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The story behind the beginnings of Woodring Northwest Specialties, a local food specialties vendor, which started up in 1992. The Nelson family sets up their market stand at the University District Farmers Market, in Seattle, every Saturday morning.

***First attempt at comic journalism (COM 499B).

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COM364: Reflection Journal

During Erika Schultz’s course on photojournalism in a diverse society, the lesson(s) that contributed the most to my learning focused on how to operate a DSLR, using manual settings. I went into this class having little experience with aperture, f-stop, iso, and etc. Moreover, I knew the meanings and purposes of these terms, but I never before put them to practical use. Essentially, prior to this photojournalism course, I was able to get away with relying heavily on my phone’s limited camera capabilities. So spending the extra time in-class, and out-of-class, to become comfortable with adjusting DSLR camera settings and understand the basics helped me tremendously.

More specifically, the extra out-of-class weekend practice sessions helped me become very comfortable with the camera very quickly. And the lesson that focused on dynamic light helped me gain a better understanding of the relationship between iso and aperture. Learning how to work with light is important, particularly in Seattle. This class took place during winter quarter, so it was usually either dark and rainy or overcast and cloudy. And while reporting, I had to constantly adjust my camera settings to accommodate for these uncontrollable factors. So learning the fundamentals early on in the course was quite beneficial.

My biggest challenge during this course was feeling comfortable approaching strangers to take their pictures. In fact, I am still not entirely comfortable with this aspect of photojournalism. But in the meantime, this course taught me that photographing in teams and groups and/or photographing event coverage are a great ways to help journalists/photographers/individuals that are not exactly social-butterflies, like myself, get the job done.

The most inspiring aspect of this course was going over classmates’ visual assignments in-class. Over these past 10 weeks, I valued being able to watch the capabilities and skills of my fellow peers grow. Also, it was interesting to look at the stylistic differences amongst my peers.

Overall, I am happy that I enrolled in this photojournalism course, because I am walking away with very valuable skills that will only help me grow as a journalist. Additionally, I am pleased that this course gave me the opportunity to work with Adobe Premiere Pro again. Also, when it comes to videography, I realized that I enjoy the process of both storyboarding/pre-production and editing/post-production a bit more than the filming/production stage. Ultimately, I am excited to continue using these photo/visual skills in future reporting, and further strengthen my work as a whole.

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COM364: Final Portfolio

A collection of my five strongest photos, plus one video story, from Winter Quarter 2015.

Audience member Fai Mathews, sporting USA attire, supports her nephew and grandchildren, as they perform onstage with CryOut! at the MLK Seattle rally, Monday, Jan. 18, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

ISO 800, Exposure Time 1/160 sec and F-Stop f/5.

Ethiopian Orthodox Churches celebrate Timket, or Epiphany, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. Clergymen, priests, and high ranking officials happily greet each other, as church members ready themselves for the march. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

ISO 800, Exposure Time 1/125 sec and F-Stop f/5.

In celebration of Timket, members of nearby Ethiopian Orthodox churches organize in multiple choirs, starting with the very young and leading up to the very old, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

ISO 800, Exposure Time 1/320 sec and F-Stop f/5.6.

Medina Khedir assists a participant in securing a hijab, Monday Feb. 1, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. All women, both non-Muslims and non-Hijabi Muslims, are encouraged to experience the hijab for however long they feel comfortable, Monday Feb. 1, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. Members are pleasantly surprised to find that many participants actively choose to wear the hijab for the entire day. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

“I like being in control of what others see of me, especially in the modern-day world. Because I am fully covered, people are forced to judge me based on my personality, opposed to my appearance,” said Khedir.

ISO 400, Exposure Time 1/250 sec and F-Stop f/5.6.

Samantha Gil-Vargas, 20, is a second-year student at the University of Washington, and she sits inside the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science & Engineering building, as she writes code, using Python, for her end-of-quarter project on carbon emissions, Sunday, March 6, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. 

