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04/16/2012 04:22:50 PM · #1 |
The emergency challenge got me thinking and i'm sure many of you have thought this before...
Your standing at an intersection with your camera taking candid pictures of the people around you. You're waiting for the light to change when you notice someone crossing the street oblivious to the rest of the world. Further up the road a NYC taxi is careening out of control heading directly for the person in the crosswalk.
Decision Time:
Do you:
Save the person or Prepare your camera in anticipation of capturing the moment.
You don't have to answer but I just wanted get that out of my head.
ETA: You really don't have to answer.. It was just bothering me all day long.
Message edited by author 2012-04-16 20:27:56. |
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04/16/2012 04:26:55 PM · #2 |
I'm sorry but I would have to save the individual.....I am not an ambulance chaser
ETA: I then would have to beat the crap out of him for making me miss a perfect shot.
Message edited by author 2012-04-16 20:28:32.
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04/16/2012 04:34:18 PM · #3 |
I'd like to say that I'd just take the photos and stay smartly out of the way.
Experience has proven otherwise though, as it turns out, I am actually incredibly dumb... :-\ |
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04/16/2012 04:44:06 PM · #4 |
| I would call out for the person to stop while raising my camera awaiting carnage. Lets be honest I'm over 40, that cab is careening out of control, and I'm not going to actually save that person AND get out of the way at the same time. I'd gladly have a shot of a near miss, but if it happens, it happens. There is a reason momma taught me to look both ways before crossing a street. |
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04/16/2012 04:49:41 PM · #5 |
| Easy. Set my camera to interval shooting, point in the right direction, get shot of me saving billionaire, collect seven figure reward and pulitzer prize. |
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04/16/2012 04:52:26 PM · #6 |
I'm in NYC every day and I can totally relate to the question, what with this challenge topic on hand.
I admit to having a horrible, nagging, fear that one day I will witness an accident at a street crossing in the city. It comes close almost every day - people are in a hurry and so careless and drivers are way too aggressice.
What will I do when and if it ever happens? Well I promise... it won't be take a picture. |
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04/16/2012 04:54:32 PM · #7 |
Yell and do what I can to save them...screw the shot, save the live.
I remember reading about a photographer in q war torn country who snapped a picture of a young child crawling with an arm out for help. He won awards and critical praise but ended up hating himself for walking away and doing nothing to save the child. |
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04/16/2012 05:05:36 PM · #8 |
This just about says it all
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04/16/2012 05:05:56 PM · #9 |
I think  Julietnncan honestly answer this question.
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04/16/2012 06:55:46 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
I think Julietnncan honestly answer this question. |
Yep. Only cost her a camera too, I remember how pleased she was with their effusive thanks.
It's a sad state we're in, where being proactive is often rewarded with, at best, nothing, and at worst some great personal cost.
I can't change the way I instinctively react, but I've come to recognize that it's highly unlikely that anything good will come of it.
I guess the moral of the story here is that you're basically screwed if you do, and damned if you don't.
I suppose the loss of gear, or being sued, is far better than the alternative of decorating a wall with one's own gray matter.
*shrug*
Message edited by author 2012-04-16 22:59:51. |
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04/16/2012 07:13:37 PM · #11 |
You have to even ask? I would save the person, if at all possible. If it means losing an image, a camera, or even personal injury, what is that compared to a life? No thanks really necessary today, and I would do it again tomorrow.
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04/16/2012 07:19:12 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by Cory:
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
I think Julietnncan honestly answer this question. |
Yep. Only cost her a camera too, I remember how pleased she was with their effusive thanks.
It's a sad state we're in, where being proactive is often rewarded with, at best, nothing, and at worst some great personal cost.
I can't change the way I instinctively react, but I've come to recognize that it's highly unlikely that anything good will come of it.
I guess the moral of the story here is that you're basically screwed if you do, and damned if you don't.
I suppose the loss of gear, or being sued, is far better than the alternative of decorating a wall with one's own gray matter.
*shrug* |
You have obviously never heard the old phrase "No good deed goes unpunished."
We live in a very thankless, ungrateful and selfish society.
Message edited by author 2012-04-16 23:19:19.
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04/16/2012 07:58:09 PM · #13 |
I have made a rule NEVER EVER to take photos where people are hurt. I took some photos of the fires on Black Saturday (Feb 9, 2009; I live on a hill 7km away from Strathewen where 42 people died). The photos just show the flames but when I realized that people were dying then I just hated myself for taking them at all. It still makes me feel bad. I went to see the damage one month later and still could not take any photos. In fact we turned around after we saw the ruins of the first house. It is so sad.
I cannot at all understand wanting to photograph human tragedy just for the sensationalism of it. Getting a famous photo, being published etc That's so terrible. This is YOU becoming the vulture. So my answer is - DROP THE CAMERA, SAVE THE MAN!! |
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04/16/2012 08:37:54 PM · #14 |
What we think we'll do is not always what we end up doing when faced with such a moment. We all like to think we're clear-headed enough to be able to make a rational decision. It's not always so.
Years ago when I still lived in NY, I was standing at a corner, waiting for someone I was meeting. I was standing on a small ledge so I could see over the crowd of pedestrians. I saw the light change and an old woman began crossing against the light. She was only halfway across the street when the oncoming cars were mere yards from her. All this happened in a matter of 2-3 seconds. I was surprised to find myself flying through the air, having flung myself from my perch into the street, grabbing her by the arm, and fending off her blows with her purse as I pulled her to safety. She cursed me as she walked away. I wonder if someone with a camera caught the moment :-) |
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04/16/2012 09:47:11 PM · #15 |
Been there, done that, took a few pix after the emergency was handed off the the EMS people who arrived. It was just a matter of doing what needed to be done. Hopefully the photo will serve to make someone think about being a little more careful on the road, so the loss will not be completely in vain.
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04/17/2012 12:29:00 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by tanguera:
Years ago when I still lived in NY, I was standing at a corner, waiting for someone I was meeting. I was standing on a small ledge so I could see over the crowd of pedestrians. I saw the light change and an old woman began crossing against the light. She was only halfway across the street when the oncoming cars were mere yards from her. All this happened in a matter of 2-3 seconds. I was surprised to find myself flying through the air, having flung myself from my perch into the street, grabbing her by the arm, and fending off her blows with her purse as I pulled her to safety. She cursed me as she walked away. I wonder if someone with a camera caught the moment :-) |
This explains the poster I saw awhile back in a NYC police station.
It is sad, but true that these days people [have to] think twice before jumping into a situation - not because of physical danger, but because of legal danger. Doesn't mean any of us wouldn't still risk it, but I think that the cause for hesitation can and does cost lives under certain circumstances. |
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04/17/2012 01:34:35 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by EL-ROI:
You have obviously never heard the old phrase "No good deed goes unpunished."
We live in a very thankless, ungrateful and selfish society. |
Actually, I find the opposite to be quite true, witness all the assistance provided during major events such as tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and other similar disasters.
I fully recall the "Ice Storm" of 1998 and all the assistance we received from our American friends and people from other parts of Canada... It truly was an eye opener.
Ray |
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04/17/2012 02:55:34 AM · #18 |
There is no choice. I would save the person. I disagree that it's a thankless, ungrateful and selfish society. But it doesn't matter what the results. I'm not saving the person to earn their everlasting gratitude. I'd save the person because I couldn't live with myself if I didn't try.
If I were in a building, behind glass, and all I could do was watch, I still wouldn't take the picture. Not because I have anything against taking pictures of a tragedy, but because I'm a lousy photographer -- I get too caught up in the action and forget that I have a camera. I've missed many shots in sports games and life in general, because I was too busy watching. :D
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04/17/2012 03:08:00 AM · #19 |
Originally posted by ambaker:
You have to even ask? I would save the person, if at all possible. If it means losing an image, a camera, or even personal injury, what is that compared to a life? No thanks really necessary today, and I would do it again tomorrow. |
+++ ambaker says it best/asks it best "You have to even ask?"
Do the right thing for the right reasons. |
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04/17/2012 03:09:49 AM · #20 |
is the person crossing during a "dont walk" sign?
if so, im taking the picture, the idiot had it coming. |
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04/17/2012 09:54:00 AM · #21 |
Florida has a common sense "good Samaritan" law. People can't sue you for trying to help at auto accidents ect until the EMS/ fire/ police arrive.
Florida Good Sam Law
Message edited by author 2012-04-17 13:55:53.
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04/17/2012 10:28:58 AM · #22 |
I have actually been a good samaritan on several occations. I did the heimlich in a restaurant and also kept a man from going into a diebetic coma. Both of them were strangers....and on both of them I was protected.
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04/17/2012 10:55:27 AM · #23 |
From experience, I would probably try to save them. And knowing me, I would probably end up throwing my camera so that it doesn't hinder me and end up breaking it or something. Its stupid, but I pay absolutely no attention to my body when I see someone in need of help, I am just entirely focused on them. I have jumped off my bike while moving, thrown it to the side and sprinted across a 4 lane street without looking, just because someone got into a bike accident on the other side of the road
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04/17/2012 11:24:45 AM · #24 |
Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:
Florida has a common sense "good Samaritan" law. People can't sue you for trying to help at auto accidents ect until the EMS/ fire/ police arrive. |
So... EMS arrives with a lawyer who hands you a summons? Just asking because Florida isn't exactly known for it's wisdom in writing laws. ;-)
Originally posted by cowboy221977:
I have actually been a good samaritan on several occations. I did the heimlich in a restaurant and also kept a man from going into a diebetic coma. Both of them were strangers....and on both of them I was protected. |
and yet..... no photos. :P
Originally posted by KristinaG:
From experience, I would probably try to save them. And knowing me, I would probably end up throwing my camera so that it doesn't hinder me and end up breaking it or something. Its stupid, but I pay absolutely no attention to my body when I see someone in need of help, I am just entirely focused on them. I have jumped off my bike while moving, thrown it to the side and sprinted across a 4 lane street without looking, just because someone got into a bike accident on the other side of the road |
I think I've seen you in action... :)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Sorry for the Tomfoolery. I'm just procrastinating on finishing my tax return. |
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04/17/2012 12:28:22 PM · #25 |
calm down...we know that u are actually superman
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