Press pen etiquette.

Phil Young

Phil Young

Suspended / Banned
Messages
6,584
Name
Phil
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi folks.

This is a new one for me so advice welcomed :)

Going to be photographing a VIP with members of the press in the pen and wanted to ask about etiquette.

Anything in particular I need to be aware of? I should expect to be a fighting sardine right?

Thanks in advance,
Phil Young.
(The original - not the newer imposter ;)
 
Nothing much to worry about - just don't be an arse! (Or "idiot" if the swear filter blocks my overly descriptive language)

Be aware of what's going on around you; where the other photographers are and where they're shooting towards. Just exercise a modicum of common sense and courtesy and all will be well.

Have fun and enjoy the ribald banter.

Cheers,
Tony
 
If an area is taped on the floor, or marked with a ladder, or monopod then it has been reserved and you don't stand there. You'll either have the opportunity to go there early and mark your spot, or priority agencies will have been given that opportunity.

Other than that it is basic common sense and courtesy, don't step in-front of or block other peoples shots intentionally - there is a lot of mutual respect in press areas unless you are being a dick.
 
These things tend go fast. You probably won't have time to change lenses or fit a flash if needed, so get there early and do a couple of test shots. If it's a tight crush there may well be some pushing and shoving - usually it's pretty polite - so if vision is limited, get your shots then move over for the next snapper to see the fox. Don't be afraid to call out, asking The Talent to look at you: "This way, Your Majesty, please...thanks!" Eye contact nearly always makes for a better shot. Continuous focus, continuous drive, fast shutter.
 
andrewc said:
Stand your ground, there could be some pushing and shoving.
Click to expand...

Particularly more so if there is an international dimension to the press pack.... I'm not saying that Johnny Foreigner is rude but...
 
Phil Young said:
Hi folks.

This is a new one for me so advice welcomed :)

Going to be photographing a VIP with members of the press in the pen and wanted to ask about etiquette.

Anything in particular I need to be aware of? I should expect to be a fighting sardine right?

Thanks in advance,
Phil Young.
(The original - not the newer imposter ;)
Click to expand...

Let the pros do their job. If people are there from Getty, Reuters etc then don't get in their way.

I've always found people really friendly other than that and very willing to chat about photography and things while you're waiting.

Oh and, expect to wait around, expect for the celeb to be late and expect for the photo call to last a few seconds if at all.
 
CharlotteM said:
Let the pros do their job. If people are there from Getty, Reuters etc then don't get in their way.
Click to expand...
Did you think I might be paid for this as well? I'll say now that I have as much if not more pressure to get shots than anyone from the press. Can't say any more.

Thanks for the response folks, didn't know that about the tape! I'll just use my common sense and give the respect that's given to me :)
 
Phil Young said:
Did you think I might be paid for this as well? I'll say now that I have as much if not more pressure to get shots than anyone from the press. Can't say any more.

Thanks for the response folks, didn't know that about the tape! I'll just use my common sense and give the respect that's given to me :)
Click to expand...

You still make way for the big guys, they started at the bottom where you are now and worked their way up. If this is your first outing I highly doubt it'll be as important as one of the big agencies. The thing is, these are the guys that you will see around every press pen you go to. If you treat them like s*** then you'll get a reputation and they'll freeze you out. Be nice to them, eventually you'll win them round and you'll be in the circle, so to speak.
 
CharlotteM said:
Let the pros do their job. If people are there from Getty, Reuters etc then don't get in their way.
.
Click to expand...

aaargh I so want to rant at this.... suffice to say this is wrong.. they dont have any god given right and 9 times out of 10 they are the ones jumping in front of your shot..


stop tony.. you said enough....no i havent... yes show some decorum.... aww alright then :(
 
CharlotteM said:
You still make way for the big guys, they started at the bottom where you are now and worked their way up. If this is your first outing I highly doubt it'll be as important as one of the big agencies.
Click to expand...


somebody gag me please!!!


CharlotteM said:
The thing is, these are the guys that you will see around every press pen you go to. If you treat them like tummy mud then you'll get a reputation and they'll freeze you out. Be nice to them, eventually you'll win them round and you'll be in the circle, so to speak.
Click to expand...

this is true.. but not just for the big agencies.. also for everyonein there..



