MISSION STATEMENT Today in Mississippi’s mission is to serve as a valuable member communications tool for electric power associations striving to: • bolster members’ confidence in their electric power association and enhance its image; • demonstrate the integral role electric power associations play in their service area’s economic development and quality of life; • generate support of electric power association goals; and • educate members, elected officials and the general public on the advantages and uniqueness of the cooperative form of electric utility.
471,000 circulation Ninth largest statewide publication in the U.S. The Today in Mississippi staff works closely with systems each month to prepare local pages. Our services include: Writing • Photography Editing • Graphic design Page layout, production and mailing Digital media support One-on-one employee training
TODAY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OF MISSISSIPPI
I N
M I S S I S S I P P I
Today in Mississippi, the official member publication of the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi, is the most widely circulated publication of any kind in the state. The monthly publication is mailed to more than 471,000 members of 19 electric cooperatives. Today in Mississippi’s unique design provides subscribing systems the use of the publication’s centerspread. Systems have two uninterrupted facing pages for their exclusive use. They also have the option of adding four pages, at additional cost. Today in Mississippi’s editorial content includes human-interest features, an editorial, four special-interest columns by freelance writers, a recipe page and an events calendar. Reader involvement is encouraged through a “Mississippi is...” feature and the submission of photographs for “Picture This.” The editorial mix is designed to appeal to the broad audience that constitutes the membership of Mississippi’s electric cooperatives. The results of a recent readership survey indicated strong reader interest in the publication: 76 out of 100 people are frequent readers, an average of 362,700 readers per month, and the publication has a strong pass-along readership of 80%, or a combined total audience of more than 848,600. 474,500 362,748 305,472 381,840 848,600 57% 41% 63% 59.6 $48,400 47% 41% 71% 90% $47,500 22.2
Circulation Regular readers (76%)* Never miss an issue (64%) Pass along for others to read (80%) Total audience Women Men Married Median age (25-54, 36% • 55+, 64% • 45-64, 40%) Median household income Employed Retired Attended college + Own home Typical income Average acreage Source: 2016 Readex readers’ survey • monthly only * Read 3-4 out 4 issues • Less than 10% do not read
The VOICE of COOPERATIVE ELECTRIFICATION in MISSISSIPPI
Today in Mississippi, the official member publication of the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi, is the most widely circulated publication of any kind in the state. The monthly publication is mailed to more than 471,000 members of 19 electric power associations. The first issue was mailed in January 1948 to 36,414 members of 11 elecJOIN TODAY IN MISSISSIPPI tric power associations. Originally called Mississippi Rural Light and Power, its ON FACEBOOK goal was to report rural electrification news, serve as the official voice of electric power association members and become a “practical journal of information on the use of electricity on the farm.” The publication experienced several name What your ‘Today’ staff offers: changes before it became Today in Mississippi in 1991. - Assistance in producing your local pages each month, including writing, editing of locally Beginning in the early 1990s several measproduced material, photography and complete ures were taken to update the publication, layout and design. improve its overall quality and make it more - Personal visits to your system, by request, to useful to systems as a communications tool. produce custom features, including interviewing, Production was moved from Patton Publishwriting and photography. ing in Jackson to the Hattiesburg American in - Opportunities for you to proof and approve your Hattiesburg to take advantage of the printer’s pages prior to printing. full-color printing capability. - Coordination of your system’s mailing list to A graphic artist joined the staff in 1993 as ensure lowest postage cost. management sought more control over the final product by bringing more of its production