A word of warning

[Joe the Photog]

Sometimes wee railfans stop on the side of a road -- any road -- to get that perfect shot. We should always remember to look around us and be safe. This fellow worked at my station a long time before I got there, but his death has caused e-mails and a meeting or two warning us photojournalists to be careful and always be aware what's going around you.

Railfans need to heed this also.

http://wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6515244

[Mark Rosnick]

My prayers go out to his family. I hated covering accidents during my newspaper career, I had a couple of close calls, but nothing quite like this. I'm hoping the driver of the pickup will do the right thing and turn themselves in.

[Joe the Photog]

My closest call came when covering a strike that was literally just gaining steam. It was beside a road in front of the plant and I was shooting the crowd which was chanting and waving signs and fists in the air. I was shooting video and worrying about audio and composition when al of a sudden the reporter I was with literally grabbed me by the arm and yanked as hard as she could to get me out of the way of a speeding 18 wheeler. I almost became a news story that night instead of just covering one. It's easy to forget these things while you're out there.


Joe

[Studogg120]

I'm almost always aware of what's going on around me when I'm shooting. There's no rule about being too safe.