[Leica] Press use of wide-angle lenses

["Doug Richardson" <doug@meditor.demon.co.uk>]

Jim Brick <jimbrick@photoaccess.com> wrote:

>My take on this is that with a mob of reporters, if you used a 90, or
even
a 50, all you would get is the back of other reporter's heads, hence,
to
get the picture, at all, you have to be first and close, ergo, wide
angle.
And those that get the picture, get paid.

Exactly, and those who push in front and block the view of a rival can
then sell a pic to the rival's editor.

Too many press photographers I've seen in action take the attitude
"I'm going to get the pic I want and F*** the rest of you". And if
that involves pushing past other photographers, the public, or the
friends and colleages of their subject, then that's what they'll do.
These guys are at their worst at public events such as parades where
they will happily turn up at the last minute, pass through the police
line, choose the best spot, then stand in front of people who've
waited for hours in the sunshine for the event to happen. Or at events
where the ordinary guy is trying to photograph his relative being
introduced to a VIP or royalty...

I'd quibble with Jim's use of the term "reporter" - in the world of
magazines and newspapers, the reporters are the guys with the
notebooks. And the photographers happily push past us too!

I'm not saying that all press photographers behave in such a boorish
manner, but there are enough who do to ensure that many journalists
from the specialised and technical press simply won't attend any event
where the general press will be present.

Regards,

Doug Richardson
(one of the guys with the notebooks)