This week we produce the lists of gripes and solutions. When photographers do not know what the story is about. When photographers talk too much and interrupt the flow of an interview. When photographers fail to spend time getting pictures of important people so that they can be used at a later date. The idea among writers that words are more important than pictures, that photographers are second-class citizens.
Reporters have to stay out of the way in a breaking event.
Reporters can always capture the scene later through interviews, but photographers have only one chance to get the shot. Recognize that there are times photographers should work alone on the story, without the reporter. Too often reporters work too long on a story, without bringing the photographer in during the reporting. Reporters and photographers need to talk early on, and understand their respective needs on the story. Photographers should read a reporter's story, if that is possible.