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Gosh, that's horrible!
The worst for me was driving down downtown Dallas, I was the passenger and we're at a stop light so i roll down the window and start taking pictures and all of a sudden this security lady comes running towards me screaming "THIS IS A FEDERAL BUILDING STOP SHOOTING."
I was hardly shooting, sheesh! I did get one good picture though before the light turned green and the car took off!
Posted 41 months ago.
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"Stop Shooting"? Wow... perhaps a slight overreaction?
Posted 41 months ago.
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I had the same thing, but it was after we drove thru Camp Lejeune. I decided to take a pic of the entrance, that we just exited, since I didn't get a pic when we entered. However, I was met by a Marine with a BIG gun on his back though. ;)
Posted 41 months ago.
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yeah...she totally overreacted...but i guess at least she wasn't carrying a gun!
that gun would have scared the bejesus out of me!
Posted 41 months ago.
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Yeah, he had an M16!
Posted 41 months ago.
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It happens all the time and I can't figure out why. People are like afraid of cameras and pictures when they believe something evil will be done but when its time to cheese-out for the camera they are all over it.
It like George Lopez says..."If there is a knock at the door nobody will answer and you will see the curtain move from way across the house. But honk the horn and we (Mexicans) will come f**king running out!"
And yes I can mention Mexicans cause I am married to one and I live in the "Gringo Barrio" so don't start no caca with me!
Originally posted 41 months ago.
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Dave in Tejas edited this topic 41 months ago.
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Posted 41 months ago.
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LOL at Dave!
Posted 41 months ago.
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Dart doesn't like it either... and Burger King has signs posted in the drive thru window
Posted 41 months ago.
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I've always thought it was interesting that the 6th Floor Museum doesn't allow photography -- especially since the photos of the common man were so crucial in the JFK assassination investigation. I can understand why but, I find it ironic.
My first personal experience came in 1977 in Russia. Stern warnings that photos of airports, bridges and certain buildings were strictly forbidden. I didn't even try to sneak a shot...too many soldiers with machine guns hanging about. However, nearly 20 years later I did manage to get a shot of my son performing at the Sydney Opera House. The ushers were psycho about the "no photography" policy, which again is very understandable -- especially flash photography -- but, I traveled halfway around the world to see that moment and I proudly displayed that blurry, underexposed, taken-from-the-far-reaches-of-the-balcony shot for years. :D
The Oklahoma City federal building bombing and the events of 9/11 have changed America. Now anyone with a camera is evidently a potential terrorist doing reconnaissance. Amtrak should be embarrassed by this. Part of the problem though is that while Amtrak employees might have been aware of the contest, Amtrak trains do not run solely on Amtrak owned tracks. The platform this man was on is likely patrolled by the NY transit cops, which would explain a lot. :P
ETA Whoops! I couldn't get the posted link to work (I was "forbidden") but, I found the photographers website and evidently it was an Amtrak cop. Some fun in NYC!
Originally posted 41 months ago.
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primadonna926 edited this topic 41 months ago.
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Bwahaha, that just cracked me up, thanks Dave! I met George Lopez once, my sister made him pose like a "homeboy" for a picture. He was thrown off at first b/c no one had requested that and then he got a huge kick out of it.
I agree with the fact that a lot of things have changed with the Okalhoma bombing and after 9/11. People just always think the worst, first-hand. It's so sad that things have come to that.
Posted 41 months ago.
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Terrorism and security threats have certainly changed the way that we think here in America. It may be new for us, but not for some others. I remember a few things from my travels in Europe during the mid-80s ... soldiers and armoured cars at Schipol airport in Amsterdam, baggage identification checks while riding the TGV in France, wanted posters for domestic terrorists in Germany, photography bans (especially around Russian military installations) in Hungary. Yes, things have changed, but some people go too far when they see a photographer taking pictures.
Posted 41 months ago.
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Anyone have a good recommendation for dealing with the psychological concern of being chastised by security and people who don't want their photo taken. I'm a confident person, but I'm extremely reluctant to walk up to some stranger and ask to take their photo. Most people are extremely self-conscious. I'm sure there's a good book out there about this...
Posted 41 months ago.
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If its child I will try ask the parent first, if it was a candid shot I will approach them afterwards and explain. I keep some cards with my name, e-mail and where my photos can be found online. Most people don't have a problem, but occasionally someone gets nasty with you.
I was photographing some jetskiers on Benbrook lake last sumemr and a woman started yelling at me that I was taking pictures of her underage son (He was probably 16 or so and his grandfather was on the other jetski) . They were halfway across the lake and all that could be made out were silhouettes.
My understanding of the law on it is that if it is in a public location where there is not a reasonable expectation of privacy, then you are ok to take the photos. In practice, I try to ask, but if it is a performance with an expectation and an understood permission of photography (football game, parade, school play, etc.) then I have no problem with it. I try to be considerate, but I don't fuss too much either.
Posted 41 months ago.
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If you have a camera with a fast FPS rate, a quick burst in the security guard, or a policemans face is always good for a few laughs. Do this on the street or somewhere public though..........................
