scary street experience

fenixv8

fenixv8

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So, i guess it was bound to happen sooner or later. On my way to work, lunch time and sometime on my way home from work I like to do a bit of street photography. Very rarely do I ever approach my subjects for permission but sometimes I do. If I ever get noticed I just smile and wave.

Last week I was taking a shot of a businessman in the financial district when a shirtless skater guy rolled through the frame kinda ruining my shot. I took the camera away from my face and smiled and wave because he was looking at me. He then proceeded to yell and start swearing and threatening me if I didn't delete the photo. I told him it wasn't a problem and started to walk away. He then started to follow me. I decided to reason with him and explain that one it was a film camera and 2 it is perfectly legal to shoot in public spaces in Toronto. He then said he was going to hunt me down and kill me so I quickly put my camera in my bag because I expected there to be a scuffle. I'm not a big guy 5'8'' 160 lbs but I'm sure I could have protected myself. In the end he just walked away.

Later when I got on the subway I realized how much my hands were shaking. I guess the adrenaline and fear. I'm not going to stop shooting as I find the street stuff helps me with my other work. But I will try and by more aware of my surroundings.
 
Even though you're in the right, I know that's pretty disturbing. No amount of reasoning, however sound, will satisfy people today. Some photographers can shake it off and keep going. Not so easy for me and I stay rattled for a while. The problem is you can't know when it's coming next, and the encounter can be so sudden and explosive.

I've cut back my street work quite a bit for this reason. Unfortunately, as a result I photograph much less. I can't seem to find another genre that is as interesting as human beings going about their lives.

John
 
People so used to being able to say outrageous things on the internet with no consequences + people watching so much violence on tv and the movies that it is normalized + the occasional psychoactive substance for some people = they start acting that way in real life.
Unfortunate but predictable.
Sorry about your encounter with shirtless skater guy; yours is likely not the only day he has ruined recently. I wish his type was less common than it is, but I've been wishing that for several years now and it doesn't seem to help.
Hang in there.
 
fenixv8,

The saddest thing about this is contained in your first sentence: "I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later." The new societal reality, and our acceptance of it, that's the sad part. In the not-so-distant past it would not have occurred to anyone that being chased down and threatened with death by a perfect stranger for engaging in an innocent hobby "was bound to happen".
But, that was then, this is now.
 
Toronto is the place where sooner or later you will be challenged by mentally challenged person. Every year police involved by taking care of it, because OHIP is the total failure on mental issues.
So, with or without camera, it will happen eventually. It is Toronto. It is the only place in Canada where I have seen knife taken out in the middle of the day at the major street and near by full bus stop. Winos from nearby shelter.

We were visiting Mount Sinai Hospital weekly while my wife was pregnant. One day we were walking behind USA consulate and speak in Russian. Mentally challenged guy heard this conversation and started to yell anti-immigrant slurs. The challenged was equipped with off-leash German Sheppard.
 
One of the advantages of most film cameras is that they are heavier and more robust than most digital cameras. Swung by their strap they can become a formidable weapon for self defense.

I knew of it happening the last time I was in Korea. A man (presumably a soldier also) accosted a soldier and demanded his camera. He obligingly removed it from his shoulder and swung it by the strap into the accoster's head. Since it was an Olympus OM1, it wasn't as heavy as say a Nikon F, but it caused the first person to run unsteadily away, holding his head.

As a tribute to Maitani, the camera continued to work.
 
The guy was in the financial district, not parkdale!

Were you shooting with a Leica? Was it black paint or black chrome? If not then that explains why you were spotted. Black Leica's are stealth.

Joking aside, don't let it bother you. I don't smile. I just shoot and walk on. You have to exhibit a confidence that when you are spotted people see you working not being a voyeur or a creep.
 
I ve been meeting those characters every weekend since i've gone solo (minus john). Everything from "you was looking at my mamas ass (I wasn't)" to "you can't take my picture". Never been threatened with death though. Just keep doing what you're doing. There are crazy people everywhere. Don't let it stop you from doing what you love
 
Maybe it's just where I was raised but,

That punk would be the one running from me and if he pulled a stunt like that in front of my family or girlfriend he would get laid out quickly after without need for discussion.

