Chapter 2: Spot News

Question 1

How do you prepare for daytime shooting?

Answer 1

• Use longer lenses are a great option
• A variety of lenses and shutter speeds can be used
• Use your gear for a plethora of shots

Question 2

How do you prepare for nighttime shooting?

Answer 2

• You need to be physically close
• Use a strobe carefully
• Set up as a point and shoot

Question 3

What is a photographers relationship with authorities?

Answer 3

• Know what you are shooting, how sensitive are the police to this issue?
• Know what dangers your putting yourself into at each crime scene.
• Never judge the whole force based on a single interaction with an individual.
• Respect the wishes of the police while staying persistent and aware.

Question 4

What a photographer’s limits in relation to the law?

Answer 4

If you get to a crime scene before the police DO NOT contaminate the scene.

Know where you will be allowed to take photos from and maximize your settings for that area.

Find creative ways to get around that barrier that is set.

Question 5

How can you get what you need when shooting spot news?

Answer 5

• Stay calm and focused
• Review all of the elements of the story and be sure you have photographed all of them possible.
• Before leaving the scene talk to the reporter to ensure complete coverage of the story.
• Don’t fixate on one element and loose sight of the rest of the story.

Question 6

How should you shoot crimes in progress?

Answer 6

• You cannot recreate a crime like a reporter can you must be at the scene of the crime to capture it
• Predict violence
• Know who your shooting and tendencies they have shown in the past
• Play out different scenarios and be aware of these as the night unfolds
• Know how you are being viewed by the onlookers
• Be aware of the escalation of an event and how that affects your safety

Question 7

How should you shoot fires?

Answer 7

• Capture the emotion of the participants
• Who can we get moving pictures from?
• Give viewers a grasp on the size and location of a fire
• How high is the fire?
• How big is the fire?
• Are other people/buildings in jeopardy?
• Shoot the aftermath of the fire
• Show what a passerby will not be able to see
• Get permission to go in with a fire inspector and take photos

Question 8

How can you find the economic angle?

Answer 8

• Shoot a summary photo
• Look for damaged structures
• Structures or businesses that will suffer
• Look for a cause of the incident
• Emotions of participants and what they take away from the scene

Question 9

How can you navigate to the scene?

Answer 9

• Know your hometown roads and secondary roads
• Use detailed maps such as Thomas Brothers Maps
• Use GPS
• Minimize the amount of traffic and possible congested areas between you and the scene you are headed for
• Be there first and you get the best shots

Question 10

How do you capture accidents?

Answer 10

• Focus on the human tragedy
• Make a straight forward record of what happened
• Find symbolic pictures that would be more powerful than literal and disturbing pictures
• Show the cause
• Show the impact of both the accident and the affect on the immediate community
• Follow up with authorities about fixing a reoccurring problem

Question 11

What is the overall summary for SPOT news?

Answer 11

Shoot an overall and a record shot

Show the human side of the tragedy

Show how it affects the viewers

Follow up on solutions to the problem