Upon graduation, Gil-Vargas aspires to integrate herself into the professional world of programmers and big data; however, she is at a disadvantage. Today, both sexism and racism are still common occurrences within the workforce, especially when it comes to the industries involving code and tech.

Moreover, Gil-Vargas is both a woman and Hispanic. 

“I am a minority, so it is difficult to compete. You don’t see a lot of Hispanic women who code,” she said. “[Coding] is work, but it’s rewarding.”

Currently, Gil-Vargas takes steps towards her end-goal by seeking admission into the university’s Human Centered Design and Engineering department.(Photo by Sidney Sullivan) 

ISO 400, Exposure Time 1/60 sec and F-Stop f/5.6.

Miriam Zeghmi is a communications and early childhood & family studies student, at the University of Washington, Seattle. Zeghmi is also Muslim, and she personally chooses to wear a hijab. She speaks about her experiences with the hijab, while also addressing misconceptions and stigmas associated with the garment. Moreover, she expresses her concerns regarding how these misunderstandings impact her life and the lives around her. “The media poorly portrays both the hijab and our [Muslim] community, but the hijab actually helps us take back our narrative,” said Zeghmi, earlier this year, on World Hijab Day. “By covering myself, I can control what others see in me.”

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Miriam Zeghmi is a communications and early childhood & family studies student, at the University of Washington, Seattle. Zeghmi is also Muslim, and she personally chooses to wear a hijab. She speaks about her experiences with the hijab, while also addressing misconceptions and stigmas associated with the garment. Moreover, she expresses her concerns regarding how these misunderstandings impact her life and the lives around her. “The media poorly portrays both the hijab and our [Muslim] community, but the hijab actually helps us take back our narrative,” said Zeghmi, earlier this year, on World Hijab Day. “By covering myself, I can control what others see in me.”

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Samantha Gil-Vargas, 20, is a second-year student at the University of Washington, and she sits inside the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science & Engineering building, as she writes code, using Python, for her end-of-quarter project on carbon emissions, Sunday, March 6, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. 

Upon graduation, Gil-Vargas aspires to integrate herself into the professional world of programmers and big data; however, she is at a disadvantage. Today, both sexism and racism are still common occurrences within the workforce, especially when it comes to the industries involving code and tech.

Moreover, Gil-Vargas is both a woman and Hispanic. 

“I am a minority, so it is difficult to compete. You don’t see a lot of Hispanic women who code,” she said. “[Coding] is work, but it’s rewarding.”

Currently, Gil-Vargas takes steps towards her end-goal by seeking admission into the university’s Human Centered Design and Engineering department.

(Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

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World Hijab Day 2016 - UW Photo Story

World Hijab Day, a movement that was founded by Nazma Khan in 2013, occurs annually on February 1. It was created with the purpose of recognizing the millions of women, specifically Muslim, who choose to incorporate the garment piece in their dress and lifestyle. It serves purpose as a learning experience, as all women are invited to wear the hijab for a day. The end goal is to promote religious tolerance and disassociate the incorrect assumptions that the hijab symbolizes segregation and oppression. At the University of Washington, the United Muslim Relief UW Seattle chapter commemorates their second year of hosting World Hijab Day on campus.

During the volunteer session, Ferdose Idris (left) and Fatima El-ghazali (right) help the United Muslim Relief UW Seattle create materials for the World Hijab Day tabling session, Friday Jan. 29, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. Inside UW’s Student Organization Resource Center, they assist the group by making poster-boards, signs and fliers. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

ISO 400, Exposure Time 1/50 sec and F-Stop f/3.5.

