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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
"COVERING A HURRICANE"
Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 7:02 PM on 06.20.11 |
| ->> Brian Blanco's column this month should be required reading by ANYONE who thinks they might even have the slightest chance of being sent to cover a major hurricane. In fact you might want to print it out and hang it in the photo department where you work. Even seasoned veterans can use this as a refresher or get some ideas. Well done, Mr. Blanco. |
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Mark Loundy, Photo Editor
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San Jose | CA | USA | Posted: 8:09 PM on 06.20.11 |
->> Ditto, although I did have to Google "BGAN" (Broadband Global Area Network aka "satphone.")
--Mark |
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Preston Mack, Photographer
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Orlando | FL | | Posted: 8:35 PM on 06.20.11 |
| ->> After reading that, I remember why I stopped shooting news. |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 9:57 PM on 06.20.11 |
->> Could be worse. You could be the individual behind the Hertz counter when Brian brought the vehicle back. Great job, Brian.
Hurricanes - one reason I don't miss living in Florida. |
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Bryon Houlgrave, Photographer
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San Diego County | CA | USA | Posted: 1:33 AM on 06.21.11 |
| ->> Very informative and well-written article. |
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Sherrlyn Borkgren, Photographer
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Eugene | OR | USA | Posted: 3:00 AM on 06.21.11 |
| ->> Did I miss the link? |
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Jack Kurtz, Photographer
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Phoenix | AZ | United States | Posted: 4:07 AM on 06.21.11 |
| ->> Excellent column. And good advice not just for hurricanes but any number of natural disaster situations from tornadoes to wildfires. |
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Angus Mordant, Student/Intern
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Sydney | NSW Australia | Australia | Posted: 8:04 AM on 06.21.11 |
->> Great read, I would imagine not only for covering a Hurricane, but any other major natural disaster really. As far as the rental car goes, would even the insurance cover the fact you intentionally took the vehicle in to harms way??
PS: Preston Mack, Your old 300 f2.8 IS L is still with me and going strong! |
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David Harpe, Photographer
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Denver | CO | USA | Posted: 9:33 AM on 06.21.11 |
->> Great article!
Something implied but not stated outright is the fact that cell phone coverage is usually the first thing to go, and it can be down for days. BGAN is great if you can afford it, but being able to transmit with anything - including an old analog phone line - is also helpful.
If you're working in a team, a pair of two-way radios can be helpful if you're working in a neighborhood and need to stay in touch. 5-watt business band radios are the best (simple licensing - just fill out a form). FRS radios are okay, but they usually get cluttered pretty quickly.
If you do this a lot, it is very helpful to get your amateur radio license (just have to pass a test) so you can buy gear to use use repeaters in the 2-meter and 440MHz bands. Amateur radio operators become a lifeline for emergency communications during the early stages of disasters. If you're on the ground early and run into a situation where you need to call for help, you can usually connect with emergency services through the amateur radio networks.
If you go down this road make sure you take some classes in emergency operations with your local amateur radio group so you can do it properly, otherwise you could end up doing more harm than good. The reason the amateur radio stuff works so well is amateur operators are usually very good at following proper communications procedures, which is essential in an emergency situation.
Anytime you carry a two-way radio - no matter what kind - people will assume you are in some way connected with emergency services, so be prepared mentally to deal with this attention.
Speaking of communications, another useful tool is a current-day APCO-25 capable digital trunking scanner programmed with radio frequencies for the area. Radioreference.com is an excellent resource for frequency information, and if you pay for a subscription you can download frequencies directly to your scanner using free software, avoiding the tedious programming steps. There are also new scanners available that are pre-programmed with every system currently known in the USA (Uniden Home Patrol)...just enter a zipcode and you're done.
A GPS with street-level mapping and an updated database also wasn't mentioned - also essential - especially if you're using the scanner for guidance. DO NOT rely on your cell phone GPS (for obvious reasons) - get a standalone unit.
