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Credentials, it's not really about .....
Clark Brooks, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Urbana | IL | USA | Posted: 1:59 PM on 08.20.09 |
->> Recap for those just joining this conversation (skip down if you read or participated in the first three threads called "Credentials,....":
August 12, Chris d'Aquin started a thread (http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=33786) asking for information "...on how photographers arrange credentials with local newspapers or sports publication."
The resulting conversation led to Tampa Bay based photographer Joe Winn to start a thread on August 14, Credentials...let's talk about it for one more minute (http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=33807). Winn, who believed his body of work to be comparable to that of the work he seen published by photographers he spotted on the sidelines each week and his initial posts, tainted with frustration and a touch of arrogance, set off a firestorm because he believed, based on the content of his post, he deserved to be on the sidelines shooting along side or in place of these shooters.
Had he posed his question in a slightly different manner and left out the critique of the work of those whose job/assignments he wanted, he would have received a lot of good advice and probably even assistance from other shooters in his area. Instead he earned their disdain and will have to work twice as hard to earn both their respect and trust if he ever hopes to reach his original goal.
Three days later, Chris O'Meara, who joined SS two days earlier, started a thread to clarify the situation between Winn and himself as well as with other area shooters. With probably the record number of informative marks for a single post in SS history, Mr. O'Meara, an AP staff photographer, as well as other experienced photographers with decades of individual years of service in the industry explained the path they traveled via mundane assignments and harsh critiques to reach the point of being able to cover sports at the collegiate and professional level. Summarizing the first three-quarters of the thread, it basically explains to reach the top-tier sports world you need to 'pay your dues', work harder and longer than anyone else, possess patience and be tenacious.
Toward the end of the thread, Chicago based photographer Mike Andzaldi wrote in a somewhat amusing post that quickly notched 13 inappropriates-just four short of what Mr. Winn's post earned him over a period of seven days-and seven informatives, "i'm having a difficult time deciding who is the bigger goof- the original poster (90 posts ago), or any of the many "don's" of photojournalism that have responded."
(start here if you have been following this topic)
The issue isn't really about credentials, it is about obtaining what is viewed as a privilege or right, as some see it, to cover high level sporting events. The sum of the three threads and feedback clearly demonstrates the division between two groups, the "have" - those men and women working on deadline for publication - and "have nots" - those who want to be on the sidelines so bad they are willing to sacrifice their reputation, firstborn male/female child, or a limb to work for any publication that allows them to shoot the sport that puts them closer to their heroes and the game they play.
What is interesting to note is those who are the "haves" by those who covet their status and access, seemly believe there is a secret "handshake", quick in, or magic incantation that will instantly make them sport photography superstars or put them along side them at the next Super Bowl, NBA final or World Cup event (actually, there is a shortcut but it involves being liquid to the tune of a couple of mil or so - email for details). To those on the outside, the work seems glamorous and full of fun and that there is a fast shortcut to the sidelines.
To the professionals on the sidelines, the work is anything but fun. Their cool exterior on the sidelines does not reflect the chaos happening in the media room, in their client or publication's editorial room and insane request for the 'perfect' front page image or the high level of stress they are under to get 'the shot' from angle or view that no other shooter did at the same game and beat them to the press with it.
I believe, contrary to Andzaldi's belief, those he describes as the 'dons' are not bent on keeping the "have not" or the "little guy" out the big sandbox. Instead, they do their best to describe the attributes, specific skills, and methods to reach that spot next to them at a regular season or playoff game in the shortest amount of time. (FYI: I'm one of the 'little guys" and shoot pro/college events only a couple a times a year.)
Unfortunately, there are two problems both the have and have nots face together. The first is a dwindling market for the content created driven by the league or team's desire to take control of the imagery captured by a limited, smaller pool of publications and their photographers. That, coupled with fewer publication to distribute the content makes shooting pro sports a highly competitive arena to enter.
Second, photographing professional sports and being able to earn a living from it - which many of the "haves" will not openly admit - is dying a slow death. It will be replaced by leagues and conferences distributing passes to willing souls in exchange for all the rights to all the images and no future compensation of any sort for free. The deal between the SEC and XOS Technologies (http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20090814/NEWS/908140317) is a appetizer and exemplifies what will be a transformation on how pro and college game information will be distributed to the masses as well as how governing sports associations and leagues now view the necessity and attention of local and national media.
My fellow shooters, all this bickering is for naught. Unfortunately and quite sadly, within the next five to ten years, shooting professional and college sports will be an activity done by true Freelancers, GWC and a few advanced hobbyist who will know nothing about capture the color, pageantry, emotion and peak action from a game, shooting for FREE. Beside them, staff photographers who will be there long enough to make a picture for the web and print edition to keep local fans happy.
To slow the pace, together we all, have or have not, must strive to 1. educate other photographers as the three threads mentioned above did - yeah sometimes one of the "dons" is going to tell you something you don't want to hear - deal with it and help make things better; 2. don't shoot for free or give up the rights to your photos for little or no compensation; 3. continue to improve both in skill and picture quality, something a beginner can't accomplish and will continue a demand for sports photography at any level; and 4. prepare for the end. As all things in life, all good things do come to an end. Have or have not, help the guy next to you. They are your biggest ally to future success. |
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Alex Menendez, Photographer
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Orlando | FL | USA | Posted: 2:06 PM on 08.20.09 |
| ->> Amen to that Clark! |
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Andrew Miller, Photographer
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Somerville | NJ | USA | Posted: 2:27 PM on 08.20.09 |
| ->> I looked for the "beating a dead horse" button to mark this post with, but was unable to find one. |
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Jeff Stanton, Photographer
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Princeton | IN | USA | Posted: 2:47 PM on 08.20.09 |
| ->> Andrew, thank you. I've had all I can take of this. Don't some of you ever work? |
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Darren Whitley, Photographer
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Maryville | MO | USA | Posted: 2:52 PM on 08.20.09 |
| ->> Enough already. Let's drop it. |
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Jeff Mills, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Columbus | OH | USA | Posted: 2:58 PM on 08.20.09 |
->> Jeff, Andrew
While I do agree that at this point there is really not much more to be said in my opinion, I do think that any and all SS members who want to voice their opinions have a right to do so as long as they are keeping within the guidelines laid out for discussions on this site.
Clark has every right to continue this discussion if he feels he still has something to say. That doesn't mean anyone needs to feel obligated to read it or respond though.
If this subject, and/or those members who have chosen to post their thoughts, are so annoying to some, then why read it in the first place much less make a post about how you can't take it any more ?
Quite simply, just because you personally don't want to hear about a subject anymore doesn't negate another members right to discuss it.
Just ignore the thread if it doesn't interest you. That is the most professional and civil way to express your lack of interest in a topic.
I'm sure this one will max out at 50 post again though with debate over if we are in fact beating a dead horse or not. =) |
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Charley Starr, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Ketchikan | AK | USA | Posted: 3:01 PM on 08.20.09 |
->> Clark...I feel sorry for you if you truly believe "To the professionals on the sidelines, the work is anything but fun."
I spent 20 plus years as a professional on the sidelines and I still tell people I didn't work a day in my life. It was fun. And I know MANY other photographers that feel the same way. That's why we did it. It certainly wasn't for the money! If you ask them what was their best day they'll tell you it was one of those days with "chaos happening in the media room, in their client or publication's editorial room and insane request for the 'perfect' front page image". Many of us love the chaos, thrive under pressure. Yes the industry is changing. That is one of the reasons I got out. But there will still be many Sports Information Directors that value a good photo over what a GWC will produce. And I know many true freelancers that know "about capture the color, pageantry, emotion and peak action from a game" |
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Michael Fullana, Photographer
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Miami | FL | USA | Posted: 4:16 PM on 08.20.09 |
| ->> the thread that never dies...........has nine lives !!!!!!!! |
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Stan Cochrane, Photographer
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Charlotte | NC | USA | Posted: 4:28 PM on 08.20.09 |
| ->> I DON'T WANT TO BELONG TO ANY CLUB THAT WILL ACCEPT ME AS A MEMBER. Groucho Marx, date unknown |
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JC Ridley, Photographer
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Coral Springs | FL | US | Posted: 7:28 PM on 08.20.09 |
->> The three of you who gave me an "off topic" should read John Harrington's latest blog about the ENTITLEMENT generation...
http://tinyurl.com/m35bfr |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 10:27 PM on 08.20.09 |
->> I've been out all day having a great time. Got back and read some of the "updates". A friend had been reading them also and was a little taken aback by some of the comments in the previous thread. They sent me this. I liked it. I hope some of you do as well.
