Dealing with Police when "Shooting": I found this on strobist.blogspot.com. When the weather gets better, I plan to go around town taking pictures here and there, day and night. I had...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I found this on strobist.blogspot.com. When the weather gets better, I plan to go around town taking pictures here and there, day and night. I had decided beforehand that I would notify the local police so that when the inevitable call comes in, they might remember me. Anyway, read this --

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2012/02/how-to-avoid-dealing-with-police-when.html

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

jerryc41 wrote:

I found this on strobist.blogspot.com. When the weather gets better, I plan to go around town taking pictures here and there, day and night. I had decided beforehand that I would notify the local police so that when the inevitable call comes in, they might remember me. Anyway, read this --

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2012/02/how-to-avoid-dealing-with-police-when.html

I've read that...it was a good article. Of course he was shooting strobes off in the forest at 3am....so that's pretty extreme.

coondog Loc: Lost in Vermont

What's the lesson here? Don't be a smart ass if the cops ask what you're doing..especially if someone called in a suspicious person. A polite and respectful attitude would have prevented the entire situation.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

coondog wrote:

What's the lesson here? Don't be a smart ass if the cops ask what you're doing..especially if someone called in a suspicious person. A polite and respectful attitude would have prevented the entire situation.

The last thing the police want when they confront someone is a guy practicing his stand-up routine. Being a wise guy and arguing with police are not in my inventory.

Patw28 Loc: PORT JERVIS, NY

jerryc41 wrote:

coondog wrote:

What's the lesson here? Don't be a smart ass if the cops ask what you're doing..especially if someone called in a suspicious person. A polite and respectful attitude would have prevented the entire situation.

The last thing the police want when they confront someone is a guy practicing his stand-up routine. Being a wise guy and arguing with police are not in my inventory.

Listen, did ever just leave a confrontation and only then think of a really good stinger you should have used?

Something like," Yes, sir!" ?

judy 2011 Loc: Northern Utah

I keep wondering if a cop will show up at my house. I love to photograph the birds in the backyard. There are no leaves on the trees so it looks like I'm taking pictures of the neighbors' houses. I always feel strange out there but I know what I'm doing.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

judy 2011 wrote:

I keep wondering if a cop will show up at my house. I love to photograph the birds in the backyard. There are no leaves on the trees so it looks like I'm taking pictures of the neighbors' houses. I always feel strange out there but I know what I'm doing.

Avoid being seen. Wear camo or a hoodie. Hide behind something. Go out at night for your shots. If anyone sees you, move away quickly.

judy 2011 Loc: Northern Utah

jerryc41 wrote:

judy 2011 wrote:

I keep wondering if a cop will show up at my house. I love to photograph the birds in the backyard. There are no leaves on the trees so it looks like I'm taking pictures of the neighbors' houses. I always feel strange out there but I know what I'm doing.

Avoid being seen. Wear camo or a hoodie. Hide behind something. Go out at night for your shots. If anyone sees you, move away quickly.

Lol. Can't hide. I always think about that though. I think if a cop does show up I can just show him my pics on the camera. :-D

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

judy 2011 wrote:

I think if a cop does show up I can just show him my pics on the camera.:-D

Just make sure there's nothing questionable in the background.

Lancer W/A Canon Loc: atlanta

I like attitude, my wife and daughter are always telling me when going to some type of function, Dad, these people won't understand your humor, please don't cut in with a comment. TALK ABOUT AN INTRODUCTION!!! How can you not? Some people set themselves up better than George did with Gracie.
As for the dope rent a cop, i would return the favor, and report him to TSA, since he likes to waste the TSA inspectors time on known innocent people, perhaps letting ALQAEDA slip by. I would let them know that he's been heard bragging about putting people on the list, that he's had personal issues with. { YOU KNOW HE HAS }
Okay partner, that's all i've got.

stonecherub Loc: Tucson, AZ

I photograph gravestones and was working in a colonial burying ground in CT when a cop showed up. I use a large mirror to reflect the sun across the face of a stone in shadow and this particular bg was near a high-rise for the elderly (folks like me). The cop was polite, I was polite, and she declined to see some of the fantastic stuff in her own neighborhood. Her loss.

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

Interesting article, but think he "flipped the switch" when he smart mouthed the al Qaida remark. Like telling a drunk in a bar "dare you to hit me" Ask and ye shall receive. Think if one just uses comon sense they should be alright, it's called precaution.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

frenchcoast wrote:

Interesting article, but think he "flipped the switch" when he smart mouthed the al Qaida remark. Like telling a drunk in a bar "dare you to hit me" Ask and ye shall receive. Think if one just uses comon sense they should be alright, it's called precaution.

Exactly.

gmcase Loc: Galt's Gulch

I believe in giving as much respect and trust toward the police as they give to me. I will not give up my 4th amendment rights just to get along. I would be polite and VERY firm though.

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

Only if your barefooted Judy.