DIPLOMA IN PHOTOJOURNALISM

DPJ199: DIPLOMA PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

REFLECTION PAPER

(Form 4)

Name of student: Nobleza Randy T.

(Family name) (Given name) (Middle Initial)

Date submitted: April 9, 2013

(Please type your answers in the box following a question. The text box will expand as you

type).

What public affairs issues are tackled in the works?

Based on the thrusts of the Konrad Adenauer Asian Center for Journalism and World

Press Photo Freedom 2.0, I decided to engage the old mining disaster story in my province.

Since the late 1960s, large scale mining has not delivered any of its promises of growth and

development. On the contrary, it has adversely affected Marinduque. During the earthen

dam collapse in December 1993 and the mine spill disaster in March 1996, the Marcopper

Mining Company was shut down and left Mogpog and Boac River dead. So I decided to

take on the issue that is a residue of decades long mining to the people and livelihood of

Marinduque. For the most part, I am also with the local state college and the community

media outlet. I usually take part in coverage of development oriented topics such as NGOs

intervention, women and gender, technology transfers, etc.

How do the works contribute to the discussion of these issues?

I think photojournalism is a very powerful medium which highlights and mainstreams issues that

otherwise is not discussed. To this end, with my work in the academe and the local media groups,

I am able to afford to share insights and document social change as it happens and where it

happens. But a large part of my work is informed by the basic mistrust of government activities

and top down led development. Therefore to balance the situation, I tend to cover issues and

concerns that are not taken “mainstream” media. I would to get an enterprising stories rather than

take on commissioned or assigned issues. With this approach, I get to contribute to the

furtherance of issues that are very popular or taken by the mainstream.

How did you engage your coordinator, advisers and reviewers? What were their key

contributions in the development process of your project?

I have worked closely with the project coordinator from the beginning. I was given a green light

and came up with initial images. Although I have to work doubly hard because photojournalism

is not exactly my first nature. But my inconsistencies and lack of focus was by and large cured

by my adviser’s constant prodding. Whenever I submit a journal and an updated collection of

ACFJ DPJ199_DIPLOMA PROJECT | Form 4 REFLECTION PAPER 1

images, I would be reminded of things that I overlooked or missed. This gives me enthusiasm

and drive to continue to get the project going.

How did this course enhance your appreciation of the professional standards, including ethical

principles, of photojournalism?

The diploma project has informed to the core, when I first had the chance I knew that I came

undone. It was not the best possible output I could give. I think this is just part of the process to

uphold the highest standards. If I would be given a diploma, I needed to deliver 100%. And for

me to cope with the standards I need to have reference points. And ACFJ has given me a lot of

reference points, from my classmates, to my mentors and to the panelists. It gave me a chance to

be a better person and photojournalist. Without the guidance of my classmates, mentors and the

panelists, I would not have come too far. I could have just stop and told myself I don’t belong to

such great company. I don’t deserve to earn a diploma the last time, but since ACFJ gave me a

another shot to prove my worth, I think the program totally enhanced my appreciation of the high

standards of photojournalism.

How did this course enhance your skills, knowledge and attitude in photography,

photojournalism and visual story-telling?

Well, I’ve learned a lot from the modules. But without the company of my batch mates and

mentors I don’t think I would be able to apply the principles of photojournalism on my context in

Marinduque. The total experience opened a lot of avenue to mainstream issues and concerns that

could have been just outrightly ignored or forgotten. The diploma course is a long preparation to

produce quality output. Half of the battle is complying with all the requirements of the diploma

course, the more significant part would be trying to battle one’s self to produce a portfolio that is

worth publishing and telling other people. A great deal of the course I’ve learned from the works

of my classmates. They gave me the inspiration to get things done no matter how hard the task is

or how difficult the challenges are.

Other comments

I am kind of saddened if the news on the acfj website is confirmed that the diploma courses like

multimedia and photojournalism would be differed. I was hoping to refer the program to other

deserving students and photojournalists along with multimedia artists. I am also bit down by the

fact that diploma courses would not be offered anymore.

ACFJ DPJ199_DIPLOMA PROJECT | Form 4 REFLECTION PAPER 2