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03/03/2010 11:05:59 PM · #1 |
So, I was out walking around town (smallish town), and I was taking random pictures, really as I walked, maybe stopping for 5 seconds to compose the shots.
So I stop to take a picture of a dog that's on this adobe wall barking it's head off at me, and this guy, who is behind me, starts loudly asking "Hey what are you doing?"-"You can't be doing that, taking pictures of peoples houses"..
And this while I'm literally in the middle of a city street...
Naturally, I attempted to explain that I was only taking a picture of the dog, and he started to get even more angry... Well, at that point I figured "WTF" and explained to the idiot that what I was doing was perfectly legal, not actually immoral, and he needed to back up or I would be glad to have the police explain the concept of public vs. private property to him..
Fortunately I'm a decent sized guy, and not easily intimidated, but damn... Is this something that I can look forward to more as I get out and start to expand my photography horizons? Not that I mind, but it seems this kind of thing could scare some people into never shooting anything interesting ever again..
Dunno, just thought I'd rant a bit..
Oh and I guess I should post the picture up here so everyone can have a nice long look at it.. :)
Cheers!
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03/03/2010 11:08:32 PM · #2 |
| Do you have a model release from the dog? |
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03/03/2010 11:09:18 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Do you have a model release from the dog? |
Dang, I knew I forgot something!! :) |
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03/03/2010 11:09:37 PM · #4 |
| America is a scary place. We're not quite as bad as the UK yet (as far as photographers being treated like terrorists) but we're definitely getting there! |
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03/03/2010 11:16:34 PM · #5 |
He has a leash on and is able to get up on top of the wall? What if he falls off the other side and strangles as he dangles?
Oh. Sorry for the poetry.
Carry on with your street photography. You are totally in the right. |
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03/03/2010 11:18:12 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Melethia:
America is a scary place. We're not quite as bad as the UK yet (as far as photographers being treated like terrorists) but we're definitely getting there! |
I've never had a problem. Just my experience... |
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03/03/2010 11:24:26 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by The_Tourist:
Originally posted by Melethia:
America is a scary place. We're not quite as bad as the UK yet (as far as photographers being treated like terrorists) but we're definitely getting there! |
I've never had a problem. Just my experience... |
Maybe your iphone doesn't look as scary as Cory's 50D :P |
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03/03/2010 11:37:53 PM · #8 |
Camerafobia. It seems to be contagious.
You should have told him that you were shooting photos for a documentary on idots, and asked if he would pose for you.
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03/03/2010 11:40:18 PM · #9 |
Good golly,  melonmusketeer! Do you mind warning me?
I almost woke Hubby guffawing so loudly. |
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03/03/2010 11:50:59 PM · #10 |
| This stuff sure happens. Anywhere. Some hound, though. |
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03/03/2010 11:53:53 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:
Camerafobia. It seems to be contagious.
You should have told him that you were shooting photos for a documentary on idots, and asked if he would pose for you. |
Not something I would recommend doing in the good ole USA... some folks there got guns. :O)
Ray |
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03/03/2010 11:58:14 PM · #12 |
Yeah, that is unfortunate you had to deal with that guy. But a great story and photo to go along! You should have just started taking pics of him. Telling him to work it! lol No, never do that. Although when I was in my teens, I did that to a security guard at an Ikea. Hey, we were
just skate boarding... lol Ahh the memories...
Most people, are pretty cool with photographers. But you will get the odd person, raising a stink. Most likely they have no case, but are just messed to begin with. No, it's not you. But this is fairly rare, so don't worry to much. You will see the other side of it too. Those inquisitive, friendly people, that will stop and talk to you. Most add to the experience and quite often, will help pose for an image. So just keep shooting, you handled it great. |
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03/04/2010 12:30:38 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by Magnumphotography:
Yeah, that is unfortunate you had to deal with that guy. But a great story and photo to go along! You should have just started taking pics of him. Telling him to work it! lol No, never do that. Although when I was in my teens, I did that to a security guard at an Ikea. Hey, we were
just skate boarding... lol Ahh the memories...
Most people, are pretty cool with photographers. But you will get the odd person, raising a stink. Most likely they have no case, but are just messed to begin with. No, it's not you. But this is fairly rare, so don't worry to much. You will see the other side of it too. Those inquisitive, friendly people, that will stop and talk to you. Most add to the experience and quite often, will help pose for an image. So just keep shooting, you handled it great. |
Seriously? Rare? Where do you live, can I go there? I stopped shooting anything outdoors because it happens so frequently with me.
Set the record straight as well, No I don't have a fear of it happened, I just don't want to have to deal with the BS of the stupidity of people.
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03/04/2010 12:36:13 AM · #14 |
| If you want total freedom in taking photos, come to the Philippines...sadly we can't do that in our own country. Call that discrimination in our own land! darn.... |
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03/04/2010 12:36:33 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by littlegett:
Originally posted by Magnumphotography:
Yeah, that is unfortunate you had to deal with that guy. But a great story and photo to go along! You should have just started taking pics of him. Telling him to work it! lol No, never do that. Although when I was in my teens, I did that to a security guard at an Ikea. Hey, we were
just skate boarding... lol Ahh the memories...
Most people, are pretty cool with photographers. But you will get the odd person, raising a stink. Most likely they have no case, but are just messed to begin with. No, it's not you. But this is fairly rare, so don't worry to much. You will see the other side of it too. Those inquisitive, friendly people, that will stop and talk to you. Most add to the experience and quite often, will help pose for an image. So just keep shooting, you handled it great. |
Seriously? Rare? Where do you live, can I go there? I stopped shooting anything outdoors because it happens so frequently with me.
Set the record straight as well, No I don't have a fear of it happened, I just don't want to have to deal with the BS of the stupidity of people. |
Magnumphotography Lives in Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA and yes you are more than welcome to visit.
I do find it surprising that you have encountered so many problems. I have had the good fortune of traveling throughout the USA from Maine to Washington and other than a warning from security personnel in the NYC subway system have never encountered any problems. Same can be said for my travels throughout Canada and Europe.
Maybe it's because I am old and harmless looking. :O)
Ray
Message edited by author 2010-03-04 00:37:08. |
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03/04/2010 07:30:10 AM · #16 |
| Here's a funny story that kind of goes the other way. When the garden challenge was announced I noticed there was a home & garden show coming up with the first day being free. So of course, I went to try to get my entry. The weirdest thing though as I tried to take pictures, it seemed the people running each display would try to get in every picture I took. It was getting pretty frustrating. After a couple hours I pretty much gave up and decided I'd crop something someway to get my entry. On my way out a lady stopped me from a display and asked if I got enough pictures for the paper. Apparently they were expecting a newspaper photographer and thought I was it. LOL! |
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03/04/2010 07:51:44 AM · #17 |
You have to decide what's right for you, and how you want to handle situations like this. I shoot where I live, and a quick pass through my port will make it abundanly clear that I shoot in places that perhaps......I shouldn't be. I walk away with images on a regular basis I'm really not supposed to have so I operate on a karma kind of basis. I don't hassle anyone in return, period. If someone decides they don't want me shooting around them, I don't. I'm courteous, and deferential, and I respect their wishes. It doesn't matter if theoretically I'm right.....I have to live here, and I may want to come back some time, and I really don't want someone to be unhappy with me instantly before I even do anything. You do what you need to for your own sense of propriety.....all I can say is that the amount of times I've been run off, asked to not shoot, or confronted is so minute in comparison with the large number of images I've garnered that I probably shouldn't have that I feel extremely grateful for the good fortune I've had in NOT being run off. I tresspass, I don't break, but if there's a door ajar, I'll enter, and I've walked past signs that clearly state "No Photography" and walked away with images.
   
Just looked for examples......four ribbons, four forays onto private property without express permission. As odd as it seems, a six foot four guy CAN be unobtrusive given the right circumstances.
Just sayin'.....
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03/04/2010 07:54:26 AM · #18 |
| maybe he's a criminal and thought you were shooting for America's Most Wanted? ; ) |
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03/04/2010 08:00:56 AM · #19 |
Don't be put off by it, street photography is great and there's a lot of us in here who shoot anything that moves on the street all the time.
I'm fortunate, in Sydney people don't seem to care one bit, half the time the problem I have is that they try to get out of my way because they think I'm shooting whatever is behind them :) |
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03/04/2010 08:34:03 AM · #20 |
- I get polite inquiring questions from people quite often (public property).
- I get rude questions from people sometimes (public property).
- I have had the police stop me and question me once -- asking me to move along from abandoned private property about 50' off of a public street.
- I have a person start yelling at me for being on private property once and call the police who then questioned me.
