February 16, 2008
The Khmer Chronicles / Issue Nr 6: You've got 5 minutes
John Vink
Nuon Chea, Brother Nr 2 under the Khmer Rouge regime, had his first hearing at the pre trial chambers of the ECCC to examine his appeal for his provisional detention. The press officers of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, just to keep things orderly, and on request of the judges who felt that a mob of camera wielding journalists was intimidating for the elderly accused, decided to allow only 5 photographers, working for a pool, and two cameramen to take pictures inside the courtroom during 5 minutes, just before and during the entrance of the judges.
Cambodia. Kambol (Phnom Penh). 4/02/2008: Mr. NUON Chea, 81yrs, former Brother Nr 2 during the Khmer Rouge Regime, in front of his judges at his first appearance at the pre-trial chambers of the ECCC (Extraordinary Chambers at the Courts of Cambodia). © John Vink/Magnum Photos
I was lucky, together with my khmer colleagues Tang Chhin Sothy, Chor Sokunthea, Mak Remissa and Heng Sinith, representing AFP, Reuters, EPA, AP, to be allowed in (was it because my permanent accreditation to the Chambers bears the number 001?). We know each other, have had each others elbows in our ribs on numerous occasions, bumped our lenses often and get along pretty well. Partly because we do help each other once in a while and partly because they know that Magnum is no real competition for them. Having their picture on the screen of the redactions one minute before the other agencies is vital whereas Magnum chugs along several hours later anyhow...
So what can one do to stand out? What difference can you make (in 5 minutes and with a 35mm only)? Well not much really... Especially because you're in a pool, so you HAVE to deliver or you will not be selected next time. The photographers outside are waiting to pick their choice in what's going to be available on the ECCC computer and they'd be more than willing to take your place.
Basically I start by making sure there is at least ONE usable picture. No risk taking... Autofocus, straight flash, no fancy composition, the accused smack in the middle of the frame, 5 or six shots. That's it... Switch to the M8, ambient light (the last firmware update finally delivers acceptable white balance results), 320 ISO (too much noise higher up), 2.8, 30th/ second and MOVE, change position, go to the back of the pack, slide to the right, push back into the pack again, move back and go to the left where the judges are, go straight back towards the accused, frame, focus and... finished. It's over. The 5 minutes are gone. We're politely asked by the security guards to leave the room... Hoping we didn't screw up and that there is something a little different to show. There are about 60 frames on my cards, 40 of which are really useless.
Links:
» The Khmer Chronicles / Issue Nr 1: UNICEF in Cambodia
» The Khmer Chronicles / Issue Nr 2: Can Cultural Identity go private?
» The Khmer Chronicles / Issue Nr 3: Arrest of Ieng Sary
» The Khmer Chronicles / Issue Nr 4: Gathering Pace
» The Khmer Chronicles / Issue Nr 5: Development is on the doorstep...
» John Vink's website
» John Vink's Magnum portfolio
» John Vink's Magnum In Motion story "Terre Rouge"
» John Vink's feature: Cambodia Khmer Rouge Trial
Published on the Magnum Blog on February 16, 2008
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