The World is Changing

bfjr

1st let me apolize if it seems that I have to many posts on the front page.
It is not my intention and I will let one Gracefully ( a pun ) slip away.
Also I promise an image or two at the end

Something happened today that I liked to share with the Forum.

At 0730 today I was standing on a walk path facing south into Ballonna Wetlands watching a swallow
when suddenly a hummer came and hovered above his head.
As I prepared to fire, I hear a loud airhorn of a voice say, "Hey what are you doing over there!"

I slowly turned to look north across the canal (about 75 yrds) to the bike path to see a Blk/Wht.
I said, "Are you talking to me?" His reply, "Are you taking pictures?".
Well not anymore I said, since you just chased em all away!
At that the Blk/Wht drove off across the birdge and out of sight.

I stood there for what seemed like an awful long time deeply bothered by what just occured.
Several thoughts and sights became chrystal clear:
There was a lady jogger who hit the dirt when this exchange started!
Pointing the camera at the Cop to get a better look see, coulda got real ugly!
Why do I feel uncomfortable doing what I love to do,
and when did it become dangerous?
I'm an American why am I being F......... with :wxwax

My Father in Law before he passed use to say that he was happy to be at the twilght of his days.
I now know what he meant.
The World is Changing and I don't care for it.

Oh yeah an image or two
The Swallow from the story, sorry no Hummer


A shore bird who lives in the canal, most likley fleeing for his life :rofl :rolleyes

Harryb

Hey Ben,

Two terrific shots.

Welcome to the "I've been hassled while taking pictures club". Its a large and very fast growing club.

Was that cop blind? I mean the 300 2.8 is a pretty noticeable lens, its not like using a cell phone camera. If he couldn't figure out what you were doing w/o assistance the mind boggles at what he would do on the street. I can see him approaching a mugger beating on a lady and asking "is this a mugging"?

I don't mind a cop questioning me when there's a good reason for it, I just can't stand stupidity. I mean you're aiming a 300 2.8 at a hummer and he can't figure out what's going on?

The NYC cops used to have the "Bow and Arrow" squad for burn outs they were afraid to put on the street with a gun. Your guy sounds like a good candidate for that assignment.

bfjr

Harryb wrote:

Hey Ben,

Two terrific shots.

Welcome to the "I've been hassled while taking pictures club". Its a large and very fast growing club.

Was that cop blind? I mean the 300 2.8 is a pretty noticeable lens, its not like using a cell phone camera. If he couldn't figure out what you were doing w/o assistance the mind boggles at what he would do on the street. I can see him approaching a mugger beating on a lady and asking "is this a mugging"?

I don't mind a cop questioning me when there's a good reason for it, I just can't stand stupidity. I mean you're aiming a 300 2.8 at a hummer and he can't figure out what's going on?

The NYC cops used to have the "Bow and Arrow" squad for burn outs they were afraid to put on the street with a gun. Your guy sounds like a good candidate for that assignment.

You know on retrospec I shoulda named this one, "Stupid Cop Tricks" but
the words Stupid and Cop just don't seem right

Maestro

Nice pics Ben. I've been harrassed as well but not by cops, just by people asking me what I was doing in a certain place and whatnot. I mean I have a camera and, at the time, a Canon 100-400, zoom telephoto. I guess they thought I might have been some sort of pervert taking pics through windows. I dunno. huh

Ric Grupe

bfjr wrote:

Stupid and Cop

That can sometimes be redundant. Looks likes this was one of those times. It also looks like you held your composer (pun intended) to make these fine shots, Ben.:D

bfjr

Maestro wrote:

Nice pics Ben. I've been harrassed as well but not by cops, just by people asking me what I was doing in a certain place and whatnot. I mean I have a camera and, at the time, a Canon 100-400, zoom telephoto. I guess they thought I might have been some sort of pervert taking pics through windows. I dunno. huh

You know Steven you've hit a good point and perhaps brought up the reason why this incident bothers me so much.

In the last few months I've been shunned, or questioned for taking images on several occasions
A few months ago I was doing a little impromptu shoot with my GK's at a Park and adults were keeping their kids at bay until I left.
A few weeks ago with some fellow westies and a BFly exhibit I was asked to delete an image of a child

Perhaps "The World is Changing" is the right title after all,
at least towards photography and photographers :cry

Seefutlung

My reply of late is that "I am exercising my First Amendment Rights ... what are you doing?) If I wasn't into tacky clothing ... I'd put those words on a Tee-Shirt and just point when questioned.

Usually, just to tick people off more, I'd take a snap or two of them then walk off. I think of myself as direct ... but confrontational works too.

Gary

PS- I wouldn't delete an image without a good reason ... if the person was polite ... then I probably would (see above.) I think I'd call the cops if an overbearing person harrassed me for photograping their kid ... not a 911 .. but a general call requesting if an officer is in the area to mosey by and calm down the ignorant peron.

