p.1 #2 · ACLU sues LA Sheriff over photographer harassment
Unfortunately it has been this way for a few years now. I've been stopped on several occasions. Openly shooting buildings and infrastructure with a DSLR attracts attentions of security guards and idle police. The best way to handle such a situation is to move along and not question their authority or bring up constitutionally protected rights. Mouthing off only makes it worse and they are not smart enough to understand about right and wrong. They just want to nail you and earn brownie points with their boss. If you want to shoot buildings and infrastructure you need to be sneaky and fast. Also I found using an iPhone or P&S rarely attracts security or law enforcement, unlike a DSLR and L optic. I'm guessing most terrorist photogs would never shoot openly with a DSLR. Probably use a hidden camera mounted on their body...
I posted on this the other day. The best way to handle this is to stand-up for your rights. Whether it be women's suffrage, racial equality, or defending your First amendment rights, suffering in silence only serves to encourage the oppressors who will justify their actions to themselves and pat themselves on their backs.
In this age of irrationality that led to the invasion of Iraq on the premise of actions... by Saudi Arabians, there is not a single document or evidence that supports the claim photography was used or is being used to aid terrorists. It's disgraceful that photographers are subject to abuse in this inept crusade on terrorism that accomplishes nothing useful.
p.1 #5 · ACLU sues LA Sheriff over photographer harassment
Gochugogi wrote:
Unfortunately it has been this way for a few years now. I've been stopped on several occasions. Openly shooting buildings and infrastructure with a DSLR attracts attentions of security guards and idle police. The best way to handle such a situation is to move along and not question their authority or bring up constitutionally protected rights. Mouthing off only makes it worse and they are not smart enough to understand about right and wrong. They just want to nail you and earn brownie points with their boss. If you want to shoot buildings and infrastructure you need to be sneaky and fast. Also I found using an iPhone or P&S rarely attracts security or law enforcement, unlike a DSLR and L optic. I'm guessing most terrorist photogs would never shoot openly with a DSLR. Probably use a hidden camera mounted on their body......Show more →
Right - but being SNEAKY is more suspicious than being open about it - which is the ridiculous part. As you said, a terrorist only needs cellphone quality shots to plan an attack - using a DSLR is actually NOT suspicious. The problem is, they don't dole out common sense when they hand out a badge.
p.1 #6 · ACLU sues LA Sheriff over photographer harassment
Actually I've long mastered shooting from hip, under armpit and from strap from my street shooter days. So now I get to use those techniques again. Sneaky isn't suspicious because, if you do it right, nobody sees you.
p.1 #7 · ACLU sues LA Sheriff over photographer harassment
When will they realize that 'their guy' is the guy take a photo of his white family in front of a target with a point and shoot, or a single person who looks like they are talking on their cell while snapping shots from the built in camera.
It's RIDICULOUS that anyone would think a terrorist is going to take out a proper camera and line up this way to shoot pictures that aid their cause.
p.1 #8 · ACLU sues LA Sheriff over photographer harassment
You guys are hitting my "hot button".
I am constantly harassed simply because people feel scared or uncomfortable. My client and I (in the open on the top level of a parking structure, with our cars) were hassled on my recent LAX photoshoot by airport police, because a patron in a restaurant one block away felt nervous that I was photographing the building and called in a alert to airport security. Camera on a tripod, waiting for dusk.
Yesterday, one employee hassled me at the local library! It just goes on and on.
When did it become my responsibility to calm people's fears and do nothing out of the ordinary without facing reprisals?
Much as I hate doing so, I'm trying to figure out how to file lawsuits for infringments of my US constitutional rights of free speech and assembly in public areas. If not me, or you, there will definitely be someone who makes this a civil rights case.
I hate that our governments are giving in to the terrorists as an excuse for becoming fascist states. Is the Western World embracing a Fourth Reich? That's what if feels like when you are in public with professional gear.
Sorry to go on, but it deeply irks me to be cast as a suspicious character when I'm pursuing something decent.
p.1 #9 · ACLU sues LA Sheriff over photographer harassment
Gochugogi wrote:
Unfortunately it has been this way for a few years now. I've been stopped on several occasions. Openly shooting buildings and infrastructure with a DSLR attracts attentions of security guards and idle police. The best way to handle such a situation is to move along and not question their authority or bring up constitutionally protected rights. Mouthing off only makes it worse and they are not smart enough to understand about right and wrong. They just want to nail you and earn brownie points with their boss. If you want to shoot buildings and infrastructure you need to be sneaky and fast. Also I found using an iPhone or P&S rarely attracts security or law enforcement, unlike a DSLR and L optic. I'm guessing most terrorist photogs would never shoot openly with a DSLR. Probably use a hidden camera mounted on their body......Show more →
Actually, Google maps is a much better resource For filing a suit, check out www.rutherford.org
For filing a suit, check out www.rutherford.org