Photography during national anthem

I shoot alot of high school sports and twice now I 've gotten comments from someone saying I'm disrespecting the flag by shooting the teams and mooving around during the anthem.Anyone else been harrassed by someone who's thinking this way??Most of the teams I shoot for want to see these shots and as far as I 'm concerned it's a part of the event and I'm not disrespecting anything by doing my job. Thoughts?

I can understand why they would consider it disrespectful. In a way, you are dishonoring the flag and our country by taking photos during the national anthem instead of putting your hand over your heart and facing the flag.

One option would be to put your camera on a tripod, compose an image with the team about to honor the flag, take photos using a remote in your left hand while putting your right hand over your heart.

I usually look around before the anthem for a shot I might like and get set. Then take the shot in the first few seconds of the anthem and be done with it. If it turns out, great, if not, oh well.

I had the opportunity to shoot some high school games this year and thought about this issue. I agree with you that these shots are part of what you are there to cover, but I also came to realize that there would be a segment of the audience that would view it as disrespectful.

During college and professional games, the photographers are up and shooting during the national anthem - at least that was my first thought. But at my events, the participants weren't used to having a photographer on the sidelines and probably view it as somewhat of an intrusion. Therefore, I decided that if I could stand at attention, and perhaps briefly drop to a knee for a shot, I would do so. And then return to a standing, respectful position. In the end, my positioning was such that there was no point in trying to get the shot, anyhow.

IMO it boils down to your relationship to the subject. Do you have a specific assignment? Do they really want those shots? Then you should go get them. In my case, it was more critical to be seemingly invisible and retain the goodwill of the school administrators.

I've talked to 3 or 4 of my photog buddies about this issue and only one thinks it's disrespectfull (older guy Nam vet) the others see no problem with it.I can surely think of other things that are alot more non patriotic than this.

Usually I'm on the field during the national anthem (official photographer for the marching band), and I'll get a few photos - the football team, marching band, color guard, honor guard on military appreciation night, the flags - but I stay in place. Most of the time I'm standing at attention with my hand on my heart. It's a part of the event, so I get a few representative photos. Beyond that, I think it does become unnecessarily disruptive. I'm also the chair for our photography and media group. If I saw one of our photographers moving around a lot during the national anthem, I'd probably speak with them and ask them to please not do that. Those photos aren't ever going to be the big, important images. Yes, they're part of the story, but not that big of a part of it.

Unless you are running around like a paparazzi, popping your flash like bonkers, and, in general, being a distraction to other people, there's no disrespect to the flag.

I'd just shoot as discreetly and as little as I could (the advice given above, be ready in advance, is a very good one) in order to avoid distractions and/or confrontations with people who might feel too strongly about the issue.

Well I am pretty discreet about it and mostly stand facing the flag but usually pop off a few of the "line" of athletes facing the flag right at the beginning and right at the end. Last night though some lady didn't like it and said her peice to me. I just said it's part of my job and smiled.

People who object get more wrapped up in the show of patriotism than respecting the underlying freedoms. Ignore them if you can. If you must engage them explain that the first amendment is just as important important as the song.

It is part of the job and can be done discretely. I always get my shots and return to standing and facing the flag.

How else would we have these great shots?

https://www.google.com …nt&tbm=isch&tbs​=itp:photo

I guess you have to weigh the benefit of the possible photos you'll make vs. the verbal abuse you may receive.

Me personally... I put the camera down, remove my hat and take a few moments.

It should be a non-issue so long as you're not being loud, obnoxious, or running around like a maniac. You are there to do a job. If you think a shot during the national anthem adds to the story, then by all means you should go for it. You are capturing emotion and patriotism... nothing disrespectful about that. Besides, at any level and especially the higher levels (College, Pro) there are countless people there running the event, running the broadcast, stadium sound, video board, etc. that are there to do a job and may be unable to stand at attention. It's just the reality of the situation.

I shoot a lot of high school sports as well. In my opinion, people want to see photos of their kids playing the sport, not photos of parents singing the national anthem. The players are typically on the opposite side of the field as well, with not very pleasing fences and buildings right behind them. I agree that from a photography perspective, you can get interesting and emotional photos from people singing the national anthem, but I'm there to shoot the sport so parents and players can see photos of them playing. I do take occasional fan photos, but that's usually after a score.

I always stand up and place my hat or hand over my heart during the entirety of the anthem. If I saw someone kneeling down snapping photos discretely I wouldn't think much of it, but when someone is standing in a position in the direct line of sight as the flag, or even worse moving around facing the crowd, I do find it disrespectful. The reason I don't find it as an issue during college or pro games is because you are often further from the fans, lower to the ground, and surrounded by other photographers or workers running the event. At most high school games you are only several feet from the small stands or on the sideline with parents.

I shoot during the anthem because you can get some great photos of the athletes getting into game mode. Try to avoid motoring but a click here and there isn't going to upset anyone.

As a veteran, I find it disrespectful if you are continually taking pictures during the entire national anthem. Take a couple at the beginning and leave it at that. And please, if you do have a hat on while taking pictures, please leave it off during the national anthem.