As far as theatre's or places where permission is needed, honestly asking and telling reasons and showing work (iPhone) really helps. However the paranoia of photography is borderline is becoming rediculous.
Posted 41 months ago.
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I once had a security mall guard tell me not to take photos because, you know, um, terrorists. This was in Northeast Mall soon after 9/11.
Yeah, I'm sure the white-as-white-gets teen with a point-and-shoot, taking pictures of the skylight, is probably working with the terrorists. Better to be safe then sorry, right?
I know it was private property and all, but still...
Posted 41 months ago.
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oh yeah, we all got our stories so can I tell??
Right smack in the middle of the bridge from Ciudad Juarez and El Paso I was shooting with my 4x5. I knew the law about shooting from bridges in the U.S. but was cocky/younger and didn't care. I made the image and turned around to have a U.S. Border Patrol Agent inches from my face. This agent was very understanding about the whole ordeal and suggested I find a place to hide my camera so the Custom Agents on the U.S. side would not give me a rough time.
Ever try to hide a 1952 Speed Graphic with about 20 film holders??
Sometimes there are folks on your side...
Originally posted 41 months ago.
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Dave in Tejas edited this topic 41 months ago.
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Luckily I haven't had anything this serious happen to me, but during the state fair, I wanted to get a photograph of the domino man. A lady in the African American Museum politely asked me to leave my camera at the front desk. I was certainly not going to do that, especially since it was a new camera.
At least she was polite. I was polite too. I turned around and left. Too bad because I was interested in simply looking at the exhibits in the museum while I was there.
Posted 41 months ago.
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Sometimes I wonder if some of this is 'equipment-profiling'.
I have watched people using camera phones in places I KNOW are photography hostile without being hassled. I bet if one pulled out a DSLR in the same location security/LE'd be all over you.
I am NOT advocating stealth shooting, but I have yet (touch wood) to be hassled using my little GRD or L85, perhaps DSLR=Serious Business to the ill-informed and camera phones or P&S's are seen as trivial.
Posted 41 months ago.
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I don't know, you can never be too secure...not that the US has any kind of history in over-reacting and fear mongering. *cough*Manzanar*cough*
"Born Free and Equal: The Story of Loyal Japanese-Americans" by Ansel Adams (Complete text and photos available oneline at Library of Congress web site): memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=gdc3&fileName=sc...
Originally posted 41 months ago.
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TXZeiss edited this topic 41 months ago.
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I had a brief encounter with a DART security guard in Plano the other day. I pulled into the President George Bush Turnpike DART station and the lot security guard drove up to me and asked what I was up to. I told him I was just shooting pictures of the freeway, he was cool with it, and I went on my way. But after reading about taking pictures in seemingly public places... I guess if you've got a camera and are shooting pictures you're to be assumed guilty unless proven innocent?
Originally posted 41 months ago.
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paul.derry edited this topic 41 months ago.
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90% of the time, the 9/11 or terrorism prevention explanation for photography bans is a total red herring. It's a BS line that security guards can throw out and they know there's not much you can do to argue with them on a rational level after that.
The Amtrak thing cracks me up because back in May or June they had a similar incident happen where Amtrak's SPOKESMAN had an interview shut down by security guards at Union Station while he was explaining that there was no such photography ban.
I had a very similar experience to Yo Spiff just about 2 years ago in Sundance Square. While taking this photo, I was told to move along by one of their private security guards on a bike. You'll notice from the shot, I WAS actually in the middle of the street at the time:
Just behind me was the big Christmas tree they have in the middle of Main Street. While I was taking taking my shots several families and couples and groups of friends took pictures of themselves in front of the tree, took pictures of the lights on the street, took pictures of Bass Hall, etc. Because I had a DSLR, the rent-a-cop comes over to harass me until I move along.
So I walk the four blocks back to the parking garage, taking shots of various things as I walk. When I got to the garage I took one more shot of the Bass before I got in my car. I turned around and there was another rent-a-cop asking me what I was doing. Within 2 minutes there was a security convention, complete with blinking lights and demands for identification.
The "supervisor" told me it was because Sundance is private property and they "just want to know about it" when there's "professional photography going on" in the area. Prior to his arrival I had been given reasons ranging from non-existent laws, looking out for MY safety, and "well, you know, people are just pretty jumpy about this sort of thing since 9/11." But as evidenced by the supervisor, the real reason is that whoever manages PR for the Sundance properties sees it as an opportunity to try to exert some control over their public image. What ticks me off the most about it is that they can't just be upfront about their reasoning in the first place. I'd have more respect for them if they did.
In the long run, it's a huge net loss for them, though. Prior to that event I probably spent at least one weekend a month in Sundance Square patronizing their restaurants, bars, and theaters. Since then the only time I've been back to downtown was for jury duty.
I laugh because that shot is now the December photo of the month in Channel 5's "North Texas Weather Calendar."
Posted 41 months ago.
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Sidehike said:
The real reason is that whoever manages PR for the Sundance properties sees it as an opportunity to try to exert some control over their public image. What ticks me off the most about it is that they can't just be upfront about their reasoning in the first place. I'd have more respect for them if they did.
