Unfortunately, wedding photography seems to elicit more conflict than just about any other subject here. I always try to be considerate of the professional; unfortunately I get what I get. My "horror story" is the wedding where the professional was so dominant that my prized picture of the night, taken of my wife and a friend running the punch bowl, shows them in the background and the professionals between them and me. That is the way it went all nite; we saw more of the professionals than we did of the wedding party.

As a clergyman I've had "professionals" stomp around most distractingly during the wedding service. Some have given the impression that they are the most important participant in the service. So I lay down the rules before the service: No flash, long distance shots from the back, etc. I also say we will restage the service as a photo op. I have found almost all really professional photographers to be most cooperative. I also remind the congregation that flash photography is most distracting.

What I see with weddings now is that couples often ask their friends with upscale cameras - whether skilled or not - to do their wedding photography, in an effort to save money. The result can be catastrophe, whether from your perspective (as a clergyman,) or as ultimately experienced by the couples themselves. Knowing that I do a lot of photography, I am frequently asked to do weddings and I always refuse. I also tell them I will not do their surgeries, even though I spent 25 years in marketing for the health care industry.

On February 22, my wife and I went to the Washington (DC) Chinese New Year Parade, which frankly was a bit disappointing. Several years ago, I went to a Chinese community parade of some sort in Seattle, and though it was not the Chinese New Year, the event in Seattle was a far longer, more colorful and ornate parade. But that is not the point…

During the DC Parade, there were a very, very large number of people taking photos from the street – which is to say inside the crowd barriers - many with press credentials of some sort. Some were unquestionably parents and other family members of those participating in the Parade. Many were idiots, among both the credentialed and family photographers.

In fact, it was incredible how many people were inside the barriers taking photos for such a small parade. And rather than stepping back, a huge number of these people were in the faces of the participants, walking with them the entire Parade route, not only ruining the vast majority of photo ops for others, but the ability of people on the sidelines to even enjoy the Parade, in general. Many of the photographers had no concept of their impact with the crowd. One situation in particular, demonstrated the point. I was behind the barrier with an obviously more elaborate camera setup, (monopod, battery pack attached to the D7100, zoom lens with hood and a rather large camera bag,) than most. Not a professional setup, but obviously looked to the parade participants as someone serious about what I was attempting to do. Some of the marchers would attempt to “play to me” as a result.

One of the smaller “dragons” saw my setup and paused in front of me, essentially posing for the camera. Out of nowhere, one of these dolts with press credentials, stepped directly in front of me, completely blocking the shot. It was obvious what the “dragon” was doing, and it really does not matter whether I had a camera or not. The “dragon” could have been playing to a child or a member of his own family. The photographer would never have known, because he was in his own zone, paying no heed to anyone but his own needs.

There are a number of times when I have to lose a shot, in deference to others. There are some cases when I understand that I have caused difficulty for others, and I frequently apologize to them for my own intrusion. But I attempt to minimize any such intrusions, at least by being aware of my surroundings. In deference to some of the other, more considerate photographers, a minor number of them crouched to take their shots, looking behind them to determine their effect on the crowd – but they were unquestionably in the minority.

I would be interested in comments from the group. And I am penning a note to the sponsors of the Parade, asking them to think about limiting the number of people within the barriers, in the future. Though small, a large amount of money and planning was devoted to the planning of this event by those sponsors; but not in this area.

On February 22, my wife and I went to the Washington (DC) Chinese New Year Parade, which frankly was a bit disappointing. Several years ago, I went to a Chinese community parade of some sort in Seattle, and though it was not the Chinese New Year, the event in Seattle was a far longer, more colorful and ornate parade. But that is not the point…

During the DC Parade, there were a very, very large number of people taking photos from the street – which is to say inside the crowd barriers - many with press credentials of some sort. Some were unquestionably parents and other family members of those participating in the Parade. Many were idiots, among both the credentialed and family photographers.

In fact, it was incredible how many people were inside the barriers taking photos for such a small parade. And rather than stepping back, a huge number of these people were in the faces of the participants, walking with them the entire Parade route, not only ruining the vast majority of photo ops for others, but the ability of people on the sidelines to even enjoy the Parade, in general. Many of the photographers had no concept of their impact with the crowd. One situation in particular, demonstrated the point. I was behind the barrier with an obviously more elaborate camera setup, (monopod, battery pack attached to the D7100, zoom lens with hood and a rather large camera bag,) than most. Not a professional setup, but obviously looked to the parade participants as someone serious about what I was attempting to do. Some of the marchers would attempt to “play to me” as a result.

One of the smaller “dragons” saw my setup and paused in front of me, essentially posing for the camera. Out of nowhere, one of these dolts with press credentials, stepped directly in front of me, completely blocking the shot. It was obvious what the “dragon” was doing, and it really does not matter whether I had a camera or not. The “dragon” could have been playing to a child or a member of his own family. The photographer would never have known, because he was in his own zone, paying no heed to anyone but his own needs.