in-house. Within a few years, two staff graphic artists were doing most of the publication’s design, layout and pre-press production work. Today in Mississippi’s redesign gave subscribing systems the use of the publication’s centerspread. For the first time in the publication’s history, systems had two uninterrupted facing pages for their exclusive use. They also were given the option of adding four pages, at additional cost. The publication currently is printed on newsprint by Walton Press in Monroe, Ga. “Today in Mississippi’s The Today in Mississippi staff comprises seven employees with a total of greatest accolades come 133 years of statewide service: Ron Stewart, senior vice president; Mark from the members we Bridges, production manager; Debbie Stringer, statewide editor; Elissa Fulfeature in our stories. Their feedback lets us know ton, communications specialist; Rickey McMillan, graphic specialist; and Today in Mississippi’s Chris Alexander, administrative assistant. content is relevant, timely Bridges is responsible for the design and production of the publication and read!” and is assisted by McMillan. Advertising is coordinated by McMillan. Stringer and Fulton are responsible for the editorial content of the publica-
LOCAL NEWS FEATURES INDUSTRY NEWS RECIPES OUTDOORS ■
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tion. Stringer assists four systems with original content for their local pages and produces editorial content and photography for the rest of the publication. Fulton assists 15 systems with writing, photography and editing to customize the content of their local pages. Today in Mississippi’s editorial content includes human-interest features, a CEO editorial, four special-interest columns, a recipe page, a quarterly reader photo feature and an events calendar. The editorial mix is designed to appeal to the broad audience that constitutes the membership of Mississippi’s electric power associations. The results of a readership survey conducted in 2016 indicated strong reader interest in the publication: On average, respondents had read all of the past four issues and spent 39 minutes reading or looking through a typical issue. In 1999 the newspaper launched www.todayinmississippi.com. Members and non-members can view online the current cover feature, editorial, recipes, events calendar and columns. Recipes are archived at the site. A digital version of each issue is available online and archived. Publication of Today in Mississippi is supported solely by advertising revenue and subscription dues paid by the following participating electric cooperatives: Central Electric, Coahoma Electric, Coast Electric, Delta Electric, Dixie Electric, EMEPA, 4-County Electric, Magnolia Electric, Monroe County Electric, Natchez Trace Electric, North East Mississippi Electric, Northcentral Electric, Pearl River Valley Electric, Pontotoc Electric, Singing River Electric, Southern Pine Electric, Southwest Mississippi Electric, Twin County Electric and Yazoo Valley Electric.
“Our member response to the features and information provided on the local pages of Today in Mississippi is positive and appreciative. Members not only read but look forward to receiving Today.” “Used properly, Today may be the most powerful tool at our disposal, and it is very cost effective. If we didn’t take advantage of all Today offers us, we would have to produce our own newsletter—almost certainly at a far greater cost with more headaches.”
OUR GOAL FOR YOUR SYSTEM
Each month when your readers receive Today in Mississippi, we want it to be a local publication with informative and interesting articles. We will strive very hard to make the newspaper the voice of your system.
“Today in Mississippi is the only newspaper some of our customers receive, and they read it from cover to cover. If they happen to miss an issue, they call us. It’s important to them to get this information.”
LOOKING AROUND MISSISSIPPI EVENTS GRIN ‘n’ BARE IT GARDENING ■
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COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Ron Stewart
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT COMMUNICATIONS Internal and External
Chris Alexander
MANAGER SUPPORT SERVICES Mark Bridges
TODAY EDITOR
Debbie Stringer
COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST Elissa Fulton
GRAPHIC SPECIALIST
Rickey McMillan
GRAPHIC SPECIALIST Vacant
April 2018
Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi
Communications staff Alexander, Chris
office: 601-605-8624 alexander@ecm.coop Handles all administrative duties and department billings
Bridges, Mark office: 601-605-8613 • cell: 601-941-3726 bridges@ecm.coop Manages graphic design and production for Today in Mississippi and special projects
Fulton, Elissa office: 601-605-8618 • cell: 601-842-0032 fulton@ecm.coop Provides editing, writing and photography services for local pages in Today in Mississippi and special projects; coordinates youth program
McMillan, Rickey office: 601-605-8612 • cell: 601-201-1831 mcmillan@ecm.coop Provides graphic design and production assistance for Today in Mississippi and special projects
Stewart, Ron office: 601-605-8608 • cell: 601-906-9306 stewart@ecm.coop Oversees statewide’s Comunications department, including Today in Mississippi, support services
Stringer, Debbie office: 601-605-8610 • cell: 601-906-8082 news@ecm.coop Provides news and feature writing, photography and editing for statewide and local pages in Today in Mississippi, and for special projects
CONTACTS FOR TODAY IN MISSISSIPPI SYSTEM
NAME Primary/Secondary CENTRAL Jessica Patterson Tim Stewart COAHOMA Vicki Dye Keith Hurt Bob Burke COAST April Lollar Melissa Russo Merilee Sands DELTA Sommer Makamson David O'Bryan DIXIE Lydia Walters Pollyanna Magee EMEPA Julie Boles Randy Carroll Jessica Hamburg 4-COUNTY Brad Barr Jon Turner MAGNOLIA Lucy Shell Skipper Anderson MONROE COUNTY Ryan Payne NATCHEZ TRACE James Pettit Gail Allen Norma Kilgore NORTH EAST MS Marlin Williams Tracie Russell NORTHCENTRAL Michael Bellipanni PEARL RIVER Kurt Brautigam PONTOTOC Chuck Howell Jennifer Johnson SINGING RIVER Lorri Freeman Amanda Parker SOUTHERN PINE Brock Williamson Dan Davis SOUTHWEST MS Deb McGee Les Southerland TWIN COUNTY Polly Morrow YAZOO VALLEY Dennis McFee Ron White
OFFICE 601.267.6015 769.274.8633 662.624.8321 662.624.8321 662.624.8321 228.363.7212 228.363.7257 228.363.7351 662.455.8077 662.453.6352 601.422.4264 601.422.4265 601.581.8624 601.581.8601 601.581.8635 662.245.0711 662.245.0708 601.250.2421 601.250.2426 662.256.2962 662.456.3037 662.456.3037 662.456.3037 662.238.3222 662.238.3220 662.895.2151 601.731.7831 662.489.3211 662.489.3211 601.947.4211 601.947.4211 601.678.3230 601.264.0187 601.437.1324 601.437.1345 662.827.2262 662.751.8055 662.746.4251
ext. 126 ext 2251 ext 2288
ext 234
EMAIL ADDRESS jcpatterson@centralepa.com tstewart@centralepa.com vdye@coahomaepa.com khurt@coahomaepa.com bburke@coahomaepa.com aprillollar@coastepa.com melissarusso@coastepa.com merileesands@coastepa.com smakamson@deltaepa.coop dobryan@deltaepa.coop lydiawalters@dixieepa.com pollymagee@dixieepa.com jboles@emepa.com rcarroll@emepa.com jhamburg@emepa.com barrb@4county.org turnerj@4county.org magepalucy@cableone.net magepaskipper@cableone.net rpayne54@bellsouth.net jpettit@ntepa.com gallen@ntepa.com kilgore@ntepa.com marlin.williams@nemepa.org tracie.russell@nemepa.org mbellipanni@northcentralepa.com kbrautigam@prvepa.com howell@pepa.com johnson@pepa.com freeman@singingriver.com aparker@singingriver.com cbwilliamson@southernpine.coop ddavis@southernpine.coop dmcgee@swepa.coop lsoutherland@swepa.coop pmorrow@twincoepa.com dmcfee@yazoovalley.com rwhite@yazoovalley.com
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NFocus, our data agency, prefers mailing data be sent via FTP site for security purposes. If you do not have the setup information, please send request to stewart@ecm.coop. If you would like to use email, please send data to sdonovan@n-focus.com.
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If you have any questions about mailing, contact: Ron Stewart • 601-605-8600 stewart@ecm.coop
TODAY ADIDIT M S IOSNA I LSCO SST I P P I
I N
2018 SYSTEM PAGES Deadlines & Press Dates
Issue
Mailing List Due
Complete Materials Due by Noon
Receive Pages for Approval by Noon
First Proof Approval by 3 p.m.
Final Proof Approval by 10 a.m.
Press Date
Jan. 2018
Dec. 5, 2017
Dec. 8
Dec. 12
Dec. 12
Dec. 13
Dec. 14
Feb.
Jan. 9
Jan. 12
Jan. 16
Jan. 16
Jan. 17
Jan. 18
March
Feb. 6
Feb. 9
Feb. 13
Feb. 13
Feb. 14
Feb. 15
April
Mar. 20
Mar. 23
Mar. 27
Mar. 27
Mar. 28
Mar. 29
May
Apr. 17
Apr. 20
Apr. 24
Apr. 24
Apr. 25
Apr. 26
June
May 15
May 18
May 22
May 22
May 23
May 24
July
June 19
June 22
June 26
June 26
June 27
June 28
Aug.
July 17
July 20
July 24
July 24
July 25
July 26
Sept.
Aug. 21
Aug. 24
Aug. 28
Aug. 28
Aug. 29
Aug. 30
Oct.
