it would be more helpful if you put that gun away
The more and more time I spend on flickr, the more I realize how many of my old photos are worthless as more than vacation photos. This is one of the few that stood up to modern review of my trip to England a couple of years ago due to the fact that my composition was actually something I might use now (not just a straight ahead centered shot like I was so fond of back then).
This is a shot (pardon the pun) of two security London police in front of Parliament during a time it was closed. Despite holding national security in their hands, they found time to maintain a relatively friendly demeanor, even offering this young tourist directions.
I just had to bring this photo back to show all my friends back home that not all British police officers are unarmed as is a myth in the United States.
RATING NOTES
43/50 on Rate My Candid Captured Photo (8.6)
42.5/50 on Score Me! (8.5)
Comments and faves
MiracleMachine (78 months ago | reply)
These are both police/bobbies, neither is a security guard. More UK police are armed these days than in the past, for obvious reasons, but still the majority are not armed. Compared with the US, the average UK policeman is more approachable and friendly, and less 'macho'.
incendiarymind (78 months ago | reply)
Thanks for the clarification. I don't know why I thought one was military.
Mikey G Ottawa (78 months ago | reply)
Here in Ottawa, the nation's capital- I am used to seeing police with handguns but certainly not rifles. That's a bit alarming. Neat shot, though.
khosey1 (78 months ago | reply)
Creat capture of a moment, and nice angle.
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Marko Bizarro. (78 months ago | reply)
great capture there!! " COMMENTSCOMMENTSCOMMENTS "
The Ancient Brit. (78 months ago | reply)
In all my time, I have found the police both helpful and polite. They have a sense of humour as well. When I lived near Heathrow airport, I used to listen to air traffic control on my scanner radio. One time I picked up a late night transmission by a woman police officer from the control room of our local police station. “I have reports of a nude man strolling down the high street, can any constable deal”. When an officer reported that he would deal she remarked, “Don’t forget your ruler”.
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Sendersept (78 months ago | reply)
unfortunately, i haven't had such positive experiences of the UK police, finding them to be more inclined towards power tripping and a 1984 style police state. Still I love this shot, as i guess few peeps would think of the armed copper giving someone directions, an interesting perspective.
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Ed..... (78 months ago | reply)
I hear what you are saying at your old photos once you join Flickr... you start to see everything in a different light.
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totomai (78 months ago | reply)
Score 9/10 from the Rate My Candid Captured Photo group
www.flickr.com/groups/ratemycapture
stefman75 (78 months ago | reply)
" Score 9/10 from the Rate My Candid Captured Photo group
www.flickr.com/groups/ratemycapture "
halfbreedhalf [deleted] (78 months ago | reply)
ah ...we meet again.... firstly i've gotta agree with Sendersept.... U.K police, especially those in lower income neighbourhoods in London are generally neanderthals with control issues...... predominantly white..... and prone to lying in court...... whereas the cops in Los Angeles are far more polite..... possibly because you or I might be carrying a firearm as well....... " Score 8/10 from the Rate My Candid Captured Photo group
www.flickr.com/groups/ratemycapture "
another great shot (sic)....... and another that furthers my stay on an island far away from all this craziness.... look at the eyes and mouth on the geezer with gun!
there's only one cop on this island..... he's just opened up a bar.....and will very kindly put any tourist in contact with the weed dealers..... now thats what i call service to the community!
incendiarymind (78 months ago | reply)
halfbreedhalf: Yes, we meet again. And I'm glad because that first submission of yours is amazing!
I think in most cities it really does vary from cop-to-cop. All of the cops I've met in Los Angeles were jerks. Except for this one set at a Halloween parade who let revellers dressed as cops pose with them by their squad car.
Though I do think that it's situational. Cops on low stress beats (like a Halloween parade or small island) tend to be really nice and cops on high stress beats (like the White House around a 9/11 anniversary) are total a**holes. Though there are definitely cops that are total a**holes all year round.
When I'm in London I stay in Hammersmith and spend most of my time in Fulham, The City, and other touristy neighborhood. I really need to get into those lower class neighborhood because they seem fascinating (and it's not like I don't go into them in Los Angeles, New York City, and (of course) Chicago).
plfoxx (78 months ago | reply)
It's excellent!
" Score 9/10 from the Rate My Candid Captured Photo group
www.flickr.com/groups/ratemycapture "
halfbreedhalf [deleted] (78 months ago | reply)
don't go too far in alone.... u might not have your camera when u leave.... :) thnxz 4 the compliments....and if i post another shot now.....i'll probably get to rate my foto up there already :).....
they called me hey u (78 months ago | reply)
" Score _8/10 from the Rate My Candid Captured Photo group
www.flickr.com/groups/ratemycapture
incendiarymind (78 months ago | reply)
Congratulations! You scored a 43/50 in the Rate My Candid Captured Photo group. I have added the tag capture43 to the photo (you can delete the tag if you want). Feel free to post this photo in the 43-47.5 discussion on the group.
madriguera (78 months ago | reply)
very good shot
Score _8.5_/10 (from the Score Me!
group)
LeighTaylor (78 months ago | reply)
Score 8/10 (from the Score Me! group)
nice bokeh
Swamibu (78 months ago | reply)
Nothing wrong with vacation photos! We are everyday people not professionals! People ought to be more appreciative of the value of everyday photos instead of drumming them into the ground.
Score 8_/10 (from the Score Me! group)
Adam Sporka (78 months ago | reply)
Score 9/10 (from the Score Me! group)
M_Salazar [deleted] (78 months ago | reply)
Score 9/10 (from the Score Me! group)
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incendiarymind (78 months ago | reply)
Swamibu: Heh. Funny you should say that as we're in that unnamed ratings group together. :) About 70% of my shots are vacation shots. Pretty much any shot I didn't take in Chicago, I was on vacation. ;)
Off ya chops added this photo to his favorites. (78 months ago)
Christon Joseph (78 months ago | reply)
flickr poker
