Disrespectful Storm Chasers

[Jason Boggs]

well then I've seen the media break the law half a million times, because I've seen the walking through houses, rubble and yards/property with video camera's, and photographers doing the same thing. They may or may not have had permission, i dont know, but there's a bazillion videos out there on google, and youtube, and various other media sites showing the media doing it.

I work with the media, and when I want to film damage on property, I always ask first. Now, if I'm on public property, I just shoot away. Again, I always ask before shooting on private property. Just because you see media walking through houses/rubble/yards doesn't mean they're breaking the law.

 

[Jeremy Den Hartog]

Okay, here are a few more pictures, I want to protect their identity at least:

http://imgur.com/a/5HVk1

I included a picture they took of their car. I guess they got 'stuck' in a tornado and it sucked out their rear window.

Ok I showed my Wife and she is 100% sure that is the house...

 

[Marcus Hicks]

That was me so have at it. It wasn't about disrespect. The owner was confirmed safe. It was about documenting damage. So I took some pictures of a house that was clearly directly impacted. If you personally were offended by my actions well I apologize. If the owner is offended, well I will apologize to him as well.

 

[Jeremy Den Hartog]

That was me so have at it. It wasn't about disrespect. The owner was confirmed safe. It was about documenting damage. So I took some pictures of a house that was clearly directly impacted. If you personally were offended by my actions well I apologize. If the owner is offended, well I will apologize to him as well.

Marcus, thank you for coming out and apologizing. I understand the desire to document (believe me I wanted to take pictures, etc as well). Sometimes though we have to keep in mind there is a time and a place for that kind of stuff. That said, I've made plenty of mistakes - hopefully this will serve as a lesson for others out there to keep the people directly affected by the storms/tornadoes in mind...

 

[Marcus Hicks]

The pictures in that link have my car in them but those are not my photos

 

[Marcus Hicks]

You know I did ask the nice gal in the safty vest if I could photograph. She warned us about the gas leak and we proceeded. I didn't just barge up there snapping photos

 

[Jeremy Den Hartog]

You know I did ask the nice gal in the safty vest if I could photograph. She warned us about the gas leak and we proceeded. I didn't just barge up there snapping photos

I understand, I just posted what I saw. I meant no disrespect to you (though I do feel a mistake was made) - the homeowner did seem very 'concerned' with people approaching his house when he realized it wasn't family members of his...

 

[Marcus Hicks]

No worries Jeremy. I see the concerns of everyone. Had I been made aware of the owners concerns I would not have approached the property. I did ask a person I thought was incharge of the scene.

 

[Jason Boggs]

That was me so have at it. It wasn't about disrespect. The owner was confirmed safe. It was about documenting damage. So I took some pictures of a house that was clearly directly impacted. If you personally were offended by my actions well I apologize. If the owner is offended, well I will apologize to him as well.

Taking pictures inside a damaged house without permission is a pretty crappy thing to do Marcus. You could have at least asked.

 

[Marcus Hicks]

I never went into the house at all. I took pictures from the front and side yard.

 

[Jay Bell]

While it is not a "catch all" necessarily, this is a link to a good guide that anyone taking pictures when chasing should know about. It is put together by an attorney, but laws might change from time to time...so I'd use it as a general rule of thumb. And, yes, you would need permission to take photographs on a person's property in most cases....from a public place....should not be an issue.

http://www.krages.com/ThePhotographersRight.pdf

Jay

 

[Jason Foster]

Well, I'm gonna tell everyone right now...if this is the biggest issue out there....then I can't imagine the vain popping, stoke inducing mood ya'll get into regarding other issues. I have and WILL take damage pictures. I can't speak to the attitude or disregard of safety, but I document damage with photos & video...have posted them here...not heard a word. I like documenting damage (it's the architect side of me). I take every step to show respect (asking first...if possible, avoid showing truly personal items, etc.), but it isn't going to stop me. We've all seen very private moments in photography/photojournalism. If you want to argue this, you are going to have to argue against the entire business.

Worry about the bigger issues...this is tiny!

 

[J Trueblood]

We've all seen very private moments in photography/photojournalism. If you want to argue this, you are going to have to argue against the entire business.

I think that's a part of the point here. When someone's house gets ruined like this, it's no longer about 'business' it's about basic decency and human lives. I would assume that's what the OP is really upset about. When storm chasers are confronted with a situation like this, there seems to be some unwritten code that states you show a high level of sensitivity and respect.

 

[Jeremy Den Hartog]

I think that's a part of the point here. When someone's house gets ruined like this, it's no longer about 'business' it's about basic decency and human lives. I would assume that's what the OP is really upset about. When storm chasers are confronted with a situation like this, there seems to be some unwritten code that states you show a high level of sensitivity and respect.

Yes, this is the main concern. I'm not concerned with wanting to take damage photos just that it should be done in a certain way and as respectfully as possible.

 

[Jason Foster]

I think that's a part of the point here. When someone's house gets ruined like this, it's no longer about 'business' it's about basic decency and human lives. I would assume that's what the OP is really upset about. When storm chasers are confronted with a situation like this, there seems to be some unwritten code that states you show a high level of sensitivity and respect.

Well, do some degree it is the "business" that is the ones that want it. But I think the notion here of getting pictures of homes after they've been ruined (on private property or not) is hypocritical here. We've all seen it, done it. Most if not all however have shown a decent amount if not the utmost discretion and decency in acquiring those images and in publishing/broadcasting those images.

Let's look at the the most likely target in this discussion: Storm Chasers. I don't remember anyone bringing up the subject of private property during the Yahoo City episode. I think the general consensus there was that it was good to see chasers help, and that the film crew did help & film as well. They certainly were on private property, they were taking imagery from inside (grant inside and outside was a little more ambiguous at that point) and they broadcast it on a major show. If the argument (in general terms) is going to made...it should have been made then...or earlier.

If the OP had something specific about this particular person/group, fine....I wasn't there, so it certainly could have been something specific enough to warrant the calling out of their actions in semi-public fashion. But to make a general statement at this point...hypocritical.

Almost all the regulars here on ST I think operate in a really good fashion...so that is why I think really it's a tiny issue.