Derek Lopez
/I would be interested in photojournalism.
Some of the job responsibilities are capturing newsworthy events, documenting stories through images, and working under tight deadlines.
The basic salary is between 40,000 and 70,000 per year.
What interests me is being able to tell stories through visual.
Education and skills I would need to get a good job in the field is a degree in journalism or photography, a strong portfolio of work, good technical skills.
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In the small town of Bloomington, California, 15-year-old Derek dribbled his basketball across the lines of the gym everyone went too. He didn’t wear flashy gear or rep the colors of the Mexican flag on his clothes, but everything about the way he moved, the way he played, carried the pride of his roots. Raised by parents who never let him forget where their family came from, Derek found his own way to represent his culture—through hard work, respect, and the quiet fire that burned in him every time he stepped on the court. To him, basketball was more than a sport. It was his way of honoring his family’s story without needing to say a word.
Derek didn’t care about being the most popular kid or the highest scorer. What mattered most to him was making his parents proud. They had always taught him that success comes from doing things with heart. So he practiced daily, even when no one was watching, pushing himself to be better not just for himself, but for his family and community. He wanted people to see that a kid like him, from a small town with a big dream, could represent Mexican culture in his own way—through discipline, humility, and love for the game. And every time he made a bucket, he felt it deep down: he was carrying something bigger than himself.
/Set a goal
Pick one thing you want to get better at and practice it.
Look at other people’s photos
Find photos you love and see what you like about them.
Go somewhere new
A new place can help you see things differently and get new ideas.
Start a photo project
Pick a theme and take photos of it over time.
Talk to other photographers
Join a group or online community to share ideas and get inspired.
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/ This is one of the pictures that inspired me to make my album cover the way it is. It inspired me because SLAM is a popular thing in basketball.
This another magazine cover I like. I like this cover because it has one of my favorite basketball players.
Lastly this is one of my favorite magazine covers because it has my favorite player of all time, and it is a SLAM cover.
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/Dear Future Photography 1 Students, you’re about to dive into something really fun and inspiring your first photography course. At first, all the settings and terms might feel a little overwhelming, but don’t stress it’ll all start to click (pun intended). Try everything, mess up, learn from it, and don’t be afraid to get creative. Some of your best shots will come from experimenting and trusting your eye. Most importantly, enjoy the process and let your curiosity lead you, you’re here to discover your unique way of seeing the world.