Sept. 18
Sept. 21
Sept. 25
Sept. 25
Sept. 26
Sept. 27
Nov./Dec.*
Oct. 30
Nov. 2
Nov. 6
Nov. 6
Nov. 7
Nov. 8
Jan. 2019
Dec. 4, 2018
Dec. 7
Dec. 11
Dec. 11
Dec. 12
Dec. 13
* November and December issues are combined
Mail drops are Tuesday after press date. January issue mails after Christmas.
2
TOTAL CIRCULATION Central Coahoma Coast Delta Dixie East MS 4-County Magnolia Monroe Northcentral Pearl River Pontotoc Singing River Southern Pine Southwest Twin County Yazoo Valley North East* Natchez Trace**
24,871 5,329 61,028 16,674 29,381 27,915 35,962 20,003 8,715 24,075 36,900 16,240 54,315 47,602 17,834 8,039 8,251 21,459 12,708
* Prints Quarterly ** Prints Semi-Annually
Total as of 1/1/2017
Washington
16
Is
a en qu sa
Sharkey Yazoo
Carroll
Montgomery
Madison
Warren
Scott
Claiborne
Wilkinson
Franklin
15
Amite
8
Lincoln
Pike
Smith
Simpson
Copiah
Jefferson
14
Rankin
Hinds
Lawrence
Walthall
Winston
Attala
Leake
Oktibbeha
Choctaw
Holmes
17
1
Davis
Newton
Jasper
Clarke
5
Lamar
Pearl River
3
Hancock
ing o
Lauderdale
Perry
11
Noxubee
6
Jones
Marion
7
Lowndes
Kemper
Neshoba
Covington
Jefferson
Monroe
Clay
Webster
4
Humphreys
Chickasaw
Calhoun
Leflore
Hinds
Adams
19
Grenada
Sunflower
12
Itawamba
Lee
Pontotoc
Yalobusha
Bolivar
Prentiss Union
Lafayette
Quitman
Alcorn
Tippah
Marshall
18
Tallahatchie
477,301
De Soto
Panola
Coahoma
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.
Tate
Tunica
Benton
hom
10
Tis
TODAY in Mississippi... Your best source for reaching the state of Mississippi.
Forrest Stone
Harrison
Wayne
Greene
13
George Jackson
9
P.O. Box 3300/Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300
Electric Power Associations of Mississippi
Advertising Rates Effective January Issue 2018
National Rate
$209.84 per column inch local Rate Per Column inch
frequency discounts, display 6x
10% 13%
11x
20%
601-605-8600/Fax 601-605-8601
Visit us at our home page: www.todayinmississippi.com e-mail: advertising@ecm.coop
I deadliNes:
Publication of Today in Mississippi is on or about the first day of each month. Advertising space deadline and onproof deadline is the first Tuesday of prior month. Cameraready ads may be submitted no later than the second Friday of prior month.* Advertising materials not received by deadline are not entitled to approval or revision. No cancellations after deadline. Classified ads must be received by the 10th of the prior month and require prepayment.* *Holiday Deadlines: November 1 and December 1.
1-12 inches .... $140.18 per inch 13-39 inches..... $126.26 per inch 40-52 inches..... $115.50 per inch 3x
Shipping Address: 665 Highland Colony Parkway Ridgeland, MS 39157
Discount
If the number of insertions is not specified on the order or contract, each insertion will be billed at the one-time rate. Advertising at a frequency discount rate and not earned within one year of first insertion will be billed at earned rate (short rate).
Color Charges
Full page .................... $ 850.00 Per column inch ........... $ 17.00 10.31.17
I MeChaNiCal RequiReMeNts:
Today in Mississippi is printed on high-quality newsprint. Halftones use an 85-line screen. Today in Mississippi uses a four (4) column format with a one (1) pica (3/16”) gutter between columns. Column widths are 14 1/4 picas (2.313”); column heights are 12.75”. Pdf files are required for camera-ready ads.
I adveRtisiNg ageNCies:
Today in Mississippi will allow a 15% commission on space to recognized advertising agencies providing camera-ready ads. Agencies and advertisers are jointly and separately liable for all charges. Agency commissions will be disallowed on all invoices past due. Clients shall be liable for all attorney fees incurred by publication in collection.
I PayMeNts:
All advertising invoices will be submitted on publication and are due upon receipt. Invoices unpaid after 30 days will incur an interest rate of 1 1/2% on the unpaid balance. All ads should be prepaid by check or money order with ad until a credit application has been completed and approved.
