Hillary Clinton has taken the web by storm again. This time it's not because of a new policy she is using on the road, but rather the new "innovation" she and her political team came up with to herd the press around. At the Independence Day parade in Gorman, New Hampshire, the press and photographers were lead along the parade route by two aides carrying rope that nobody was allowed to pass.
According to CNN, "campaign aides said they brought the rope out because they feared the press scrum of around a dozen reporters and photojournalists would obstruct the view of New Hampshire voters attending the parade." It has been clear since the start of her campaign her relations with the media has been strained. This can be said of many political campaigns, but it seems Clinton and company have drawn the line in the sand.
https://twitter.com/maggieNYT/status/617397904131670016/photo/1
A Clinton spokesperson also told CNN "the rope's a 'soft barrier' that was necessary because the media mass around the candidate was making it 'impossible' for her to talk to people." It seems that Clinton feels confined by the media when they are around, making it hard for her to make connections with voters on the campaign trail. The innovation went viral after tweet from reporters surfaced of them being corralled along the parade route. Some media outlets are taking it light heartedly while others appear furious over being treated like children.
As a photographer or videographer, have you ever experienced something like this? Where you were forced to stay in one place or moved along quickly during a shoot of a political or popular figure in media?
Stop reporting/covering on her 'events'. Then watch how fast her people change their ideas. She is looking for election, she NEEDS the coverage!
I photographed her a couple of weeks ago for a national newspaper at an invitation only campaign stop near Ferguson, MO and we were confined to two risers at the back of the venue. We were given very limited closer access for a minute or two with an escort. Between her people and the Secret Service we were very restricted.
Why does she remind me of a less attractive version of Selina Meyer?
Omg i was thinking the same thing....as soon as they mentioned "her aides," i could just see Selina's bunch of bumbling idiots coming up with this stupid idea....
As a veteran photojournalist I don't like restrictions. The idea of staff wrangling media with a rope doesn't look good, but I'm not sure it's really all that bad from what the picture shows. There are always people who get too close with super wide angle lenses and block shots for other photographers, and in this case could prevent the public from seeing the candidate. Often a little distance results in better shots for more photographers and prevents an unwieldy scrum. We've all seen the mobs of shooters at the Superbowl etc. and it ain't pretty. A little restraint, and slightly longer lenses often results in better shots for more photographers. We've all seen TV guys with total access block other photographers who only get a view of asses and big video cameras. At many events I've been at photographers agreed amongst themselves to keep some distance so everyone can get a clear view rather than one or two guys shooting with 16mm lenses.
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She probably saves the dog leash for Bill. It is a pain to shoot any Presidential candidate. I have shot enough politicians to learn it is usually one of their handlers with the dumb ideas. Using ropes like that is really plain Dumb of course I always carry a leatherman tool.
There is a lot to be said for the old days. You could always tell when the press was ticked all their flashes were below the lens for that Frankenstein look.
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I know I'll be the only one not shocked by this...
She probably had enough with some local photogs being a bit too invasive and the idea came up. I think it's hilarious, and a good stunt if it's just to show/ask the press to be more civil about their jobs.
If it's standard procedure, it's retarded.
She's by far the shadiest, most corrupt, morally and ethically bankrupt major Presidential candidate of all time. How many times has she lied to us on national tv? Not surprising that she would treat photogs and journalists with such disdain. Shameful!
Could be, but your opinion shouldn't influence the way you get your shots. Don't you think.
As a photojournalist you're there to report and not to judge.
I shoot people I don't like. At least I don't like the way they think and the way they express themself. But I give them the same attention as I do with people I like. I'm not there to get in a political argument or make lesser photos because I think something else. I'm there to do my job and I want to do it as good as possible, no mather who the subject is.
interesting. bet if no one showed up for a few of these she would change her tune. she feels she has the power to do what she wants so she does. she will never win, too many skeletons in that closet that are begging to come out.
A few of the comments are silly or just plain bitter towards the candidate. So the candidates or political leaders you like let photographers swarm around them at will all the time ? Security, limits of access, and secret service working events are common and routine. The rope line looked a bit unusual but access appeared reasonable and easy to get plenty of good shots. As crowds and media attention grows access is typically more challenging and there is nothing unusual about it. Whatever you think of Hillary Clinton, she will always be a former First Lady and will have security. I had a much more challenging time dealing with restrictions covering Sarah Palin on the first stop of her first book tour. Covering campaigns and political leaders is challenging. Good photographers always get strong images regardless of challenging circumstances and their opinion of the candidate. If you want to boycott covering an event because it's challenging be my guest.
this reminds me of farming, like when you want to keep the sheep in a certain spot you use sticks and ropes. She probably think of voters as sheep.