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12/15/2004 04:36:15 PM · #1 |
So I just got a job as a photographer for the campus newspaper (go me!!!), and my trial assignment is to shoot a funeral for a major public figure. I'm very excited, but I'm also a little worried.. I don't want to be the weird girl running around snapping pics during a solemn ceremony... What's the most tactful way to go about this?
The guy is a bigshot, so I imagine there will be plenty of press coverage there. I am planning on just following the lead of whatever press photogs are there, but I'd like to go into it with more of an idea of what to do than that. Has anyone been in this situation or one like it? Any advice?
The funeral is TOMORROW (Thursday afternoon), so I'm kinda on a time crunch. Also keep in mind that I have to get personal info (proper spelling of name, relation to deceased, etc.) on anyone I shoot.
HELP ME OUT!!!!
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12/15/2004 04:44:32 PM · #2 |
dunno, maybe use a telephoto lens so u're not in any1's face.
good luck!
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12/15/2004 04:50:03 PM · #3 |
shoot from the back, you do'nt need the audiences faces do you?
A good shot is from the back with the casket at the front..at least that's what I see in the papers all the time.
I don't envy you! Getting personal info at a funeral will be rough! |
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12/15/2004 04:55:02 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by GoldBerry:
shoot from the back, you do'nt need the audiences faces do you? |
You do if they want any emotive stuff.
Look over the photos of Reagan's funeral - you can find hundreds online. Instead of looking at the people, think about where the photographer was and how they got the shot.
M
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12/15/2004 05:41:36 PM · #5 |
I've never photographed a funeral, but I have been to many.
If the deceased is a big shot, then you might expect to see a long line outside the funeral home (or church?)--a shot showing the number of people waiting to pay their respects? If the casket will be removed immediately to a cemetary, then you'll have lines of limos and cars, the casket being placed into the herse, mourners gathered in small groups waiting outside. Mavrik's right, if they want "emotive" you may have to introduce yourself to some people.
Be sure to get the obituary from the paper which lists primary relatives. Also, consider calling the funeral home to explain your assignment and ask advice on what is appropriate/permitted. If they're reluctant, conact some other funeral home and ask if they have advice. My general experience with funeral directors has been positive (though I've never approached any of them with your question). They're in the business of helping people through difficult times and so are usually compassionate and understanding of humans in general. I doubt you'll be the first to ask this question--and I'm sure they've had much stranger requests.
Other thoughts for subjects: flower arrangements (especially the ones with ribbons such as "Beloved Mother"), any sign announcing the ceremony, the tombstone (if you know where he/she will be buried you can go ahead of time), the guest register with or without guests. The last reminds me to suggest you collect the funeral card which is usually near the guest book and will have proper spelling of name and birth date.
My mother has always been bold at family funerals, she takes her camera (a non-digital Rebel) and arrives early enough to take a casket shot. The bereaved have never objected. (She justifies this because she read once that it used to be quite common to take such photos.)
Once you have a few "sure" shots, you can stick close to the press photographers and imitate them. If there are TV news crews there, you might get close to the videographer who is less likely to view you as competition and might even converse with you in a dull moment.
And last, remember that not everyone at a funeral is bereaved or mourning. The larger the contingent of guests, the more likely this is. Funerals are really not that different than, say, weddings--people go for all sorts of reasons, not the least of which is to show their support and concern for those closest to the newly wedded or recently deceased. People are awkward at funerals because they don't know how to act, and therefore are putting on an act--this can lead to odd behavior, but of weddings or funerals the former is by far the more violent event.
Good luck!
(And let us know how it turns out!)
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12/15/2004 06:21:53 PM · #6 |
Congrats on your first assignment!
Make sure you dress appropriatley. Dark slacks, nice shirt and blazer if you have one. You don't want to obviously stand out. Bring a notebook and a pen.
Remember to be polite, identify who you are, who you are with.
