Findoc Loc: Australia

Just an emotional response as a first responder and previously a victim in an earthquake:

I felt anger at the people taking a video from a helicopter in the earthquake, irrational I know, but try surviving an earthquake. I shook my fist at them (literally). I suspect they couldn't even see it

As a commander of first responder teams for many years, I have to be careful whenever at a major incident, not because of the danger of injury, but because of the risk of somebody with a long lens trained on me or my team. Dealing with that stuff is horrible and everybody's method is different. Some make jokes and we laugh in the face of tragedy. But a frozen moment doesn't always tell that story.

Yes, we should record tragedy as well as triumph, but at a visceral level, it is hard to accept.

JungleAnni

In regards to scenes of possible foul play: Photographs taken by bystanders (us) have often proved to be valuable evidence.(Boston marathon). If you choose to photograph a scene, then consider photographing the surrounding crowd, rooftop viewers, sullen bystanders. I have welcomed that information as a crime scene investigator on more than one occasion.

Thanks all.

BrettOssman Loc: near Tampa, Florida

One thing I recall seeing back in school, is those Driver's Ed videos. Some pretty morbid, but supposedly intended to strongly make the point of driving safely. Those may have been staged, no idea.

Anyway, wonder if they still show those in school.

gfinnstrom

Interesting question….. In the old days I was a photojournalist photographer stringer and did forensic photos. When it came to the victims I would never put them in the paper or who ever wanted them being UPI API Reuters… with the photos taken the victims deceased were photographed then the investigating officer was given a card with my information on it in the event for further investigation and going to court… even though not part of the story I would take photos of the skid marks the intersection etc. for possible future use…

I eventually ended up doing thirty years as a paramedic and law-enforcement and carried a camera on the ambulance if the situation did not require our use i.e. fatalities I would do photos of the scene for the officers, those photos were never kept because that camera was a polaroid 108 model (remember those)

The other thing as mentioned one may be very eager to go up and take a photo until they see a person that has been spattered and that will totally blow your mind and you will never be the same and you have to think; is it worth it... I can think of other things to take photos but it is a personal choice to live with… I now do event historical and documentary photography using the skills learned from the past.

I also agree with one of the comments to use a DSLR camera and nothing smaller look professional if not you could get hurt by the families that arrive on or at the scene a good long lens works as well… like crime and accident scene I also no longer do investigative photos which is a whole different character... if in the event you get subpoenaed to court the photos are not evidence they are a representation of what the scene looked like…

I was once told by an idiot (that is being nice) you cannot use a digital camera for court and evidence… I asked why his response was you can doctor the photos… I told him I can doctor 35mm medium size film just as well… no photo video etc. can be used as evidence it can only represent what the officers/investigators have seen…

Paul L_S Loc: Lithia Springs GA USA

Interesting topic. My background 30 years in a large urban fire department. Retired Battalion Chief. Photographing scenes is legal. !st responders and medical personnel are bound by HIPPA laws regarding privacy. A firefighter in my state has lost his job for taking a picture of an accident victim and it wound up on facebook. The deceased girls parents were not happy when they saw the picture. Very poor judgement on his part. As a responder I never had a problem with people taking photos. I have heard opf a State Trooper that told a fire crew they could not photograph "his" accident scene after the victim had been removed. One of those that has a little authority and thinks he can make up his own laws. Just remember if a LEO (law enforcement officer) tells you that you cannot take a picture, he will probably win the argument in the street.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

My first wife was killed in a traffic accident so from first hand experience my opinion is please find something else to photograph.

Al McPhee Loc: Boston, Massachusetts

As a firefighter and freelance news photographer, I see many things I might photograph. I have my own set of rules, not legal but keeping me comfortable with what I do.I won't submit blood and gore for sensationalism, I will submit photos of emt's working on severely injured victims. I wont submit photos of bodies, although I might submit a victim being removed from a building or vehicle for treatment, even if they appear to have expired. Not close up, but to document the efforts. I won't get in someones face, but will shoot a person who is obviously greiving, often that part of the story brings home the price of very bad decisions. Just a few of the things I keep in mind. I have no compunction about shooting anything, but am quite particular about what I submit for public viewing.
Just my two cents worth.

