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Sportraits

Amari Smith poses for a portrait in Moore Hall on Monday, Nov. 18, 2025. Hannah Smith poses with lacrosse stick in Moore Hall on Monday, Nov. 18, 2025. Elliot Talsma, left, and Amari Smith, right, pose in their boxing gloves in Moore Hall on Monday, Nov. 18, 2025. SETUP REFLECTION This assignment was kind of challenging for me, especially when trying to come up with ideas for the models. Even though I was looking up poses online, I feel like none of them were really working h

Fashion

Central Michigan seniors Dylan Clifford, left, and Zach Hausbeck, right, pose for a photo in Moore Hall on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. Central Michigan senior Dylan Clifford poses for a photo in Moore Hall on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. Central Michigan senior Zach Hausbeck poses for a photo in Moore Hall on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. Central Michigan senior Dylan Clifford poses for a photo in Moore Hall on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. SETUP REFLECTION This setup for this in class was kind of di

Portable Studio Portrait

Zoey Morse poses with a bag of flour and a loaf of sourdough in Moore 424, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. Zoey Morse poses taking a bite out of a sourdough loaf in Moore 424, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. Zoey Morse poses with all of her baking ingredients surrounding her in Moore 424, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Oct. 20, 2025. SETUP REFLECTION Setting this up was pretty easy as I h

Feeling the Music

Central Michigan freshman violinist Karol Lepe-Perez shares how nearly eight years of playing violin have shaped her discipline, time management and connection to music. From quiet practice rooms to emotional performances, each note reflects both hard work and feeling.

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1 day ago1 min read

Carrying The Chippewa Legacy: CMU Wrestling

At Central Michigan University, wrestling is more than wins and losses. It is a legacy built over decades. When Ben Bennett became head coach, he stepped into a program shaped by 33 years under longtime coach Tom Borrelli. But Bennett is not a stranger to that tradition. He wrestled at CMU, returned as an assistant coach and spent 16 seasons learning what the Chippewa standard truly is. “It was bittersweet,” Bennett said about taking over. “But it was an honor.” In his first

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3 days ago2 min read

The Competitive Distance Runner

Reflecting on his years of being a competitive distance runner, Clayton Kuiper shares how running has shaped his college experience, influenced his creativity and how he has found his community.

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Feb 191 min read

Interview with Clayton Kuiper

I was able to sit down with Central Michigan University senior Clayton Kuiper to talk about his favorite hobby or recreation. Being a competitive distance runner since sixth grade, Kuiper enjoys the feeling of the challenge.

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Feb 151 min read

Thought Piece #5

Through these last chapters the book really highlights how much responsibility falls on the editor to make intentional choices. Editing isn’t just about putting clips together, it is about constantly asking whether what is on the screen is clear, necessary and actually serving toward the story. It made me realize that a lot of my past editing decisions have been based on what I think looks good or attachment rather than clarity. Moving forward, I want to be more in the mindse

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Feb 132 min read

Thought Piece #4

Reading this part of HTSVTDS has really changed how I think about videos, especially when it comes to projects that are supports to feel read and engaging instead of overly produced. Storytelling really comes down to your intentions and restraints. A lot of the advice in the book wasn’t about doing more, it was actually about doing less and being more thoughtful about what you choose to shoot and display. That mindset is something I really want to carry into my own work, espe

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Feb 133 min read

Thought Piece #3

Reading pages 96-156 of How to Shoot Video That Doesn’t Suck made me realize how often I rely on post-editing to fix my mistakes instead of being more intentional while shooting. Coming from a photography and photojournalism background, I am used to focusing on capturing strong individual moments, but this chapter really pushes me to think more about how shots connect and flow together in video. One idea that really stood out to me was in-camera editing. I always tend to over