Outside the Husky Union Building, the United Muslim Relief UW Seattle’s members rotate shifts tending their tabling station from 10a.m. to 4:30p.m., Monday Feb. 1, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. Members report that on average, the table attracts the attention of approximately 100 people per hour. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

“Girls usually pick up the hijab around puberty, because at this time people are believed to become accountable for their actions. So some girls begin wearing it seriously earlier than others. Some girls may stop wearing it. And some may never wear it. The reason behind it [the choice] is personal,” said group member Dina Al-Bassyiouni.

ISO 400, Exposure Time 1/200 sec and F-Stop f/5.6.

Group members, Amani Azzaidani (left) and Rabbia Pasha (right), straighten and readjust the multitude of donated scarves for this event, Monday Feb. 1, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. The nonprofit organization collected a total of 76 scarves, all of which were provided by a single donor. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

“The hijab is traditionally not worn in front of men you are not supposed to marry, including fathers, brothers and uncles. When around female friends and family, it can be taken off. But sometimes I don’t want to, because it covers up a bad hair day,” said Azzaidani.

ISO 400, Exposure Time 1/160 sec and F-Stop f/5.6.

Medina Khedir assists a participant in securing a hijab, Monday Feb. 1, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. All women, both non-Muslims and non-Hijabi Muslims, are encouraged to experience the hijab for however long they feel comfortable, Monday Feb. 1, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. Members are pleasantly surprised to find that many participants actively choose to wear the hijab for the entire day. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

“I like being in control of what others see of me, especially in the modern-day world. Because I am fully covered, people are forced to judge me based on my personality, opposed to my appearance,” said Khedir.

ISO 400, Exposure Time 1/250 sec and F-Stop f/5.6.

Dina Al-Bassyiouni distributes informative fliers about World Hijab Day to a passersby, Monday Feb. 1, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

“I enjoy wearing the hijab, but I am not forced to wear it. You are not just your appearance. My hijab forces people to look at me for who I am and what I stand for. I cannot compare myself to someone else, and someone else can’t compare themselves to me,” said Al-Bassyiouni. 

ISO 800, Exposure Time 1/320 sec and F-Stop f/5.6. 

Inside the UW Allen Library Research Commons, the organization hosts a discussion session from 4:30p.m. to 6:30p.m., in order to help conclude World Hijab Day, Monday Feb. 1, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. Together, students, faculty and Pipeline Project representatives gather to discuss and share their varying personal experiences with the hijab. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

ISO 800, Exposure Time 1/125 sec and F-Stop f/5.6.

Rabbia Pasha, secretary of the United Muslim Relief UW Seattle, helps guide the discussion as she answers questions related to the head garment, Monday Feb. 1, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

ISO 800, Exposure Time 1/50 sec and F-Stop f/5.6.

One major takeaway point the group elaborates on is that contrary to American media wearing the hijab is a choice, Friday Jan. 29, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. Calling from a verse in the Quran, they stress that people who wear hijabs, verses people who do not wear hijabs, are not more or less religious than the other. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

Let there be no compulsion in religion: Quran 2:256.

ISO 400, Exposure Time 1/160 sec and F-Stop f/3.5.

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Timket

In celebration of Timket, members of nearby Ethiopian Orthodox churches organize in multiple choirs, starting with the very young and leading up to the very old, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

ISO 800, Exposure Time 1/320 sec and F-Stop f/5.6. 

Ethiopian Orthodox Churches celebrate Timket, or Epiphany, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. Clergymen, priests, and high ranking officials happily greet each other, as church members ready themselves for the march. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

ISO 800, Exposure Time 1/125 sec and F-Stop f/5.

The commemoration of the Baptism of Christ calls for singing, dancing, drum beating, trumpet blowing and bells ringing, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. An elder official beckons a younger church member over to help assist him with his laces, as his hands are full. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

ISO 800, Exposure Time 1/40 sec and F-Stop f/5. 

During Timket, priests carry covered tabots, Tablets of Law replica, on their heads, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. Church members help check-up on those responsible for the tabots, and deacons hold liturgical parasols overhead to help protect the sacred texts. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

ISO 800, Exposure Time 1/50 sec and F-Stop f/5.6. 