Call the paper's advisor and ask for tips as well. That's part of their job. Do not be afraid to do your job. Most people will understand. Again, respectful tones of voice go a good long way.
Good photojournalism tells a story. Look for the story. The story isn't the guy's death. It's his life. Do some research tonight. Who was he? Who are the people who might be most impacted by his passing? The casket isn't the story. That's a standard stock shot on this kind of job. Get those shots. Then go looking.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes! |
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12/15/2004 06:37:28 PM · #7 |
Totally agree with blemt on this. I shot my best friend's mother's funeral this summer in Vermont. It was a memorial service with a small box of ashes, rather than a casket. My telephoto was the most important piece of equipment there, the flash should be left at home (not really but you understand). Take your emotive pics from a good distance where you are not intruding and make sure you are close to the receiving line at the end to catch anyone who you were unable to 'release'.
Know who to take pictures of by doing the research but remember, many people who are grieving also realize that the photograph you take on this day may be something that they will be interested later in reviewing 'for sentimental' purposes. They realize why you are there and that you have a job to do, as long as you are not pure 'Papa Rotzi' they may even cooperate unintentionally in helping you to achieve your goal.
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12/15/2004 06:44:37 PM · #8 |
If it helps, here is a set of pictures I took at a memorial earlier this year. The longest telephoto I had was a 28-135mm IS and it suited me fine butlonger would have helped. I had to use it at 135mm for most shots and that lens was not so good at the far end. Once the service was over I took the more close up shots. I hope this helps.
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12/15/2004 10:05:26 PM · #9 |
Thanks so much for all of your responses!! I think I have a pretty good idea now of what to shoot. I guess my biggest problem is that I've never actually been to a funeral myself.. I'm extremely lucky for that, but I have absolutely no idea what to expect. Do you think it's appropriate to take pictures indoors, where the shutter will be louder and potentially disrupting? And what's appropriate to wear? i.e., as a girl I would normally wear a dress, but as a photographer on assignment I feel like slacks might be more appropriate.. inquiring minds want to know!
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12/15/2004 11:51:31 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by mffnqueen:
And what's appropriate to wear? i.e., as a girl I would normally wear a dress, but as a photographer on assignment I feel like slacks might be more appropriate.. inquiring minds want to know! |
Go with slacks and a blazer. Think professional business woman. But do skip the heels. ;) If this is a real high profile event, there may be a press contact who can tell you what the family is allowing. When in doubt, do make friends with a nice photojournalist. :)
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12/19/2004 01:47:03 PM · #11 |
So I figure that I should let you guys know how it went, since y'all helped me out so much!
This was probably the toughest thing I've ever had to shoot.. It's really difficult to know what is appropriate and what isn't. My plan to imitate the other photogs didn't go as planned, because there weren't many there. There were a few news cameras and reporters, but I didn't see any other photographers. The second I pulled out my camera, a police officer directed me to the family's "Media Relations Director," who then relocated me to this small square of grass across the street about a block away with the other press people.. I considered trying to sneak off to another area, but they had police guarding the press area, so I figured I should probably stay put.
There was no casket (and thus no gravesite ceremony) and no eulogy during the service, plus the guy was really old and had lived a full, happy life, so no one was really mourning (and thus, emotion shots weren't gonna fly), so I focused on the delegation from my university and tried to get photos of them. I took probably 60-70 shots, and of those I would say maybe three are keepers.. I've heard of worse odds from better photographers, so I'm not too disappointed.
I guess if I had to give any advice I would say get there very early and find someplace where you'll be totally inconspicuous. And bring looooong lenses.. longer than you'll think you'll need.. Oh, and don't forget your battery at home and have to turn around when you're five minutes away. Definitely don't do that.
Thanks again for all your help!!
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12/26/2004 07:27:11 AM · #12 |
lol should have gone with the camera in the hat of teddy bear trick
i'm glad it went good for you ..good job! |
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