Classified Rates
Classified advertisements are $2.50 per word (net) with a $25.00 minimum. Payment must be made before classified ad will be published. Discount available for multiple insertions: 3 months, 5%; 6 months, 10%; and 12 months, 15%. Today in Mississippi reserves the right to refuse any advertising. Ad materials produced by Today in Mississippi remain the property of Today in Mississippi.
1-Column inch ad
1x run= 3x run= 6x run= 11x run=
$ 140.18 $ 126.16 (each month) $ 121.96 (each month) $ 112.14 (each month)
2-Column inch ad
(2.4” wide X 2” deep)
1x run= 3x run= 6x run= 11x run=
$ 280.36 $ 252.32 (each month) $ 243.91 (each month) $ 224.29 (each month)
3-Column inch ad
(2.4” wide X 3” deep) 1x run= 3x run= 6x run= 11x run=
$ 420.54 $ 378.49 (each month) $ 365.87 (each month) $ 336.43 (each month)
4-Column inch ad (Vertical)
(2.4” wide X 4” deep) 1x run= 3x run= 6x run= 11x run=
$ 560.72 $ 504.65 (each month) $ 487.83 (each month) $ 448.58 (each month)
Ad Sizes and Rate samples 2018
All display ad sizes are based on column widths by inches deep. Ad sizes shown here are our most common small ad sizes. A full page ad is 4 columns wide, (10.125”) by 12.5” deep. Prices are based on 2018 local rates and reflect multiple discounts that would apply.
4-Column inch ad (Horizontal) (4.97” wide X 2” deep)
1x run= 3x run= 6x run= 11x run=
$ 560.72 $ 504.65 (each month) $ 487.83 (each month) $ 448.58 (each month)
6-Column inch ad
(4.97” wide X 3” deep) 1x run= 3x run= 6x run= 11x run=
$ 841.08 $ 756.97 (each month) $ 731.74 (each month) $ 672.86 (each month)
8-Column inch ad
(4.97” wide X 4” deep) 1x run= 3x run= 6x run= 11x run=
$ 1,121.44 $ 1,009.30 (each month) $ 975.65 (each month) $ 897.15 (each month)
P .O. Box 3300/Ridgeland, MS 39158-3300/601-605-8600/fax 601-605-8601
SPACE RESERVATION
PLEASE RESERVE THE FOLLOWING SPACE FOR ADVERTISING IN TODAY. As a reminder, full page is 52 column inches, half is 26, and quarter is 13. Check your last invoice for size of current ad or call Rickey McMillan at 601-605-8600 should you have any questions. Please remember the maximum number of ad pages is limited for each issue. A 30-day notice is given prior to any overall ad rate increase. All other advertising policies as stated in current rate card are also in effect.
Reserve your space today to ensure insertion in your desired month. THANKS!!!
RESERVE BY NOVEMBER 29, 2013 AND RECEIVE SPECIAL PRICING. JAN 2018* CLOSED column inches
JULY 2018 CLOSED column inches
FEB 2018* CLOSED column inches
AUG 2018 CLOSED column inches
MAR 2018*CLOSED column inches
SEPT 2018 CLOSED column inches
APR 2018 CLOSED column inches
OCT 2018 CLOSED column inches
MAY 2018 CLOSED column inches
NOV/DEC
JUNE 2018 CLOSED column inches
column inches
* These issues will be at 2013 pricing, all remaining issues at new 2014 rate.
