The public can be so ignorant at times

RjLPhotography

RjLPhotography

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Robb
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There was a head-on crash near to where I live today, and the Air Ambulance was dispatched meaning being a freelance Photographer I have to make my wage by capturing the events.

Luckily the helicopter wasn't needed as the casualty was taken by land-ambulance, however taking pictures of the traffic and emergency services I got a mouthload of abuse from some jobsworth telling me how I 'shouldn't be doing it' and that I was a '********* weirdo' etc etc. Now I wonder what these people think in watching emergency services on the television, or where the pictures in the papers come from.

Obviously I am respectful considering the nature of the incident, I have personal rules about not photographing casualties or the smash itself (even though as a freelance photographer or any photographer maintains the right in doing unless it's hampering the investigation.) Ironically I know the local fire brigade crew aswell as one of the PCSO's on scene.

Some people like this driver really should engage their brain before splouting off expletives towards a guy who is only doing his job. I would have been more than happy to show her the photographs I took for ease of mind, if she hadn't been so verbally aggressive. :bang:
 
Do you wear a yellow tabard or similar on occasions like this or just normal dress code?
 
Well, why was the jobsworth there?

Bloody weirdo, getting their kicks from watching accident scenes. Shouldn't be allowed.
 
Normal dress code as it was a run-and-shoot moment in trying to capture the Air Ambulance, I probobally should invest in something more 'official' but as in saying before if she wasn't so verbally aggressive then I would have happily shown what I took. Luckily despite the camera on view everyone else I met, including the emergency services I got along with just fine.

I guess I can't really let one judgemental know-it-all stop me taking pictures, and it didn't anyway.
 
HMansfield said:
Well, why was the jobsworth there?

Bloody weirdo, getting their kicks from watching accident scenes. Shouldn't be allowed.
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I actually know the fire crews who responded, infact my brother is a first responder and they of all people know that post-incident photographs can prove invaluable to investigations in looking for anything they may have missed. As i said before I am respectful, regardless of what incident it is, NOT to photograph those involved or the crash itself. And I bet you wouldn't think twice about watching Helicopter Heroes, 999, Seaside Rescue, any show similar to this that carry's a camera crew around with them for documential purposes.
 
I was criticising the person moaning at you. Unless they were involved in the accident, then they were there for no reason than to have a good gawp.

Just tell people you're with the coroners office. Nobody ever questioned Quincy.
 
Following a prolonged campaign, including a series of demonstrations by photographers abused by Police Officers and PCSOs, the Metropolitan Police was forced to issue updated legal advice which now confirms that 'Members of the public and the media do not need a permit to film or photograph in public places and police have no power to stop them filming or photographing incidents or police personnel' and that 'The power to stop and search someone under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 no longer exists.'
 
RjLPhotography said:
As i said before I am respectful, regardless of what incident it is, NOT to photograph those involved or the crash itself.
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If you want to be a press photographer, that's exactly what you need to take pictures of- wreckage especially.
 
I'm not a press photographer and don't have the intention to be, hence why I don't walk around with a large press-pass and 'pretending' to be something i'm not.

Anyway the law is on my side, and this woman..whoever she was, needs to learn law and keep her mouth zipped in future.
 
RjLPhotography said:
I'm not a press photographer and don't have the intention to be, hence why I don't walk around with a large press-pass and 'pretending' to be something i'm not.
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RjLPhotography said:
There was a head-on crash near to where I live today, and the Air Ambulance was dispatched meaning being a freelance Photographer I have to make my wage by capturing the events.
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:thinking: Does not compute?
 
A Press Photographer is someone employed (self or via a agency) to take photographs of a specific event, nature, or for journalistic articles.

I take photographs of anything and everything, then freelance the work onto the papers without having the need to be employed by them. Its when you get any national paper printing a photograph that 'joe public' took and they may (or should) get paid a sum or take credit for the image.
 
Why is this person ignorant?

I feel uncomfortable about people photographing accidents, I know that "some people" have a job to do, but nobody could tell who you where.
 
that is the definition of ignorance isn't it
They have made an assumption based on ignorance of what someone was actually doing.
 
True, I was looking at it from a slightly different perspective (lack of knowledge in general)
 
RjLPhotography said:
A Press Photographer is someone employed (self or via a agency) to take photographs of a specific event, nature, or for journalistic articles.

