stopped by the cops!

[SolaresLarrave]

Todd, good writing, humorous approach and good photo. It's indeed a positive thread, not the usual rant about how civil liberties are being eroded.

All in all, despite your hand placing, it seems this constable was a no-nonsense guy not inclined to see himself as any kind of hero. You were lucky! 🙂

And, again, good shot! I really like the cloud effect you got there!

 

[Todd.Hanz]

Like was previously stated, "all's well that end's well" !

To those interested, I used a red filter on the shot (Kodak series V held in place with a series V hood) I bought this setup from the infamous "Rover", thanks again!


Todd

 

[egpj]

Remember the last South American to hit the news in jolly old England. He was Brazilian and got five bullets to the head for his trouble. They are on edge over there just as they are over here in the states. Good photo story though and very much like the shot you got out of it.

 

[DanK]

Very nice shot Todd. Im glad the officer did his job. I understand what made the situation tense. You handled it very well as did he. You go t a great image and I like the idea of offering him a print of it....couldnt hurt 😉.

Dan

 

[StuartR]

I was in London when that Brazillian guy was shot -- it was horrible. But it was also a totally different situation. He was under surveillance (wrongly, but he was still under surveillance), and then he ran from the cops. The situation went horribly wrong, but cops don't just come up to you and shoot you full of lead...either here or in the UK.

 

[cralx2000]

egpj, I'm a Brazilian I don't thing I need any bullets in my head. I don't give any reason for that. 🙂

 

[rover]

Russian camera, you some kinda spy or something?

Nice shot, yet again.

 

[satbunny]

Remember the last South American to hit the news in jolly old England. He was Brazilian and got five bullets to the head for his trouble. They are on edge over there just as they are over here in the states. Good photo story though and very much like the shot you got out of it.

Yup and we don't usually shoot people!

 

[ducttape]

1st, nice pic. I like it a lot and believe me, power lines are the LAST thing I like to look at.

I had a similar situation shooting an Emergency Preparedness Drill right around the corner from my house. I showed up and the Sheriff's department said no way. I started softly complaining, and then pulled out my NPA press card. I said they really can not prevent a member of the press from shooting (I love this stuff...)

The results were worth it (well, I think so. Opinions welcomed) The police and safety people all helped tremendously with my working that day.

However, THAT said, the SWAT team FREAKED when they saw me shooting even remotely near them. The 'confiscated' my last roll of film, developed it and returned it to my house, with 4x6 prints!

Everything was shot with either a Nikon and 300mm or Leica M7.

The link is here:Rockland County Emergency Preparedness Drill

 

[TPPhotog]

Looks like the facts travel slower than rumors about Jean Charles de Menezes "... The Brazilian was wearing a denim jacket and walked into the station, picked up a free newspaper on the way and walked through ticket barriers.

It is suggested he only started to run when he saw a train arriving and was sitting down when he was shot...".

He was actually shot 8 times and we might now discover if it was the police or one or the special services that got him, but I doubt it 🙁

Link to the BBC story.

 

[Byuphoto]

It's a good thing he did not know the cyrillic writing was Russian or you would be looking at an espionage charge. If you had been at a naval base the Marine gaurd would have definatly frowned ;-)

 

[ChrisN]

Not sure if this is universal advice, but I've been told that if a cop (and I use that term politely - my brother-in-law is a cop and at least around here that's not a rude term) approaches your car, stay in the car and keep both hands on top of the steering wheel where he/she can see them. Only roll down the window when asked. Don't get out of the car. Cops are vulnerable in that situation and they know it - don't do anything to make them nervous, like reaching for something on the seat beside you or under the seat.

 

[blakley]

Todd, like you I'm glad someone is keeping an eye out. And it does sound as if you & the officer both handled the situation gracefully - except for your getting out of the car & putting your hands in your pockets, which you'll presumably not do next time.

This is how things ought to go in a free society under threat; the authorities should be watchful, and when they investigate and determine that nothing sinister is going on, everyone should say thank you and get on about their business.

The picture was well worth stopping to take; maybe you should give a print to the officer, or, if it's too difficult to locate him, to the department to hang in their station house.

 

[DanK]

To add a bit more, I was in London in July of last year, and I wandered into an area that used to be horse stables and homes for what I was told later, servents back in the 1800's. But now they are a more posh and trendy area to live. Secluded from the streets and garages and go for a pretty penny. Anyway, I was wandering about and shooting a bit, when I got stopped and questioned by two very polite London police officers in a big van of all things. They asked for my passport and what I was doing. I was shooting Digital and showed them what I had photographed. They told me they were just making sure I wasnt up to anything shady. I can appreciate what they did, even though I got a bit nervous being a Yank and all 😉

Here are two of my favorites from that day:

 

[sooner]

Well, that's one advantage to digital--you can prove instantly what you've been taking pictures of. A good friend's cousin was a cop, and he told me that his greatest fear was being hit by a car while standing on the side of the road. The police do have a very difficult job, with lots of scary threats. I once got to "play" an advanced training video game, one used by diplomatic security agents, and just seeing a guy get out of his car and point a shotgun at me in the simulation almost made me pee my pants....until I shot him first!

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

To add a bit more, I was in London in July of last year, and I wandered into an area that used to be horse stables and homes for what I was told later, servents back in the 1800's. But now they are a more posh and trendy area to live. Secluded from the streets and garages and go for a pretty penny. Anyway, I was wandering about and shooting a bit, when I got stopped and questioned by two very polite London police officers in a big van of all things. They asked for my passport and what I was doing. I was shooting Digital and showed them what I had photographed. They told me they were just making sure I wasnt up to anything shady. I can appreciate what they did, even though I got a bit nervous being a Yank and all 😉

I think I've spotted the sensitive area they were protecting. That set of white windows in the background is an MI6 secure house and you had wandered onto it unwittingly.

Sorry, lame humor. But, its sad that what was known as the free world now gives up so much these days due to "security."

In Todd's case things were cool and cooler heads did prevail. Even though he was indeed photographing power lines. Seems the cop wasn't dumb after all.

They are all just trying to do their jobs. Too bad for those of us who just want to capture a scene. I think things will be calmer some day. Hope we are all around long enough to enjoy that day.

 

[Kat]

I love the part about the cop asking for digital camera advice for the wife😀

I went to our Supreme Court today, and brought my camera along just in case. To my surprise, when I inquired, the guards at the entrance told me there was no problem with me taking pictures outside of the buildings, etc. One even offered to take my pic when I was shooting.🙂