There are a number of times when I have to lose a shot, in deference to others. There are some cases when I understand that I have caused difficulty for others, and I frequently apologize to them for my own intrusion. But I attempt to minimize any such intrusions, at least by being aware of my surroundings. In deference to some of the other, more considerate photographers, a minor number of them crouched to take their shots, looking behind them to determine their effect on the crowd – but they were unquestionably in the minority.

I would be interested in comments from the group. And I am penning a note to the sponsors of the Parade, asking them to think about limiting the number of people within the barriers, in the future. Though small, a large amount of money and planning was devoted to the planning of this event by those sponsors; but not in this area.

I read with extreme care plus decades of experience as a professional photojournalist. I can assure you…and I'm sure you didn't see this…somewhere at this event was a truly professional photographer. He had done his HOMEWORK…he knew the route, had scouted locations and had staked out his turf. He was in position for the parade to come to him…he had no need to run about interfering with other photographers or with the parade itself. Top shelf photojournalist try very hard to be unobtrusive, be as invisible as possible and to therefore not change or corrupt the "subject." We try to simply tell the visual truth. We attempt to report the news not make the news. I have been to countless events/scenes where the "herd" was clustered, elbowing each other and jockeying for space. I have made a habit of walking away…looking for another spot to shoot…a different perspective. That's why I often come back with a shot no one else had…no one else thought of. That's why I've been working steadily since the mid 60's. Next time do your research in advance, I can assure you there was a place somewhere you could have claimed. A place you would have been happy with.
"1 a public procession, esp. one celebrating a special day or event and including marching bands and floats." That is what my dictionary says…it sounds to me like an event actually designed and held for people to see and record with whatever instruments they choose. Or to simple sit there and clap and wave. I do not make excuses for photo assholes…how could I? But I'm saying there is always…ALWAYS…a way, you just haven't thought of it yet.

I fully understand where you are coming from and sympathize with you. I am not being critical but here are several observations.

1) What you described is ironic becuz that is exactly what you whould have experiecned if you were actually in CHINA. In China there are no such things as lines nor orderly gatherings. Public courtesy is a rarity.

I speak from experience, having been all over China many times. I've seen people in airports get beaten with sticks and switches by security forces in order to get them to form (by Chinese standards) an orderly line. I've watched police club people to get crowds out of the street becuz they (dozens) were crossing a busy street in the middle of a block and hindering traffic etc etc.

2) What did you expect? You were in Washington DC, known for its masses of selfish, elitist, privileged, parasitic hangers on. They count and you don't---in their minds.

3) Expecting people with press credentials to show courtesy sounds a little naive. What do you expect from the paparazzi? You need to deal with them like you would with a snotty waiter in a restaurant in Paris.

I sympathize with you and wish things could be different but they seem to be getting worse.

I read with extreme care plus decades of experience as a professional photojournalist. I can assure you…and I'm sure you didn't see this…somewhere at this event was a truly professional photographer. He had done his HOMEWORK…he knew the route, had scouted locations and had staked out his turf. He was in position for the parade to come to him…he had no need to run about interfering with other photographers or with the parade itself. Top shelf photojournalist try very hard to be unobtrusive, be as invisible as possible and to therefore not change or corrupt the "subject." We try to simply tell the visual truth. We attempt to report the news not make the news. I have been to countless events/scenes where the "herd" was clustered, elbowing each other and jockeying for space. I have made a habit of walking away…looking for another spot to shoot…a different perspective. That's why I often come back with a shot no one else had…no one else thought of. That's why I've been working steadily since the mid 60's. Next time do your research in advance, I can assure you there was a place somewhere you could have claimed. A place you would have been happy with.
"1 a public procession, esp. one celebrating a special day or event and including marching bands and floats." That is what my dictionary says…it sounds to me like an event actually designed and held for people to see and record with whatever instruments they choose. Or to simple sit there and clap and wave. I do not make excuses for photo assholes…how could I? But I'm saying there is always…ALWAYS…a way, you just haven't thought of it yet.

I read with extreme care plus decades of experience as a professional photojournalist. I can assure you…and I'm sure you didn't see this…somewhere at this event was a truly professional photographer. He had done his HOMEWORK…he knew the route, had scouted locations and had staked out his turf. He was in position for the parade to come to him…he had no need to run about interfering with other photographers or with the parade itself. Top shelf photojournalist try very hard to be unobtrusive, be as invisible as possible and to therefore not change or corrupt the "subject." We try to simply tell the visual truth. We attempt to report the news not make the news. I have been to countless events/scenes where the "herd" was clustered, elbowing each other and jockeying for space. I have made a habit of walking away…looking for another spot to shoot…a different perspective. That's why I often come back with a shot no one else had…no one else thought of. That's why I've been working steadily since the mid 60's. Next time do your research in advance, I can assure you there was a place somewhere you could have claimed. A place you would have been happy with.
"1 a public procession, esp. one celebrating a special day or event and including marching bands and floats." That is what my dictionary says…it sounds to me like an event actually designed and held for people to see and record with whatever instruments they choose. Or to simple sit there and clap and wave. I do not make excuses for photo assholes…how could I? But I'm saying there is always…ALWAYS…a way, you just haven't thought of it yet.