Ever been harrassed whilst photographing?

[Peter.L]

In France, close to where I live, you're not allowed to take pictures in some shops or supermarkets

 

[UUilliam]

In France, close to where I live, you're not allowed to take pictures in some shops or supermarkets

That is because it is Private property (although my dad keeps saying, if they let the public in then its a public place.) Therefore the owner of the property REQUESTS that you don't do photography on the premises which must be respected otherwise they can file a trespass claim

 

[Ryvax]

I was taking pictures at Delaware park and this Security SUV comes screaming down the road. They pull up and start yelling, "What are you doing?" Um, I'm taking pictures of a water tower, why?. Anyways, had to leave cause there's a racetrack in the park, and you can't take pics of a racetrack apparently. That's the only time I got kicked out of a park for taking pics.

 

[EventShooter]

I shot a bike race two weekends ago...one of our photogs was on a bridge which spanned the highway. He was "shooting" riders as the climbed the bridge. A motorist called the cops claiming "there is a man on the bridge over the highway with an assault rifle". Granted Tony had a long telephoto...the officer was rolling in tears laughing after all was said and done!

 

[Battou]

I shot a bike race two weekends ago...one of our photogs was on a bridge which spanned the highway. He was "shooting" riders as the climbed the bridge. A motorist called the cops claiming "there is a man on the bridge over the highway with an assault rifle". Granted Tony had a long telephoto...the officer was rolling in tears laughing after all was said and done!

I got a security guards spotlight right in the face wile doing some night shots because the security guard thought that very same thing. I know I posted that tale somewhere, I'll have to find it and repost it, was an interesting encounter to say the least.

 

[c.cloudwalker]

I've gotten clubbed a couple times in what I call "civil unrest" situations. I tried to not see it as a personal thing as the cops are usually just following orders and, let's be honest, when things go bad the powers that be just don't want us around. To them, we are the worst of witnesses. Most photojournalists I've known who covered that kind of stories knew and accepted the risks.

Now, when I run into a cop who is obviously on a power trip, I'll have no problem reacting if I get the chance. And it has happened.

As photographers, though, we should try and know what we are not allowed to shoot because it is deemed national security. My brother and some friends got arrested in Iran in the early 80s for photographing such a thing. They were released only after their films were developed and showed no sign of "the thing." They were never told what "the thing" was...

Today, it has become kind of ridiculous as far as I'm concerned with some people seeing perverts and terrorists in every bush. I'm actually surprised there are so few responses to this thread.

 

[benhasajeep]

I was at the Pantheon in Rome and layed down on the floor right in the middle of the dome. At the time they had it roped off (half of dome was for a church service). And a guard came up to me speaking in fast Italian. I just kept going HUH. Unfortunately the shots didn't come out as I didnt have enough flash power.:er:

So, next time I get a chance to go back there. It will happen again.

 

[MBasile]

I've never been, what I would define as, harassed. However, I was shooting some Mercedes-Benz AMG's in the Laguna Seca paddock one time and one of the event coordinators got a little miffed.

• Friends had told me Mercedes-Benz was there and took pictures the previous day
• There was no sign saying "Private Event, Do Not Enter"
• The paddock area is open to the public every day that there isn't a big race because thats where the gift shop is

So I figured it was fine to take pictures. I was there for about an hour, getting some shots of the Black Series' on the track, C63's going around the paddock. Went through their little "Mercedes History" garage (some old Mercedes race cars on display) and to the pit lane where a bunch of Black Series' were set up (including the F1 Safety Car).

I chit chatted with a few people. Some asked, purely inquisitively, if I was here with someone or if I just came in. Finally, on my way out, I passed a tent with a few Black Series', so I popped in for a few shots out of the direct sunlight. When I came out and started to walk towards my car I heard "Hey, excuse me sir..." and saw one of the individuals I had chit chatted with...

"Did you just come out of that tent?"
"Yeah"
(Looks at my camera) "Were you taking pictures in there?"
"Yeah"
"Are you here with someone?"
(I'm wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and a hat that says "Get LIC'd" on the back and its backwards because I was taking pictures.) "No, just stopped by to take a few shots."
(Still looking at my camera) "Haha, I can't let you do that."

At this point I'm thinking about whether he is going to try to confiscate my camera and the issues this little German guy is going to have trying to do that in America

"Do you have a card of yours?"
"No, I don't sorry."
"Do you have anything with your contact information on it?"
I thought about how I have my drivers license that still had my old address on it. I handed it to him and he copied down useless information, then I walked away. :lmao:

 

[Battou]

I know I posted that tale somewhere, I'll have to find it and repost it, was an interesting encounter to say the least.

Found it.

