Pietrach Posted June 16, 2018 Share Posted June 16, 2018 Hi I was extremely luck lately being one of the first people with camera on the scene of a fire in Glasgow, tye moment the emergency services were arriving. This allowed me to sell few images which were used for early news online. I know I was lucky, as i was there only because i was dropping my biy off at the nursery which was accross the road, and I am sure I wont sell any news images for a long time unless I found some luck again. But then again, i have a full time job and this is a hobby only, so I dont need to. This makes me think about how do professional news photographers find out about emergency responses? I imagine that following news is not the way to go - as that means they are too late and missed the early stages oftge event. Is there any live website or do they have a way of listening to the emergency services radio? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanDavidson Posted June 16, 2018 Share Posted June 16, 2018 The answer on listening to emergency services radio will depend what country you live in. In the UK, at least for the police, it is not possible as the transmissions are encoded. Again in the UK, many local fire services operate a website with latest incidents being reported in near real time. Twitter is your friend. Either the emergency services report incidents or passers-by. I have picked up murder, shooting etc via this route. I am also aware that some emergency services have dedicated recorded message phone lines for journalists that give details of incidents. These phone numbers are changed frequently and you have to be on the circulation list to keep up to date with the numbers, Although much more difficult and in some cases perhaps illegal, it is possible to develop relationships with emergency personnel who will tip you off. This is somewhat old fashioned but very effective. Others may have different ideas or approaches. I have found that the press officers of emergency services are often not helpful and exist to "control" the media rather than help. I do not blame them, a lack of resources and fears under data protection hinder our role. I know in my own case and talking to local journalists, oten emergency service press officers will not even respond to questions post incident or delay so long in replying (my last one took three weeks to get a response) as to be useless. In my personal experience covering major incidents are difficult from a moral and professional aspect. No matter how hard you try someone is going to have a go at you. A final warning, I am aware of a photographer who had to undergo professional counselling for developing symptoms of PTSD due to the number of traumatic events she had covered and on a completely different level, war and disaster zone photographers often have this issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sultanpepa Posted June 16, 2018 Share Posted June 16, 2018 I noticed fairly quickly the ongoing Glasgow school of Art incident last night on facebook and twitter. I thought about dragging myself up to the city centre for pictures but already there were camera phone images and videos from late night revellers pouring in to social media. It would have been pointless. Besides, the city centre is not the place to be at 01.00hrs with a tripod and expensive lens. Getting near it with a car would also have been a nightmare. I digress, I have tried and mostly failed by signing up to social media sites to gain info on breaking news. They are usually only good for picking up on upcoming events. I think newspaper togs still have the edge due to their long list of contacts and networks. It is very difficult for part timers like you and I to gain the time critical advantage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanDavidson Posted June 18, 2018 Share Posted June 18, 2018 Case in point, picked this up on twitter this morning and went straight over Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colblimp Posted June 18, 2018 Share Posted June 18, 2018 1 hour ago, IanDavidson said: Case in point, picked this up on twitter this morning and went straight over Good set of pics, Ian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pietrach Posted June 18, 2018 Author Share Posted June 18, 2018 5 hours ago, IanDavidson said: Case in point, picked this up on twitter this morning and went straight over Is it a police account you are watching or local news? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanDavidson Posted June 18, 2018 Share Posted June 18, 2018 1 hour ago, Pietrach said: Is it a police account you are watching or local news? Local news - nothing on the police twitter or website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanDavidson Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 Just covered my second rape scene locally in three days not to mention public disorder locally, after World Cup, all in three days.... interestingly and very on topic, I attended a police award ceremony yesterday. Their camera packed up so I stepped in. A senior officer promised me “tip offs” and operational access... we will see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colblimp Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 1 hour ago, IanDavidson said: Just covered my second rape scene locally in three days not to mention public disorder locally, after World Cup, all in three days.... interestingly and very on topic, I attended a police award ceremony yesterday. Their camera packed up so I stepped in. A senior officer promised me “tip offs” and operational access... we will see. Ooh, well done! Lucky bugger! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pietrach Posted June 20, 2018 Author Share Posted June 20, 2018 4 hours ago, IanDavidson said: Just covered my second rape scene locally in three days not to mention public disorder locally, after World Cup, all in three days.... interestingly and very on topic, I attended a police award ceremony yesterday. Their camera packed up so I stepped in. A senior officer promised me “tip offs” and operational access... we will see. Amazing, do you know if any images of these three days have sold? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jansos Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 This is quite a useful breaking news website - http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Current+Affairs/England/London Hope it helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanDavidson Posted June 21, 2018 Share Posted June 21, 2018 22 hours ago, Pietrach said: Amazing, do you know if any images of these three days have sold? I do not know yet. Sales can tak week’s to show up... I tweeted some of the disorder photos and got over 5,000 impressions in 24 hours. I am looking forward to England’s Sunday game. https://www.flickr.com/photos/26916199@N03/29020761848/in/dateposted-public/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pietrach Posted June 21, 2018 Author Share Posted June 21, 2018 2 hours ago, IanDavidson said: I do not know yet. Sales can tak week’s to show up... I tweeted some of the disorder photos and got over 5,000 impressions in 24 hours. I am looking forward to England’s Sunday game. https://www.flickr.com/photos/26916199@N03/29020761848/in/dateposted-public/ Fingers crossed for the sales. Off topic, but I watched the first Poland's game... worst I EVER seen them play. Not looking forward to next games :/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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