File :-(, x, )
Run-ins with police, private security, vigilantes Anonymous
Tell me about your brushes with the law while taking pictures of shit.

Pic related.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Heh. A year or so back, I was taking a walk by the Niagara Power Authority's reservoir. I saw a nicely framed shot of some seagulls, so I took a picture. Two minutes later, no fewer than three police cars pull up to have a little chat with me about taking pictures of critical infrastructure in a post-9/11 world. I apologized profusely and deleted the picture. It was way too lame a shot to risk federal pound-you-in-the-ass prison for. Glad I wasn't using film back then.

(Got the attached pic shortly after, once I was sure I was plenty far away from anything that Homeland Security would mind me taking shots of)
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Also, just yesterday, I was out taking pictures in the Little Italy neighborhood of Niagara Falls. After taking some pictures of an apartment building, a guy starts asking me (in a normal, friendly tone) what I'm taking pictures of, if I'm a professional photographer, etc. Since I tend to take shots of weird shit when I'm out taking pictures, I'm used to this sort of question, so I think nothing of it. A little while later, as I'm continuing down the street, the same guy pulls up in an SUV and gets out and asks for reassurance that I'm just a random photographer and not, quote, "on the job". Turns out I'd been taking pictures of the apartment of a friend of his. At this point it occurs to me that I'm in a somewhat bad neighborhood, talking to a really affluent-looking gentleman of Italian descent. My brain starts shouting "HOLY CRAP HE'S IN THE MAFIA OHSHITOHSHITOHSHIT".

He seemed satisfied with my assurances that I just thought the mailbox had good color and composition and didn't stop me again.

Fun times.

(Pic of the apartment in question attached, hopefully won't put a price on my head)
>> ??????? !KEBab7wem6
     File :-(, x)
Not probably in the same meaning as the OP, but was out taking shots while the Smash ASEM -happening turned into a riot, somewhere in last september here in Helsinki.

Had to duck for a few flying beer bottles after this. 350D + 24-70/2.8L + 550EX, I don't think this one had any EXIF.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS 350D DIGITALCamera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop 7.0Image-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution350 dpiVertical Resolution350 dpiImage Created2006:09:10 00:58:39Exposure Time1/40 secF-Numberf/2.8Exposure ProgramAperture PriorityISO Speed Rating800Lens Aperturef/2.8Exposure Bias0 EVFlashFlash, CompulsoryFocal Length24.00 mmColor Space InformationUncalibratedImage Width700Image Height467RenderingNormalExposure ModeAutoWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandard
>> Anonymous
>>36855

Wow, enjoy your police state.

Doesnt your constitution protect you with this stuff?
They'd have to prove the photographs you took were for malicious intents.

If someone came up to me in a public place and asked me to delete a photo because i *may* have photographed something i wasnt meant to, i'd tell them to get fucked.

It *was* a public place you were in, right?
>> Anonymous
>>36864
Legally, you can take pictures of almost anything in a public place.

Practically, police will still attempt to "persuade" you into deleting the images or giving you their camera. They can lie through their teeth and stare you down, like the tough guy in the OP image shooting laser beam eyes into my camera trying to blind it.

Notice in his crossed arms he's brandishing what may or may not be a weapon.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Everyone who recognizes the situation and place in OP's picture gets a cookie.

I tend to wander a lot in run-down industrial areas, so every now and then I'll have a chat with the popos. Apparently, all it takes to look like a pro (or enemy of the state for that matter) these days is an SLR. God forbid you have a fancier lens with filters sun shield on it. And using a tripod or an external lightmeter begs for an instant "shoot on sight" situation.

But in the end, it's like>>36864said. The constitution here grants you the right to photograph everything you can see while standing on public ground. If someone is trying to "persuade" you, be rock-solid about it. If a rent-a-cop security buddy seems to be eager to go physical on you, kindly ask him if he wants to say bye-bye to his security license. If it's the police, it's useful to carry hand-out copies of appropriate laws for them. In the worst case they might take you with them and give you some shit, but in the end you'll give them a bigger shit, and maybe even profit on the situation.