PS how will he know they are big agencies.. they all look the same ...seriously ?: )
 
KIPAX said:
PS how will he know they are big agencies.. they all look the same ...seriously ?: )
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if you've discovered it, humans have these things called mouths and vocal cords and they're used for talking to other humans. ;-)

Every press pen I've been in has had people chatting away to each other. 'Who are you working for? Oh that's cool, what are they like to work for? Do they pay well? Which contact sent you here? Are you shooting for a magazine? What else do you shoot? Can we exchange cards?'
 
Last edited by a moderator:
CharlotteM said:
You still make way for the big guys, they started at the bottom where you are now and worked their way up. If this is your first outing I highly doubt it'll be as important as one of the big agencies. The thing is, these are the guys that you will see around every press pen you go to. If you treat them like tummy mud then you'll get a reputation and they'll freeze you out. Be nice to them, eventually you'll win them round and you'll be in the circle, so to speak.
Click to expand...
Please stop now. You're being very ignorant since you have no idea of the job and who's paying me. Ask before assumption :)
 
Phil Young said:
Please stop now. You're being very ignorant since you have no idea of the job and who's paying me. Ask before assumption :)
Click to expand...

Well, if it's as import and as you say, and your client is as important as you say, then they may well have arranged for you to get early access to mark your spot. Problem solved. :-)
 
You could simply introduce yourself, say you're new to the game, and apologise in advance for any unwitting transgression of etiquette. Everyone has a first time, and if you're friendly they'll be friendly back. Usually if someone is acting like an arse, it's the pen equivalent of Uncle Bob.
 
CharlotteM said:
Well, if it's as import and as you say, and your client is as important as you say, then they may well have arranged for you to get early access to mark your spot. Problem solved. :)
Click to expand...
I just think it would be wise for you not to assume in future. Take that advice or leave it but in this instance, your answer is a bit ignorant.
 
CharlotteM said:
I'm not sure if you've discovered it, humans have these things called mouths and vocal cords and they're used for talking to other humans. ;-)'
Click to expand...


So your suggesting the first thing he does is ask whos who.. find out who belongs to the big agencies and then stay out there way so they get all the best shots..


I ahve been doing this for ten years.. I am absoloutly a million miles away from being a big agency... yet i have to make a living.. i ahve to get the shots a paper or magazine are paying me to get... if we are all josteling for the best position do i purposely do a bad job and let the bigger agency get the best shot? why?

sorry but your talking complete and utter nonsense... it doesnt matter how long you ahve been doing it or which agency your working for... if your at a job getting paid for the shot then you do your best to get the shot.. if that means a shoulder to shoulder pushing match with someone from a big agency then you push away.. you dont give way because?

yes be good mannered as you say.. but thats to everyone not just big agencies.. but when shove comes to push.. you need that shot just as much as they do..
 
charlotte.. at what point do you suggest not giving way to big agencies.. lots of us are never going to be a as big as them.. i know i aint.. so your saying always give way to them ?
 
jon ryan said:
You could simply introduce yourself, say you're new to the game, and apologise in advance for any unwitting transgression of etiquette. Everyone has a first time, and if you're friendly they'll be friendly back. Usually if someone is acting like an arse, it's the pen equivalent of Uncle Bob.
Click to expand...
I've shot plenty of events, gigs etc where there are more photographers, from what I have read I don't think I'll stand out as newbie, just didn't know if there was any specific 'rules' so to speak :)

I'm confident it'll be ok now guess the rule is not to he uncle bob :)
 
Despite what anyone has said, there is a hierarchy at any press event.

Your average celeb will be aiming to flog a product and is therefore interested in images in nationals and reports on primetime. If you want a good shot, stand near their crews.

Also, be aware of the celebs prejudices. If you're after Alex Ferguson, it's no good standing near a BBC news crew.
 
I didn't know their was any etiquette for a press pen :D

Done a couple usually just smile a lot,but stand my ground a get the job done
 
Last edited:
st599 said:
Despite what anyone has said, there is a hierarchy at any press event.

Your average celeb will be aiming to flog a product and is therefore interested in images in nationals and reports on primetime. If you want a good shot, stand near their crews.

Also, be aware of the celebs prejudices. If you're after Alex Ferguson, it's no good standing near a BBC news crew.
Click to expand...

Ah you see you havnt done your homework,Alex Ferguson made up with the BBC now :D;)
 
jon ryan said:
Everyone has a first time, and if you're friendly they'll be friendly back.
Click to expand...

You do know this isn't even slightly true.

