Was asked to stop taking photo's today for the first time!!!

I work as a Road Safety Officer for a county council and a couple of years ago I visited a school to take some photographs of parental behaviour prior to returning to deliver an assembly, using the same photographs. I was wearing a high visibility vest, my council ID badge around my neck, and had a DSLR slung around my neck. It was a cold winter's day and most children had worn virtually every item of clothing they owned in an attempt to stay warm.

I got some great shots of parents getting children out of cars onto the road instead of the pavement side, of them letting young children wander into the road, parking on top of junctions, etc., and generally putting their children at risk. Some of those parents went to the school office to complain about the strange man outside school, taking photos of children. If I were a paedophile, I would sneak into the swimming baths with a camera phone, rather than do as I had. I despair at the storm of 'concern' whipped up by the media to sell its grubby papers when parents ignore the real dangers to which they expose their children.

You did well not to lose your cool when being verbally abused by that ignorant woman. I would urge you to not let matters lie, as that serves to perpetuate the situation.
 
I would be onto my solicitor and get a letter sent threatening a lawsuit for slander, unless she issued a full public apology, paid for the solicitors letter and maybe a donation to charity by way of compensation. I would also complain to her club and FA etc.
This would not be an act of vengance but simply to clear my name of the slanderous allegations.
 
xpc316e said:
I work as a Road Safety Officer for a county council and a couple of years ago I visited a school to take some photographs of parental behaviour prior to returning to deliver an assembly, using the same photographs. I was wearing a high visibility vest, my council ID badge around my neck, and had a DSLR slung around my neck. It was a cold winter's day and most children had worn virtually every item of clothing they owned in an attempt to stay warm.

I got some great shots of parents getting children out of cars onto the road instead of the pavement side, of them letting young children wander into the road, parking on top of junctions, etc., and generally putting their children at risk. Some of those parents went to the school office to complain about the strange man outside school, taking photos of children. If I were a paedophile, I would sneak into the swimming baths with a camera phone, rather than do as I had. I despair at the storm of 'concern' whipped up by the media to sell its grubby papers when parents ignore the real dangers to which they expose their children.

You did well not to lose your cool when being verbally abused by that ignorant woman. I would urge you to not let matters lie, as that serves to perpetuate the situation.
Click to expand...

well said. In full agreement. I thought football was trying to clean up its "hooligan" image recently highlighting the behaviour of some parents on the touchline at junior events for example.

In my experience it is children who come to me rather than vice versa. At our Pedal Car Grand prix, there am I having got into position early when two children arrive with parents and proceed to use the saftey barriers as a climbing frame. Of course I should move on, how dare I politely ask a child to keep her elbow away from my lens

At one of the county shows again minding my own business photographing horses when two children run up with cries of "camera camera!" and I'm having to fend them off my bag

Agree that a stand should be made for as in the "Single people banned from falconry display" thread on this forum it has been pointed out that Jimmy Saville did not lurk in the bushes in the local park to abduct children but rather operated in his capacity within the BBC as a charity worker
 
Byker28i said:
Some quite aggressive stances being given. Do you think two wrongs make a right?
It should be enought to report her to the club and league, probably through your clubs representatives
Click to expand...
Since when did reporting criminal activity to the police become 'aggressive' or 'wrong'?

I don't recall anyone saying he should have clocked her one with his 70-200/2.8, which is the usual trite observation you get in fora like this.
 
Don't let this go. Complain to the FA and to the Police. It seems that she (a) may have committed offences under the FA regulations, (b) the LAW, and (c), in any event, needs putting back in her box.

NEVER wait to see what happens; strike first and gain the upper hand. Once there, you have control.
 
chris malcolm said:
"Excuse me madam, while I turn the camera off." [Switch camera to auto video recording (which of course includes audio)] "Ok, now what was that you were saying?"
Click to expand...

Posh lot , I've only got a 40d so no video ;)
 
Carl, as a fellow sports photographer and former Senior Manager for a National Governing body (sporting) please report it. I see this as a "member to member" bullying incident. You are all governed by the same policies of the FA, you must all treat each other with respect.
What would I do? I'd call the FA and ask for advise on how to go about making a complaint about this "Team".
1. The FA now know
2. You are following the correct procedure (no one can disarm you argument with - "You've not followed procedure")
3. They will support you - your a member, its part of your membership fee.
I'd show that the manager encouraged bullying by not telling her team to stop shouting abuse and again with the Welfare officer letting her abuse you. It must be the "way she is" - so she treats the kids the same way? Love to see her face on that question. To me both of them have failed in their duty of care, our Welfare officers were told - if you suspect child abuse then call the police, immediately. If they say that they were just trying to frighten you, then that's intimidation and the bullying behavior is confirmed. If they were convinced that you are a P then "Why have you not called the police?"
As for the slander - yep as people have posted, its against the law and FA policies as well. If she brings it up at the meeting like she "threatened" to (another bullying episode threatening you with the league) then its libel as well if it's recorded. But at least the accusation has been recorded so we cannot backtrack and say "I never said it"
Talk to your sons club, find out where they stand if you put in a complaint. Best to know at the beginning. You need witnesses, names, who are willing to say what they saw and heard. This is the key, if you have the witnesses then your in control.
Finally I respect that it is you decision to take this matter further or not. Similarly if you choose to ignore the above, I will not be offended in the slightest. I would talk to your sons club and see what the reaction would be - don't put his football at risk. Tough call.
 
