Are you sure this isn't a penalty?

I like news. I've acted in many positions in the business: editor, assistant editor, reporter, features writer, photographer, copy editor, producer, director, technical director, floor director, audio, anchor, teleprompter, cameraman, weather person, etc. Point is, I love it -- all of it.

Until today. Today I learned the one news job I hope to never repeat. Hockey still photographer.

Knowing the sports editor of the school paper was working and unable to attend the game, I volunteered myself to photog, and found a writer. Great. I've taken plenty of photos before, including working as a photographer for a Maine paper last summer. No problem.

Wrong.

I got a ticket and hit the main stretch of concrete where fans can watch the game on their ways to get fries and pizza slices. From there I could see everything and get clear shots without anyone in front of me. Suddenly, a jolt. A man had grabbed my jacket and pulled me back. He had a much fancier camera than I. I apologized, assuming I blocked his shot. 

"Who are you with?" I asked.

"The AP," he said haughtily. 

"Oh, I write for them."

No response. 

I wandered up the nearby stairs to get a different angle. 

"Look," he says to me, "if you keep blocking people's views you're going to get us both in trouble. You will be gone and I will still be pulled, pushed and yelled at. K?"

"OK, sorry."

I had not known I was blocking anyone's way. I stayed in the zones he deemed safe. Until I got yelled at again. "Keep moving," said a woman in a yellow jacket, indicating that she was event staff. "I don't care if you stand here, but keep moving."

If you've never worked with a still camera in hopes to produce publishable content, it is relatively difficult to do at even the slowest of walks.

Finally, I found a quiet spot behind the crowd, but in front of a wall. I would be blocking only the wall's view. It had seen enough games, and it was taller than me, I figured. I was correct ... until UMaine scored one of its four goals. Then, for a third time, I got tugged. This time out of the way of the naked students who make a lap on the concrete after every goal.

By this time, I was sick of being pulled about. I could not find my reporter, and to top it off, my camera was a shitty loan from the library, as the newspaper office was inaccessible. I decide to take a breather. I dig my ticket out from the depths of my pocket. Section D, Aisle 8, Seat 4. I find it.

Best seat ever. From there I took great pictures. It was the top row so no one was in my way. It was in the center (but a bit closer to the Maine side) so I could get shots of both team's goals.

It's something I don't plan to repeat. Newspapers: save the crowd, staff, police, naked men and photographers time and hassle and buy your photog a great seat.