My first run in with security

D

Doog

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,812
Name
Dougie
Edit My Images
Yes
So there I was, out in the afternoon sun today testing out my new lens. I had decided to take a run over the other side of town just to have a walk round somewhere I hadn't been before. I was close to the airport so shot some planes, radar equipment, fields and river. There were a few factories and modern office blocks including Rolls Royce with their logo and name on big letters on the side. Good target practice was had with those. I headed back to the car and stopped off to take some shots of a plane taking off. I heard a car pull up at the back of me and this guy shouts out, "What are you taking pictures of"? "Why do you want to know?" I asked. Well you were taking pictures of Rolls Royce he said. Why? I said "Well why not", waiting for him to give me the YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED LINE. But he didn't he just simply said because his bosses has seen me taking pictures of the building and wanted to know why. I guess they thought maybe there was a breaking story about them.:lol: Anyway I just pacified him by saying I shoot everything and anything. He didn't need to know anything more so off he went.

I got into my car and drove a mile down the road where I crossed a bridge. Seeing what looked like a good photo op so looked for a parking place. I spotted a little side road which looked like it lead to a farm. I parked on the grass verge next to a chain link fence a scuttled back up the road to the bridge, a mere 200yrds up the hill. I took a few pics and then heard another car pull up on the other side of the road. The driver shouted across. "What are you doing". I though oh no, not again. I shouted back, "taking pictures". He said, is that your car down the hill in the side road to which I nodded. "Well the police a going to have it towed away cause you've parked next to the airfield security fence." Ooooohh ****! I thanked him as I broke into a trot, hoping that the tow truck couldn't possible beat me the two hundred yards back there and lift it. But before I knew it the fellow on the bridge had U turned and stopped to give me a lift back. He told me it's his access route to the farm and that once when he broke down they had nearly had him lifted. I gave him my thanks again as I got out his truck and made my way sheepishly over to Mr Policeman. He pointed out the error of my ways. I find it's better to be most apologetic in these circumstances. It does one no good to be argumentative. But, even he was a little apologetic as he said if I had parked on the other side of the lane then I would have been fine, but rules are rules and a tow truck had been called. I jumped in the car and headed home for a well earned cuppa, but I just had to tell you lot first. Ah, my kettle boils.:)
 
Last edited:
nice to hear a positive story about security for a change :)
 
manners and politness costs nothing does it??

So come on where the pics lol

spike
 
So you were going to get towed simply because you had parked beside a security fence? Or were you causing an obstruction to other users? Are there signs or road markings to indicate that you shouldn't have been parking there?
 
graphilly said:
So you were going to get towed simply because you had parked beside a security fence? Or were you causing an obstruction to other users? Are there signs or road markings to indicate that you shouldn't have been parking there?
Click to expand...

TBH, I did not hang around to see if there were any signs. I wouldn't have parked there if I had seen any and yes they were going to have it lifted just because I was next to the fence. I wasn't parked causing obstruction or breaking any other laws. I do understand the need for security and you're right to point out there should be signs but I can't categorically say there weren't any. Mr policeman also said if my car had been on the other side of the lane, (a move of about ten feet) then there would have been no recourse for action, to which he admitted was a bit crazy.
 
Last edited:
Well at least you got to take some photos and meet some fairly nice officials for a change. It's nice to hear about the other side of PC gone crazy.
 
I think it's more a case of nice to see someone acknowledging the sort of behavior he did.
Normally, someone wouldn't bother, simply because its a non event. In reality, the above experience is the vast majority of cases, in spite of what some would have you believe.
In the 5 now times I've been stopped and asked what I'm doing, the Police have been fine, no problem at all.
 
The potential problem that you need to check is were you parked anywhere near or possibly inhibiting access to anything labelled as "Crash Gate", even slightly, if so then you WILL be hassled and quite rightly so. Apart from security hassle it could cost lives, quite a lot of them. When parking near airfield security fences always check the signage.
 
Proof that photography is not tainted with all the negativity that many's a person try to portray.
Certainly helps restore faith and as said above politeness costs nothing.

So how are your arms after man handling your new lens Dougie?
 
Just had a chuckle at this.... if anywhere near crash barrier area you will get shifted, as someone has already said. Nice gettaway! :lol:
 
WilliamC said:
The potential problem that you need to check is were you parked anywhere near or possibly inhibiting access to anything labelled as "Crash Gate", even slightly, if so then you WILL be hassled and quite rightly so. Apart from security hassle it could cost lives, quite a lot of them. When parking near airfield security fences always check the signage.
Click to expand...

Nowhere near any gates, just parked up along side the fence. No obstruction. I will go back to see if I can see any signage. I'm glad I hadn't gone far. Might have cost me a few bob to get it back.:eek:
 
stupar said:
Proof that photography is not tainted with all the negativity that many's a person try to portray.
Certainly helps restore faith and as said above politeness costs nothing.

So how are your arms after man handling your new lens Dougie?
Click to expand...

Yes it's heavy, but sharp as a tack even over long distances at 200mm. Like all lenses it will take some time to get used to but so far it feels odd having something as substantial as this on my D90. All my other lenses are fairly light.
 
Doog said:
Yes it's heavy, but sharp as a tack even over long distances at 200mm. Like all lenses it will take some time to get used to but so far it feels odd having something as substantial as this on my D90. All my other lenses are fairly light.
Click to expand...

I was the same the first time I dumped a 70-200 f4 onto my old 1000D!
Eventually you will get used to it.
 
SpikeK6 said:
manners and politness costs nothing does it??

So come on where the pics lol

spike
Click to expand...


Here's a couple to show how sharp this lens is. Nothing special content wise though.

Shooting towards the sun and down to the very calm river.


DSC_0098 by Doog E, on Flickr

Those hills are much further away than what they look. I was shocked at how clear they were.:)

DSC_0102 by Doog E, on Flickr
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top