• Police tell NPPA-NYPPA "Don't give secrets away."
• NPPA attorney to speak at Dec. 3 NYC public hearing
• Editorial - Code of Ethics should guide us
• OBIT - Fred W. McDarrah, Village Voice Editor-Photographer 1926-2007
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Police tell NPPA-NYPPA "Don't give secrets away"
A detective from the NYPD bomb squad told members of the NPPA and NYPPA at a joint meeting at Jeollado, 114 East 4th Street, that they were concerned withÊ flash photography mostly "indoors" and away from a potential suspicious packages.
The bomb squad detectives said they were even more concerned with "videos of bomb squad members of how they do their jobs."
Lt. Det. Mike Torre of the Bomb Squad said he was much less concerned with still photos as it wasn't what they were doing, but how they were doing it," that could give clues to potential terrorists of how they can hurt members of his bureau. Therefore, he emphasized that video of detectives making their approach to a device might tell would-be bombers how detectives do
their jobs and might put officers in danger." He said still photos were not a danger but still prefer
no photos be taken.
Photographers expressed support for the detective and many said they would work closer with officials to reduce any tensions and danger to officers or the public.
Photographers were urged to refrain from using cell phones and two-way radios during suspicious package incidents as those items can set off explosive devices. A cell phone was used to detonate the Madrid train bombs.
As for using flash photography, Lt. Det. Torre said flash might be most dangerous with indoor devices as the flash itself can act as an ignition source. In addition, the further the flash photographer is from a device, the less danger there is. However, if police ask photographers to refrain from using flash, they should probably comply, police officials say.
Also, Lt. Det. Torre emphasized that if you can see the device, it can reach you. A device that explodes in your view, can have devastating consequences for the photographer. Lt. Det. Torre emphasized safety as most important to not put his officers in any danger and photographers
should refrain from any actions that might cause a detonation or put officers in danger.
Present at the meeting was NPPA attorney Mickey Osterreicher as was NYPPA attorney Jason Criss. Both addressed the meeting on a variety of issues including the recent decision by the Mayor's Film and TV Commission to create new rules that all but ruled out action against press photographers and any photographers not taking up large portions of the sidewalks.
Osterreicher said he would request the new rules include all those with press cards from both NYC and from outside jurisdictions too.
A video of the meeting will be shown on-line soon. Stay tuned for details.
NPPA attorney to speak at December 3rd NYC Public Hearing
Mickey H. Osterreicher, General Counsel for the NPPA, will seek for the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting change the new film rules to exclude all valid press credentials from outside of New York City from the filming restrictions.
In a letter to the city, Osterreicher complimented the city for reformulating the rules, but criticized the rules for excluding "NYC Police Department credentials only."
A letter to the city was sent by Osterreicher and he has requested time to speak that the
public hearing.
Here is the letter as was written to Julianne Cho, Assistant Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting:
Re: Proposed Film Permit Rules
Dear Ms. Cho: On behalf of the 10,000 members of the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) please accept this letter as our official comment on the revised proposed film permit rules published in the October29, 2007 City Record.
Having reviewed your previous proposed rules this past summer we are very pleased that your office has chosen to revise them using a more commonsense approach to photography/videography in New York.
In particular we are happy that you have chosen to include language in Section 01(b)(2)(ii) which excludes the "filming or photography of a parade, rally, protest, or demonstration except when using vehicles or equipment" from the permitting requirements.
With regard to Section 9-01(c) which states that where an individual is acting in furtherance of the activity authorized by "a press pass issued by the New York City Police Department ("NYPD") in accordance with Chapter 11 of Title 38 of the Rules of the City of New York ("Press Credentials")," "and is engaged in filming as defined in these rules," also is exempted from the permitting requirements; we believe that the underlined language should be replaced by a valid press credential issued by any federal, state or municipal agency or department authorized to issue said credential." Given that New York is the center of so much news, sports and entertainment it is only logical that at any given moment there are media from around the world in the City to cover these newsworthy events. Therefore, only recognizing an NYPD press pass for purposes of exempting the bearers of those credentials from the permitting requirements places an unfair burden on members of the news media who do not have said NYPD credentials.
