thedrifter
05-31-07, 08:31 AM
Todd Heisler: Picture Perfect
Studium Generale
By: By Katy SanGregory
Posted: 5/30/07
By Katy SanGregory
Todd Heisler, winner of the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography, visited Peninsula College on April 13 to speak at a special Friday edition of Studium Generale.
Heisler began his career at the University of Illinois working for the campus newspaper, The Daily Vidette. Upon graduation, he worked at various weekly newspapers in the Chicago area. Heisler joined the staff of the Denver based newspaper, The Rocky Mountain News, in 2001.
Heisler worked with reporter Jim Sheeler to create the project "The Final Salute" for The Rocky Mountain News. The story followed the family members of United States Marines returning home from Iraq in caskets, and won Pulitzer Prizes for both; Heisler in Feature Photography, and Sheeler in Feature Writing.
While working for The Rocky Mountain News, Heisler traveled to Iraq three times to cover the war. On his third trip, in April 2005, Heisler and columnist Bill Johnson were victims of a roadside explosion. While running for cover Heisler took numerous pictures of the scene, capturing the chaos of the moment.
One reason Heisler's work was recognized is that he showed a side of the war that many had never seen first hand. As he followed the Marines in Iraq, he captured the lives and deaths of the soldiers so that readers could feel the emotions of those involved.
From the casket being flown home on a passenger plane, to the military comrades standing before the deceased friend, Heisler has shown that there is much more to be learned about the lives of soldiers.
Spending weeks with the Marines gave Heisler a better perspective. As he explained, many photographers have been to Iraq, but few spent as much time there as he had. Without prior engagement to help him relate to the subject, it would have been more difficult to capture the emotions and actions involved; living the moments himself helped him to understand.
During his visit to Peninsula College, Heisler spent time with students and faculty and made a presentation to the college's Mass Media and Society class before addressing the community at Studium Generale. He spoke about the lengthy process he and Sheeler went through during the year it took to produce the "Final Salute" project.
Heisler spoke of the close working relationship the two developed and what a project as delicate as this one required in order to produce a story that would reflect their time spent with the families.
He advised students on ways to improve their work as photographers, such as encouraging them to find editors that they respect, and that respect what they do as photographers.
Heisler's editors challenged his creativity by encouraging him to take pictures of people while they were doing things, rather than just sitting on their couch at home. Heisler said he disagrees with that advice, saying that the living room is the most natural setting for most families due to the amount of time they spend there.
When communicating with any large audience, there are many opinions and feelings involved. As a mass communicator, dealing with a controversial subject, Heisler had to be careful of the message he was sending to people. Even with such an emotional issue, Heisler was able to capture the hearts of his audience and was applauded for his photography. He was able to accomplish the task by getting to know the subjects in his pictures, choosing his photos tastefully, and keeping his opinions out of his work.
Heisler's comments on preparation, dedication, hard work and sensitivity to each assignment provided an experienced view from a Pulitzer Prize winner who now works for The New York Times.
Emily Huntington, Rachel Harmon and Anahlise Whiting contributed to this article.
Ellie
Studium Generale
By: By Katy SanGregory
Posted: 5/30/07
By Katy SanGregory
Todd Heisler, winner of the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography, visited Peninsula College on April 13 to speak at a special Friday edition of Studium Generale.
Heisler began his career at the University of Illinois working for the campus newspaper, The Daily Vidette. Upon graduation, he worked at various weekly newspapers in the Chicago area. Heisler joined the staff of the Denver based newspaper, The Rocky Mountain News, in 2001.
Heisler worked with reporter Jim Sheeler to create the project "The Final Salute" for The Rocky Mountain News. The story followed the family members of United States Marines returning home from Iraq in caskets, and won Pulitzer Prizes for both; Heisler in Feature Photography, and Sheeler in Feature Writing.
While working for The Rocky Mountain News, Heisler traveled to Iraq three times to cover the war. On his third trip, in April 2005, Heisler and columnist Bill Johnson were victims of a roadside explosion. While running for cover Heisler took numerous pictures of the scene, capturing the chaos of the moment.
One reason Heisler's work was recognized is that he showed a side of the war that many had never seen first hand. As he followed the Marines in Iraq, he captured the lives and deaths of the soldiers so that readers could feel the emotions of those involved.
From the casket being flown home on a passenger plane, to the military comrades standing before the deceased friend, Heisler has shown that there is much more to be learned about the lives of soldiers.
Spending weeks with the Marines gave Heisler a better perspective. As he explained, many photographers have been to Iraq, but few spent as much time there as he had. Without prior engagement to help him relate to the subject, it would have been more difficult to capture the emotions and actions involved; living the moments himself helped him to understand.
During his visit to Peninsula College, Heisler spent time with students and faculty and made a presentation to the college's Mass Media and Society class before addressing the community at Studium Generale. He spoke about the lengthy process he and Sheeler went through during the year it took to produce the "Final Salute" project.
Heisler spoke of the close working relationship the two developed and what a project as delicate as this one required in order to produce a story that would reflect their time spent with the families.
He advised students on ways to improve their work as photographers, such as encouraging them to find editors that they respect, and that respect what they do as photographers.
Heisler's editors challenged his creativity by encouraging him to take pictures of people while they were doing things, rather than just sitting on their couch at home. Heisler said he disagrees with that advice, saying that the living room is the most natural setting for most families due to the amount of time they spend there.
When communicating with any large audience, there are many opinions and feelings involved. As a mass communicator, dealing with a controversial subject, Heisler had to be careful of the message he was sending to people. Even with such an emotional issue, Heisler was able to capture the hearts of his audience and was applauded for his photography. He was able to accomplish the task by getting to know the subjects in his pictures, choosing his photos tastefully, and keeping his opinions out of his work.
Heisler's comments on preparation, dedication, hard work and sensitivity to each assignment provided an experienced view from a Pulitzer Prize winner who now works for The New York Times.
Emily Huntington, Rachel Harmon and Anahlise Whiting contributed to this article.
Ellie