Sources. Doesn’t that ring of intrigue, mystery? All those journalist quoting “reliable sources.” Or, “anonymous source.” Reporters being jailed for contempt of court. I don’t know how it works in today’s age of information. The Internet certainly opened a free flow of information. Still, knowledge is power, especially for people who make their living spreading the word.

It may not seem as important for a photographer but, as I stated earlier, writing or telling the story is the key to selling pictures. It is important to know your subject and understand all that it involves. It isn’t necessarily about the “scoop.” It is really about presenting the truth objectively. That requires knowledge of your subject.

I didn’t set out to develop sources. As a matter of fact, it happened quite serendipitously. Sources found me.

I don’t have the personality expected of a journalist. I’m timid. I avoid starting conversations and am very hesitant about pointing a camera into someone’s face. I gravitated to people I knew at the races in Europe; Brad Lackey, Mike Guerra, Danny LaPorte. I would hang around their pit area; just passing time and watching the mechanics prep the bikes. The riders were usually indisposed – resting and avoiding disconcerting conversation with fans and press. I gradually got to know the mechanics. They were busy too, but always acknowledged my presence. We soon began to talk. A certain amount of trust developed.

Voila! I had sources. I don’t mean “deep throat” or anything like that but the more we talked the more I learned. And, the more I did not write about what they said the more they said.  

The key is trust. If you are going to tell the world what a source has told you – tell him. If he asks you to not report something, you have to honor that trust. The trust also helped me later.  People started to offer information or help.  I was surprised at a race when Brad Lackey suggested that I position myself at a certain place for a great picture.  And when Jim Gibson inked a deal with Yamaha to race the FIM 125cc Motocross World Championship, I got my scoop.

Gibson was on the USA Motocross and Trophee des Nations team in 1982. I covered those races and enjoyed getting to know the team. While there Jim Gibson agreed to a deal with Yamaha. A friend (source) suggested that I ask Jim if he would be racing in Europe in 1983. I was shocked but made the opportunity to quietly ask Gibson the question. He was probably as shocked by my question as I had been by my source. Gibson confirmed the deal. We discussed his plans in whispers and I had a scoop. To this day, I am proud of that story.

I broke the story in the Stars & Stripes. My mentor, Randy Barnett, was almost as proud of me as I was of myself. Of course, the news made its way around the motocross circles in Europe. That caused a stir. Other photojournalist couldn’t believe it. Henny Ray Abrams, current contributor to Cycle News, and I had hung together in Europe. Henny Ray was a UPI photographer at the time, submitting his cycle stuff to Cycle News. He seemed to doubt the news and was curious about my source. I never told him. I can reveal now that it was a mechanic. The story finally broke in Motorcyclist Magazine as a profile on Jim Gibson and his tuner, Super Wrench Bill Buchka.

I will end another article with emphasis on TRUST. You have to honor a trust and be true to your word. Sometimes it is hard to keep your mouth shut. 

l8r

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