Please note that I plan to be in New York on December 13, 2007 and hearby give notic that I would like to testify at the public hearing on that date. If you or others have questions about our position, please feel free to contact me.
Editorial - Code of Ethics should guide us
Region 2 Director Todd Maisel brought together photographers and videographers to discuss an incident at the Federal Courthouse on Pearl Street last month, in which still photographers and television cameramen came to blows. Our code of ethics tells us we must have mutual respect and this will only come from discussion and communication.
The incident occurred when Isaiah Thomas, head coach for the Knicks, emerged from the courthouse during his sexual harassment case, and was mobbed by the media.
Our first inclination was to blame the Federal Court for creating situation which was ripe for pushing and
shoving. Photographers and television professionals are forced to work in a small area and was difficult
to negotiate.
However, we have investigated the incident and found that we all need to take a step back and consider that there is enough blame on all sides of the issue. It is certain that all those working on these types of jobs need to talk about what the job will entail.
But there were issues that need to be considered:
Firstly, some of the television reporters and camera crews (who we will remain nameless here) brought extra personnel to act as "blockers and defenders" for camera crews and on-air personnel. They had no cameras nor any equipment and their sole job was to remove obstacles namely still photographers and other videographers. Some of these people actually grabbed photographers by their equipment and attempted to pull them from the shoot leading to physical confrontations.
Secondly, it is alleged by some who were on the scene that a few of the still photographers were "hogging" the front rows, standing in front of TV crews and then following Thomas throughout his walk. Television crews have said some of these photographers were getting "very close" to the subject making it impossible for TV crews to do their jobs.
In turn, still photographers say TV crews set up "sticks" in an area where the tripods served as obstructions in an area where a press conference was unlikely.
While many of the court officers at Pearl Street were courteous and helpful, others were not.
A few made it even more difficult to work preventing photographers from sitting in areas where the public is generally allowed. Also, the areas in front of the court entrance on Worth Street is very narrow when the sidewalk is the only area allowed to photographers, making it even more difficult
to work.
A story about this was put up on this site last month and then taken down when too many
people disagreed with the conclusions. I guess we were feeling that a few quick fixes could
help the situation. This is not so and we believe that it is even more important than before
that photographers and videographers and on-air people work together better.
We are already portrayed in the public as vultures and heartless papparrazzi and that should
have everyone worried. Suppose someone got hurt at the Pearl Street melee? Suppose a few photographers or cameramen were arrested? Suppose the person we were photographing were injured by our actions? And what do you think will be the public response? Does anyone remember Princess Diana?
It sounds a bit extreme, but we need to consider our actions carefully and remember we must all work together in a spirit of fraternity or we will all fall together.
Photographers and videographers recently discussed the issue at an impromptu meeting at the Brooklyn State Supreme Court and further discussions will happen to prevent animosity between journalists. This dialog must continue.
In the meantime, NPPA is considering approaching the Federal Marshal's office and their security services to discuss how to make it easier for all to work together.
We invite comment on this issue: toddphoto@aol.com.
OBIT - Fred W. McDarrah, Village Voice Editor-Photographer 1926-2007
Veteran Village Voice photographer, editor Fred W. McDarrah died in his sleep at home in Greenwich Village on November 6. He was 81.
McDarrah captured Jack Kerouac frolicking with women at a New Year's bash in 1958, Andy Warhol adjusting a movie-camera lens in his silver-covered factory, and Bob Dylan offering a salute of recognition outside Sheridan Square near the Voice's old office. Not just a social chronicler, McDarrah was a great photojournalist. He photographed the still-smoldering ruins of the Weather Underground bomb factory on W. 12th Street. His eye for gesture and detail caught lawyer Roy Cohn whispering what appeared to be tough orders in the ear of a young Donald Trump.
For years, McDarrah was the Voice's only photographer and, for decades, he ran the Voice's photo department, where he helped train dozens of young photographers, including James Hamilton, Sylvia Plachy, Robin Holland and Marc Asnin. His mailbox was simply marked "McPhoto." An exhibit of McDarrah's photos of artists presented last year by the Steven Kasher Gallery in Chelsea was hailed by The New York Times as a visual encyclopedia of the era's
cultural scene.