Being hassled so much does take a lot of the fun and adventure out of the hobby. Unlike Jeb, I have definately curtailed my street shooting and especially any trespassing as a result. It is just not worth it anymore. All in the Boston area of the USA, FYI. |
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03/04/2010 08:35:25 AM · #21 |
Originally posted by Kelli:
Here's a funny story that kind of goes the other way. When the garden challenge was announced I noticed there was a home & garden show coming up with the first day being free. So of course, I went to try to get my entry. The weirdest thing though as I tried to take pictures, it seemed the people running each display would try to get in every picture I took. It was getting pretty frustrating. After a couple hours I pretty much gave up and decided I'd crop something someway to get my entry. On my way out a lady stopped me from a display and asked if I got enough pictures for the paper. Apparently they were expecting a newspaper photographer and thought I was it. LOL! |
That's a great story! 
It's funny how some people will think you shoot for the newspaper; I was downtown shooting for the 'Main Street' challenge, standing in an open parking space on the street (in the rain), tripod mounted camera, etc...only a couple doors down from a local bar. A group of college age kids came out, they were checking me out and I overheard one of them say "must be the Free-Lance Star". I just nodded and kept on about my business. :-) |
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03/04/2010 09:26:05 AM · #22 |
I've only had one experience along these lines. I was out on my lunch hour and spotted a guy riding his bicycle in the middle of the street while talking on his cell phone. I got a couple of shots before he launched into a monologue about didn't I know it was illegal to take pictures of people without their consent and he wanted me to delete those pictures NOW. I didn't stop walking, but I did tell him it wasn't illegal to take pictures in a public place and no, I wouldn't delete the picture. Then he said he was going to call the cops. I said, go ahead and kept walking with him following me. He started talking into his cell phone, allegedly to the police. I've made enough 911 calls that I knew he was faking it -- the dialogue was all wrong, not at all what they ask you, and believe me, you don't just call up the police department and ask them to send over an officer. I just kept on walking back to my office with him following me giving a description to the "police". He stopped after I went into my office (it's got "Law Offices" on the sign in front). He waited around for a few minutes and then went on his way.
This has slowed me down somewhat, because we have so many crazies on the street out here, and I fit the description of "Little Old Lady".
Incidentally, one of my bosses, a former District Attorney, said I probably could have called the cops myself and had him charged with harassing and stalking. |
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03/04/2010 09:40:36 AM · #23 |
| And rather an abundance of crazies in the town where you shoot, Germaine... :-) |
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03/04/2010 11:10:53 AM · #24 |
I have only had one security type issue, when I was shooting the trailer loads of citrus fruit in front of the juice plant south of town. I was across the street from the plant on a ten ft step ladder to get perspective above the tops of the trailers full of fruit, when a guy from the plant drove up and asked me why I was shooting. I told him that I was shooting photos for my personal archives and stock, and he seemed ok about that. He didn't mention that the plant was about to be sold and permanently closed about two weeks later, so I expect that they thought that I was with a newspaper or something. They didn't tell the workers that the place was closing until a couple of days before they closed, so I think that it was supposed to be kept secret, and they thought that I knew something and was trying to scoop the story. I was nice, and he was fine with that.
Most of the people who stop or talk to me when I am shooting know me, and want to know if my vehicle is broke down. Most of them now have stopped honking "howdy" since they know that I shoot game and birds most of the time when I pull off the road. I tell them that if I am stopped and the hood is up, then I am probably taking pix of the engine, and it gets a laugh.
Even school sports and other events here are open for shooting with no problems. I share the pix with the families if they want them, and they are always happy to see me show up with my gear. Small towns are great : )
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03/04/2010 11:42:19 AM · #25 |
Originally posted by Kelli:
Here's a funny story that kind of goes the other way. When the garden challenge was announced I noticed there was a home & garden show coming up with the first day being free. So of course, I went to try to get my entry. The weirdest thing though as I tried to take pictures, it seemed the people running each display would try to get in every picture I took. It was getting pretty frustrating. After a couple hours I pretty much gave up and decided I'd crop something someway to get my entry. On my way out a lady stopped me from a display and asked if I got enough pictures for the paper. Apparently they were expecting a newspaper photographer and thought I was it. LOL! |
LOL, that's too funny!!! I still get the feeling my fellow wouldn't have been happy, maybe even less so, if they thought I was a reporter :) |
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