I'm a terrorist (apparently)

yoby

yoby

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Can't believe what a rubbish day it's turning into.....

Left work a little worse for lunch, and stoked with a full compliment of Merlot Courage decided that the casmera needed an airing.....

Banged out a few of the local scenery, which looked OK after a brief chimp, then got brave and started snapping some fair candids. Blagged a couple from a homeless guy and a young lady (after I convinced them that I'm not shooting for a paper or mag) and then, as with the other five days per week, 50 weeksd per year headed for Fenchurch St Stn........

I go through here twice a day, every day, and today I had a camera.... Imagine my surprise when I was detained by the security staff and questioned at length about who I am, and why I had a camera......

To cut a long story short, it would seem that a DSLR is not a good thing to carry about, as a P&S would not have drawn any attention, and unless you can prove that you're merely an interested amateur you're basically buggered unless you obtain permission first.

Admittedly, I was a bit tipsy, but did get a little ****ed off at this and would have been quite happy to wait for plod to turn up to resolve the "i'm not deleting my photo's and you can't make me" dilemma. Luckily (or not) Mrs Dave rang me and they decided that I was, as claimed, just a commuter with a camera......

What's really really sealed the wqhole nasty sour experience, is that I've just whapped the CF card into the laptop to see just how rubbish photo's can be when taken in the dark when half ****ed and it would seem there's nothing on it.....

Camera says coirrupt data, laptop says no data....

Recovery software says... (dunno still running...)

not expecting any comments or sympathy, just thought I needed to get it off my chest.....
 
:D best sell it and get another p+s

ok ill make you a really bad offer:lol:

but hey thats life..:shrug:

glad your not a terrorist:D


md:thumbs:

its good to talk
 
Its a sad state of affairs when a British citizen cannot take shots in public places, its extremely easily to take shots with camera phones which would provide just as much information to said terrorists. So why persecute innocent members of the public who pursue there hobby. Today me and the GF were in a large shopping centre nr Leeds, had the Fuji Z1 in my pocket and saw many chances for shots but was to nerves of the reaction of the centres security to even attempt it.
 
i'll hold my hands up to being a little bit on the drunk side, and accept that waving £600 worth of kit around in that state was a little foolish, but every day there's a potential shot or two, and I was "brave" enough today to go for it.
I'm (unfortunately) one of the rare few who gets more philosophical and laid back in proportion to the amount of wine consumed but the officious and overbearing attitude of the three day-glo clad fascists really "upset" me.
It didn't help when they happily said that if I'd been in posession of a small pocket type camera, they wouldn't have bothered......

Still a bit worse for drink (excusde the typing) still recovering data from bogey card... will post a shot or two of the view that caused the fuss as soon as I can recover it.....
 
Similar to what happened to me today.
Went up to the local leisure centre today to take pictures of my mates training for their football. There was some kids football going on at the other side of the astro turf pitch, probably about 8-12 years old.
Literally, got the camera out, whacked the telephoto and hood on (was drizzling) and started snapping. Managed to get about 2 usable ones (was working out settings etc) before some b*tch started shouting from outside the astro turf at me saying, "You're not allowed that camera on our pitches, our kids are photo protected!"
I said, "I'm not taking pictures of your kids" since I was clearly facing the other way to them (we were at the end pitch, and I was on the sideline facing away from the other pitches - in between two pitches).
She said, "Thats not the point, you have a big camera and our children are photo protected, put the camera away or I'll call the police."

Now, 2 things that really f*cked me off.
Firstly, she wouldn't have said anything of the sort if I had my phone camera or compact camera out. Its simply because I have a big camera that she thinks I'm a child pornographer :shrug:
Secondly, its because I'm a teenager. I don't mean to be rude to any of you lot, but a lot of adults don't have respect for teenagers. There is all this stuff about "Respect your elders" but I'll give my elders respect if they respect me.
Sorry to go off on a bit of a rant, but it really peed me off.

Fair enough that they don't want pictures of their children being taken. I completely understand that. Fact is, I wasn't even remotely close to taking pictures of their kids. and if I wanted to, I'd be a lot more conspicuous about it.
 
Couldn't agree more.....
Not sure whether it's worse to be an old fart with a big camera (erm, like me) or a youngun like yourself. Had the whole thing at both my boy's school plays, apparently there were two parents that didn't want their children on other parents videos, so no-one was allowed in with a camera. However, there was a group shot opportunity once the children of the objectionable parents had been removed.....

