(Nikon D2X. Tokina 12-24mm f/4 @ 24mm, 1/1000th @ f/5.6, ISO 250)

The day was beautiful. Clear skies and nice temperatures: If I'm going to be outside I wish it was always like this.

So I spent a lot of Saturday at Shawan Downs doing double duty, shooting for both the Maryland and sports sections. Therefore I had to get there early and spend a bit of time trying to find pictures of interest. One of my personal edicts, which I shared with the reporter, is to try and avoid children — not that there's anything wrong with children — because in slow or bland situations they can be used as a crutch. Turning to the children in situations where they have nothing to do with the story or events happening does a disservice to the readers.

Not that I do not like cute kid pictures, but there has to be a reason for me to use one. So when I perused the list of events for the day the Stick Pony Race between the third and fourth races a flag went up. It was a big part of the day, a lot of little ones were going to be taking part and I had not photographed it the last time I covered the race. So it became part of my storyline.

The race looked like it would be fun as the racers ponied up to the start line. I decided to get a low angle  — to remove the tractor parked right behind the start and ruining the clean background — and photograph the children as they raced past me. Then, as I waited, something startled me and about set me off. The starter decided to knock me on the foot with his cane as if I was doing something wrong. With camera no one has the license to touch me. It is the same without it. For some reason, because I am a member of the press and carry cameras people think they can treat me in a different manner than everyday citizens.

This about sent me through the roof. He would most likely have thought twice about smacking one of the parents with his cane.