Two West Virginia University P.I. Reed School of Journalism photojournalism instructors have been chosen to participate in AMERICA 24 /7, a landmark all-digital photo project that will be shot the week of May 12-18.
Assistant Professor Joel Beeson and Adjunct Instructor John Bright were two out of 1,000 photojournalists from across the country asked to participate in the project to create a series of books about America in 2003.
AMERICA 24 /7 marks the launch of a brand new book series to be published by DK, a publisher of distinctive books for adults and children. The 24/7 series will capture the lives of Americans much like the Day in the Life books published in the’80s.
This year marks a turning point in the history of photography. For the first time, Americans will buy more digital cameras than film cameras, according to DK. This project will use all digital equipment.
Photographers will shoot in their home state. Photographers are being asked to give their work more depth by tapping into existing relationships and revisiting assignments and topics that they are passionate about.
“We are extremely fortunate to have two such talented photojournalists on the faculty of P.I. Reed. Their work teaches, enhances and inspires our students and our school,” SOJ Dean Christine Martin said.
Beeson has more than 12 years professional experience as a photojournalist and photo editor for local, national and international print media with expertise in digital imaging and digital asset management. He has also served as a Web development consultant for editorial, distance education and e-commerce projects.
Beeson has conducted research on cross-cultural documentary photography and the professional socialization of photojournalists. He is currently working on his doctorate, doing research on the”digital divide”in the areas of new media technology in rural areas, technology and race, popular culture and community documentary projects using digital media and the Internet.
Bright is helping to coordinate the West Virginia contingent of 20 photographers for the AMERICA 24 -7 project and will also be one of the 20 West Virginia photographers.
He has been a photojournalist for 25 years, beginning as staff photographer and photo editor at WVU ’s Daily Athenaeum. After completing a liberal arts degree at WVU , he continued his photography for 11 years at The Dominion Post.
At the same time, Bright served the National Press Photographers Association as Region 3 director for two years and also as the Region 3 magazine editor for 4 years. Later, he pursued and completed course work in pursuit of an Ohio University master’s of photojournalism, during which time he interned at the Washington Post for five months.
Most recently, Bright served as a full-time staff photographer for West Virginia Gov. Bob Wise in his first year in office. Currently he lives in Thomas, W.Va., with his wife and four children. They own and operate the Purple Fiddle Coffeehouse. He also operates Bright Images, a freelance photography business.