Sure, friendly is a good opening gambit, but it doesn't mean it will always work. There are plenty of total a55hats in this game, it just take a little experience to know who they are but its a fair bit that once an a55hat, always an a55hat - they won't change the second time you bump into them.

And just like on here, to some you standing out as a newbie just means they will treat you like scum.

Just warning our OP...
 
desantnik said:
You do know this isn't even slightly true.

Sure, friendly is a good opening gambit, but it doesn't mean it will always work. There are plenty of total a55hats in this game, it just take a little experience to know who they are but its a fair bit that once an a55hat, always an a55hat - they won't change the second time you bump into them.

And just like on here, to some you standing out as a newbie just means they will treat you like scum.

Just warning our OP...
Click to expand...


I've been doing this for about 15 years and have never had a serious problem, and am usually willing to help newbies or amateurs taking shots for school papers or whatever at small shoots. I do get irritated if another pro uses my set-up without asking at events where it's practical to arrange things a bit - bad manners, that. Worst have been TV people who sometimes think they have a divine right to the best spot. One bunch of arrogant morons tried this at a marathon finish. There was a lot of cooperation between snappers as we took it in turns to stand in front of their camera. They got the idea. :)
 
This is the second thread I have read that you have started asking for advice and then criticised people offering advice. You may not like the advice given but if someone takes the time to offer their help, it seems rather rude to respond in such a way.

Phil Young said:
I just think it would be wise for you not to assume in future. Take that advice or leave it but in this instance, your answer is a bit ignorant.
Click to expand...
 
Steve said:
This is the second thread I have read that you have started asking for advice and then criticised people offering advice. You may not like the advice given but if someone takes the time to offer their help, it seems rather rude to respond in such a way.
Click to expand...
"Let the pro's get their shots first"...

Disregarding the importance of my assignment and assuming I'm just there for fun or something could also be considered rude...

I welcome advice and most ofit here is great, I just feel if you are going to go a bit extra, make sure you knowa bit of background before you disregard other people's jobs as less important.

Just because someone takes time to post, doesn't mean it's helpful - for the most part replies were.
 
Phil, I think as you are in the press pit, then you have as much right as any-one else to be there.
You're a match for anyone there, physically, so I can't see you being pushed around too much.:boxer::lol:
Good luck to you, sounds exciting.
 
GHP said:
Phil, I think as you are in the press pit, then you have as much right as any-one else to be there.
You're a match for anyone there, physically, so I can't see you being pushed around too much.:boxer::lol:
Good luck to you, sounds exciting.
Click to expand...
Lol maybe if I was your height mate...at 5"5 these guys will blow me over ;)

As always, I'll post a shot and little summary to update when it's all done and dusted.
 
Go on then, I'll bite. Why is this a no-no? I have swapped at least fifty cards with other photographers.
 
If it were my first time at something like this I'd be taking all the advice I could get whether I agreed with it or not. I wouldn't be biting the hand that feeds me...
 
jon ryan said:
Go on then, I'll bite. Why is this a no-no? I have swapped at least fifty cards with other photographers.
Click to expand...

I have swapped cards with plenty.. meet a fellow photogrpaher on a job maybe... talk to them about photogrpahy ..swap cards.. But thats a far cry from going in a press room and everyone swapping cards.. just doesnt happen ...
 
jon ryan said:
Go on then, I'll bite. Why is this a no-no? I have swapped at least fifty cards with other photographers.
Click to expand...

That's nice but if you are caught doing it while working for a major news agency you will never work for them or indeed any other again.

Putting your name to a photo that isn't yours destroys editorial integrity and the ability of people to trust the source of photos.
 
inkiboo said:
That's nice but if you are caught doing it while working for a major news agency you will never work for them or indeed any other again.

Putting your name to a photo that isn't yours destroys editorial integrity and the ability of people to trust the source of photos.
Click to expand...


Sorry guys.,., I am totally lost wiht this now... I must have missed soemhting.. meeting a photogrpaher and swapping business cards I thought...
 
I think Gerard might think that the only cards tat can be exchanged are memory cards...
 
Gerard.. the whole thread is about meeting other photogrpahers and lots of talk about knowing who is who and intros and things... have you skipped through and seen the word "cards" and thinking memory cards? if so then you may want to read the thread again ... the subject is so not about swapping memory cards you big girls blouse :)


oops NOD your post went up while i was typing :)
 
Last edited:
I just laughed so much my sides hurt
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top