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Patrick Murphy

All content by Patrick Murphy
I remember taking a career cruising test in 8th grade that would show me potential career paths that might interest me. My top result was

Capturing Campus: a photo editor’s farewell

April 28, 2021
For my initial career path, I wanted to go into radio broadcasting to be a radio announcer. I did not really get into photography until my sophomore year of college. When I transferred to NIU, my passion for photography skyrocketed.

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April 28, 2021
Photography started out as a hobby of mine in community college. I learned how to take photos through trial and error, but YouTube helped a lot.

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April 28, 2021
My time at the Northern Star has given me the skills and experience I need for my career path. Especially with going into multimedia production, working for the student newspaper has been an amazing learning experience.

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April 28, 2021
Overcast days are great for photography. The clouds act as a natural light diffuser and spreads light more evenly on subjects. Direct sunlight creates harsh shadows and uneven lighting on subjects.

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April 28, 2021
Springtime on campus one of the most beautiful times on campus. Blooming flowers are everywhere and are by far one of my favorite subjects to photograph at NIU.

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April 28, 2021
Being a commuter student, I felt disconnected to NIU in many ways, but NIU grew on me as I photographed more events on campus.

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April 28, 2021
Lastly I would like to say thank you to my family. They have been a phenomenal support network and have put up with me and my camera for the last three years. Thank you!

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April 28, 2021
The Lagoon is another staple of NIU's campus. It is a phenomenal spot for a walk, to do homework, and of course photograph nature and wildlife.

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April 28, 2021
I would like to say thank you to Wade Duerkes and Shelley Hendricks. Having instructors that are and want to see you succeed makes a world of a difference for students. Thank you!

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April 28, 2021
Altgeld Hall is another one of my favorite spots to photograph on campus. there is an amazing spot on the third floor for portraits, and the stone architecture is beautiful.

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April 28, 2021
The Northern Star has been a place that has allowed me to develop and hone in my skills as a photojournalist. Every time I photograph an assignment I learn something new.

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April 28, 2021
Buying a camera or camera gear is a lot like buying a car. They all do the same thing, you just have to find the right one that suits your needs.

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April 28, 2021
In the basement of Cole Hall, the class photos of the photojournalism classes line the walls, dating all the way back to the 1960's. I can't wait to see the Zoom class photo up on the wall.

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April 28, 2021
I would also like to say thank you to everyone I have worked with at the Northern Star. It has been so nice to make friends who all share similar passions.

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April 28, 2021
Every semester, the photojournalism class takes a class photo on these steps. When the pandemic hit, and the rest of the spring 2020 semester moved online, the class photo had to be taken over a Zoom call.

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April 28, 2021
One of my favorite compositional tools is the use of natural frames for your subject. Here, I am photographing the student center, but the buildings surrounding it create a natural frame that outlines and narrows the focus towards the subject.

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April 28, 2021
I never thought a university's campus could be

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April 28, 2021
I have learned as a photographer, you can photograph the same place over and over again and still find something new to capture.

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April 28, 2021
COVID-19 has been a blessing and a curse as a photojournalist. It has allowed me to capture and hone in my skills as a photojournalist, but it also turned NIU upside-down with no in-person events or student life to photograph.

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April 28, 2021
My two main camera bodies are the Panasonic Lumix G9 and G7. I invested in the micro 4/3 system for its great photo and video hybrid features and its portability and lens sizes.

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April 28, 2021
I have probably photographed the Holmes Student Center a thousand times over. Nothing quite stands out like it on campus.

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April 28, 2021
My time spent at the Northern Star's office has given me the college experience I was looking for. It gave me the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.

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April 28, 2021
NIU police officer Larry Williams checks his body camera Thursday before putting it on his uniform. All NIU officers are assigned their own body camera.

A day in the life of a NIU police officer

April 25, 2021
NIU police officer Larry Williams sits on a desk Thursday and talks to a fellow police officer at the NIU police department.

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April 25, 2021
NIU police officer Larry Williams logs information a computer Thursday. This station is where they scan an individuals finger prints.

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April 25, 2021
Officer Larry Williams walks to his squad car Thursday while talking to a fellow police officer.

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April 25, 2021
Officer Larry Williams checks a classroom Thursday in the Jack Arends Visual Arts Building. Building checks are a part of Williams daily duties.

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April 25, 2021
Officer Larry Williams fills up his squad car's gas tank Thursday and the transportation center off Stadium Drive.

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April 25, 2021
Officer Larry Williams works at a computer Thursday at the NIU police department. A majority of daily police work is desk work.

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April 25, 2021
Officer Larry Williams reviews body camera footage on a computer Thursday at the NIU police department.

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April 25, 2021
Officer Larry Williams asks for assistance from Main Desk Attendant Thomas Koron Thursday at the front desk of the Holmes Student Center.

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April 25, 2021
Officer Larry Williams walks down a hallway Thursday in the Holmes Student Center.

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April 25, 2021
Officer Larry Williams walks through the door of the Telephone and Security building. This is where the NIU Police's dispatch center is located.

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April 25, 2021
Officer Larry Williams logs his building check of the art building Thursday at the NIU police department.

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April 25, 2021
Officer Larry Williams demonstrates how to log evidence in a bag Thursday at the NIU police department.

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April 25, 2021
Officer Williams talks to junior elementary education major Taylor Owens Thursday while she works in the dining hall in Stevenson Towers.

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April 25, 2021
Officer Larry Williams talks to residence hall director Lindsey Komes. Officer Williams helps both students and staff in the residence halls on a regular basis.

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April 25, 2021
Officer Larry Williams walks down the main level of Stevenson Towers Thursday.

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April 25, 2021
Officer Larry Williams works at a computer Thursday in Stevenson Towers. Most buildings on campus have an office for NIU police officers to work from.

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April 25, 2021
NIU police officer Larry Williams puts his face mask on a desk Thursday in an office in Stevenson Hall.

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April 25, 2021
Officer Larry Williams talks to junior medical laboratory sciences major and Stevenson CA Dioco Reyez Thursday at the front desk of Stevenson Towers.

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April 25, 2021
Officer Larry Williams walks to the entrance of Stevenson Towers Thursday.

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April 25, 2021
Officer Larry Williams walks down a hallway Thursday in the art building.

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April 25, 2021
NIU police officer Larry Williams talks with his fellow officers Thursday in the NIU police department briefing room.

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April 25, 2021
NIU police officer Larry Williams checks his temperature Thursday at the NIU Police Department.

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April 25, 2021
NIU police officer Larry Williams stands out front of the NIU police department Thursday.

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April 25, 2021
Officer Larry Williams drives his squad car down Augusta Avenue Thursday in DeKalb.

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April 25, 2021
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