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Have you been asked to leave when holding your camera?


8 years 6 months ago #457483 by Ontherocks
I was photographing some insects in a local part yesterday when I had a mother ask me to leave the park.  That "we don't appreciate people taking photos of our park with out kids in it".  I explained to her that I was photographing inspects and debris I found on the ground.  Matter of fact I showed her all my photos.  "Well we still need you to leave". 

Would you leave?  I had 7 other mothers  looking at me and the mother who confronted me.  I didn't want an argument, so left. 

I have been reading around online and if I have my information correctly, I didn't need to leave seeing that was public space.  right? 
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8 years 6 months ago #457489 by effron
I had a similar event a few years ago. I was using a Nikon 200 f/4 macro, and after shooting some bees on a flower in a park, some dopey mother comes at me, accusing me of snipe photographing her kids playing nearby. When she called me a pedo, my wife had to be restrained. (She was walking ahead and the commotion got her attention). 
It was all pretty amusing. The event ended when my wife called her a ditz that probably has posted pics of her kids in the bath, walking to school, eating and sleeping on some idiotic facebook page, then demands privacy in a public park.
What a day....
If you are a man, especially  young and alone, just leave. You can't win. Or get yourself a pitbull wife!.....:)
Why so serious?
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8 years 6 months ago #457496 by Roger Lang
I would have stayed there, public space and you tried to be cool and show your photos of what you were shooting.  Presumptions are like viruses.  
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8 years 6 months ago #457537 by garyrhook
Something like, "with all due respect, this is a public space. Federal law is very clear that there is no expectation of privacy when you are in public. You have no control over what others do with their cameras, phone or otherwise, and I need you to understand that your request is wholly unreasonable and out of line. Please stop telling me what to do; not your call in public."

I was bothered once, in a park, by the house manager at a play performance. After researching the law and my rights, I called the theater company that staged the event, and spoke with their director. I explained that their manager was in the wrong, and that I did not appreciate being singled out, especially when everyone else there had their phones out. I got a sincere apology, and a commitment that they would straighten out the house manager. And an invite to come back to see the show again.

You can't fix stupid. But you can know your rights. And you can simply, clearly reply, "no. I won't leave. Please go away."
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8 years 6 months ago #457557 by Moe
Exactly!
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8 years 6 months ago #457584 by Joves
I always tell them to go ahead, and call the cops. I then tell them to go pound sand, and that since it was a public space I could shoot what I pleased. I actually had one woman with her brow beat husband call the police. I told the officer what I was shooting, and he informed the little communists that I had the right to be there. He did not even ask to see my photos, which angered the woman.
I am so sick of this demonization of males in this supposed enlightened society. We have become perverts, terrorists, and rapists just because we exist. Or so it seems. I personally am so glad that I am closer to the end of my life than just beginning.
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8 years 6 months ago #457598 by icepics
Women are going to be protective of themselves and of kids. Sometimes people may be overly sensitive or overreact. It may not be anything you're doing, people not only see a lot on TV (shows about predators etc.) but now see all kinds of things online.

It might not be worth a confrontation even if you feel you're in the right; you may have encountered someone who's had a bad experience or is overreacting but I'd be aware of how you're coming across. If it seems at all intimidating a woman may react, and maybe it's not in the best way, but it may be due to being afraid. If they aren't photographers they probably aren't going to get what you're doing.

If this was a group of moms and kids they may be used to being in the park that time of day but probably don't usually see a man by himself, more likely they see what seems like a dad or grandpa and a kid. So seeing something out of the ordinary they're probably at least going to keep an eye on what you're doing and in this case the one woman seems to have reacted strongly and in a negative way. Who knows why, she may have her own issues that have nothing to do with you, but sometimes it might just be better to leave and come back another time.
Sharon
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8 years 6 months ago #457612 by garyrhook

icepics wrote: Women are going to be protective of themselves and of kids. Sometimes people may be overly sensitive or overreact. It may not be anything you're doing, people not only see a lot on TV (shows about predators etc.) but now see all kinds of things online.

It might not be worth a confrontation even if you feel you're in the right; you may have encountered someone who's had a bad experience or is overreacting but I'd be aware of how you're coming across. If it seems at all intimidating a woman may react, and maybe it's not in the best way, but it may be due to being afraid. If they aren't photographers they probably aren't going to get what you're doing.

If this was a group of moms and kids they may be used to being in the park that time of day but probably don't usually see a man by himself, more likely they see what seems like a dad or grandpa and a kid. So seeing something out of the ordinary they're probably at least going to keep an eye on what you're doing and in this case the one woman seems to have reacted strongly and in a negative way. Who knows why, she may have her own issues that have nothing to do with you, but sometimes it might just be better to leave and come back another time.


Wow. There's so much here that is just....wrong.

It is not anyone else's responsibility to make someone happy. Especially when said poeple are irrational. Not my circus, not my monkeys.

People (women?) need to get used to the idea of "no" again.
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8 years 6 months ago #457617 by louiskf
that will never be a problem if you are taking photos in chinese park:P
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8 years 6 months ago #457654 by Roy Wilson
Because laws are so liberal in China?
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8 years 6 months ago #457667 by Hassner
Wow. The fears of mothers in the modern free (and now sick) society. Luckily mothers here in Cape Town still knows the difference between photography and pornography.
As location scout I photograph public spaces daily and have not had any problems of that kind.
This person is a posting maniac and deserves a #1 badge!Top Poster
No one kicks up there feet next to the water cooler better than this person. Top poster - LoungeLounge Guru
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8 years 6 months ago #457721 by Finn
Well, technically you didn't have to do anything. You didn't need to show or justify what you were doing there.  You certainly didn't have to leave.  Public space is public space.  You had the same right to be there as they did. 

However you morally did the right thing, if they were uncomfortable, then avoid conflict.
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