Business Contact Person Address State
City Zip
Phone (
)
Fax (
E-mail address Signature
Date
)
TODAY ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES 2008-09
09-10
10-11
11-12 12-13
1.98
$
1.98
$
Above 25,000
$
1.90
$
1.94
$
1.94
$
$
$
2.04
1.94
$
$
2.08
Under 25,000
13-14
2.10
$
2.06
$
14-15 15-16 16-17 Monthly* 2.24 34.4 cents
2.22
$
2.18
$
2.14
$
2.16
$
2.10
$
2.12
$
2.20 34.0 cents
*Monthly average includes postage of 14 cents 10 I Today in Mississippi I
2017 CIRCULATION BY SYSTEM Central Coahoma Coast Delta Dixie East Mississippi 4-County Magnolia Monroe County Natchez Trace North East Mississippi Northcentral Pearl River Valley Pontotoc Singing River Southern Pine Southwest Mississippi Twin County Yazoo Valley
TOTAL
as of January 2017
24,871 5,329 61,028 16,674 29,381 27,915 35,962 20,003 8,715 12,708 21,459 24,075 36,900 16,240 54,315 47,602 17,834 8,039 8,251
477,301
Today in Mississippi The largest circulated publication in the state reaches 477,301 homes and businesses Results from our most recent survey: 76 out of 100 people are frequent readers, an average of 362,750 readers per month
March 2016
Twin Co unty
Electric Power Asso ciation worki
The power of
ng together
For after-hours outages, call
866-897-7250
O
e Happy Hannd yman Gregory Hedrick
builds a busin
ess based on
By Debbie Stringer
creativity and skill
Birds planning to raise a family spring would in Hollandale do well to claim this a custom home Gregory Hedric built by k. Not only will their nestlings a Hedrick bird snug and dry, house keep but neighborhood —at least among it will be the talk of the the birds. Designing and owner of Neighbobuilding bird houses is a new passion for Hedrick, usual jobs range rhood Handyman and Landsca who is the from honey-d pe Design, in os to Hedrick, who Hollandale. His grew up in Port kitchen and bath remodel Hollandale after ing. Gibson the younges living in Chicago t of 13 children scape design , where he ran business a successful handym, settled in larger and landscap . He longed to be back an/landin Mississippi, e work can be where the yards He built his done year-rou first are nd. request. “I said, bird house, for purple martins, a martin? What’s in response to Hedrick relishes that?” he said a custome r’s laughing. a challenge, so flourishes to he eagerly tackled the basic bird the project, adding house plans. Since then he his own has built and sold several Basic bird house
designs man Gregory Hedrick, just won’t do for Hollandale handytouches to everything right. He enjoys adding unexpecte he builds, including d right, leading the foot bridge, to his far tered bird houses. church and the solar lights flanking For his own front Gras, at top right, yard, decorated clushe built a wishing for Mardi covered brick patio and a multi-leve well planter, a pergolaplants or bird l stand for holding houses. potted
Publication continues to have a strong pass-along readership, totalling more than 848,600 readers.
477,300 362,748 305,472 381,840 848,600 57% 41% 63% 59.6 $48,400 47% 41% 71% 90% $47,500 22.2
“I love a challen ge I love it with a pas s
Circulation Regular readers (76%)* Never miss an issue (64%) Pass along for others to read (80%) Total audience TYPICAL READER Women SPENDS 43 MINUTES Men Married Median age (25-54, 36% • 55+, 64% • 45-64, 40%) Median household income Employed Retired Attended college + Own home Typical income Average acreage Source: 2016 Readex readers’ survey • monthly only * Read 3-4 out 4 issues • Less than 10% does not read publication
SUPPORT SERVICES and DIGITAL MEDIA Your award-winning creative team writes, edits, designs and prints special communication materials for systems. This includes employee newsletter, annual meeting notices, annual reports, logos, promotional pieces and much more. Staff produces the legislative app and roster, statewide directory, websites and special projects.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM The department coordinates the Youth Tour and Leadership Workshop, with more than 70 high school juniors participating in the 2017 program.
Photography tips adapted from Ron Blaylock’s presentation “Photography: From Eye to Print” • Take time to explore your camera’s controls. The more familiar you are with its settings, the easier and faster it will be to make adjustments while shooting. • If you have a question about your specific camera, just Google it. Be sure to include your camera’s make and model with your question. • For best picture quality, set your digital camera to shoot at its highest resolution setting. • When emailing a photo from your smartphone, choose the “actual size” option (or the largest file size possible) before pressing “send.” Selecting a smaller file size diminishes photo quality. • Different lighting conditions (shade, overcast, direct sun, artificial, etc.) will cast different colors on your subject. Shade, for example, can make your subject look more blue. So before shooting, set your camera’s “white balance” setting to match the current lighting conditions. To see how this works, shoot the same scene at different white balance settings and notice the shifts in color they produce. • When shooting linemen wearing a hard hat in bright sunlight, use the camera’s pop-up flash to avoid deep shadows on the face and to brighten eyes. A successful photo is all about composition. How you arrange the significant elements in a photo relays a message and makes the viewer stop and look. Composition guidelines: • Selective focus simplifies the image and reduces distracting clutter by throwing it out of focus. The viewer’s eyes go directly to the area of sharpest focus in a picture. • Use composition to place emphasis on your subject. Example: When shooting a beautiful sunset, make the sky dominate the picture by placing the horizon line low in the composition. (This will also result in more accurate exposure of the sky.) • Rather than always shooting at eye level, vary your point of view to make more interesting images. Try shooting from a higher (or lower) perspective and see what a difference it can make. • Look for and exploit interesting lines in the landscape, whether natural or manmade (i.e. power lines, rural roads, fences, row crops, etc.)
