Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/07/01
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]George, I read your post with a mixture of shock and rage, even though I don't find it particularly surprising. I had a similar experience in Santa Fe a few years ago, while working on a self-assigned story on water shortages. I was photographing children playing in a large fountain-type thing at a public pool, some parents complained, and I was rudely escorted out by the management. A few weeks ago, in Bremerton, WA, I was shooting some cover footage for a doc film of some decomissioned (WWII and Korean era) aircraft carriers from a public park and ride parking lot. As we arrived and began to set up, a tour bus pulled up and disgorged around 25 people, who walked around snapping photos and videos of the ships. Again, these are not avtive duty ships. There are no signs whatsoever and no security around them. They are simply tied up right next to this park and ride. We got our footage, and as we were walking back to our car, two police cars pulled up and hemmed us in. Two officers got out and began questioning us. We were forthright and told them what we were up to. They told us sternly that we had to leave right away. Apparently, someone had called 911 about us! They stepped aside and talked among themselves for a moment and I could hear them discussing whether or not they should confiscate our tapes. Afterwards, I spent a few moments talking to them as my crew put away the video gear. I asked what the problem was, since it there were no signs prohibiting photography, that tourists had just been there, etc. "Well, no one complained about them. We were called about you.", they said. We were told that we would have to leave immediately or they would take us in for further questioning. Once we were ready to go, I mentioned to one of the officers that what had happened was disturbing to me, since the only place I was accustomed to seeing such things was in places like Syria, Iran and other countries with repressive dictatorships. "I thought we were better then this", I said. Thier response: "We have to protect ourselves. This country's changing." Isn't it the truth. And not for the better. I have pretty much given up making photographs here in the US. It's just too much of a hassle. It's why I have started working more on landscape photography (which I'm lousy at). Because, with the exception of the odd family snap, I won'd make picture in the US otherwise. What on earth are we, as a nation, becoming? - --Jim - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html