What a crock. Whilst (as a parent) I do see things from a protective perspective, I can't help thinking that PC is going too far...... Nearly finisdhed the data recovery, but expect that all pics will be blurred due to the floor and horizon moving constantly in different directions but will post one of the offending ones asap just because I can......
 
I really despair at what's happening in this country!

I'm all for security guards being vigilant, but by the sounds of things, what happened with yoby seems completely over the top! Surely a polite question would have sufficed!

As for the scenario with children, it's ridiculous! As a parent myself, I understand the need to protect your child, but come on. When my wee boy goes to school, I want photos of him in the school play and in the school football team. I certainly don't remember any of this hassle when I was at school!
 
Don't these people realize that if you were a terrorist or kiddie fiddler you'd use a more discrete method and not a big NO SWEARING off camera that gets you noticed.:thinking::shrug:
 
Signed the petition a fe wmonths back, just before the Govt clasimed it was nothing to do with them and they knew nothing about it.....

Wouldn't have been quite as peeved if I was wearing at least a foot of prime L Glass, and dressed in camo pants, a waistcoat with more pockets than an octopus can cope with, aiming the big end at specific individuals..... but sadly it was just me, the 30D and the nifty fifty, dressed in a suit with a Lowerpro bag slung over a sagging shoulder......

Oh and BTW Hama 2GB cards are a bit unstable - Camera was flying, card was filling, and I'm having an unusual amount of trouble recovering any of it...... Wierd, as before it's been a straightforward excercise.... I WILL get these pics back, even though they're not that great.

The more I think about it the more inclined I am to pitch up on Monday with tripod, several bodies, a huge lens and a flask of tea, just to see what they do.... Anyone fancy a flashmob meet on the forecourt of Fenchurch Street Stn at around 5.45 Monday???



Oops, Actually, I never signed up to that petition, it's a diofferent one..... But I have now.....
 
hey guys look at this way you have had a bad Friday - the weekend must be better

ps just opening the 7th bottle...
 
I shall join you in a drink, I have another bottle of bulmers chilling in the fridge :lol:

I can't understand it - I was standing in the heart of financial district - taking pictures of the Lloyd's building not so long ago, with SLR..........
 
im an elder i suppose at 40 something, and i try to respect my elders eg 60+, trouble is there are not many that say thanks when you hold a door open for them or let them cross the road in front of your lorry, now im not saying all but most teenage kids will at least wave or say thanks, not all teenagers are hooded thugs not sure wher i am going with this had a drink or two......
 
These people are misinformed idiots.... actually most of the population now comes under that bracket about one subject or another now :'(

I think it must be a bad Friday today... I've spent over an hour on the phone to BT trying to find out why they've restricted my line... aparantly it's because I haven't yet paid the bill which is due BY THE 26th JANUARY... now by my reckoning thats in the future still :bonk:

Never mind... They'll get their comupance when I send them this nice letter I've written detailing the data protection act and the Unfair terms in consumer contracts regulations on Monday ;) :lol:
 
foodpoison said:
Similar to what happened to me today.
Went up to the local leisure centre today to take pictures of my mates training for their football. There was some kids football going on at the other side of the astro turf pitch, probably about 8-12 years old.
Literally, got the camera out, whacked the telephoto and hood on (was drizzling) and started snapping. Managed to get about 2 usable ones (was working out settings etc) before some b*tch started shouting from outside the astro turf at me saying, "You're not allowed that camera on our pitches, our kids are photo protected!"
I said, "I'm not taking pictures of your kids" since I was clearly facing the other way to them (we were at the end pitch, and I was on the sideline facing away from the other pitches - in between two pitches).
She said, "Thats not the point, you have a big camera and our children are photo protected, put the camera away or I'll call the police."

Now, 2 things that really f*cked me off.
Firstly, she wouldn't have said anything of the sort if I had my phone camera or compact camera out. Its simply because I have a big camera that she thinks I'm a child pornographer :shrug:
Secondly, its because I'm a teenager. I don't mean to be rude to any of you lot, but a lot of adults don't have respect for teenagers. There is all this stuff about "Respect your elders" but I'll give my elders respect if they respect me.
Sorry to go off on a bit of a rant, but it really peed me off.

