shootermcgavin
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2011
- Messages
- 939
- Reaction score
- 77
- Location
- Midwest
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos OK to edit
When shooting remotely sensitive subjects, you kind of need to go out with a plan. Know ahead of time what your rights are, and then have some idea of what you're willing to say and do. You need to know when the line is being drawn and your personal privacy is being trampled.
But, you don't have a right to privacy when you're out there. Anyone, including the police, have a right to ask you questions - and you have a right to not answer them. But unlike ordinary folks, if you insist on replying to every single question with "that's none of your business" the police will only bother you more.
I think the line is drawn when a police officer wants to look at your photographs, search your belongings or your person, enter your home or vehicle, asking very personal questions about your ethnicity, financial (including SSN) or family life or accuses you of activities which are are false. You need to know where the battle is being drawn, and just because a police officer asks you a few questions doesn't mean that we're entering a police state.
However, I do think it's rather humorous the idea if you're on this big Al Queda-funded incognito mission, you'd haul out a DSLR ... great way to blend in with the tourists. You never see cops harassing someone with a P&S.
I'm pretty sure I'm on a government watch list just because I'm an outspoken anarchist. If I am, it's really not all that exciting.
We're on the same list, I agree not all that exciting. I do think there is a line, certainly ethnicity is crossing the line, ssn or accusations probably also cross line. Looking at photographs, eh they're just trying to maintain order. I think if you have nothing to hide you shouldn't really care what they do. I know when I come back from another country they may ask to look at the pictures on my camera. I also know the main reason they ask is to catch someone with child pornography, I would personally rather them ask too many people than too little. Plus who doesn't like to talk about photos they've taken? Imagine this guy who held up these officers for way more time than was needed caused them to miss a true terrorist, and because of that your family was killed by this terrorist. Is it really worth it? If standing up for your freedoms can cause others to lose theirs I don't see that as a big positive.