What should you do when this happens when you taking a picture? (Page 4): Although he could not see outside, he could still see the flash. You will have less problems if you avoid...

aellman Loc: Boston MA

gloryg wrote:

I was just taking some pictures today of some scarecrows for a photography contest. I first was taking them in one of the near by towns. It is an annual event. Kids make scarecrows on the main street in town.

I live in an apartment complex. When I came home from taking pictures before I happen to notice someone had put a small scarecrow on the lawn. This small scarecrow was small and cute and I thought I would take some pictures of it.

I was not inside any of the buildings in the complex. I was on the side walk and the scarecrow was on the front lawn of one of the buildings.

Most of the apartments you have to go up stairs to. There are a couple of apartments in the complex that are on the ground floor.

Where I was taking pictures was on the other side of the complex and I don't know how the apartments are set up where I was taking the pictures.

I took some pictures of the scarecrow and it was getting dark so the flash did go off.

The next thing I know some teenage kid comes out of the building as if he was going to attack me saying why was I taking pictures of his apartment?

I didn't even know what he was taking about. Apparently this was one of the ground floor apartments.

I could not see into the building since there were blinds and they were drawn. The scarecrow I was taking pictures was small and of was on lawn on the ground.

I told him what I was doing. I showed him the photos of the scarecrow and even offered to give him the memory card.

He said he was sitting inside with his friends and saw the flash and one of his friends said there was someone taking pictures of his apartment. The blinds were drawn and I could not see inside this apartment. If I could not see inside he would not have been able to see outside. So something sounds fishy to me.

I have lived here for over ten years. I see people taking pictures all the time in the complex with camera and with their cell phones. I take pictures around the complex all the time. I have always tried to be careful and considerate and not to take pictures of windows. I am wondering if this kids were up to something and maybe I should have called the police? This kid seemed like he was going to attack me.

I was just taking some pictures today of some scar... (show quote)

Although he could not see outside, he could still see the flash. You will have less problems if you avoid using flash but, more importantly, get familiar with the regulations of your apartment complex as well as state and local laws that apply to photography of other people's properties. No matter what your rights may be, always err on the side of safety. In bad situations, a sincere apology can often defuse the tension,
especially when it comes from an older woman. Best of luck. >Alan

terry44 Loc: Tuolumne County California, Maui Hawaii

best to just get out of there never know if he was a tweaker or just paranoid, you had every right to take the photo from the street the flash may have spooked them no pun intended.

gloryg wrote:

I was just taking some pictures today of some scarecrows for a photography contest. I first was taking them in one of the near by towns. It is an annual event. Kids make scarecrows on the main street in town.

I live in an apartment complex. When I came home from taking pictures before I happen to notice someone had put a small scarecrow on the lawn. This small scarecrow was small and cute and I thought I would take some pictures of it.

I was not inside any of the buildings in the complex. I was on the side walk and the scarecrow was on the front lawn of one of the buildings.

Most of the apartments you have to go up stairs to. There are a couple of apartments in the complex that are on the ground floor.

Where I was taking pictures was on the other side of the complex and I don't know how the apartments are set up where I was taking the pictures.

I took some pictures of the scarecrow and it was getting dark so the flash did go off.

The next thing I know some teenage kid comes out of the building as if he was going to attack me saying why was I taking pictures of his apartment?

I didn't even know what he was taking about. Apparently this was one of the ground floor apartments.

I could not see into the building since there were blinds and they were drawn. The scarecrow I was taking pictures was small and of was on lawn on the ground.

I told him what I was doing. I showed him the photos of the scarecrow and even offered to give him the memory card.

He said he was sitting inside with his friends and saw the flash and one of his friends said there was someone taking pictures of his apartment. The blinds were drawn and I could not see inside this apartment. If I could not see inside he would not have been able to see outside. So something sounds fishy to me.

I have lived here for over ten years. I see people taking pictures all the time in the complex with camera and with their cell phones. I take pictures around the complex all the time. I have always tried to be careful and considerate and not to take pictures of windows. I am wondering if this kids were up to something and maybe I should have called the police? This kid seemed like he was going to attack me.

I was just taking some pictures today of some scar... (show quote)

Smudgey Loc: Ohio, Calif, Now Arizona

I would have just ignored him and walked.😌

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

gloryg wrote:

I was just taking some pictures today of some scarecrows for a photography contest. I first was taking them in one of the near by towns. It is an annual event. Kids make scarecrows on the main street in town.

I live in an apartment complex. When I came home from taking pictures before I happen to notice someone had put a small scarecrow on the lawn. This small scarecrow was small and cute and I thought I would take some pictures of it.

I was not inside any of the buildings in the complex. I was on the side walk and the scarecrow was on the front lawn of one of the buildings.

Most of the apartments you have to go up stairs to. There are a couple of apartments in the complex that are on the ground floor.

Where I was taking pictures was on the other side of the complex and I don't know how the apartments are set up where I was taking the pictures.

I took some pictures of the scarecrow and it was getting dark so the flash did go off.

