ASSIGNMENT

Damn, I wish I could submit one of these journals without it being another whine session. Seems like that's all I've done lately. I'd like to believe it's because I am overly concerned with what's happening to professional journalism, lately and not because I am getting old and crotchety. Well, ok, I am getting old and crotchety, but professional journalism seems to be falling apart faster than we would like to think.

Today it's about communication. I mean, hello folks...that's what we get paid to do. Communicate. It's bad enough when we are unable to communicate with our readers/viewers. But when we fail to communicate among ourselves, what chance to we stand? I'm talking here about communications between editors and photographers; between reporters and photographers.

Like many other newspapers around the world, the photo staff at my paper usually receives our photo assignments in the form of a photo request that is now filed electronically and is printed out in hard copy form for the photographer's use. The process starts when a reporter files a photo idea with his/her editor in the newsroom or one of the feature or sports departments. The department editor is supposed to check it for relevance and accuracy. This isn't a complex procedure. All that we require is the date and time (hopefully with a window of opportunity) of the assignment and the location. We ask for (and rarely receive) some help in the way of cross streets and complete addresses to help us find the location. Then we are supposed to have the name and phone number of a contact or person to see. And then a little information about why we are making the picture in the first place. We don't ask for the complete story. Just enough information to help us determine what photograph will best illustrate the story. You know, like the name of the subject and what the reason was for us being there.

Last week I had to photograph a woman, whose name was given on the assignment. There was no information about why she was being photographed. I hate that, because it then requires me to ask the subject and I feel like a real horse's ass for not knowing. If my own organization doesn't see fit to supply me with such basic information, it certainly doesn't inspire any degree of confidence in the subject as far as our credibility is concerned. But, at least there was an address. I forget exactly what the number was, but it was something like 127 Prime Ave., Huntington. Well, inspite of the snow that was falling, I had no trouble finding Prime Ave. It ran off the main drag in Huntington, right alongside Heckshire Park. The even numbers on the west side of Prime Ave. seemed ok, but on the odd numbered side, the first house that I encountered was up in the 200's. I drove back and forth for 20 minutes, searching, and was about to call the Photo Desk on the radio to tell my editor that the address didn't exist. But, a thought flashed through my pea brain. "Is it possible," I asked myself, "that the address is located INSIDE the *^%##@! park?"

Do I have to tell you that that is where it was? Do I have to tell you that there was no reference to that fact on my assignment sheet? I asked the subject if she had given our reporter that information when the reporter contacted her by phone. She said that she had indeed told the reporter that she was located inside the park. When I queried the reporter back at the office, she shrugged and said that she was overwhelmed by the new electronic assignment filing procedure and must have forgotten to add it. That made me feel Oh so much better.

Today was another case in point. You will note, on the accompanying photocopy of the assignment, that there was a date, time and location. Not bad, so far. There was a contact person and a phone number. So, what's my gripe? Then there are three names of people to be photographed. OK. WHY? There is no indication anywhere on the assignment request that even gives me a clue as to what the story is about. And, when I arrived at the location, it was a huge, multistoried building with several wings. I schlepped my camera bag and tripod into the building and looked for the names on the directory board. The names weren't there and I hadn't a clue as to what company they worked for. So, I found a phone and called the number on the assignment sheet. Adam Weisman was called to the phone. I explained to him who I was and that I was here to get his photo, along with the other two gentlemen listed.

"Oh? Were you supposed to come here, today?" I was asked. I love that. "Yes," I said. "My assignment says February 2, 2000 between 9 am and 5 pm."

"Oh? We weren't told that you were coming today. The three of us are dressed casually."

This just keeps getting better. I should have just said, "Okay. The reporter will contact you and reschedule the assignment." And then I should have gone on to my next assignment. But, noooo. I convinced the man to work with me and let's get this assignment done. I've renewed a personal vow that I've made to try to improve my attitude. I don't want to be remembered as the crotchety old guy. So Adam Weisman invited me to come up and take the picture.

"Fine," I said. "I don't know what company your work for nor the floor or office number. It's not on my assignment sheet." I heard him sigh, but he gave me the information. When I arrived at the office of the large brokerage firm of which he was a partner, I had to further abase myself by asking the all to familiar question....."Why am I here?"

As working news photographers, we have to deal with a lot of crap in order to do our jobs. There's weather and traffic and equipment problems and people who don't want you to take their photos. We expect that. What we don't expect are problems that are supplied by the very people who are supposed to be our support. And it is happening all together too frequently, these days. We are losing our professionalism and as a result, we are also losing our credibility.

To end on a more positive note, I explained what had happened to the Deputy Chief Photo Editor.when I returned. "This is bullshit," he said as he took the photo assignment sheet out of my hand. "I'll take this to the editor of this section and I'll go to the Managing Editor if necessary. This is unacceptable." Thanks, Jeff. I feel encouraged.

Behind the Viewfinder - A Year in the Life of Photojournalism
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