A few days ago I had just hung up the phone from talking with Justin, our oldest son, when my wife, Carol, said, "Jimmy, does it feel funny to be asking your son for advice about your next assignment?"

Actually, Justin and a growing number of students have heard me ask quite a few questions over the last few years. With technology giving birth to a new generation every 12 to 18 months, keeping up with the latest trends is challenging to say the least. The quicker you can reach someone who might have an answer, the more likely you will meet the next deadline creatively and on time.

Chances are your success in this field will be measured by the strength of your relationships.

In May four Union students along with journalism professor Michael Chute and myself stepped aboard a plane headed for South Africa. Our students wrote and photographed stories about the work of several International Mission Board personnel. The coverage and logistical challenges provided a realistic glimpse of what could lie ahead for each of these students.

In the short time I have been at Union, the processes involved in producing our content has changed so much. The changes have been amazing.

Other than always feeling a bit behind in what I should know, I believe they've been for the better. We have so many ways of telling our stories. Discovering and acting on the best way is the challenge.

Not too long ago, film would be near the top of my concern list before making a trip like this. Today there are so many more components.

For instance, before leaving Carol and I headed to the Apple Store in Germantown to pick up an extra hard drive to provide a second level of backup for our files. As trustworthy as the digital file has become, backing it up a couple of times helps to provide a better night's rest. This is certainly not a "Tri-X and be there" kind of world any longer.

When I step onto the plane I had tucked into my carryon bag:

• A Nikon D200 camera body.
• A Nikon D70 camera body.
• A Sigma 18-50/2.8 lense
• A Nikkor 18-200/3.5 lens,
• A Nikkor 70-200/2.8 lens,
• A Nikon SB800 flash.
• Eight 2GB compact flash cards,
• One Lacie 160GB hard drive.
• An Apple PowerBook G4 complete with more software than I may ever really understand.
• An Olympus digital recorder with lapel microphone.
• A tiny radio about to be tuned to the BBC.
• A set of earbuds, plus a slew of cords, chargers, converters and a small stack of blank DVDs.

Even with all this, most likely I will arrive in Cape Town only to realize I left something and will ask about the nearest Best Buy equivalent. Of course, it's always nice to be traveling to a place that can save you. So often this is not the case.

Few weeks go by without hearing questions about equipment. Coming up with the best answer is almost bewildering. The variables just go on and on.

Given that Nikon has been a part of my genetic code since I was in the 11th grade, it's always on my suggestion list. But given the outstanding performance of Canon equipment, I mention it just as quickly. I rarely suggest anything beyond those two companies, although it is common for me to suggest other brands of lenses and accessories purely from a financial perspective.

Regardless of my response that day, I am quick to add: The camera in one's hand is not as important as the person who is holding that camera.

To really tell a story, you must be a master of your equipment, whatever it might be, and have the instincts of a reporter to discover news value and significance. It is vital to understand the strengths and limitations of photographs and words, and how they together can tell a powerful story.

Our goal is to tell stories as clearly and accurately as possible without confusion, and to do this in a way that grips the viewers' attention and leads them to discovery and action. Whether we are talking film grain or file resolution, the real challenge is to use one's imagination to tell a fascinating story.

We might no longer be packing film into our carryon luggage, but some things will never change:

• Never leave home without a sense of curiosity.
• Keep asking yourself about the very best ways to tell the story.
• Always gather more information than you think youll ever need.
• Watch the edges of any circumstance.
• Don't give up too early.
• React rather than direct.
• Allow for serendipity.
• See beyond the surface.
• Always wonder.
• Wait. Anticipate the moment.

Today's communicators must have an ever-broadening skill set. Doing all you can to deepen your understanding of other avenues of communication will help make you an excellent storyteller. Versatility, determination and a clear understanding of your subject will help you give your readers the chance to see in fresh new ways. You will help them see from perspectives that were hidden before. Your words and photographs might even supply the fuel needed to bring about change.

And from my perspective, I see many more years of calls to my son asking for advice. It's the only way I'll be able to really tell the story.

Jim Veneman is Assistant Professor of Communication Arts and Director of Visual Communications at Union University. He is the former director of visual communications for LifeWay Christian Resources and is the managing photo editor at the annual Southern Baptist Convention.