Comments on: Photographer or Terrorist? Photographers’ Rights Under Fire Again

By: M

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 09:15:00 +0000

”(begin sarcasm) Gee, i hope the terrorists dont discover the
internet. then they may discover google earth and/or google streets and
then not need to go to a building and take pictures of it so the cops
can catch them red handed with a picture…. ( end sarcasm)”

It’s not even that. I find it completely freaking hilarious that cops think a guy with a big SLR is going to be a terrorist. 1: They’re not that stupid, they will use a camera phone 2: Clearly, someone walking around with a giant camera around their neck that any idiot can tell is a professional isn’t spying on things. Unless they’re the worlds most daft spy.

By: M

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 09:11:00 +0000

Interesting news story, I’d like to see more of this newscast, not used to broadcasters who aren’t automatically anti photographer at the drop of a sensationalistic hat.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 03:40:00 +0000

I’ve shot models in all kinds of “derelict” or “decayed” environments, not only here in Los Angeles, but in Chicago and Ohio. It makes for INCREDIBLE visual imagery. In fact, I’m planning on assembling an art book on the subject.

Outright trespassing private property is one thing, but to leave “aesthetic value” of PUBLIC property to the subjectivity of the police is another.

By: Corey Melton

Corey Melton — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 06:27:00 +0000

I guess “photographers” need to start taking more interesting pictures. Why are you guys just wandering around taking pictures of refineries?

By: Corey Melton

Corey Melton — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 06:27:00 +0000

I guess “photographers” need to start taking more interesting pictures. Why are you guys just wandering around taking pictures of refineries?

By: Shaka Mayers

Shaka Mayers — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:10:00 +0000

NO joke, that may be coming soon.

By: Jerry P

Jerry P — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:09:00 +0000

Been there in Morgan County Alabama. I had BP security tell me I was not allowed to photograph their refinery, nor 3M’s plant across the street. Now, mind you, I was standing on the street, yes, the public street I, as a tax payer paid for. They actually called the Sheriff’s department on me, they responded and backed the security guard. They took my drivers license, ran a background check, and told me to leave. It didn’t go over well when I informed him that he was violating my civil rights!

By: Paul Monaghan

Paul Monaghan — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 10:39:00 +0000

It’s not just police, big camera’s (more specifically lens) attract attention from everyone.

I’ve had tterrorist crap tossed at me, asked what paper I shot for, and even worse chased into my own home by small minded people that think a big lens mean’s you trying to exploit children (at midnight, in the rain).

You can read what happened to me the other day on G+
https://plus.google.com/100425739170055690781/posts/AW6r94wxPQr

I think people have to be educated, with all the crap the media has tossed about over the year’s.. people see someone with a camera and big lens as a threat of sorts, someone that’s upto no good.. when in fact we just have a hobby/job that we enjoy.

By: Russ Turbide

Russ Turbide — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 01:09:00 +0000

terrorists with DSLRs?
I am not sure but has any terrorist ever been caught with a dslr? anyone seen any pics where a dslr was amongst the items retrieved in a terrorist raid? bomb parts, rifles, ammo, explosives, small point n shoot cameras, and apple iphones. BUT i cannot recall one dslr in all the photos i’ve seen.
(begin sarcasm) Gee, i hope the terrorists dont discover the internet. then they may discover google earth and/or google streets and then not need to go to a building and take pictures of it so the cops can catch them red handed with a picture…. ( end sarcasm)

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 21:57:00 +0000

Its simple, dress well (suit or something awesome) and carry a Lieca m9, shoot into an eye fi ad hock pro card so if they DO ask for you camera you can erase the images in front of them but still have them at home, while carrying starbucks coffee. You end up looking rich and no one bothers rich people. All the while you are shooting awesome photos. You think I’m kidding?

I recently shot a project in NYC and you should have seen the looks I was getting from the police while carry around my Canon gear. Its a HUGE no and can ruin a shoot and embrace the photographer if they got SOME clearance but not the kind the police thought they should.

I am dumping all of my Canon gear as far as lenses and body goes, so that I may shoot something just as powerful but not as big and obvious.