Getting Caught

I've been hassled occasionally for either taking a shot or merely checking the ight. The poeple that do it are irrational. I tell them to piss off, basically. They can be pised, I don't have to be. It's rare, so I don't worry about it at all.

I had a few guys give me crap for taking their picture once, but when I sat down at their table and told them I wanted them in the shot because without people in the picture the town looked abandoned, they laughed and said they were just giving me crap and didn't care. I showed them the shot (on my POS digital) and they thought it was a nice shot if a bit tiny so you couldn't see anything 🙂

Basically two people's attitudes are important - theirs and yours. Some people are asses occasionally. Other people are just caught off guard, and a smile and some mild chatter puts them at ease and makes everything OK.

I disagree that taking pictures of people in public without explicit permission is rude. It's rude to act like their opinion doesn't mater, but it isn't rude to be interested enough in the lives around you to take a picture.
 
I've been on the other side, working security for a nightclub.
Basically, the rule was, if it's not the clubs photographer, get them. Back then, digital was pretty much unheard of, so clubs would have dedicated photographers assigned to them. A bit of extra revenue.
I never went to the extremes of some of the other hosts on board, usually I gave a stern "don't do that again" and pointed at the sign saying no photography please. I have seen others, usually the thug types, grappling with the clientele for their cameras. It's crap behavior and anyone with any sort conscience would have problems enforcing the stupid rules. At the end of the day, they paid my wages, so I lamely followed the rule.
These days, if I'm taking shots, I make sure there's no such signs. I see it as this, no posted rules, then I'm free to take shots.
If people have a problem, I do as others have suggested and walk off. Thankfully though, I've never had any major incidents, just a few funny looks, and a couple of mutterings. Never mouth off at them, that's what they want. Just walk away.
 
Taking peoples picture isnt rude unless they dont want you too. Although they re in a public place we tend to put there pictures on internet or sell them or place in books which to me is an invasion of there privacy. Most people wont care but for those that do we really should exercise some respect for them. A picture I took one time turned out really nice I took it quickly on a very crowded street after it was developed I noticed the lady was giving me the finger. I took this as a message and threw away the photo.
 
I've never bothered to hide what I'm doing, and I've never had any problems. Some people have probably thought I'm mad, most just ignore me, a few throw up a pose - and they can often make for the most fun shots. Recently I've been walking around London with a Pentax 645N over my shoulder, which would have made any attempt at stealth utterly futile anyway, and the most extreme reaction I've encountered was a well-groomed young lady pointing with a grin on her face and asking her companion why his wasn't that big.
 
bmattock said:
His lie was no different than the guy who tells the Salvation Army bell ringer that he gave at the office. Expedient, simple, and an attempt to get on with things.
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You are absolutely wrong on that, Bill.
He was lying about his job, his responsabilities and powers when he is on duty.
If i was lying at my job, about my responsabilities and powers, it would end up in a mess and my carrier would go down the drain. (Google the name "jan hendrik schon" for an example.)

When "the guy" tells the SA bell ringer that he gave at the office, he just tries to get rid of Just Another One asking for money - in a nicer way than telling him F Off.
 
people are on CCTV cameras every day, open facebook accounts and do all sort so BS that compromises themselves and I would bet that half the time it is the same people who have public sites such as this that complain and act all indignant. I believe it is largely linked to many peoples' sense of self-importance, which may in itself be linked to ever greater personal vanity, celebrity culture and ubiquitous 'me, me, me' materialism. To say that a nameless face in a street shot is an invasion of privacy is plain silly. It is a public area and we should all conduct ourselves with that in mind. If people tell me not to shoot before I have shot, I dont. If I get a frame off before they object, I take no more, smile and walk off. I would never remove film or delete an image because nobody has any right in law to ask me to do so and there are good reasons why. Ego and ignorance explain the vast majority of objections and so I am not going to bend over backwards for a rude aggressive idiot imposing his ignorance on me. Those who object politely get nothing but courtesy. The nasty ones usually get bored or realise that they are looking stupid. If they try to detain you or hold you unlawfully, they need to be worried, not you.
 
