i got pulled up again

Roy1961

Senior Member
Contributor
waiting on the kids coming out of the tudors house i was spending 10 mins at a park, shooting at flowers and the sunset.
Walking back to the car a lady approached me and demanded to know my name and why was i shooting at young boys,
i said excuse me, what young boys was i shooting at,
the ones in the baseball field, i stood here and watched you.
So i said are you accusing me of something i didnt do, i then showed her the pics i had taken and said, so where are the young boys that you said i took,
oh i thought you took pics of the boys.
I said no you accused me and maybe you should ask before accusing people in future.
She got in her car and left.

This was my second time, anyone else get this sort of hassle, BTW i had my 18-105 on, might have thought different if it was the 500mm.

one of the reason i do not shoot people.
 

Krs_2007

Senior Member
Never encountered but I get strange looks all the time. Mostly from cheer moms when they see me taking pictures of their daughters. But everyone eventually finds out who I am. I will say this is a primary reason why I don’t take on jobs for a parent that wants me to come to a location and only take pics of their kid. Society is a different beast these days, so maybe get a vest or something that reflects that you are there for a reason. I get so many looks when I go on a random photo walk, I just smile and waive, never confront because I have the proof. But you are on the left of the US, no offense.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

Dawg Pics

Senior Member
Good grief, Roy.

Anybody lady stupid enough to confront a man in a park is asking for trouble. She is a nut, but at least she didn't go get a cop. Doesn't matter if you are in a left, right or purple state. Nut-jobs are everywhere and aren't limited by their affiliation. Assuming that is what was meant. If not, then I don't get it, and I apologize.

Don't make assumptions about me based on this. I also politely jumped an ass on FB for saying something about typical pro-gun Texas loving the fact that a kid got shot in school the other day. I just don't care for making assumptions like that.

Sorry that happened to you.
 
Last edited:

Texas

Senior Member
I suppose most cameras live in a drawer at home since when out shooting, or just out and about, I've never seen anyone with a camera. A real camera, not a cell phone. The cell phone cameras really make you stand out if you have a dedicated camera.

I take it back--- I did see another Nikon shooter at the dog park last summer we just waved at each other and wondered what each other was up to.

Anyway I've been approached a couple times by people asking if I'm an insurance or some other kind of investigator.

I was mowing the grass a few months ago when a guy stopped his car in front of my house and asked if he could take a picture of it for some realestate project. I told him sure, no problem and mentioned that google does that every year with their photo-car and somebody regularly gets good aerial shots for the tax man.
He said he had learned the hard way to ask for permission first.

I recall a law passed (or almost passed, not sure) a while back in Texas that would prohibit taking pictures of girls on parade floats if they were dressed skimpy.

It is a different world and I'm careful to avoid any conflict when taking pictures or not.

Found it ! https://verdict.justia.com/2014/09/30/click-away-texas-law-improper-photography-bites-dust
 
Last edited:

hotflyer

Senior Member
I get this all the time.
You can walk around with a phone taking pics and nobody takes any notice. If you use a DSLR all hell breaks loose. Suspicions abound, people get paranoid, accusations fly, and you can get labelled. More education is needed, but alas, for some people even that is a waste of time.
 

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
Will this help

NH14_OutdoorValue_Ghillie_Main.jpg
 

Danno

Senior Member
I have been asked once when I took my camera to photograph my niece. But it was a polite question asking who I was photographing and that was it.
 

spb_stan

Senior Member
A few years ago I was back home in the US staying with my sister in our duplex for a couple weeks. I had just purchased a new D800 and was trying it out to by walking down the street to a park testing it and the new 24-70 2.8. It was the middle of the day, weekday so few people were in the park except for some kids in the enclosed skateboard area with an elaborate concrete course inside a chain link fenced area. Being a school day I assumed they were older than school age. I took a few shots from 50 feet away to check AF speed, then wandered off to the creek to see if I could find some birds to shoot. 10 minutes later I heard sirens and then they stop. 2-3 minutes later I am confronted with two cops with guns pointed at me demanding that I drop the camera...sure, a new D800 and $1800 lens toss to the ground...not. I got down and they started screaming to drop the weapon...the camera, and I did but one put his foot in my hand really hard as he kicked the weapon(D800) several feet away. They demanded I keep my hands spread wide but also demanded id. Anyway, they did not shoot but did cuff me and took me to the police station and sat for a couple hours until they interviewed me after checking to see, I suppose, if I had a record for taking photos in the park before. 3 hours later, after hostile interrogation they decided I was a homeowner in the neighborhood but was told if I was reported again for "lurking" in the park or around children....(all late teens or early 20s) I would be arrested. They said I was lucky if I was not a homeowner I would have been in serious trouble for taking 3 photos of skateboarders doing trick jumps. I asked how that assumed they were children but did not ask them why they were not in school. I was told it was none of my business and it was up to me to assure they were over age, after all, I was the person the complaint was made about. I sent a letter to the city council and police chief telling them of the overreach and life-threatening situation their police put me into, and the city said they do not discuss police matters and the police said they do not answer questions about cases pending.

