“Getting groups together with positive energy and coming up with something good is great,” Virga told the students. “Enjoy that aspect…the energy of you as a group.”

The element of time anchored the project.

Students had to adjust their camera clocks to exactly match Virga’s cell phone. This was key to the validity of the photos. If not met, images were discarded.

After images were selected, they were given a specific file name: the military standard time at which the image was captured, and its photographer’s initials. When sorted, this gave an exact chronological account of the day.

The main goal of the project was to teach Virga’s students about handling pressure and controlling emotions while photographing a historic event. And with so many journalists and camera crews around, competing to get the best picture was also an important lesson.

“The best part about being in school is that a bunch of people with a similar skill set can work together and have the ability to compare and contrast each others’ work,” Virga said.

Virga challenged his students to take as few images as possible and not to shoot the game. He also told his students to look for two things: important moments and interesting characters.

“Normally, I would focus on highlights of the game and fan shots,” said Visual Journalism student Jennifer Shook. “Instead I focused on all the effects the game had on people’s emotion.”

Students were given certain areas and tasks to cover.

Gaby Bruna, also a Visual Journalism major, took images of the people outside of the stadium. Her images depicted the people of Little Havana who identified with the team, the city, and most of all, The Orange Bowl.

“In one night they can make around $800 selling Colombian cheese-filled arepas, hot dogs, chorizo, etc.” Bruna said. “Now these people will have to look for another source of income.”

Some students not only took pictures, but also recorded the sounds of the Orange Bowl.

Student Kelly Asher captured the stories of a few Orange Bowl locals. From a man who has not missed a game in 50 years to two women who where involved for years with a club that helps fans to fly to away games.

“I wanted to record what was very much a part of the Orange Bowl, like the announcer,” Asher said.

The Band of the Hour, beer, the scoreboard, and the bright lights. In the end, it mattered little who won the game or by how much.

To view the project visit: http://www.viscom.miami.edu/orangebowl.