Photo Phobia

[stewmander]

Just found an interesting article in Popular Mechanics about photographing public places...

http://www.popularmechanics.com/tec...in-public-places-is-not-a-crime?click=main_sr

 

[migtex]

you may wanna look at this magazine site.
www.polkamagazine.com
quite interesting work on NYC finest.

 

[marcr1230]

A rough translation of the opening page of the article is that since Sept 11 and with this year's attempted Times Square bombing. Police in NYC have come to view photography as sort of a "public enemy"

http://www.polkamagazine.com/lecture/Polka_Magazine_9

 

[stewmander]

Its a bit unfortunate that the police and security professionals that are on the front lines are so focused on ALL photography that they may actually be missing the "real terrorists" (who according to the Popular Mechanics article, do not use photography as part of their prep work for an attack). I liked the idea of more cameras in the hands of more people will make public areas SAFER and not the opposite.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

Its a bit unfortunate that the police and security professionals that are on the front lines are so focused on ALL photography that they may actually be missing the "real terrorists" (who according to the Popular Mechanics article, do not use photography as part of their prep work for an attack). I liked the idea of more cameras in the hands of more people will make public areas SAFER and not the opposite.

That makes sense, and could help as a future argument for our freedom as photographers...

Cheers,

Juan

 

[user237428934]

Reading this I was a little bit surprised. It sounds like the police can enforce an own interpretation of the law in the US. That's what normally happens in 3rd world countries or dictatorships I thought.

 

[user237428934]

I liked the idea of more cameras in the hands of more people will make public areas SAFER and not the opposite.

If this leads to everybody is photographing everbody, I can't see that it makes things safer. Many people don't feel comfortable when they are being photographed in public. Many people in that mood don't make a safe and friendly environment.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Many people don't even like being looked at in public. Welcome to the 21st. Century.

 

[Juan Valdenebro]

I really think in some decades laws will be tough for photographers, all around the world...

Cheers,

Juan

 

[David Murphy]

In 1972 I was filming (in 8mm) the police hassling a bunch of teenagers who where simply swimming in a local canal and bothering no one (a common and harmless activity then). This was in suburban Miami. The police told me to turn off the camera or be arrested. The cops in those days would often beat you within in inch of your life if they got you in jail so I capitulated. Today I'd probably stand my ground, but I was just 16 then!

 

[stewmander]

I dont think people will be going around photographing everyone all the time in public places...I am just thinking that taking photos of buildings, streets, cars, etc. in everyday public places increases the odds that perhaps you will catch a suspecious character lurking about, or even in the act of a crime. The photo can then be used to identify, catch, or prevent a terrorist act. Like the article said, often times police ask the public to provide any information about a suspect, including any photos taken that might be valuable in finding the suspect or placing him at the scene of a crime.

 

[btgc]

I gon't even get started on this.

Picket Wilson expressed trends well.