Mountain Workshops 2010: Behind the scenes

In October I had the pleasure of attending the Mountain Workshops for the second straight year. Held in Elizabethtown, Ky., about 45 miles south of Louisville, the workshops welcomed more than 70 photojournalists who scoured Hardin County for picture and video stories.

In its 35th year, it was one of the largest workshops ever, if not the biggest, said James Kenney, director of the photojournalism program at Western Kentucky University, host of the workshops. Check out the video — it was produced by the enormously talented staff that in many cases uses vacation time from their day jobs to support the workshops.

Then he put on a dress

It didn't hit me until Rick Loomis donned a purple wig. The renowned Los Angeles Times photographer and other photo, multimedia and writing coaches marched into the 2009 Mountain Workshops in Murray, Ky., wearing vintage hats and stuffed dresses.

I had the honor of serving on the faculty as the world's top photographers and multimedia producers invaded western Kentucky for a week of intense journalism.

The pictures inspired, the video stories moved (figuratively) and laughter was contagious. If the creative energy in that workshop can't preserve first-class journalism, nothing will.

(Photo: Rick Loomis waits for the last compact flash card drop - Derek Poore)