An Ode To The Cameraman

The Columbia Journalism Review features former ABC News correspondent Jim Wooten‘s ode to the photographers who make television what it is. An e-mailer calls it a great piece by a great writer. Here’s a taste:

“There are liberals and conservatives among them; intellectuals, too, as well as plodders and diligent yeomen — and yet without exception, despite their distinct idiosyncrasies, what cameramen and women all have in common is that they know for an undisputed fact that whether anyone says so or not, they are not merely important, they are absolutely essential, and because they clearly understand that, there is about every single one I’ve ever known a muscular sense of self, of dignity and pride in themselves and their work. Individually, they’re very much like the seasoned platoon sergeant who knows that although the lieutenant is ostensibly in charge, he is indispensable. It is his skill and his experience, not the lieutenant’s, that will see the unit through the tough times.”

Keep reading for poignant words about Doug Vogt and others…