Active priests and young men are in good spirits, as they chant their ancient rites and rituals of Timket, alongside the beating of their prayer sticks and staffs, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

ISO 800, Exposure Time 1/1600 sec and F-Stop f/4.5. 

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MLK Seattle - 2016

The 2016 MLK marchers make the homestretch to the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, Monday, Jan. 18, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. The march started at the Garfield High School, as workshops and celebratory activities, honoring Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy, took place there earlier in the day. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

ISO 800, Exposure Time 1/1000 sec and F-Stop f/6.3.

The musical group, CryOut!, performs at the 34th Annual Celebration of MLK Seattle, Monday, Jan. 18, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. The nonprofit group empowers and encourages the youth to become leaders and defeat oppressions by seeking truth and justice through song, dance and art. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

ISO 800, Exposure Time 1/160 sec and F-Stop f/6.3.

Nikita Oliver, poet activist and lawyer, is one of the first MLK Seattle rally speakers, Monday, Jan. 18, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. She delivers a speech about the modern-day injustices she witnesses inside American courtrooms towards people of color, and challenges rally participants to change the way of the nation. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

ISO 800, Exposure Time 1/500 sec and F-Stop f/5.6.

Audience member Fai Mathews, sporting USA attire, supports her nephew and grandchildren, as they perform onstage with CryOut! at the MLK Seattle rally, Monday, Jan. 18, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

ISO 800, Exposure Time 1/160 sec and F-Stop f/5.

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Dynamic Lighting

A pair of blue LED lights illuminate the back wheel of a bicycle, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. The originally pitch-black room is now indistinguishable, due to a powerful blue hue created by the spinning lights. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

ISO 6400, Exposure Time 3 sec and F-Stop f/3.5. 

Attached to a bike wheel, blue LED lights are caught mid-spin, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. One light is attached to the inner spoke, while the other is attached to the outer. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

ISO 6400, Exposure Time 1/4000 sec and F-Stop f/3.5.

An illustration of shallow depth of field using incense holders, candles, a painting and a pumpkin, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. The environment is created with low candle light. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)  

ISO 6400, Exposure Time 1/6 sec and F-Stop f/3.5.

A series of objects aligned to represent deep depth of field, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. Two candles, set to both sides of the frame, provide low light. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)  

ISO 6400, Exposure Time 6 sec and F-Stop f/22.

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Shutter Speed & Depth of Field

A single plant piece stands out in a University Village planter-box, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. It reaches up towards the rare winter sun and proceeds to photosynthesize. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

ISO 100, Exposure Time 1/1000 sec and F-Stop f/3.5.

The University Village shopping facility is decorated with a multitude of plants to encourage a happy, healthy and relaxing environment, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. But most of which are currently bare, due to the cold winter season. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

ISO 100, Exposure Time 1/20 sec and F-Stop f/20.

Water droplets are caught suspended in midair at a sculpted fountain in the University Village, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. The mall attraction provides a refreshing mist during the summer, but also creates a cold front during winter months. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)

ISO 6400, Exposure Time 1/4000 sec and F-Stop f/11.

Even on an atypical sunny day, the Emerald City remains drizzly as a University Village fountain provides the area with a shower, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. Many children are drawn to this fountain, as its stepping stones simulate a free water park. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)  

ISO 100, Exposure Time 1/10 sec and F-Stop f/22. 

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Sidney Sullivan, a third year student attending the UW, holds up drumsticks with the intention of dedicating more time to music this year, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. Sullivan’s busy schedule involving journalism and international studies often keeps her from her jazz drumming hobby.

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UW students, Ben (right) and Andy (left), work the cash register at the Hot Dawgs Red Square BBQ food truck, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. Both part-time employees have approximately one year of experience working for UW Housing and Food Services, as the cost of tuition increases steadily. (Photo by Sidney Sullivan)