street response?

[doughowk]

Harrassing photographers who are using tripods is part of the theatrics of security, putting on a show for bystanders & themselves. Instead of providing real security, our government acts or plays the role of vigilant protector - threat alerts, harrassment & incarceration of muslims, invasions - while intimidating critics with the Patriot Act. It has become an Orwellian world - Justice Dep't committing crimes against innocent citizens. What has happened to Freedom-loving Americans that we would give up hard-won freedoms for such theatrics?

[Ricardo41]

Harrassing photographers who are using tripods is part of the theatrics of security-

But you could suddenly pick up your tripod and start beating bystanders over the head with it, couldn't you?

Perhaps the camera/tripod set-up contains a sophisticated surface to ground laser-guided missile system, no?

ricardo

[FrankB]

But you could suddenly pick up your tripod and start beating bystanders over the head with it, couldn't you

Erm... You weren't actually at the waterfall shoot I mentioned, were you?

:o

[Flotsam]

I seem to remember a story about one of our APUGers being hauled in by the police for threatening people with her tripod mounted, large format "cannon" and her spot meter "pistol".

I, for one, certainly feel much safer knowing that she was off the street for a couple of hours

[crimsonvizion]

I havent gotten through reading all replys yet but i wanted to add my bit. i have found when shooting the new somolian development here in maine that sugar coating, if played right not to look fake, can make a difference in some areas. the most helpful is editing the word "shoot" out of the vocabulary all together. just picture being in another culture with only mixed understanding of the language, and you catch out of all words a word of threat! and they want to use this equiptment on me!!?? taking the perspective of the subject matter opens up a whole new world of vision.

as far as authority goes, i figure most great street photography is either illegal or risky i was caught in a run down mill shooting this breathtaking (forgive me) shot of a decrepid staircase and when explaining to the guard he informed me that he spent most of his younger years photographing and never once risked his life or tresspassed. Can you imagine!!!

There, ive made my comment
~~

[crimsonvizion]

p.s. added on to the photographing of the somolians: its best not to ask to "take" a picture, it sounds like a threat or a demand. ask if you could make a photo of them or create. it is difficult to change your vocabulary but it makes a big difference!

[Aggie]

I seem to remember a story about one of our APUGers being hauled in by the police for threatening people with her tripod mounted, large format "cannon" and her spot meter "pistol".

I, for one, certainly feel much safer knowing that she was off the street for a couple of hours

Does this darn computer have a raspberry making sound option?

[tilt-shift]

Thanks all for the anecdotes; I will now carry a hard hat, clipboard and enough different ids (preferably with varying alias) to provide reading material while I underexpose another sheet of film. Thanks again jeff

[jd callow]

In Detroit I am mostly ignored. Oddly the folks who live in the city will only acknowledge you (as in "hey") and on a rarer occasion will ask "what's it for?" or to have their picture taken.

In the Detroit suburbs I have had the police called on me. 3 cars 1 unmarked and 5 cops, this was before 9/11.

Most places in the US are about the same. They will ask why or jump in front of the camera and mug. One question that is repeatedly asked is "what are you doing?" As I stand there with my head under a dark t-shirt/cloth or my face stuck to the back of my mamiya with camera equipment strewn all over.

In Belarus and Romania (more the former then the latter) they would hide or get very uncomfortable. No one in Belarus said anything to me. In Romania I got a few questions mostly "Why."

In England they ignored me entirely, as if I was invisible or they were to taken aback by the intrusion to even comment.

In Paris I was treated with disdain, but no comments.

In Wales I was asked:

if I take dirty pictures too (this by a young attractive girl who giggled a lot),

Why I didn't use digital

I was told I was breaking the law

Another tried to steal my camera, whilst in the middle of a busy street in front of many witnesses.

One women told me I had to shoot her friend who was a 'real' model. Her friend had already positioned herself in front of the camera. They were both serious and adamant. When I told the 'model' that I wasn't that type of photographer and that there wasn't enough light, she told me that she knew all about photography and that I obviously wasn't a real photographer. She went on to berate me, my equipment and to tell me again that she was a 'real' model. At this point I asked her which porn site.

In Canada they will say excuse me if they think they are getting too close or if they step in front of the camera when I am composing. They also nod a lot (as do the Detroiters). In my experience they are by far and away the most polite and considerate to photographers. On a rare occasion a Canadian or American will or try to light conversation about photography or the subject i'm shooting.

Mostly I am left alone. My wife says I am not very approachable and I certainly don't 'reach out' to people when I'm shooting.

[John McCallum]

Actually in New Zealand, people seem pretty polite generally as well. Sometimes they get very curious, just kinda want to be involved somehow. They seem to wonder if you are doing something that could be famous (we don't get much of that that, so probably crave it a bit). I find being focussed on the work and looking constantly busy seems to help - gets the shot and people assume you're 'meant' to be there.

One women told me I had to shoot her friend who was a 'real' model. Her friend had already positioned herself in front of the camera. .....

An alternative could have been to take her on and ..."Yup that's good ...now back a bit .....that's it great ...... back a bit further ....... now just jump between those parked cars ..."

Mostly I am left alone. My wife says I am not very approachable and I certainly don't 'reach out' to people when I'm shooting.

Recon that's a good way to be for street photography. Barking loudly when they get to close works.