Speaking of GPS...if you have a GPS attachment for your camera (i.e. Nikon GP-1), it can be really useful to use it to stamp location data directly to your photos. Great for overlaying your photos on a map later on and for letting your editors know exactly where you were when you snapped the photo. Photomechanic has built-in mapping tools which will display the location on a map if it's present in the metadata, so it's really easy from a workflow standpoint. If you don't have a GP-1 or another way of having the camera stamp it for you, you can buy external gps loggers which will sync the location data with your photos using software after you get back to your computer. You can also just call up your current location on the aforementioned GPS, snap a picture of it, and manually embed the GPS data later using a program like GeoSetter. Geosetter is an awesome program for this type of work - it can export google earth/map overlays with all of your photos linked directly on the map...great if you're doing blanket coverage and want to publish an interactive map for your readers.
Cell phone cameras were also not mentioned but can also be an essential tool if you don't want to intimidate with big professional looking gear. People usually don't think twice about someone snapping a cell phone photo these days, so in a sensitive situation it can be useful. A lot of cell phone cameras (like the Droid X) will embed GPS data into your photos, so it can be useful with the mapping stuff mentioned above.
All of this sounds complicated - it isn't - and it usually doesn't add very much to your load. A radio or two, a GPS, a GPS dongle, the cell phone you're already carrying. I look for gear that can run on AA's so I don't have to carry a dozen different chargers and batteries with me. It's really pretty simple...knowing how to use it ahead of time is the key.
The most important thing with any of this technology is knowing AND believing that you can do without most of it if it becomes too much of a hassle or doesn't work. As long as you have a working camera - any camera - you can tell the story. |
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Brian Blanco, Photographer
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Tampa / Sarasota | FL | USA | Posted: 9:41 AM on 06.21.11 |
->> Thanks for the kind feedback everyone. I just hope we don't have to deal with any of this stuff this season... but it looks like we may be overdue.
Also, my good friend Edmund Fountain, with the St. Petersburg Times, has been feverishly emailing me to let me know about all of the things I "missed" in the piece (Chuck and I know why I left some stuff out... right Liddy?)
Anyway, while I deliberately avoided including a packing list, Edmund, as usual had some very valuable input and when Edmund Fountain speaks, I listen. So, I thought I'd post his tips here in the thread and I hope that's not a problem since it's generally just safety info and useful tips I'm reposting here:
From Edmund-
"You forgot to mention bringing power strips in addition to power inverters. You plug the strips into the inverters and suddenly you have 8-14 plugs instead of just two. Between the SAT phone, camera chargers (2-3), cell phone, GPS, iPod and coffee maker (I have seen people do this, though I have not) there are never enough plugs on the inverter alone. I also like going to the grocery store and getting cans of tuna and a big box of Ritz crackers. Then I go to Chick-Fil-A, or the grocery store deli, and raid their bins of the mayo and pickle relish packets. Then I can make tuna salad whenever I want."
Followed by:
"I thought of a few other things as well after I sent my last message.... 1. Wet Ones wipes are your best friend. If you can't shower, these are the next best thing. 2. MRE's. Meals that Refuse to Exit. Can be purchased at military surplus stores. Man can only live on tuna salad, beef jerky and Clif bars for so long. 3. Often, many establishments leave their wifi on after they have evacuated. Try pulling up in front of a Starbucks, McDonalds, or any other place you think might be wired and getting on the internet before busting out the satphone. It is way easier and MUCH cheaper. 4. No waders. Ever. If you walk into floodwaters in waders, and step on an open manhole, ditch, or other low spot, there is a great chance that the waders will flood and you can easily drown if this happens. I like boots. They keep me from going too far into the water, and I can get them off easily should I need to. 5. If you need to go into the water, use a kayak, hitch a ride on a boat, but NEVER get into something inflatable. If it snags on a broken branch or anything sharp, you (and your cameras) are doomed unless you can reach dry ground quickly. 6. Make sure all of your shots are up-to-date: hepatitis, tetanus etc... there is nasty stuff lurking in the murk, and it is sooooo easy to step on a nail. 7. Life vest. No need to elaborate. 8. Beware carbon monoxide! Many people use generators for electricity after a hurricane and I have seen people keep them in their house, while running, to prevent theft. Never ever sleep in such a place if it is offered to you. One of our staffers became incredibly sick during Katrina as a result of this. xo, -e"
Yes, Edmund ended his email with "xo" (kisses and hugs) and we're secure with out manhood so let's move on from that.
