There has been an increased interest in photojournalism within the Dogfight community, and time is now ripe for a separate thread for messages that have to do with journalism and photography, rules for journalists, suggestions, plans, experiences etc., - in short all those things that might be of less interest to the general reader, and therefore should not take up place in Dogfight News.

Articles of journalistic value or with striking photos of general interest should still always be posted in DOGFIGHT NEWS, wheras the technical discussions about photography and writing, and all organizational stuff should be canalized in here.

I make copies of some messages of the kind that fits in with the idea of this thread:

[e]FlyMagic wrote: ....FlyMagic is armed AND carries a camera. I just flew with an honorable pilot. He didn't shoot me down because he thought I was just doing pictures. PHOTOPLANE & PHOTOGRAPHER are unarmed PRESS PLANES. These planes are NOT to be fired upon, thank you.

While I appreciate his honor, I would rather
NOT be shot down because I was born in 1896 & have to wear diapers!

It is risky to venture into an ongoing fight as a PHOTOGRAPHER, saying "I'm here to make photos and I will return fire only if shot at".

I immediately got this answer from a lieutenant: "I, on the other hand, am here to KILL", and when he attacked me, I had to shoot him down twice. After that he left me alone.

He was not a great challenge, but it's fun how you are in fact able to outmanouver and shoot down some pilots even if they're many ranks above you when you fly around in a Sopwith! When I was fresh in the game I thought it wouldn't be possible, - but really, even though it is a great advantage to have a fast plane, you actually manage quite well with a simple Sopwith if you just don't fly straight for too long.

When I said I was out to make photos, Oneball immediately retorted with something along the lines of "I'll massacre you, godd### homo######!" but ended it with a smiley to show that he was only joking.

Both he and the others let me close in on the fight without taking part in a way that would not have been possible if I had not come as a press photographer.

[e]FlyMagic wrote: You'll get help from others too. PHOTOPLANE has no bomb or guns. I felt like shooting people too. However,the press are non-combatants and I won't shoot. Upon entering mission I state that I am unarmed/don't shoot. Most will respect that. You WILL get shot down. It's a given, but other pilots help you out. Tell the BAD ones to read the Dogfight News and they will become educated. Make a list of those who disrespect the press and when you ARE armed they are at your mercy! We must educate the masses as we learn how to do it ourselves.

Aye aye!

As of now we have two registered dedicated civilian photo planes: FlyMagic's PHOTOPLANE and Veidar's (my) PHOTOGRAPHER. These are low rank flyers and will be absolutely unarmed and will not take part in the fights. There will be more. All of them will carry names that clearly show they are civilian and unarmed, and their owners will register here to make sure that the identity of these aviators is no secret.

PHOTO vacant
PHOTOPLANE owned by FlyMagic
PHOTOGRAPHER owned by Veidar
PHOTOJOURNALIST vacant
JOURNALIST vacant

PRESS SQUADRON
When squadrons are enabled, all these planes will be enrolled in the squad PRESS, and will have the word PRESS visible above their rank symbols while in the air, to further advertise who they are and that they are on peaceful missions.

what are the other positions

Hay veidar I just wanted to check back with you to make sure the pic I emailed you will work or if you Evan got it lol

VEIDAR 2 AND MYSELF HARD AT WORK!



SEAGULL SAYS: "IF THIS CHICKEN-NECK, PARK-RAT CAN DO IT, I CAN DO IT BETTER! "

Yes, thank you for sending a portrait photo to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. As far as I can see it's well suited for a typical cockpit shot. I'll show you a couple of alternatives when they're ready.

In today's meeting we discussed the criteria for issuing new press cards. The feeling was that to be admitted applicants first would have to publish at least one article of at least medium quality on a topic of their own choice in Dogfight News.

If we issue the cards freely without having any requirements or criteria that the applicants have to meet, the cards will soon have little value.

At the time being we have two applications pending, yours included.

I'd like to hear the opinion of the others on this way of doing things. Do you think it is ok?

killerbadger wrote: what are the other positions

So far, if we're speaking about Dogfight News, I'm the editor and FlyMagic is the secretary. The others are journalists.

I think the photo-journalists should all have the same rank within the organization. What do the rest of you think?

For photoplanes my suggestion is we use the names in my list, and that new planes should use one of these, if necessary with (a short version of) the owner's ordinary in-game name added to it.

Nice camera!

My uncle used to have one of those: it took 620 roll films, and the lens had a focal length of 400mm / 166inches, and a respectable enough f-number of 3,6. He gave it to me for repair, and I destroyed it.