In short, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. And have the balls to say "lol no" when someone's trying to deprive you of them.
>> Anonymous
>>36864
Eh. Like I said, it was a crappy shot anyway. Not worth the hassle.
>> Anonymous
>>36864
Oh, and I *offered* to delete the photo, they didn't demand it of me. They were actually very polite about the whole thing. And really, I can't fault them that much for being a little overcautious around a major piece of civic infrastructure along an international border when some random bearded guy's out taking photographs of it.
>> Macheath
Photographer's Rights. Print out two copies; one to show to security if they confront you, and another just in case security gets pissed and tears it out of your hand.

http://tinyurl.com/cr8ao
>> Anonymous
>>36883
Very nice. Just remember it's all country-specific.
>> Falldog !upUGcHlgU2
     File :-(, x)
I took these two shots while walking around downtown Dallas. All I know about the building is that it was a “United States Court House.” A security guard came out and told me that it was illegal to take photos of federal buildings. I just acknowledged him and walked away, he never said anything about the shots I just took nor did I bother to delete them.

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>> Anonymous
>>36893
that picture is pretty awesome imo. and it seems to me its illegal to take pictures of everything there is security for. i think its just so they feel like they are super awesome security agents
>> Jal
Even if you say its an all countrie it wont matter if the police dont care.
I know people who have gotten beaten up by the police for less then taking a picture. Dont be so sure you wanna get your camera smashed just becouse your supposed to have the law on your side.
>> Anonymous
I work for this building, adjacent to which was a minting facility for the country's monies. I was told to take a picture of this minting facility as they need it to put it in the organizations intranet.

So I merrily climbed up the parking structure to set up my shot (with ungodly high rung ladders) when it started to rain. Went back down and decided to get some internal shots first. That's when the country's Internal Security attached there stopped me and told me it's illegal to take photos of any part of the building. My feet went cold.
>> Nipplelesshorse
>>36854

lawlz at anime expo
>> Rawr !pBDDkuoH3.
>>36893

It's NOT illegal to photograph federal buildings unless they are classified installations. Military bases? Absolutely. Courthouse downtown? Fuck no.

>>36883

Finally, some sensibility.

>>36854

So, what *is* going on in the OP?
>> Anonymous
>>36914
Man-Faye getting busted for indecent exposure at Anime Expo 2004.

Also some motherfucker threatening to kick the asses of every cosplay photographer in the area.

Cosplay, serious business.
>> Rawr !pBDDkuoH3.
>>36917

I take it the guy in the t-shirt who looks like a total nerd is convention staff, and the guy in the suit looking unamused is with convention facility staff?

Who was threatening photographers at the con? Another con attendee? I thought people could get kicked out of them at the drop of a hat.
>> Anonymous
>>36883

Thanks, great post
>> Anonymous
I've been hassled myself for going around and taking pictures of buildings. Mostly it's been rent-a-cops giving me crap, but hey is it my fault that I love architecture?

Gah, I hate this 9/11 world where photographers have no rights.

Read this: flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/402725350/
>> Anonymous
A video from the scene in OP's picture, this should explain everything:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htzwtJQeNmE

Much lulz inside. Mildly NSFW, just FYI.
>> Anonymous
At first glance, I thought the OP's pic was of that guy from american Chopper.
>> Anonymous
i got attacked by some druggy cunt while taking photos for a site analysis (architecture student). big guy, had me against a wall, shouting at me, threw a few punches, made the usual IMMA GONNA STABS YA threats. he thought i was the police or something. fucks sake, i was 21 at the time, looking much younger, wearing jeans and a tshirt... it wasnt in a derelict industrial area either, was a town centre, on a popular seaside area. had me a bit worried tbh, a good stabbin\' aint too high on my to do list.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Not really an incident or anything, but he sure was "shooting laser beam eyes into my camera trying to blind it". I just packed and left without getting a decent picture.
>> Anonymous
I was busted taking pictures once . . . the cops kicked the door down and I was like, "I swear I didn't know she was three!" What followed was the worst six months of my life. I'll make sure not to get caught next time.
>> Anonymous
>>36986
signed
>> Anonymous
Realize the difference of authority.

