Harkening back to a conversation we had about concealed carry, and I have to assume that we lost Nigel over that philosophical difference, my point and the option to carry was validated last night in a dark parking lot in a seedy section of Fort Worth. I arrived in daylight for a dusk perspective and attracted some attention from some locals with my camera gear apparently. I noticed what I guessed were a number of run down houses, there seemed to be a lot of "hoodie" foot traffic in and around them. The sun was about an hour from setting so I went to grab a quick sandwich a few blocks away, got panhandled several times during that journey but nothing untoward, just typical. When I returned for my series at dusk the parking lot was pretty much empty and, wise or not, I needed to get the shots so I got set up for the first view. I noticed three hooded individuals lurking along the railroad right of way, barely visible in the rapidly fading dusk light at this point. My next perspective was more toward the direction where I had seen the guys (I assumed) in the shadows. The light was fading rapidly so I had to keep moving and I wasn't going to make the 3 hour round trip again just because there were some people hanging out, so I moved into position for my next shot. My attention was divided between the three lurkers and my shot, but out of the corner of my eye I could see them heading toward my position. I planned ahead and moved my Landcruiser each time I set up a new shot just for security. Not obviously looking in their direction but watching peripherally I could see that they were headed my way and trying to do so pretty stealthily, as I clicked my shutter. They had made it to about 30 feet about 45 degrees off center and behind me. I had my tripod, camera and a rolling case out in the parking lot at my feet so a real hasty retreat would have been difficult but I was prepared to leave it and a couple of cards with the days work on them if it became obvious that was the right thing to do. I walked a couple of feet to my car, opened the door, pulled my Glock from the glove box, with the interior light on it was pretty obvious what I was doing. I then racked a round into the chamber, a sound which was very distinct in the still evening air. This was just about where my plan B was to close my door and drive off, donating a lot of gear in the interest of safety and prudence. As it turned out, racking a shell into the chamber and making the obvious motion of putting my Glock and holster under my jacket was just enough to motivate the three to do an abrupt 180 and bolt back into the shadows. I finished my shots, packed up and headed east, very glad I decided to exercise my 2nd Amendment rights over a decade ago, thought about and trained for just this scenario. Certainly the situation was a calculated risk on my part, but similar to aviation, I had set my thresholds long ago and worked my plan, fortunately it worked out just fine.
I'm glad you are safe. It pays to be vigilant and prepared at all times. Things like that can happen in any part of town, but certain places require an extra amount of awareness.
I'm glad that our founders foresaw the need to protect oneself.
If you ever need some backup/another set of eyes on that kind of shoot, let me know... I'll be glad to bring an equalizer
JWilsonphoto wrote:
I have a big project going but I’m struggling with the decisive lack of creative challenge that it represents. A major force in medical care has commissioned me to photograph dozens and dozens of buildings that have new signage on them. Most of the buildings are about 3 out of 10 on the architectural scale, many struggle to rise to that level. One voice (the one that doesn’t pay the bills) keeps telling me “Really?! “ as I drive all over attempting to shoot these with some unique twist, a beautiful sky, something. The other voice is the one of reason and fiscal responsibility, it keeps saying “who do you think you are that you could think about turning your nose up at an assignment this size.........?” I wish they would just take their argument outside and leave me to shoot in peace ! ...Show more →
Hummm ….. I’m fresh out of ideas that might appeal to a client. For your own amusement how about a running gag that you can clone out? Say a cartoon mannequin making a guest appierence in each set up – it might amuse JRW III some time in the future? We now return you to your regular scheduled programmes.
