| Sign in: |
| Members log in here with your user name and password to access the your admin page and other special features. |
|
|
|
|
|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Photog arrested at accident site
Jeremy Rue, Student/Intern
 |
Fresno | CA | USA | Posted: 6:06 PM on 01.04.05 |
->> Just thought this was kind of interesting:
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/emaf.nsf/popup?readform&db=stltoday%5Cnews...
"BERKELEY, Mo. (AP) -- A St. Louis Post-Dispatch photographer was arrested while shooting pictures at a weekend accident scene because he was in the way of emergency workers, police said Monday. But officials at the newspaper said photographer Gabriel B. Tait was simply doing his job..." |
|
Joshua Brown, Photo Editor, Photographer
 |
Salt Lake City | UT | USA | Posted: 6:08 PM on 01.04.05 |
| ->> Where the heck was Omar? |
|
Neal Vaughan, Photographer
|
Neal Vaughan, Photographer
|
Geoff Miller, Photographer
 |
Portage | MI | USA | Posted: 6:16 PM on 01.04.05 |
->> "Here's a picture from the incident..."
I think the look on the cop's face speaks volumes. |
|
Jeremy Rue, Student/Intern
|
Fresno | CA | USA | Posted: 6:21 PM on 01.04.05 |
->> ----He added that police made him pose for a mug shot five or six times because he smiled for the camera.
"I smiled because the whole thing was silly," he said.----
That's great! I love that... I have to remind myself if I ever get arrested for something stupid, to smile for my mug shot... :) |
|
Barry Markowitz, Photographer
 |
Laie | Hi | USA | Posted: 6:42 PM on 01.04.05 |
| ->> In the last two months, here on the North Shore of Oahu, I have had police officers intercede in two separate incidents on my behalf. One was a long extrication of a 19 year old woman from a passenger car inwhich I was shooting stills and video from where a police officer instructed me to be. Another police officer came up and informed me that he "would not allow pictures of that hurt girl." I stood my ground, kept the video running (which included recording his comments) while this second officer blocked my shots and continued to threaten to arrest me. The first officer came back and told the second to back off that I had every right to be there. In another incident, shooting across the street from a crash from behind a fence, a Fire Dept. Battalion Chief told me to stop shooting pictures and to leave the scene. He called on his radio to his dispatch claiming that I was interfering at the scene and that he wanted me arrested. I was 60 feet away and behind a fence. I couldn't interfere if I tried from my location. The Battalion Chief yelled for a police officer to arrest me, and I was surprised to hear the police officer instruct the Fire Chief that I was in my rights to be there, that I wasn't interfering, and that he could not in good conscience arrest me for any reason at all. Don't ask about the video I have of police officers attacking me in the past 10 years, or the number of Internal Affairs investigations that have taken place. It may be that someone has turned on the lightbulb at the Honolulu Police Dept., HQ Or maybe they are just tired of beating on me, knowing I will never protect myself...except by keeping the video going. |
|
Chris Doane, Photographer
 |
Saginaw | MI | USA | Posted: 6:49 PM on 01.04.05 |
->> Wow that's crazy. Gabe is one of the nicest, most professional guys you'll meet in the business. I can't imagine he was anywhere close to disrupting or blocking access to the scene.
I imagine if it had been STL City police on the scene, everything would've been fine. They were always professional and fair about working scenes during my time there. |
|
Robert Meyer, Student/Intern
 |
Lincoln | NE | United States | Posted: 7:17 PM on 01.04.05 |
->> Last time I shot an accident, the cops escorted me to the scene and filled me in on what was going on and the condition of the victim. This is weird.
