Now that the print copy is finally out I can talk about my recent experiences working on two assignments for Atrium Magazine, the publication for alumni and friends of Ohio University’s College of Health Sciences and Professions.
![](https://www.nomadicfrog.com/journal/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Cover_MG_8608-695x900.jpg)
A while back I got connected with Jody Grenert, the man behind the magazine. He asked me to create a graphic for the cover and to illustrate a story about a new department within the college. I had a blast, it worked out well, I liked working with Jody, and everything was just peachy.
I think it went to my head.
![](https://www.nomadicfrog.com/journal/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/MG_8612-600x900.jpg)
For the next issue I was asked to illustrate two stories, one of which was the cover story on the growth of online education within the college. I had vague mental images of what I felt were fairly cliche illustrations of a classroom and a home computer connected by some cloud of knowledge. I wanted something better, bolder, and less predictable.
During the brainstorming phase I had dinner with Rob Griffith, a old friend from high school. His immediate response was to do something to the effect of a wise man on a mountain top. My concept became “even the guru on the mountain top has something new to learn, and doesn’t need to leave his mountain top to learn it!” Now all I needed was a mountain and a guru.
![Fortunately Liz brought a colleague along who was happy to be my assistant / sandbag.](https://www.nomadicfrog.com/journal/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/MG_5467.jpg)
I headed off to West Virginia to meet up with my friend Liz. Liz and her boyfriend Chris have helped out on a couple of earlier photo shoots, and if there was anyone crazy enough for this project it would be her.
I did a little homework (emphasis on “a little”). The weather forecast was mostly clear, with highs in the low 40s. What I stupidly didn’t consider was that a “high of 40” did not mean it would be 40 on top of a mountain, and certainly not at 8am when I had scheduled the shoot. Morning light and all that, you know.
Long story short: I trudged out to the location (the last mile of road was closed due to snow) only to realize I’d left the one and only prop (my laptop) in the car. A couple of hours and six miles of hiking with my gear later I had the shots I wanted, as best I could do in windy 28F snowy conditions, at least. Got back to the car to discover a nail in my now flat tire. Got caught by blizzard and stranded at a friend’s cabin for a couple of days. Big drama, lots of fun… in hindsight.
![](https://www.nomadicfrog.com/journal/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/2012_01_atrium_01_cover.jpg)
For the other story – on multidisciplinary work – I thought it would be brilliant to have six or seven models, each with their own “profession’s” props to shoot a concept on which my client was, let’s say, far from convinced. I wanted to be more illustrative, more conceptual, rather than a more literal approach.
![](https://www.nomadicfrog.com/journal/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/MG_6223-1-1125x900.jpg)
There is at least one glaring goof in this photo – see if you can spot it. (I’m talking about props, not photographic mistakes, so the peanut gallery can just hush about any of those flaws you may see.)
![](https://www.nomadicfrog.com/journal/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/MG_6269-600x900.jpg)
The compromise, and one example of why I like working together on a team, was to also photograph more traditional settings – students actually doing the work they do – and I think the combination works pretty well.
Hopefully for the next issue I will keep my budget in mind and not spend more driving all over the place getting the shots than I actually get paid for the job. It was, at least, a fun lesson to learn.
![](https://www.nomadicfrog.com/journal/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/MG_5997.jpg)