JWilsonphoto wrote:
Harkening back to a conversation we had about concealed carry, and I have to assume that we lost Nigel over that philosophical difference, my point and the option to carry was validated last night in a dark parking lot in a seedy section of Fort Worth. I arrived in daylight for a dusk perspective and attracted some attention from some locals with my camera gear apparently. I noticed what I guessed were a number of run down houses, there seemed to be a lot of "hoodie" foot traffic in and around them. The sun was about an hour from setting so I went to grab a quick sandwich a few blocks away, got panhandled several times during that journey but nothing untoward, just typical. When I returned for my series at dusk the parking lot was pretty much empty and, wise or not, I needed to get the shots so I got set up for the first view. I noticed three hooded individuals lurking along the railroad right of way, barely visible in the rapidly fading dusk light at this point. My next perspective was more toward the direction where I had seen the guys (I assumed) in the shadows. The light was fading rapidly so I had to keep moving and I wasn't going to make the 3 hour round trip again just because there were some people hanging out, so I moved into position for my next shot. My attention was divided between the three lurkers and my shot, but out of the corner of my eye I could see them heading toward my position. I planned ahead and moved my Landcruiser each time I set up a new shot just for security. Not obviously looking in their direction but watching peripherally I could see that they were headed my way and trying to do so pretty stealthily, as I clicked my shutter. They had made it to about 30 feet about 45 degrees off center and behind me. I had my tripod, camera and a rolling case out in the parking lot at my feet so a real hasty retreat would have been difficult but I was prepared to leave it and a couple of cards with the days work on them if it became obvious that was the right thing to do. I walked a couple of feet to my car, opened the door, pulled my Glock from the glove box, with the interior light on it was pretty obvious what I was doing. I then racked a round into the chamber, a sound which was very distinct in the still evening air. This was just about where my plan B was to close my door and drive off, donating a lot of gear in the interest of safety and prudence. As it turned out, racking a shell into the chamber and making the obvious motion of putting my Glock and holster under my jacket was just enough to motivate the three to do an abrupt 180 and bolt back into the shadows. I finished my shots, packed up and headed east, very glad I decided to exercise my 2nd Amendment rights over a decade ago, thought about and trained for just this scenario. Certainly the situation was a calculated risk on my part, but similar to aviation, I had set my thresholds long ago and worked my plan, fortunately it worked out just fine.
TOPP:...Show more →
I’m very glad you where able to resolve that situation with no harm done. Sound judgement way back and in the here and now. Folks who are unable to understand the situation that US people at times find themselves in, need to be moderate and circumspect in their judgement IMHO. Here in the UK we do not have a historical culture of widespread gun ownership – however if you mentally swap guns for knives we share a plentiful supply of the the same problems and issues.
JWilsonphoto wrote:
Harkening back to a conversation we had about concealed carry, and I have to assume that we lost Nigel over that philosophical difference, my point and the option to carry was validated last night in a dark parking lot in a seedy section of Fort Worth. I arrived in daylight for a dusk perspective and attracted some attention from some locals with my camera gear apparently. I noticed what I guessed were a number of run down houses, there seemed to be a lot of "hoodie" foot traffic in and around them. The sun was about an hour from setting so I went to grab a quick sandwich a few blocks away, got panhandled several times during that journey but nothing untoward, just typical. When I returned for my series at dusk the parking lot was pretty much empty and, wise or not, I needed to get the shots so I got set up for the first view. I noticed three hooded individuals lurking along the railroad right of way, barely visible in the rapidly fading dusk light at this point. My next perspective was more toward the direction where I had seen the guys (I assumed) in the shadows. The light was fading rapidly so I had to keep moving and I wasn't going to make the 3 hour round trip again just because there were some people hanging out, so I moved into position for my next shot. My attention was divided between the three lurkers and my shot, but out of the corner of my eye I could see them heading toward my position. I planned ahead and moved my Landcruiser each time I set up a new shot just for security. Not obviously looking in their direction but watching peripherally I could see that they were headed my way and trying to do so pretty stealthily, as I clicked my shutter. They had made it to about 30 feet about 45 degrees off center and behind me. I had my tripod, camera and a rolling case out in the parking lot at my feet so a real hasty retreat would have been difficult but I was prepared to leave it and a couple of cards with the days work on them if it became obvious that was the right thing to do. I walked a couple of feet to my car, opened the door, pulled my Glock from the glove box, with the interior light on it was pretty obvious what I was doing. I then racked a round into the chamber, a sound which was very distinct in the still evening air. This was just about where my plan B was to close my door and drive off, donating a lot of gear in the interest of safety and prudence. As it turned out, racking a shell into the chamber and making the obvious motion of putting my Glock and holster under my jacket was just enough to motivate the three to do an abrupt 180 and bolt back into the shadows. I finished my shots, packed up and headed east, very glad I decided to exercise my 2nd Amendment rights over a decade ago, thought about and trained for just this scenario. Certainly the situation was a calculated risk on my part, but similar to aviation, I had set my thresholds long ago and worked my plan, fortunately it worked out just fine.
