Hi, You are correct on all counts, IMO. Each situation has to be looked at individually. The way I handled my situation was based on a few factors - knowing something about the neighborhood, having a sense of the situation, knowing something about the small police department, and so on. In another situation I may not have offered to show my images.
Recently another list member and I met in San Francisco. We were in a shopping area and she was showing me her istDS, and I was taking a few pics. Twice i was asked to stop. Once a security guard asked that I not take any pics of a store window (!) and I said, "It's OK, there's no film in the camera." and he was satisfied. The second occasion a woman who was operating a small candy and toy stand approached and told me she didn't want me to photograph her or her stand. I don't recall what conversation followed, but the "confrontation" ended with me getting a nice, smiling portrait of her. It's amazing what one can accomplish by assessing the situation, remaining friendly, and being open. Once you try to prove or make a point, or get defensive or adamant, egos start to come into play, power struggles begin, and the situation can escalate. I'm not suggesting that all these new rules and regulations and attitudes are acceptable, but often there are ways of dealing with situations that can keep everything in perspective. Shel > [Original Message] > From: John Coyle < > My twin grand-daughters had their fourth birthday party recently, and I had > no hesitation in shooting just as I normally do. I had no challenges from > any of the parents of the other children that were there, possibly because I > was introduced to those I didn't know as soon as they arrived. Same deal, > in fact, on their third birthday, where I did not already know as many of > the children and parents. > I would not expect any hassles in such a family environment, and know that I > would get support from the people who invited me if anyone were so crass as > to object, and I know who would get asked to leave if they were insistent! > I think, in general, and I have read all of the posts in the recent mammoth > thread, that unless we photographers exercise our right to photograph we > will lose it through the ability of the paranoid to make a federal case out > of perfectly innocent activities. We may have to deal with the occasional > lunatic, such as Daniel Matyola's crazy lady, but we can't let them win! As > regards officials, on private property we may have no choice but to comply > with a directive to stop photographing, but we do not have to hand over our > film, images or equipment. When asked by a police officer to hand equipment > over, I am not sure that we may have to determine what the law is in each > jurisdiction, as it probably varies: but Shel's most recent experience I > think shows that a civil and friendly attitude can make a world of > difference to the outcome.
