My first 'photojournalist' experience... a bad one at that...

jbf

jbf

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So I was driving home tonight and there was a major traffic accident at an intersection... so I had my camera and got out and started taking photographs from the sidewalk (where all the other pedestrians were). Anyway, to make a long story short, I took like four steps out onto the street and took a photo of a lady being put into an ambulance and a cop stops me and says "since you are so adamant about taking photos, you just made yourself a part of this accident investigation. " and proceeded to make me give him my information.


So anyway, a huge part of me thinks he's just trying to be an asshole and scare me... I mean seriously I was not in anyones way and was doing nothing different from what a photojournalist would have done. I wouldnt be surprised if I get a call next week saying "you have a date in court, blah blah blah".


God I hope not. -_-;
 
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Being a witness is not being guilty :) and in case you'll end-up with a date in a court, well, you know.. it's not always like Kafka's "The Trial"..

R.
 
I expect he was just trying to scare you. Some folk don't take well to photog's shooting these types of events. As long as you weren't causing an obstruction I don't see what he can do, it just down to a matter of taste....

I think most PJs develop a pretty thick skin and a good understanding of their rights pretty quickly :)
 
jbf-
Maybe you should visit the police station and give a written account of what you witnessed. Like:
"Driving home, I came upon the scene of an accident at which an injured woman was being loaded into an aid car. I got out of my car and took a couple of pictures of the possibly newsworthy scene. At that point I was detained by Officer ______ _____, number _____ of your department. After being detained for approximately _______ minutes I was told that I was free to go, which I did."
 
We live in a well traveled resort area, sometimes high speeds on the highway can result in terrible accidents. Our local newspapers can be on the scene often at the same time as the police and ambulance yet they publish only a photo of the damaged vehicle if anything.

I can understand a PJ chasing this sort of stuff, that is their job but why take a picture of someones misery if it helps no one, but seemingly only to satisfy a certain morbid curiosity.

If I were in a accident and someone thought it a good idea to take a picture of me I'd be somewhat upset.
 
Over the years what has served me best in these situations is yes sir, no sir, no excuse sir. The police hold all the relevant cards now, especially in light of the Patriot Act, to argue much with them. Smiles, politeness, and keep moving...
 
If you didn't recieve a citation on the spot, nor were you arrested, that court date will likely be justified by the police officer claiming that your pictures could be used as evidence. In truth the officer was trying to cause a problem for your. If he really needed photos he could get them from the detective on the scene.

That is a very unfortunate experience to have though. The officer really didn't have a right to cause a problem for you.
 
Photographer Bill Emery ran into trouble taking pictures on the sidewalk outside the White House. He has an audio recording of his encounter with a federal officer. In the situation you don't have a lot of options.

Here is a link to BUSTED

A friend and her husband were recently detained after photographing a sunset with view cameras over a chemical plant in Galveston. First detained by plant security, then State Police, and finally the FBI. They were released after a couple hours but were told their names would be on a watch list now. They'll find out what that means the next time they fly somewhere.

So don't photograph sunsets. The real kicker is that there are high resolution images of the chemical plant on the web in Google Earth....
 
I think traffic accidents and the environment they create are rife with emotion and anger. The police have to deal with this day in and day out as they do domestic viloence and all other less charming aspects of police work. I agree he was being a little over the top but around this type of scenario everyone should be cut a little slack in my opinion! :)
 
In Vancouver, amateur photog forced investigation

In Vancouver, amateur photog forced investigation

Try to make it short. About 2 months ago, a Polish Imigrant arrived at the Vancouver airport to imigrate and live in Canada with his mother. He got lost, his mother waited for a few hours then left. he had no English. After hours and hours with no help, he got tired and agitated, he threw a couple of chairs broke a computer, but he had lots of moments of been calm. No body helped him find a translater or anything. Any how, after I think around 10 hours, four big cops came, and at this point, the guy was reletively calm, They didnt even try to talk to him. They imediately hit him a few times with pepper spray and had him on the ground. it looked like one cop had his knee on his neck. Anyhow, sadly the guy died right there,he was 40 years old. My point is the whole thing was filmed by a young guy arriving from China with a small video cam. Right away the police said they needed to "borrow" the video to aide the investigation. The police kept the video, refused to give it back stonewald the media. Finally, the photographer got mad, took tkhe police to court and won. He took his Video to the media they put it on tv for the world to see. As a result the airport has spent millions to change there operations and there is a nation wide probe of the police action. Had there not been a video, we would have not heard anything of this major police screw up. It shows that in Canada anyways, people with cameras at police events do have rights.
 
