Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/07/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]While my name is in the poorly punctuated title to this thread, I wish to point out that somebody else started it. I did provide an honest response to a question from Walt J., but I do not wish to be associated with discussions of paranoia and national character. Buzz Hausner > > From: "Greg Locke" <locke@straylight.ca> > Date: 2004/07/30 Fri PM 03:09:18 EDT > To: "'Leica Users Group'" <lug@leica-users.org> > Subject: RE: [Leica] Gosh, really Buzz? > > Just one perspective from someone with over 20 years of photojournalism > experience in about 60 countries. > > The most trouble I have ever had is in the USA and Canada. > > I've photographed Haitian drug dealers, Bosnia warlords, Rwandan military > leaders, African militias, East German border guards, French marines, biker > gangs, an arms dealer (even photographed his daughters wedding)neo-Nazi's, > fishermen, miners, smugglers, poachers, prime ministers, high power > business > persons and even a KKK rally and picnic. > > The only time I have ever been threaten with arrest or physical harm by > government "officials" is by American police/military (in the USA and > overseas), Canadian customs and immigration and political organizers in > both > countries. One was really rude and when I pointed out he was a "visitor" to > my city and I had more right then him to be where I was he screamed for the > RCMP who promptly appeared. A quick check of my ID and the Mr. RCMP > informed > Mr. Political Stooge that I did nothing wrong and there was no reason I > couldn't stand where I was standing. > > Like someone else said, this dick was dressed like an RCMP plainclothes > officer... Walkie-talkie with wires, close haircut and everything. What > gave > him away was his lack of professional discipline. > > ...and there was a little incident with a VERY BIG Croatian police gorilla. > Which the Royal Canadian Dragoons were nice enough to "negotiate" me out > of. > > I find North American "authority figures" much more paranoid of > photographers (God knows why) much ruder, more quick to harass and overall > much less professional then their counterparts in Europe and even some > "poor > African countries". > > Those who are confident in there positions or "skins" always act with more > professionalism and civility. Why? Because they have nothing to gain by > being rude or menacing. > > Greg Locke > St. John's, Newfoundland > http://blog.greglocke.com > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >