lucky to be alive* - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/18/2006 08:20:28 PM · #1

an unfortunate series of events...

an 18-wheeler blew out a tire, leaving tread on the road.

a car ran over the tread, throwing it up in the air.

a motocyclist hit the tread and was thrown from his bike.

i was maybe a half-mile behind when this all happened. although i didn't see the events, i was right there afterwards.

as it was the tail-end of rush hour, there were plenty of people already on the scene, and the 911 dispatchers had already been alerted. the guy was conscious, talking, and suffering from a serious case of road-rash. he was wearing a helmet, and from what i gathered from an officer on the scene, nothing was broken. he was transported to a local hospital within 20 minutes of the crash.

when i got there, i was met with unbelievable hostility, just because i had a camera in hand. one guy got right up in my face, screaming and cursing at me. i simply told him i had a job to do, and i went about my business. i never approached the guy on the ground, and didn't shoot from closer than 15-20 yards away. no shots whatsoever that would identify the injured man.

i did shoot, though, some images to document the scene and the story, and submitted a handful of them to the Richmond Times-Dispatch (but none of them ran--there just wasn't enough of a story).

these images may bother you, and it may bother you that i took them. i look at it like this: there was nothing i could do for the guy except 1) stay the hell out of the way, and 2) do my job, which is to be the best photojournalist i can be. a lot of times, the need for documentation isn't always obvious, especially in the heat of the moment. the fact remains, though, while it is very easy to throw away unusable shots, it is damn near impossible to go back and get them later. so, scream at me all you want; just know, i'll stay out of your way while you're doing what you have to do, and i'll ask the same of you.

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

07/18/2006 08:28:19 PM · #2

I was a bit, I don't know if "upset" is the word, but surprised, I guess, when Rik Verbrugghe went over the guardrail in the Tour the other day, was obviously seriously injured, and about four photogs all leapt from motorcycles and were trying to shoot pictures. They were staying away from those trying to help the rider, more or less, but it still seemed intrusive. I can see one, maybe two guys trying to get the shot, but there were more than that - I guess that's the part I found excessive.

I have no problem with what you do, Skip - seems to me you manage to keep excellent perspective.

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

07/18/2006 08:45:23 PM · #3

Some of the public may see you as a lower life form in times like this, and no matter what you tell yourself to "turn off" to do your job, keep your chin up. Find that switch inside yourself that you can flick to keep telling yourself it's a job and keep on going.

If you had no emotions, no feelings and were completely de-sensitized by what you have to do at times, your creativity and inner drive to capture something in a passionate and unique way would become sterile, cold and your images would never have impact.

You do, what many cannot, nor ever could, and for that Skip, I tip my hat (if I had one).

JRalston

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/18/2006 08:49:46 PM · #4

Originally posted by BradP:

Brad, on the main page I saw you under "posted by" and my heart JUMPED! (no pun intended.) Glad you are ok...LOL

Skip...glad you didn't get beaten down by that guy...LOL That is a great answer you gave him, simple and non-confrontational.

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

07/18/2006 08:53:36 PM · #5

Nope - wasn't me this time Jennifer :)

And Skip - if you ever wonder how someone sees you in a time like that
just remember this picture from the get together in Oceanside:

David.C

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

07/18/2006 08:54:59 PM · #6

If you feel you are able to do the most good in a situation such as this by taking pictures, by all means take as many as you like.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/18/2006 09:08:01 PM · #7

Bah! Keep clicking away Skip. It's just photojournalism, much (but not all) of which is important. Sometimes images like this make people think. Like the truckdriver might think about checking his tires and the mc rider might think about a new set of leathers.

I wish I had some cool, graphic shots of all the motorcycle spills I've been in. :)

Nice work, Skip!

07/18/2006 09:10:50 PM · #8

i don't mean this as a pun, but it really is a matter of keeping perspective. the bottom line is whether or not you are a professional. i was simply doing my job. some people might call it sensationalism, and they're entitled to their opinion. my shots can actually be used to reconstruct the entire crash scene/event, should the need arise.

granted, this isn't the type of thing i seek out, and it's definitely not the most enjoyable aspect of what i do, but it is part of what i've chosen to do, and as such, i can't turn my back on it.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

07/19/2006 02:40:27 AM · #9

i recently had an assignment to shoot some speakers at a convention. while reviewing the assignment with one of my mentors, we discussed the necessity of moving around a room, and shooting each speaker from every angle, both vertically and horizontally. this means going up on the dais and shooting over-the-shoulder shots that show the speaker and the crowd--from both sides. it means going down in front and periodically standing up to take shots.

what he said to me then was just as relevant in this situation, "YOU are the professional whose job it is to get the shots. you are not some yahoo in the crowd with a point-and-shoot trying to jump up on the stage."

at the scene, everyone really calmed down after seeing the police on the scene interacting with me professionally.

JLThomas

Canon EOS-20D

07/19/2006 05:25:37 AM · #10

skiprow: (or others)

Could you possibly direct me to where I can find some details/answers to some questions I have about the situation you found yourself in and others like that situation?

I personally am very interested in getting into the "documentary" side of photography, however don't yet feel like it is "my job" (as you talk about) to take photos just anywhere and everywhere, just because I am there with a nice camera and just because I want to. Do you feel you need a background in photojournalism or need to work for someone (a paper or news media of some sort)? Or, as a freelance with a nice camera, you just have the right to be "on the job" whenever you so find yourself?

I would also like to make sure I am aware of all copyright issues, before I just take my camera out and tell my self that this is what I have chosen to do and I am just doing my job.

Any advice, or websites/books you could direct me to? I truly don't mean to sound like I am challenging you or your posts, I would like to know what specific qualifications bring you to a point to feel you have the right to be the professional on any scene.

Janet
(hoping this posts comes across right and does not offend)

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

Olympus 12-45mm /f4.0 Pro

07/19/2006 05:41:42 AM · #11

Originally posted by JLThomas:

I am not an expert at this, but my current understanding is this: as a person with a camera in public, you have the right to take photos in public places. That said, if you jsut wander into an accident scene in that capacity and start shooting, you will likely by chased away, with little recourse.

However, if you enter that same scene as a photog for a newspaper, then you have an extra edge - they can tell you to stop, but you don't necessarily have to.

Example: I shoot sports for my university newspaper and was at a game when a player fell and got hurt. I adjusted my position courtside and snapped some shots of him laying there, the paramedics coming, etc. A member of the athletic staff came and told me to stop. I already had what I needed, so I shrugged and moved on. However, talking with my mentor later, he confirmed what I thought - in a situation like that, they can ask you to move, and you can smiled and nod and just keep right on shooting. There's not a whole lot they can do if you're not in the way or posing a danger of some kind.

So, in regards to your question, contact your local newspapers, see if they need some part-time/contract help. Some police stations give out "press/photog passes" that make you a bit more legit-looking - you could see about one of those, and then shoot some stuff to submit to a paper.

I don't think, in this kind of shooting, there's a lot of copyright you have to worry about - if it's for journalistic purposes, it's Fair Use.

Finally, in my opinion, the biggest qualifier to being a professional on the scene is to be there with some kind of backing, and to act like a pro. Don't fight, don't stick your lens up anyone's nose to get the shot, show some respect but still do your job. And if they hassle you, be polite, but firm, within your rights.