Yesterday, I got to run with the big dogs. The big news dogs, that is. I was asked to shoot The Ohio State University’s announcement of the newly renamed Wexner Medical Center, and every news outlet in Central Ohio – and even The New York Times – was there doing the same thing. There were the big video cameras from the TV stations and lots of still photographers, including from The Dispatch and the University’s own staff. It was interesting contrasting my style to that of the other still photographers, some being seasoned veterans whose names or faces I recognized. I have to say, they seemed tired. Maybe it’s because they shoot things like this so often that it’s no big deal anymore. On the other hand, I was extremely excited to be there. This was a Big Deal for me, and I loved every minute of it.
One thing I’ve learned from the Foundation Workshop and from listening to successful photojournalists discussing their award-winning photos, is to find out where all the other photographers are going to be and then STAND SOMEWHERE ELSE. So that’s precisely what I did. While all the news cameras and still photographers were lined up in the back of the room so they’d get the typical shot of whomever was speaking, I stood in the front and shot into the crowd for reaction, which produced particularly poignant pictures of the Wexners’ reactions to the kind words being spoken about them in regard to their amazing generosity toward the University and the community as a whole.
And when it came time for the press conference with television interviews, I crammed my way between the reporters and their cameramen to grab unique views that told the story of our town’s most prominent man being interviewed, as opposed to a portrait that seeks to block out the riff raff. I left that to the other photographers.
I know I’ve said it before, but I love my job and am constantly grateful for the unique opportunities I’m afforded.
