h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: I am a camera - A48962749
Author: Beatrice. - U190170

I take photos every day, so yeah, I guess I am a camera. This one was taken a couple of weeks ago.

I'm not convinced that Eamon Malley is famous enough to be recognisable, but I don't want to name a more obvious journo if they weren't actually there, and just putting 'a well-known reporter' seems a bit flat.

This is vivid and effective.

Interestingly, it takes sides, with the comment 'Our message'. It begs the question whether the camera is neutral or whether it influences events.

A couple of crits:
In the sentence beginning 'Reporters elbow', you either need to keep to the plural, with 'fuzzy mikes' and 'tape recorders', or you need to make the reporter singular.

I'm not sure about the end of the sentence begnning 'Further in the distance'. It might be better to end it 'of the trade union Unison - on this occasion living up to its name.'

Very clear, very vivid.

Nitpick: I think it's 'the epitome' and not 'an epitome', and I'm not exactly sure why (just woke up).

I was disturbed by the title at first - there is a famous book called 'I Am a Camera' by Christopher Isherwood, and I was expecting Nazi Germany - but the opening of the story dispelled my confusion.

Nice job.

That became Cabaret, did it not? That was partly my inspiration, to give an eye witness account from within troubled times. Nice observation on how objective the camera (and indeed reporting itself) can truly be, thanks MVP!

This is the most topical current one of the bunch - which is refreshing And I like the fact that it's not simply description, but social comment - however tragic the topic. Good stuff Bea

I like the way it starts. Like the "flash flash" of the press corps' cameras. Freeze Frame.

It made me imagine it in newsprint grayscale. Even the cardy and the polka dot promote that theme. Then the hi-viz uniforms chime in dazzling with retroflective lime. It undoes the monochrome and brings us up to date.

I like it.

I'm touched by your comments - it's genuinely interesting to see the different feelings and observations, the picture painted different in each individual mind's eye.

Having been voted for by UG Miners, we want this for the UnderGuide, Beatrice - many congratulations

Here's what our QA had to say about this, in addition to his judging comments for The Stretcher:

"It still reads well out of its original context. Journalism ought always to be a subtle genre, since if you report the mood, the reader no longer needs to feel it. Good journalism instead reports the scene, and reflects the mood in it. This is that thing in microcosm. It's more than readerly. It would make a brilliant example for a writing class too."

Congratulations again - a UG Polisher will be in touch shortly

Oh wow! I'm truly moved - this will be my first piece in the Underguide

Congrats, Bea. Well deserved.

Well done, Bea!

And here is the UG version, ready for your approval

A54910262

Tnanks Trin, sorry for the delay in replying - that looks great!