Frank Potter Cowan

Long-time PPAGLA member and Honorary Member Frank Potter Cowan passed away peacefully from cancer on August 17th.

Friend Karen Terrill said “Frank created the Crisis Communications training at California Specialized Training Institute and through those classes he taught hundreds, probably thousands of communicators how to keep the public informed during a crisis. He could be tough, but that was because he was so passionate about teaching us how to get it right. And he always included humor in his workshops. Training seemed to come naturally to him. But I knew how hard he worked at it. I heard many people over the years say that Frank was the best trainer they ever had.”

Every year the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) presents the Frank Potter Cowan Crisis Communications Leader Award to POS’s providing critical information to communities in trouble. Whether it is fires, floods, earthquakes, storms or civil unrest, there are PIOs in the trenches telling the public what they need to know. And in California, many of those PIOs learned how to get it done from Frank. Those PIOs are part of Frank’s legacy. 

Frank had a long and varied professional career. He worked as a broadcast news reporter, a print photographer, a sworn police officer, an emergency response manager, and a PIO. But his friends and family knew that he was a trainer first and foremost. 

Bob Riha Jr described Frank as “A mountain of a man that saved many, many lives through his training of PIOs and his belief to inform the public in times of crisis. My heart hurts like everyone he has touched, and I’m honored to call him a friend.”

Frank was also an advisor to PPAGLA’s Media Access Committee Media Guidebook which was published in 1992. He was a true friend and true supporter of the news media and the PPAGLA.

Rick Meyer said “As an Honorary Member, Frank didn’t have to pay dues, but he insisted and paid his dues every year. He loved the PPAGLA and was proud to be a news photographer.”

He leaves his wife Becki, son Brian, daughter Erin and four grandchildren, plus countless friends and fans.

George R. Fry

We are sorry to report that our friend and colleague George R. Fry passed away peacefully at home Thursday, July 16 with his kind and caring wife Ruth at his side.  George was a wonderful friend to PPAGLA, served as our president in 1969, and was a member for more than 50 years.  George worked as a photographer at the Los Angeles Times for over 30 years from the end of the 1950’s to the early 1990’s.  His career spanned an ever-changing environment in journalism.  He started out as a hard-news photographer on the Westside of Los Angeles, covering homicides, fires, accidents and later, court cases involving the rich, famous and infamous.  Near the end of his career he enjoyed success photographing the Space Shuttle as it landed at night at Edwards Airforce Base. His good friend Bob Chamberlin remembers especially George’s hard work ethic and integrity and told us about a recent comment from Bob that shows his passion for our field:  “Bob, we had such a great job,” he exulted during the celebration of his 92nd birthday last March.  We will miss you George.

The photo shows George with a chocolate replica camera he got for his birthday.

LEARN ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY, A WEBINAR WITH RAUL ROA

WEDNESDAY, AUG 26, 2020

11AM-12:30PM

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!

Raul Roa is a photographer with Times Community News, a division of the Los Angeles Times.  He is also an avid nature and travel photographer and is an expert in the challenging world of astrophotography. 

In this webinar, Roa will explore Wide-Field Astrophotography and will show some of his work in this genre.  Participants will learn how to create images of the night sky to create star trails and time-lapse movies, all with one setting and one camera!   Equipment, times, locations, composition, and technical aspects will be discussed.  Roa will also review helpful apps and programs for creating these stunning images.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity!  Sign up today

New Quarterly Contest

Hello Members!

We are excited to announce that our stills contest is now a Quarterly Clips Contest.  Please see our website at https://www.ppagla.org/quarterly-stills-contest for the new rules, categories, and to enter.

We have added a category “Pictorial”.  You will see the definition on our website.  

Please enter!  Your work may run in our Just One More, Jr. newsletter and in our yearbook!

Our hope is that these changes will encourage participation across our membership.  Send in your best images today!

QUARTERLY Clips Contest deadlines for 2020 are as follows:

Quarter 1 (Q1):  Jan - March - Deadline is 11:59pm,  June 20 (one time catch up deadline for 2020)

Quarter 2 (Q2):  April - June - Deadline is 11:59pm,  July 15, 2020

Quarter 3 (Q3):  July - Sept - Deadline is 11:59pm,  Oct. 15, 2020

Quarter 4 (Q4):  Oct - Dec - Deadline is 11:59pm,  Jan 10, 2021

Stay tuned for changes to our Annual Contest:  The Photographer of the Year will be determined by annual entry submission with requirements to be announced in the coming months.  We will also have a Clips Contest winner!

Questions?  Please email contests@ppagla.org

jetBlue Tickets "Silent Auction"

We are happy to announce we have a pair of JetBlue Flight Certificates for advance blind Auction as a fundraiser for PPAGLA.  Thank you to our generous sponsor JetBlue airlines!