Donj Loc: Manchester CT

As a career fire fighter for over 35 years, I have seen all types of photographers at emergency scenes. News reporters and amateur photographers handle themselves differently. The pros stay out of the way and use good judgement on what to shoot and what to not shoot. Amateur fire buffs know who what to shoot and what is off limits. The voyeuristic shots are out of bounds. Catching an image of an exhausted fire fighter, medic or police officer doing their job is OK. Showing an injured victim, crime scene victim...is out of bounds.

My word of caution is Never, Never become part of the incident or get in the way of responders doing their job. The yellow tape rule is good because it keeps you in the safe zone. Inside the tape is a hazard area and is meant to keep untrained individuals from getting hurt.

If you happen upon an incident before responders arrive, take pictures os everything, including bystanders. Then when the emergency is concluding, notify the Incident Commander that you have images of the scene prior to the responders arrival. He/she may want copies of the images for investigative purposed.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I've have taken the opportunity to be at several tragic, but newsworthy events. Because of other photography projects involving them, I'm somewhat "known" by many of the first responders here. Most of the incidents I've photographed have not involved anything more than property loss, in most cases unoccupied structures. Only a couple of times have I been at the scene of serious property loss or a fatal accident. I've always said a prayer for those involved while walking to get the best vantage point to photograph the scene.

As a scene of, what most would identify as, newsworthy events, no releases are required. I simply stay out of the way of those immediately involved with providing aid. I make the photos available to the local news sources, at least the ones that accept freelance work. I also make sure the departments involved get copies of the photos. I am also thankful that I don't have to do this as a primary job.
--Bob

bsinpgh Loc: Pittsburgh PA USA

Photojournalist Bill Eppridge was assigned to cover the Robert Kennedy Presidential Campaign for Life Magazine. He was in the kitchen of the hotel where RFK was shot and he captured the iconic image of the kitchen employee cradling the head of the dying Kennedy. In an interview on NPR's Morning Edition Eppridge explained his thinking. From the NPR story:

Kennedy's wife, Ethel, asked photographers to leave the room, but Eppridge remained behind, backing up into the crowd.

"Every once in a while, I would reach around and click the shutter on the camera that was hanging around my neck," he says. "I never put it up to my eye; I shot from the hip and came up with one quite acceptable picture.

"I know it was the right thing to do," Eppridge says. "I think that kind of a situation has got to be documented, it has to be told, and it has to be told to people who do not understand the horrors that we can face."

Here's my photo of the image as displayed at the "1968" exhibit in Pittsburgh.

And here is his camera, included in the display

f-stop

I am a retired prof firefighter of over 30 years. I was a company officer assigned to a hazardous materials unit, then reassigned to a technical rescue unit ( that unit is now apart of USAR..".Urban Search And Rescue". ...) shortly after working the OKC Bombing, I was reassigned as a staff officer with our aviation division and responded to several aircraft accidents. During ALL these assignments we have been photographed countless times by media and citizens alike. Most truly do respect the scene with regards to deceased persons. On a few occasions the safety line..aka yellow tape was breeched by those wanting to get closer for a photo. The reason for the tape is not only to preserve the legality of the scene to to ensure safety of those in the area, citizens and responders alike. I know of no professional responder that objects to photographers during these incidents... as long it's done in a RESPECTABLE & SAFE manner.

EstherP

Last year, I was at a horse show, when one of the riders was thrown by her horse. I had been taking photos of my granddaughter, so camera at the ready. I took several photos - when I came home I didn't feel right about it and deleted them.
While this accident happened on private property, it was entirely visible from the road for any passer-by.
EstherP

Ambrose Loc: North America

A photographer out for nothing but shock and gore gets no respect from me.

However, a photographer hoping to catch a glimpse of the human condition, the sacredness of life, or the fragility of our existence can capture truly moving images - IF they can tell a story that everyone can understand.

I recently went to a gallery showing of the most important images from the Time/Life collection. I was surprised that the majority of the shots had to do with morality. Those old enough will know them just by the titles:
- Execution of a Viet Cong Guerrilla
- Suicide lands on car
- Kent State
- Kennedy and busboy (see bsinpgh's posting above)
- Mother and Child fall from burning building

These are effective photographs that force the viewer to think - how do we stop war, how do we help the ill, how do we prevent accidents. These are important pictures, and they need to be taken.

BigBear Loc: Northern CT

I have often taken pics of our fire crews on the scene.
They love to see pics of themselves in action. :-D

riverlass Loc: northern California

Maybe a tired fireman... maybe the flames of a fire or the reaction of other folks to what is happening but NEVER, I would never take a photo of a dead victim or the grieving family. That's just wrong.