Thea and I went out on a scouting mission today. I’ve been trying to figure out how to do a 75th anniversary of D-Day tribute thingie, Long story short my local embarkation beach has little D-Day stuff still standing. I have found just about the only place with some relics remaining. Bonus is that it now has a memorial to act as a focal point. The place in question is Leap Beach – on the western approach to Southampton Water. It was a build site for the Mulberry harbour sections, the start of the Pluto fuel pipe, and an embarkation beach for the troops. I’m seeing this as a pre-dawn gig with a good sky (please). Webesee.
This is a visual notebook shot taken on a very flat winters day.
Haven't touched my cameras at all this year Jim, but I know that spidey sense that you're talking about, Jim. At home, this is what I have, last gun I touched was in 1980, a muzzle loader, and I managed to hit the sacrificial cans that were set up as targets, iirr about 75 feet away. We were visiting his friend up in Wyoming at the time. People may laugh, but they're quiet, and don't need cocking. Son is very good at making things sharp.
Thanks for all of your thoughts, salient as usual. Th whole thing worked out, I captured what I needed to and there are no chalk outlines , I'll take that as a win.
Zane, thanks for having my back Brother On the drive home I did mull over an addition to my Glock collection, love the Model 43, but in the back of my mind the thought of a six shell clip kind of made me shudder. Next one will be 19 or 21, again, hoping to never need it but..................
Yes, pretty amazing! That was Chandler and me. He’s been going crazy for the past three months while the Cub was back at the factory. I wanted to get a few hours back in the saddle and on the new engine before I resumed his flight instruction. I got those in earlier this week so it was his turn. Cold, you bet, that’s why he decided to wear a flight suit and my T-6 helmet. He was still shivering when I hugged him goodbye tonight.
Actually, and we discussed it during our flight, it isn't a bad idea to wear a helmet in the Cub. Lots of things to bang your head against in a forced landing scenario. Seems like overkill, until you need it.
Jan-Arie wrote:
Hey Jim saw you flying on the radar how cool is that....
I was scrolling and turned off the military filter and N877PC popped up on screen and I said hey I know that one...
I hope you have heating doesn't look very warm shows 11C
Dear Jan Arie,
Is there a way to find the record of my flight today? The FAA has an ADS-B $500 rebate program, but like all government related programs it is so darn confusing that it's just about impossible to navigate. I need a detailed record of that flight, like you posted, so I can send it to them for validation.
Is there a way to find the record of my flight today? The FAA has an ADS-B $500 rebate program, but like all government related programs it is so darn confusing that it's just about impossible to navigate. I need a detailed record of that flight, like you posted, so I can send it to them for validation.
Thanks!
JW
Jim trough the ADSB Exchange it is also posible
but I think your flight is also visible at flightaware.com
Yes, pretty amazing! That was Chandler and me. He’s been going crazy for the past three months while the Cub was back at the factory. I wanted to get a few hours back in the saddle and on the new engine before I resumed his flight instruction. I got those in earlier this week so it was his turn. Cold, you bet, that’s why he decided to wear a flight suit and my T-6 helmet. He was still shivering when I hugged him goodbye tonight.
Actually, and we discussed it during our flight, it isn't a bad idea to wear a helmet in the Cub. Lots of things to bang your head against in a forced landing scenario. Seems like overkill, until you need it....Show more →
A helmet is always a good idea maybe looks a bit funny when you see two persons in a cub wearing flight helmets. but on the other hand when something happens you will be glad that you had them.
And there are also period helmets available that suit the cub more I think..
Thanks Jan Arie! I got our flight tracks up, how do I get the flight stats? Chili and I got another hour in today, warming up at Steak n Shake at the moment
