Good story despite the reporters efforts to the contrary...
I learned how to pronounce Rensselaer. Finally!
Gosh that reporter needs to work on her delivery. Too fast, too monotone, and about as convincing as the radio guy who delivers the commodities report on farm radio stations. And really...talk about burying the lede visually! But that's her problem...thank God you were able to break up her staccato monolog with some natural sound breaks.
Your mission was to shoot action sequences when you had some terrific opportunities for matched action and natural sound in the creek cleanup stuff. You tried...you made the effort and that's a good thing. I think you need to work on shooting and building (in the editing process) action sequences. Tripod? If you wanted to shoot it all from the bank, then a tripod on all shots would have been nice. I would rather you stay wide, move close, get your feet wet and clothes muddy and get up close and personal with all that stuff in the creek. Think action sequences and closups! Plenty of wide closeups! Do that and I guarantee you'll also come back with some great natural sound that you never expected! If I were your boss, I'd be suspicious if you came back from this story with clean clothes.
Finally, keep in mind that every story needs a logical opening, middle and close. I have no idea what the closing shot was nor what it was supposed to convey. Life goes on? No cars were damaged in the cleanup? Other cities are planning similar cleanups? That's your job as a photographer. She wanted to do a bridge--fine, I love 'em. Find the closing shot!
Go get 'em next time. Tell the reporter to slow down and tell a story. (Hint: does she sit when she reads her track? Make her stand next time). You're gettin' there...
