I hate the paparazzi.

They have no respect for people's privacy. They break the law and put photographers in a bad light.

The sooner they are all put in prison the better.

If it were not for them, Diana would still be alive.

Woah, chill, that's a bit over the top.

Don't you think the people buying celebrity magazines should take at least part of the blame? I love celebrities and love reading about them, and if it weren't for the paparazzi, there would be a lot less gossip news.

Anyway, celebrities love being in the papers. That's what they got famous for!

The paparazzi and the celebrities are all one breed, and who needs them anyway? They are all working for the downfall of society and aren't worth the paper that the trashy magazines they fill are published on.

Well, I for one do need the paparazzi and celebrities and love to hear all that they are up to. I spent every last lunch hour going through women's magazines finding out what is going on in the world of tinsel town.

If you don't like it, anon, why do you bother with it. You are like one of those people who would rather write to a radio station and complain about a DJ than change the channel.

 Since I see a few here are from England, I was wondering what you feel about Princess Diane and if you feel the paparazzi had anything to do with her death. Both my mother and I just loved her and thought she was one amazing person.

A true photograph need not be explained, nor can it be contained in words.
- Ansel Adams

Vicki

Go on, be honest, did you ask that because I told you I was going to chase after George?

Just kidding.

It's a bit hard for me to be objective about this topic. I have too many friends who make their bread and butter from celebrity snaps and I've taken the odd one myself.

Then again, I have a friend (a reporter) who contributed to a book about the death of Diana.

For the most part, I don't really have an issue with celebrity photographers. It's just a job, right, and the people who choose to become movie stars made a lifestyle decision. That's what they wanted and that's what they got. Most of them dread the day when the photographers are no longer camped outside their back doors.

Where the line gets a bit murky though, is with the children of celebrities. So many celebrities push their own children in front of the camera.

From where I'm standing, that's just wrong. Anyone too young to vote is too young to make a decision that would affect the rest of her life, and once the door of public curiosity has been opened, it can never be closed again.

As to who killed Diana, I have no doubt that the chasing pack of paparazzi had something to do with it, but then, so too did her drunk driver.

What I will say about paparazzi pictures though, is that it resembles real photography about as much as a zebra resembles a horse.

There is no time for composing the picture in the viewfinder and half the time the shutter is fired with the camera not even held to the photographer's eye.

Did you know, for instance that most of these guys don't even focus the lens in the heat of the moment. In fact, they have the camera set to manual focus, but have the lens taped down (using insulation tape) at a pre-set focussing distance.

This allows them to shoot without thinking. All they need to do is get roughly the correct distance from the target, and fire away. Even a slightly soft image will be good enough for newspaper print, as long as the star is important enough.

Now tell me, Vicki, what do you think?

 Ed,

To put it short, I think it's a job, and all it comes down to is stories/photos sell  

It's funny though because we were watch some tv tonight and seen a preview for Oceans 13 and we both said "Hope Ed is having better luck today." 

My hubby and I both think you have a really cool job. Ya gotta come on over here to Wisconsin and get in on our Brett Favre action. Do you have football over there in England?

A true photograph need not be explained, nor can it be contained in words.
- Ansel Adams

Vicki

No, the whole George thing was a wild goose chase. I don't even think he is in the country.

I suspect some restuarant owner saw a chance to get some free publicity.

Anyway, I much prefer taking pictures of real news or sport anyway. All of that stuff is a bit empty and meaningless if you ask me.

About the football: what you call soccer, we call football. What you call football, we call American Football.

And no, we don't really have it over here. Its rugby and soccer all the way, I'm afraid. Though there was an exhibition match between the Giants and the Dolphins in London last year, and it was sold-out completely.

I've always thought that NFL looks so passionate and I'd love to take pictures of it.

By the way, I haven't forgotten about your assignments. I was just planning on doing some pictures myself to accompany it, so will set it up and post it as soon as possible.