We will start the bidding at $350.

Here is how it will work:

Please email our marvelous Secretary Bonnie Burrow at: bonburrow@aol.com with your bid this week.

Bonnie will keep track.  All bids must be in to Bonnie by 11:59 PM THIS Friday night prior to Saturday’s online Awards Ceremony.

If you haven't already registered for the Award Ceremony (FREE), pre-registration for Saturday is required: https://www.ppagla.org/banquet

We will announce the high bidder during Awards Ceremony Saturday.

Thanks everyone!  Bid early and often!!

The fine print: Blackout dates 2020: July 2-July 6 Sep. 3-7 Oct. 8-12 Nov. 4-9 Nov. 20-30 Dec. 18-31, Jan 1-5 etc.  Expiration date is 4/1/2021. 

President's Letter

Dear Friends,

2020 has been one of the most challenging times in our lives. PPAGLA started off the year with a bang.  We welcomed new board members, formed new committees, and began working to bring new things to our members.

We were on track for a wonderful March banquet, and looked forward to honoring your excellent work, our Lifetime Achievement winners, and our Los Angeles Fire Department Captain.  We added a new student multi-media category, and had strong entries across many schools.

In early February, PPAGLA board members met with a Nikon delegation of approximately eight from Japan, New York, and Los Angeles, and we enjoyed collaborating with new friends.

We were honored to have Pulitzer Prize winner Don Bartletti as our inaugural speaker at Canon Burbank in late February, and were excited about our rejuvenated relationship with Canon.  

Don set the perfect tone for our year.  His humanity and deep caring for his subjects was palpable.  His talk was full of inspiration and hope.  

But something ominous also happened that night which offered an early glimpse of what was to come.  As we were eagerly crowding around the demo tables laden with new Canon gear, Canon officials urgently informed us of a new policy.  We were suddenly required to use hand sanitizer and sanitizing stations were rolled into the reception area.  We stopped handling the gear and dutifully lined up at the stations to comply, chatting amongst ourselves.  I silently hoped we were just being “extra careful.” This was February 26, the day the CDC confirmed the first case of COVID-19 transmission via “community spread” in the United States.  We had heard about the virus, but I don’t think any of us could have imagined how the world would change just a few short weeks later.  

It became clear in March that the safety and health of our members was more important than physically gathering for our awards banquet.  Yet information was changing by the day, making it difficult to discern exactly how to proceed.  At the time, cancelling or postponing the event seemed a bold move.  Not all restrictions were yet in place and the venue wanted business as usual.  Our goal was to protect our members, while minimizing any potential financial damage to PPAGLA if we cancelled.  Thankfully, we managed to do both.  

Personally, I felt blindsided by what was to come next, and I suspect that I am not alone.  The pandemic hit Los Angeles full force.  Assignments for freelancers evaporated.  Clients stopped doing the things that needed photographing, and advertising dollars for news outlets declined at an alarming rate.  

For many of us, losing our jobs has been the hardest thing.  For others, keeping the staff positions has felt precarious at best.  Fear for our safety has been pervasive in ways that are new to us. 

At the time of this writing, two of my own family members have passed away in the last several weeks.  Not being able to travel to see family and mourn together is harder than I ever imagined it might be.  Now, a 30 year old friend is fighting for his life on a ventilator.

Our board has held meetings via Zoom to find ways we can help our members during this time.  We put together a resource list on our website, and update it regularly with financial, COVID-19, and mental health resources.  The 8-Ball Welfare Foundation has been a special friend to the PPAGLA for many years, and stands ready to help those of us in need of emergency financial assistance.  One of our own PPAGLA members independently raised additional funds to help 8-Ball help us.  

We are personally calling as many of you as we can to simply see how you are doing.  My hope is that small acts of kindness can be the difference between a good day and a bad day.

We are exploring ways to present the programming we planned.  Please check our website for updates.  The contests are being revised with an eye toward increased participation across genres.  We are open to suggestions and welcome your ideas.  Please reach out to us and let us know your thoughts and if you would like to lend a hand.

On a lighter note, we have decided to host our Awards Ceremony live and interactively online on Saturday, May 23.  Our wonderful sponsors have enthusiastically supported the idea. They will personally present awards and raffle prizes live on camera, including Nikon, Canon, Tamron, ThinkTank, Samy’s Camera and more.  Please see ppagla.org/banquet for information and registration.

We are here for you.  We will get through this.  Together.  

Amy

AmyPPAGLA@gmail.com

DRONES FOR VISUAL STORYTELLING

Zoom Webinar

Thursday May 14, 2020

11AM-12PM

ZOOM REGISTRATION (REQUIRED):

Join us for an informative and inspiring Zoom meeting to learn how Travis Geske & Ann Johansson are using drones to tell visual stories.

