Admittedly, I posted before I read the linked article (in true Slashdot fashion). In this specific case, the cop was clearly being an idiot and should be subject to remedial training and forced to officially apologize to the photographer.
Don't misunderstand me, I never meant to imply with my original post that photographers in general are asking to be hassled. Far from it. It is possible, however, that in some cases for some reason the photographer's behavior, mode of dress, whatever, is making them stand out enough in some way that, combined with the unfortunate increase in officially sanctioned paranoia these days, is resulting in drawing unwelcome police attention. That's all I'm suggesting with that statement, nothing more.
Incidentally, one of my departmental vice-presidents asked me what I was doing with a camera at work and told me I'd better read my employee handbook because they aren't allowed on the premises. I checked, there's no such rule stated anywhere in the handbook. In fact, I had my camera bag searched on the way in to work for security screening day just an hour or so before and our security guards, who are actually federal police officers, didn't even blink an eye at the camera, just told me to "get some nice pictures at lunch." Rbiemer, you are correct, knuckleheads are everywhere 🙂
So while I have never been hassled by the cops or anyone else for shooting photos in public or told I could not do so, I have been on the receiving end of the post-9/11 paranoia in other ways and have great sympathy for others in that position. I merely wanted to suggest that perhaps there are things we do that draw attention to ourselves and maybe there are things we could do to minimize that.