Honestly, if, say my wife had been involved in this accident and I was reasonably OK and saw you taking snapshots of this misery, I sure would be upset as hell. What were you thinking? I totally understand the cop - what was the point of you taking these pictures? There are moments in life when you put the camera down!
 
Let me suggest something more benign than previous comments: The photos may be relevant and valuable in ascertaining fault and liability. It may be that the officer wanted your name to give to both parties involved in the accident so that they would have access to this evidence. Dave
 
In Vancouver, amateur photog forced investigation

In Vancouver, amateur photog forced investigation

Try to make it short. About 2 months ago, a Polish Imigrant arrived at the Vancouver airport to imigrate and live in Canada with his mother. He got lost, his mother waited for a few hours then left. he had no English. After hours and hours with no help, he got tired and agitated, he threw a couple of chairs broke a computer, but he had lots of moments of been calm. No body helped him find a translater or anything. Any how, after I think around 10 hours, four big cops came, and at this point, the guy was reletively calm, They didnt even try to talk to him. They imediately hit him a few times with pepper spray and had him on the ground. it looked like one cop had his knee on his neck. Anyhow, sadly the guy died right there,he was 40 years old. My point is the whole thing was filmed by a young guy arriving from China with a small video cam. Right away the police said they needed to "borrow" the video to aide the investigation. The police kept the video, refused to give it back stonewald the media. Finally, the photographer got mad, took tkhe police to court and won. He took his Video to the media they put it on tv for the world to see. As a result the airport has spent millions to change there operations and there is a nation wide probe of the police action. Had there not been a video, we would have not heard anything of this major police screw up. It shows that in Canada anyways, people with cameras at police events do have rights.
 
Photographer Bill Emery ran into trouble taking pictures on the sidewalk outside the White House. He has an audio recording of his encounter with a federal officer. In the situation you don't have a lot of options.

Here is a link to BUSTED
Click to expand...

I listened to that accompanying audio clip, and I work around that "area" of the White House that Emery refers to, and sorry, what I heard in terms of ambient noise sounds nothing like the area around Pennsylvania Ave or Lafayette Park or H St. NW in front of the White House.

I've taken lots of pictures around there in all sorts of situations and never had a situation where the Uniformed Secret Service, Park Police, DC Police, or even Diplomatic Security, would want to prevent me from making pictures. So I have no idea what Emery is talking about.

Someone please convince me otherwise.
 
Fortunately in the USA our constitution guarantees your right to do what you did, although if you get a press badge you might find life a little easier with the cops. If you need proof, just look at the herd chasing Brittany around everyday. All it takes is a good digital SLR and some long lenses. The cops here (in LA) would like to crack their heads too, but they can't -- so they just harass them with parking tickets and other bogus things (I'm not too fond of the police as I think you can see).

I would not get discouraged. Stiffen that backbone and go after it again -- you might be an emerging stringer.




jbf said:
So I was driving home tonight and there was a major traffic accident at an intersection... so I had my camera and got out and started taking photographs from the sidewalk (where all the other pedestrians were). Anyway, to make a long story short, I took like four steps out onto the street and took a photo of a lady being put into an ambulance and a cop stops me and says "since you are so adamant about taking photos, you just made yourself a part of this accident investigation. " and proceeded to make me give him my information.


So anyway, a huge part of me thinks he's just trying to be an asshole and scare me... I mean seriously I was not in anyones way and was doing nothing different from what a photojournalist would have done. I wouldnt be surprised if I get a call next week saying "you have a date in court, blah blah blah".


God I hope not. -_-;
Click to expand...
 
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