When
I first set out to write the book "So You Want To Shoot TV News?"
I did a great deal of soul searching to discover why I really wanted
to take on such a task. The main reason that I could put my finger
on is this; I remember being a green photog and hating the results
of my mistakes. Of course you can take that one further and include
the list of people who were equally disappointed by my 'greenness.'
I thought my first column should take a look at the issue of experienced
photographers helping younger ones. This practice makes the world
a better place. Many small markets have experienced and talented shooters
and novices find their way into even medium-sized markets on some
occasions. The idea of lending good advice to newcomers is a sound
one. When people come in with blue video and it makes the air we all
suffer. Our images and reputations suffer. I think we all want to
be appreciated in this world and respected. In order to accomplish
these things, we must be taken seriously. Since many reporters and
editors have a hard time distingiushinging poor video from good video,
they often want to make use of shots that most of us would never select.
Helping new shooters to understand the basics is the duty of those
who know the ropes. It is an option, not an obligation, so why not
have the newbies saying "Hey, I really appreciate the help" instead
of "man, that guy that's been here a long time sure has a shitty attitude."
I have had good friends over the years that were fantastic shooters.
I was always troubled by the fact that many of these friends were
at best reluctant to share their tricks and secrets with others.
I suppose some people in this world are always paranoid of looking
bad and they think that advancing the skill of another is somehow
taking away from them. I have been on both sides of this issue and
I actually was burned a number of years ago by a young guy that
I mentored in Yuma, Arizona at KYMA.
He was a production crewmember who started out with a great attitude
and constantly reminded me that he would really love to shoot news
some day. Once I became the Chief Photojournalist I talked my News
Director into letting me bring him aboard. I helped him to develop
his skills and he became a proficient shooter. It didn't stop there
though unfortunately, this guy let it all go to his head in a really
short time. The tide turned when I busted the guy taking off on a
road trip without taking inventory. He had my tripod in the back of
his truck among other things. The sports puke who was working with
him tried to side with the shooter and defend him. After that the
relationship went to hell in a handbasket and I moved on to Vegas
soon after. Not a great experience, but even then I am not disappointed
if I helped TV viewers somewhere have a better product to watch.
So when you try to offer advice to a young shooter and they display
attitude, then screw 'em, they're not worth your time. They were a
bad hire by their own organization and there is little to do about
it. All bad stories aside though, I almost always get good reception
when I offer my thoughts to people and I never hesitate to help those
who solicit my help.
Most people that I have given advice to have been worthwhile causes
and it is great to see your ideas and notions direct a person in
the right direction. New photographers who solicit help are the
ones that are willing to be molded. They are worth the time and
effort and even a tip every other time that you see a particular
person could have big payoffs in the future. They are the same people
that will most likely appreciate what you did for them down the
road and lord knows that we keep running into people that we know
as we ascend the markets.
On that note, if you are new to the industry then you have to remember
that burning bridges will only come back to haunt you. Leave big
attitude at the door and let things slide and roll off your shoulder
even when you really have to suck it in to do so.
Contributing Writer
Tim King
Tim King,
a News Photojournalist with KATU in Portland, Oregon has fifteen
years of practical experience in newsroom and field Electronic News
Gathering environments. He shoots news with NPPA discipline, has
numerous awards, and works very effectively as a one-man-band. He
knows how to conduct an interview and has a knack for getting that
'great sound bite' that really sizes up a moment. Tim has covered
all types of hard news and has researched, written and voiced many
investigative reports. Tim is a former Marine and his understanding
of military affairs, operations, history, etc. is a valuable asset
especially at this point in time. Tim's military stories include
tank training, parachuting with Green Berets, flying in the F-16
Fighting Falcon, and covering several military aircraft crashes.
He knows how to deal with problems and resolve them, sometimes with
only seconds to spare. In addition to news, Tim researched, wrote
and produced the documentary "Fallen Fortress at Cape Lookout" which
aired twice on Oregon Public Broadcasting in 1993. Tim traveled
to France's former Western Front in November, 2000 while conducting
research on a current project: the biographical documentary on WWI
flying Ace and Medal of Honor winner, aviator Frank Luke JR, "the
Arizona Balloon Buster". Tim also Co-Produced, wrote, photographed
and hosted the TV Show "Hot Wheels in Las Vegas," a half-hour weekly
show featuring Las Vegas Hot Rods and auto-related events that ran
in two 13 week series (2000 and 2001).