Travis Geske http://travisgeske.com

Travis is a veteran drone operator and documentary cinematographer with unparalleled experience capturing imagery from the air, on the ground, and beneath the waves around the world. As one of the United States' first commercially licensed drone pilots, Travis took his passion for creating powerful photography to the sky, creating first-of-its kind content for organizations from ESPN to National Geographic to ABCs Good Morning America. With these skills he continues to pursue compelling stories and collaborations with organizations looking to elevate their visual storytelling.

Ann Johansson annjohansson.com

Born in Gothenburg, Sweden, Ann Inger Johansson is an award-winning photographer with a focus on the causes, effects, impacts and solutions of climate change globally. Scientific data informs what topics and locations she seeks out to photograph. Ann’s ultimate goal is to make all aspects of climate change more relatable on a personal level. Ann has 20 years of experience working with publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Le Monde, Der Spiegel among many others.

Ann was commissioned to travel to six countries to document people living in different climate zones for Klimahaus, a 200,000 sq. Ft. educational space about climates and climate change in Bremerhaven, Germany. Her work can be seen throughout “The Journey” exhibition.

Ann is the winner of the 2019 Climate Outreach Climate Visuals Award. Her photographs are part of The Museum of Photographic Arts, San Diego, permanent collection and she recently exhibited at Rotterdam Photo Festival and had work in group shows at Photo Nostrum in Barcelona, Spain and at the Houston Center for Photography in Houston, USA.

COVID-19 PPAGLA Resources List

Dear fellow PPAGLA members,

These are trying times.  We’ve all found ourselves in new situations and it is difficult.

We have put together some resources of help and hope.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of us if we can help.  Sometimes simply talking and moral support can get us through tough times.

You will see below some great resources.  Please let us know if there are additional resources we should know about.

We will get through this. Together. 

The PPAGLA Board

COVID-19 Resources for Photojournalists & Newsrooms (updated: 5/12/20)

Legal:

Under Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-33-20 photojournalists are classified as essential workforce.

Essential Workforce - Communications:

Workers who support radio, television, and media service, including, but not limited to front line news reporters, studio, and technicians for newsgathering and reporting.

Your legal rights: How to respond if police or health officials challenge coronavirus reporting- National Press Club Journalism Institute

Financial Assistance, Grants & Unemployment:

The Employment Development Department (EDD)- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

Small Business Administration (SBA)- Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

ABC 7 News California PUA: Self-employed, freelance and gig economy workers can apply for unemployment benefits starting today

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program

The 8-Ball Welfare Foundation- helping Southern California journalists and photojournalists in need 

Pfaffinger Foundation- Financial aid for former Los Angeles Times employees and photographers

Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce- resources list including information for small businesses

SmugMug- COVID-19 resources, grants, funds, and more to help working photographers

The Los Angeles Press Club- Journalists Emergency Fund

National Geographic- COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Journalists

Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting- Coronavirus News Collaboration Challenge

Google News Initiative- Journalism Emergency Relief Fund

Facebook- Small Business Grants Program

The Lenfest Institute for Journalism- $1 million in grants to support coronavirus news reporting

Forbes Magazine- List Of Banks Offering Relief To Customers Affected By Coronavirus

*Reminder: Federal tax return filing has been extended from April 15 to July 15, 2020.

Mental Health for Journalists:

Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)

____________________________

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

1-800-273-8255

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org

____________________________

Mental Health Help for Photographers (And Everyone Else)- PetaPixel

How journalists can fight stress from covering the coronavirus- Al Tompkins, The Poynter Institute

Meditation and mindfulness: InsightLA 

A guide to taking care of yourself and your newsroom in times of coronavirus-  Nieman Journalism Lab

Safety:

Committee to Protect Journalists- CPJ Safety Advisory: Covering the coronavirus outbreak 

How to dress to save your life: L.A. Times photojournalists take on a whole new danger

Columbia University- Earth Institute- Covering the Pandemic: Photographers on the Frontlines 

The International Center for Journalists- Ten Tips for Journalists Covering COVID-19 Around the World 

NPPA's COVID-19 resource guide

Tips for Reporting on Pandemics- The Dart Center, Columbia University School of Journalism

How to Disinfect Camera Equipment and Spaces- LensRentals

Videos:

Covering Coronavirus – Expert Tips for Journalists and Communicators- National Press Club Journalism Institute

Al & Sidney Tompkins help journalists covering COVID-19 manage newsroom stress

ASMP- Potential Business Ramifications of Coronavirus

NPPA- Coronavirus Town Hall

NETEC: Personal Protective Equipment for COVID-19

Power Shift Project- Covid 19- Taking Care of Journalists and Journalism

This Week in PHOTO- Photographers and COVID-19

Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute- COVID-19: Staying safe while in the field