You just don't mess with strangers.


Had a similar experience in Chicago when a panhandler wouldn't leave the girlfriend and I alone, after seeing me taking photos, he was persistent in getting a handout. I put my camera away gave my bag to the girlfriend and made it clear to this guy he had two options piss off or get hurt. We enjoyed the rest of Chinatown in peace and had some really great food!
 
BLKRCAT said:
The guy was in the financial district, not parkdale!
...

Joking aside, don't let it bother you. I don't smile. I just shoot and walk on. You have to exhibit a confidence that when you are spotted people see you working not being a voyeur or a creep.
Click to expand...

Completely agree with last statement. Unfortunately, people often mistake kindest and education as a sign of weakness. I don't usually do street photography, but when I do, I put on a business like attitude, like you belong there and they not. That often discourage people.

I think you did the right decision to walk away. No use to risk yourself over some photo that you can take another time.

Next time, don't walk directly to your house 🙂 head over to a public (coffee shop, burger stand, whatever) and wait till that person disappear. Better safe than sorry.

Regards

Marcelo
 
Happens often enough. Not fun, but I figure as long as I don't get a weapon pulled on me, it's a win.. 🙂 dealt with this most of my life without a camera anyway..
 
oftheherd said:
One of the advantages of most film cameras is that they are heavier and more robust than most digital cameras. Swung by their strap they can become a formidable weapon for self defense.

I knew of it happening the last time I was in Korea. A man (presumably a soldier also) accosted a soldier and demanded his camera. He obligingly removed it from his shoulder and swung it by the strap into the accoster's head. Since it was an Olympus OM1, it wasn't as heavy as say a Nikon F, but it caused the first person to run unsteadily away, holding his head.

As a tribute to Maitani, the camera continued to work.
Click to expand...

I am still young and dumb and I would have reactted similar to the soldier. I would have taunted the boarder to make the skater strike first...then F2'd him right in the face...eyelevel finder point as the spear head. Then I would call the police. Canada...no guns just watch for the blade.
 
This is the exact same reason I stopped taking the cam out on the street and gave up the Leica stuff..
Too many crazies out there...w/guns..knives..whatever..I don't want to know anymore..
 
Its the new norm that should not be accepted at all! You have every right to photograph on a public street... Be it scary as it was this dude was not going to do anything to you he was all talk that sounded bad... Absolutely use your camera as a weapon if need be... I remember one time I was on the EL in the Chicago to was sitting there I had my Ricoh GR in my hand it wasn't even on it was in the palm of my hand... Never ever turned it on... This girl accused me of photographing her... I was in complete dismay... I even turned the camera on and showed her the images... none of her to be found... She did not believe it... That's the type of paranoia we live in today... its nuts
 
This is why I carry a Nikon F2 in Philly and especially in NYC. In Philly it is legal to carry a concealed firearm, providing one has a permit but it is illegal to carry so much as a penknife. I just learned this not-often enforced law carries a penalty of no less than 90 days in jail with a hefty fine. So here in one of the more violent cities in the nation, it is illegal to carry a tool to sharpen a big pencil for sketching but perfectly legal to carry a firearm concealed.
As for NYC, only the police and criminals have means of protecting themselves. Yes, pepper spray is legal but there is a great amount of gray area in the enforcement of that law. If NYPD wants to harass a person with pepper spray, they have all the legal tools they need to do so.
That is why I have my trusty Nikon F2 bludgeon hanging from a shoulder with a sturdy strap. No one would question that harmless camera. I wouldn't do this with a Leica, the strap lugs are already prone to loosening under normal use.

And yes, the "bound to happen" part is the saddest portion of the post. The world is just getting too polarized and too knee-jerk.

Phil Forrest
 
I do not typically condone violence but you won't see me playing the role of a victim.

I maintain my personal space by whatever means appropriate for the situation. No one has a right to invade that space but I do however have a right to protect that invisible bubble.

To each their own!
 
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