G

PSPS- Nice shots btw ...

G

saurora

Unfortunately the world has changed and it has made a lot of people very edgy. I still don't understand why people feel the need to question the activity of others without even taking the time to observe what the person is actually doing first. The tacky shirt idea might work Gary, but I doubt people would take the time to read before accosting you!!! People just seem to be jumping to conclusions in their "efforts" to save the world.

Nice shots, btw, love the swallow!

Ric Grupe

[quote=

saurora

]Unfortunately the world has changed [/quote]

Personally, I don't think it has. Due to an overload of media coverage and recent events, it just seems that way.

When you get older, you see things differently too. Older folks are more likely to expound "gloom and doom" than younger people. Not to say that is a bad thing, just a reality.

There have always been and always will be "pricks with badges". Just like there are a vast majority of devoted law enforcement personnel...but that side rarely gets talked about. Good is not juicy or newsworthy these days. So reporting is what has changed for the worse.

Osprey Whisperer

Nahh the world isn't changing...you're just getting really old. I hear you ...Machinegun. I have had my osprey nests to myself for the last 2 years and never had anyone approach me. Just this week I've had the fish & wildlife boat come up and bother me 3 times. Christ..I'm the only one out there every other day with my camera at the nests or bird islands. Now they decide to bother me and questin me like I'm up to no good or worse. I should be happy they investigate me..but the same guy , 3 times this week. Mr. short term memory man , I guess??

I also find myself worrying about someone bothering me for my gear when I'm off the beaten track. I've had a couple situations where I thouight for sure I'm going to be robbed...or worse. Not a very nice world anymore. The patients are running the....ahh never mind.

Nice shots by the way.

JohnDC

This is my big worry using the Bushhawk (it looks like a military weapon). I always carry the set-up covered in a case until I get to a field location, and I would never use it in an urban/suburban location. In the posts about traveling with long lenses I was glad to hear that Chris puts his Bushhawk in his check-in luggage with no reported incidents.

jwear

I do not know why you are complaining look on the bright side [this may be hard us being old and all] you did get to speak english did you not wait until next year :cry

CookieS

People sure dont squawk about allthe cell phone cameras taking their photos do they, HA, they problably dont notice .

bfjr

Seefutlung wrote:

My reply of late is that "I am exercising my First Amendment Rights ... what are you doing?) If I wasn't into tacky clothing ... I'd put those words on a Tee-Shirt and just point when questioned.

Usually, just to tick people off more, I'd take a snap or two of them then walk off. I think of myself as direct ... but confrontational works too.

Gary

PS- I wouldn't delete an image without a good reason ... if the person was polite ... then I probably would (see above.) I think I'd call the cops if an overbearing person harrassed me for photograping their kid ... not a 911 .. but a general call requesting if an officer is in the area to mosey by and calm down the ignorant peron.

G

PSPS- Nice shots btw ...

G

Hi Gary
Although I think your approach is fine and correct I tend to disagree (at least not my way)

I am alot of things passive not being one of them.
However while involved in my photography, I want less
attention from the surroundings.
So calling for help or attracting more attention is not my thing.

It's kinda like that Harley saying, "If I have to explain, you
wouldn't understand"
So when I'm approached with "Why or What are you taking pictures".
I just look at them and say "Go Away!"

Besides if I really need help I've got a couple of #'s and last would be
an L. A. cop !!

Don't misunderstand I have no problems with Johnny Law (been there done that )

I have a problem with the lack of common (street) sense (smarts).
As Harry pointed out it doesn't take much schooling to know the difference between a 300 F2.8 and a 30-06!

Remember a woman totally unrelated to our exchange, fell
to the ground, thinking what ??? It could not of been good !!

To me this particular Cop was
Amaturish at best and
Dangerous at worst.

Glad you like the shots

Seefutlung

Benjamin-

I think we see/react a bit differently because we tend to shoot in different settings, you rural-ish, moi urban-ish. Different circumstances requires different tactics.

I never try to hide ... but rather blend in with the surroundings. The best way to become invisible is to become part of the environment. While for wildlife I imagine hiding serves one well.

The quote I like best is from Franklin, (the other Benjamin), "Innocence is the best defense." So if you're not doing anything wrong ... no reason to hide ... and if you're not doing anything wrong no reason Not to do it (ala taking photos of children ... bless their little hearts, or anything else in the public domain.)

Individually, we are responsible for our personal freedoms ... everytime we allow others to infringe upon our freedoms, another chip is removed from the foundation of our personal rights ... with enough chips ... over time our freedoms erode and weaken.