Rent-o-cops and "security" (guys without guns) you can tell to fuck off they have no legal authority even to touch you.

Real cops "security" (guys with guns) apologize like crazy and prey he isn't a total douche bag. Even if your completely within your rights your still wrong. If they want to slap cuffs on you and say you resisted arrest when you stepped back an inch they can and get away with it. When its your word vs a cop you lose, always.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
I was a journalist in the army. No, I didnt cover wars but once I was assigned to make some pictures of a group leaving to afghanistan. Their captain was totaly paranoid and didnt believe me I was from the same club as he was (though I was in uniform and all that shit) so he first called my boss to confirm this.
Until that I had 30 soldiers, ready to depart to afghanistan around me, watching me suspicously...
>> Anonymous
where did you take this pic?
i looks like my town
>> ATF
Do I read Anaheim correctly on the side of the squad car?
>> Anonymous
ive got a friend who had to get a train conductors pass thingy from his dad because he almost got arrested for photographing trains a few times.
>> Anonymous
>>37274
Yes you did.
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=33.800054~-117.919721&style=a&lvl=19&tilt=-
90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=1140486

Same stripes on the ground.
Anaheim Convention Center. Anybody who's been to AX in the last few years would know it.

If you look closely you can find that same plainsclothes security guard giving the satellite a mean staredown.
>> Anonymous
>>36973
Is that a shoop-da-whoop? Because I think it is! If not, then I know where you live.
>> Anonymous
>>37286
Not photochoped. Why would you think that ?
>> Anonymous
>>37318
Because I don't that often see armored vehicles in my city, also that VLC whatever thing in the bottom right corner looks kind of weird, but oh well, I guess I'm spending too much time inside the house anyway - watching pr0n on VLC.
>> Anonymous
>>37321
That picture was taken last year on early morning of November 29, NATO summit. The center of the city was full of cops and barriers.

As for that traffic cone, I think it's just made of such material that stands out.
>> Darkain
Today, this made the front page of the paper...

http://www.thenewstribune.com/links/story/6407053p-5712802c.html

It includes a video as well!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMDW4Fszj2U
>> Khomboo !yjevIi2d/Y
>>37348
God, this disgusts me. Cops disgust me, too. Assholes. >.o;
I mean, the video, anyway. What the hell is with that?
I read the article, and can understand if he was in a wrong area, but the cops didn't note anything about that out. It sounded more like "lol fucku video man".
>> Anonymous
So far I have been (these are the highlights of about 9 different incidents):

1. Told to depart top of parking garage with a view of a local (major) airport by local police or face arrest for failure to obey a municipal ordinance. I was shooting long exposures of airplanes on final approach (nice streaky things,) at night when two cars came hauling ass out of the garage and told me to fuck off.

2. Told that I would be arrested for continuing to photograph the USS Arizona Memorial from the Ford Island Bridge at about 0200. (Anonymous is active duty military.) I had my bag searched, film examined, and asked a pile of questions. The nice part about this was the MAA (Navy police) who stopped me was quite courteous and seized nothing.

3. Temporarily detained in Pusan, South Korea by police after photographing anti-government demonstration. Put on the ground, zip-tied, and chucked up against / into a van (lol party van wut). Released immediately after they went through my wallet and found my military ID. (The one time I have been glad to have that happen.) I was somewhat nervous here as the police did not speak English well (Anonymous speaks some Japanese but no Korean) and they had been beating the tar out of the protesters.
>> Anonymous
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfhUaUuG1sM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g4e0YzhPK8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hIIuJK_Uh8
>> Anonymous
>>36855
you were walking right next door to me.