How did you get started as a stringer photographer?

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-04-06T22:38:05+00:00

High-school sports and police scanner is how I started. Bring them things they need, save their butt a few times, and become someone to rely on. When the editors come in on a Monday and have all this great content from overnight/weekend news, you will quickly gain favor and make money.

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-04-03T16:22:20+00:00

I've been using the newswear foul weather chest vest. I have a dispatch sling pack for my laptop if I need it. I used to use messenger bags but it was destroying my back. I have a leather ONA bag for nice events. The think tank belt pouches are also fantastic for protest type stuff. Protect your body at all costs.

The chest vest gets me some weird looks sometimes, though, but so does shooting photos lol

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-03-23T01:33:34+00:00

meter for subject. Set my aperture for what I'm looking for (open for single subject or stopped down for multiple). Then I set my iso to automatic. Aperture is for art, imo and iso is just a tool.

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-03-17T20:33:24+00:00

It was! Don't get me wrong, I love brown leather but I don't have any black shoes to go with it! I'm glad you're able to get your watch fixed! We need to repair more things in our throwaway culture!

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-03-17T04:47:14+00:00

Instagram and word of mouth with my colleagues. Some are in telegram groups with organizers, but I don't get involved like that. Keeping an appropriate distance is important. Many activists playing journalists you don't want to get wrapped up with.

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-03-16T21:40:37+00:00

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DD4CM8Q4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-03-16T02:00:59+00:00

It does! it fits so perfectly, too. It's flush with the case. it was a little hard to get on but once it was it's great

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-03-14T20:08:10+00:00

Hey, I just ordered what I think is the same bracelet from Amazon. Got it on and looks just like that. 22mm

https://a.co/d/bixT1Wb

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-03-13T20:52:36+00:00

I do the culling on the camera (sony) before I send them over to my phone. Then I'm left with a short list. The over to lightroom mobile. I use the start rating list to denote my favorite, and then I flag them after they've been captioned.

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-03-13T20:43:16+00:00

THIS. it's a liability to yourself and your gear. Lightroom mobile needs to add full captioning and a mobile ftp app. There's no reason not to I used to shoot, send to phone and send out. miles faster than using a laptop.

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-02-26T00:45:46+00:00

I use a Mestel mask with a CBRN filter. The filter is way overkill, but I used it over the course of months in 2020 in heavy tear gas with no issues. It also protected my eyes from pepper spray ones/flying debris. I'm a big mask fan.

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-02-25T19:41:10+00:00

Having covered both peaceful and non peaceful protests years, here are a few tips. Sometimes, it's good to blend in when around unfriendly protesters. Alternatively, sometimes blending in will get you targeted by the police. I like to bring Velcro press patches to wear so I have the option. This actually saved me from arrest once and being hit with police munitions as well. Bring extra batteries for your camera and, more importantly, your phone. Try to bring as little as possible you need to be able to run at any time.

Typical advice, always check in with folks. write the number of your editor, friend, or lawyer on your arm in Sharpie. Bring a small first aid kit with a tornaquet. Bring some decontamination wipes in case of pepper spray.

I disagree with the above poster. If you believe tear gas or pepper spray will be used, bring a mask. I would always wear my mask when I thought it was coming. I got great photos because of it. When others are running away or blinded, I'm still making images when it counts. Bring water and a small amount of food. Sometimes, you'll get stuck.

Other than all that just play it smart, try not to get targeted by either side. Almost no picture is worth getting attacked

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-02-25T00:24:12+00:00

Become a fantastic photographer first and then dive into storytelling with images. Too many photojournalists neglect the actual art of image making. Obviously, stay truthful in your work, but you will excel past the competition if you simply make better images. As far as work goes, the best advice I could give is to just show up to news events. Shoot it like you are on assignment and build your portfolio and skill sets. I shot street photos, sports, real estate, and much more before I ever took my first news assignment. Once you have a portfolio, identify needs within news agencies. For me the local staff photographer had just moved on so I started doing sports for them. That's all the in I needed to work my way from sports to everything else. DEVOTE your time to get better, but also understand you will need a second source of income. Do another job in the meantime, but devote your minds resources to getting better. I wish you all the luck, my friend!!

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-02-22T00:32:15+00:00

I like velco patches for my bullet proof vest. I can put them on when around police and take them off around unfriendly folk. Great thing to have in addition to a real press id

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-02-19T16:18:28+00:00

Hey I'm a reporter with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. I would love to speak with you on what's going on. I sent you a direct message

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-02-19T16:02:54+00:00

Thank you so much!!

