A creepy guy approached to me.

Nervine · Jan 12, 2014

sm4him said:
I was shooting pictures out on our bus platform for work once. It's fairly normal for several people to ask me what I'm taking photos for, if the photos are going to be in the newspaper, etc...but this one guy looks at me and says, "You can't take MY picture. I hadn't done nothing wrong. I'm a legal, law-abiding citizen, so don't take my picture..." Oh yeah, I took HIS picture, as he was getting on a bus. Just in case the cops needed it to help ID him later. :lmao: Nothing like an extremely loud proclamation of complete innocence to make me think you're not at all innocent.

Haha thanks for the laugh.

I agree also he didn't clearly state not to take his picture, maybe just generally curious or making small chat? Hard to tell for sure as I was not there to witness tone/body language

Next time as mentioned just clarify.

Steve5D · Jan 12, 2014

tecboy said:
Last night, I had volunteering opportunity to photograph in the art school. There was one creepy guy, he was pretty big and asked me for my name. He asked me why am I shooting? What are the pictures for? Then, he told to me to make sure his picture is good, "You know what I mean."

Was he threatening me? If he didn't like to be photographed, then get out! His face is going to be in the newspapers or in the website, soon. What is he going to do about it?

Seriously?

What part of anything you've written could possibly be construed as a threat?

Steve5D · Jan 12, 2014

Were you shooting for yourself or the art school?

If you were shooting for the art school, it's their responsibility to inform attendees about a photographer being on the premises, not yours. If an attendee doesn't want their photo taken, they can mention it to you, or to the organizers of the event. If they mention it to the organizers, the organizers have a responsibility to tell you. If they don't, I would imagine the individual would tell you not to take his or her picture. Obviously, though, that's not what happened.

If you're shooting for the art school, you probably have no say in what photos are published somewhere...

tecboy · Jan 12, 2014

I guess I overreacted. I was feeling uncomfortable when this guy asked me questions especially for my name. I couldn't answered. I don't know what the photographs are for. They asked me to shoot, then I shoot. It was pretty strange the way he approached to me.

tecboy · Jan 12, 2014

Steve5D said:
Were you shooting for yourself or the art school?

If you were shooting for the art school, it's their responsibility to inform attendees about a photographer being on the premises, not yours. If an attendee doesn't want their photo taken, they can mention it to you, or to the organizers of the event. If they mention it to the organizers, the organizers have a responsibility to tell you. If they don't, I would imagine the individual would tell you not to take his or her picture. Obviously, though, that's not what happened.

If you're shooting for the art school, you probably have no say in what photos are published somewhere...

That is a good point. That was my first time shooting in the art school especially shooting in the public place. I didn't know what to expect. Like I said before, he told to me to make sure his picture is good, "You know what I mean." What if the picture looks bad? I think it is his problem, not mine.

vintagesnaps · Jan 12, 2014

I think it's usually best to trust your gut instincts. To me it doesn't make sense that he seemed as if he didn't want to have his picture taken yet wanted you to make him look good... Were they serving alcohol at this event?? Maybe he's on something, who knows, you have no way of knowing what's going on with him.

I've been taking pictures at events and games, or even out in public, and had people ask me what I was taking pictures for, usually they're just curious or making conversation; I've had people wave and ham it up for the camera etc. because they're just having fun or maybe been to the beer booth more than once... But if the comment was odd or if he seemed defensive, that would indicate to me there's probably something going on with this person.

At an event there would be an expectation that the event organizers would have a photographer, even a TV crew for a large event, so you wouldn't think anyone would have a problem with being in a picture but I don't know if it would be worth using his photo; there are plenty of other people to photograph at an event, if someone behaves in a strange way I'd pass them by, just behave like a professional and then move on...

tecboy · Jan 12, 2014

A lot of people appreciated I was shooting in the event. I'm the one who volunteers with a camera. I hope there were no alcohols. That could have been worse.

If he ever approaches me again, I will talk to him and clarify things.

Trever1t · Jan 12, 2014

you didn't recognize me?

minicoop1985 · Jan 12, 2014

I'm no professional by any stretch of the imagination, but I do take a lot of photos in public and get asked a lot of questions by odd and/or creepy individuals. Often drunk ones too. My favorite: I had my Hasselblad out the other night for some fog shots (ended up taking all of two photos because I didn't want to die falling on ice) and some drunk guy with his sober (and very apologetic) girlfriend/wife/friend/whatever/may have been a dude at one point came up and told me "Hey, that's pretty cool. Did you make that?" I laughed quite a bit, but assured him that I didn't, because if I did it would look like complete crap and probably, in fact, be a peeled potato.

Anyway, the moral of the story: if you shoot in public, there's going to be awkward situations. When people see someone taking photos, it seems that they have to go into "AWKWARD QUESTION MODE" immediately, and attempt to demonstrate their knowledge of photography by asking questions that clearly indicate they have zero knowledge of photography. :lol:

It's all about rolling with it, and finding the best way to deal with the awkward comments. If you're single and an attractive member of your preferred gender asks for you to photograph their good side, you could say something like "Which one? They're all good sides," which may end up in a date or a good slap. You never know until you try. :greenpbl:

minicoop1985 · Jan 12, 2014

Trever1t said:
you didn't recognize me?

Ruh roh Raggy... :lmao:

John_Olexa · Jan 12, 2014

Yeah, I've had people ask me those type questions. I'll tell them what i'm doing and thats all. (I won't allow anyone to intimidate me) If they don't want their photo taken, I'll try to not include them. When I was shooting stringer for a newspaper I didn't care what they said or asked though! LOL.

tecboy · Jan 12, 2014

I understand people skills and communication are important for career and volunteer as a photographer. Those strange people, there is no way to reason with them. The strange lady told me I shouldn't photographed traffic. She was a bit angry and unfriendly. If I tell her there is nothing wrong shooting the traffic. We could have gotten into an argument. Worse case scenario, a fist fight. I probably wouldn't get any photograph done. There are nice people approach and tell me they don't like to be photographed or being publish. I listen to them and respect that. I had several nice conversations with people who curious about my camera. I don't mind to take the times to answer questions about my camera and what I do. That guy at the art school, maybe he was confused. I don't know. I just have to be aware for my surrounding.

Josh66 · Jan 12, 2014

robbins.photo said:
San Jose? My guess is he was probably hitting on you rather than threatening you.. lol

Haha - same thing I was thinking. Did he try to give you his phone number?

Sounds like he was more interested in "you" than what you were doing, lol.