Dart Center- Photojournalism and Covid 19: Ethics, Craft and Safety

How to Use Zoom (VIDEOS):

How to Use Zoom - Basics in Less than 5 Minutes

How to Join a Zoom Meeting

How to use Zoom- Video Conferencing Tutorial for Beginners

COVID-19 Info & Data:

Johns Hopkins University: COVID-19 Information Hub

The New York Times- Coronavirus Map: Tracking the Global Outbreak

The American Association for Respiratory Care- COVID-19 News & Resources

World Health Organization- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pandemic

AP Stylebook- Coronavirus Topical Guide

LA Times- Tracking coronavirus in California

The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) at the Poynter Institute

Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc- Fact-checking coronavirus stories

Reuters Institute- Types, sources, and claims of COVID-19 misinformation

AFP Fact Check- coronavirus verification hub

Hear Member Marcus Yam speak Tuesday

Hear our own PPAGLA member Marcus Yam speak about his experience covering the COVID-19 outbreak recently in Hong Kong THIS Tuesday, April 21 12pm PST!  Details below:

Pictures of the Year International presents

Virtual Conversations with 77th POY Winner and the 74th CPOY Winner

POY: Four Photographers of the Year cover COVID-19 in their own community

Tuesday, April 21, 2 PM CST / 12PM PST

As COVID-19 sweeps across the planet, we talk to four Photographers of the Year who are covering the outbreak in their own community as they work and live on different points of the virus timeline. Our panelists are Alon Skuy of the Times in South Africa, Barbara Davidson in Los Angeles, Fabio Bucciarelli in Italy, and Marcus Yam of the Los Angeles Times, who has spent the past several months in Hong Kong. The moderators are Regina Boone, POY judge and staff photographer at the Richmond Free Press, and POY Director Lynden Steele.

REGISTRATION: https://umsystem.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mrpg5fiFSBiY__aT-KMnKQ

Boris Yaro

Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

By Doug Smith, Senior Writer, Los Angeles Times

As Robert F. Kennedy was leaving the Ambassador Hotel on June 5, 1968, following his victory in that year’s California Democratic Presidential primary, a part-time Los Angeles Times photographer, working on his own time in hopes of catching a shot for his wall, followed.

“The idea went further than I had expected,” Boris Yarowould write more than 40 years later in a reminiscence of the night he became one of the world’s celebrated photographers.

In the pandemonium of the hotel’s pantry following Kennedy’s shooting by Sirhan B. Sirhan, as the crowd parted from the fallen candidate, Yaro snapped the enduring black-and-white image of a distraught busboy trying to console a mortally wounded hero.

Yaro, who shot news photos for The Times for more than 40 years and along the way tutored the actor who played the news photographer on the TV series “Lou Grant,” died Wednesday at his home in Northridge of natural causes. He was 81.

Although Yaro’s career became defined by the Kennedy photo, he was known to colleagues as a hard-driving but dapper news hound. 

Always going to work in a blazer and tie, Yaro presented an amusing contrast to the slovenly, rumpled photographer known as Animal on “Lou Grant.” In preparing for that role, actor Daryl Anderson tutored under Yaro, learning how to use a camera and going on assignments to absorb the daily rhythm of the photojournalist.

“It struck me as comical that here was this character he got hanging around with Boris,” said Times photographer Al Seib.

In a 1996 book on the making of “Lou Grant,” author Douglass K. Daniel quoted Yaro as saying, “You can’t walk into a newsroom dressed as a damn bum.”

Beneath Yaro’s sharp appearance was an intense commitment to his craft. 

“It was like meeting a rock star,” said Rick Meyer, another longtime Times photographer, of his first meeting with Yaro in 1973, when Meyer was fresh out of journalism school. “His company car sprouted numerous antennas for police radios. Boris would respond to news stories all hours of the day and night.”

“He knew everybody: every fireman, every policeman,” said colleague Joel Lugavere. “They all knew him on a first-name basis.”

Yaro’s children, Michael Yaro and Nicole Good, said that dedication was part of their lives too. 

“We all lived with that,” Good said. “He had scanners on his nightstand. He never left home without some form of connected communication. He always had one, maybe two maybe three cameras with him, film in every single pocket.”

According to his children, Yaro joined The Times in the mid-1960s as a part-time photographer in the paper’s San Gabriel Valley office.

In his 2010 recollection of the night of the Kennedy assassination, Yaro said he did not take photos during the shooting.

“It was dark, and I think I was afraid,” he wrote.

When he saw Kennedy sinking to the floor, he realized, “I had better make pictures.”

Then a woman grabbed his sleeve and pleaded with him to stop.