ASAP I will change my Calypso1 account into a journalist account

Josh Stuart's press card is ready, as this reduced quality test print shows. The committee will officially issue his card when he has published his apprenticeship article in DOGFIGHT NEWS and has had it approved.

thanks veidar looks good im working on the artical now lol had to find an inspiration first never been good at coming up with things off the top of my head oh i just noticed its Stewart not Stuart common mistake

Stewart ok. I'll fix that.

So what's your thoughts on my article lol I honestly want to know how well I did

And Hamers, here's a proof print of your card.
I have used a photo of the only pilot named Hamer in the "Royal Flying Corps". Hamer was an accomplished RFC pilot who died in action. (As you know, in Dogfight we should refer to RFC and not to RAF, since the RAF wasn't established until after WW1).

I can replace the photo with something cartoon-like, the way I've done for KillerBadger, or use an adjusted version of your real face instead of Hamer. I can also make a miniature of your card and put it in your banner, the way FlyMagic has. We can discuss all this further in private messages.

joshstewart wrote: So what's your thoughts on my article?

You'll receive the opinion of the editorial committee when we've had our meeting, - at the latest in a day or two.

Your article was very much in line with what FlyMagic and Slenderman like to do, and was quite well made as such. In my opinion you have passed the test. If I were to point at possible improvements, I would have liked a photo, or some kind of follow-up for it to be perfect.

Well thear will be a follow up lol I'm going to do an interview with the captain of the airship

Congrats guys!

The committee had their meeting earlier today and concluded by saying that they want to wish Josh Stuart welcome among the DOGFIGHT NEWS journalists and that they are happy to issue him his new Press Card, which will secure him free access to a number of important occasions where press coverage is wanted and indeed essential.

In its judgement the committee made reference to Stewart's article in Dogfight News, saying, I quote: "J. Stewart shows innovative spirit and a good portion of humour in his writing. We look forward to see more contributions from him in Dogfight News!"

veidar2 wrote: (As you know, in Dogfight we should refer to RFC and not to RAF, since the RAF wasn't established until after WW1)

Correction:The RAF was formed in the first of april1918 before the end of ww1

killerbadger wrote: The RAF was formed in the first of april1918 before the end of ww1

Of course you're right, That was half a year before the end of the war. It would be more correct to say that the RAF was formed "towards the end of WW1".

But I assume you don't disagree with me in my view that one should first and foremost refer to the RFC (and to a smaller degree the RNAS) when WW1 is concerned?

There have been many good, humorous, interesting and surprising screenshots posted in this forum! Before long the jury will decide which photographer will be this month's winner of the photo contest.

Since we may not have seen all the best photos, please tell us which you think has been the best this month.

All who want to enter new photos in the contest are also asked to do so now.

veidar2 wrote:

killerbadger wrote: The RAF was formed in the first of april1918 before the end of ww1

Of course you're right, That was half a year before the end of the war. It would be correct to say that the RAF was formed "towards the end of WW1.

But I assume you don't disagree with me in my view that one should first and foremost refer to the RFC (and to a smaller degree the RNAS) when WW1 is concerned?

i completly agree

Big Tex wrote: how are you screen capturing on your phone like that?

Big Tex, this is for you.

To make screenshots with a phone running Android versions 3 or 4, you just press a button, or a combination of buttons. With Android Gingerbread or older, you have to install the app Screenshot DX, and press the small camera symbol you see in the photo below to take a snapshot.

If you swipe a finger across the screen in the third person view mode, you can change viewpoints. You can make screenshots from above, below, and from different angles. If you're close to the wall of a building, you can even make screenshots that show the inside even if you yourself are on the outside.

Sounds like a great idea!! Help to put the bad doers in jail lol

The deadline for entering photos to June's Dogfight contest is Monday the 2nd of July. Post the photos here, or in the DOGFIGHT NEWS thread.

Bearing in mind that this is a contest for war correspondents and photo journalists, we remind you that a good photo also needs a background, a story and a good caption.

Allow yourselves to be inspired by Lieutenant Georges Guynemer, who in this photo wonders whether to reload his Lewis gun or instead just bet on his Samsung Galaxy S3's superior capabilities when it comes to shooting at the enemy.

Do Journalists use thier normal flight/pilot name or use a second account?

Both. They use a seperate account that carries no bomb and is neutral, fires only in defense, and announces when they enter that they carry a camera, not a gun.