About Chad M. Buchanan, Freelance Video

As a contributing photographer/stringer to San Diego News Photographer, I have had the opportunity to be involved in a great network of unique, dedicated professionals, cooperating to gather news and information in a very efficient manor.  Our organization has excellent San Diego County coverage, and an extensive understanding of city/county communications… there's not many news worthy incidents that are missed.

 Living and working in the Eastern part of San Diego County, (El Cajon) I primarily focus on incidents that are relatively close in proximity to me. These incidents include structure/brush fires, major car accidents, vehicle pursuits, HazMat investigations, shootings/stabbings/unusual medical aid issues, and any other incident that may be of news interest.

 In the past I shot and sold still images to the local San Diego area newspapers. I have since switched to video. I am currently using broadcast-quality equipment such as, a newer Sony BetacamSP video camera, Lectrosonics wireless transmitters/receivers, Sennheiser microphones, Lowell and Anton Bauer lighting, Cartoni tripods, Anton Bauer ‘brick’ style batteries, and Porta-Brace bags and covers. You have to use professional equipment to get professional results.

Radio is our primary source for leads about breaking news stories. I use top of the line radio equipment, manufactured by Motorola Inc. at home, and in my news gathering vehicle. I use radios models such as the Spectra, Astro Spectra, X9000, XTS3000,  Saber I, II, III, Saber SI, and Astro Saber. I do own a few scanners such as the Uniden BC780 and BC785. I only use the scanners at home. I also utilize a number of various paging equipment.

Being that this is a ‘different’, and often times demanding line of work, unusual skills and techniques come into play. Some of the important skills I use on a daily basis include: A working knowledge of how basic and advanced photography works. The ability to program the radios and scanners I use, to monitor public safety traffic. The ‘learned’ skill of listening for, understanding, and reading into public safety radio transmissions. A knack for getting into good positions early, in order to get the best possible shots, before a scene is ‘taped-off’ (And thus unworkable as a stringer). Working together with other members of the media, and the television stations. (Keeping all of the television stations happy is truly an art.) Having an excellent, ongoing, good relationship and reputation with police and fire officials.

I consistently sell my work to all seven local television stations. (KSWB, Fox6, KNSD, Local8, KUSI, KGTV, and Univision) I also sell to other local television stations in other counties/states. I occasionally shoot assignments and/or ‘packages’ for various stations here and elsewhere. From time to time I will sell a story to the national networks. My video has been seen on MSNBC, The NBC nightly news, ABC, CBS, CNN, and Telemundo’s network.

As San Diego County continues to grow by leaps and bounds, there seems to be more news to cover, and more ground to cover. The local television stations and newspapers couldn’t possibly respond to every newsworthy event that breaks, twenty-four hours a day. That's where stringers come in. We fill the gap, and we get the story. If someone’s home is burning down across the street from you, and you see someone with a camera shooting video, it could quite possibly be me. We gather the information and images you read about, or watch on T.V. in the morning. Many of the images you see on this website were not published, and can only be viewed here. Enjoy looking at them.

~Chad M. Buchanan – Stringer 318

~CMB Productions 619-970-7806