 “My response was, ‘Dammit, lady, this is history,’ ” Yarowrote. “I pulled my coat sleeve loose from her grasp but lost some visual space because people began crowding around the fallen Kennedy.” 

The photo, which is part of the permanent collections of the Getty Museum in Los Angeles and Museum of Modern Art in New York, did not win the Pulizer Prize, which went that year to an equally enduring shot of the execution of a Viet Cong prisoner in Saigon.

Pulitzer Prize-winning former Times photographer Don Bartletti said he thought two Pulizers should have been given that year.

“When you look at Boris’ picture of Kennedy from head to foot, with the kitchen worker leaning over him, that is a completely perfect composition with all the necessary elements,” Bartletti said. “His picture is and will remain fantastic.”

Besides his two children, Yaro is survived by his wife, Jill, and a brother. 

Weds Feb 26 - An Evening with Photojournalist Don Bartletti

FEB 26, 2020 - 6:30PM-9:00PM
Canon Burbank , 3400 West Olive Avenue, Suite 250, Burbank, CA 91505, United States

RSVP HERE - https://forms.gle/yeJjvFZ8tmKbjELy5

The Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles and Canon Burbank present an evening with Don Bartletti.

Don will share some of the highlights of his career and how he avoided burnout and buyouts, waltzed with editors and bean counters, archived negatives, notes and digital files, and his unwavering loyalty to the ethics and aesthetics of photojournalism.

His journalistic and personal devotion to migration across our southern border remains an unprecedented long-range documentary project that extends from the late 1970’s to the 2019 migrant caravans at the Tijuana border.

He was awarded the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography for his six-part Los Angeles Times photo essay Enrique’s Journey. He was the 2014 Pulitzer Finalist for International Reporting for Product of Mexico. Other recognitions include the Robert F. Kennedy Grand Prize for International Photojournalism, George Polk Award; Scripps-Howard Foundation, Overseas Press Club, Pictures of the Year International and dozens more. On staff at Los Angeles Times for over 32 years and a combined 10 years at San Diego Union-Tribune, the Oceanside Blade-Tribune and The Vista Press. His many assignments took him across the nation and to 32 countries.

 www.donbartlettiphotography.com

Stanley Madison Troutman October 3, 1917 – January 2, 2020

Stanley Madison Troutman, known for his gritty photographs as a war correspondent during WWII and his 42-year tenure directing the photography department at UCLA, passed away January 2, 2020 from pneumonia in Newport Beach, Ca. He was 102.

During WWII, Mr. Troutman was embedded with the U.S. Marines, Army, and Army Air Force during some of the toughest battles of the Pacific, including Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Peleliu, Leyte, Borneo, Luzon, and Corregidor. He also photographed Americans liberated from prisoner of war camps in China, and he was the first American civilian to photograph the ruins of Hiroshima and Nagasaki from the ground after the atomic bomb. His photographs appeared in newspapers, magazines, and on broadcast stations across the United States, including Life Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, and NBC. 

Mr. Troutman built up the photography department at UCLA from a 1-man operation in 1946 to a fully staffed cinematography department known for excellence. He also filmed the 1956 Olympics in Australia.

Mr. Troutman received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Press Photographer’s Association of Greater Los Angeles in 2004. He was Vice-President in 1946 and a member for more than 70 years. He started the Stan Troutman Endowment Fund to establish a yearly PPAGLA award for the Best UCLA Sports Photo. In recent years, he gave interviews and slide presentations about his experience as a WWII correspondent. His story is featured in the book, Pictures for Heroes, and a forthcoming documentary.

Donations can be made to the Stan Troutman Endowment Fund supporting the UCLA Sports Photo category of the annual stills contest.

2020 Board Members

Congratulations new PPAGLA Board members for 2020-2021!

Calvin Alagot

Gary Brainard

Jim Caccavo

Amy Gaskin

Nancy Newman

Ronen Tivony

They join those currently serving on the board:

Bonnie Burrow

Ringo Chiu

Michael Coons

Jose Lopez

Jim Ober

Karen Quincy Loberg

Arturo Quezada

The President's Message

From PPAGLA President - Louis Gabriele

 From our family to yours - 'Tis the Season… To Be Extra Cautious

The holiday season typically means many things: Celebrations, Family get-togethers and Resolutions. For lots of us, it also means increased spending— both online and in stores. The holidays presents increased opportunities for fraudsters and criminals. While you make your holiday list and search for the best deals, fraudsters and criminals gear up to take advantage of the increased sales volumes, email correspondence and preoccupied consumers whose guard may have been down leaving them more vulnerable to scams.

Whether you shopped online or in the stores, I am positive you took a moment to make your security list and checked it twice. Below are a few tips that can help you stay safe anytime.

