Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
The title says it all ... and I don't really want this to head into a slanging match based around various political opinions as can tend to happen with volatile subjects here but as photographers we need to weigh up the consequences of a situation that may affect us as we pursue our interest.
I noticed on the radio today that the campaign to encourage people (private citizens) to report what they regard as suspicious activity in public is well and truly underway once again. I've been a victim of some well meaning patriot reporting my activity to the police while using a camera and I know several others here at RFF have had similar experiences.
Your thoughts?
I noticed on the radio today that the campaign to encourage people (private citizens) to report what they regard as suspicious activity in public is well and truly underway once again. I've been a victim of some well meaning patriot reporting my activity to the police while using a camera and I know several others here at RFF have had similar experiences.
Your thoughts?
Sparrow
Veteran
... je suis Henri ?
Ranchu
Veteran
I don't 'look like a terrorist', and I've never had a problem. I'm not saying I agree with the thinking, but that's what it comes down to. If I did have a problem, I'm confident enough that I wouldn't be imprisoned, beaten, or simply shot that I would feel comfortable objecting.
ruby.monkey
Veteran
A "Je suis Charlie" t-shirt should allay all suspicions.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Sparrow
Veteran
... a friend of mine, who did in fact look like a terrorist, took to carrying a copy of the Economist on the tube
bobbyrab
Well-known
Doesn't that run the risk of being taken for a banker.
Sparrow
Veteran
... it was just after they blew-up the tube, well before the bankers wrecked the economy
Bobfrance
Over Exposed
You can't be too careful Keith, there's t**ts everywhere these days.
peterm1
Veteran
On a few occasions police have asked me why or what I am photographing etc but Australian cops are pretty professional (and yet informal and non aggressive) in their approach. It is easy to respond to a polite in query with a polite explanation so I have never to date had any problem whatsoever. And by the way a friendly smile goes a long way. Oh, also use common sense. If there were an intense situation underway like a suspected violent confrontation of any sort I would not really be standing on my dignity and proclaiming my right to make photos if I was being directed by a Police officer to move on.
ricnak
Well-known
Keith.
Take care. The mere mention of the "t" word at the moment might get you "flagged".
Last year I decided to spend the money to stabilize the hill that I live on. Established grass and bought fertilizer. The simple act of buying fertilizer has had me followed several times and the police helicopter buzz over my place on a daily basis.
I have a degree in horticulture, I know the application rates, what i buy is not excessive for the area of land that I reside. Most cops have no idea. If they pull you over with just 25kgs of fert your are flagged. "t" or drug dealer.
I made the mistake of going into town during the G20 to buy my boyfriend a birthday gift. I parked in the wrong place and had to walk through the 2000 or more cops. It was so intimidating, I could hardly walk. I did not even have the courage to pull out my camera.
I HATE the dob in your neighbour campaign - always have. I have just read a book about "t", victims and society - a psychological perspective (basically a textbook).
The "dob in" media campaign is just another strategy.
What was it last week? I think it was "The Queensland Fixated Thread Assessment Centre" strategy. There is no escape!
I love Leica's (don't tell anyone!)
h.
Take care. The mere mention of the "t" word at the moment might get you "flagged".
Last year I decided to spend the money to stabilize the hill that I live on. Established grass and bought fertilizer. The simple act of buying fertilizer has had me followed several times and the police helicopter buzz over my place on a daily basis.
I have a degree in horticulture, I know the application rates, what i buy is not excessive for the area of land that I reside. Most cops have no idea. If they pull you over with just 25kgs of fert your are flagged. "t" or drug dealer.
I made the mistake of going into town during the G20 to buy my boyfriend a birthday gift. I parked in the wrong place and had to walk through the 2000 or more cops. It was so intimidating, I could hardly walk. I did not even have the courage to pull out my camera.
I HATE the dob in your neighbour campaign - always have. I have just read a book about "t", victims and society - a psychological perspective (basically a textbook).
The "dob in" media campaign is just another strategy.
What was it last week? I think it was "The Queensland Fixated Thread Assessment Centre" strategy. There is no escape!
I love Leica's (don't tell anyone!)
h.
Kwesi
Well-known
I have always thought it odd that photographers come under suspicion when Google earth is available and any terrorist who is " casing the joint" is smart enough to do so without a camera.
I think stopping people from taking pictures, especially in public, is simply an easy way for the authorities to look like they are doing something.
I think stopping people from taking pictures, especially in public, is simply an easy way for the authorities to look like they are doing something.
sanmich
Veteran
The trouble, I think, is that it leaves all latitude for each one to define what is "suspicious".
If there is any benefit form public vigilance (IF), they should be very clear as to what is expected from the untrained, unprofessional, but quickly paranoid public.
Example: if you see a unattended bag in a public place, don't touch anything, ask everyone to clear the area and call the cavalry.
Failing to do so, any tanned hipster will be shot on sight as soon as he pulls that cannonet of his while muttering "Ella's in the bar".
If there is any benefit form public vigilance (IF), they should be very clear as to what is expected from the untrained, unprofessional, but quickly paranoid public.
Example: if you see a unattended bag in a public place, don't touch anything, ask everyone to clear the area and call the cavalry.
Failing to do so, any tanned hipster will be shot on sight as soon as he pulls that cannonet of his while muttering "Ella's in the bar".
ruby.monkey
Veteran
Rhymes with 'banker' anyway...
kbg32
neo-romanticist
"Liberal" used to be a dirty word.
Richard G
Veteran
A T does not have a camera. Possibly not even a camera phone. The absence of photos on a person's phone (and music) would make me suspicious.
noimmunity
scratch my niche
I can't believe a serious discussion could be undertaken about who looks like one.
That, my friends, is surely confirmation that we have a problem far far more serious than even those deplorable acts of T, whether undertaken by individuals, groups or states.
That, my friends, is surely confirmation that we have a problem far far more serious than even those deplorable acts of T, whether undertaken by individuals, groups or states.
noimmunity
scratch my niche
On a lighter note:
Perhaps Leica will have to change the name of it's latest offering?
Perhaps Leica will have to change the name of it's latest offering?
Sparrow
Veteran
... you must remember that the US uses the word differently
lynnb
Veteran
This is a hazard for anyone doing something in public that joe citizen doesn't understand and which might be even remotely construed as suspicious. Thanks to a national government campaign after 9/11 that linked photography in public places with T-activity (complete with full-page newspaper ads), photographers are more likely to experience surveillance, confrontation or investigation.
And if that fails, there's always the P-word!
It's a no-win. I used to think that if you are acting lawfully and can explain your intentions politely there would be no problem. Experience has taught me that's not always the case. We live in a fearful, paranoid society compared to what it was. Any day, anyone can be confronted, or reported, by some well-intentioned but clueless person. Scared people don't listen to reason, but as Mr Goebbels discovered, they are much easier to keep compliant.
Beats me how anyone carrying a vintage film camera (as many of us on RFF do) can reasonably be considered a potential T (or P). But this is mostly about emotion, not reason.
And if that fails, there's always the P-word!
It's a no-win. I used to think that if you are acting lawfully and can explain your intentions politely there would be no problem. Experience has taught me that's not always the case. We live in a fearful, paranoid society compared to what it was. Any day, anyone can be confronted, or reported, by some well-intentioned but clueless person. Scared people don't listen to reason, but as Mr Goebbels discovered, they are much easier to keep compliant.
Beats me how anyone carrying a vintage film camera (as many of us on RFF do) can reasonably be considered a potential T (or P). But this is mostly about emotion, not reason.