JAHA Update

 

So Thanksgiving break was definitely needed to relax and take a break from school work and spend time with family.

Anyhow I did not really have any specific expectations about the JAHA project other than learning more what it was about and what they did because I have heard of them before. I guess if I had to pick something my expectation was to scan the photos to the best of my ability and do the metadata to the best of my ability. I was able to accomplish successfully scanning the photographs and doing the metadata correctly or at least I think.

I was also amazed by the photos that we were scanning because I grew up around Johnstown all my life and hear people talk about the flood but there are not too many photos that were taken because technology was not available at the time.

The importance of this work is to preserve the history of the Johnstown Flood and bring recognition to the Johnstown Area Heritage Association because nobody really knows to much about this other than word of mouth and stories from the news when they covered this story.

I know most people do not want to see snow but I am so ready for lots of snow currently like California and Utah is getting right now which is FEET!!!

UPDATE:
So we finally got some snow in the forecast and while I am glad I am also bummed because I can't really do anything fun for the next two weeks.... Anyway I can not believe that the semester is already over it went so fast and I'm not sure what the next chapter will bring. This class was a lot of fun to take and I learned a lot of different software programs that I have heard of but not have access too because I didn't own a Mac. I have challenged myself in the several projects that was assigned and my skills in the future will be put to the test when I find a "real world job".

JAHA Project

These last few weeks have been going in a little bit different direction away from my snowboarding content but it is for a good reason. We are working with UPJ's Humanities department preserving Johnstown, Pennsylvania's Flood History.

Last week we meet with Dr. Justus and David and they informed us what JAHA was about and what they did. They have been working on digitizing several hundred photographs right in our own library which is very precise and time consuming. My partner and I each scanned and saved a photograph and will then create a description called "Metadata", which is basically just a detailed description of the photograph then the photograph and the metadata will be sent to Pittsburgh to be approved and then published online for the public to see.

This week we will be really focusing on the metadata and being as specific as we can and following the strict guidelines. Looking through these old photographs is really amazing because you are truely holding a piece of history.

This is a 64 fl oz or 2 quarts glass bottle that Pepsi produced after the 1977 Johnstown Flood so that people would have clean drinking water or for whatever else they could use it for at the time.


UPDATE:
So far I have filled out the Metadata on an outline that David had previously created that we went over in class on Monday. I honestly did  not think it was to hard because I have had previous experience with metadata but not to this magnitude. Friday I will be scanning and saving my second photo for this project and continuing working on my portfolio.

JAHA Digitization Project

This week we will be starting into the Johnstown Area Heritage Association (JAHA) working closely with Dr. Justus and David. I personally do not know a lot about the JAHA program or what they do exactly so this will be a new experience for me and also a great way to learn something new that I can add to my skill list.

There mission statement is "JAHA is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the nationally significant historic heritage of the Greater Johnstown Area through its museum facilities, historical collections, and education programs. JAHA operates as a clearinghouse and catalyst for revitalization efforts based on cultural tourism and historic preservation". They are a non-profit, membership based organization who operate the Johnstown Flood Museum and the Frank & Sylvia Pasquerilla Heritage Discovery Center.

I am excited to see what we are going to do with this project and I can not wait for Thanksgiving break. 

Video Progress

Last week I talked about what the subject matter of my video was going to be about, which of course is about snowboarding. I have gone down to Spokes N' Skis and spoke with Troy, who is in the video and walked me through the process of upgrading my snowboard. As you will see in my upcoming video I choose a snowboard, get fitted for boots, sized the correct bindings, and then how to put all of those steps together so that I am ready for the upcoming season.

My personal favorite manufacturer of snowboards is Never Summer! They are a United States company out of Denver, Colorado. I have two Never Summer snowboards, Pandora and Scarlet. Binding wise the best out there is hands down Union which are based around the world but are in Seattle, Washington. Boots it depends on how they feel I like the brand thirtytwo because you can heat mold them to your specific foot/ankle and they have a lot of ankle support as well.

After going through that process you have to get your bindings set up properly and see if you ride with your right or left foot forward (personally I ride with my right foot forward which is considered goofy) and your bindings will be angled out a little bit instead of straight forward so you have better balance and then all you have to do is tighten everything down and you are good to go!


