Find April / Machynlleth

[Darren Turner]

you will all probably know about the missing youngster in Machynlleth Mid wales so i wont go over it all again here

This town is about 7 miles from me and i have been glued to the news & social media since Monday eve with the hive of activity with media, police & various rescue teams & 100s of the public helping in the search.

I really want to pop into town with my camera, the thing is i kinda feel its may not be the right thing to do during these sad times. Even though there are tons of paparazzi & journalist in town from all corners of the uk

So my question are,

# would it be disrespectful or simmilar for me to pop down for few hours with camera to take some pics of the goings on
# would you do or not do it and what are your reasons

Would LOVE to know your thoughts which would influence my final decision

Daz

 

[Adam Lewis]

If there is a substantial amount of paps, then yes, as long as I could blend in with the rest.
I don't think there is a disrespect as such yet, as she hasn't been found dead. If she had been found, I wouldn't go near.

You must've saw the news a few months back, with that gas blast, that's where I live, and all the paps and reporters were at the end of our road, had the baby not died, I would've been tempted to go take some pics. Still to this day that street is all boarded off, and numerous homes are covered in scaffolding and builders, but I still wouldn't take pics now, but only because that baby died.
And yesterday in Manc, there were thousands of people out for the funeral of those police, and loads of police, it was tempting even on my phone, but I couldn't because its death related.

That's just me anyway, if death is confirmed, I personally wouldn't.
Though saying this, death is an inevitable part of life, you can't just not shoot?

Adam

 

[Pete Askew]

For me it would depend on why one would want to go and take pictures. Is it a latent interest in photojournalism? What sort of shots would you hope to get? Personally I would not go. If they wanted volunteers to help search I would be straight there (without a camera). But I can think of nothing that would be occurring that would interest me as a photographer because that is not the sort of photography I am interested in. I often find that with events such as this there is a very uncomfortable boundary between public interest and intrusion. I know of the event and hope there will be a happy outcome for the families involved. I do not need to know more, not because I do not care but because it does not help the situation.

Sorry, I guess that doesn't help much. But you have raised an interesting issue about boundaries, public interest and intrusion. Thanks.

 

[Davie Hudson]

I personally wouldn't go down with the camera but like Pete would be there to volunteer at the drop of a hat, it'll be bad enough with journo's running about shooting everything

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Ditto.

 

[Darren Turner]

cheers for your input folks, i have been involved in the search process in and around the area were i live in the country side, around the lakes, rivers & streams, down country lanes, in & around local farms & out buildings, about 2 days in total that a few of us locals decided to do our bit to try help find April.

on your comments i have decided not to go into town with camera. I believe that the locals in town are getting really pi$$ed off with the media, i don't wish to get involved in that argument lol

Cheers

Daz