Eternally Conflicted

Shot a couple of assignments at local public libraries this past week and was surprised to discover how gung-ho they are on model releases.

Almost the first thing both libraries asked was if I used them or if I minded if they used them.

I’ve had to deal with institutions who are gung-ho as well with the whole model release thing, but at least for them it made some sense. I took pictures at a public elementary school once and they made sure that, once I was done shooting, anyone I asked for names of had a model release on file. And I get that. Kids at school can’t really answer for themselves, so having parents give the thumbs up or thumbs down at the beginning of the school year makes the administration’s life much easier.

But a library? I tried to explain that I ask for permission from people either before or after I get a picture I think might be used, and if anyone says “no thanks, I’d rather not be in the paper”—provided it’s not an important news event—I’ll respect their wishes.

They didn’t really care. Well, I shouldn’t say they didn’t care at all. One of the administrators at one of the libraries understood my job and first amendment rights, but said she needed the release for her files anyway and would get it from people once I was done shooting them.

Keep in mind, all of this is taking place over the phone before I go there. I’m already sorta dreading the fact that the story topic is not exactly inherently visual. Now, on top of this, I’ve got administrators worried that I will not get permission from people.

So I do my best to put them at ease while also working cooperatively and come to find out once I’m there that staff members around both libraries police photography like skyscraper rent-a-cops. People would approach me from both branches asking who I was and if I had permission to take pictures from the administrators.

Damn, I get less static at the park! I thought a public library was a public institution? Didn’t the librarians go to court over the lists of books people check out?

Anyone have an asprin?

Honest and insightful. Take the five minutes to read it. You’ll enjoy it. You’d be foolish not to.

http://www.aphotoaday.org/apadnews/

By the look of my blog at this point, you would think all I shoot is kids.

Richard Koci Hernandez’s multimediashooter.com is fully operational and fully loaded. I haven’t had a chance to check everything out yet, but it looks great. Tutorials, product and software reviews and inspriational work everywhere. You could seriously spend days on this site.

I saw his presentation pre-launch at the SFBAPPA multimedia workshop in December and have to say I’m kinda blown away by what’s happening in photojournalism right now. Using video and stills in flash presentations is something I didn’t think would fly, but when done right, it looks amazing.

Maybe the still camera will be replaced by the high-end video camera for the daily news photographer? Who’da thought.

Couple of weeks ago, on what was the longest night of the year, homeless advocates, social workers and a few homeless people themselves held a vigil honoring those who had died over the years while still on the streets of Napa. The ceremony was small but serious and considering that it was held in small town USA, well attended.

The problem was the miserable weather. The kind of weather that makes you want to curl up on the couch with a cup of soup. The rain was steady, not pouring, and it completely through me off. I’ve only had to shoot in rain a few times, so I have no practice and should keep that in mind while I berate myself. But it bugs me that I couldn’t think straight enough to really work the situation.

Well, I take that back. The ceremony was short and I was able to work a couple of shots at least a little bit. What’s bothering me is my lack of clear thinking re: my exposure. If I had just made a small adjustment in my shutter speed on a few of the frames, I could’ve come away with at least more to choose from. It may not have made a difference in the end as to which photo got the nod, but you never know.

Funny how I’m writing about the weather again. Guess I know what I need to work on. Anyway, this is what I ended up with. Could’ve been better.

Shot a volunteer big brother hanging out with his little brother not too long ago. They started out hiking around the marshlands near Napa and came upon an abandoned building. They did some more hiking after trying to get to the second floor of the time worn and vandalized structure, including a little bird watching, but none of that came out as well.