GSPA : A Day in the Life

For the sake of journalistic transparency, I went into the GSPA conference yesterday with the mindset of "let's knock this out — quick." Little did I know, however, that the experience would cost me $45. 

First off, the thing that amuses me most about high schoolers is that I used to be one of them. Perhaps you noticed the daring young male who saw it fit to wear omega-tight pink pants, drape a few chains across his body and proceed to jump about making whistling noises. 

I cannot judge — during high school I had an unhealthy obsession with Dashboard Confessional, and actually grew my bangs out until they touched my jaw line. My "emo swoosh" was a defining part of my personality. 

Sprinkled amongst the current scenesters was a group of young minds that genuinely seemed to have a drive to succeed and make their high school newspapers papers the best darn high school newspapers they could be — also, these young minds were of the female variety. 

(Go figure.) 

Shawn Jarrard and I tucked ourselves into Mark Johnson's lecture about photojournalism. 

I cannot speak for Shawn, but I was particularly drawn to this topic because I have no experience — at all — with taking journalistic pictures. 

It was nice to finally put a face to the "legendary voice," but what I found most amazing was the time and fore-thought that goes into taking such high quality photos. 

After a quick lesson on Latin translation, Johnson taught the budding minds of Athens (as well as Shawn and myself) the principles of "filling the frame," "controlling the background," and using "visual variety" to make the most of long, medium and close-up shots. 

I particularly enjoyed seeing Jim Richardson's photos from his book, "High School: U.S.A." 

However, of everything Johnson said about adjusting apertures and making the most of any situation, it was something he said that flicked a little light somewhere in my head. 

"If the pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough." 

As the Variety editor at The Red & Black, I work with a lot of writers in an attempt to develop their voice in their articles, and to create a flowing, interesting piece. 

What I had never considered was the importance of getting "closer" — my personal niche is writing about music, whether it be interviews, previews or reviews. And often times, it will seem that little "X-factor" is missing. That factor, as I came to realize thanks to Johnson,  is how close you can get to the subject; the true "meat." If the articles aren't good enough, it's because we're not close enough. 

Genius. 

After Johnson's lecture was complete, I headed to the lecture on sports writing by Ed Morales, the Editorial Advisor of the R&B. 

I've always been a fan of sports — I bleed green and yellow (Packers baby!) — but the idea of writing about it stops my brain in its tracks. All the numbers, statistics, profiles, schedules....no thank you. 

However, and maybe it was just my lucky day, but Moraels dropped a second bomb on my already crippled intellect —

"Good writers are made by reading other good writers." 

As much as I consider myself a music journalist, how often do I really read articles by truly talented music journalists who have put in their dues? Sure, I stop by RollingStone.com fairly regularly, but do I truly soak up the experience in its entirety? 

Once Morales dismissed us and my two lectures were complete, I did the only thing I could do — drop $45 on a subscription to three music magazines. 

I want to be a good writer.