Never put your personal ID, financial information or user IDs and passwords in emails. 

Never send your debit / credit card numbers or social security numbers via email. 

Think before you click. Do not click on a link in an email or open a file attachment unless you are 100 percent sure that it has come from a legitimate source. Links in emails can take you to fraudulent sites that look identical to the legitimate site. 

Use only secure websites. When making purchases online, be sure the web address begins with https:// vs. http://. Most browsers will show a padlock icon.

Do not fill out forms in emails, especially those that ask for your personal information. Instead, go to the company's website directly and ensure you are using a secure server (see # 4 above). 

Check your accounts. Debit/Credit Card and Bank accounts and statements. Many scammers count on consumer inattention to get away with fraudulent charges. If you see anything suspicious, contact your financial institution immediately. 

Make security your first stop. If you received a new computer or mobile device over the holidays, familiarize yourself with how to best protect it. Never leave your device unattended or unlocked. 

The holiday season is also a peak travel time. Be aware!

If you believe your email has been hacked or your credentials have been compromised, you should put a hold on your accounts, cancel credit cards and notify the credit bureaus.

Best Practices

No matter what time of year, follow the best practices below to help protect your online accounts and information: 

Change your passwords on a regular basis.

Keep anti-virus software up to date. Scan and remove viruses frequently.

Never give your password to anyone. 

Review your online accounts regularly.  Make sure the appropriate security and functional settings remain in place.

The LAPD shared some safety tips that are good any time of the year:

The holiday season has always been a special time of year. It is also a time when busy people become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crimes. We can never be too careful, too prepared or too aware. Please share this information with family, friends and neighbors. 

Avoid driving alone or at night. 

• Keep all car doors locked and windows closed while in or out of your car. Set your alarm. 

• Park as close as you can to your destination and take notice of where you parked.

• Do not leave packages or valuables on the seat of your car. Lock them in the trunk.

• Be sure to locate your keys prior to going to your car.

• Keep a secure hold on your purse, handbag and parcels. 

• When approaching or leaving your vehicle, be aware of your surroundings. 

Shopping 

• Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. Dress casually and comfortably.                   

• If you must shop at night, park in a well-lighted area.                                                             

• Carry your Driver License or ID card. Pay for purchases with a check or credit card.  

• Stay alert to your surroundings. Do not carry a purse or wallet. Don’t carry a lot of cash. 

• Pay for purchases with a check or credit card when possible. 

• Keep cash in your front pockets. 

• Notify the credit card issuer immediately if your credit card is lost, stolen or misused. 

• Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. 

•  At Home 

  • Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house. 

  • Have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspapers and mail. 

  • Indoor and outdoor lights should be on an automatic timer. 

  • Leave a radio or television on so the house looks and sounds occupied. 

  Hosting a Party 

  • Have non-alcoholic beverages available for party guests. 

  • Find alternative transportation for intoxicated guests. 

  Attending a Party 

  • Have something to eat before consuming alcoholic beverages. 

  • Never drink and drive.

  Strangers at Your Door 

  • Be aware that criminals sometimes pose as couriers delivering gifts. 

  • Criminals take advantage of the generosity of people by soliciting donations door-to-door for charitable causes although no charity is involved.

                  Be safe and donate to the Charities that you are familiar 

Photography Exhibition - Contemporary Chinese People's Livelihood

The China Photographers Association is presenting a photo exhibition opening Dec 11 and on view Dec 12-14. Information and press release below-

Event Announcement and Invitation to Interview Visiting Artists and Dignitaries of the China Photographers Association during a special exhibit at Castelli Art Space, 5428 West Washington Blvd, LA 90016

Please join us on Wed. Dec.11, 6-9PM for a special reception highlighting A Photo Exhibit of the China Photographers Association, co-hosted by the Los Angeles Center of Photography.

6:00 check in, 7:00 Ceremony starts – 7-8:00 -Opening Remarks by China Photographers Association & LACP representatives, followed by Official Address by Chinese consulate, and other local and visiting dignitaries. Reception Continues through 9:00. (Refreshments available outdoors throughout the evening.)
Exhibit On view Thurs. – Sat. Dec. 12-14 from 11-6.

The China Photographers Association, established in December 1956, is the first national photographic organization in the history of People's Republic of China. It is a professional association composed of photographers of various ethnic groups nationwide, a group member of China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC), and a major force of promoting Chinese photography, as well as establishing the Advanced Cultural Construction of Socialism.

