The New York Times’ feature, “Snow Fall” combines various elements of multimedia to tell a riveting story. Certain elements, I believe, were employed well, for example the video clips of Elyse Saugstad in the beginning of the feature where she recounts what it’s like to be in an avalanche is harrowing yet pivotal to the story and the reader’s emotions. Other bits of multimedia were a bit excessive and perhaps not pertinent to the story, like the slideshows of Saugstad, Carlsen, etc. because the pictures of them on their honeymoons, with their families when they were 12, or with their dog is just not pressing nor does it make me feel more connected to the story at large.

One element of the article that I think adds to the mystique and mystery of the mountain is the moving image of the mountain that appears on the top and bottom of each chapter. Not only does this give a great visual for how large this mountain is but also how intimidating it is with the looming gray clouds, the stone peeking out beneath what one can only gather from the article are mounds and mounds of snow, as well as give the reader an idea of where certain peaks, landings, ski lifts are.

I think a great use of this kind of multimedia article would be implemented well in a story of homelessness in NYC. One could report on the epidemic within NYC that is the people who are starving, homeless, and dying on the streets everyday. It would be great to interview some people who suffer these conditions and get live video of what they say, have to look them in the eyes so to speak, and hear the words come out of their mouth. Then one could add a photo slideshow of the conditions they live in, what they eat, where they go to relieve themselves, etc.