Once Buddha was teaching a man who disagreed with him and started to verbally abuse him. Buddha, however, was calm and serene with a smile on his face; he remained unmoved by his comments. Seeing this, the man got even more agitated and escalated his shouting and abuse. Still, there was no reaction from Buddha.
The man, tired, asked the Buddha, “Why is it that you never respond?”
Buddha replied “If you offer me a gift and I don’t accept it, who has the gift now?”
The man replied “Of course, I do, don’t you even know that!”
Then the Buddha calmly replied, “Suppose I don’t accept your abuses, with whom do they remain?”
The man was quiet.
This small incident in the life of Buddha teaches us a great deal. Buddha realized that he can never be happy if he sought happiness from outside. It was easy for the Buddha to feel flattered when his disciples praised him and feel bitter when someone disagreed with him. However, Buddha always remained calm and composed because his life was not controlled by others – he was in control of his life. His happiness and his outlook didn’t depend on what others thought about him, rather they came from a sense of fulfillment that came from deep within his own being.
It is easy for us to feel bitter with the people around us. It is easy to feel that life has been unfair and feel all bad about it. It is easy to feel jealous of the success of others and question God why he is being unfair. It is easy to ask ‘Why Me’ when things go wrong. However, opportunities and hurdles come in everyone’s life. The point is, if you are unfazed by them, then you can remain eternally happy. Your happiness should not depend on your success and failure or on what others think about you or how better off you are compared to your neighbor. Only when you realize this, you can be truly happy with life.
I'm not Buddha, but this makes a whole lot of sense.
Have a great night.
Peace out. |
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Eric Francis, Photographer
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Omaha | NE | United States | Posted: 11:23 PM on 08.20.09 |
| ->> Thanks Chuck....... |
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Mike Anzaldi, Photographer
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Oak Park | IL | USA | Posted: 2:52 AM on 08.21.09 |
->> thanks chuck.
that's a good story.
i think winn owes me one for being his rodeo clown. sorry to steal your thunder dude. i believe i now lead the league in "inappropriates." i haven't been deemed this inappropriate since that sunday morning in church back in '78.
with any luck, part 3 of of the "credential" thread will provide members with ample opportunity to voice their disgust toward my or anyone elses comments in the previous chapters. i want to make clear that the membership should feel no restrictions in their criticism, humiliation, name-calling, or threats. feel free to use published images or website samples to attack aspects of the craft or career. phone neighbors and interview clergy to build a case against character. my wife would be the best contact for issues regarding ethics. or, do no research at all. just have at it.
i read the buddha story and feel like i'm a whole new person. seriously.
chuck mistakenly emailed me his thoughts, when i think he really wanted to post them on the board. no worries chuck, i got it. here it is:
This user's message:
Hey Mike, thanks, love your posts. I truly think it is hilarious when you GWC's think you know it all after buying your Canon Rebel. Good luck to you on your fledgling photo "career" but me thinks you will probably end up working at Best Buy selling home appliances. Either there or WalMart.
regards,
chuck
nice.
any thoughts on "GWC's?" gay white chick?
wait, that can't be. |
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Mark Peters, Photographer
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Highland | IL | USA | Posted: 7:28 AM on 08.21.09 |
| ->> We have gone beyond beating the dead horse and now kick at the dust where the corpse once lain. |
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Anantachai Brown, Photographer
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Jacksonville | FL | | Posted: 8:06 AM on 08.21.09 |
->> I am going to keep my mouth shut on this one.
Really, what was the purpose of starting this thread? Again. |
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Robert Seale, Photographer
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Houston | TX | USA | Posted: 9:14 AM on 08.21.09 |
| ->> Please thread...die. |
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Jim Owens, Photographer
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Cincinnati | OH | usa | Posted: 10:23 AM on 08.21.09 |
->> two for one sale.
Sorry Clark, nothing personal but I'm "agin'" ya on this one. Hope to see you in Cincy soon.
Jim |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 10:24 AM on 08.21.09 |
| ->> But Robert, you know what will happen then? Yuppers!!! A new thread gets started. Sad but true. |
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