photographer

[jdmara]

He bothers me at halftime in the locker room and I am getting his name as the state association is going to hear about it! Here in Iowa NOBODY can be in the officials' room before, during, after the game...period.

-Josh

[JRutledge]

I do not see anything in the Terms and Conditions of the IHSA Tournament that says anything about photographers.

First of all you are in charge of that game. You can have anyone removed or moved if they are distracting to that game. Photographers often try to act as if they can go where they want to and do what they want to. But that is not the case, you have jurisdiction over the game and a flash during a FT is inappropriate.

And no, I would not give him my names. He is a "media person" not the IHSA representative. At best he is a fan.

Peace

[bob jenkins]

This is from the "manager's manual". Note also, that no one can be in the "safety zone" (3' beyond each baseline).

(4) Photographers—Restrictions concerning
the area(s) in which photographers may work
from, and of the facility in which the tournament
is to be conducted, should be distributed in
advance to photographers.
Photographers shall not enter the dressing
room without approval of the coach involved.
Photographers shall be allowed to work the
tournament under reasonable conditions, as
determined by the Local Manager in conjunction
with the IHSA Policy regarding news media/spectator
photography (Policy No. 29 in the IHSA official
handbook).
Spectator use of electronic lighting shall not
be permitted during play.
Authorized news media representatives, who
have identified themselves to the Local Manager
(or designee), shall be permitted to use electronic
lighting equipment throughout the course of the
tournament. Such electronic lighting can be 1)
strobe lights mounted to fixed positions at the site
and/or 2) electronic strobe attachments mounted
to a camera.
Local Managers should confer with the
coaches of the teams participating in a contest
before giving permission to authorized news
media photographers to use strobe lighting
mounted to fixed positions.
Local Managers should confer with game
officials and authorized new media photographers
before requiring photographers to cease use of
electronic strobe attachments mounted to a camera
because use of such equipment may be causing
interference with the conduct of the contest.
Jubilation photographs shall be considered
as a standard type of photography permitted following
the conclusion of contests. Properly credentialed
news photographers shall be permitted
access to the arena floor following the conclusion
of the competition to shoot jubilation photographs
of players, coaches, fans or other involved persons.
Photographers shall be instructed by Local
Managers when to retreat from the arena floor so
that trophy or award presentations may get under
way. All news photographers (whether they be
television camera operators or still photographers)
shall abide by these shooting rules.

[JRutledge]

Well it looks like this guy violated several rules.

Peace

[Camron Rust]

Aside from coming to the officials lockerroom (which is not covered in the posted policy), I don't see that this photographer did anything wrong. The IHSA regs posted above say he can use a strobe and to require him to not use one requires going through the host principle before he can be asked to cease.

As long as he's not phycially in your way or harrassing you (or a player), I don't think you could directly do anything about him. You could mention it to the principle/AD, but that is about it.

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Aside from coming to the officials lockerroom (which is not covered in the posted policy), I don't see that this photographer did anything wrong. The IHSA regs posted above say he can use a strobe and to require him to not use one requires going through the host principle before he can be asked to cease.

As long as he's not phycially in your way or harrassing you (or a player), I don't think you could directly do anything about him. You could mention it to the principle/AD, but that is about it.

I think I have grounds here, as the coach said his flash was distracting her players. If I told him prior to game no flashes, I agree with you, as there isn't a problem or complaint.

I also feel this wording covers us, taken from IHSA guidelines and policy. In future, I would tell host management that flashes are interferring with the conduct of the game and let them handle it. Seems pretty clear in my opinion.

News Media General Policies and Procedures, Continued
Host principals (or designee) should confer with game officials and authorized news media photographers before requiring photographers
to cease use of electronic attachments because such equipment may be allegedly causing interference with the conduct of the contest.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

As long as he's not phycially in your way or harrassing you (or a player), I don't think you could directly do anything about him. You could mention it to the principle/AD, but that is about it.

I was not there. I cannot comment on the location or what the photographer was doing specifically. But if a photographer is "interfering" they can be removed from said position and not allowed to take shots in certain places. Most understand this and in no way try to interfere. But it is not uncommon to deal with those that push the limits and take an attitude that makes them feel obligated to be anywhere. And yes, I am the one that tells them to move. And there are also rules that apply to media people that they cannot be anywhere close to a 3 foot area around the playing court (also applies to cheerleaders). And if an official asks them to move, they must move or other actions can be taken like not continuing play until they accommodate the officials. Now in baseball this happens much more often where photographers want to be on the playing surface which is not at all allowed and there is not a "game management" person available to correct the issue. Never had a major problem in basketball, but I have had photographers that like to stand right off the end line and it is the officials that will likely run into them. I do not need anyone to tell them in that case to move. I tell them to move and that is it.

Peace

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Aside from coming to the officials lockerroom (which is not covered in the posted policy), I don't see that this photographer did anything wrong. The IHSA regs posted above say he can use a strobe and to require him to not use one requires going through the host principle before he can be asked to cease.

As long as he's not phycially in your way or harrassing you (or a player), I don't think you could directly do anything about him. You could mention it to the principle/AD, but that is about it.

I read it the other way, in that the officials should be consulted before telling the photographers to stop. It doens't say the officials have to consult with GM.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I read it the other way, in that the officials should be consulted before telling the photographers to stop. It doens't say the officials have to consult with GM.

The governing body (as I read form ISHA regs) specifically said media photographers were permitted to use a strobe and only and only had to get permission to mount off-camera strobes on structures. There was no indication he was in a position he was not authorized to be in or doing anything more than taking photos. Given that, I'm not sure an official alone can tell a photographer to stop doing something that the state has said they could do if they are doing so in the location approved by the game/state admins. I think the official should deal with it through the game admin if anything.