If I were arrested, I'd make funny faces for my mug shot and repeat 'I want my phone call' and 'I want my attorney'. |
|
Marc F. Henning, Photographer
 |
Bentonville | AR | USA | Posted: 10:32 AM on 01.05.05 |
->> i haven't met Gabriel in person, but have dealt with him through email on several occasions (he was the clip contest chairman for Region 7 until recently). he's a nice, considerate person. i was surprised when i read this post.
cops, or any emergency worker, at an accident scene don't all have the same level of tolerance for the media. although tolerance isn't and shouldn't be the correct word for their mindset, unfortunately it is. the media shouldn't be an entity to tolerate, but one to respect and know we are simply doing our jobs like they, the cops and emergency workers, are. some of these guys are just itching to yell at the media for any petty reason or slap the cuffs on a photographer that steps across a silly imaginary line.
bottom line. it appears Gabriel was respecting the police, fire and emegency workers' need for room to get their job done. unfortunately there were some cops who seemed it was more important to pick on the media than doing their own jobs.
i wouldn't be surprised to hear the charges are eventually be dropped against Gabriel.
marc |
|
Sarah Coward, Photographer
|
Pt.Charlotte | FL | USA | Posted: 1:06 PM on 01.05.05 |
->> One cop on a power trip can give the whole organization a bad rep, just like an over-zealous photog can ruin it for the rest of us.
When I arrive at an accident scene, I park it, put my 'press' plate in the window and camera over my shoulder, wave to the officer directing traffic around the scene (they always wave back) and shoot away, from a respectful distance, exchanging pleasantries with officers/ems around me. It seems like it's understood that everyone's there to do their job, and we usually get along quite nicely.
Heck, the Fire/EMS battalion chiefs ask me for prints and the firefighters/deputies/ems/police demand a good chimp of my take before I leave to see if I got any good ones of them saving the day. They also send me e-mails complimenting my composition on the day's photo, then end it with 'see ya Out There...' FHP are even worse...they invite me into an accident scene with a 'Hey! Niceta seeya! Come on in, just don't step on the body!' Then we'll talk NASCAR or football. I know it sounds cold to those who've never been to the scene of a death or serious injury, but to those who have to see death and destruction every day, pleasant conversation with a fellow human being is a welcome distraction. I don't envy their job.
Now and again, usually with some one new or with a different segment of the department, I'll get grief. I get the 'damned media vultures' evil-eye. They think I'm gonna plaster a blatantly disrespectful, bloody photo all over the front page. No one wants to see that over eggs and toast in the morning. In my town, anyway. Graphic wreck photos, no. War atrocity photos, yes...but that's another thread.
One cop even demanded I not photograph a wrecked vehicle (the injured teen was already taken to the hospital) out of respect for the family. The county EMS media liaison came over and set him straight.
A friend of a friend told me the photog in question had the foresight to remove his CF card before the camera was taken. I believe Mr. Tait's photos will tell the tale of exactly where he was standing...well out of the way, and the cop will be the one who learns a lesson this time.
Sarah |
|
Bob Markey, Photographer
|
Royal Palm Beach | FL | USA | Posted: 12:24 AM on 01.06.05 |
->> Police and firefighters really ought to be required to pass a basic First Amendment / media law class before hitting the streets. Many of them have no idea of what is allowed, and in this post-911 world, we are more and more becoming the target.
I once had a gun stuck to my head while sitting in my vehicle waiting for the conclusion of a county jail break manhunt. My truck was sitting a few feet from parked sheriff's cars along a publicly-accessible roadside, and I even waved at one of the officers as I stopped.
I was once arrested at an automobile road race practice accident scene, after being verbally, then physically attacked by an official of the site (long story). In defending myself (I carried two bodies and assorted lenses, the old Motorola two-way radio, police scanner, etc.), I was arrested. The well-known attacker - who apparently targeted me because I was first on the scene and refused his pit crew's demands to leave - was allowed to go free.
Later after police officials reviewed a videotape (from a local TV station) of the incident, I was un-handcuffed and released. The attacker was issued a simple assault summons but not handcuffed or arrested. I was then charged with trespass. More than a dozen other members of the media were not charged.