• Avoid centering your subject in the picture. Yes, you can break this rule to achieve special effects or when symmetry is desirable. But in general, centering leads to boring compositions. Using the Rule of Thirds is an easy way to strengthen any composition: Position your subject in the right or left (or top or bottom) third of the viewfinder space. • Before you shoot, look over the entire scene in the viewfinder, not just your subject. Avoid background clutter, such as cars, bright reflections, onlookers, etc. • When shooting a portrait, include some of the subject’s environment to add more information to the photo. A photo of a lineman, for example, can include some of his gear, a transformer, a truck detail or other things that help tell the story of his work. • Consider creative cropping. Example: Zoom in on a utility pole reflected in the lineman’s sunglasses. Cropping during the shoot, rather than afterward in the computer, usually results in sharper focus and better exposures. • When shooting a face, focus on the subject’s eyes (or the eye closest to the camera). Focusing on the nose can throw the eyes out of focus, depending on the lighting conditions. • If you use a flash with a head that can tilt, bounce the light off the ceiling or a nearby wall to produce soft, natural-looking shadows in an indoor portrait or scene. • When shooting a head-and-shoulders shot, don’t back the person against a wall—especially a brick wall—which can add distracting shadows and patterns. If you have no other choice, have the subject stand a few feet in front of a solid-colored wall. Space makes a fine background: Zoom in and focus on the subject’s face to isolate the figure in an open doorway, or against a distant tree line or other open space. The zoom will cause the background space to blur nicely. • When shooting a group of people, avoid the “police line-up” look of standing shoulder to shoulder, directly facing the camera. A more interesting photo results when bodies are turned at different angles, overlap and vary in height. • Collapsible light reflectors soften shadows and provide supplemental, natural-looking illumination for outdoor portraits. You can find a wide selection at www.bhphotovideo.com.
Interesting lines lead the viewer’s eyee demonstrates the Rule of Thirds.
Vary your point of view.
Two examples of creative cropping durr
iinto a photo of a rice field, left, and a log cabin. The cabin photo also
Rule of Thirds composition example.
ring (not after) shooting. This portrait of a Twin County lineman is enhanced by the action in the background. The camera’s pop-up flash helped illuminate the lineman’s face and eliminate strong shadows. His right-facing profile leads the viewer’s eye to the action.
Use of deep space (not a wall) as a backdrop for a portrait of a subject featured in “Today in Mississippi.” He is standing in the door of his shop.
AAn environmental portrait versus a typical mug shot. Which photo tells you more about this man’s occupation? Also, notice that his head is positioned in the top-right third of the larger photo.
Today in Mississippi’s
‘Picture This’ guidelines “Picture This” is a reader photo feature appearing in the January, April, July and October issues of Today in Mississippi. We publish a few of the most eye-catching photos that best illustrate the given theme from among those submitted. Photographers whose photos are selected for publication are eligible for a $200 cash prize, to be awarded in a random drawing in December. Please note: This is not a contest, as photos will not be judged. Photos are selected for publication based on their overall quality, relevance to the given theme, visual impact and suitability for printing on newsprint paper. (Dark photos usually do not print well. We look for bright photos with good contrast and sharp focus.)
Submission requirements • Photos must relate to the given theme. • Photos must be the original work of an amateur photographer (of any age). • Photos eligible for publication may be either color or black and white, print or digital. • Photos must be in sharp focus. • Digital photos should be high-resolution JPG files. The images may be cropped but please do not use photo-editing software to enhance colors or tones. (We prefer to do it ourselves, if necessary, according to our printer’s standards.) • Please do not send a photo with a date appearing on the image. • Photos must be accompanied by identifying information, including photographer’s name, address, phone and electric power association. Include the name(s) of any recognizable people in the picture. • Submit as many photos as you like, but select only your best work. • Prints will be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Note: We cannot guarantee their safe return through the mail.
