A Tip for Photographing Random People/Places

[Shawn7656]

I've been reading a lot of threads (some old, some new) on here about taking pictures of people and places and how to get a better reaction from your subjects and/or security. I got to wondering how best to prove to the nosy cop that you're ACTUALLY a photographer and not a "terrorist" and I think I've come up with a simple solution we can all utilize.

Go through your photos, Flickr account, and/or portfolio and choose some of your best work, Maybe five to 10 pictures, and throw them back onto your memory card and protect/lock them. This will prove to the random civilian that you're not a creeper, and it will prove to the figures of authority that you are passionate about your work and you have an idea of what you're doing. Make sure, of course, that these pictures don't look as if they've already been through post. Take off your watermarks and don't choose any extremely heavily edited pictures; you should have original copies of your photos anyways.

Next time you're out on the streets and someone seems a little weirded out from your request to shoot them, show them that amazing shot you got last week and they may just warm up a bit more. I think knowing the photographer has skill behind the lens should be comforting to a lot of people, and many people who aren't into photography may not realize that you only use a (very) select few of your photographs. Scrolling through 80 pictures trying to find a good one may not look too impressive, but you can always get to the first pictures on your card pretty rapidly.


Let me know what you think, or if you already do something similar.
My new approach will be this and a business card with my contact info on it.

[zona5101]

it would probably work even better if you hand the nosy cop a donut.

Seriously, if you're taking images of say Fermilab and security shows up and you say "no Im a photog. Look at this great image of a dog I took last week". Let me know how that works out for you.

Even more seriously, if I'm in a place where I have the right to be, taking images that I have the right to take - then the inquirer can KMA.

[BryanC]

I carry a small, 4x6 photo album with selected prints in it, especially if I'm out doing street style stuff. It fits in my bag with no space or added weight problem. There's been the conversations with strangers, curious as to what I was doing, that have led to showing them the album and it's always been a positive and somewhat impressed reaction. I'm not saying it was so much about my work......but the fact I had "finished product" or a sort of informal portfolio with me. At the very least, it's left no doubt as to who I was or what I was doing and has led to some great interactions.

[SwissJon]

The law makes no distinction between photographers and terrorists when it comes to taking photos on public property. It's allowed, no matter what your politiacl leanings. The law says quite clearly that they need reasonable cause to stop you, and that you're innocent until proven guilty, which means you don't actually need to prove you aren't a terrorist.

That doesn't mean they won't stop you, it means they shouldn't. It's not unheard of for a police officer to "find" reasonable cause after they've stopped you, if you start to cause a scene.

The best suggestion I can make is; if you aren't doing anything wrong, and you respect an officers need to protect you and other people from people that are intent on doing wrong, smile, talk to him nicely, don't get on his nerves by stoping your feet and saying "I know my rights" and be prepared to move on if they insist. If you really really want to take photos from a particular spot, explain to them why. Maybe if you show them a bit of respect, and appeal to their intelligence rather than treating them like an imbecile who just wants to prove they're more powerful than you, then they'll respect you too.

Stoping your feet, causing a fuss etc etc rarely gets you anywhere when someone thinks they're putting their lives at risk every day to protect you and yours from the bad guys.

In the end, if they don't want you to take a photo, they'll find a way of preventing you from doing it. I knew of one incident where a photographer was really arrogant. The policeman didn't know the law particularly well but didn't like the guys attitude, so he just stood in front of the guys camera and said "I'm here fore the next 8 hours, how about you?" The guy moved, the policeman moved to get in the way again.. The thing is, he was on duty and had every right to be standing on that pavement.. The law said so..

So really the answer is, being polite and cooperative is far more likely to get you somewhere you want to be, than immediately reaching for your copy of "Photographers rights"

[BryanC]

Originally Posted by zona5101

Seriously, if you're taking images of say Fermilab and security shows up and you say "no Im a photog. Look at this great image of a dog I took last week". Let me know how that works out for you.

With encouragement and blessing from the staff of Fermilab, I have video and stills of me working inside the Tevatron particle accelerator ring from about 10 years ago. Granted, the general public isn't allowed in those types of places at the lab, but as a whole, Fermilab and it's grounds are open to the public. And, photography is welcomed. Just sayin'...bad example.

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by BryanC

With encouragement and blessing from the staff of Fermilab, I have video and stills of me working inside the Tevatron particle accelerator ring from about 10 years ago. Granted, the general public isn't allowed in those types of places at the lab, but as a whole, Fermilab and it's grounds are open to the public. And, photography is welcomed. Just sayin'...bad example.

Its the only thing I could think of in Illinois that might be remotely interesting....

[BryanC]

Originally Posted by zona5101

Its the only thing I could think of in Illinois that might be remotely interesting....

Lol...I see. There's other things, too, but I guess that depends on individual interests.

Originally Posted by SwissJon

The best suggestion I can make is; if you aren't doing anything wrong, and you respect an officers need to protect you and other people from people that are intent on doing wrong, smile, talk to him nicely, don't get on his nerves by stoping your feet and saying "I know my rights" and be prepared to move on if they insist. If you really really want to take photos from a particular spot, explain to them why. Maybe if you show them a bit of respect, and appeal to their intelligence rather than treating them like an imbecile who just wants to prove they're more powerful than you, then they'll respect you too.

I agree, and it's been how my few first-hand experiences have happened when approached...nothing more than short, pleasant conversations. I have been told of the same type of experiences happening from members of a local group of photographers that I know personally and do a lot of street style stuff...not one negative experience or confrontation.

I'm not saying that those bad types of confrontations don't happen, but I have heard some, what seemed like, exaggerated claims and have seen a few videos where clearly the photographers more or less provoked confrontations with police and then pulled out the "Rights" defense. So, I think attitude goes a long way. I don't think you are giving up any rights by acting in a civilized manner if approached.

[RLucas]

I have had a few "run ins" myself. Especially in the smaller towns around where I live. They have always ended up in some great conversations.

[Peach]

I got stopped a few weeks ago. I had left work (11:45ish p.m.) and thought "Hey, the sky is clear, I should go up the hill and see if I can get a great long exposure of the eastern parts of the area (bridge, river, other city etc). So, I drove up this massive hill in the city I work in (basically it's all hill but that's beside the point) and stopped at the best viewing spot: a cemetery. Now, the sign says no one's allowed in after dark so I respected that. I stood against the fence (not inside the cemetery) and set up and all that.

Next thing I know, there's flashing lights on me. Fudge, it's the fuzz.

Two officers get out and calmly walk toward me asking what it is I'm doing - dressed all in black (I had my scrub top on under my black hoodie), with a camera, at the cemetary, near midnight, close to Halloween. I admit, that looks pretty bad. But, I explained where I worked (which helps BIG time) and what I was doing. Even showed them how I did it and the end result (which wasn't great; didn't have my zoom lens).

They were ok with it but told me I shouldn't be too long given the time of night and the fact I was a girl. Probably not the smartest idea, but meh!

I'll echo the suggestion of being polite and having the wits to move away (even if you KNOW you have a right to be there) and either come back another day or find something else to photograph. If someone (not an official) questions you, then for sure explain to them and be polite - try not to get instantly defensive. If they ask their picture not be taken OR for it to be deleted, the best thing would be to delete it right infront of them.

Cheers!

[faeriegodess612]

Of course as must of us know, theres also this. http://www.krages.com/ThePhotographersRight.pdf

I have a few copies and keep them in my bag. BUT this mainly works for non-authority figures. If someone gives you grief about taking photos of something architectural, from a public place, then you can politely hand them a copy and tell them to bugger off. As for photos of people or inside a building, it is best to err on the side of respect.