p.2 #1 · would you shoot during the national anthem?
How ironic that I saw this pole up today. I shot a highschool BB game last night where our home team lined up in front of me for the N A and just so happens the flag was very large and on a wall above them. I thought it would not be appropriate to be shooting so while I held my cap over my heart with my right hand, I hit the * button hoping for focus and fired off about a 6 round burst from the hip. I got lucky and got one pretty decent shot.
p.2 #2 · would you shoot during the national anthem?
Russ Isabella wrote:
I would shoot. The band is working, the camera men are working, the scoreboard folks are working, and on and on, so why not the photographers?
p.2 #3 · would you shoot during the national anthem?
I was on an NROTC color guard for several years whle in college. I don't recall ever being aware of a photographer "up close and personal" but know that they were there at times and that the TV guys were shooting us. I was more worried about the wind swirling the flags around and not being able to see - that and we were often marching "blind" (that's what track stripes and curbs are for) back to the tunnel when that guy on the horse was coming out!
I'd agree with those who suggest that if done with respect for the moment and the meaning, you shouldn't have or be a problem. It's not a photo op, it's the playing of the National Anthem. If you need to make excuses as to why you get to shoot during the ceremony, you probably don't understand why there is even a discussion or concern.
It's not a circus. If you have to run, you weren't ready or will just have to pass on some of the shots.
p.2 #4 · would you shoot during the national anthem?
Seconding Paul Alesse here, I also did not find a proper choice above.
I used to wonder about this when I saw people crawl about altars during weddings or other religious events of importance, as well as when we sing our National Anthem.
In either case, if you have a job at perpetuating the moment, the job should be done, for emotional, ideological, historical or simply financial reasons; as long as we keep within the limits of etiquette.
p.2 #5 · would you shoot during the national anthem?
SergeDQ wrote:
Seconding Paul Alesse here, I also did not find a proper choice above.
I’ll third that. My reasons have already been stated many times in this thread. No choice in the poll fit me either, so no vote from me. It’s just as much a part of the game as the game itself, and a great time for some emotional shots. I felt funny the first couple of times I did it, but I’m fine with it now. I try to do it quick, then face the flag with everyone else out of respect.
p.2 #7 · would you shoot during the national anthem?
Not to take this thread into a different direction, but what exactly constitutes making a "scene". I have seen this mentioned in a few peoples responses but havent seen any descriptions outside of the 1 person running to get shots of the color guard.
I am just really curious as to what everyone feels making a "scene" entails.
p.2 #8 · would you shoot during the national anthem?
if you are working--i.e., covering the game--you better be shooting during the national anthem. there is likely a celeb singer you need to grab, there are the images of the players (like some demonstrated here) and there are the 'stories' in the crowd faces, the action under a field flag, etc. you are there to work, not eat a hot dog and enjoy the show (well, maybe a hot dog if is provided for free). try to take your hat off, but stay focused your job.
p.2 #9 · would you shoot during the national anthem?
supastr wrote:
Not to take this thread into a different direction, but what exactly constitutes making a "scene". I have seen this mentioned in a few peoples responses but havent seen any descriptions outside of the 1 person running to get shots of the color guard.
I am just really curious as to what everyone feels making a "scene" entails.
Good question and one that is consistent with the 3rd choice in the poll. It's entirely a judgment call and depends on good common sense. I believe you are causing a "scene" when you have become the center of attention instead of the main event, whether it's the National Anthem, the minute of silence, or the hot dog cook out.
p.2 #10 · would you shoot during the national anthem?
I routinely shoot during the National Anthem. I have great respect for the song, it was one of the first songs I learned as a child, but as a photographer, you have a job to to do and that involves capturing moments in time, whether or not they have to due with the the event taking place.
A recent example of this: During one of my first assignments as a photographer, I went to a groundbreaking ceremony where the main action was at the lectern and later with the shovels. After that, I took some pictures of any important person I could find, including one student at our school who also happens to be the Minneapolis Aquatennial Queen and we recently did a story on her for the paper and that picture came in handy rather than having to use low-quality scans provided to us.
The moral of this rather long and most likely boring story is: shoot everything, you never know when it will come in handy.
That being said, you should do it tastefully. I've shot the singer(s) from across a court or rink to being several feet away.
They have their job to do: sing. You have your job to do: take pictures. (You will most likely not be photographing all events were you hear the NA, so take them time to be a patriotic citizen of whatever country you happen to live in)
p.2 #12 · would you shoot during the national anthem?
This confirms my feelings, If its your job do it. if you can be respectful and descrete, do it. my only reservations stemed from a basketball game last week where another photog chastized me for pointing out a great shot that he was in a better position for, as we all know 2 feet *can* make a difference. thank for all the participatiion.