I had an encounter with a security guard this past weekend. Thankfully he wasn't a ignorant fool. I had been out taking some night shots around town, I had been out for a few hours when I decided to return home. I live right beside the industrial district between the railroad tracks and the river. I decided to head home via the industrial district, about half way down the road I got thinking the few lights that dotted the road would make for a decent shot so I started setting up my tripod. Knowing full well he was there I opted to set up on the far side of the road right under one of the street lights so he could clearly see what I was doing. I got set up, composed my shot and was about to hit the shutter release when he put the light of his spotlight in my eyes, I stood up and instinctively returned the favor with my maglight. Prolly not the right thing to do but any police officer here can tell you just how this happens, using a flashlight in this manner is a passive means of neutralizing a possible threat and it becomes second nature, but I digress. I asked him "what was the meaning of that" as I was under the impression he could clearly see what I was doing. Apparently setting up the tripod gave him the impression I was setting up a firearm. I personally have never seen a tripod used for a firearm (bipods, yes but tripods, no) but, in his defense the local punk kids get do their jollies by shooting up abandoned buildings with their .22's and is in fact why he was hired on to that location. Once he saw the camera he literally no longer cared and I was free to take my shot. Had I gotten aggravated it could have gotten ugly.

Broken record I know but, If confronted by security (public or private) it is far better to keep your head about you and communicate, Don't assume you are in the right and they are in the wrong as it is entirely possible that the neither of you are in the wrong pending the situation.

This is the same security guard that confronts me everytim he sees me just to ask if I have gotten any shots of the UFO's

 

[Pugs]

I'm fairly certain that this link has been posted before, but I carry copies of the .pdf pamphlet in my camera bag at all times.

Bert P. Krages Attorney at Law Photographer's Rights Page

I've been hassled on a couple of occasions but nothing major.

Once while photographing the Port Of Milwaukee and the Metro Milwaukee Sewer District facility, a police officer did gently ask why I was taking pictures. Upon being told that I'm an amateur photographer working towards becoming a professional photographer, he responded with a nod and said, "I'm sorry for bothering, but post-9/11 we've been a little more careful about looking into 'suspicious behaviour' calls." He paused, looked over to Metro-Milwaukee Sewer District facility and said, "plus, we don't want anyone stealing our sh!t."

Another time at the Port Of Milwaukee, I had brought my thirteen year-old niece out to shoot pics for her photography Independent Study class. It was her first photography class and her first time with a "Big-Girl" camera. A security guard stopped us while we were at the tiny little postage stamp of a city park down there. I explained what we were doing and he said, "as long as their for personal use it's okay". I didn't bother pulling out the "photographer's rights" pamphlet for him because he was letting us continue. I also didn't point out that we were in a public city park and NOT the Port Of Milwaukee at that point.

The Milwaukee Art Museum is an absolutely GORGEOUS structure and the interior is likewise a fantastic space with lots of glass and interesting lines and shapes. The consulting firm for which I am an IT project manager asked that I take some photos for our marketing materials. I recruited a friend to be my model and wanted a very modern looking setting to shoot her in and therefore chose the Milwaukee Art Museum. I'd gotten her posed for a few shots when the Director of Public Relations or somesuch informed me that any "professional" photography required permission and a fee. Private property, so I packed up my camera gear all the while grinning from ear to ear about being called "professional"!

On a New York subway, I had a someone who appeared to be homeless berate me for taking his picture, but I lied and said I hadn't... I wasn't comfortable with the lying and will opt for honesty next time. I've found (as a smoker) that trading a few cigarettes and conversation for a few photographs works well with homeless people. Plus you meet some VERY interesting people with interesting/heart-breaking stories sometimes. Sometimes, they just crazy.

There have been other instances of getting hassled, but I often find people WANT their picture taken. Interestingly, I find this most often when my best friend and I are out shooting together as opposed to being on my own. I'm a six-foot, two-inch, two-hundred pound, one-eyed Asian man. She's a pretty Caucasion mother of two and looks like a soccer mom. Funny how that works...

 

[UUilliam]

"She's a pretty Caucasion mother of two and looks like a soccer mom. "
thats why every Male photographer should take a Good looking woman with him (but keep her in the car most the time as they often boss us around lol.)
But if there is any hassle... Out walks hot lady, away goes trouble

 

[Sjixxxy]

I had a carnie stop me because they thought I was taking pictures of unsafe rides to post on Perez Hilton. :/

I also once had an elderly woman hug me after taking a photo, so I think I'm even.

 

[boogschd]

idk if its considered harrasment

but the other night i took out my camera and tripod . then a security guard approached me out of nowhere asking what im going to do

naturally i said take photos and i said i wont be long... then i asked if its not allowed...

he didnt give me an answer but just stared at me... then walked away ..

meh...
i doubt that its prohibited since its a public place (outside the mall parking lot. where a lot of people roam around cause there are shops)

 

[musicaleCA]

I'm fairly certain that this link has been posted before, but I carry copies of the .pdf pamphlet in my camera bag at all times.

Bert P. Krages Attorney at Law Photographer's Rights Page

I really wish there was a Canadian version of that. It makes too many references to American law. The laws here are a little different and can vary from province to province. :-/

Oh, anyone know a nifty Canadian version of such a form? (Nope, I don't mean ambientlight.ca )

 

[UUilliam]

Is there A Uk Version or more specifically a version for scotland? Might just call my local Authority and ask if they could prepare a print of laws that concern Photography and photographers..

One thing i know is that in scotland we can't get charged for Trespassing, however we can get done for Criminal damage