Freedom of the press... kind of.

Here's an interesting link about freedom of the press in Canada. Even if the story is about anyone who holds a camera and feels the need to video a local news event.

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2013/07/28/freedom_to_photograph_under_threat.html

You're under arrest... for what?

Another troubling story about photographers just doing their jobs and getting arrested for doing so. Again, not a Canadian incident but this kind of thing is happening everywhere.
Click on the link and after read some of the stories at the side of the page.

http://petapixel.com/2013/07/16/detroit-newspaper-photographer-arrested-while-covering-police-action/#more-117604

KISS and Sophie team up

When the Rock Band KISS calls a press conference to promote something, you know it's going to be good. But this presser had something different. As well as promoting their upcoming concert, KISS, with Gene Simmons and his family were also there to bring attention to Sophie's Place, a child advocacy centre in Surrey, BC.

In attendance in Vancouver were all four members of KISS, as well as Shannon Tweed, Sophie Tweed-Simmons and the mayor of Surrey, Dianne Watts.

And to top all of that, Kiss was signing autographs and selling KISS ARMY clothing at Tom Lee Music!

Only Gene Simmons can pull off three promotions and pressers in one!

The Pit

Not technically Canadian but a good example of  the changing face of fashion photography.Video from The Sartorialist / Scott Schuman / youtube.
  

The crush.

I have learned over my 24 years in the Vancouver media that "the scrum" is not to be taken lightly. One photographer once called it "the media beast".

Everyone is trying to get the best shot, or scoop, or just get something before their deadline. The image that you see above was taken by me just a few years after 9/11. Canada's Public Safety Minister came for one event and ended up fielding questions from the media for half an hour on the the topic of the day, public safety.

As the cameras and microphones leaned in closer and closer I knew that the best shot was from above. I looked to my right and a staircase loomed above me. Perfect. My job at the time was to show what went on at the event, not what was said at the event.

For most news photographers, when the "crush" happens, your job, other than to show the viewer what happened, is to hold your position. Don't move around and don't get intimidated by the group pushing for the best shot.

The best shot waits for no one!