jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I stopped by the Town Hall today and told them I would be going around taking pictures day and night. I wanted them to be prepared in case someone calls complaining about a strange man taking pictures. I told them I'd be on public land, and I wouldn't be making a nuisance of myself. This is a small town, and everyone knows everyone else, so I'm not expecting trouble.

They were having a birthday party for someone when I went in, and one man asked what was the purpose of the photography. I said there was no special purpose, but I'd like to look at the photos in about 70 years and see how the town had changed.

randymoe

Good luck with that 70 year future!

photo guy Loc: Chippewa Falls, WI

At least they can't say you didn't tell them ahead of time that you would be doing photos at night. I find that very wise.

kerbscustom Loc: Valley Center, CA

But did you tell the police what you were doing?

gonate Loc: sacramento,calif

I did the same thing , but I spoke to the police and he told me to call the dispacher and tell them what you are going to do and where you would be working . That If any call's came in about you they would have the heads up and check on your safety and assure the caller that you were not not going to be a problem to the home owner.
gonate.

Toby

Isn't it amazing what you can get if you use your head and some kindness instead of being confrontational.

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

The very fact someone wrote this scares me.

randymoe

I agree.

Don't the police have enough to do without bothering them with trivial matters?

Christy Loc: St. Peters, MO

You two evidently missed the post about a police officer questioning someone's right to take pictures and another demanding the camera.

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

Sorry Randy and mudshark for your confusion, think that was what is known as being Forwarned, it is not only courteous, respectful and (this will hurt a lot of posters here feelings) lawabiding while being non confrontational.

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

I refuse to be led into a socialist police state. I damn well know my rights and will openly demand them. Police officers, at least 99 percent of them, know exactly where the line is...sometimes they assume you don't and will try to push the line a little for one reason or another. Know your rights and stand your ground or someone will pull the ground out from under you.
The terrorist win when we all distrust each other. They appear to be winning...

randymoe

I did not miss any posts.

If I notified the desk officer in Chicago, he would think that is very strange, and a waste of his time.

I am on a first name basis with many of my local police. They are not concerned with photographers.

I even shoot rallies and protests in the Loop without issue.

I will be absent from the upcoming May Nato summit in Chicago. I am too old and crippled to run with children.

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

Many years ago...on two separate occasions, I was accosted by police demanding I not take photos and once demanding my camera and film. I had press credentials which I showed and they continued. I then told them...looking them straight in the eye..."I will not give you my camera or my film. You will have to take them from me and you will have to arrest me. Now get out of my way and let me do my job." On one of the occasions an officer then tried to stay in front of my lens, blocking my shots. this led to a very entertaining "dance." On ALL occasions I returned to the office with photos. On ALL occasions myself and the managing editor paid a visit to the chief of police for a "sit down."
In more recent years police and others have taken to simply hiding stuff they don't want others to see...i.e. using curtains, sheets, etc. Legitimate news photographers do not want gory photos to start with and I fully understand most of the situations where some cover device is used...and I really don't have a problem with this technique. Most of the problems are with photographers who are not there to gather news but to make money from some other source. Which on the one hand, I guess these paparazzi have their rights but I would stand with the police, fire and med people in trying to keep them at bay.
The only time I have ever made gory photos or nasty stuff of any kind is when police, fire, etc. have asked me to...as a favor.
The terrorist angle is for the most part totally bogus. Think!!! Most of the stuff they are worried about you photographing, can be easily found on the net....your rights are being crushed using the so-called "war on terror" as a means...

Goldwinger Loc: Boynton Beach Florida

The Mayans tell us its all over on Dec 21st 2012 so 70 years sounds far fetched lol !

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

The problem with the Mayan calendar is over the past decade I've gained too much weight and now I don't think I can bend over far enough to grab my ankles....
Although...I'm not sure old Mudsharks actually have ankles...fins perhaps...