Things got emotional before the game when the fan who had an accident in the first leg in Aachen tried to thank everyone involved, but was overwhelmed by his own feelings. But things got better after the game.
Personally, the thoughts that I had immediately after the accident flashed through my mind, even though I wasn't there in person. But at least one photographer had managed to capture the drama really "well" on the sports pages and front pages. The question that I asked myself for nights was how I would have reacted as a photographer in that situation. In retrospect, I was helped by talking to other, more experienced colleagues who simply said: "I'm a sports photographer, not a paparazzi." It sounds succinct, but if you think about it for a while, you'll certainly agree with me that there are ethical differences when it comes to photography - which are perhaps summed up a little bluntly with this saying, because even paparazzi have big differences in how they deal with stars and starlets.
In any case, I have through the misfortune and also through the reactions of Happy fans and Spieler learned a lot about how to deal with the people who are "photographed". I am glad that I was able to do the fan a favor and send him several pictures, which you obviously won't find here, but which will hopefully be a nice reminder of the good fortune in his life.
The picture you see here was of course agreed upon with him! And I can only recommend that all photographers always consider, when taking a picture of a fellow human being, whether you yourself would like to be shown in newspapers or on the Internet.
I would like to pay my respects for your integrity and package it as a compliment to your craft by saying: You manage to let this integrity and your respect for people shine through your pictures with impressive clarity.
The way I see it, you would have made the right decision if you had had these pictures. Namely against it.
Anything else would surprise me very much.
I come from a completely different corner of photography, but occasionally I also photograph events and people find their way onto my memory card. Fortunately, I can say that I have never had the "opportunity" to photograph a person in any kind of situation.
Unfortunately, today the public likes to enjoy the suffering of others, see the people watching accidents. There are photographers who just stick with it and their photo is online on some site, sometimes minutes later. The dimensions are simple and of course it also means money for the photographer in question.
In this respect, I think it's good that there are still photographers with sense who forego easy money and respect human dignity. And that's exactly what it's all about in moments like this, the dignity of the individual.
I think it's good, Stefan, the way you handled it.