Cooling off–Here’s a typical feature picture you might see in a newspaper especially when it’s the first day of summer when it’s over 100°F. I found this woman lying down in the shade waiting for her bus. Ask for permission first, or take the picture first? There are no hard and fast rules. If possible, I always take the picture first simply because the moment will be gone if you don’t. Spontaneous moments are ruined if you ask first. When discovered, come clean. It always works out better instead of trying to sneak away without any explanation. You’ll risk having the cops called on you especially if there are kids involved.
It’s those hot summer days like today that I don’t miss being at the newspaper.
I used to drive aimlessly looking for  feature pictures.
Add today’s price of gasoline, multiply by the number of photographers on staff and you’ll get the idea of the cost of a picture that may never get published.
Graduations which are happy affairs can also pose a challenge if you’re there to photograph your loved ones. The bigger the commencement, the more hassle you’ll encounter. On assignment for the University of Redlands, I had unlimited access but I never overstepped my boundaries by parking in one spot and blocking the view of others.
If you photograph anything that has to do with people, you will inevitable come across this word: access.
It’s the difference between getting close enough to give yourself a chance to get a decent picture and being so far away that you can’t even see the intended subject of your picture.
It’s also the difference between being given permission to bring a camera on the grounds or keeping it in your trunk.
Since not everyone has deep pockets and can afford a super telephoto, what is an amateur to do?
