Picture Paranoia at Walmart

[gavinlg]

2 or so years back I was taking some pictures of melbourne architecture and was stopped by "the citizen police" (as I like to call them) who told me that they knew what I was up to, and if I didn't stop taking photos up the ladies skirts at the bus stop across the road they would call the police. I had to show him the photos on my camera to get him to go away (didn't want any conflict while on holiday).

These people are everywhere. Usually I:
1. Calmly tell them what you're actually doing
2. Prove to them that you're doing something innocent (showing pics on the lcd etc)
3. If they're still around tell them to get the f*&^ out of my sight before I myself call the police for harassment.

 

[mfunnell]

These people are everywhere. Usually I:
1. Calmly tell them what you're actually doing
2. Prove to them that you're doing something innocent (showing pics on the lcd etc)
3. If they're still around tell them to get the f*&^ out of my sight before I myself call the police for harassment.

#2 ain't so easy when you're shooting film. Mind you, it is amazing just how shocked some people are once they realise, no kidding, that you are shooting film. People older than me, and I'm hardly young.

I'm sure it goes to show you something. I'm just not sure what.

...Mike

 

[Beemermark]

Interesting thread. Amateur Photographers seem to think they have a "right" to take pictures of whatever they please. Meanwhile some other people think they have a "right" to a certain degree of privacy.

Me I sort of tend to the privacy side. Private property is private property. Buildings or Kids.

In the US, at least, people seem to think they have a "right" to do whatever they want or whatever makes them feel good as long there is not a specific law preventing doing it. I'm getting too old but I can remember when people didn't have rights, they exhibited common courtesy. If I'm taking pictures of something or someone and I'm approached and asked to stop the first I do is to apologize and then explain I just a nutty shutterbug and didn't mean no harm. I do not start expounding on my "rights".

 

[mfunnell]

Private property is private property. Buildings or Kids.

A different point of view, I guess. I always thought of children as people, in need of care and protection, but people nonetheless. Rather odd of me, it seems.

...Mike

 

[camera.bear]

Perhaps the initial complaint to security wasn't about you and your camera. Perhaps it's the fact that your car was occupying the handicapped parking space and they didn't see your need for it (at the time) since your were out photographing and not shopping.

Just a gut reaction...

Raindog61 and Mike,

I know what you're talking about. I've gotten the "evil eye" from people when I pull into a handicap space and then get out of the car. However, that ends when I get out my friend's walker so that he can go into the store. Mike, like your mother, my friend still wants to have some independence and to be able to shop on his own once in a while helps. Beyond the photography issue, usually a quick "I'm waiting for someone in the store" mollifies must people.

 

[Gumby]

Here is a thought - shouldn't Wal-Marts, Malls, etc. have a clear posted signs ...

In my area signs are clearly posted (well, once you know where they are) but they are not as specific as "No Photography" or "No Urinating in the Bushes"; the signs say "Private Property". That is notice that the property is not public and is governed by "private rules" and the local municipal ordinances for trespass. I agree that they should be able to produce a "book of rules" but that seems like idealist thinking if you consider that the security are minimum-wage contractors and the average Walmart employee can't void a sale without having a supervisor review/approve it.

 

[Gumby]

... but I can remember when people didn't have rights, they exhibited common courtesy. If I'm taking pictures of something or someone and I'm approached and asked to stop the first I do is to apologize and then explain I just a nutty shutterbug and didn't mean no harm. I do not start expounding on my "rights".

You pre-date the Bill of Rights???

Seriously.. rights and courtesy are "apples and oranges". Like you, though, I apologize and act a little nutty and have never had a bad experience as a result.

 

[Beemermark]

You pre-date the Bill of Rights???

Seriously.. rights and courtesy are "apples and oranges". Like you, though, I apologize and act a little nutty and have never had a bad experience as a result.

Believe it or not people have rather limited rights in the Bill of Rights. There is no right to privacy or taking pictures.

Yeah,I'm old. I grew up on a party line (for that don't know a party line was a telephone system where a dozen phones rang when a call was recieved and everyone could listen to a telephone). There was no expected "right" to have a phone call, now we worry about the government listening in on calls.