The official excuse was that I had gone too close to the scene (I was 50-100 feet away; there was no police tape or marked area). Yet, I have B&W photos (film days) of other shooters halfway between the scene and me.
I was sued by a sheriff's deputy who pounded on me, injuring my back in such a way that I still have pain 12-15 years later (can't remember). He claimed I gave him cataracts and harmed his sex life, and my insurance company eventually gave him $25,000.
I counter sued the company run by the official who attacked me (the promoter of a grand prix road race) and the sheriff's office. I collected enough money from the promoter to pay my legal fees and was forced by costs to drop the suit against the sheriff's office.
My little weekly newspaper (at the time) got no moral or financial support from nearby dailies or electronic media, nor the press association, despite the chilling effect this caused on local coverage.
It was a giant hassle and I cannot say it did not deter me from being aggressive in subsequent coverage of local news.
I feel for the guy in this latest mess. |
|
Sam Adams, Photographer, Student/Intern
 |
Albuquerque | NM | USA | Posted: 12:37 AM on 01.06.05 |
| ->> This is becoming a common problem more and more it seems....although i have been into photography for only two years i have seen my fair share of hassle.....maybe it's that i look like some punk kid, or maybe they're bored, who knows....it's really a shame to hear about stuff like this...i would like to see some of the rest of his images to see how far away he was. |
|
Zachary Miller, Student/Intern, Photographer
|
Dayton | OH | USA | Posted: 12:57 AM on 01.06.05 |
| ->> I had a volunteer firefighter on roids tell me once that, and I quote "I will burn you if you take that picture." It was a motercycle accident where the guy walked away from it, not like he was bleeding to death by any means. After my little chuckle after he said it the first time...he repeated to tell me he was going to "burn" me. I looked at the accident and back at him and decided it wasn't worth a picture anyways and left. The worst part of the ordeal for me was that he was volunteer. Man, those guys have some ego problems! |
|
Henry Hsu, Student/Intern, Photographer
|
Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 1:04 AM on 01.06.05 |
| ->> I think it is really special that we have the rights to be where we are and to argue against being arrested. I'm sure there are countries today where a "no" is a "no" and if you don't stop shooting you can be arrested with no outlooks for a quick release. Are there SS members who have been in foreign posts where they don't argue with the police? |
|
Scott Bort, Student/Intern, Photographer
|
Champaign | Il | USA | Posted: 1:29 AM on 01.06.05 |
->> Bob, Sweet jesus H. God bless ya!
I guess im just lucky to not be completely threatened...yet. I make a point to keep two hats close to my bag at all times, maybe even keep them in the if needed. The first is my SS bucket and the second is a simple dark blue hat that reads "Illinois FIRE Service Instintute" There is a good, very good, chance that a ff in champaign has either atteneded IFSI or knows of it, it is in town one of the best Fire Schools in Illinois.
Needless to say, many have given me a look, and thats about it. Maybe i'm just lucky...... |
|
Dick Van Nostrand, Photographer
|
Bay City | MI | USA | Posted: 9:45 AM on 01.06.05 |
| ->> One of the funniest problems with volunteer fire departments took place at an accident scene where a driver, driving too fast on ice, flipped a car upside down into a ditch. As I was getting my camera and flash ready to shoot I overheard two firefighters saying that they better stop me from taking pictures as my flash would set off the spilled gasoline. As I heard this and before they gave an order I started taking pictures with flash. I then heard one say, "aren't you going to stop him". The other firefighter said, "why? he's already started". I started to laugh as the fire truck, with engine running, was closer to the gasoline than I was. At least these firefighters were concerned with everybody's safety and not trying to prevent me from doing my job as some have described in other messages. |
|
Larry Vaughn, Photographer
|
Gainesville | FL | usa | Posted: 10:18 AM on 01.06.05 |
->> When I was a stringer for the Orlando Sentinel, I took a day long fire course put together by one of the neighboring fire departments for media types. It was more of an introduction, we learned to use the jaws of life, navigate through a smoke filled building in full fire gear over obstacles on the floor and so on.