Anyway, if you have any other tips, tricks, packing suggestions or advice please post it below. This thread may serve to be a great resource if we all add a little bit to it.
Thanks - Blanco
PS- I'm not sure how many things Edmund believes you can plug into a standard automotive DC to AC power inverter (apparently up to 14 by his count) but maybe someone with more knowledge on the topic of watts and amps and such can address this... maybe someone else can call him and tell him to rejoin SS to share with us directly... I'll even spring for the $25.00 Edmund. |
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Brian Blanco, Photographer
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Tampa / Sarasota | FL | USA | Posted: 9:52 AM on 06.21.11 |
->> Man, I'm not sure who decided to put the "T" key next to the "R" key when designing keyboards but that was a mistake.
When I wrote: "... and we're secure with out manhood..."
I clearly meant "and we're secure with OUR manhood...'
It works, and is likely accurate, either way though. |
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Dominick Reuter, Photographer
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Cambridge | MA | USA | Posted: 1:07 PM on 06.21.11 |
->> The original article and this thread are prime examples of the value of SS.com. Brian, thank you for sharing your expertise.
The article reminded me of a conversation I had with Rogelio Solis, an AP staffer in Mississippi, about readiness for emergency situations.
He advised I get a box, put the following items inside, and keep it in the trunk of my car:
- Steel-toed boots (some areas won't let you in without proper personal equipment)
- Hard hat ("")
- Safety glasses ("")
- Orange and Green reflective vests (different sites require different colors)
- Mag light
- Plastic "giveaway" flashlights (sometimes you'll come upon someone who really needs to borrow/keep a light)
There are a few more items I'm forgetting, and this is more of a breaking news emergency situation kit, but Solis recounted an Amtrak derailment where all the photogs and video guys showed up in their workaday clothes, and couldn't access the scene. Solis went back to his car, put on his boots, hat and vest and was escorted past all the guys who didn't come prepared.
Whether it's a local emergency or a natural disaster, the amount of forethought you put into your job can make the difference between you making pictures, coming up empty handed, or worst of all, becoming a burden on the response effort. |
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Angus Mordant, Student/Intern
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PJ Heller, Photographer
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Santa Barbara | CA | USA | Posted: 8:10 PM on 06.21.11 |
->> Here's a link to some gear which might come in handy in addition to inverters:
http://www.goalzero.com/
Also, note that (some) BGAN units can be used with handsets, allowing you to make and receive calls. Otherwise, a SAT phone might help when communication lines are down. |
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Michael Durisseau, Photographer, Assistant
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Santa Fe/Houston | TX | USA | Posted: 10:43 PM on 06.21.11 |
| ->> I hadn't read the article yet, but I'm going to include solar chargers in my kit for items like my digital TV, cell phones, and laptops. |
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Greg Kendall-Ball, Photographer, Assistant
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Abilene | TX | USA | Posted: 2:21 PM on 06.23.11 |
->> I'm sure it goes without saying, but one more thing to "add" to the list would be: Don't poison the well for other photogs/journos.
I was covering a large wildfire in a town west of here. In order to get any access, we had to ride along with a Texas Forest Service PIO. He told me and the TV guy that he only one rule: if he said to get back in the truck, we got back in the truck immediately. He said at another fire, a photographer from a "big-city paper" was riding with him, and violated this rule. "I just need two more shots," he said.
The actions of that one guy dinged the reputation of all "media" in this guy's eye.
Just be thinking of who might be coming behind you. |
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Mark Loundy, Photo Editor
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San Jose | CA | USA | Posted: 4:05 PM on 06.23.11 |
->> Double-ditto what greg said. After having covered wildfires in California for years, I was pretty confident of my abilities. But when I was approaching a ridge to observe (what I thought) was a safely distant fireline, a battalion chief pulled up next to me and shouted, "Get in." I jumped into his truck and he hung a U-turn about 30 seconds before the flames roared over the top. There was no way that I would have been able to escape on foot.
