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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Gray matters: writers and ethics
Jason Hunter, Photographer
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Topeka | KS | United States | Posted: 10:19 AM on 05.04.07 |
->> At the end of Jim Merithew's article, "Gray Matters, Real Pictures of Real People." David Guralnick of the Detroit News said, "I have been there at times when scenes get set up by another photographer. I have also had to stop assignments in progress when reporters try to set up things for me. The reporter always gets pissed, but I have never gotten in trouble back at the office once I explained what happened," said Guralnick.
I was on an assignment as part of our immigration story in December and one of our writers (someone I get along with very well) finished the interview and in what seemed an attempt to give me an opportunity to get some photos of the family doing something, he asked them if they wanted to go get some ice cream or go for a walk.
I jumped in and said that what he is trying to say is that he is done with the interview and I told them that I just wanted to hang out with them for a couple hours. The writer left for awhile and I just hung out with the family at their home for awhile. Often I like to go to assignments at a different time from the writer, but it doesn't always happen like that. Anyone else have similar stories? |
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Wesley R. Bush, Photographer
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Nashville | TN | U.S. | Posted: 11:40 AM on 05.04.07 |
->> I once went to shoot the return of a young soldier to his family home after he was injured in combat. It was me, a couple other photographers, reporters and television crews there. When he got home, it was far from jubilent. It was awkward. Every single person there was so acutely aware of the media. They didn't want to say anything or even hug. Didn't make for good shots or video, I'm sure. So I hung out a while after everyone else left, ate with the family and shared some pretty intimate moments inside their home for dinner as he began to open up and tell them stories. The shot I came back with was him centered on the couch with his family all leaning in to see some of the things he brought back from Iraq, all completely temporarily unaware of me being there. I think sometimes it just takes patience. I was a little later than my editor was expecting, but at the time, it was either an awkward half-hug shot that everyone else snapped and left, or the couch shot.
The sweet tea was good, too. |
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Alan Rogers, Photographer
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Hickory | NC | USA | Posted: 12:57 PM on 05.04.07 |
->> Minutes ago I returned from an assignment taking photos of a woman in our area who makes traditional Hmong clothing for her children. When I walked in the door, the reporter took some needlework out of a bag and spread it around the subject on the table. I bit my tounge and waited for her to move away... then shot a portrait.
One of these days I'm going to crack and ask a reporter "why not just make up some facts and quotes?" in the middle of an interview. |
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Garrett Hubbard, Photographer
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Naples | FL | USA | Posted: 1:44 PM on 05.04.07 |
->> Alan-
I'm glad you didn't shoot it. Maybe later today you could take the time to educate the reporter. I have found that doing this away from the scene and subject keeps them from putting up their defenses. Instead people seem more willing to listen. I don't think it's very professional to undermine your colleague in front of a subject. Of course there are exceptions to this guideline.
good thread to start Jason |
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Jan Langsner, Photographer
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Edmonton | AB | Canada | Posted: 8:58 PM on 05.04.07 |
->> 13 years ago I was working for a weekly in a town of 30,000 people. One day, when I was about 15 minutes out of town, I hear on the scanner a stolen snow mobile was traveling down the city streets. By the time I got back to town they had caught the thief. I drove to where they apprehended they guy. When I arrived there was a photog and a reporter from the other paper in town already there.
I saw a cop inspecting the machine, so I shot a number of frames. I took the film back to the paper. About an hour later I get a phone call from the photog of the other paper. He told me I had no right to shoot those pictures as they had asked the cop to inspect the snow mobile. I was stunned. I told him not to worry as we would not use any set up picture.
I went and told my editor what had transpired and to my amazement she insisted on using the picture. That is the only time in my life I insisted on NOT receiving photo credit. |
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Jason Hunter, Photographer
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Topeka | KS | United States | Posted: 10:10 AM on 05.05.07 |
->> Jan,
I don't know why two people marked a Huh response on your message, but thanks for the story. I can't believe a photographer from another paper called and told you what you could and could not do. It's crazy that they setup a photo and every more insane that they would then call and tell you what to do.
I wouldn't have wanted to run the photo either after hearing that news, but you did everything right.
Garrett, good to hear from you and good advice. |
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Aaron Rhoads, Photographer
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McComb | MS | USA | Posted: 8:08 PM on 05.05.07 |
| ->> Maybe the other photog didn't want to get busted. |
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