The next thing I know some teenage kid comes out of the building as if he was going to attack me saying why was I taking pictures of his apartment?

I didn't even know what he was taking about. Apparently this was one of the ground floor apartments.

I could not see into the building since there were blinds and they were drawn. The scarecrow I was taking pictures was small and of was on lawn on the ground.

I told him what I was doing. I showed him the photos of the scarecrow and even offered to give him the memory card.

He said he was sitting inside with his friends and saw the flash and one of his friends said there was someone taking pictures of his apartment. The blinds were drawn and I could not see inside this apartment. If I could not see inside he would not have been able to see outside. So something sounds fishy to me.

I have lived here for over ten years. I see people taking pictures all the time in the complex with camera and with their cell phones. I take pictures around the complex all the time. I have always tried to be careful and considerate and not to take pictures of windows. I am wondering if this kids were up to something and maybe I should have called the police? This kid seemed like he was going to attack me.

I was just taking some pictures today of some scar... (show quote)

I think we all have stories of this type, many weird and paranoid people out there; most likely they were inside doing something they should not be doing. If this happens again pull out your phone and say, "Here, let me call the police for you." That should scare him off. I had a woman tell me she was going to call the sheriff on me and I asked her if she wanted me to wait and where I should do that and that pissed her off and she stalked off. Obviously he was a bully. As a woman, though, we do need to ensure that we have some type of protection handy, such as bear spray or some other type of spray, or even something more lethal. We can end up being prey much easier than a large male. I normally carry some type of protection against attack.

DJ Mills Loc: Idaho

Rab-Eye wrote:

As an LEO for ten years, we would rather you call us when in doubt.

LEO?

travelwp Loc: New Jersey

I would have politely told the kid that you were taking photos of the scarecrow. I would not have shown him the picture unless he asked. I would have told him that he seemed upset and he should run in the apartment and call the police.

texaseve Loc: TX, NC and NH

I would certainly back off if on foot and worried about my safety..... there are some weird ducks out there. I have had a couple issues while out in farm country in NC..... some guy thought I was going to run away with his (maybe) cotton crop (cotton rustling?) a few days ago. I did take some shots of the field with an old building; had only pulled off the road a car width to get it and then went back with a macro lens to take a closer shot of a bud up close. The man followed me in his pick up truck coming out of another field (for a few miles and turns) luckily, I was in the Subaru with a turbo and left him behind. I had a migraine and did not feel like discussing why I was taking photos. I am usually friendly..... :-)

Warlock43 Loc: Fort Worth TX. 76108

Had the same thing happen when I was taking pictures of the asphalt (skid marks) for a accident report, I was 55 y.o., 5'6 and 195 lbs. (mostly muscle), I just shrugged and walked off, when the situation escalated (guy said he was going to kick my ass), I took out my cell phone, picked up a large stick, hit speaker and called 911 guy ran off and I hung up. Turned out the guy had a home Meth operation going on, he moved that night. I could easily have been killed by a meth-head, and almost was a couple of weeks later when one of their customers tried to run me over. I would advise you to always take along a cell phone and if your confronted just leave without saying a word; but take out that cell phone and hit 911.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

Sounds to me like paranoia is the State Disease of Florida.

tinwhistle

Seems to me that the original poster is a little short on details. The "kid" may have every reason to be questioning what was going on, to assume it was something nefarious is just that: an assumption. Either way, it's important to know what the local, and other jurisdictions, laws read. I've been in similar situations and being self confident, carrying a business card has been a great diffuser. Offering a business card lends an air of professionalism to the reason you're there. However, I will never offer to part with any of my equipment!!! A couple years ago I had a farmer chase me down the road, very irate as to why I was taking pictures of his operation (I was standing in the middle of a county road), I introduced myself, gave him a card, complimented him on his exceptionally beautiful farmstead. He has become not only a good customer, but a friend.

skylinefirepest Loc: Southern Pines, N.C.

Actually I have been threatened several times. I do fire and rescue photography and find that people object to being photographed even when they are not otherwise involved in the incidents!! Usually I tell them to go complain to the highway patrolman on the scene and fortunately that calms them right down. I'm also well accompanied by fire and rescue personnel who would take serious offense to my being hassled. It can be a scary situation and I don't take these things lightly. Your best bet was to get out of Dodge quickly and avoid further confrontation...but never offer your card as you might have accidentally gotten something criminal or fishy...unless it would keep you from being assaulted.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

Tell the little shit to piss off. I remember the Kathy Bates line from Fried Green Tomatoes, "honey I'm older and have more insurance."

That movie had a lot of great LINES in it, didn't it?

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

jaycoffman wrote:

Face it--smoking pot can make you paranoid and also not able to act appropriately in social situations. He blew it not you--just chalk this up as another story to tell.

Amphetamine REALLY makes people paranoid!

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

djmills wrote:

LEO?

Leo=Cop, i.e., Police Officer.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

djmills wrote:

LEO?

L E O
Law Enforcement Officer