MichaelHarris
Well-known
I'm a freelance photojournalist in Washington and walked right into a story. Pullman Washington Police were called out to a suspicious device connected to a bridge near the WSU campus. This kind of call is a big deal around eastern Washington and northern Idaho for many reasons. Depending on how one's mind thinks it could be militia gun nuts or militant students. I went with the former because I've actually seen them and the damage they can do. Some will tell you that the area is now pretty free of white supremacists and gun nuts but it's not really true. I'm not talking about hunters and collectors, I'm talking about the guys who would buy a bazooka if they could.
Anyway, back to the story. Freelance photographers get absolutely no respect, we're like old gum that sticks to your shoe. I'm standing along the police barrier with the "real" media shooting roadblock shots when one of the officers walks up and says, "It looks like the Bomb Squad won't make it until tomorrow, they are in Spokane." That was going to be the big shot, the bomb squad with the robots and shields and all that good stuff. It's cold, it's boring so the other photographers left. I didn't.
Around midnight a police Sergeant walks up and says, "Since you're the only one left wanna take a picture of the bomb?" "Well hell yeah" I replied. We walked under the bridge and hanging from a tree was part of the "bomb". In the water was another part of the device. The two parts were connected by wires taped to the bridge support. Here it is, the closest I've ever been to a bomb:
Ok, so it wasn't a bomb, turns out it was an engineering experiment. Scary looking though
Anyway, back to the story. Freelance photographers get absolutely no respect, we're like old gum that sticks to your shoe. I'm standing along the police barrier with the "real" media shooting roadblock shots when one of the officers walks up and says, "It looks like the Bomb Squad won't make it until tomorrow, they are in Spokane." That was going to be the big shot, the bomb squad with the robots and shields and all that good stuff. It's cold, it's boring so the other photographers left. I didn't.
Around midnight a police Sergeant walks up and says, "Since you're the only one left wanna take a picture of the bomb?" "Well hell yeah" I replied. We walked under the bridge and hanging from a tree was part of the "bomb". In the water was another part of the device. The two parts were connected by wires taped to the bridge support. Here it is, the closest I've ever been to a bomb:
Ok, so it wasn't a bomb, turns out it was an engineering experiment. Scary looking though
40oz
...
How is that "scary-looking?" Did somebody seriously call that a "bomb" ?!? Looks more like a craft project than a device of any kind to me.
Good job on sticking around and getting the shot, however.
Good job on sticking around and getting the shot, however.
charjohncarter
Veteran
This is art in CA.
MikeL
Go Fish
The green fishersci lab tape and 1 liter nalgene bottle yell 'department stockroom'.
35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
this whole things sounds weird. i was in the military and the contraption looks more like a rabbit feeding tube.
oftheherd
Veteran
While I would agree that from what we are shown I would have had doubts about that being a bomb, you can never take a chance. I would never encourage anyone to make a decision there was no explosive device until it was cleared by a bomb technician. It isn't aways a terrorist's desire to bring down something. Sometimes just being able to cause casualties will satisfy their lusts. Always beware.
EDIT: Sorry, meant to add my congratulations for your persistence and the good photos. I hope you buy the sergeant a good cup of coffee and give him your thanks.
EDIT: Sorry, meant to add my congratulations for your persistence and the good photos. I hope you buy the sergeant a good cup of coffee and give him your thanks.
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pachuco
El ****
Cool story, thanks for sharing. I hear you on the freelance thing, it is a tough biz. Good luck and stay safe.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
That is not remotely like a bomb. Personally, I think this kind of self-important paranoia is a national sickness...what a waste of time, money, and fear. (not you--the authorities.)
That middle photo is freaking amazing, though. Great work. You should do a whole series of flash photos of things that are not bombs. In fact, if you don't, I will!
That middle photo is freaking amazing, though. Great work. You should do a whole series of flash photos of things that are not bombs. In fact, if you don't, I will!
MichaelHarris
Well-known
LOL, thanks everyone. I didn't mention the wiring was taped along a natural gas pipeline. I think that's what freaked them out.
The second photo was tough to get, I had to hold a flashlight so the camera would lock focus, it was completely black under the bridge.
The second photo was tough to get, I had to hold a flashlight so the camera would lock focus, it was completely black under the bridge.