I arrived in class this morning ready and raring to go for the next lesson, only to be told by my fine looking lecturer, Dave that the class had been postponed to the afternoon. Gosh, I wanted to scream. I had just navigated through the hectic Joburg morning traffic to be on time just this once. So much for trying to impress!
Anyway, feeling a bit miffed I headed back home, had some coffee and did some catch up on the Zimbabwean story that I was working on. The evening before, I had been invited by a young Zimbabwean couple to celebrate their daughter’s first birthday. Wow, was this luck or what? As part of the story, I needed to talk to professional Zimbabweans about their experiences in South Africa. And there were plenty to talk to. By the end the evening I had gathered all the information that I needed and went back to my house.
Back to today’s afternoon class – I made it, half heartedly and it was freaking hot. I was also still upset with Dave for making me drive to class twice in one day. But he made up for it when he apologised in his American accent. “Laylow (that’s how he pronounces my name), I’m so sorry ‘bout this morning”. Sweet, how could I not forgive? Anyway today’s lesson was about photography and using slideshows for online stories. I’ve always known that a picture tells a thousand words, but my goodness slideshows tell a million if used correctly. I do concur with Dave when he says the South African press don’t use pictures enough and/or effectively. It’s such a pity because there’s a lot to show and tell in this country. Perhaps once I learn how to use the ‘rule of thirds’ and take good photographs, I’ll show a few newsrooms a thing or two.