I take photographs of anything and everything, then freelance the work onto the papers without having the need to be employed by them. Its when you get any national paper printing a photograph that 'joe public' took and they may (or should) get paid a sum or take credit for the image.
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Can I humbly suggest that telling a press photographer what his job is or is not, really isn't a great idea?


If you think that all (let alone the majority) of press snappers are employed or on contract, then you are greatly mistaken.

What you are doing is or at least is trying to be a press photographer; ie taking photographs view a view to them being published in the media.

You'd fair a lot better if you took photos of the actual incident, rather than generic background shots of traffic, ambulances or heliwockers.
 
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munch said:
Why is this person ignorant?

I feel uncomfortable about people photographing accidents, I know that "some people" have a job to do, but nobody could tell who you where.
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The tog has as much right to be there as the people gawping at the accident.
 
RjLPhotography said:
I'm not a press photographer and don't have the intention to be, hence why I don't walk around with a large press-pass and 'pretending' to be something i'm not.

Anyway the law is on my side, and this woman..whoever she was, needs to learn law and keep her mouth zipped in future.
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Should have taken her picture?
 
RjLPhotography said:
A Press Photographer is someone employed (self or via a agency) to take photographs of a specific event, nature, or for journalistic articles.

I take photographs of anything and everything, then freelance the work onto the papers without having the need to be employed by them. Its when you get any national paper printing a photograph that 'joe public' took and they may (or should) get paid a sum or take credit for the image.
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if your taking pictures of a newsworthy item as you describe and offering the picture for sale to the press as part of your living (thats what you said) then you are to all intents and purpose at that moment in time a press photographer..

plus if you are to continue in this line of work you really need to man up.. what you experienced is nothing.. some women moaned at you? wait till its half a dozen beer monsters outside a courthouse who tell you they will break your legs if you take a pic of there mate as he comes out.. then stand there waiting for him to come out....

some women moaned at you? sheesh :)
 
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Free speech!
She's as much right to express her opinion, however wrong it is, as you do to take photos.
I'm not sure why you quote the guidelines, it's not really relevant.
But i do agree with your general drift, it's hypocritical, and no doubt she crawled past the accident having a good look.
 
KIPAX said:
plus if you are to continue in this line of work you really need to man up.. what you experienced is nothing.. some women moaned at you? wait till its half a dozen beer monsters outside a courthouse who tell you they will break your legs if you take a pic of there mate as he comes out.. then stand there waiting for him to come out....
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I've always wondered if the bulk of 1 series bodies is designed to help in these situations, it certainly did at Le Mans last year when some drunken French herbert tried to mug me. :lol:
 
Did you tell them you're just doing your job? Or did you just walk away and kept on taking pictures? I can imagine ignoring them will only fuel suspicions...
Once I saw an old man just outside an elementary school and snapping pictures of the children playing outside during break time. I had my suspicions so I walked up to the teacher nearby and informed them there's someone with a big camera just behind the bushes. They immediately took action and went to confront the man. I don't know what happened afterwards but my point is, sometimes, bad things happen and you can never be too sure. The people calling you names are rude indeed and should express their concern in a different way but I do think their concerns are valid and maybe a bit of communication will set things right.
 
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juli11 said:
Did you tell them you're just doing your job? Or did you just walk away and kept on taking pictures? I can imagine ignoring them will only fuel suspicions...
Once I saw an old man just outside an elementary school and snapping pictures of the children playing outside during break time. I had my suspicions so I walked up to the teacher nearby and informed them there's someone with a big camera just behind the bushes. They immediately took action and went to confront the man. I don't know what happened afterwards but my point is, sometimes, bad things happen and you can never be too sure. The people calling you names are rude indeed and should express their concern in a different but I do think their concerns are valid and maybe a bit of communication will set things right.
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:popcorn:
 
neil_g said:
:popcorn:
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You need one of these
popcorn.gif

;)
 
Well i've now finally got round to getting myself a Identification Badge with all my credentials across it. Any member of the public must be a real idiot not to notice it in future, a little more verifiable than assuming i'm just a 'snooper' with a camera.

I guess not being in that position before kind of made me step back a bit, especially with someone so verbally aggressive as she was. However i'm not going to let some ignorant blonde bimbo get the best of me...onwards and upwards.
 