Fair enough that they don't want pictures of their children being taken. I completely understand that. Fact is, I wasn't even remotely close to taking pictures of their kids. and if I wanted to, I'd be a lot more conspicuous about it.
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TBH you should have told her to go stuff herself (in the nicest possible way:lol:). If it's a council owned leisure centre (as long as there are no byelaws, and very few places have byelaws) you have every right to take photos there and she has no right to stop you. And yes I agree, young people always get the worst treatment because we don't count it seems...
 
i've been stopped by the police near the docklands aswell. police car cam screaming up with blue lights flashing, they bailed out and started going on lol.

its a nightmare but i completely agree with how sensitive it is.
 
The reaction of the 'feds' to togs is unreal. I have not had any issues myself but have heard all manner of stories. There are a few things that the feds should consider though.

A: Do they really think that one of Bin Ladens gang is gonna bound round bold as brass and not behave in a shifty manner??
B: If it was not for hobby togs there are a great deal of news events that would not be covered. And for that matter a great deal of evidence of major events/disaters that would not exist.
C: Has anyone seen the quality of Microsoft Maps Live?? If somebody really wanted to get information on a potential target then it is a resource that can not ignored, apart from the powers that be!
 
I had a similar situation as you. I was accused of being a paedophile, just because I was carrying my camera, when I picked up my grandson from school.
 
I totally agree that it appears the powers that be don't think before acting. Let's face it if you were planning a bank job, heist or terrorist act anywhere what would you use a Nikanon SLR mounted on a tripod at a cost of £800++ or would you go and get a Hidden Tie Camera recording system for £650 inc VAT.

I suspect that the moving images from the Tie Camera would be far more effective for planning purposes than a series of stills from an SLR? Are "tourists" with video cameras being questioned?

Alternatively I wonder if there are government targets for the police to achieve on the number of anti-terror stops they need to make? It certainly could be a figure that would be brought up the next time a bus / train / plane / building is blown up to show to the press that the police are doing their best to take terrorism seriously. Note to avoid confusion: I am simply suggesting here that once again this might be a case of wanting to "prove" something by showing figures (and that any real indepth analysis on the figures shows them to be a pile of rubish c.f. speed cameras).
 
yoby said:
I go through here twice a day, every day, and today I had a camera.... Imagine my surprise when I was detained by the security staff and questioned at length about who I am, and why I had a camera......
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They have no rights to 'detain' you. Just walk away.

Regarding the kids thing... it's hysteria from people like that stupid bitch that makes things worse. It's almost like if you have a DSLR in public you're assumed to be up to no good unless you can prove otherwise. It's a sorry state of affairs, but one that's fueled by the fears of stupid people who just don't understand anything they don't do themselves.

My usual response to security guards (if I know I'm within my rights to photograph wherever I am) is just to tell them to f'ck off. I know it's not a mature or dignified thing to do, but I hate people that interfere when they don't have the right to.
 
Urgh these situations are so annoying! As a relatively new SLR owner, who already lacks confidence going out and about with my camera (there's been a few posts about this havn't there lately?) it really puts you off going out in public trying to get some photos....its just so stupid when all you are trying to do is indulge in your hobby and you blatantly aren't a dodgy character!
Hope u recover the pictures yoby....
 
The worlds gone crazy!

By the way, theres a great article in the most recent Digital Camera Magazine on your rights out and about the streets.
 
This sort of thing makes me so angry. And you can guarantee that if you argue with someone who objects to a camera within 200 yards of their kid, they'll trot out the old perennial "Have you got kids?!?" and when you say no it's obvious that you are not allowed any rights or opinions!!:razz:

Maybe we should organise a meet somewhere where there are lots of security guards. See how they cope with 20 or 30 nice big zoom lenses!:D
 
fabs said:
Maybe we should organise a meet somewhere where there are lots of security guards. See how they cope with 20 or 30 nice big zoom lenses!:D
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All joking aside this is seriously not a bad idea, i know over at AV Forums there was a very similiar thread to this one where this was suggested, and i bet if everyone got together for a big meet somewhere we could make our voice heard, so who would be actually up for this ? you can count me in :thumbs:
 
HanC said:
As a relatively new SLR owner, who already lacks confidence going out and about with my camera (there's been a few posts about this havn't there lately?) it really puts you off going out in public trying to get some photos....
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Exactly. And as a female tog, I know I'd be much more easily intimidated by male security guards than some of you guys clearly would be! And afraid of the consequences of even asking politely why I was being stopped and questioned. Is asking why even a good idea? Does that risk escalating the situation?