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Feb 132 min read

Thought Piece #2

One of the biggest things I took away from these chapters is how much work actually needs to happen before you ever press record. I usually feel most confident once I’m already shooting, figuring things out as I go, but this reading made it really clear that good video doesn’t just happen in the moment. It starts with knowing what kind of video you’re making and what you’re trying to say. The section on genre, stood out to me because I don’t always think about it intentionall

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Feb 133 min read

Thought Piece #1

Before reading this section of the book, I didn’t really think about video as something people actively choose to watch or stop watching. I usually just focused on capturing what was happening and assumed that if the moment mattered, people would sit through it. This reading made me realize how unrealistic that mindset is. People don’t owe a video their time, even if the topic is important. If it doesn’t grab the viewers’ attention, they’re going to leave. That idea alone mad

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Feb 132 min read

Meet the Author: Alivia Cranick

When I first came to Central Michigan University, I was convinced I had my future figured out. I arrived on campus as biology major, fully expecting to become a Large Animal Veterinarian. But by the end of my very first semester, it became clear that the curriculum wasn't for me. I didn't feel connected to what I was learning and I couldn't see myself in it long term. As quick as a few changes of courses, what I could see was how much happier I was creating, observing and tel

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Jan 302 min read

Sportraits

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Nov 18, 20252 min read

Fashion

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Oct 30, 20252 min read

Portable Studio Portrait

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Oct 23, 20252 min read

Thought Piece #5

Reading pages 278-291 of The Hot Shoe Diaries, really opened my eyes to the potential of small flashes. Joe McNally’s setups in this section are impressive—they go well beyond simple off-camera speedlight tricks. From lighting the inside of a firetruck, to three-stacked speedlights for the beach shoot or surrounding an entire airplane with over 40 speedlights! These examples not only showed me what light can achieve but also shifted my mindset about planning, ambition and pay

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Oct 11, 20253 min read

Thought Piece #4

The more I read into Joe McNally’s The Hot Shoe Diaries, the clearer it becomes that lighting is just as much about problem solving as it is about being creative. Through pages 208-277 McNally breaks down how he thinks on his feet and adjust to different scenarios. I appreciate his honesty in admitting that he doesn’t always nail it on the first try. It’s a good reminder that photography isn’t meant to be straightforward; it required thought, experimentation and the willingne

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Oct 8, 20253 min read

Location Car Lighting

An Audi A5 is parked in the back parking lot of Moore Hall, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. Erik Holladay-McCann borrowed the car from a friend who works for Enterprise. A close up shot shows the emblem of an Audi A5 in the back parking lot of Moore Hall, on the campus of Central Michigan University, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. Erik Holladay-McCann borrowed the car from a friend who works for Enterprise. An Audi A5 is parked in front of the B

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Sep 24, 20252 min read

Thought Piece #3

While reading Joe McNally’s The Hot Shoe Diaries, specifically from pages 150 to 207, I was really struck by how much of photography is about adapting to unexpected situations. McNally portrays photography not as a set formula but as a craft that thrives on experimentation, adaptability, and intuition. That viewpoint resonates with the way I tackle challenges in my own life. I often find myself waiting for the perfect moment to act, whether it’s in photography, school, or my

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Sep 23, 20252 min read

Thought Piece #2

In pages 63–149 of The Hot Shoe Diaries , Joe McNally really digs into how small flashes can tell big stories through photography. One thing that really struck me was his perspective on light—it becomes a character in his images instead of just a technical detail. His insights reminded me that great photography isn’t about avoiding challenges; it’s about embracing them to create something meaningful. One story that particularly stood out was when he photographed a dancer. McN

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Sep 15, 20252 min read

Thought Piece #1

Reading the opening chapters of Joe McNally's The Hot Shoe Diaries reminded me of why I got into photography in the first place. His way of mixing technical know-how with a good grasp of human emotions really stood out to me. What struck me the most was how McNally talks about light-- not just as a basic element, but as something lively that stirs feelings and draws the viewer into what's happening. His way of working with light doesn't feel like following a strict rulebook o

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Sep 8, 20253 min read