I have been all over the world, 90 countries, and never ever treated with so much aggression and disrespect by officials as in my own neighborhood, and live in a country most who have never been here assume to be a police state but it is exactly the opposite. I feel less free in my own country than any place I have visited. It was not like that 30 years ago. I have not been back for 3 years and need to renew my passport so will try to have it down outside the US. Why people put up with the insanity of increased authoritarianism is puzzling. Maybe because it has been so gradual that people get used to it.
The US is no longer safe for photography in public places is the only lesson that I could take way from this.
 

PapaST

Senior Member
Wow, these stories are quite shocking to me. I've never felt threatened by people or authorities while out with my camera. I have a young daughter so I'm always out taking pictures of her in parks, plays and all sorts of settings often with other children involved. Maybe I'm just oblivious to scrutiny from other adults. I guess I should be more aware and be prepared for confrontations like that. I like the idea of the vest (but maybe that's just me wanting to buy more gear). Stay safe out there folks.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
A few years ago I was back home in the US staying with my sister in our duplex for a couple weeks. I had just purchased a new D800 and was trying it out to by walking down the street to a park testing it and the new 24-70 2.8. It was the middle of the day, weekday so few people were in the park except for some kids in the enclosed skateboard area with an elaborate concrete course inside a chain link fenced area. Being a school day I assumed they were older than school age. I took a few shots from 50 feet away to check AF speed, then wandered off to the creek to see if I could find some birds to shoot. 10 minutes later I heard sirens and then they stop. 2-3 minutes later I am confronted with two cops with guns pointed at me demanding that I drop the camera...sure, a new D800 and $1800 lens toss to the ground...not. I got down and they started screaming to drop the weapon...the camera, and I did but one put his foot in my hand really hard as he kicked the weapon(D800) several feet away. They demanded I keep my hands spread wide but also demanded id. Anyway, they did not shoot but did cuff me and took me to the police station and sat for a couple hours until they interviewed me after checking to see, I suppose, if I had a record for taking photos in the park before. 3 hours later, after hostile interrogation they decided I was a homeowner in the neighborhood but was told if I was reported again for "lurking" in the park or around children....(all late teens or early 20s) I would be arrested. They said I was lucky if I was not a homeowner I would have been in serious trouble for taking 3 photos of skateboarders doing trick jumps. I asked how that assumed they were children but did not ask them why they were not in school. I was told it was none of my business and it was up to me to assure they were over age, after all, I was the person the complaint was made about. I sent a letter to the city council and police chief telling them of the overreach and life-threatening situation their police put me into, and the city said they do not discuss police matters and the police said they do not answer questions about cases pending.

I have been all over the world, 90 countries, and never ever treated with so much aggression and disrespect by officials as in my own neighborhood, and live in a country most who have never been here assume to be a police state but it is exactly the opposite. I feel less free in my own country than any place I have visited. It was not like that 30 years ago. I have not been back for 3 years and need to renew my passport so will try to have it down outside the US. Why people put up with the insanity of increased authoritarianism is puzzling. Maybe because it has been so gradual that people get used to it.
The US is no longer safe for photography in public places is the only lesson that I could take way from this.
If things happened as you describe them (cuffed, transported, detained and interrogated for hours), and frankly I'm having trouble believing they did, your Fourth Amendment rights were trampled and you have a very, VERY strong case for a lawsuit.
 