The upcoming exhibit at Castelli Art Space is highly unusual and provocative, as it highlights the incredible societal changes that occurred in China from the mid-70’s to current day. From images that depict young women at the “beauty parlor” experiencing the first “perm” to today’s very contemporary malls, from factory workers to fashion models, to housing and transportation trends, the exhibit is both poignant and dramatic in its’ then-and-now coverage of this powerhouse country. Stunning black and white images of yesteryear appear in bold contrast to brilliant colored scenes of today, making the lifestyle and economic changes even more pronounced. This exhibit features 40 works from 40 artists, one of whom will be visiting for the opening night festivities, along with six visiting dignitaries and board members.

About the China Photographers Association-

China Photographers Association’s mission is to unite professional photographers, casual practitioners and photography lovers from various ethnic groups, provide training, and promote the development and prosperity of Chinese photographers. At present, China Photographers Association (CPA) has 50 group members (photographers associations) in different provinces, cities and autonomous regions, and more than 15,000 individual members. It is the most influential and authoritative photographic organization in China.

CPA’s focus is to connect, coordinate and provide professional guidance to its group members by organizing exhibitions, photographic creations, theoretical researches, academic symposia and forums, assessment, personnel training and external exchanges. The organization coordinates 8 exhibits annually, and has brought 2 exhibits to the US since 2015 with programs such as this one featured in Los Angeles.

The organization manages a number of prestigious photographic programs, such as Golden Statue Award for China Photography, National Photographic Art Exhibition, China International Photographic Art Exhibition, and the China Photographic Art Festival. By promoting all these events and its traditional and modern medias, China Photographers Association pushes forward the academic research and technique communication, the construction of photographic group and the contemporary photography of China. For more information please visit http://www.cpanet.org.cn or contact May Lin at may.lin@mesnew.net

Ernie Chacon 1930-2019

From GIOVANNA CHACON:

Ernie Chacon was born Ernest Richard Theodore Chacon in Los Angeles, California on September 4, 1930 to Fern Ellen Baker Chacon and Ernest Chacon. He died on November 27, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona.
Ernie had a full, creative and extraordinary time on this plane. He lived in North Hollywood through his school years. He graduated North Hollywood High where he played the equivalent of tight end on the Varsity Football team. He was proud to have played “both ways”. He was also on the Varsity team at what is now LA Valley College. He loved football and was an avid fan. He was also a keen student of the sport until the kneeling shenanigans in pro-football made him turn his back. A uncompromising man of his word, he never watched another pro game after that.

He was married young and a father at 21. He had 2 sons and 2 daughters. With a family to provide for, he left Valley College to work in air freight and other fields-- sometime holding down 3 jobs at once to support his family.

In 1963 a friend help him break into union work in the entertainment business and he began taking daily calls through the IATSE sound local. His ambition in high school where he reported on sports for the school paper had been to work as a newspaper journalist. He was thrilled to be hired onto the staff of NBC News in Burbank in 1964. He worked as a soundman for the network and then for the local station from 1964 to 1975. In 1976 he joined the Burbank EJ (electronic journalism) staff as a camera man. The very first story he shot for the station won a Local Emmy for the editor. He would recount that when the editor accepted the award she thanked everyone in the building but him!

Ernie left NBC News in the summer of 1989. He was going to work on a six months off – six months on plan when he left, but accepted a buyout in January of 1990. By then he was hard at work building a house in Philo, California --the heart of the North Coast wine country. The home he built -- almost single-handedly -- was based on the design of a 16th century Japanese Farm House. The finished project was stunning example of his artistic soul.

Ernie road dirt bike desert enduros on a Greeves bike and commuted to NBC Burbank from Glendale on a street Harley. He and Giovanna made a cross country motorcycle trip from LA to New Jersey in 1980 on a Honda Goldwing to move Giovanna’s parents to California.

Ernie and Giovanna were avid campers and had been RV and motorcycle camping in every state but Hawaii. They loved bird watching and hiking and Ernie loved his pets – especially a succession of dogs. There wasn’t a toddler or dog or cat who didn’t like Ernie at first sight.

A voracious reader he was an omnivore and never forgot what he read. He loved opera and all classical music – particularly Wagner’s Ring Cycle. In 2008, Ernie and Giovanna sold their home in Philo to move to Tucson, AZ.

He had a sly wit and was a great raconteur. He always found a ready audience for his tales of “being there” --up close and personal -- at momentous times with some of the most noteworthy personalities of the second half of the 20th century. In his eighties, as a legacy for his family, he began writing these experiences down. The family plans to these pieces as a book in the near future.

Ernie is not a man you’d soon forget if you ever had the pleasure of meeting him. In the words of his son, Michael: “The only way you get to live a life like that, is if you chase it!” The chase is done now. Ernie. It’s time to rest in peace in the presence of your Lord and Savior.

Ernie is survived by his second wife, Giovanna M Nigro Chacon, son, Michael E Chacon of Boise, ID and daughter, Lisa Seberger of Las Vegas, NV, 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; a sister, Cathryn Valenzuela, of Napa, California 3 nieces, and 5 great grand nephews. A son, Stephen and a daughter, Natalie, predeceased him.

