Karl Leck
January 2025 - Motorcycle Accident
About the Image(s)
On my way to visit a friend last fall, I saw the result of a motorcycle accident a few moments after it happened and before EMT arrived. After ascertaining that 911 had been called, I began taking pictures which seemed to incense one of the young men who were also at the scene, so I kept a respectful distance. Apparently, the rider was thrown a considerable distance which made including both the unconscious rider and the bike difficult. I tried both directions: rider in foreground and motorcycle in foreground. I liked this one better because it included the elements such as the bike, rider, helmet, location sign, and the men who were first on the scene. The rider was alive but barely conscious when EMT arrived. There have not been any memorials at the site, so I assume he survived. Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor 24-120 mm f/4S lens at 49 mm. ISO 1100, 1/250 second, f/10.
7 comments posted
From your writeup, it appears that you observed the proper etiquette, prioritized safety first, and stayed a distance from the scene. You used a wide angle to document the scene, captured relevant details (position of the motorcycle, helment, distance thrown, bystanders helping, road conditions, the signs acting as a marker where the person landed). An insurance company or police might find this information useful. See list of things to consider when photographing an accident scene.
https://jjlegal.com/blog/10-tips-on-how-to-take-photos-at-the-scene-of-an-accident/
The image is informative, documentary, well composed, and the white road lines leading the eye through the image. The motorcycle anchors the image.
Was the day so overcast? Was there some blue in the sky. Posted: 01/10/2025 15:01:16
https://jjlegal.com/blog/10-tips-on-how-to-take-photos-at-the-scene-of-an-accident/
The image is informative, documentary, well composed, and the white road lines leading the eye through the image. The motorcycle anchors the image.
Was the day so overcast? Was there some blue in the sky. Posted: 01/10/2025 15:01:16
Overall a good photo of an unlucky soul. Wonder why he wrecked. He was wearing a brain bucket as well though it did not stay on. Lights were on and still are on. His was thrown quite a ways.
While it does work for PJ, due to the nature of the injury, I would add a blur over the biker's face to maintain anonymity since he is identifiable. That is my opinion, not a legal requirement. Posted: 01/10/2025 22:04:43
While it does work for PJ, due to the nature of the injury, I would add a blur over the biker's face to maintain anonymity since he is identifiable. That is my opinion, not a legal requirement. Posted: 01/10/2025 22:04:43
Karl Leck
Hi Birgit, I'm an old-fashioned photojournalist. W. Eugene Smith and David Douglas Duncan didn't blur faces resulting in images that showed human emotion in difficult 'hard news' situations. People in public places are legally and figuratively fair subject matter in the US. I resist the trend in PSA to do mostly Human Interest and sports images in PJ. Yes, I do those kinds of images also, but try to concentrate on making images with context and storytelling. I think blurring faces should be an outlawed alteration in PSA PJ. Karl Posted: 01/11/2025 10:18:27
Laurie Bergner
Hi Karl - I think this is an excellent photo. The motorcycle in the foreground and the leading lines to what's going on right behind it are perfect. The fact that you got way down low was a great choice and really draws if you were into the image. Well done! Posted: 01/11/2025 11:34:21
Hi Karl...my desire to blur faces is to protect the patient only. I would be rather put out if a photo of my face or friends made the news and or newspaper before I had a chance to tell family/friends of an accident. Some people don't care and others do. Since his face is recognizable and this is a traumatic event, this is my opinion. If this was a non-traumatic event, I would feel differently, or he was conscious.
I think this is partly cause I am a healthcare provider and it is drilled into us that any patient identifiers cannot be photographed or photocopied, at least not without written consent. This man cannot consent. If photos are taken, per our (healthcare) standards, the patient and family can sue if used publicly. If you are not a healthcare provider, the rules are different. It's sometimes hard to change hats.
I do wonder if you had been behind him, where he was in the foreground, and the motorcycle was in the background, if it would be a stronger or weaker photo. That, in my mind, would still tell a strong story without compromising identity. Posted: 01/12/2025 20:07:25
I think this is partly cause I am a healthcare provider and it is drilled into us that any patient identifiers cannot be photographed or photocopied, at least not without written consent. This man cannot consent. If photos are taken, per our (healthcare) standards, the patient and family can sue if used publicly. If you are not a healthcare provider, the rules are different. It's sometimes hard to change hats.
I do wonder if you had been behind him, where he was in the foreground, and the motorcycle was in the background, if it would be a stronger or weaker photo. That, in my mind, would still tell a strong story without compromising identity. Posted: 01/12/2025 20:07:25
Karl Leck
Hi Birgit, I understand your point of view. This is on a public highway, not a healthcare facility where lawyers rule the activity.
Here is an earlier image from the injured person's side with him being obscured by the Samaritans who were first on the scene. I don't think the story is as clear from this viewpoint. I do have closer images of the injured person showing blood, faces, and the upset bystander but have not shown them. Photos made after everyone left showed a large blood spot at the edge of the highway so the cyclist landing at the curb was probably traumatic. Karl Posted: 01/14/2025 11:24:10
Here is an earlier image from the injured person's side with him being obscured by the Samaritans who were first on the scene. I don't think the story is as clear from this viewpoint. I do have closer images of the injured person showing blood, faces, and the upset bystander but have not shown them. Photos made after everyone left showed a large blood spot at the edge of the highway so the cyclist landing at the curb was probably traumatic. Karl Posted: 01/14/2025 11:24:10
If the man with his shorts pulled down was on the sidewalk and not in the middle of the shot, it would work, but not as strong a photo as the one you posted. Posted: 01/15/2025 09:46:38