fjrwillie Loc: MA

Last night I went to a local carnival and figured it was a good opportunity to practise some night time techniques using only manual mode. This is thanks to you all for recommending reading Understanding Exposure. I was a A type person before. To keep things simple used a prime 35.

So I taking pictures of the colorful rides and the folks having fun at the carnival. I was politely stopped by the police and was asked what I was doing. Simply told them taking pictures of the event. They said some of the parents had complained about me.

WOW...this happens to other folks. We had a brief discussion. One officer said if I wasn't with my SO, he would have asked to me leave. I told him I would stop taking pictures of people and focus on objects. He seemed to be ok with that. It was not too long after that we did leave anyways.

This got me thinking, no doubt it was a mother that got freaked out. What did that one person think a pedophile or some other malcontent was going to do with the pictures of the their kids in an evil way. As a parent not sure how I would have reacted (my kids are grown up and I don't have to worry about stuff like this). Is this simply something they have seen or read in the news that should be reported and action taken on or do they have valid reasons to react this way.

Just wonderin

Willie

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's a sad situation. Maybe the parent thought your picture would capture the kid's soul. Parents have enough to worry about without being concerned about evil people taking pictures of their kids in public. The cop should have known better.

dugole Loc: Matawan, New Jersey

I had a similar experience in Hawaii last spring as a 67 year old tourist. Putting all of the speculation, innuendo and paranoia aside, how many people at an event are snapping pictures with smart phones and no one notices or complains about that. You have a DSLR-type camera and you become paparazzi or some sort of deviant.

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

I need to be more careful. I have a white beard and a camera. I'll bet I fit some profile...

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

It's a "sign of our times", I'm afraid, Willie. Happened to me too in Old Market Square, which is effectively the city centre of Nottingham. I was "approached", in a very civil manner by two young (no more than 30yrs) "Community Protection Officers". They look like police, but don't have the same levels of power.

I wasn't even taking pics of kids ...... there were just great, colourful, photo opps in all the rides etc, and it was "twilight". I was asked much the same as you, was totally baffled by the fact that they'd even approached me, and was given much the same reasons as you. Needless to say I had an "interesting" conversation with these two about "modern folk (especially certain young mothers) jumping more quickly to negative conclusions and becoming more immediately suspicious of middle-aged men with cameras !" They readily agreed with me, but only AFTER our little chat.

Old Market Square is regularly use for all sorts of communal events, many of which provide photo opps. You live and learn. I, too, avoid taking pics of children.

Sign of the times, dear chap ...... !

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

You have to look at the terms and conditions of admittance. They will clearly spell out expectations of the organizer and the participants. If there is any language limiting the use of cameras, then you have no right to use a camera at such an event. If the event is on public property, then there is no expectation of privacy, and though you may be in the right, you should consider whether or not it is worth pressing the issue. Private venues are private property and always subject to the owners wishes.

I was stopped by a parent at a local ski area, privately run but on public park land years ago while photographing a race. The tickets clearly spelled out that the operators retained the right to photograph visitors and that those photos could be used to promote the venue on the website and/or in print, and that purchasing the ticket surrenders all rights to those images. I was in the right, but I offered to not take pictures of their kid. No one else complained and I got some great shots.

rando Loc: Rochester NY

I think taking photos of other people's children is not a good idea unless you ask for parent's permission. Ever.

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

Sadly it's the world we live in today.
If some parents got nervous and complained you could say they overreacted and that may be true but it's hard to blame them. A guy shooting photos at a place that attracts a lot of children could be anyone with the intent of using the photos for any purpose, they don't know.
And the police acted appropriately checking you out. They were doing their job.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

It has happened to me a few times at fairs and craft shows. I carry a card with my name on it ,email and home address and phone number on it. I have the card to give folks if they want a picture I have taken of them. :) But you have to know I am very hard headed about my rights as an American.:) But I always win the battle with the police. Or who every comes up to me and tells me I can't take pictures.:) They have to show me their rules for the event and if it says no cameras, I back down. But I always get my money back if I have to leave and it is not posted at the gate that cameras aren't allowed.
I spent to many years in Vietnam to not have ALL my rights as an American to be given to me.
Erv
Sorry for the rant, but folks have to start standing up for their rights!!

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I attended a polo practice session recently in Dripping Springs, TX. to watch my son and grandson practice. There happened to be a young girls team also practicing (12-16). I have my big camera, of course, and I saw a group of parents watching. I walked over to them and simply told them that I am an amateur photographer and I would like to make shots of anything that caught my interest and wanted to know if anyone had an objection. They thanked me and told me to make myself at home. I do think when youngsters are involved that photographers, today, should consider the circumstances and act accordingly. I ask for permission often and I have never been told no.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

I doubt that at a ski race, you could find out which kid belonged to whom before the fact.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Erv, I, too, am a Vietnam vet. I fully intend to exercise my rights. When children are involved, however, I am careful because of todays social environment. I think it's crappy that when you say hello to a youngster that many won't make eye contact or return the courtesy. I think this is an illness within our society that has been carried too far. I do think parents should teach their children to be careful and how to protect themselves but they still need polite social skills taught.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Some people will complain even if they are not concerned about their kids. They will complain simply because they can. They will complain because they like feeling that they have control over what others can or can't do. (Generally referred to as "politicians". Tend to run in packs but occasionally mingle with us common folk!)

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Me too. Simply put, people are unfairly suspicious of big cameras. I accept it; but, it is a shame because most of us just like to take pictures, and have no bad intent.

skywolf

Laws vary from state to state, and sometimes from city to city within a state. Generally, if you're at a public event on public property, you can photograph anything...or anyone...you please. Private property is a different matter. If you go on private property, you should ask permission to shoot.