“Staged, Staging, Stages”: The Skill of Being Invisible

One thing I noticed about doing journalism – and this goes along the lines of Wertheimer’s essay – is that the skill of being invisible is crucial. This is especially true in TV and photography. Often times, a nearly invisible photographer/cameraperson will get images that are more authentic, which usually translates for the viewers into the notion of “credible.”

Instead of pushing one’s way to the front row, flashing a fancy camera, it may be better to find an unusual angle from the back of the room. There are times, of course, when you need to be “pushy,” but a photographer’s quiet presence doesn’t always lead to a lack of good images. It’s all about using one’s reason in every different situation.

One suggestion I picked out from the article is about making observations rather than asking questions. Indeed, this may be a way to make your subject more comfortable and get great quotes.