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In addition to being a High School English teacher, I am a freelance photographer and writer. I suddenly have a desire to document, not only the lava flow and the corresponding geological and ecological ramifications but, also how the people are preparing for and how they will respond when the flow finally reaches Pahoa proper. I am looking to fly out Sunday the 28th. I'll have about a week. I am hoping to document the events as they lead up to and during any inundation that might occur. Timing is critical, which is why I don't know exactly when I will arrive.
Great idea.. but nowhere near enough time methinks. But then I suppose it all depends on what you hope to do with the material once you have it. In other words, a single human interest magazine type piece? Or a full length book? Or is it more so as to have the experience yourself? Best of luck!
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I am thinking more along the lines of the human interest photo-journal. Yeah, time is precious to everyone right now. I think more people are concerned (as they should be) about protecting their belongings, homes, and loved ones. Thanks for the feedback. I'll continue to see who might be interested in participating. Cheers, Timm.
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Quote @TimmHenry
"I am hoping to interview residents before, during and after the lava arrives. Furthermore, I am hoping to photograph (with your permission) properties and peoples in the midst of loss and evacuation."
Yeah, because when I'm trying to evacuate my home or when a lava flow is overtaking my house I want a total stranger there at my side interviewing so he could make money off a book.....
I get what you're saying. I really do. It's important to document history as it unfolds. That's why there are a lot of very talented LOCAL photographers and videographers doing just that right as I type. Photographing at night and at dawn. Chartering helicopters.
On paper from thousands of miles away I'm sure it sounds wonderful to you. Think of how you'd feel if the situation was reversed.
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One of the concerns I have with the current flow is that although it has been reported in the international news media, it's kind of quieted down in the last week or so and will likely only make the news again once people's homes start being destroyed.
I like the idea that Timm has but only as long as it can get out there to 1) Oahu, 2) the mainland, and 3) the rest of the world.
We have a few very good photojournalists here although not many and their stuff generally only gets seen by locals (as in, people in Puna and the Big Island). I would support journalists visiting from around the world, but not the paparazzi type, and if Timm could guarantee the news gets seen and read around the world I'd support it. Then again, my home is not currently under risk, so can't speak for current homeowners whose homes are at risk, but unless the news gets out there I worry about getting help from elsewhere.
Edited to add another sentence.
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It's a two-edged sword. The destruction of the last houses near Kalapana Gardens a few years ago made the local and international news. The owner of the first house signed an exclusive contract, but never got a dime. The stories and pics weren't worth that much when you can get a lot of it from public sources such as HVO. Some photographers give their material away just to get the publicity and their name in print. Instead he got a lot of scorn and ridicule from all over the world for building a house on an active volcano...not from the stories themselves, but from the comments sections. Even the comments from Honolulu were brutal. So the people who suffer losses and whose names appear on news outlets should be prepared for very nasty criticism.
(edited for spelling)
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Lavarat - it's a three or four-edged sword given your comments. Can't disagree with them though.
