Photographing injuries - a solution.
Photographing injuries in Roller Derby has always been a sticky subject in the UK. I have written about it on several occasions, trying to examine where this cultural phenomena came from. It seems to be unique in the sporting world. I understand the argument from all sides, I’m not that much of a bastard to just examine it from my perspective. Having attended Sci-fight, the organisers have given me a solution, a solution I should have realised long ago.
For a photographer, the dilemma is, if this rule is enforced, where does an injury start?
The unwritten rule at present, it’s when a skater doesn’t get up. More often that not a skater will go down, the play will stop, but they will get up on their own accord, winded or with cramp. Is that an injury? Can I shoot it? According to the unwritten rule, no. The refs will shield the skater, an act I feel uncomfortable with, and I am forced to drop my camera in fear of being vilified. Injury?
On rarer occasions a skater will go down who is truly injured and requires medical help, rarer still, hospitalisation. Thankfully this is rare. The routine described above is the same. I am not an ambulance chaser. I really hope it doesn’t happen. However as a photographer, if I end up fearing shooting anything that could end in an injury, my output will just be pictures of the cake stand.
The big question is, when can I shoot, when should I stop? As a photographer I will shoot the hits, at the time I do not know if a hit will result in an injury. If it does result in an injury, will I remember when I come to process the shots? To me it’s just another hit. Is the act/hit okay to show rather than the result? What are we trying to protect? The act, the intent, the result? I’m not going to go in to the ethics of censorship, an issue I’m passionate about and could result in myself being labelled the dark lord of the dung heap.
Anyway, thanks to Sci-Fight and Alan Yentob I have a solution. Like a good magician I’m not going to reveal my technique, not yet. I fear I will be hounded, but here goes, perhaps it’s time to push the boundaries.
For a photographer, the dilemma is, if this rule is enforced, where does an injury start?
The unwritten rule at present, it’s when a skater doesn’t get up. More often that not a skater will go down, the play will stop, but they will get up on their own accord, winded or with cramp. Is that an injury? Can I shoot it? According to the unwritten rule, no. The refs will shield the skater, an act I feel uncomfortable with, and I am forced to drop my camera in fear of being vilified. Injury?
On rarer occasions a skater will go down who is truly injured and requires medical help, rarer still, hospitalisation. Thankfully this is rare. The routine described above is the same. I am not an ambulance chaser. I really hope it doesn’t happen. However as a photographer, if I end up fearing shooting anything that could end in an injury, my output will just be pictures of the cake stand.
The big question is, when can I shoot, when should I stop? As a photographer I will shoot the hits, at the time I do not know if a hit will result in an injury. If it does result in an injury, will I remember when I come to process the shots? To me it’s just another hit. Is the act/hit okay to show rather than the result? What are we trying to protect? The act, the intent, the result? I’m not going to go in to the ethics of censorship, an issue I’m passionate about and could result in myself being labelled the dark lord of the dung heap.
Anyway, thanks to Sci-Fight and Alan Yentob I have a solution. Like a good magician I’m not going to reveal my technique, not yet. I fear I will be hounded, but here goes, perhaps it’s time to push the boundaries.
Hi Jason, As an organiser of Sci Fight, I would be interested in hearing what this solution is, to gain some clarity. Regards Dr Stevel
ReplyDeleteActually, it's not really a solution, well apart for myself and maybe one or two others. I never trained as a photographer and have talents elsewhere.. Sorry for being a bit cryptic but I'd like to see peoples reaction. They may be horrified by it. Anyway, for a clue it's in the programme.
ReplyDelete