I think the best advice is to lie or ignore the inquisitor and move on. I've found from personal experience that honesty usually doesn't work. It just seems to prolong the exchange. As long as you are working within your rights, you are under no obligation to explain yourself really. Just act like you know what you're doing and move along.

A guy asked me once if I took his picture and I answered with a question, "Why would I take a picture of you?" The tone I used was more incredulous, as if there wasn't anything special about him to warrant me taking his picture. It seemed to work. In truth, he was in the frame, but it wasn't a picture of "him."

If you're all out "busted and cornered" or your approach is to ask for photos then you might want to consider carrying a sample book of your work. I've seen this work quite well. I carry a sample book with me now, but haven't had the need to use it.

.
 
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Rip the film out of canister in front of them....

Rip the film out of canister in front of them....

It's worked for years. I carry a dud roll of film in my pocket. When I see someone coming at me, I palm it, fumble with my camera and say, "I know what you want." Whereupon, I produce the roll of film and rip the film from the roll. At this point they are aghast because they just wanted to ask me where the Greyhound station was. In those cases where they hesitate, I offer them the exposed roll and ask them if they want the evidence.

Come on folks, solve these problems before they exist. If they do notice you are shooting digital, then produce a broken memory card and give it to them.

Creativity always wins.
 
Here's all you need to do:
1: Don't in anyway let the aggressor intimidate you. (If you do you lose).

2: Have several copies of the photographers rights on your possession.

3: Carry a cell phone & as soon as your confronted, don't talk to them. Take your cell phone, dial 911 or at least act like you are. (if you live in the USA). Remember the law enforcement are your friend not foe. They will leave if their smart.

4: If they touch you in any way press charges on them.
 
After the bombing of a US military post in Costa Rica I walked by and took a few snaps. Several blocks down the road I was acosted by 8 security in two jeeps. They quized me and I told them I was American and showed them my passport. It got a little touchy and I am probably lucky I didnt get pummeled or arrested. In hindsight I should have offered them the roll and simply apologized. There is not need to go to blows, its not worth it.

The other day I was raked over the coals by security when I took pix of a hospital building (on private grounds). I told them there was no sign prohibiting photography. They uttered something stupid like "you need public affairs permission." Here, I did not offer them the roll of film. I thought it was patently absurd, but there you have it.
 
kuzano said:
It's worked for years. I carry a dud roll of film in my pocket. When I see someone coming at me, I palm it, fumble with my camera and say, "I know what you want." Whereupon, I produce the roll of film and rip the film from the roll. At this point they are aghast because they just wanted to ask me where the Greyhound station was. In those cases where they hesitate, I offer them the exposed roll and ask them if they want the evidence.

Come on folks, solve these problems before they exist. If they do notice you are shooting digital, then produce a broken memory card and give it to them.

Creativity always wins.
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ROFLMAO! Palming film canisters and SD cards?! I get your point, but I hope you're not seriously running around with dummy film cans and SD cards and ripping film out of the canister on the street every time you're confronted or approached.


.
 
I know I used to hate being photographed- but ever since becoming a photographer, I seem to mind less.

but I really don't like the hostility- I was honked at twice for taking night shots of a street 5 minutes from my house. come on guys, they're exposures several seconds long, and it's night time...

and that's why I prefer landscapes (and Canada is pretty).

great suggestions though.
 
Dagnabit, caught in my own devices...

Dagnabit, caught in my own devices...

RayPA said:
ROFLMAO! Palming film canisters and SD cards?! I get your point, but I hope you're not seriously running around with dummy film cans and SD cards and ripping film out of the canister on the street every time you're confronted or approached..
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OK... but it made a great picture... right?

I agree with the poster who condemned me for playing into the hands of the "evil forces".....

