Photographer under attack for photographing pothole victim

THORHAMMER · Dec 28, 2005

the real problem here is this guy stole my stationary exercise bike and put wheels on it before stealing it....... take another look at the pictures.....

I want it back....

Alexandra · Dec 28, 2005

humm, sorry to say that, but this actually makes YOU the responsible for the accident.

...and have you seen? that thread is gone HOT now! can't touch it, tis too hot hot hot!!!
...sorry. i'm tired. really tired.

darin3200 · Dec 28, 2005

Alexandra said:
...and have you seen? that thread is gone HOT now! can't touch it, tis too hot hot hot!!!
...sorry. i'm tired. really tired.

It seems like everyone is interested in some guy falling off his bike in the rain

Alexandra · Dec 29, 2005

thank god you didn't post a story bout him finding a kitty and bringin' it back home safe.
...that's perversity. we all gotta have our ways to unleash it... see ya at the sado-maso next week

jadin · Dec 29, 2005

craig said:
As humans we should consider how fragile life is.

Well, he was in China, there's a lot more life there...

As for me, I'm too nice to let someone hurt themselves, I bet I'd just do it myself. Get someone to photograph me and crash myself!

Tooloose_Letrek · Dec 29, 2005

zedin said:
This is sorta the debate I have always had with myself over photographing a situation or helping.

I wonder what sorts of internal debates a war photographer faces. No doubt some have been in situations where there was a clear choice between getting the pic and helping someone survive.

I have a book I haven't read (and that book has lots of company on my bookshelf) called Witness in Our Time: Working Lives of Documentary Photogarphers by Ken Light. IT has short articles about 18 different photographers and some of the articles appear to delve into this very question. I'll see if I can learn anything from the book, at least learn how others react.

Tooloose_Letrek · Dec 29, 2005

Alexandra said:
I always thought there was something vicious or voyeuristic about snaping people just like that, but I'm over it, now i see people just don't give a damn or don't even notice cause i run quick, hehe.
Apparently that's not the case in Detroit. But It's big city, compared to Mtl... or maybe you were just too abvious

No I wasn't obvious at all as I was sitting in a car at the time, always vigilant of my surroundings. You seem to have a very light attitude about this but might be surprised to find yourself in a situation one day where someone you didn't notice notices you and what you're doing and intends to do something about it.

I don't believe that, as you say that people don't give a damn if they're photographed. That sounds like an easy way for you to rationalize your actions and do what you want.

LittleMan · Dec 29, 2005

This is why photographers need to be good story tellers also.

"I was taking these photos to warn ALL the other cyclists about the dangers of potholes and driving in the rain!"
"Oh, and is that a bicycle approved umbrella?!?!" :lmao:

Alexandra · Dec 29, 2005

Tooloose_Letrek said:
No I wasn't obvious at all as I was sitting in a car at the time, always vigilant of my surroundings. You seem to have a very light attitude about this but might be surprised to find yourself in a situation one day where someone you didn't notice notices you and what you're doing and intends to do something about it.

I don't believe that, as you say that people don't give a damn if they're photographed. That sounds like an easy way for you to rationalize your actions and do what you want.

yes, that's probably because such things never happened to me... Strangely, most of the time i take pictures very openly and obviously, and people just give me a smile and pass by, or think i'm a tourist or something. More often, they step aside thinking i'm trying to shoot the building or landscape behind them.
I do have a light attitude about it, but i fully understand that some people might get frustrated. that's why i try to shoot only nice people

But more seriously: after all, it's not like i sell those pictures or something, so it's fully legal

the nightfly · Dec 29, 2005

Alexandra said:
why, the photog hasn't done anything illegal

Maybe yes, maybe no. Remember, Chinese law (common or statutory) isn't necessarily the same as American, or Canadian common law. It may well be that, in China, you are considered to have a legal obligation to protect someone from a perceived danger.

Alexandra · Dec 29, 2005

very possible. But maybe the photog didn't know there was a pothole, maybe he was just tryin to take pics of the other guy on his bike, but it so happened that that one got into a pothole...
Ok, i'm just short of arguments. you win on that one.

kalee · Dec 29, 2005

what about photographers that capture war images?

THORHAMMER · Dec 29, 2005

I want my exercycle back!!!!!!!!!!!!

keller · Dec 30, 2005

I think in some countries, if you percieve a danger, it is illegal to not warn other people (without harming yourself).

Morally, I don't really like this behaviour. The photographer could've raised awareness of the pothole by putting a sign next to it, or just warning the biker. This is one of the reasons people really don't like reporters or photojournalists (I think journalists rank 4th in "dodgy people polls")

(But I admit, the images are really funny, specially when the guy is landing on his face)