I'm a p-h-o-t-o-g-r-a-p-h-e-r

[Ducky]

All photographers are equal, it's just that some photographers are more equal than others.

 

[dave lackey]

Roger Hicks and DNG: What I wanted to say was that photography should be treated as a privilege and not a right. Even if it was a right one should treat it as a privilege.

I'm strongly for the fly on the wall, mousy, discreet, tip-toe sort of photography that does not gets into anyone's way or does not in any way makes people and authorities uncomfortable.

Standing in the middle of the street with a large phallic zoom lens on a DSLR and pointing at random while sporting a T-Shirt which says "I'm with the Stupid" is the epitome of photographer as an annoying pest, a paparazzi wannbe and a poseur.

At first, I was going to correct you because even though the courts are narrowing their interpretations all the time, it seems, it is still a protected right, not a privilege. Now that you state it should be treated as a privilege, my response is a little different in that our world would be so much better if everything were treated as a privilege where we appreciated the rights given to us and we each treated one another with respect.😉

I do like the spirit of the t-shirt though I would never draw attention to myself while photographing anything. I just want to be left alone.😛

 

[tlitody]

Never said I was going to wear it everywhere... I generally don't do street or have any need to "blend in". When I'm working with a huge honking DSLR, speedlights and stuff it's fairly obvious what I am 😛

/Mac

Apparently NOT to a policeman.

 

[tlitody]

The world would be a much less confusing place if everyone wore a tag in their forehead describing what they are, or perhaps a mark on their arm. Perhaps color coding, like yellow stars, pink squares and green triangles. Hmm. wonder why no-one has ever thought about that before 😉 Clearly terrorists would need to wear a round black bomb with a lit fuse.

Mac

We can all be chipped like they do with pets. Then you can be scanned for ID. Mind you that doesn't mean you aren't a terrorist.

Infact they have been trialling this in the UK in some bar a while ago. Customers volunteer to be chipped and when they go to buy a drink, the barman just scans your arm and your debit card is debited. Saves using cash and you don't need to take money with you when you go drinking.

 

[Pherdinand]

you have all the rights but it just looks a bit silly. 🙂 sorry

 

[Pherdinand]

the true question is, is being a terrorist a privilege or a right?
if we could agree on this, it would be even better.

 

[freeranger]

the true question is, is being a terrorist a privilege or a right?
if we could agree on this, it would be even better.

It depends on whose behalf you are doing your terrorizing.

 

[Mcary]

Roger Hicks and DNG: What I wanted to say was that photography should be treated as a privilege and not a right. Even if it was a right one should treat it as a privilege.

I'm strongly for the fly on the wall, mousy, discreet, tip-toe sort of photography that does not gets into anyone's way or does not in any way makes people and authorities uncomfortable.

Standing in the middle of the street with a large phallic zoom lens on a DSLR and pointing at random while sporting a T-Shirt which says "I'm with the Stupid" is the epitome of photographer as an annoying pest, a paparazzi wannbe and a poseur.

Luckily the people who wrote and signed the U.S Constitution and the Bill of Rights didn't agree with you!! The whole point of freedom of speech, and yes here in the United States photography is considered a form of speech, Is for people to be able to say things that makes other people and most importantly the government uncomfortable.
FYI "We The People" means we're the bosses and the government works for us, not the other way around!

 

[Roger Hicks]

the true question is, is being a terrorist a privilege or a right?
if we could agree on this, it would be even better.

A right.

The French Resistance were terrorists according to the Nazis. The right to be a terrorist in such circumstances is actually the theme of my first October column in Amateur Photographer.

It is always a question of degree. A terrorist is only a terrorist if (a) we disagree with them and (b) they lose.

Americans should be especially convinced of this, as George Washington was (by almost any modern definition) a terrorist.

Ever been to Oradour sur Glane? Google it...

Cheers,

R.

 

[robbeiflex]

But T-Shirts of any sort which to try "say something" should be avoided, you're a photographer not a sports fan. 🙂

I have a recent favourite T-Shirts I picked up in New York that says MORE BIKE LANES (in huge capital letters!). Go ahead, try to find fault with that - even if you somehow do I'll keep wearing it anyway. 😛

 

[JayGannon]

You know, its a privilege to photograph its not a right.

But T-Shirts of any sort which to try "say something" should be avoided, you're a photographer not a sports fan. 🙂

No it most certainly is a right, a right that photographer should bloody well fight for. Its a right that must be maintained and stood up for.

 

[israel_alanis]

I agree

I agree

A while back I designed and ordered my personal version of a t-shirt with the "I'm a photographer, not a terrorist"-slogan and I wanted to show it of. My personal tiny, and highly insignificant protest to the conditions for photographers in our time.
By the way, the writing is not in fact crooked, shirt is simply not hanging straight on me.
Mac

Hey Mac, I like your thinkin about that slogan, and it is not too rare wear some. The way we use to photograph let us know if we could use some tshirt, case of camera or other accessories, I can not believe people do not know I am a photographer when walk on street with my camera in a case, it is just too obvious... so if you use or not a t shirt with slogan it does not bother people... but many comments are right about some can identify us and run away.

But I like it and makes me laugh 🙂
I prefer the slogan in a sport hat 🙂
Regards.

 

[Richard G]

My daughter told me that an English teacher at her school has a T shirt that says:

"The word verb is a noun"

 

[Keith]

I quite like message the shirt imparts but I do think it needed to be a little more subtle.

That sort of shouts a bit! 😀

 

[JoeV]

"Living in a police state is fine ... if you're the police."
-as overheard from a police officer in Dallas, Texas

 

[Steve_F]

That sort of thing has been applied in many societies over the years with unfortunate results.

Ducky - Well spotted. People forget it wasn't so long ago it was a horrific reality.

Steve.

 

[M4cr0s]

I quite like message the shirt imparts but I do think it needed to be a little more subtle.

That sort of shouts a bit! 😀

I'm only 28. Subtle is not part of my vocabulary 😛

When that's said, I must ad that I love this forum and all the great comments and views. Certainly a different crowd than those that inhabit "other" forums 🙂

Mac

 

[Keith]

I'm only 28. Subtle is not part of my vocabulary 😛

When that's said, I must ad that I love this forum and all the great comments and views. Certainly a different crowd from many "other" forums 🙂

Mac

Good point ... and sometimes if we don't make enough noise they ignore us!

I remember being twenty eight! 😀

 

[M4cr0s]

Good point ... and sometimes if we don't make enough noise they ignore us!

I remember being twenty eight! 😀

I'm not a brilliant photographer so I need to do something to make people notice/remember me! Engraving my initials and phone number into their arm with an old dental drill tends to unsettle them, strangely enough... 😛

(okay, I might have had one beer too many tonight)

Mac

 

[Al Patterson]

You know, its a privilege to photograph its not a right.

But T-Shirts of any sort which to try "say something" should be avoided, you're a photographer not a sports fan. 🙂

Wrong. It is my right to photograph that which is not explicitly prohibited. However, I do agree that wearing a T shirt with a provocative slogan may be a bad idea.

What part of "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" do you not understand?

OH, maybe you live in one of those totalitarian states I hear about. If so, then the rights granted by the US Constitution don't apply to you...