Jorge's blog

FACT-CHECKED ✅ * I n our global age, students live surrounded by media – from viral videos to news feeds. Without guidance, learners may passively absorb biased or misleading messages , but with the right skills they can become active, critical users of English. Research shows that when English learners practice interpreting media, they gain valuable language and life skills . For example, a review of studies in U.S. community colleges found that integrating media literacy into ESL instruction “improves learners’ critical evaluation of digital content, cross-cultural awareness, and engagement with real English language use” . In simple terms, this means students learn to question online information, understand different cultural viewpoints, and use English more confidently in real situations. With the right skills, students can become active, critical users of English. (📷:coep.nz) Mlekuž (2017) describes  critical media literacy (CML) as a way to reveal hidden assumptions in me...

I n many homes and studios, window light is undervalued; often dismissed as merely functional illumination. Yet, understanding its qualities and mastering its use can turn ordinary rooms into evocative, atmospheric scenes. This article explores how photographers can harness the nuances of natural window light (its direction, quality, and colour) to elevate mundane interiors into captivating narratives. Let's examine the science behind window light, demonstrate creative techniques, and offer practical strategies for working in diverse lighting conditions. Window light can turn ordinary rooms into evocative, atmospheric scenes.   (📷:flickr) The Fundamentals Window light is diffuse by nature; even on a bright, sunny day, the glass and curtains softens harsh sunbeams into a more even glow. This diffusion reduces extreme contrast, making shadows gentle and highlights more gradual, which is ideal for portraiture, still-life, and editorial interior work. The angle at which light enters (...

FACT-CHECKED ✅  O nline platforms have become fertile ground for the spread of violent and misogynistic ideologies, fuelling harassment, radicalisation, and real-world harm. This review examines the mechanisms by which such beliefs propagate (through extremist forums, “incel” communities, and algorithm‑driven echo chambers) and explores evidence‑based countermeasures, including media literacy, platform accountability, and interdisciplinary research approaches. By synthesising findings from sociology, media studies, psychology, and security studies, we present fresh perspectives on curbing online gender‑based violence and fostering safer digital environments. The urgency of this issue cannot be overstated as digital misogyny increasingly intersects with political extremism and public safety. Online platforms have become fertile ground for the spread of violent and misogynistic ideologies.   (📷:leonel-houssam) The Rise of Online Misogyny and Violence The internet’s promise...

FACT-CHECKED ✅ E nvironmental photography wields the power to translate abstract climate data into visceral visual narratives that motivate action. By blending technical skill with ethical storytelling, photographers can illuminate the tangible effects of warming temperatures, melting ice, and habitat loss. This article reviews the history and purpose of environmental photojournalism, examines exemplary bodies of work, outlines field and ethical considerations, and suggests practical strategies for creating impactful climate imagery. Photographers can illuminate the tangible effects of warming temperatures, melting ice, and habitat loss.   (📷:researchleap) Environmental photography emerged as a distinct practice in the 1970s, paralleling the rise of the modern environmental movement. Pioneers like  Peter Guttman  and Frans Lanting documented pristine ecosystems and the first signs of ecological stress, establishing a visual language for conservation advocacy . 'The S...

FACT-CHECKED ✅  P hotography often seeks harmony between subject and setting, and few compositional tools achieve this as elegantly as the Golden Spiral. Rooted in mathematical proportions found throughout nature, the spiral guides the eye along a rhythmic curve, placing key elements at natural focal points. In wildlife photography (where moments are fleeting and environments complex) the Golden Spiral offers a simple overlay that transforms static frames into dynamic narratives. This article explores its origins, explains how to apply it in the field, analyses exemplary images, and offers practice strategies to help you weave this ancient principle into your modern wildlife work. Few compositional tools achieve harmony between subject and setting as elegantly as the Golden Spiral.   (📷:medium.com) Origin and Power The Golden Spiral derives from the Fibonacci sequence and the Golden Ratio (approximately 1.618:1), a proportion celebrated since antiquity for its aesthetic app...