Their was a tornado locally, so I decided to investigate it and shoot photos of it. However, the police had the public roads leading into the town closed. I was unable to go to where I wanted to get the photos I needed. They let other vehicles and media through. But I was unable to. I was however allowed to park and walk. While there was debris, the roads were drivable. And as I mentioned they allowed some people to drive through but not others. I even came through one road one way, but for some odd reason, they would not let me go back through. I had to find an alternative route home.
Can they prevent people from going through towns that are disaster area’s like this? Don’t photojournalists have certain rights? Can they allow some media outlets but not others? And how do you go about getting access as other journalists, media, construction workers, or insurance agents have? It seems like some photographers are allowed full access but others aren’t.
And how would one acquire a press pass? When I spoke with a photographer with one of the local papers in the past about getting a position with the paper or as an independent photographer for them, I would need to have a portfolio first. Well it’s hard to start one when your unable to gain access to these types of situations. I thought press passes were simply documentation from the paper or media company you are working for to state your with them, nothing being of an official government type of credentials. I didn’t think they were needed for these types of events.
I asked a question, but apparently people would rather insult and discourage others while not even trying to better the situation for other photographers.
Hokielover01, I’m sorry, but where do you have the right to tell others what they are qualified for or not especially when you do now know anything about the person. I guess it must be a ego issue on your part, or maybe you are just scared someone could do a better job then you can do?
First of all, just because you have a press pass for some newspaper does not mean you know anymore then someone else. I do realize the risks. I think I am more then competent to understand the dangers of power lines and other risks. And more likely more then you.
First of all, I am a professional photographer. God forbid If I wanted to supplement my income by doing some freelance photojournalist work. I would like to know how I would get in the way of some idiot like you? I think I have a little more processional courtesy then that, but I guess you couldn’t realize that because I asked a question.
It’s people like you that actually ruin photographers good names. Its also people like you that think because you have a camera and can snap pictures of a disaster you think you’re a real photographer. Now I truly understand why photographers say photojournalists have no real photography skills. Because obviously with your quick to putdown attacks, you are a pretty defensive because your obviously very scared.

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Filed under: Tornado

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