I don't do a lot of street photography, but when I do, I do it with the same alacrity I do most things. Just do it. If you look guilty or attempt stealth you are likely to be called out.

Be forthright and civil.

But don't turn away... back away out of reach if the situation calls for retreat. When you are out of arms reach turn and walk away.
 
Street photography is like being a street performer, you must know exactly what you're doing, otherwise people smell the fear and they'll destroy your motivation.
 
Pherdinand said:
It was only once when i was at the "wrong place" (although public street) to take pictures.
I took one.
It took me 15 to 20 minutes to get myself out of the trouble.
No matter what i pretended (Look there is no picture, Look there is no battery, Look there is no display. Look, i am just testing this old stuff. Look, i was checkin the buildings in the sunshine. Look, you are not even visible. Look,there is no film in the camera. Look, i mean no bad.) everything was fruitless.
In the end they got bored.

And the shot is not even that good.
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I have to disagree...this image is gently evocative. Makes me wonder what else is going on here.

Shooting on the street, my MO is to act as if I belong there, because that's exactly how I feel. "All the world's a stage" and all that. Whether it's my lens, your bank's lens, the NYPD's lens, or some nefarious upskirt camera-phone jerk's lousy lens: the moment you walk out the door and onto the street, you and I are in play. I prefer the gentle-but-assured Winogrand approach. Know what you're doing and behave accordingly.


- Barrett
 
dragunov said:
I know I used to hate being photographed- but ever since becoming a photographer, I seem to mind less.

but I really don't like the hostility- I was honked at twice for taking night shots of a street 5 minutes from my house. come on guys, they're exposures several seconds long, and it's night time...

and that's why I prefer landscapes (and Canada is pretty).

great suggestions though.
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Yeah, me too. But I think if anyone wants to take a picture of an old fat dude like me, there probably aren't any pretty women or interesting street performers around anyway...
 
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amateriat said:
I have to disagree...this image is gently evocative. Makes me wonder what else is going on here.

Shooting on the street, my MO is to act as if I belong there, because that's exactly how I feel. "All the world's a stage" and all that. Whether it's my lens, your bank's lens, the NYPD's lens, or some nefarious upskirt camera-phone jerk's lousy lens: the moment you walk out the door and onto the street, you and I are in play. I prefer the gentle-but-assured Winogrand approach. Know what you're doing and behave accordingly.


- Barrett
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I couldn't agree more with your post, Barrett. 🙂

Over here in Singapore, where people here are still generally conservative (We're Asians after all), its surprising to see the amount of photographers here growing. You see the teen with the p&s, the amateur with the dslr, and the so called pro with the whole shebang. Where once photography was only a hobby for the rich or as a career, now the camera is seen as a lifestyle.

In a sense this has changed peoples' attitude towards cameras. Its not uncommon to see people hanging cameras on their necks out on the street. So when I bring my rf out, I don't feel alienated at all. In fact I do feel like im blending in WITH everybody, with the exception that I seem to be the only one with a rf 😱

And this brings me to the issue of "getting caught"... the most important thing is to be yourself, be authentic. You need to be comfortable with yourself, then you won't appear to be out of sorts, frazzled, nervous when out shooting. I remember one of the guys here at RFF said "If you wear a vest fully loaded with gear and carry a monster camera, but if you project an approachable image about yourself, you'll pass".

Bottom line, a smile before you press the shutter, and a smile after you press the shutter. Its a wonder what a simple smile can do.
 
smiling is usefull. When I take pictures I tend to be vey serious (checking focus, exposure, composition, what is inside and outside the frame etc) and this gives people the impression I'm doing something "wrong". So I impose my self to learn to take pictures smiling and notice this helps to be more accepted by surrounding people. Lern to smile, it helps !
robert
PS also using a not common camera, like my father's Rolleiflex helps. People just thimk you are a strange guy and do not make objections...
 
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