Hello

http://www.mastr.com/ojnlxafe/?fxvkaontwly

Adam Sacasa

Transmitting Video

So yesterday I got edited photos  with embeded cutlines using photo mechanic transmitted to an email address via my cell phone and now, I figured out video.

Using Movie Maker on my netbook, my max video size is about 8.5MB or 50 seconds using portable size.

Just used a bunch of random stuff I found to throw something together.



With movie maker, I can add title screens, transitions and captions like seen in the begining. I can also use interview audio for photos. I'll need to see if I can mute video too. Uploading via email through my phone takes about 15 minutes.

P.S.- just noticed I could change the aspect ratio to 16:9 so next video should be widescreen.

Pic

Just testing...

transmitting from the field

Finally got a netbook (Acer Aspire One D255E) and I've been spending most of my time trying to get it set up for mobile journalism. Already have photo mechanic and a raw photo editor on it. Thinking about getting an HD webcam (~$40) and using UStream but need to save up some money.

As for transmitting pics, here's my process:

1. Edit photos in Raw Shooter Essentials
2. set quality to high
3. transfer photos to my phone (Sanyo Incognito) via bluetooth (takes about 1:30)
4. from my phone, send that photo via email (takes about 5 minutes for a 3MB file, 7:40 for a 6MB file)
a. here's the steps:
-Go to Tools and turn on bluetooth in my phone
-On my computer, click on the bluetooth icon and go to Show Devices
-Click Send files to your phone
-Once files transfer to the phone, send via email




Now the only question is, when can I use this?

A few weeks ago, I was at a track meet and there was a 2 hour break between prelims and finals. That would have been a great time to send some pics. With photo mechanic, copy desk can get my cutlines too.

Speaking of which, I need to find an e-mail for them so I can send it directly when I'm filing from out of town and no photogs are in the office.

Another note, I wonder how small of a file they can work with because there's no reason to send a 17x10 file if 10x7 is as big as they'd need. Also need to figure out what the minimum dpi needed is. After I get all that info, I'll just make a text document and leave the guide on the desktop.

I'm pretty excited about getting to use this. Even though it'll take about 20 minutes to send a photo and a secondary, it's still a lot better than driving an hour back to the office and rushing to meet deadline. This should mean I can stay out at my assignments longer too. Might even be able to stay till the end of basketball games now.

On top of this, my job also has a number I can call to clock in and out if I needed to. Lots of possibilities. I'll try uploading a pic here just to see what happens.

After I wrote this, I realized I might need another option besides Raw Shooter since I can't crop in it.

ugh. i feel full. Just had 2 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner and feeling pretty full.

At work I just covered a truck roll over in Adair. I think some pigs might have been electrocuted when the truck struck the power poll. Its always weird hearing the pigs scream in those trucks. Bacon is alright but Im not in love with it like some people.

Hopefully no more spot news tonight. I really want to get some sleep and watch the Daily show after frontline is over.

Oh yeah. Stopped by Lincoln Elementary (a bit late) after the accident. I had one kid say I took his pic at the tractor show (I think he meant the Ag Mech show). He seemed kinda disapointed that his pic didnt make the paper. I think I need to disclose more that not everyone who gets thier pic taken makes the paper. Especialy with the amount of names I get.

12-13-09

It's been a long time since I've been on here. Just need a record of things I'm doing for myself. Nothing interesting, just record... for now.

Morning:

Got up kind of late. Still feeling good about the macaroni I made yesterday which was:

3/4 of a sauce pan of elbow macaroni
1 and 1/2 shot of Whiskey (I used Jack)
3/4 cup of tomato sauce
sprinkle of garlic seasoning
some hot sauce
2 or 3 slices of American cheese singles

Heated on a skillet and mixed it all together. Ended up really good. Whiskey adds a little tang.. Good stuff. Wanted to make it baked but maybe next time.

Back to today, headed over to the office, checked on an assignment at 2pm. Headed over to the YMCA for the first time, got a tour. Might get a membership but I'll check to see if I can still apply for a welcome package since I moved here in June. I'd get a free month with that.

Saw Tuesday's with Morrie. It was a play at the Western Illinois Performing Arts Center. Just a two person show but it was great.

Headed home and decided to go to HyVee and get some Deep dish ingredients. Last time I buy pre made dough. Making it myself next time.

Oh yeah, covered a car fire in the square before HyVee. Girl was jump starting her friends car and the girl' car caught fire.

Just laundry now. Gonna be a late night.

Big test on Tuesday.

Got a news tip or story you want covered? Send an e-mail: adamsacasa@yahoo.com

Womens Soccer vs. Culver Stockton

A few pics from today's 12-0 victory.

