The ignorance of people outside of the industry

[Ben-71]

Well, I'm sorry. Unlike you apparently I don't take perfect

photos every time I press the trigger. ​

​

Hey, Dan, I'm on your side. Please read my words as constructive,

and not as an "attack".
Please don't speak for me... and no, not every time I press the trigger
I get a perfect result (at least not with a camera trigger... )​

Photographing people hasn't been my main line of work, but from
colleagues and from some experience with models or events, I know ​

how it is.

1. In small meeting rooms like the one at the district office
telephotos don't work.

2. If she knows I'm a photographer, as she knew from when

I got a mugshot of her before the meeting (which she oddly

had no problem with), no amount of sneakiness if gonna make
her forget a photographer is taking photos of her. ​

​

You don't know where her reaction comes from. What you say
suggests that she was stressed while she had to talk to a crowd,
but not earlier.
(I've seen experienced politicians, or lawyers, who never got rid
of stage fear.)

Even in a small room, you can make yourself less imposing by, for
instance, using a tripod and a remote release, or maybe by using a
monopod and monitoring the screen from the side of your eye, and ​

using no flash – so she doesn't notice when you actually take a shot.

3. And finally, I didn't make any excuses for it at work. I said I
took a bad photo outright. But the city editor and the
editor/chief both thought the photo worked. The dog didn't
eat my homework.

In fact, the teacher took my homework and gave me a good
grade.
But I didn't like it and a few people on the blog didn't like it.​

​

I was talking about what you said here, on the forum, and not

about your exchange with your editor. It was a metaphor. I didn't
mean to criticize you, but to suggest to you a different approach.​

And like I said at the beginning, I was in a hurry. I needed to get ​

a quick shot and get out. Photoj isn't always about getting the
Pulitzer.
Sometimes you need to get what you can get and move on.​

​

Time pressure is part of the job, which you can't avoid. In other fields of

photography, I was in your "time pressure shoes" many times.
In general, you should pin-point the problem and find a solution for the
next time.​

In this specific case, as I presume you'll have to take more photographs
of her, I'd consider talking to her and pave the way ahead, from a – "I'm
with you, let's see how can WE make it work for both your public image
and the job I do" approach.​

If this is no option, or it doesn't work, I'd look for technical solutions to
press the release so she doesn't notice when you do it.​

 

[Village Idiot]

Well your work there is featured to a whole village/town/city/metro area/ what ever full of people. You have to expect at least a couple of ass holes come out from the wood work to be....ass holes?

And I'd like to get into the photo dept at a paper around here, but that's nearly impossible. I hear that when they say you have 10 minutes to take some one's picture, it usually turns out to be 5. Sounds like it would be fun.

 

[Joves]

Do you really think this comment is appropriate?

Yeah pretty much if she doesnt want to be seen then, she can cover herself.

 

[tirediron]

Yeah pretty much if she doesnt want to be seen then, she can cover herself.

Then perhaps you should do a little research so you know what you're talking about!

 

[Easy_Target]

And what annoys me even more so is as an employee I can't leave comments defending myself.

They have no idea what it's like having to be multiple places at one time, trying to get good shots in a limited slot under less than convenient conditions.[/rant]

Yeah, people like that really don't have a clue the kind of pressure and stress it is. I was shooting during a public hearing for a photo assignment with the help of the NYCLU. It was so much trouble moving around the room to try and get the shots without being a nuisance for those speaking as well as those attending.

If someone doesn't want their picture taken, show them some respect and don't take it.

It's a public official and as such, they're held to a higher moral standard and have less of an expectation to privacy.

 

[mmcduffie1]

ok, we'll need some rope and duct tape. A remote location with ants. Oh and a large .... wait, everyone thinks they are a photographer when they have a camera in their hands.Ignore them. You know the truth and that's what counts. (i sound like my mom)
I'd write a letter to the editor expressing my discontent.

 

[Kajuah]

There's a simple answer to a simple question;
Don't stress over what you don't have to.

I think if someone said that 2 pages ago there wouldn't have been a novel written on the subject.

Cheers

 

[Hooligan Dan]

Bit of an update: A couple days ago I took some shots of a multiple structure fire and the comments were all positive, including one person, who days earlier took part in "I don't deserve my job" reaming, saying they were the best photos the paper has run in years.

The editor has also since been leaving comments defending his employees.

 

[craig]

That is excellent news! All it takes is a little confidence and a random fire.

With all due respect... Do not get all excited yet. People will forever be scrutinizing your work. As photographers we are basically judged by our worst photo.

Love & Bass