Carlo said:
As usual, before the match out of coutesy (i know the rules, what i can and cannot do!) i approached the home teams manager/coach and asked him if he minded me taking pictures during the game.
He was suurprised i even asked and said it's fine, which is what most managers say and for the first 60 minutes all was fine.

She then storms over demanding that i delete all the pictures there and then!
Then after the final whistle another lady claiming to be a welfare officer gave her 2p worth and it all ended with me being called a paedophile by them and abuse directed at me from the kids on their team!!!
! :)
Click to expand...

I totally agree this behaviour is unacceptable and frankly ignorant. As others have said, I would make a formal complaint to the club and explain that you were the subject of extreme verbal abuse and an unacceptable allegation. This kind of thing makes my blood boil.
 
Last edited:
Lindsay D said:
I totally agree this behaviour is unacceptable and frankly ignorant. As others have said, I would make a formal complaint to the club and explain that you were the subject of extreme verbal abuse and an unacceptable allegation. This kind of thing makes my blood boil.
Click to expand...

Hmmm! surely "bold underlined" edit ^^^^^^
 
Thanks for all the advice everyone.
Tried to put it all behind me yesterday as i was busy with editing the pics from the match and cooking the sunday dinner, doing the general get the kids stuff ready for school etc!
I'm usually someone that walks away from trouble/attention etc, so i think if i hadn't have mentioned the incident/started the thread i wouldn't have done anything.
What i'll do is talk to our club and let them know (if they dont already!) what happened and tell them i'd like to make a complaint.
As you've all said, it's serious enough not to let go, and if i don't do anything, what's going to happen when we play the reverse fixture?! and what if they've been spreading rumours in the meantime?
Not nice really!
I'll keep you up to date with any news, although this may drag on for some time!!!
Thanks again(y)
 
Carlo said:
Thanks for all the advice everyone.
Tried to put it all behind me yesterday as i was busy with editing the pics from the match and cooking the sunday dinner, doing the general get the kids stuff ready for school etc!
I'm usually someone that walks away from trouble/attention etc, so i think if i hadn't have mentioned the incident/started the thread i wouldn't have done anything.
What i'll do is talk to our club and let them know (if they dont already!) what happened and tell them i'd like to make a complaint.
As you've all said, it's serious enough not to let go, and if i don't do anything, what's going to happen when we play the reverse fixture?! and what if they've been spreading rumours in the meantime?
Not nice really!
I'll keep you up to date with any news, although this may drag on for some time!!!
Thanks again(y)
Click to expand...

Dont let it go,or they will think they have won,and as you have said it will just repeat itself :(
 
Carl, have followed this thread with great interest as I have often wondered what I would do if put into this situation and I must admit some of the advice has been good. It is easy for others to prompt you what to do but reading your reply's you come across as someone who would rather walk away that have confrontation. I would certainly report this to the police as it sounds as if she needs to be put in her place. She can't be allowed to call anyone a p. and get away with it. If after that you press charges, well police will keep you right on that one, and you don't have to if you don't want to but that foul mouthed woman has to be stopped from it ever happening to anyone else. My guess is you are not the first but help make it the last. Good luck with your choice and keep us posted.
 
Llamaman said:
I don't recall anyone saying he should have clocked her one with his 70-200/2.8, which is the usual trite observation you get in fora like this.
Click to expand...

He should have shot her in the... no, wait, wrong thread :lol:

I agree though complaining about her behaviour isnt agressive or wrong - she shouldnt be allowed to get away with it as if she does it validates her position of feeling in the right
 
Carlo said:
Thanks for all the advice everyone.
Tried to put it all behind me yesterday as i was busy with editing the pics from the match and cooking the sunday dinner, doing the general get the kids stuff ready for school etc!
I'm usually someone that walks away from trouble/attention etc, so i think if i hadn't have mentioned the incident/started the thread i wouldn't have done anything.
What i'll do is talk to our club and let them know (if they dont already!) what happened and tell them i'd like to make a complaint.
As you've all said, it's serious enough not to let go, and if i don't do anything, what's going to happen when we play the reverse fixture?! and what if they've been spreading rumours in the meantime?
Not nice really!
I'll keep you up to date with any news, although this may drag on for some time!!!
Thanks again(y)
Click to expand...


I am really sorry to hear what you went through and 100% agree, you should report these foul mouthed people before they go and do it to someone else.
 
I thought Carlo was going to keep us updated on this one. I'd be interested to know how it turned out.
 
BillN_33 said:
Voice recorder, (just switch on the video recording) in the camera to record her and others conversations

Bloody women football managers they should stick to rounders
Click to expand...
Ah.This doesn't seem to fit in to the respect agenda either. Or perhaps it was a joke. I used to work in CP and know how extreme people can be, seeing demons everywhere. Generalisations though, do not help, as we have been pointing out throughout this thread.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top