How to submit Email your digital photo (as an attachment to your e-mail message) to news@ecm.coop. If submitting more than one photo, please attach all photos to only one email message, if possible. Send prints or a photo CD to Picture This, Today in Mississippi, P.O. Box 3300, Ridgeland, MS 391583300. Question? Call Debbie Stringer, editor, at 601-605-8610 or email news@ecm.coop.
SUPPORT SERVICES
the latest in computer technology, the profesThe Cooperative Services staff also prosional staff can design and prepare for printduces a variety of communications-related products and services for all 26 electric power ing all types of projects. Projects are billed to the system associations through the Support Services at cost of production plus 10 perarea. Mark Bridges serves as manager of cent. Support Services. Additionally, the Support Upon request, the Services staff is actively award-winning creative involved in several statewide team can write, edit, and projects. They coordinate the design special communicadesign, printing, and tion materials for your sysdistribution of the annual tem. The team can take any legislative roster. All job, large or small, from start departmental and meeting to finish at a cost much lower support materials, includthan commercial providers ing the statewide annual would charge. Using an inmeeting, are produced house color copier, the staff can entirely by the staff. The team provide high-quality color copies produces the statewide directory and sells at a cost far below that of commeradvertising to pay for cial printers. Additionally, the department has close working relationships with commer- the project. cial printers for those large quantity jobs that must utilize high-speed printing presses. The department’s professionally produced projects have included employee newsletters, annual reports, brochures, advertising materials including custom ads, billboards, signs, T-shirts, Power Point presentations, custom photography, and exhibit displays. ALCORN COUNTY The staff also offers speciality advertising through partnerships with several dealers in this area. Department personnel are available for meetings at your system to develop ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION ideas and to plan a project from start to finish. Using 2 W hat’s
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2017 ADVERTISING POLICIES and LIST of UNACCEPTABLE ADVERTISERS REVISED • May 2014 TODAY in Mississippi (the official publication of the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi) reserves the right to reject advertising which does not meet its policies and guidelines as outlined below or that which does not meet credit policies as established by the association and furnished to advertisers. The TODAY staff shall make all decisions and their decision shall be final. In addition, TODAY in Mississippi reserves the right to investigate any new product or advertiser with the Better Business Bureau, other publications, and by any other means deemed necessary to protect the accuracy of its ad content and credit worthiness. Any organization or advocacy group or individual attempting to counter the missions and interests of the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi and their membership shall not be granted advertising space. Advertisements that contain incredible claims of savings or otherwise appear to be deceptive or misleading may be rejected by the Publisher if the claims cannot be substantiated by reasonable business practices or otherwise proven to be accurate. As an alternative to rejecting such advertisements, the Publisher may require amendments or disclosures as necessary to protect the members/consumers/subscribers. The following shall not be granted advertising space in TODAY in Mississippi: - Any electric power generator, distributor or supplier, other than electric power associations in Mississippi, which are members of the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi, Inc. - Any advertisment for alternative/green energy sources such as solar energy products, wind energy products, etc. - Any advertiser who is past due or who has been past due. - Any advertiser unwilling to complete a credit application and refusing to pay in advance. - Any advertiser who submits a postdated check for payment toward a future ad. - Any natural gas or propane company and/or affiliate. - Edison Electric Institute - Any electrical product not approved by Underwriters Laboratories (U.L.). - Any insurance company, agency or agent not licensed to sell the advertised insurance by the Mississippi Insurance Department or considered reputable by same. - Any advertisement submitted by a political party or by a political candidate. - Any advertising supporting political issues not supported by the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi. - Any drug, medical procedure/treatment not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. - Any alcoholic beverage company and/or its product. - Any tobacco company and/or its product. - Any marketing plan which includes "chain letters" or pyramiding sales plans. - Any "business opportunity" or similar type advertisement which makes exaggerated claims or seems deceptive. - "Lonely hearts" or "computer dating� type ads - Ads involving chance such as, but not limited to, lotteries, raffles, bingo and casino gaming. TODAY in Mississippi reserves the right to refuse any and all advertising for any reason and assumes no liabilities for errors or omissions in advertising beyond the actual cost of the space where the error occurred.