Virtual Expert: John Vogel

John Vogel of American Agriculturalist magazine placed first in the Nuts and Bolts/Livestock category in the 2005 AAEA Photo Awards Program. Also an award-winning writer, Vogel placed first in the Editorial Opinion Category in the 2005 AAEA Writing Awards Program.

1) Explain your photo:

a) What was your initial goal?

b) Go through your thought process and procedures in approaching and/or setting up the photo.

c) What elements of your photo make it exceptional?

d) What advice can you offer to young photographers in pursuing a photo like yours?

The ostrich portrait was one of those "finds" that you stumble across - and you're smart enough to stay beyond pecking distance from. After shooting a series of low-angle (boring) full-body shots through the fence, it was time to take one step back and use a 105-mm lens to capture the tilted, angular head in the angular fence.

The big eyes, angular features and the bird's natural curiosity made the image exceptional. The photographer was just lucky to frame it.

Advice: Frame images from very low or very high angles. Catch your photo subjects at work in action, or focused on something other than you. Take multiple images, always framing closer and closer.

My photo skills probably began in the J-school courses at Iowa State University. I spent a lot of time in the dark - developing film (old days), cropping and printing. In ag publishing, writing and photo skills still often go together. No one better knows what photos would help illustrate a story than its writer.

Advice: Today's digital cameras are great. But awesome images still come from the mind behind the lens. Take photo courses, or learn from the pros at an AAEA photo school - even if news writing will be your paycheck.

How did you begin your career? What advice do you have for those just graduating in ag comm? What does it mean to be a member of AAEA? How do you maintain a high standard of ethics in your writing and your career?

AAEA has been my wellspring of professional improvement and personal encouragers. When you become close to like-minded professionals with high ethical standards, it's far easier to maintain them.