On 7/2/04, [EMAIL PROTECTED] disgorged: >> As far as still photography goes, I don't usually shoot (for >> pleasure) in places that might be contentious. > >Hehe...you'd be surprised at what places might be contentious. At least >this woman was: >http://www.staceygeorge.com/blog/archives/2003/12/23.php
I take your point entirely, Amita. I think it's pretty understandable given the current security situation in the USA. Things are very different for the most part here in the UK. Sure if there is a report of something suspicious going on in a dark corner, police can be called, and turn up to have a look (sometimes!) but nothing as drastic as that. There are several types of place where waving a camera - any camera - about will not only attract the attention of police/military police, but they will be very swift about it. These places are high profile government buildings (although that said, most if these are in central London and how many cameras wave about there all year round - including MI5 etc etc), GCHQ in Cheltenham <http://www.fas.org/irp/world/uk/gchq/ >, the SAS hq based near Hereford <http://www.regiments.org/milhist/uk/ specfor/SAS.htm>, and most RAF bases, Royal Army bases, and Royal Navy bases and stations. All these things are pretty straightforward it would seem to me. If I am working and we need some shots 'of the front door' the protocols are very simple: we telephone their press office, and explain that a cameraman will be dropping by at some point and spend 15 minutes (less if it's raining :-) on the public highway outside to get some shots of the big sign indicating 'RAF Brize Norton' and general views of activity thereabouts (cars going in and out, buildings, fencelines etc). As a final courtesy, i would turn up and pop into the security office and mention that I was there (often the message doesn't get passed on down the line to the grunts on the gate) and what I was doing. I have been accosted, stopped, questioned, but generally as soon as I explain my motives, show my police-issued press card, there is never a problem. All these people live in our patch and watch our programme :-) We have a crown court in the area and the security are first rate - the gear can get stashed behind their desks and I go get some breakfast in the cafe upstairs. One guy even comes out and lets me know which door the accused will be exiting from, etc. It's all about being friendly and letting these people know what's going on. Depending on what I was doing, like Graywolf said, I would tip the wink to the scrambled egg (police/security/etc) on the ground just so they know that there's a shady character about moving weirdly, looking for good vantage points. They love to know what's going on - they spend all of their time doing that, and if you help them, they leave you alone. As for shooting stills, well, I guess my honest reply to an 'accoster' would be that I am out trying to better my photography and build up my confidence (which I am). Tough one though. This is the world we choose to live in, and the passion we choose to follow. Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=====| www.macads.co.uk/snaps _____________________________ Free UK Mac Ads www.macads.co.uk
