[Leica] Re: Leica Users digest V9 #77

[DAVE YODER <leica@home.com>]

I'm rather tired of writers' depiction of photographers, so here goes a
bit of steam.

I don't know how things are in the UK, but as a "press photographer" in
the Los Angeles area I've seen my share of big events, and I'm sensitive
to how photographers behave in the field.

We here in the States are responsible for some memorable scenes of
horrid media conduct (OJ, Lewinsky, etc.) but these kinds of occurrences
are actually very rare. And in my opinion, it was the proliferation of
television news channels that made these melees so crowded and chaotic.
TV photographers just don't back off, and they've set the pace for these
events. 

As for the overt rudeness Doug talks about, I've never seen it. Never.
That kind of conduct would eventually get back to editors at any of the
many papers I've worked or interned at, and it wouldn't be tolerated.
Beyond that, that kind of behavior is counter-productive. You get far
better access in the long run if you're friendly, considerate and accommodating.
In my experience, it is more often the behavior of writers that is
disgraceful. 
I've worked closely with three Pulitzer winning reporters, and I don't
trust a thing they write. I've seen firsthand that they won't let the
truth or peoples lives and careers get in the way of their story. After
working closely with one for a few months on a project, I had to come to
the conclusion that the fellow was a habitual liar. And his partner on
one of his two Pulitzers told me more than half of their story was
"bulls**t." 

I see far more insensitivity and arrogance from reporters when covering
sensitive subjects than from us. I've seen writers do things like
threaten a grieving family with disclosure of their address to all the
media if they don't give an exclusive on their son, shot dead by police
hours before. Or going through peoples trash at midnight for, etc. This
at supposedly respectable newspapers.

Photographers and photojournalists are drawn from the great pool of
society just like all other professions. There are some bad apples in
every field, but photographers are invariably portrayed in the movies,
on TV or in newspapers as creeps or pervs or, when generous, as slobs,
by writers--many if not most being ex-journalists--who write the scripts
and invent the characters. 


yoder
> 
> Date: Fri, 25 Jun 1999 11:33:04 -0000
> From: "Doug Richardson" <doug@meditor.demon.co.uk>
> Subject: [Leica] Press use of wide-angle lenses
> 
> Jim Brick <jimbrick@photoaccess.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> Exactly, and those who push in front and block the view of a rival can
> then sell a pic to the rival's editor.
> 
> Too many press photographers I've seen in action take the attitude
> "I'm going to get the pic I want and F*** the rest of you". And if
> that involves pushing past other photographers, the public, or the
> friends and colleages of their subject, then that's what they'll do.
> These guys are at their worst at public events such as parades where
> they will happily turn up at the last minute, pass through the police
> line, choose the best spot, then stand in front of people who've
> waited for hours in the sunshine for the event to happen. Or at events
> where the ordinary guy is trying to photograph his relative being
> introduced to a VIP or royalty...
> 
> I'd quibble with Jim's use of the term "reporter" - in the world of
> magazines and newspapers, the reporters are the guys with the
> notebooks. And the photographers happily push past us too!
> 
> I'm not saying that all press photographers behave in such a boorish
> manner, but there are enough who do to ensure that many journalists
> from the specialised and technical press simply won't attend any event
> where the general press will be present.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Doug Richardson
> (one of the guys with the notebooks)
>