RjLPhotography said:
I'm not a press photographer and don't have the intention to be, hence why I don't walk around with a large press-pass and 'pretending' to be something i'm not..
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RjLPhotography said:
Well i've now finally got round to getting myself a Identification Badge with all my credentials across it.
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Bit contradictory ?:)


RjLPhotography said:
However i'm not going to let some ignorant blonde bimbo get the best of me...onwards and upwards.
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so you calling her names is OK but what she said wasn't ?
 
'blonde bimbo' isn't as offensive as calling someone a '********* weirdo', but if you want to split hairs then fine. And there's a difference between a Press Pass, and something which a member of the public can Identify myself with.

It doesn't have in huge letters 'PRESS, JOURNALIST' or any of that, just who I am and my credentials. There's just no pleasing SOME people on this forum at times.
 
RjLPhotography said:
'blonde bimbo' isn't as offensive as calling someone a '********* weirdo', but if you want to split hairs then fine. And there's a difference between a Press Pass, and something which a member of the public can Identify myself with.

It doesn't have in huge letters 'PRESS, JOURNALIST' or any of that, just who I am and my credentials. There's just no pleasing SOME people on this forum at times.
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What credentials? Do they give you special rights or something?
 
I don't think you need to show them the pictures, there's not much more you can do than say, "I'm sorry you feel this way madam, but I am a local freelance photographer providing news photographs to the press"

Having an id card and perhaps a hi-vis tabard with "News photographer" across the back would be useful for the future. Hi-vis anything is usually seen as "official" by the public. Present the right image and you'll probably get better cooperation - good business sense. But there's nowt so queer as folk, as they say.
 
♦
RjLPhotography said:
Well i've now finally got round to getting myself a Identification Badge with all my credentials across it. Any member of the public must be a real idiot not to notice it in future, a little more verifiable than assuming i'm just a 'snooper' with a camera.

I guess not being in that position before kind of made me step back a bit, especially with someone so verbally aggressive as she was. However i'm not going to let some ignorant blonde bimbo get the best of me...onwards and upwards.
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RjLPhotography said:
'blonde bimbo' isn't as offensive as calling someone a '********* weirdo', but if you want to split hairs then fine. And there's a difference between a Press Pass, and something which a member of the public can Identify myself with.

It doesn't have in huge letters 'PRESS, JOURNALIST' or any of that, just who I am and my credentials. There's just no pleasing SOME people on this forum at times.
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As already asked, what credentials? You don't have any.

There is only one form of identification recognised in this country, which is a UK Press Card. Anything else is wannabe territory (unless it's a Newspaper ID card).

You are a member of the public playing at being a reporter. That's fine in itself, but you need to accept what you are. You have no special rights above and beyond anyone else and no printed out bit of paper will prove otherwise.

If you really want to be a PJ or press photographer then do it properly. Otherwise please stay well clear of anything public, in case you give the rest of us a bad reputation via your actions.
 
DemiLion said:
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If you really want to be a PJ or press photographer then do it properly. Otherwise please stay well clear of anything public, in case you give the rest of us a bad reputation via your actions.
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...or worse, get in the way of someone in the emergency services.
 
DemiLion said:
If you really want to be a PJ or press photographer then do it properly. Otherwise please stay well clear of anything public, in case you give the rest of us a bad reputation via your actions.
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Witness 24 citizen journalist we can all be wannabe press photogs now for Archant. :p
 
The difference with the iWitness project is that at least it's honest!
 
It just come as part of job,whether your press or doing it part time.

Try being a traffic warden :D
 
Some degree of high viz / smart attire should simply make there assumptions less harsh, while dressing like the rest of the public just camouflages you. Even if I saw a real 'press pass' or whatever they are, just like someone's ID card for a salesperson knocking on your door, who would know its even real?

...oh just hold on while I google the validity of your ID.....:lol:

It's a mean world we live in, that's why the paparazzi are seen as so bad, all the crap they've had to put up with over the years makes them who they are, when its often an antagonistic problem.
 
uberdude said:
Some degree of high viz / smart attire should simply make there assumptions less harsh, while dressing like the rest of the public just camouflages you. Even if I saw a real 'press pass' or whatever they are, just like someone's ID card for a salesperson knocking on your door, who would know its even real?

...oh just hold on while I google the validity of your ID.....:lol:

It's a mean world we live in, that's why the paparazzi are seen as so bad, all the crap they've had to put up with over the years makes them who they are, when its often an antagonistic problem.
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I would agree with the Hi-Viz. Put one on and, no matter what the situation, you look like you're there in an official capacity!
 
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