(I went to open a bank account the other day and the bank wanted my work history for the last few years ... on one hand it didn't matter, see Franklin quote above, but on the other hand I felt the bank was getting much too personal ... it is none of their business ... I spoke with the manager and he stated that it's not the bank but the Patriot Act which was desirious of all that personal information. I went home and read the " wide spectrum infringements" of the Patriot Act ... and I was stunned ... stunned that we Americans allowed this to happen. Yes, we are at war ... and yes we need to protect ourselves from "them" ... but the restriction and the "federal government's right to know" now being forced upon our society is causing us to be "them" ... so what's the point ... A few more Patriot Acts and we'll start seeing Relocation Camps and Big Brother making you register your camera(s) and get a permit for any lens longer than 100mm .

While yes, we are getting older, I believe OUR, USA world, is changing ... and not for the better. And everytime I stand up for what I think is right ... everytime I stand up for my freedoms, I feel that there is one less chip ...

Gary

Ric Grupe

Power corrupts (always has).

Authority needs to be questioned on a on going basis (always will).

If things change...it's due to the will of the people and nothing else.

I think some (maybe a lot) of people are sick and tired of having everything they do recorded in one fashion or another. Perhaps, some photographers ARE infringing on the rights of others....so we all have to pay.

erich6

I also agree the world is changing. Sometimes for the better...others for worse.

I've had my share of runins with law enforcement just for taking pictures. Had helicopters and everything flying over me because of it. All because I was taking the following:




Now I understand the need for heightened security but just can't stand it when common sense is lost....

Erich

Seefutlung

One of the problems is that nobody wants to have another 9-11 on their watch. From afar one cannot determine if your motives are for evil or good ...

Next time I'm gonna photograph a sensitive structure, (ala a power plant) ... I think I may just call the authorities prior ... just to let them know that you will still need to be checked out ... but a single b/w should be sufficient .... no need to waste tax payer's dollars on aviation fuel .... and that you'll have some coffee and doughnut for Officier Friendly ...

Maestro

Ric Grupe wrote:

Power corrupts (always has).

Authority needs to be questioned on a on going basis (always will).

If things change...it's due to the will of the people and nothing else.

I think some (maybe a lot) of people are sick and tired of having everything they do recorded in one fashion or another. Perhaps, some photographers ARE infringing on the rights of others....so we all have to pay.

Questioning authority is one of the most democratic ideals. Without this, we do not have a democracy. It's all about checks and balances. Unwavering support of authority can lead to disaster. Personally, I think that we as a country have suffered from this in the post 9-11 era. Dissent is not bad. Patriotism to an extreme becomes extreme nationalism which leads to some pretty nasty stuff and the paranoia that some of us have experienced just because we carry big lenses or are photographing something is part of this I believe.

jeff lapoint

Sorry to hear about your shake down Ben.

I kind see both sides of this one. Working in the ER we see and treat alot of officers and develop a camaraderie with them...especially when they occasionally save your ass from a crazy I imagine they are trained to think the worst of situations to ensure their safety and especially if someone called in a complaint that someone suspicious was afoot (this is the really sad way the world is changing)...

That being said, if you can't tell a 300mm lens from a mac-10 we a have a very slow and vulnerable dude here. Imagine if there was a perp with a weapon and you yell, "what are you doing?"...welcome to the trauma room man.

Second, there are certain realities in our world right now and it saddens me to think that these realities have decreased personal freedoms-- because to me that means the baddies have won a small piece of my civil liberty. If an officer has to question me it makes all the difference in the world how it is done. Show some respect and you'll get a ton in return, treat everyone like a punk without reason and you create a bitter uncooperative public.

(great swallow shot BTW)

bfjr

jeff lapoint wrote:

Sorry to hear about your shake down Ben.

I kind see both sides of this one. Working in the ER we see and treat alot of officers and develop a camaraderie with them...especially when they occasionally save your ass from a crazy I imagine they are trained to think the worst of situations to ensure their safety and especially if someone called in a complaint that someone suspicious was afoot (this is the really sad way the world is changing)...

That being said, if you can't tell a 300mm lens from a mac-10 we a have a very slow and vulnerable dude here. Imagine if there was a perp with a weapon and you yell, "what are you doing?"...welcome to the trauma room man.

Second, there are certain realities in our world right now and it saddens me to think that these realities have decreased personal freedoms-- because to me that means the baddies have won a small piece of my civil liberty. If an officer has to question me it makes all the difference in the world how it is done. Show some respect and you'll get a ton in return, treat everyone like a punk without reason and you create a bitter uncooperative public.

(great swallow shot BTW)

EXACTLY !!
Hi ya Doc

dallas

To change the tone of this string, I will add my favorite news story of the week which somehow fits in, but with a little humor....

British Director Mike Figgis ("Leaving Las Vegas") arrived at LAX from London over the weekend for a filming assignment. When immigration asked him the purpose of his visit, he replied that he "was here to shoot a pilot." He was immediately spirited away to an "immigration cell" and interrogated for 5 hours before they decided he was not a threat.

What more can I add? :cry