This Week in Photos 9/28-10/2 2008

In our last weekly editorial meeting Editor Deric Rothe announced he was going to make an effort to sit down with city officials and try to iron out any issues there might be between our local paper and the community. Rumor has it there have been a lot of negative things said about our newspaper lately. I was asked in the meeting what I hear out on the streets when on assignment. It’s always easier to make negative comments than positive ones. I hear a mix from people depending on the story or the photos we shoot. Unfortunately news isn’t always good. I’ve been in the community long enough to know it’s expected and you can’t please every one. But not all comments are bad, some are very positive even going as far as saying we were “sensitive.” Case in point, Maita Ford Mercury.

A harsh reality of our economy set in when we found out Maita Ford Mercury closed their dealership. I immediately knew we needed photos in the paper to go with Tony Hazarian’s story. Maita was one of our advertising clients and Leslie Maita always accommodated the journal when we needed something for a story. Even posing as Harpo Marx for a Black & White Ball feature in July. But this day was different.

On the way there I knew I wasn’t going to be greeted with open arms, and approached the situation with care. We’re talking about people showing up to work to find out they have no jobs. Getting photos taken is the last thing they needed. Being sensitive in this kind of situation will get me further than stalking the car lot waiting to see an ex-employee storming out with a box of their belongings.

I walked in with Tony and met with Leslie. She looked sad, worn out, but understood why we were there and escorted me to the service department. She explained she did not want to be photographed and I respected her request. At the same time I needed to get something with a person in the photo conveying the story. Eighteen-year-employee and service manager Bob Picchi was very cooperative allowing me to get what I needed despite the situation. At one point an old-time customer drove up in his truck, got out and gave Leslie a big hug. It happened right in front of me and I didn’t budge to get the shot respecting Leslie’s request not be photographed. It was a moment that needed to be just between them without a camera in their faces.

As a photojournalist, certain situations require that you don’t think and just do whatever it takes to get the shot. Other times it’s ok to have a conscious and back off.