Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/09/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]It's disturbing how many of us have had these experiences, especially in the US. I'll add my stories to the fray. About four years ago, I was photographing a street corner just opposite the Seattle's Pike Place market. I wasn't photographing anyone in particular, just the crowd scene. Next, this woman comes running up to me screaming "What right do you have to take pictures of Native Americans? You should ask permission! You have no right to disrespect Native Americans like this!" I looked at her quizzically, and asked her what she was talking about. "What Native Americans? I'm just taking a photo of the street corner." She became even more irrational, which made it hard for me to understand her, but I did manage to catch that her father was standing across the street, near the corner. I could barely see him, much less tell what he looked like, but she persisted. I just told her she was out of her mind and walked away. I left her there, cursing. At Dave Harvey's photojournalism workshop in Santa Fe, most of us got kicked out of at least one place or another for taking photos. A Danish friend who was taking the class happened to see a police officer stopping a car for speeding. He rushed over and asked the driver of the vehicle if he could take some photos. The guy consented, and Claus started shooting. The Police officer immediately tried to shoo him away, but Claus countered that he was aware that US law permitted him to photograph the scene, as it was on a public road. The officer knew he was right and let him continue. I've always found the US a difficult place to photograph. Many people are quite paranoid and assume the worst when a stranger takes thier picture. - --Jim