Cathy
 
tel48 said:
All joking aside this is seriously not a bad idea, i know over at AV Forums there was a very similiar thread to this one where this was suggested, and i bet if everyone got together for a big meet somewhere we could make our voice heard, so who would be actually up for this ? you can count me in :thumbs:
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Flashmob parliament square, oh wait, that's illegal now..

Well I suppose if there are enough of us we can't all be arrested, and it would get some attention.:lol:
 
it is ridicolous. most of these complainers, woudl happily stand back and watch your house or car get burgled because they are scared to get involved.


Foodpoison, personaly i woudl have handed her my phone and said, go ahead, and I will laugh, and take a photo of you being arrested for waisting police time.
 
Sad story, the days of a police state , thats big brother for you ! thats the world we live in today they trust nobody not even their own.

Sorry
 
Bolerus said:
it is ridicolous. most of these complainers, woudl happily stand back and watch your house or car get burgled because they are scared to get involved.


Foodpoison, personaly i woudl have handed her my phone and said, go ahead, and I will laugh, and take a photo of you being arrested for waisting police time.
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Problem is, half the old bill aren't aware of half the laws in this country, so you'd probably have ended up getting arrested.

That said, I'd have done the same, then kicked off for wrongful arrest ;)
 
On saturday afternoon I had promised my younger sister that I would take her out with her p+s (she is now to an aspiring photographer!!) and through the help of you guys and the previous threads about photography in public places I decided that we would head over to some property around Farnborough Airport (Airship hanger in paticular). Anyway story goes......

Spent about an hour there and was approached by a security guard.. Nice guy- Asked how we were?! You can prob tell this is a good story! He then told me where was best to park my car and that if I wanted to photograph elsewhere I was welcome as long as I had permission- to which he gave me a name and number- We had a quick chat then he let us on our merryway.

Obviously.. this query had been addressed in his training period?! :thinking: Maybe because of the proximity to the airport? Maybe this is something other places are lacking? Training-

Sitting here at work having read part of the thread (sry wanted to get this on!) the one thing that does strike me- and thats through all the rationale behind whats classed as terrorist behaviour (ie. being discreet etc) what if security was slack and a terrorist did slip through? same as any paedophile? unfortunately we live in a world of panics and bad things happen to ALL people- I can see how innocent actions can be mis read?! and how people can become protective and extra cautious. Best way to react? respectfully and quickly!!!!

Through all that- my public places and people photography exp is up to bout once?!!

Sry about the length addition to this thread but just thought I would share that with you!
 
Stacey.PenderUK said:
<snip> the one thing that does strike me- and thats through all the rationale behind whats classed as terrorist behaviour (ie. being discreet etc) what if security was slack and a terrorist did slip through? same as any paedophile? <snip>
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I am glad that there are some good news stories out there, gives us all hope and I totally agree about the what if senario. However, how can using a tripod be in anyway linked to terrorism any more than using a compact camera, or owning an SLR with an interest in people photography make a person a paedophile?

By focusing on tripods and SLRs there is a high chance that the actual terrorist / paedophile is actually being missed because they are just as likely going to try and cover up their activities by blending in to the crowd as pretending to be an interested amateur to create a cover in case they are stopped.

Stacey.PenderUK said:
Best way to react? respectfully and quickly!!!!
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Quite right as it is in any situation but you can stay respectful and stand up for yourself at the same time. It is easily possible to respectfully acknowle that the person is only doing their job and then enter in to discussion about what makes them say what they are saying, correcting them where there is a lack of understanding / training. I actually keep a copy of the Rights Guide that I can use for my reference and which I can give to anyone who may need it.
 
Hi Simon

Thanks for this link to the Rights Guide - seems useful and interesting.
Would like to see an updated version, as it's now four years old.

Cathy
 
Hi Simon

Thanks very much for the link to the Rights Guide, seems useful and interesting. I'd like to see an update, though, as it's nearly four years old now.

Cathy
 
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