First it's a drunk on a Harley. He wound up giving me a $815.00 check for a tiny dent in my truck.
Second was a drug bust a sheriff seen me snapping away and attempted to stop my progress but I managed to act as if I didn't see them.
This, yesterday I was shooting an auto accident scene from a good distance and a Sheriff's and an EMRT yelled something and both proceeded to get my tag number. Geeeeesh! I was well out of the way and parker legally in all cases.
So,,,, I pull in to get it over with and was asked why I was taking pictures. I replied because I can. He was stuck. While he stammered I took the opportunity to ask what was wrong with that. "Well you just don't do that". I asked why? He made something ridiculous up. He then went on to say when we see it we obtain the photographers info and pass it on the highway patrol. He said he would prefer I approached and asked first.
So I went in to the OK officer mode and went on my way.
I called the GHP this AM and was forwarded to the Legal department and given no reason I could not take oictures but could be detained if the officer believed I was obstructing an investigation. When I mentioned the County officer said they always get the photog's info and pass it on to GHP it was the first they heard of it.
So I don't know what to do now. I'm sure I am the talk around the water fountain. So I'll be wary for a while.
All I have to say is don't push it. You may have the right to photograph that accident, but as far as I'm concerned you don't need to so you would be best off just staying away in the future.
As long as you're not interfering or getting in the way, then snap away.
If they ask questions and you're up for answering, then answer.
It really sickens me this concept of letting blue shirts with badges (or brown shirts with arm bands) defacto take away your rights. Whether you "need" to or just want to, you were far enough away from the scene (based on your description) to not be in the way of their police work. Know your rights and use them. Not just for photography but everything in life.
1. Stay out of the way, don't put yourself in any way in close or in such a mode as to be interpreted as "impeding emergency operations." You already seem to be in compliance with that.
2. Be polite and respectful. Those guys are under a lot of pressure. If you have a reasonable answer (e.g., free-lancing), and appear to understand their situation, the problem (in my experience) almost always goes away.
3. Take all the photos you wish.
4. If you want to be really sneaky, send a letter to the legal office in the GHP that you talked to (a NICE letter) thanking them for their assistance and support and asking them to amplify their position on non-interference photography for free-lance and public use. Put the original of their answer in your files. Make multiple copies and keep them with you. Hand out as appropriate.
All I have to say is don't push it.
I know it's tough when we have to face an intimidate force, but sometime we have to do what is right for others, not just for ourselves. +1 vote and hat off to you - Therock.
If they want to detain you, they will and sort it out later. It probably depends on you and the mood of the cop, you usually won't win a streetside argument with a cop, but knowing your rights is a good thing.
I guess if you like to take pics of car accidents, the reaction of the people who are working the accident is something you will have to deal with
In the long run you will prevail...however at what cost if you tangle with one of the ego driven "I'm the law and you better do what I say" police officers? There are too many that let their own personal opinion drive their actions and that can mean a huge headache for you (figuratively...I hope). So its best to make sure you have a few trump cards in your pocket. The suggestion to write a very polite and professional letter to the appropriate authority, copy and travel with the reply is a very good one. That way you know exactly what to do and if approached you have his/her boss's, boss's, boss backing you up.
The images are not so important as the lack of understanding on a law enforcement officer's behalf of my rights as a citizen with a camera.
As for my motive, I am 55 years old and can retire soon and want to do something I like for a keep active thing that may supplement my income.
Have you considered going the other way with the relationship? Take some photos that are more artistic of the cars, rescue vehicles, people and then print them up and drop them off with a 'thanks for the service, thought you might like these' note? You obviously don't want to stalk these guys, but if you can think of some way to get photos they will like it will establish you as a friendly guy with a camera who appreciates them vs the suspicious character with a camera that they seem to see you as. Sure not everyone will know you, but as you said, you may become water cooler chat but in a positive way.
@liza Not really fond of gloom and doom but am addicted to human life events good or bad and in a candid way only. So toss sporting events in my line also.
As a child I was always fascinated with Time and Look magazines. This was the Vietnam and hippy era's to name two. It's been in my blood that long.
Micky Bill wrote:
If they want to detain you, they will and sort it out later.
That's the problem. It's my understanding that a police of detaining all photographers is unconstitutional, because they would have to have at least reasonable suspicion to do so. Good luck to the OP getting evidence that would hold up in court that that's what's happening, though. The one cop was likely just talking out of his a$$.
While I fully support your right to take the images you describe, your flip response to the cop (Because I can) appears to demonstrate an attitude that will continue to cause you problems. First, any time you are taking pictures of a accident or news worthy event, you are likely to be questioned. That is just how it goes. You would be better off telling the cop that photography is a hobby of yours and you hope to sell the picture to the newspaper. Most cops will fully understand that. If you take pictures of a fire, I promise you you will be questioned since many arsonists take pictures of their work. Second, you don't have to be breaking the law for the police to make your life uncomfortable. Take my word for this, you don't want antagonzie the police. You can scream about your rights all you want...you are better off humoring the police than pissing them off.
As you pointed out in the OP, you now need to be wary. This is your own doing.
nathanlake wrote:
If you take pictures of a fire, I promise you you will be questioned since many arsonists take pictures of their work.
Huh!!! I never heard that before. Is this part of a standard "profile" of arsonists? Not to get too OT but I wonder what other behavioral factors cops are aware of that we aren't that may be causing these sorts of confrontations. Might be good info to know so you can be prepared for the questioning.
regards,
Jon
BubbaJon wrote:
Huh!!! I never heard that before. Is this part of a standard "profile" of arsonists? Not to get too OT but I wonder what other behavioral factors cops are aware of that we aren't that may be causing these sorts of confrontations. Might be good info to know so you can be prepared for the questioning.
regards,
Jon
If you have the chance to go to a large fire that could even possibly have been started intentionally, watch for the person filming the crowd. This is a common practice among large fire and police departments in order to capture the arsonist on tape as he watches his work.
Have you considered going the other way with the relationship? Take some photos that are more artistic of the cars, rescue vehicles, people and then print them up and drop them off with a 'thanks for the service, thought you might like these' note?
pappawheely wrote:
Great, another free photographer.
Nope, building a relationship with the people who were not buying images anyway to make sure you can earn money from a source that will.
I sometimes give away some images to people that were not about to buy them and in the end I frequently wind up getting business out of it because when they need a photog or when asked by a third if they know a photog, they'll think of me. I can really recommend it.
