[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Tar Heel

I am a basketball official with 12 years experience, and also a sports photographer. I am a member of a sports photographer website, called sportsshooter.com.

On the discussion board, there was a thread about photographers tossed by officials. I offered my opinion, and granted, it was biased toward officials, and that irritated some people. It's a lively thread, very entertaining to find out what photogs think of us, but what I wanted was to see if some of you would read the thread and offer a response.

You will not be able to post it directly on that board, unless you are a member, but if you would post your response here, I will give you credit (anonymously) and post it verbatim, minus any direct attacks, or cheap shots, name calling, etc. Please, just respond in a thoughtful, professional manner and I will be able to post a differing point of view on the "conflict" between photogs and refs.

Thanks so much! Hang on to your hat!

http://www.sportsshooter.com/message...html?tid=27133

Phil Hawkins
CBOA/SJVBOA Fresno unit.

I didn't follow the link, but my assumption is that this is for HS and below.

If so, I'd encourage the photographers to introduce themselves to the officials before the game and work out an acceptable location from which to shoot. Almost anything can be agreed on before the game when it's calm (and, depending on the sport / location, the coaches might have to approve); almost any "surprise" will not be pleasant during the heat of the battle.