A young mother struggles with her decision to make an adoption plan for her unborn child, while her military boyfriend decides to fly home to save his family. Story by Alexandra Brawley.

Photography and production by Carly Brantmeyer

Produced for the upcoming launch of American Dream X, UNC’s latest Viscom project.

Video by Margaret Cheatham Williams

Produced for the upcoming launch of American Dream X, UNC’s latest Viscom project, Here, After is an abstract look at life, death and the space between the two, guided by the stories of a cryonicist, an assisted-suicide physician and a grieving mother. Their stories cover the spectrum of toska, a word best described by Vladimir Nabokov: “At its deepest and most painful, it is a sensation of great spiritual anguish, often without any specific cause. At less morbid levels it is a dull ache of the soul, a longing with nothing to long for, a sick pining, a vague restlessness, mental throes, yearning. In particular cases it may be the desire for somebody or something specific, nostalgia, love-sickness. At the lowest level it grades into ennui, boredom.”

Original music by Mark Melchiorre

Video by Caitlyn Greene

Produced for the upcoming launch of American Dream X, UNC’s latest Viscom project.

Video by Mary Lide Parker

We’re proud to announce the launch of the 2010 Carolina Photojournalism Workshop: Little Switzerland.

In May this year, during the seventh annual Carolina Photojournalism Workshop, 19 students produced a diverse collection of stories that document life in and around the small mountain town of Little Switzerland, N.C. The base camp was located at Wild Acres, a beautiful retreat located on Pompey’s Knob, a mountain just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, at an altitude of 3,300 feet.

Situated on the edge of Pisgah National Forest, the area surrounding Little Switzerland boasts of all those things we love about western North Carolina, from scenic vistas and ancient forests to artisans and guitar-pickin’ heroes.

We welcome you to view these stories and more at http://carolinaphotojournalism.org/cpjw/2010/.

New this year students and coaches will be tweeting throughout the week: just follow the #CPJW hashtag on Twitter to stay up to date. Or better yet just visit our live updates site, which will also feature periodic photo updates. Before the content gathering begins, be sure to check out the past workshops and stay tuned for the site launch before the month’s end.

See Arkasha’s story first published in the At Home in the Heartland short documentary created at the 2011 Mountain Workshops.

Video by Arkasha Stevenson

The 2009-2010 PhotoNight series is going out with a bang.  Legendary photographer Sam Abell will be here!  Sam Abell has photographed for National Geographic for 30 years and has produced more than 20 articles on cultures and wilderness subjects.  Abell has also had several books of his photos published.  His photos have been exhibited  all over the world including New York City’s International Center of Photography.  If you are a journalism or photography student, professional or enthusiast this is something you do not want to miss.

We also invite you to join us before Sam Abell’s lecture for a reception celebrating the opening of 37th Frame: The Best of Carolina Photojournalism.  The reception will be held from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on the ground floor of Carroll Hall.

Important: PhotoNight with Sam Abell will take place at Howell Hall Room 104 at 8 p.m., a departure from our routine.

Jenn Ackerman and Tim Gruber are a husband and wife team who use still photography and cinematic video to provide compelling visuals and storytelling to editorial, non-profit and commercial clients.  Ackerman and Gruber began as newspaper photographers where they learned to be quick on their feet and nurtured the way they see the world. Since, they have won an Emmy and have worked for editorial and commercial clients around the world.

PhotoNight is an opportunity for students, professionals and enthusiasts to come together and share work.  The evening is designed to give photographers the chance to learn from each other and develop their own style.  For more information contact Chad Stevens at chadstevens@unc.edu.

Check out Ackerman Gruber Images to learn more about their work, including Jenn’s excellent Emmy award-winning piece Trapped.

• When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday March 23
• Where: Carroll Hall Rm 33

Photo by Jenn Ackerman from Behind the Crown.