by Franklyn Cater

by Yuki Noguchi

by Nicole Beemsterboer

by Monika Evstatieva

by Tom Bullock

by Charla Bear

by Yuki Noguchi

by Monika Evstatieva

by Franklyn Cater

by Sonari Glinton

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

by Tom Bullock

by David Folkenflik

Along the Potomac River in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia there are the remnants of bustling port life. And in one old waterfront warehouse, the Alexandria Seaport Foundation is preserving the city's maritime heritage by crafting wooden boats. There's a bigger mission at work here, though. Many of the builders are young men, trying to make a better life for themselves by learning carpentry. The Foundation is a non-profit organization that gives disadvantaged young people a chance at a career. As part of the big week one NPR-Knight Training photo assignment, I went to the Alexandria Seaport Foundation. A few of the photos I took and a bit more about the foundation are here in this slideshow.
--Franklyn Cater

There are no white medical coats in the hallways of the Easter Seals Harry and Jeanette Inter-Generational Center in Silver Spring, Maryland. The 10 seniors visiting on this day spend more than an hour eating lunch together, then ask for tea and coffee to extend their stay. Afterwards they retire to the living room, where they gather around the grand piano for a dance as their friend tickles the ivories.

"I just want to grow old gracefully and contribute what I can," says Ed Mosely. He visits the center several times a week.

Down the hall from the piano and through the main lobby a door is marked in small lettering, "I am being encouraged to small build motor skills." Inside are several cribs lined against the walls. A brightly colored rug at the center is covered with toys for babies.

This is not your typical senior center. It was designed specially to serve children and adults simultaneously, with and without disabilities.

Continue reading "Growing up, and old, with dignity and grace" >

Our Knight training photojournalism instructor, Becky Lettenberger accompanied me on a photo assignment-- to Horace and Dickie's Seafood carryout restaurant.

About five minutes after we arrived, I was pretty much done. I was nervous, I didn't think I was getting anything interesting, and I felt like I was bugging people for no reason.

Becky told me about four or five times to relax. Look at the people and take pictures of them. Wait for them to do something interesting. See where the people are going.

And keep breathing.

Becky came along with me after I'd become despondent about my photography skills. There were quite a few assignments that I started and then gave up on about 10 minutes later.

I feel pretty good about these photos--I think they capture the feeling of the restaurant. It was hot, noisy, and friendly.

-Dianna Douglas

The Knights worked really hard this week and finished up with two intense days under the hand of Rich Beckman from the University of Miami. Here is a gallery* from today, I am sure our alumni will relate to the moments of despair and even (I dare say) joy. Happy Friday!

--Becky

*We recommend watching the galleries full screen by clicking on the four arrows icon.

Neither owner of D&D Shoe Repair at the National Press Club is a D: instead, it is run by father and son, Henry and Robert Kim. Henry is 70 years old, Robert 37. They immigrated twice, first from Seoul, South Korea to Buenos Aires, in 1976, and later to the U.S. Henry Kim ran a repair shop on Capitol Hill with his wife, Terry, but sold it after her death. D&D belongs to Robert, his father stresses. "I retired already," he says, but adds that he's helping teach his son how to run the business. And times aren't easy. People may be buying fewer pairs of new shoes, but the Kims say their repair business is falling off, too.

-- David Folkenflik

I have been in Washington D.C. for almost two years and I've been pained that there are so few diners. Sure there are diner themed restaurants, but it's hard to find places where policemen, old ladies, construction workers and hipsters alike go for simple grub.

Established in 1944, the world has come to the diner on the corner of 11th and Florida NW. Want biscuits? Got em. Want scrapple? Go it. Want a cheap meal that'll fuel you through the day? They got that also. Be warned everything comes served with a hearty amount of smack and if you're lucky, a smile.

--Sonari Glinton

It's the peak of the cherry blossom season here in Washington. The National Park Service moved the date up this week - they're estimating from April 1 - April 4. I braved the crowds yesterday. It seemed the right thing to do - a perfect day. Today, I'm glad I did. It's raining.
-Franklyn Cater

Baltimore, Maryland. A beautiful and vibrant port city.

But, overtime, the number of people living in "Charm City" has dropped by nearly half. I decided to check out what I could find that people and time have left behind.

--Tom

It's very rewarding to take photos while doing housework. It gives you photographic proof that the house is actually cleaner.
--Nell Greenfieldboyce

It's the first day of the level two class at L'Academie de Cuisine, a professional cooking school in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

---Yuki Noguchi

I shot three different subjects for the slideshow assignment:
the churches of 16th St,
the Cherry Blossoms,
and a DJ'ing class for girls.
The ladies DJ class was the most unusual, and therefore wins for this awesome slideshow.
--Dianna

I spent all day trying to find the right salon. I wanted a place that highlights the diversity of DC, is cosy, welcoming and not luxurious. Vision's in Adams Morgan was all that. It was so steamy in the room, it almost made me nauseous, but it had a dreamy feeling to it.

--Monika

Found this story a bit on accident. It surpassed my expectations tenfold.

--Nicole