Slideshow below:


Got a news tip or story you want covered? Send an e-mail: adamsacasa@yahoo.com

Day 2 wedding portraits

Here's a few from Day 2. I'm almost done editing the wedding pics. Down to the last 4 gig card. Had a blast. Just hope to get better little by little.








Now that I think about it, probably could've used the pop up flash for fill without red eye. Eh, live and learn. Next time, two strobe setup.
Got a news tip or story you want covered? Send an e-mail: adamsacasa@yahoo.com

Going undercover

I was listening to On the Media from New York Public Radio and it got me thinking.

I'm sure other journalist's think about this, going undercover for a big news scoop. Take for instance ABC News v. Food Lion. In the Supreme court case, ABC news went to investigate the Texas supermarket reusing and bleaching old meat and mixing it in with newer meat.

After the story came out on Primetime Live in 1992, the stock for the company plummeted but Primetime got a journalism award.

Food Lion sued and a federal court agreed with Food Lion. Still, ABC only had to pay $2 after an appellate court reversed the original decision that would have awarded Food Lion $5.5 million in damages.

hmm.


INFO: http://academics.smcvt.edu/dmindich/food%20lion.htm

Got a news tip or story you want covered? Send an e-mail: adamsacasa@yahoo.com

My first photo walk

Went on my first photo walk today. Had no idea what to expect. There was only one or two people when I got to the gazebo at Chandler Park but more came later.

We headed out at 10 a.m. and I felt awkward at first but stopped caring after a minute. Not used to shooting 'things' so luckily, there was a farmers market going on so I got a bunch of portraits including this Tim Riner of Rushville, IL.-



I saw his tattoo and knew I should try to get a pic. This guy was really friendly and patient as I tried to get my exposure right with the manual flash. Hopefully getting a 550ex after I figure out my budget for the month.



The backgrounds weren't all that great. Just trying to get exposure down but next time, I gotta step it up.





You could see me holding my flash in her glasses.



Really hope I didn't blind that puppy.




Met some cool people, had a good time, definitely glad I went on the walk. I'll probably join the local camera club as long as they keep having meetings that is.


(all pictures shot with a Sunpack 433 D flash on TTL-cord and my Canon 20D)
Got a news tip or story you want covered? Send an e-mail: adamsacasa@yahoo.com

The Sacasa Interviews

Click to play

4th of July Fireworks Update

4th of July Fireworks Update

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It's hot as usual here in Macomb. It'll be even hotter tomorrow but spent most the day inside so no biggie. Saturday was insanely busy with a protest @10am, Pin Hook Days in Industry, IL @1pm and Juneteenth celebrations @4pm. Thought I lost my voice recorder at Juneteenth but luckily someone was nice enough to return it. Thought I had lost it for sure. Good to know there's still nice, honest people out there.

Aside from that, just busy writing, shooting and all that. Got a little video but just need to edit it.

Today, finished up the budget protest story. Wish I could have gotten more sources though but in one day, it's a lot quicker than I'm usually writing articles. Well I've got a conference call at 8am so I better figure out this City Council story now.

adios-

Got a news tip or story you want covered? Send an e-mail: adamsacasa@yahoo.com

Busy at the moment.

Not too much happening on here till this paper is finished. Then hopefully getting interviews and video shot for a few stories I want to cover.

Bridge Jumper update 2 and FREE DVD checkouts at SPL

Guess they did get him- Daring tackle thwarts plunge into river

Not too much going on in Skokie at the moment but I did find out some great news from the Skokie Public Library Twitter. All DVD's and other AV materials are now free instead of the $1 charge. Stopped by today and picked up a few.


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I've had a problem of getting scratched DVD's in the past but won't have to worry about losing a dollar anymore so I'm happy. Make sure to notify library staff if you get any problems with the DVD's.

Bridge Jumper update

Thought that didn't make sense. Changed to Lake Shore Drive over the Chicago River.


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Still don't know if they got him.

Bridge Jumper

There's currently a person threatening to jump off the West Side of the bridge at Randoph and Lakeshore Drive in Chicago.

scanner audio Starts at 1:50, 5:20, 6:50, 9:17, now they say over Chicago river.

Traffic on the scanner was busy so not sure if he was apprehended.

Another Bank Robbery

Heard that the bank at 1325 Howard St. in Evanston was robbed earlier today so I Googled the address and found out it was robbed last month on the 8th. Pretty crazy.


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As for now, I need to start getting to meetings, start reporting and you know, be a real journalist again.

Google Maps Street View

Just a view of Old Orchard Mall here in Skokie. Barnes and Noble to the left.


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Shooting last night

@4:50 in the audio, there was a report of an Officer down and then nothing till 11:22

http://archive.scanamerica.us/il_chicago_police2/200906010121.asx

I was following this story last night at what I thought was Ashland and Hermitage but found out the streets were perpendicular. According to the story, it was at the 6000 block of S. Hermitage around 12:30am this morning.


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