Related: Part 1: Reporters and photographers on working together
Richard Dujardin, a reporter at The Providence Journal, says there are times that he has been out on an assignment and he became concerned about what the photographer, who was accompanying him, was shooting. Sometimes, Dujardin says, he has asked the photographer to take a particular picture. Once, when he did this, the photographer handed him the camera.
The story illustrates the fragile relationship that exists between writers and photographers. The two groups spent an hour recently talking about what works, and what does not, when they get together on an assignment. Last week we detailed some of the discussion. This week we produce the lists of gripes and solutions.
What bugs reporters?
When photographers do not know what the story is about.
Photographers who do not read the newspaper; you do not know who the important players are in the state.
When photographers talk too much and interrupt the flow of an interview.
When photographers fail to spend time getting pictures of important people so that they can be used at a later date.
Photos that are "art" and do not illustrate the story, especially photos that do not show a person's face.
What bugs photographers?
The idea among writers that words are more important than pictures, that photographers are second-class citizens.
Photographers do not have beats; they can't necessarily be expected to know all of the players.
Reporters have to stay out of the way in a breaking event. Reporters can always capture the scene later through interviews, but photographers have only one chance to get the shot.
Recognize that there are times photographers should work alone on the story, without the reporter.
Reporters need to spend more time understanding how photographers work and their ethical limitations -- photographers do not set up pictures.
Too often reporters work too long on a story, without bringing the photographer in during the reporting.
Sometimes photographers have to be able to participate in the interview; without a rapport with the subject the pictures may be difficult to get.
What works for reporters?
Communication. Reporters and photographers need to talk early on, and understand their respective needs on the story.
Photographers should read a reporter's story, if that is possible.
The two should discuss whether it makes more sense to go out together on a story, or separately.
Reporters should understand when it is best to step back and get out of the picture.
Ask a photographer at an assignment how much time they have. Consider having them take their pictures first.
Get better photo-assignment forms.
Assign one photographer per series.
What works for photographers?
Communication. Reporters and photographers need to talk early on, and understand their respective needs on the story.
Sometimes the best picture can be captured after the reporter has left.
Photographers have to be sensitive in difficult situations, such as a greiving subject. They know that taking a picture will quickly end an interview, and they work hard not to do that.
Reporters should fill out the photo forms as completely as possible, even when it is not clear what the story is all about.
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