Last edited:

Texas

Senior Member
When the cops say drop the weapon, do it quickly. They have lots of legal immunity for shooting you dead as proved by cases almost daily in the US.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Wow, that's crazy Roy! The only time I ever experienced a problem was when I wanted to take a photo of the Trenton Makes Bridge (which has been photographed ad nauseum by so many people). A guy from the Port Authority told me it was against their policy to allow photographs to be taken because of Homeland Security. They control what goes on with those bridges so I didn't give him any trouble. I was polite and told him I understood. Then he told me he'd be leaving within 30 minutes if I wanted to come back. ;)

Too bad you and I don't live close. There are so many people who approach me and freely engage in conversation. It boggles my mind sometimes. Like yesterday for example. Some guy asked if saw the torn up turf at the park. A joy-rider left tire tracks all around the area. He was really going off complaining like crazy. I told him I'd take a photo and share it with the local media. After I walked away from him, an older man asked me if I knew him. :beguiled:

And then there was the toddler who ran in front of my camera every time I tried to take a photo. After 3 failed attempts to get different scenes, I left and came home. :( I wasn't about to take photos of someone's grandchild. The grandparent didn't seem to mind that the boy kept intruding into what I was doing. Sorry that happened to you.

DSC_4920 low res.jpg
 
Last edited:

john*thomas

Senior Member
Only time I was approached there was no one else around...........It was a de-construction site. "O.K. but stay on this side of the fence". LOL. I hadn't planned on trespassing.
 

480sparky

Senior Member
..... A guy from the Port Authority told me it was against their policy to allow photographs to be taken because of Homeland Security................

My response would have been "Tough cookies. Your policy is not a law, and it does not apply to me."

Every time someone surrenders their rights, everyone else's rights are reduced just a little bit. Every time some security guard 'gets away with' enforcing some mythical 'law', everyone's rights are reduced just a little bit.

If you keep tearing off just a teeny little corner of the Bill of Rights, no matter how small, some day............. they won't exist.

It's bad enough the general populace believes anyone with a camera is either a terrorist or a pedophile. But we have only ourselves to blame.
 

spb_stan

Senior Member
I did not say I was interrogated for hours, I was detained and kept waiting for hours. The camera was a weapon they said so they had justification for their actions. I am not familiar with the changing laws but know rights have been severely eroded so have no idea if they were outside of the law at that time. I avoid going back and suggest others not visit either. Their suggestion that they let me know because they verified I was a neighborhood homeowner seemed like they were targetting people who were defenseless.
One my last visit back, I first renewed my driver's license in Sacramento than returned by train to San Franciso where I planned to stay for a week visiting old friends and checking on my house in Marin County over the Golden Gate Bridge. When I booked the room online I prepaid the first night in a small hotel on Union Square. I took BART from the East Bay to the SF Market Street station and attempted to check in. I was told a law prevented me from checking in because I had no valid photo ID. I had my expired drivers license with photo, my renewed temporary driver's license and my American passport which certainly has my photo. The manager insisted the passport was not legal id in the US. Arguing did not help so I left to go find another hotel and found the same reception in each one. I checked all the hotels in the neighborhood and none would allow me to check in without a state photo id other than a passport. The only id that is valid internationally is the passport and the US is a signatory to the passport union so this made no sense but I finally found a small hostel that allowed me to check in. It was a cool place, very social with young people from all over the world. On my 3rd day the manager came to my room and said I needed to check out because the clerk on duty when I checked in did not know the law.
That is the craziness going back to the US has become. They accept passports for all but Americans, some homeland security rule. After the "camera is a weapon" claim of the polices a could years before, and the crazy "passport is not valid id" rule (yet now as I understand it a passport is now required to cross state lines by trains or air, not sure if it includes driving or walking across state lines. Heck in Europe you travel between 24 countries and no id or passport or visa is required but in the US a flight between states requires a passport. TAll these experiences are why I really avoid going back home at all Not many countries have as many restrictions and prohibitions. My GF wants me to take her to visit the US and I won't risk it, we travel all over but the US is not welcoming. At least she would be able to check into a hotel even if I can't because she is not a citizen.
 

LouCioccio

Senior Member
Now some of you might not like the ACLU but they have short movie about taking images in the USA so here it is. I usually show this at my Basic Digital class.
When I took images of my grand daughter I had a large plastic #2 the other mothers at the play ground wanted to know if they could take images of their children with the #2 I should have charged 50¢ each could have bought some equipment!!!
Lou Cioccio
2566753.jpg
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
Sorry that happened, Roy. I've never had a similar experience, but I tend to be as far away from people as possible when I'm doing my photography.

We seem to live in a paranoid society these days. I know bad stuff happens, and we all need to be aware and keep watch, but we have become SO untrusting of each other that I consider it a sort of socially induced mental illness.
 
Top