It gave us a taste of what firefighters go through and introduced them to the media in a non threatening situation.
I wonder if anyone else has done anything similar. |
|
Micah Miller, Photographer, Photo Editor
|
Murfreesboro | TN | USA | Posted: 10:33 PM on 01.09.05 |
| ->> There are two items that I always keep in my car: a seven inch square press pass that has PRESS written across it, Stevie Wonder could even see that I was a press photog, and a black hat that has PRESS written across it. I admit that it might be overkill but I have never had a run in with an emergency service employee. I know this might make a few angry but I will say it anyway. If the photographer arrested was close enough to be thrown into a Fire Department vehicle-he might have been to close. I have always been told on the scene to stay behind the last police/fire vehicle unless guided by a uniformed officer. |
|
Nik Habicht, Photographer
 |
Trenton | NJ | USA | Posted: 10:43 PM on 01.09.05 |
| ->> Stuff like this is why I try to shoot accidents with a 2X converter on a 300/2.8. Of course that's not always possible....... |
|
John Riddell, Photographer
 |
Toronto | ON | Canada | Posted: 11:14 PM on 01.09.05 |
->> When I arrive at an accident scene, the first lens I reach for is my 80-200. If I'm close enough to go wide, I question myself as to whether I'm in a position that I'm in the way or not.
The same thing happens North of the border here too. We have overzealous emergency personnel that push the limits.
The same response comes back to staffers, freelancers and stringers that this happens to.......is it really worth the shot when you have someone barking at you and threatening action that will find you in the back of a police car?
It's better to walk away and be a pro about it instead of getting your back up and getting into a no-win situation.
It's also very important to know your rights. If the opportunity arises, state those rights without jeopordizing your position. If you present yourself as an educated journalist working within your rights, sometimes that's enough to be given the space to do your job.
Good luck folks, it seems to get worst before it gets better.
John
Toronto, Canada |
|
Bob Markey, Photographer
|
Royal Palm Beach | FL | USA | Posted: 2:09 AM on 01.10.05 |
->> The 70-200 (or 210 in those Minolta days) is/was my main lens. I think I had a 300 F/4 as well.
I would have been fine if the road race promoter had not targeted and attacked me, forcing me to defend myself. This guy had tried to run at me a few minutes earlier, after yelling a string of obscenities in my direction. Sheriff's deputies held him back at one point, then released and ignored him, allowing him to make it to me on his next run (I was 30 or so feet away on the other side of a crowd).
I'm sure the sheriff's office only charged me (and not the other 10-20 media people on scene, some much closer to the subject than me) with trespass because it was concerned about a false arrest suit from me.
It just isn't worth it sometimes to quote the law and push your luck, no matter how in the right you are - unless you have a huge media conglomerate behind you ready to unleash its lawyers. |
|
|| Sponsor Special Deals
NEW 12x12 & 9x12 PhotoBooks
|
Available from:
Adorama Camera
|
Price: $0.00 |
Notes:
NEW Adorama PhotoBook sizes 12x12 & 9x12 (Portrait Orientation) PERFECT for Portfolios! Present and distribute your portfolio, create albums for clients, or just enjoy showing off your own family and vacation photographs. There’s no better way to preserve and display your photographs than in a real photobook from AdoramaPix. Our PixPublisher is simple to use and best of all works from any web browser. There’s no software to download or learn to use. Drag and drop your images into a themed template of your choice, or design your own layout. Resize your images, add borders, frames, backgrounds, captions or other descriptive text. It’s your book! SPORTSSHOOTER MEMBER SPECIAL-- 25% OFF USE COUPON CODE PXBKSP12 Good through 11.15.09
|
|
-- More Info -- |
|
Return to --> Message Board Main Index
|