Q: In this day of quiet digital photography, why do press photographers use such noisy equipment that often drowns out what the speaker has to say (when watching/listening on TV), let alone the questions that are away from the microphone and are already difficult or impossible to understand?
— Don Mackay, Honolulu
A: Professional photographers often use single lens reflex (SLR) cameras that have a mirror between the lens and viewfinder. This allows the photographer to see everything that's happening without delay, Mark Johnson, a senior lecturer in photojournalism at the University of Georgia, told Q&A on the News in an email. "When you take a photo, that mirror flips out of the way, revealing the sensor — and makes noise," Johnson said. Quiet digital cameras take an image from the sensor, process it and feed it to a screen in the back, which takes more time and causes a delay.
Q: Why did Don Balfour give up taxpayer-funded pension benefits?
— Shela Holland, Lawrenceville
A: Sen. Balfour, R-Snellville, a Waffle House executive and chairman of the Georgia Senate's Rules Committee, has said that giving up his pension benefits would save taxpayer dollars. He has served in the Georgia Senate for 20 consecutive years and worked for Waffle House for more than 25 years. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently reported that lobbyists have given Balfour tickets, worth about $22,000, to more than 120 events in the past six years.
Andy Johnston wrote this column; Aaron Gould Sheinin contributed. Do you have a question about the news? We'll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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