Press Request - Lauterbrunnen photos required

[live12]

Hi all

Im researching a feature on base jumping at Lauterbrunnen and would be grateful for any pro photographers to get in touch with me at lee.mannion@mailonsunday.co.uk if they have good shots.

Live magazine goes out with The Mail on Sunday, one of the national UK newspapers.

Thanks for listening...

[airdog07]

what is the photo use for, is it because of the recent death in the area,
is your article going to make base jumper bunch of crazily lunatic who want death and distraction only ?

[mknutson]

I totally agree. In the past 20 years, more journalist asking for photos, and not giveing details about the content and merit of their intensions, tend to just be ready to deliver a forceful chop of the knee caps.

If I am right, then I would strongly warn the consequence to true base jumpers NOT to help these types of articles as this hurts us all!!!!

now, if I am wrong, I would offer a soap box to open your mind, project and intention along with your goals for any request you are making...

[live12]

Thanks for the posts and I can understand your concerns. Despite rumours to the contrary, journalists are also human beings. I know there are a lot of shady people in the industry, but Im not one of them.

Firstly, perhaps you can confirm that the jumps happen from a section of the valley called 'High Nose'? The interest was triggered by the death of Ben Cannon as reported in the Australian media; further investigation has revealed this to be the most dangerous place to jump in the world? (again - please correct me if Im wrong). We are definitely not anti-base jumping. We have featured the sport in the magazine before and its a gift from the gods for a Photo Editor as the pictures are always so exciting and exhilarating. We have another story running currently with a photographer following a group of underground jumpers in the US.

The point of the story is to find out why Lauterbrunnen has a higher number of accidents than elsewhere - if the conditions are more risky there than other places. Would be interested to know your opinions. Our website:

Live mag | Mail Online

Live magazine goes out with one of the national UK newspapers and has a readership of 6 million people. Thanks for listening.

Contact Lee on +44 207 938 7055

[lifewithoutanet]

While your tone sounds very objective, the outcome could be extremely detrimental and your words show that the article could go either way. That it was triggered by a fatality and not just general interest...well, that raises a flag, too.
Following underground jumpers? How underground is that? ;-p
-C.

[mknutson]

I could not agree more.. After seeing the media destroy base jumping in the 90's, I am always worried which way the story will go. But I have not seen anything to allude that this guy is concerned about a positive article verse knowing carnage.

While your tone sounds very objective, the outcome could be extremely detrimental and your words show that the article could go either way. That it was triggered by a fatality and not just general interest...well, that raises a flag, too.
Following underground jumpers? How underground is that? ;-p
-C.

[live12]

re lifewithoutanet's comment

The story was pitched to us by a freelance writer. Sadly i think its true that Joe Bloggs (this is an english expression, like John Doe in the States) will always be drawn to a subject by a tragedy.

I think I gave a mixed message before; the 'underground' base jumpers story is not complete and something that for the time being is ongoing.

'Could be extremely detrimental...'. It wont be. Have faith.

[mknutson]

Sorry, but faith has already failed me and hundreds of my fellow jumpers in the past.

But no matter what, here is what I know:
1. You obviously are going to write this article
2.you still have not proposed any valid questions that I would be willing to answer
3. you have not given any more credible details on any content of your work except a single purpose number of negativity.

[live12]

1. The article will go ahead as planned if the pictures convince the Editor that its a worthy proposition

2. I posted a request for photos on here. The questions will be down to the writer. Im a Photo Editor.

3. Do you mean that us exploring why Lauterbrunnen seems especially dangerous is a negative thing? I dont see that as negative. I see that as investigative.

It seems that you have got your fingers burnt by media in the past and Im sorry for that and its absolutely your right not help us if you dont want to. No pressure. Some photographers have got in touch wanting to help so its a possibility we'll go forward with the project.

Regards

Lee

[mknutson]

If media persons are so concerned with a truly objective story, then they are already working on an outline, and should be free to propose that outline if they are asking for help as well.

I am fully open to help, because at the end of the day, you are going to write something whether I help or not. So it is in my best (an the sports) interest to help, but only in a way that benefits the whole sport.

So like I keep asking here and at bj.com:

1. what is a specific question you have?
2. No, I do not have any photos of jumpers in the swiss valley.


ps, if I really do just look into this deeper now, you might NOT be asking for anything other than some cool shot. Which leads me to believe that you could care less what anyone says about the sport, you have alrady writen your story, and it is too late to make any credible input to help the objectivity of this article. In that case, along with the fact that you have not offered any outline, or draft, just the words "have faith"

.... Means the person that submits a photo for this article with be the scapegoat person if this article goind sour.

[live12]

Hi Mick

To clear it up; I posted on here to in a bid to see if anyone had any great shots of jumpers at Lauterbrunnen as Im a Photo Editor and its my job to pull in the photography for the features. I will however pass your details onto the writer and appreciate your offer of help.

Not sure about any other magazines but often how it works with us is that the Editor will want to see supporting material before giving the green light to a story. Some things read well but are hard to illustrate. So we want to make sure we have good words and good pictures for the feature, though its often the photo or a headline that will draw a potential reader in.

Hope this explains things and thanks for your interest.

[base935]

Go the fcuk away.

Any magazine editor or reporter that can't type I'm, doesn't deserve to watch me jump, much less tell the whoffos how great I am.

Let me know if I can be of further assistance,
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