The PPQ

While I was away in Santa Fe one of the members of our group dubbed us the Panicked Photographers. The name came about when Tom attempted to light an entire power plant using a couple of small camera flashes. Rapidly running out of time to create his shot Tom couldn't get past the mental block he had created for himself and subsequently started to panic. Thankfully it was a learning environment and our instructor Joe coached him through the problem solving process. Later at the photo review, Tom presented his shot. It was impressive.

Tom told the story of what had happened to him and how his experience had influenced his idea for the next slide. Here on the next frame was an editorial cover of his model. He had come up with the name of Panicked Photographers Quarterly or PPQ for his Magazine.

The headings were:

Crash, Burn, Repeat: one week at Santa Fe

120 ways to make a good picture bad

Ask the experts: light an entire power plant or adjust your white balance?

The whole class roared. It was hilarious. The headings described so accurately what we had all been experiencing through out the week. It was some much needed comic relief.

At the end of our workshop a few of us thought it a good idea to submit to the PPQ.

Although the magazine doesn't really exist it would be good practice to come up with an idea and have to fallow through with a deadline.

Upon my return to Prince George I got an idea for my first submission. I wanted to create an image that would convey the feel of a traveling "Canadian" photographer who's first assignment was for the PPQ. I talked to a contact of mine about my idea and although he wouldn't commit to stopping a 747 at the end of the runway for me, was willing to give me access to a restricted area under the landing approach lights. I made arrangements with a couple friends of mine and we did a test shoot.

Now as a photographer I sometimes get excited when I get permission to be in areas of Restricted Access and my mind doesn't always filter information in the correct order. For instance, on this particular day I remember hearing key words such as: Sure, No Problem,

That sounds Cool. For some reason I had filtered out the part where I was told, "Let us know before you go out there!" Well, I got the test shots I needed to plan the shoot I wanted to do, but I'd no sooner done so and a little white vehicle with an orange light on the roof came racing toward me from the far end of the runway. A rather large gentleman was waiting for me when I returned to the gate. Thankfully I live in a small town where everyone is a friend of someone and I didn't have to explain anything to a judge. Immediately after I'd left the gate I received a phone call from the tower. The voice on the other end sounded somewhat entertained yet somehow unimpressed. I apologized for the commotion I'd created and asked if I could come back the fallowing week to complete my project. We set a date and this time I clearly heard the words, "Call me and let me know BEFORE you go out there!"

I planned out the remaining details of my shot that week, found two new volunteers, and returned to complete my assignment.