wadejackson1
24 Jun 2006, 10:56 AM
Not that you give a flip, that question has many levels.
How are photographers treated by FIFA/WC officials?
How are photographers treated by fellow photographers?
How are photographers treated by fans?
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How are photographers treated by FIFA/WC officials?
That depends on which photographer you are speaking of. Many of the seasoned photographers have been to numerous World Cups and other FIFA sponsored tournaments, and thus have established their own reputations with the FIFA folks (that is not always a good thing). Those reputations garner some power and special coddling (kid glove treatment). They tend to receive match tickets for everything they apply for.
For the no-name newbies like me, We are overlooked for any match that was in more demand than Tunisia v Saudi Arabia, and placed on the Wait List. Then they are typically overlooked when it comes time to issue unused photo match tickets when distributing them to the Wait Listed people. Of the eight (8) first round matches for which I was Wait Listed, I ultimately received a match ticket for two matches, I was overlooked for one match, I elected to not travel to one match (figured I would not get in), and then received four email announcements telling me that although I was on the waiting list for a specific match, I would NOT receive a ticket.
I feel safe in saying the fact that I am an unknown coupled with being from the USA... makes it much more difficult for me to receive a full set of matches to shoot. I understand the pecking order (kinda sorta).
For the four Round of 16 matches I have applied for, I received approval for tonight's Mexico v Argentina match, and am Wait Listed for:
5-Jun-06
#52 POR:NED
26-Jun-06
#53 ITA:AUS
27-Jun-06
#55 BRA:GHA
Sure, Italy and Brazil are big names with a high demand for coverage. However, the USA is from the same Group E as Italy and Ghana, and (at least in my mind) should have a higher priority than many other photographers. We'll see how it all shakes out.
The other two questions will be covered under separate thread topics.
How are photographers treated by FIFA/WC officials?
How are photographers treated by fellow photographers?
How are photographers treated by fans?
=========
How are photographers treated by FIFA/WC officials?
That depends on which photographer you are speaking of. Many of the seasoned photographers have been to numerous World Cups and other FIFA sponsored tournaments, and thus have established their own reputations with the FIFA folks (that is not always a good thing). Those reputations garner some power and special coddling (kid glove treatment). They tend to receive match tickets for everything they apply for.
For the no-name newbies like me, We are overlooked for any match that was in more demand than Tunisia v Saudi Arabia, and placed on the Wait List. Then they are typically overlooked when it comes time to issue unused photo match tickets when distributing them to the Wait Listed people. Of the eight (8) first round matches for which I was Wait Listed, I ultimately received a match ticket for two matches, I was overlooked for one match, I elected to not travel to one match (figured I would not get in), and then received four email announcements telling me that although I was on the waiting list for a specific match, I would NOT receive a ticket.
I feel safe in saying the fact that I am an unknown coupled with being from the USA... makes it much more difficult for me to receive a full set of matches to shoot. I understand the pecking order (kinda sorta).
For the four Round of 16 matches I have applied for, I received approval for tonight's Mexico v Argentina match, and am Wait Listed for:
5-Jun-06
#52 POR:NED
26-Jun-06
#53 ITA:AUS
27-Jun-06
#55 BRA:GHA
Sure, Italy and Brazil are big names with a high demand for coverage. However, the USA is from the same Group E as Italy and Ghana, and (at least in my mind) should have a higher priority than many other photographers. We'll see how it all shakes out.
The other two questions will be covered under separate thread topics.