dieseldave Loc: Davenport,IA

I was watch the tube - one of the channel news networks and I noticed that most of the photographers have large, and fairly long lenses, but they are all clamoring to get closer to the subject. Are thedy using telephoto lenses, or something else? Why?

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

If you are birding for instance, to get a good detailed shot the closer the better even with 150 600 lens. A humming bird at 20ft. is still tiny so I like most shoot so the bird fills the lens even when up close. Most wild life I like to be as close as possible. Flowers are another good example of being close.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Your job as a news photographer is to get your client (a news item) in front of the audience (people). If a telephoto lens offers an advantage then use it. Simple common sense in photography, and in life.

Burtzy Loc: Bronx N.Y. & Simi Valley, CA

As a one-time news photographer, I can say with good authority that news photographers in the "scrum" shoot by the same rules as anyone else: The further back, the longer the lens. Often the group is farther away from the subject than the t.v. cameras make obvious. Photographers will often carry two cameras with zoom ranges that overlap to save the time and the trouble of changing out lenses. Many years ago, I shot at a Beatles press conference with perhaps 200 other photographers. I had a Rolleiflex and a Hasselblad. The Rollei had an 80mm lens and the Hasselblad a 150mm. It was necessary. The group moved around, spread out and bunched up during the roughly half hour. My neck and shoulders were killing me by the time it was all over. Two fairly heavy cameras. Two Honeywell strobes and two heavy batteries. But it was worth it. I got 24 shots that no one else in the world did. Although many got similar ones.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Subject will be larger if closer. Less zoom is required, ergo more stability.
They're using telephotos in case they can't get closer.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Professional photographers know how close to get to a subject without getting too close according to the lens their using, the closer the better.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I have noticed that too. Especially on cable news networks. I really can't tell what lenses they are using. But, most of the lenses are white colored, assuming it is Canon. They look to be 70-200mm zoom lenses. That lens could work if you are not too close. And if you are in the back rows, it would work too. Just my guess.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Some of the lenses you have observed may be ZOOM types- they are outwardly physically long but enable many focal lengths- some even include the wide angle range.

Many press photographers work with multiple bodies and lenses for fast access to prime focal lengths without having to change lenses when working quickly.

Oftentimes, at certain events, the press photographers are confined to a certain area at a distance from the main subject, action, ceremony or event and they require telephoto lenses to fill their frames with the action or subjects at hand. They can't walk onto the field at an athletic event, for obvious reasons and regulations, or get onto the track at a horse race or a motorsport event.

Even when they are working in close to the action, the may want to fill their frame and focus in on some detail, faces in the crowd, reactions, or the may have to cover something that suddenly happens at a further distance. Sometimes they are allowed to get in close but are the asked to step away or disperse and have to take up a distant vantage point. Also, you don't want to work in too close at a riot, a raging fire, an insurrection or armed combat in a war zone.

When you are watching on TV or as a spectator at some distance, those big white Bulkley lenses stand out but I am sure the press photographers are packing smaller ones as well. These lenses have become the kinda "badge" of the professional photographer but they are simply tools of the trade.

Many years ago, in the day of the large format press cameras and fixed lens medium format cameras among the press corps, credentialed press photographers were allowed to move around events, cross police and fire lines, more freely and take up their own positions etc. As security measures became more stringent, the rise of the Paparazzi, the armies if press that attends many events, again, the photographers are oftentimes confined to a set area and would be seriously disadvantaged without their long lenses. Back in the day, many sports events were photographically covered from press boxes up in the rafters of stadiums with enormous telephoto lenses on large format SLRs nicknamed "Big Berthas"- 1,000 to 1,200mm were average telephoto focal lengths for 4x5 and 5x 7 film cameras.

I worked on staff for a news organization for a couple of years and still cover many events on commercial assignments. I have many lenses and focal lengths to choose from but the go-to focal lengths that get me out of trouble when I am too close or too far away are the 300mm and the 24mm on a full frame body.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Because publications want face shots, and a longer lens is needed. Most of these Photog Pros have 2 bodies with different lenses available.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Exactly! When you see the press photograhers incessantly shooting folks like the President, Prime Minister, other politicians, entertainers, and other personalities while giving a speech- kinda boring? They, the celebrities, are not even interacting with others, presenting an award, shaking hands or hugging and kissing as yet but nonetheless the shooting continues. They are collecting STOCK photo or FILE photos with all kinds of expressions. Oftentimes, these are published out of context with the actual event and used to accentuate headlines in other stories. They show up on late night talk shows as comedic pieces. They look for smiles, grimisis, frowns, eye-rolls, awkward expressions and gestures and sometimes only show, in a micro-type credit line"file photo". This is practiced by newspapers, broadcast media, magazines, wire services and PICTURE AGENCIES.

I'm always up for a good joke but some of this is nasty journalism.

Y'all may notice all of thos WHITE big lenses- I guess that started out as a tropical paint-job that deflected more heat in out of door situations. Then came the Olive-Drab finish to make the lenses look lie Mil.-Spec. stuff even when it isn't. Just paint something kakkie or battleship gray like the army and navy does. Big help that is at a high-security event and you camera looks like the business end of an artillery piece or an assault weapon. Then, of course of course we have the camouflage finish. If you are shooting (photographing) predatory wild animal in the jungle, they don't need to SEE you or you gear- they can just sniff you out and eat you anyway. In a war zone, even if you and your gear blend in with the foliage, you are still out of luck if you are bombed out, gassed out, blown up by incoming ordinance or fall into a boobytrap.

I hope they don't charge more for the basic black finish!

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Two different bodies with two different lenses? You would think one zoom lens and one body would be enough. But, I'm not a professional photojournalist. At these Press conferences, you also see spectators using Smartphones. I bet many have some really good photos, in their smartphone photo gallery, of the President, and other foreign dignitaries he meets with. And among other journalistic events.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Common sense answer to some question, but not his.

nison777 Loc: illinois u.s.a.

Can we see them?

aellman Loc: Boston MA

I think hot pink would add a sophisticated image and a lot of credibility to our assignments; not just the lenses, but the camera bodies too. With a camera like this, everyone I encounter would immediately identify me as a serious, experienced professional photojournalist. Then I wouldn't have to wear one of those silly generic PRESS badges you get online for $9.99. >Alan

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

The reason they don't make use of long telephoto lenses is because all it takes is one that has a short lens to get up close to the news subject (person) and then they are in your way. So they all crowd in close and try to get the shot. Most of those types of photographers are trying to grab the shot that is the most sensational and different than other journalists.