Editorial June 2005
You know what pisses me off? Photographers and video dudes on the course that get in the way of riders trying to do their thing. It's great for an event promoter to show his sponsors how many media he had at the event but how many of these camera dudes do actually make a living taking photos or filming BMX? Do they actually use the footage and pics for something other than their personal files? There are people who deserve the best photo pass possible. Those people are used to the riding on the course and keep their heads up. Others that have no clue, better stay away. There's nothing worse than a rider slamming into an inexperienced media guy and getting hurt. I couldn't care less about the photographer but if a rider has to miss the contest because of an injury (Osato at the worlds) or will be out of action for weeks/months (Clint Millar-UG), that really sucks. There will always be unexpected accidents happening at contests but let's work on keeping the platforms for the pro guys.
50 media guys on the course trying to shoot a flipwhip over the bar is plain ridiculous. They need to creep closer and closer, otherwise they'll have a camera sticking into their photo. It only makes it worse. My advise is for everyone to stay on the side, especially during the finals.
Those cameras do have zoom options, use them and if you can't find the zoom button, talk to Steve Swope. When everyone stays on the side, the riders have all the space in the world, everyone can watch the riding and noone will have an unexpected camera sticking into their photo. If you want to get close, do it in practice and talk to the rider and see if you're not in his way. The rider won't lose (valuable) time during his qualifying or final run directing media dudes away from the ramps or the run up, let alone getting injured by some fuckface standing in the way or checking the digital picture that he just shot. Also, leave the camera bags off the course and set up those flashes in a position that they are safe (for the rider). All this is common sense to most but can be a lesson for those fans stepping on the course to get a picture from their favorite rider. Heads up.
BdJ
50 media guys on the course trying to shoot a flipwhip over the bar is plain ridiculous. They need to creep closer and closer, otherwise they'll have a camera sticking into their photo. It only makes it worse. My advise is for everyone to stay on the side, especially during the finals. Those cameras do have zoom options, use them and if you can't find the zoom button, talk to Steve Swope. When everyone stays on the side, the riders have all the space in the world, everyone can watch the riding and noone will have an unexpected camera sticking into their photo. If you want to get close, do it in practice and talk to the rider and see if you're not in his way. The rider won't lose (valuable) time during his qualifying or final run directing media dudes away from the ramps or the run up, let alone getting injured by some fuckface standing in the way or checking the digital picture that he just shot. Also, leave the camera bags off the course and set up those flashes in a position that they are safe (for the rider). All this is common sense to most but can be a lesson for those fans stepping on the course to get a picture from their favorite rider. Heads up.
BdJ
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.