A California judge ruled that photographer David Morse’s rights as a journalist were infringed when police seized his camera equipment and photos relating to Morse’s coverage of a December 2009 San Francisco area protest. Police used a court-backed search warrant to take the items. Now, a judge has said that the search of the photographer was improper and violated state laws protecting journalists from having their work seized by authorities. The First Amendment Project assisted Morse in defense for the case. Great news. Photographers: know your rights!

(via lightstalkers)

Big Vinny from California is a place. on Vimeo.

While in Korea last week for a shoot, I got to enjoy unrestricted access to the internet, which let me catch up on some videos I’d been meaning to watch. One project I’m glad I got to see is “California is a Place,” a collaboration between filmmaker Drea Cooper and photographer Zackary Canepari. Four videos (in all? so far?) cover topics as diverse as scraper bikes, the Mexican border, a resurgence of pool skating, and the life of a car salesman–they’re all tied together by a place, namely California. At times quirky, at times poignant, the videos are beautifully shot and give the viewer a glimpse into a California I feel like I forgot about. Really worth a watch.

Tuition-free VJ Multimedia Workshop - Jun 21 deadline

Paul Myers just wrote in to tell us about the new VJ Multimedia Workshops for students and recently laid-off journalists. Myers, a faculty member at the Brooks Institute of Photography, created the workshop as a way to foster development and innovation in the field of visual journalism. There’s a great roster of staff and guest speakers and editors on board for the weekend. The workshop will take place July 30-Aug. 2, 2009 in Ventura, Calif., USA, and the deadline for applying is June 21, 2009.