrator swears at police while holding a middle finger up during an anti-capitalist protest in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2015.

A police officer prepares to fire rubber bullets at demonstrators during an anti-capitalist protest in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2015.

 

Police detain a demonstrator during an anti-capitalist protest in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2015.

 

 

Photographer Scott Lum recovers after being injured during an anti-capitalist protest in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2015.

 

Police use pepper spray against demonstrators during an anti-capitalist protest in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2015.

 

 

 

Police detain a demonstrator during an anti-capitalist protest in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2015.

 

 

A demonstrator holds a middle finger up toward the police during an anti-capitalist protest in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2015.

 

 

Demonstrators assist an injured man during an anti-capitalist protest in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2015.

 

 

Demonstrators and members of the media flee moments before a police “flashbang” explodes during an anti-capitalist protest in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2015.

 

Demonstrators and members of the media flee as a police “flashbang” explode4 during an anti-capitalist protest in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2015.

 

 

Demonstrators build a fire near fresh graffiti at Seattle Central College during an anti-capitalist protest in Seattle, Washington May 1, 2015.

 

Red Giant Universe Review

Tech stuff, Thoughts, Video

 

Red Giant has done a few things right over the past year since it launched Red Giant Universe, its new subscription-based collection of editing/effects tools for filmmakers. In my opinion, the key to Red Giant Universe’s success (since it’s a subscription service) lies in its ability to add new and interesting tools, and they’ve done just that. In order to produce useful tools, Red Giant has utilized Universe Labs, where users can vote on potential new additions. So far, Red Giant has added a Compound Blur effect, an Exposure Blur Transition, a PixelGlow EZ effect, and a Soft Wipe transition. I think it is really cool that Universe doesn’t just add new tools periodically, but it actually listens to its customers and adds tools that the community members are asking for.

 

 

Other than keeping things fresh, Red Giant made the right choice in creating Universe as a subscription-based service. You can opt in at no charge for access to the basic tools and to vote, or you can choose from the followed paid options: $10/month, $99/year, or a $399 one time payment. The paid options allow access to a premium set of tools, of course. I enjoy using subscription services because they automatically update and I no longer have to worry about spending large amounts on new versions of the software.

 

 

I use Final Cut Pro X, so I can only speak to the Red Giant Universe experience in Final Cut, but Universe is also compatible with Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, Apple Motion, Sony Vegas Pro, Davinci Resolve, and HitFilm 3 Pro. Within Final Cut, the Universe tools are supposed to be much faster because they are GPU-accelerated. I honestly can’t tell too much of a difference on my current iMac, but I do think this is a good design that will allow for quicker plugins as I update my hardware.

 

I counted almost 90 tools, and of course this number will only increase with time. I’m pleased with what I’ve seen so far, and some of my favorites include Turbulence Noise, Streak Blur, Texturize, and OverLight. They are not all mind-blowing plugins, but everything is useful. Some tools might parallel what you’ll see prepackaged in Final Cut Pro X, but you will also find plenty of new tools that are much more creative than the prepackaged options.

 

My suggestion is: go for it. At the very least, you can spend $10 for one month and decide whether or not you like it. That option within the subscription model is, to me, really empowering.