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. . . . . . . . . Back to Work
With vacation over, I have returned to work.
Among the first assignments to find me on this day is a fatality — that which I wish I could simply avoid and walk away from.
But this is news and cannot be avoided.
Arriving at the scene on Va. 262, I found two vehicles very close together with a lot of firefighters hovering around a car that seemed to have received a lot more damage than the pickup truck.
Making my approach, I quickly captured overall scene images that included all the rescue vehicles, two cars involved and those on the scene with the road itself stretching off into the distance.
The fact that the rescue personnel were showing little activity was the first clue that the worst might have happened and a this wreck be a fatal.
For this reason, I chose to photograph from the one side and angle.
However, I would not be doing my job if I did not investigate the other angles, but my choice is one of respect moving forward.
First, I made sure I was making a wide circle of the scene so as not to get in anyone’s way.
Second, I draped my camera back across my body so that it was clearly not being used.
As I made my circle, a firefighter broke away from the pack and approached my location to informed me that this was indeed a fatal and asking that I not photograph the body.
I quickly assured him that it was my policy to never take such a photograph for reasons of respect and even patted my camera as it was slung around my body.
We conferred for a moment and determined that my original choice of angles was the best one for capturing images to tell the story without fear of capturing the sheet draped form.
And so I was left to do my job as I left them to do theirs.
When I was sure I had captured what I could, I left the scene as to remain for no reason is simply not what I am about.
Of the photos captured, the one above for me best tells the story as it focuses on those gathered, protecting and waiting.
My prayers go out to those affected by this tragedy.
— Mike Tripp, photojournalist
** “PHOTO NOTES” takes you behind the lens of the camera as the photographer offers a behind the scenes glimpse from inside the shoes of a photojournalist as well as offers the rare chance to hear some of his thoughts in the process.


The quest for geocache “The Glorious Cause” has been one that my wife and I have had in our hearts for some time.
As Lee began her search, I took time to follow our 3-year-old, Abi, around the cemetery as she found acorns and placed them in a basket she brought with her.
The bounce effect became slightly frustrating but in the end she found the cache herself as had I.
![[MAIN PHOTO] Vacation's Last Reflection -- SNAPshots](http://shipsofthecache.com/cc/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSCN1311.jpg)
![[MID/SIDE PHOTO] Vacation's Last Reflection -- SNAPshots](http://shipsofthecache.com/cc/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/DSCN1285.jpg)








