I ride the subway in NYC every day. I also have a camera with me most of the time. Unless something unusual happens, I don't make photos in the train i.e. I don't make photos of people just standing, sitting, sleeping, etc. only if something out of the norm occurs (a fight, a weird musician, a religious wackjob, etc).
I don't keep a lens cap on my camera and now people always assume I am "videotaping" them because the camera is around my neck without a lens cap. I've had people accuse me of "videotaping" them numerous times when my camera is off and I'm just daydreaming going about my own business.
I understand people are a little sketchy these days with regard to being photographed, but honestly, why do these people think I'd want to make a video of them just standing there or sitting there. I've begun to get defensive lately, because it is annoying. I guess it doesn't help that I don't use mainstream cameras (that people recognize). I usually avoid this by putting the camera around my shoulder in the summer / spring, but it is winter now and I have a huge coat that doesn't allow this easily. Also, it doesn't matter how I'm dressed... whether it is a suit or jeans and a t-shirt, people are weird.
Also, I was in the super-market at the deli counter waiting to get some sandwich meats and the lady noticed the camera around my neck (no lens cap) and said she wouldn't help me because I was going to "tape" her. I said well, the camera (X1) doesn't even have a video mode and then politely asked her why she would think I wanted to videotape her doing a boring job. Her reply is that there are so many perverts in the world. :bang: She ended up being friendly after I explained things, but I don't feel I should have to explain simply because I have a camera around my neck.
Anyone else get this?
I don't keep a lens cap on my camera and now people always assume I am "videotaping" them because the camera is around my neck without a lens cap. I've had people accuse me of "videotaping" them numerous times when my camera is off and I'm just daydreaming going about my own business.
I understand people are a little sketchy these days with regard to being photographed, but honestly, why do these people think I'd want to make a video of them just standing there or sitting there. I've begun to get defensive lately, because it is annoying. I guess it doesn't help that I don't use mainstream cameras (that people recognize). I usually avoid this by putting the camera around my shoulder in the summer / spring, but it is winter now and I have a huge coat that doesn't allow this easily. Also, it doesn't matter how I'm dressed... whether it is a suit or jeans and a t-shirt, people are weird.
Also, I was in the super-market at the deli counter waiting to get some sandwich meats and the lady noticed the camera around my neck (no lens cap) and said she wouldn't help me because I was going to "tape" her. I said well, the camera (X1) doesn't even have a video mode and then politely asked her why she would think I wanted to videotape her doing a boring job. Her reply is that there are so many perverts in the world. :bang: She ended up being friendly after I explained things, but I don't feel I should have to explain simply because I have a camera around my neck.
Anyone else get this?
Last edited:
btgc
Veteran
I just wonder why same people don't set up manifestations accusing city authorities and owners of malls taping them in shops, on streets etc.
aperture64
Shoot Film
When I lived in NY, I always kept my camera in a messenger bag. Then no one notices the camera, for good or bad.
Pablito
coco frío
It is clear from your stance, your demeanor and your manner that your are gathering information for the government databanks. Don't expect things to me much better if you wear your camera permit around your neck.
dave lackey
Veteran
Hmm...seems the easiest solution is to put on a lens cap.
People are weird no doubt. I somehow don't think that would happen in suburbia where I live but try street shooting here and some redneck will be on you in no time at all.
People are weird no doubt. I somehow don't think that would happen in suburbia where I live but try street shooting here and some redneck will be on you in no time at all.
I lost my lens cap in the subway too many times Dave... due to it being too crowded. My "solution" was to go with a filter and lens hood instead. However, I still think people are being ridiculous ...
Neare
Well-known
It's paranoia, it's stupid and hopefully it won't get to much worse.
But people accusing you of videotaping them is really weird... not even photographing, but videotaping.
But people accusing you of videotaping them is really weird... not even photographing, but videotaping.
ruby.monkey
Veteran
If they're going to be like that anyway, put a sticker on your camera that reads "My camera can see you naked".
Arjay
Time Traveller
I'm glad nothing like this happened to me yet. But then, I don't wear my camera around my neck (I feel that this isn't practical), but I have the camera strap slung around my wrist. This way, it won't point anywhere interesting unless I really want to take pictures, and only lunatics might feel offended.