UPDATE:
So I think my video turned out pretty well overall, I am happy with the final outcome. The main thing I would change is turning/filming the video to landscape instead of filming in the portrait position. I hope this video helps all the people who may be just getting into snowboarding or someone who has don't it before and are possibly looking to upgrade to better equipment. I would also maybe take the snowboard off the wall that is hanging so that the viewer can see better and that particular board isn't the most appropriate (sorry did not pay attention until after I had filmed). Overall this assignment was pretty easy except for the tedious position of the introduction when to start and stop the music and the ending with the words.     

Video

For our next project I chose to do a video instead of a podcast. I'm personally not a fan of listening to them so I would rather do a video and also a video will make a lot more sense having it visual.

So I have decided to do a video on how someone new can get the perfect snowboard, meaning the correct height and weight ratio and then how to set up the bindings correctly for you and your boot size and what it should look like all set up.

To accomplish this I am going to be going to my favorite shop called Spokes n' Skies down in Hollidaysburg, PA. My man Troy will help me explain this process in more detail and show you how to do everything from start to finish, from board, boots, and bindings.

This diagram helps a beginner understand things a little bit better about how your height and weight play a factor and also if your "regular or goofy" footed, meaning if you put your left foot forward or your right foot forward.





UPDATE:
So I asked permission of the person I wanted to film (Troy) from Spokes N' Skis and he said that he would be willing to be filmed. Monday after class I had the time to go down to the shop and film, my idea includes someone who has snowboarded before and is looking to upgrade to something better and Troy explains the process about height and weight, then get fitted for the proper fitting boot size, and then choosing a binding to fit the boot and then the process of setting everything up.

Brand Template

This week I will be working on what is called a "Brand Template" which serves as the marketing tool and provides instant recognition of documents and publications that can include a logo, official name, acronym, or slogan. I am not really sure how I want to go about this project exactly.

Some of the things to consider when I am coming up with my idea is to include : Audience I am going to focus on which in my case would be people who are interested in snowboarding or even skiing. Purpose is another important aspect which would be to inform newer people who don't know a whole lot about snowboarding but also make it interesting for the people who are more experienced at it as well. Design will play a very important role as well which will include my logo, keeping the same color scheme that I have been using, and layout/font consistency throughout.

I have my logo design from a previous assignment but now I have to chose a simplified version that I could do if I didn't want to do color so I need to decide on something that looks good in black and white for a possible sticker or t-shirt design.

UPDATE:
I wasn't sure what picture to put with this topic this week but I have looked over and revised my Logo, Infographic, and Photo Story to make them better. I think the hardest part was creating a logo that I could put on t-shirts just as black & white since my other one has color and more details. I hope to maybe someday actually use all of this information in the future if I decide to do or make a YouTube channel about snowboarding or in general going to the places on my bucket list through out my lifetime.

Photo Story

This week I am working on my photo story. I was choosing between doing a story capturing the 4 seasons and what “snowboarders” do in the off-season (or at least me) or going through the steps on how and why I chose the snowboard I have. After talking with some of my classmates and the professor I have decided to go with a story about what I do during the 4 seasons while I wait for it to snow again.

4 Seasons as a Snowboarder

You can do just about any of these activities throughout the year if you really wanted to depending on how the weather co-operates and if you have the correct equipment.

In the spring time my boyfriend and his friends and I like to go fishing and we found the perfect spot to do so and chill out in our hammocks waiting for the fish to bite.

Prince Gallitzin State Park, PA

In the summer time I try to be outside as much as I can and the photo I chose to represent this pretty such sums up all that (riding quads, fishing, chillin’ in the hammock, and if you look closely in the background you will see a camper).

Pennsylvania

In the fall time it is getting cooler in the evenings and it is perfect for a mountain bike ride on some of the beautiful trials with the leaves changing.

Shawnee State Park, PA

In the winter of course I am on the mountain snowboarding as much as I can and we usually take a trip somewhere for “spring break”.   

Sugarbush, VT

UPDATE:

As I said before I am currently revising my photo story. At first it was kind of hard to choose what photos I wanted to use because I take so many but deciding to go with the 4 seasons made it a little bit easier. I have added a title to the story that helps the audience get a better understanding of what the story is about. Most of my photos you can tell what the subject matter is and what season it is. I was a little nervous about not putting a whole lot of text but I got positive feedback from my classmates and that helped a lot.