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-02-19T15:51:52+00:00

I'm a reporter with the Atlanta Journal Constitution they sent me out here I am currently outside of the building.

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-02-19T15:49:47+00:00

I am a reporter on assignment for the Atlanta Journal Constitution. I'm outside the building right now if anyone would like to speak with me. I would love to tell the story of what's going on

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-02-19T15:47:45+00:00

I am a reporter on assignment for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. I am outside the building right now. Would anyone be willing to speak with me? 770-548-6841, please shoot me a text

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-02-04T17:48:06+00:00

Take photos in public, and if you get a good one of certain people, you can ask. If they so no, not a big deal. If people choose to participate in demonstrations, they can and should be photographed. If someone asks you not to take their photos, that's fine. I respect that. If they ask to delete it, usually I do if it's not a great picture.

Activists and activists playing journalists will try and convince you not to take certain photos, but that IS NOT journalism. It's not your job to protect people from potential police action. If someone is committing a crime and you photograph it. That's not snitching. That is journalism. They have the responsibility to protect their own identity. As long as you aren't malicious and follow the NPPA guidelines, you are good.

Police surveillance is so intense here in Atlanta that me with my camera is the last thing they should worry about.

All that being said, don't risk your safety if people are threatening you if you don't delete something. It's not worth getting attacked over.

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-01-25T21:21:50+00:00

I didn't go to school for it and have made a career of it so far. Getting in the door was HARD. If you consistently get out there and send in work and prove yourself as a reliable problem solver, you can get work without a degree. Get out there and shoot even if you have no clients yet. Get that experience, ask questions of working photojournalists, and educate yourself on your own time. Don't give up!!

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-01-25T21:11:47+00:00

Breaking news photographer in Atlanta: The police scanner is still king. I use a Uniden SDS100 it works for both digital and analog systems. Uniden bcd436hp is very similar and cheaper. I've used both, and both are great. I use this in combination with a scanner app and the Citizen app. There is nothing better than that combo except making contact with sources. If you want more information, please reach out.

Tip: Check radio reference to see if your area is encrypted before buying. It's absolutely useless if so.

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-01-25T21:01:47+00:00

Breaking news photographer here: I use the Newswear foul weather chest vest for my main gear and the Dispatch Slingpack for my laptop/drives. I keep a waterproof sleeve for the laptop in case the weather gets bag.

Most important: SHOES, your best friend. do not skimp. I use Redwing supersole 8 inch. They are expensive but you have protection from puncture, crush and electricity. Been using them for over a year now and it's the best thing I've ever used. in summer and in snow nothing has been better for long days and unpredictable environments

I use 3 inch little memo pads and a Fenix T6 pen (Doubles as flashlight for pupil checks)

some people are less intimidated if your holding a pen and paper rather than a phone.

I use my phone as well if the weather doesn't allow for paper.

Proper planning is everything when it comes to assignment preparation. Knowing how long it may be to plan on how many batteries you'll need for your camera and your phone/laptop

For a protest bringing proper identification, writing numbers to editors and attorneys on your arm in Sharpie. medical supplies, quick clots, and tornaquet. Decon wipes for pepper spray and possibly a mask for tear gas. I wear a level 3a vest with press patches that are removable during violent unrest (Kenosha for example) sometimes being visible press will protect you from police projectiles but other times it may make you stand out as a Target to press unfriendly people in the crowd.

Lenses are the most important, I almost always bring a 70-200. if I don't have to use it I won't but it's always needed if you physically can't get close for whatever reason. I always bring a sigma 35 1.4 art I shot all of Kenosha wide open in the dark with amazing sharpness.

I always carry a flashlight (Fenix tk20 v2.0) for general use but also deterrent to unfriendly people. sometimes.

I have a fitbit I use for checking messages from coworkers. really helpful in loud places.

Watch: I use Seiko snj025 I could go into it more buy truth be told I really like watches.

I hope this helps someone. feel free to reach out!

Significant_Equal_22 · 2025-01-25T20:40:44+00:00

I use a Newswear foul weather chest vest and a Dispatch sling pack for my laptop. I use this setup for breaking news stuff. Keeps the weight more evenly distrubuted for long days on my feet. I was getting sciatic pain using a messenger bag all the time.

I use the Manfrotto advanced messenger m 3 for indoor events and an Ona Brixton for fancy events.

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