The Sand Hill Review              http://www.sandhillreview.org         2003

 

In Case of Emergency

 

In case of emergency

load a high-speed film.

Turn your focus to infinity

and shoot

from a distance.

Come equipped with

model release forms.

Obtain the signatures of all

recognizable persons.

In the first moment's pause,

change to a telephoto lens.

If you are traveling with a child,

change your own lens first.

Breathe normally

except during close-ups;

then, hold perfectly still.

First on the scene, you must

position yourself offensively.

Accept no offers

from professional news teams

unless you are disoriented

by a blinding sum of cash

paid on the spot.

But it's best to negotiate

with an army

of lawyers.

Meanwhile, keep moving.

Follow the action.

Or pursue the story

behind the story:

Opinionated bystanders, grieving

relations, stranded tourists,

abandoned pets. 

No detail is too tedious

nor too redundant.

Above all, insure against

personal losses.

Protect your sources.

Bracket your exposures.

 

Eve Sutton