Last edited:
ruby.monkey
Veteran
Or how about "My lens tastes your guilt"? Couple it with a T-shirt that reads "Guilt tastes like chicken" and you're laughing.I was thinking of just getting a lens cap that says f*ck off...
btgc
Veteran
I think topic gravitates towards T-shirt with "Pervert" on front and "Paedophile" on back Add here press card and subway crowd will be puzzled.
Add here press card and subway crowd will be puzzled.
Steinberg2010
Well-known
Perhaps he's already taken x thousand photos of people doing mundane things and wants to liven up his portfolio...
InOmaha
Newbie
Explain to them it's just a camera and that the equipment you're using to take video of them is much too small for them to see.
Last edited:
Overdone, cliche, whatever... just not my thing. I've done it a little bit, but I don't find it rewarding personally. That said, one man's cliche, is another man's great photo.
Why so combative? Just because it is more interesting to me ... I ride the subway everyday so people just standing or sitting doesn't do it for me. When you ride the subway everyday, you tend to just zone out until your stop. If something out of the norm happens, it snaps you out of your daze. I'm not saying a good photo cannot be made of people sitting, sleeping, etc, just that I'm not that interested generally speaking. Of course there are exceptions... late night especially.
Last edited:
Gumby
Veteran
This must be a NYC phenomenon. I have only had that response once, and it was because I was photographing a guy doing something illegally. I was pretty obvious and he KNEW I took his picture. When he asked why I took his picture I told him to get a grip... he isn't interesting enough for me to bother with him. The dummy actually stood there and thought about it as I excuesd myself and walked away. No big deal.
robklurfield
eclipse
Be careful at that deli counter. Lots of lunch meat fetishists hang out taking videos of the pastrami and mortadella. Honestly, I usually ignore people who look askance at my camera in NYC.
These two women in Hoboken shouted at me as I was snapping this, "We don't take pictures!" I replied, "But, I do." End of story. I thought these kids were cute. What could they possibly think I could do with a picture like this that would harm anyone??? People are basically nuts. I could assign blame, but let's just say that the frenzied we were all whipped into by fear mongers after 9/11 has altered our psychology.
These two women in Hoboken shouted at me as I was snapping this, "We don't take pictures!" I replied, "But, I do." End of story. I thought these kids were cute. What could they possibly think I could do with a picture like this that would harm anyone??? People are basically nuts. I could assign blame, but let's just say that the frenzied we were all whipped into by fear mongers after 9/11 has altered our psychology.
GSNfan
Well-known
I think you have it completely the other way round. People photograph crazy wackjobs and any other embarrassment to a fellow human being by pure instinct.
In case I was your only audience, I'd say save yourself the trouble, I don't really want to see some crazy wackjob or someone doing something embarrassing in the subway, for that there is youtube.
I'd rather see pictures of people doing nothing, because only then the skill of the photographer comes into play by making the usual interesting.
Benjamin Marks
Veteran
I tend to overthink these things, but it seems to me that we are in the midst of a cultural/technological shift where, in the YouTube age, anything may be fodder for public mockery/notoriety. Although I believe, as you do, that photographers have right to capture the photons bouncing off people in public places, the "risk" perceived by the folks potentially being photographed or video'd is heightened. All those folks who are on the subway were also subway riders six years ago when there was no YouTube. My theory: their senses of themselves were formed in that "pre-internet media-are-everywhere" world and this is one of the ways that disconnect expresses itself. Where are many of them headed? To desks where they will have available on their desktops the latest viral cat-on-a-skateboard or doofus-picking-his-nose video. The real question is the one posed by btgc above: why aren't they more outraged at being monitored 24/7 by the authorities? I think the answer is that folks are more sensitive to public embarrassment than they are to surveillance.
Relax, You don't know me and you don't know what I generally make photos of ... I actually don't really take those type of photos in the subway either, but maybe I would if the opportunity presented itself. It's not about going for embarrassment, it is about seeing something a little different from the norm. There are plenty of strange people in NYC and some of them are my freinds. That said, I generally photograph the mundane and agree with your philosophy. However, you decided to take one comment I said and call me out on it instead of seeing the big picture of my thread which is that I'm NOT doing anything on the subway and I'm still accused of doing something. At least if I was making a photo of something unusual, I would right out in the open and people would know I was doing it... that was my point. Have a fantastic day being miserable on the internet.
Last edited by a moderator:
- Status
- Not open for further replies.