In lieu of flowers, Ernie would have liked donations in his name to St Jude Hospital in Memphis, Tn.

Photo Membership Card

An optional enhanced ID will be available starting Jan 2, 2020 for professional members only at a $10 fee.

Orders will be open Jan 2 and end Feb 2. Expect a two week turnaround for your card. We are doing just one print run a year to keep costs at $10.

All orders contingent on confirmation of professional membership.

Members will be able to order the card starting Jan 2 at www.ppagla.org/photo-id

Final design subject to change

Photojournalist Avi Adelman to Recieve Settlement of $345,000 After Unlawful Arrest “For Taking Pictures” in Dallas, TX

On February 9, 2016, Stephanie Branch of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) arrested photojournalist Avi S. Adelman on unlawful charges while he was photographing the Dallas Fire/Rescue paramedics treating a K2 overdose victim. The event took place at the Rosa Parks Plaza in the West End Transit Center.

Now, more than three years later, Adelman is finally receiving a long-awaited settlement on his case of $345,000 to be paid within the next ten days. This is a big win for photographers who advocate for the right to photograph in public places, regardless of law enforcement in the area.
- https://www.slrlounge.com/photojournalist-avi-adelman-recieves-settlement-unawful-arrest/

Come Saturday, October 26th for our Ethics in Photojournalism panel

WHAT: PPAGLA will be presenting a panel discussion regarding Ethics in photojournalism as part of the NABJLA Media Summit and Career Fair.

WHEN: Saturday, October 26, 2019 during the hours of 10:30-11:30 A.M.

WHERE: USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
3502 Watt Way
Los Angeles, CA, 90089-0281

You must RSVP if you plan on attending.
RSVP Here - https://forms.gle/1hV3F9gKKcJH7X5m9

Space is limited. Please do not sign up if you do not plan on attending.

Panel Content:
Join members of the Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles for a discussion about how to get the shot, while keeping within today’s ethical guidelines. Is it ever ok to set up a shot? If so, when? What makes an image fair to the subject? Is digital manipulation ok? What are the boundaries of what is “ok” and what isn’t? Is it “ok” at all? Understanding the difference between photojournalism and advertising / PR photography is also important - and knowing how to keep those lines from becoming blurred. Bring your questions and be ready for a good conversation with the pros!

PPAGLA Members Speaking at JACC at Cal State Fullerton Oct 19, 2019

PPAGLA members Hector Batista and Davis Barber will be speaking at the Journalism Association of Community Colleges SoCal Conference on Saturday, Oct 19, 2019 at Cal State Fullerton.

Members interested in going can RSVP for one or both talks here. https://forms.gle/d1VHPrNUtwDj4TKK6

Why Good Storytelling Matters

With the advent of the internet and social media everyone is competing for your attention. Be it on social media, television or even at the gas pump, storytelling is constantly around you. Today we’ll look at how this skill transcends careers in the digital age and why compelling storytelling matters now more than ever.

Presented by Hector Batista, Video Producer – Wells Fargo
Hector is a Video Producer currently working for Wells Fargo. His career started over 20 years ago working in the advertising production space in New York City. After advertising, Hector worked in film production with an emphasis in the camera department. His next job is where he was bitten with the journalism bug working for New York City’s CSPAN equivalent. For the next 15 years he worked for most of the major television news organizations including ABC, NBC, CBS and Telemundo. Moving west seven years ago to Los Angeles, he has worked for Univision, Fusion and ABC News. He is a fan of beautifully designed things, especially architecture and furniture.

Saturday October 19, 2019 3:30pm - 04:30pm
Cal State Fullerton Titan Student Union
800 N State College Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92831

Who are you working for? Earning what your photojournalism is worth.

The workshop will cover the importance of shooting photos that make a difference, why copyright is still king, and how to step up from the bad offers of "You're just a student, think of the exposure you'll get!"

Davis Barber used to tell people he was born in Saudi Arabia to a family who bred camels in captivity. In reality, his first daylight came in sunny California where he got over the hump of childhood and became a newspaper photographer. He served time as a photo editor at the Daily Breeze in Torrance, Ca, and the Democrat & Chronicle in Rochester, New York.

As a self employed photographer, video producer and publisher, his work has appeared in publications ranging from Life and National Geographic, to shooting weekly Pet of the Week feature at the Carson Animal Shelter.

Davis also teaches the required-for-all digital foundations class in the Communications program at Cal State Fullerton. His mission is to help students launch successful careers without giving up their soul.

Saturday October 19, 2019
11:45am-12:45pm.
Cal State Fullerton Titan Student Union
800 N State College Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92831