Thsi takes their image down a notch, doesn't it?
I agree. This is the only real reason I can think of that would cause such behavior. Naturally, they won't tell this to us. I actually didn't even have my SLR with me the other day.
I recall a few months back we were talking about a night lights meetup in Sundance square, but the general group feeling was that the sundance square security would have a field day with us. Some of it boils down to the definition of what is public and what is private. Frankly, I think if they don't want it seen or photographed, it should be blocked off from the public's view.
Originally posted 41 months ago.
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Yo Spiff edited this topic 41 months ago.
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Kind of late but since we're sharing...
I went to the Vans Warped Tour in Las Cruces, NM in 2007 and "snuck" in my camera (a point and shoot). Security was tight and all over the place. After taking a few shots, a security kid came up to me and told me to be careful because they were told to take memory cards. After I switched down to a 512 MB card, I popped off a few more shots but kept low key since I didnt want any drama. Funny, one of the shots I took is my most viewed image at over 1600 views.
Another time I was at a show at the Curtain Club. I was right up front taking shots of the bands playing. But when the headliner came on, a guy pulled me out of the crowd and told me I had to put the camera away or they'd kick me out, saying "35 mm's arent allowed." I tried to explain that my camera was no where near professional but he didnt want to hear it. He ended up watching me the whole show while people all around me were taking pics with their cell phones and other point and shoot cameras.
The End
Posted 41 months ago.
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Legally they cannot take your memory card. Unless there's some sort of explicit contract on the back of your ticket. They cannot make you delete photos. All they can do is make you stop taking pictures or kick you out. And if you refuse to leave they can have you arrested for trespassing.
Taking your gear is theft. Deleting your images is destruction of property.
Photography is not a crime.
twipphoto.com/archives/2100
Posted 41 months ago.
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I think a lot of their power centers around asking you to stop taking pictures and leave. If you refuse, then they can claim trespassing and they will technically be correct.
BTW, here's the shot I got just before Sundance security chased me out of the skybridge.
Posted 41 months ago.
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Nice image Spiff!!!
Sundance Security? dang...they just need something to do cuz they got nothing to do but find justification for their jobs. Most security act in this way, makes em look/feel needed.
Posted 41 months ago.
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Dave in Tejas couldn't have said it any clearer, "Most security act in this way, makes em look/feel needed." Reminds me of RA's in college dormitories.
Posted 41 months ago.
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www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/217341/fe...
Posted 40 months ago.
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That was wonderfully over the top. Thanks for the update.
Posted 40 months ago.
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OMG... I was laughing so hard I got tears in my eyes. Ha!!
Posted 40 months ago.
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I had a security guard come across the street to me once downtown.. I was photographing a building that was being demolished. He was pleasant, but said he had to check me out because "we don't want no buildings gettin' blown up here." I told him Don't worry, my camera doesn't explode.
Posted 40 months ago.
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Just do it at night...nobody notices you then! :-)
Posted 40 months ago.
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My understanding has always been that, with the exception of a very few government facilities, if you can shoot it while standing on public property, they can't legally do much of anything about it.
I would suspect that I may well have violated more trespassing regulations than anyone else in the DFW group; it's the nature of what I do, photographically, and I've never really had any real trouble yet by following these general guidelines:
1. Act like you own the place, i..e, don't act suspicious; rather, like you have every right to be there. This DOESN'T mean be arrogant or confrontational, at least in a negative sense. Just make it obvious you're not being shady or nefarious in ANY way.
2. If you see security or a cop or an owner, don't try to hide, and obviously don't run! I usually go out of my way when I realize a confrontation is inevitable to stride confidently right up to whoever is challeging me and introduce myself with a big smile. Remember, I'm carrying an expensive-looking camera on a tripod, I'm wearing a photo vest and I have a big camera bag on my back...it helps to look the part to sell the story. I tell 'em exactly what I'm doing, explain that I'm extremely experienced at probing around dangerous old abandoned places like this one, and offer them up some sample images from my camera's LCD. Not only have I never gotten in any real trouble (and only asked to leave once), on the contrary, I've had some interesting conversations with cops, state troopers and other security folks who've actually tipped me off to other places!
Posted 40 months ago.
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"Stop Shooting"? Wow... perhaps a slight overreaction?
yeah...she totally overreacted...but i guess at least she wasn't carrying a gun!
that gun would have scared the bejesus out of me!
Bwahaha, that just cracked me up, thanks Dave! I met George Lopez once, my sister made him pose like a "homeboy" for a picture. He was thrown off at first b/c no one had requested that and then he got a huge kick out of it. 
I agree with the fact that a lot of things have changed with the Okalhoma bombing and after 9/11. People just always think the worst, first-hand. It's so sad that things have come to that.
If its child I will try ask the parent first, if it was a candid shot I will approach them afterwards and explain. I keep some cards with my name, e-mail and where my photos can be found online. Most people don't have a problem, but occasionally someone gets nasty with you.
That was wonderfully over the top. Thanks for the update.
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