Photo Tips

Jason Geil is the photo editor at WeSay and a professional photojournalist.

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Before you shoot photographs, you may want to know your rights and limitations as a citizen journalist. There are a few topics to keep in mind before you head out with your cameras.

SHOOTING NEWS AS IT BREAKS
1. Stay calm. Witness and document the scene with your safety in mind and the awareness that you are not part of a moment. You are only recording it.

2. If someone is directly in need of your help it is absolutely incumbent upon you to assist that person before documenting the event. Put your camera down and CALL 911.


CROSSING POLICE LINES
Tread lightly here. Often in the event of breaking news, first responders such as police, firefighters and other emergency personnel establish a “do not cross” perimeter. Members of the professional media and citizen journalists should only cross this line with permission from appropriate officials. Your safety, the sanctity of the scene itself and law enforcement’s ability to conduct its work depends on this.

1. If you are at the scene of breaking news before a “do not cross” line is established, you are free to photograph until you are instructed by emergency personnel to leave an area.

2. If you see other bystanders or photographers inside restricted areas, this does not give you the right to cross a police line.

3. The presence of a police line, however, does not necessarily mean you can’t find access to document an event. Sometimes it’s as easy as asking for it. By politely asking an officer, preferable one who isn’t noticeably busy, you may learn a helpful tip to where access to a scene is available.

4. Be resourceful and walk the perimeter of a scene. You may find a unique vantage point that is perfectly within your legal rights to photograph from.


PRIVATE VS. PUBLIC
“You can’t take my picture!” This is a phrase uttered countless times to people wielding cameras. Knowing your rights can be helpful in these situations, but remember there are exceptions to every rule.

1. Generally, you are free to photograph anyone and anything at anytime when you are in a public space. Smith St. is considered a public space.