I was grateful and felt like an idiot.
--Mark |
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Brian Blanco, Photographer
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Tampa / Sarasota | FL | USA | Posted: 4:32 PM on 06.23.11 |
->> Greg,
Certainly it's always great advice to "not poison the waters" when you're given access to something you otherwise wouldn't have access to, like an active fire scene where a specific area is cordoned off because an eminent threat exists and fire officials are actively working the scene, however, covering the aftermath of a hurricane is a bit different than a wildfire.
By and large, when covering a hurricane, we're not asking permission from government officials to get access to do our job. With hurricanes, the threat has, for the most part, already passed and any attempt by government officials (at any level) to control where we go, who we talk to and what we get a chance to cover should be avoided at all costs. Riding along with a PIO and jumping back in his truck upon his command is just about the last thing I want to be doing when covering this type of story.
I say this because, frankly, I've seen government officials at a local, state and federal level attempt to control photojournalists in the wake of 3 different storms now. The most egregious example, of course, was Katrina, where almost every time I turned around I had some out-of-town cop, National Guardsman, or random emergency management official inventing non-existant laws in their heads on-the-spot and attempting to tell me and other journalists who we could talk to or where we could go and even what I could and could not take photos of... I, of course, ignored every one of them and made certain that I always did my job. Sometimes we have a responsibility to defy nonsense orders.
One Example:
While covering Katrina I was talking to a resident of Waveland, Miss. while standing on the concrete slab where their family home sat just hours earlier. After hanging out with and even having lunch with the very friendly family for about an hour, an Emergency Management SUV pulled up and two officials got out of the car and approached me and told me, and this is a direct quote that I'll remember forever, "We're not allowing the media to talk to victims so you're going to have to get back in your car and exit the area." I'll never forget the lady's response when she looked the two up and down, laughed and said, "Who the hell put you in charge of me and when did I become a 'victim'? " She then walked over to where she believed her property line stood, pointed to the gound and said, "I'm pretty sure this is where my property starts; I want you on the other side of it." |
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Brian Blanco, Photographer
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Tampa / Sarasota | FL | USA | Posted: 4:44 PM on 06.23.11 |
| ->> All of that being said, as Mark and Greg, very accurately point out, if it's even remotely an issue of safety (like their examples)... comply first and question much later. |
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Greg Kendall-Ball, Photographer, Assistant
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Abilene | TX | USA | Posted: 8:15 PM on 06.23.11 |
->> Brian-
I understand what you're saying, but I think my "poisoning the well" comment was misinterpreted. [As an aside, I wish our line editors could fix our forum posts as well as our articles!]
In a nutshell, it's more like "Don't be a dick." Or, "Don't be more of a dick than you need to be." Or, borrowing from a recent bestseller - enacting a "No Asshole Rule."
My interactions with the general public, with law enforcement, etc., color their perception not only of me, but of my colleagues. I can't count the number of times I've covered a story and had the subject tell me about interactions they've had with other journalists. "When Joe was here, he was great with the kids, and he really took the time to hear me out," is a lot better than "Yeah, I remember when Joe was here. He stabbed my puppy and stole my rug. That rug really tied the room together."
In the fire situation, it wasn't so much that the photog ignored safety advice, it was that the photog, by ignoring the safety advice, gave that PIO the impression that I might not follow safety advice, either... |
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Brian Blanco, Photographer
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Tampa / Sarasota | FL | USA | Posted: 8:41 PM on 06.23.11 |
| ->> No Greg I never read it that way at all. In fact I thought your advice was fantastic and I agree with you 100%. I was just more or less pointing out (not to you so much, but to younger shooters) that we don't always have to be tethered to a PIO during hurricane coverage since the dynamic is a bit different from a fire. I just didn't want young shooters missunderstanding your good advice and possibly being afraid to stand their ground when needs with overreaching govt types. |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 10:44 PM on 06.23.11 |
| ->> I sidetracked all of that in Waveland...I had my mountain bike with me and road up and down the roads...with one camera...and an extra lens in a fanny pack...no one bothered me at all. 8) |
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