Joecosentino Loc: Whitesboro, New York

If he was hired by te event he should have been in front of the line infron of the spectators, that was poor planning on he part of the event organizer. He shouldn't have to fight for a position to shoot from. But he spectators should have to shot around him if he happens to stop in front of you.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

He wasn't acting very professionally. I shot "professionally" for years, and I always asked for permission to stand where I wanted if someone was already there. Part of my professionalism was to arrive early enough to get the spot I needed before someone else did. Rarely was there an alloted space for photographers.

strikerazde Loc: Phoenix, AZ

I have worked events before sometimes on assignment, and other times not. Either case they normally have designated spots for media photographers, trust me you would know if you were in one of those spots. Normally you need credentials to get into them. On occasion the person who set up the spot for media to shoot had no idea of photography and put us in the worst spot of all. On those occasions I have ventured out into the crowd of shooters to shoot. I will say I have been a little pushy, but just a little, have to worry about next year, or next event.

But I would never have been that pushy unless you were in my designated spot. However if you are in my spot, you can expect me to be very unpleasant.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's why you bring an assistant to keep waking you up. :D

Dan Copeland Loc: Hamilton Ontario Canada

In a similar mode I was hired to shoot a video for a civil war reenactment I was inside a taped off area and was moving around to get different angles of the event. I stopped in one area for about 10 seconds and the next thing I know I was slammed from behind by a spectator that threw me to the ground with a very expensive camera. I was very sore the rest of the day and luckily the camera was not damaged. I was in a safe area and was only there for 10 seconds, the spectator had no right to do what me had done and if I had known who it was I would have had him charged with assault

So kick out the ladder leg and or tripod but remember you are libel for any damage that you cause.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Just stand right upgainst his stepladder, and let the crowd jostle you every time he gets set to take a shot! I had a recent case very similar. My handbell choir was playing in the town square for the lighting of the Christmas tree, and I had a friend who was going to take care of my camcorder for me. I had it set up just inside the 'crowd control barrier', so nobody could get in front. The 'security' guard came and made her move it behind the barrier. Just before we were getting ready to play, someone - I assume a parent - of the group performing before us came and stood inside the barrier, right where my tripod had been. I watched for the security guy moving her on, but he didn't react at all.

Some people are just ignorant...

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Why didn't you simply stand in front of his camera?

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

I did just that but I didn't know he had a step ladder with him.

coolhoosier Loc: Dover, NH, USA

And the event should have provided him with credentials to avoid just this sort of situation.

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

I don't know if The Jerk was a "real" pro or just a rude SOB, but I don't know how runs are shot nowadays.

I haven't shot a run for many years, but I once worked for an outfit that was credentialed to shoot many regular runs. Admittedly this is LOOOONG before every living thing was equipped with a camera phone. We did not have vests (excellent idea, actually) but we did have credentials that had to be prominently displayed on a lanyard. We used hand-held 35mm SLR cameras only (Nikon FM's), never a trippable-over tripod. We were not paid by the event, not one dime. We actually paid THEM with hundreds of free pictures, just for the privilege of being credentialed to shoot the event. We shot everything "on spec;" we only got paid by selling pictures of runners, and we made a decent living.

Well before the run our crew of 8 or 10, including assistants, would arrive to start shooting free PR stuff for the event organizers to use in publications and so on. We'd get up on roofs to get overviews, work the crowds, work the registration desk, moving constantly. I don't know about the other guys, but if I needed to block someone for a shot I'd always smile brightly, wave my credentials and say something like, "I'll just be a few secs," blast away 'til I got what I needed and move on. I never had to push through because I was credentialed to work inside the tapes.

At the start of the race we would be positioned in preselected, preapproved spots to get the Big Crowd Running At the Photog pictures, never (so far as I know) blocking someone else's shot. Some of the guys would then drive out on the course to preselected spots to get more PR stuff while the rest of us set up at the finish, each with 3 cameras and a loader. Two cameras would be rotated in action, 1 was the backup in case of a failure, and the loader crouched near your feet to, um, reload. One guy would work the left side and another the right, shooting across each other for angle, and the object was to try to make a good shot of every single runner coming in to the finish. We'd make about 33 shots on a roll (to avoid the risk of tearing off the film) and hand off to the loader who handed up the fresh camera and reloaded the other. Each roll was numbered with a Sharpie.

Well, that's enough. (Too much! :lol: :lol: ) Ultimately the contact proof would be mailed (no kidding) to the runner, identified by their numbers, and they could keep it, toss it, or order pictures. It still amazes me how many orders we got, and remember that each member of the crew had to be paid, all the film had to be purchased, processed, proofed, mailed… Yet we made money, and the organizers did not pay us a dime. Nobody ever got mad at us that I know of. :shock:

anotherview Loc: California

Ditto your question.

BTW: The term "professional photographer" means a photographer who earns money doing photography.

This term has something to do with quality of work and behavior but this quality varies.

Ralloh Loc: Ohio

If this clown had done this to me and I lost my shot, rest assured he would not be getting his shots either. I would have kept him occupied in any way I could.

Peter Boyd Loc: Blyth nr. Newcastle U.K.

There is still no excuse for ill-mannered loutish behaviour, a quick explanation goes a long way to get people on your side.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

I completely, totally 100% agree. Oh and on both sides (pros and hobbyists) :thumbup:

Peter Boyd Loc: Blyth nr. Newcastle U.K.

Yes, I'll go with that.