Sight'n'Sound
Member
Upon reading this article and after a brief encounter of my own last week that could have turned ugly, I am wondering what measures do other photogs take in order to avoid situations like the one in the article.
I have always just simply trusted my gut instincts. I try to always assess assignment locations for any possible threats upon arrival. This doesn't always work, espcially when there's so much going on, that you can't decifer between the friendly folks and the easily provoked beligerent thuggish "what-the-hell-are-you-doing-here-you-chinkbastard" "get-outta-here-or-else" people.
This past week, while on a shoot, I was surprised from behind by this big drunk guy, that felt we shouldn't be there. I could smell the alcohol on his breathe, and the anger in the air as this guy proceeded to give me a peice of his mind.
Now, normally I don't stress over things like this. At all. And I am sure every one of us have been approached in a similar manner. But while this giant was in my face it dawned on me that it was 3 AM and not a soul around. And I am out on location setting up a live shot, waiting for the rest of the crew to show up, and right behind me is thousands of dollars worth of equipment.
A number of things could have happened here, but didn't. I like to think that it was because of the years of experience I have in dealing with these types of situations. I don't know. But I can't help but wonder why there is nothing in field trucks available for photogs to use in case of emergencies, such as the ones listed.
Something other than the two-way, cell phone, and pager I carry on me all the time. I can just imagine whipping out my two-way and warning people like the ones who assaulted Luis, "Don't make me radio the station." Or pulling out my pager as if it were a weapon of some sort.
No, I mean something like a panic button somewhere in the truck or stun gun. Actually, now that I wrote that down, I can see why there isn't something like that. A panic button...r-ah-ight...there have been a few co-workers of mine in the past that would have tripped that trigger with the most harmless of confrontations. And a stun gun. Ha. I don't know how many articles I have read recently about reporters doing stand-ups zapping themselves with one. I can just imagine the effect it would have on that guy who confronted me. He'd probably crack up laughing, he was so drunk.
I guess all we have is our wits...And like Luis, the ability to run...real fast. Don't know the guy, but I am glad to hear he's alright. I swear, in some areas, we should get hazardous pay. Anyways, be careful out there.
