Photo with story C/C? - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Canon

09/13/2004 06:37:51 PM · #1

Story: I was waiting for my wife to finish up some business at a local Bank and decided to jump out and take some pics of a flower I saw just outside the bank. About 10 or so minutes after I snapped the first photo (below) I was approached by someone (who I presume to be an employee) who came out of the building asking of they could help me. I said no, that I was just taking some pics of a flower and pointed to it. I was informed that it was a bank policy that photography was not allowed on Bank property due to what happened in Charlotte, NC and the Terrorism situation. (if I recall correctly, someone was questioned for taking pics of Bank buildings in Charlotte). Anyway, I said that was rediculous (re: "policy") and told them I'd stop. I guess they were satisfied and walked back into the building as I walked back to the car to wait for my wife.

I've since learned (from a bank official at another branch of the same Bank) that no such policy exists and I was invited to photograph all the landscape I wanted outside their building.

Here's the point to all this:
For someone who is trying to break down a bunch of personal barriers, now I have to worry about this?? I understand that it's only 2 days after the 3rd anniversary of the Attack on America and I'm trying to keep that in mind and not take it personally.

What do you do when someone confronts you? or have you ever been confronted by someone in this manner?

Anyway, here's the photo. All I've done to it was apply NI. Any comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Oh! and thanks for reading. :o)

George

longlivenyhc

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

09/13/2004 06:40:25 PM · #2

who knows, maybe they thought u were going to make a flower bomb that looks exactly like that flower, thats why u needed the photo of it, so later at night you can take the real flower out of the ground and in place put your flower bomb.

coolhar

Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS

09/13/2004 07:08:24 PM · #3

That's a lovely picture, maybe worth the hassle.

LoudDog

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

09/13/2004 07:21:39 PM · #4

If you are on private property (i.e. a bank's parking lot) any rep of the owner of the property (i.e. any employee) can tell you to stop taking pictures. You can ask to speak to the person in charge, but they do not need to have it in writing or official company policy.

Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical(IF)Macro

09/13/2004 09:53:30 PM · #5

longlivenyhc - LOL - thanks, I needed that. :o)

coolhar - thanks :o)

louddog - totally understand about the private property issue. My issue comes after all that.

Hypothetically speaking, let's say I wasn't on private property and the same type of thing happened. How would you deal with it? Has it ever happened to you?

luv2photo

Canon EOS-40D

09/13/2004 10:10:11 PM · #6

I always let someone employed on the premises know what I am doing, so that I do not cause alarm. I have heard some malls and most government buildings do not allow photography.

dartompkins

Nikon D70s

Tamron SP AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical IF for Nikon

09/13/2004 10:22:19 PM · #7

OK. I could understand if you had to get up in the flower bed and trudge around or hang from the gutters etc. But it looks to me like you were standing on a perfectly public sidewalk.

I certainly would not want to intrude on private property without permission but COME ON a public sidewalk . . . Government buildings? gardens? state parks? what is next. . . . . pshha.

If God made it, copyright does not apply. I think these things should be free game. By the way. Just how threatening do you look!!! Were ya in your biker duds or what? :)

saintaugust

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

09/13/2004 11:01:44 PM · #8

thats just paranoid. you could've stepped back ten feet and used a zoom instead.. would that still be 'illegal' to that guy?

i'd react the same way you did, without freaking out about it. seems you got the shot you wanted anyway. :-)

LoudDog

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

09/13/2004 11:26:23 PM · #9

Originally posted by ggbudge:

louddog - totally understand about the private property issue. My issue comes after all that.

Hypothetically speaking, let's say I wasn't on private property and the same type of thing happened. How would you deal with it? Has it ever happened to you?

Nope, but most of the pictures I take are several miles from roads or private property.
Just know your rights, always stay level headed and be polite.

Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical(IF)Macro

09/14/2004 12:33:04 AM · #10

luv2photo - what approach do you use and how often have you used it? Meaning: do you ask for permission to take photos or do you tell them what you want to do, (possibly) why you want to do it, so as not to alarm them?

dartompkins - I should have added that I was on their property. What's in the background of the photo is the steps leading up to the front entrance. I was standing to the side of the stairs with the parking lot behind me. As for me, I hardly look intimidating... my wife says I'm more like the GQ type look (I think she's bias LOL)

saintaugust - yes, I think it's one of the best ones I've done. :o)

louddog - it's getting harder and harder to know your rights these days.

I've learned over the years that keeping your cool and being reasonable is far more successful than lashing out. What happened today caught me off guard even though I've run that kind of scenario through my head a million times.

I was thinking of making a print and delivering it to the person and talking to them about it. What do you think? What size of a print can I make with a 2048x1472? (I've never printed one of my photos before)

luv2photo

Canon EOS-40D

09/14/2004 12:40:31 AM · #11

Originally posted by ggbudge:

luv2photo - what approach do you use and how often have you used it? Meaning: do you ask for permission to take photos or do you tell them what you want to do, (possibly) why you want to do it, so as not to alarm them?

I've learned over the years that keeping your cool and being reasonable is far more successful than lashing out. What happened today caught me off guard even though I've run that kind of scenario through my head a million times.

I was thinking of making a print and delivering it to the person and talking to them about it. What do you think? What size of a print can I make with a 2048x1472? (I've never printed one of my photos before)

For my Neon Shot, it was closing time at the restaurant and I did not want to alarm them this late at night. I let the lot attendant know I was interested in shooting some night time shots of their Neon at closing time when traffic was infrequent. Quick thinking, I made it all up. I hadn't planned that! It just worked out that way. The main thing is I did not cause alarm becaues I announced my intentions. If there is a lack of response or a puzzled look, I'd ask if it is okay.

I have been caught photographing my neighbor's flowers along the walkways, but some think that is strange so I am sure to introduce myself if I see them, and in many cases, I have brought them an 8x10 print. I accomplish two things, put their minds at ease, and get my work seen.

MWitt

Canon EOS-5D

Tokina AF 28-70mm f/2.8 ATX Pro-SV for Canon EOS

09/14/2004 12:59:35 AM · #12

Originally posted by ggbudge:

Hey George,

Sorry to hear about your little encounter! 9/11 changed a lot of things.
Your photo looks really good. Only one thing I would nit pick about. You have a blue colorcast on my monitor. You might try some of the techniques found at this link.
Here's a chapter from a book on how to deal with colour casts.
Cheers....Martin