Does holding a camera provide license to be in a place perhaps where one should not be? I have uploaded one example. This person strolled into the "action" area of a reenactment event. Official photographers wore uniforms and carried old Graflex , old small bodied 35mms and a discrete modern camera, blending well into the scenes. Maybe this was a newspaper photog. Anyway, the "body" of this out of place looking photographer got in the way of some shots and took away from the "reality" of the event, albeit in only a small way. Do you have a set of personal rules? Make a judgment call on the spot? Wish for a different lens?

I've found a camera can lead to the photographer feeling somehow apart from his surroundings, which can be dangerous. And somebody with a camera who looks like they know what they're doing can sometimes get into places they maybe shouldn't. On general safety grounds, I wouldn't do what this guy did. I know enough to know I could walk into something hazardous.

You can tell that some people feel that because they have a nice camera or because it's "their job", they can do what they want. They walk in front of people and crowds, blocking the views of "normal" attendees. There are those, however, who just get lost in the moment and don't realize where they are. The bad part is, if your gear looks good enough and you handle the camera well many official event/venue/security personnel will leave you alone and you'll never know you were someplace you probably shouldn't have been. Case in point, I'm doing some closeup shots of the EMP building in downtown Seattle last year. I'm totally into catching the sun falling onto it and the form of the building. When I was finally done with one side, I stopped to change film. It was then that I realized I was in an area with about half a dozen security signs forbidding entry under prosecution by anyone not authorized to be there. I just hadn't even seem them. So, now I'm freaking paranoid as hell. I finish loading my camera at the same time as I'm walking out of the area when 2 security guards come around the corner. They look at me, they look at my camera, smile and give a slight nod (which I returned) and they walked on their way. Took me another 3 minutes to figure out how to get the hell back out to the public area. -=>Donald www.dmholman.com

Change your shorts did ya?
hehehe

Message edited on: 06/27/2004 21:58

I go everyday with a "concealed carry" compact digital, good for everyday stuff if close enought. This camera and lack of other baggage opens few doors. Yet, some shots I have not taken simply from personal judgment of "conscience" and usefullness of the image. Has personal conscience(ethical ideas) led to or stopped any of you from tasking a shot? Does it depend on the length of the lens? I find no financial gain in my images, at least not yet, so that is not a factor in what to shoot. As an artist in metals, my sense of artistry and value overrides some other motives. Sure, fun is fun. Tasteless is tasteless. Beautiful and useful is.... So far, my skill in imaging is not near the level as in my occupation. Have you found yourself "drawing the line" on when to shoot or not? Blessings. TomDart.

For 4 years I used to help my friend shooting at the Cart Races.(Vancouver,Portland,Long Beach) I had some credentials,but not the B pass required to get me into the Pit stop area.However having his camera gear and a few lenses did the trick. Only the last year I got caught ,because I got carried away staring up into the crowd at a friend. The official kind of picked me out,because the photographers usually don't stare around with blank looks.

About 20 years ago I went to watch a collegiate women's national rowing(crew)championship event. On my chest was a borrowed HASSELBLAD. As other folks walked around the ladies and their shells, little attention was paid. When I stopped in front of a crew at their boats, they stopped and looked. I had wild long hair and that Hasselblad. Sure, they wanted pics taken! What publication did I work for? "freelance", of course. Sometimes size does make a difference. My chest was actually sore from that camera and lens when the day was over. But, it got the opportunity for the pics.

Tom Dart, See MGD's gallery a post called "the picture not taken". Wonder where MGD is these days anyway? I can't say I have ever been where I didn't belong even though I lug around that lens with the little canon ae1 attached to it! ;) But I have been so engrossed before that I almost fell off the dock into the water once! :-S So now I pay attention when I am somewhere that I could fall off of a cliff or go for an unplanned swim. It really is easy to be so engrossed in getting the perfect shot, that you forget your surroundings. Brenda :)

Dear Nilla, I went to MGD's gallery and "saw" that image. The most recent reason I posed the question was at a Memorial Day ceremony at a National Cemetary. An old man fell, struck his head, paramedics and all rushed in. I took no image. If I had, perhaps the one of him on the gurney, thumbs up, talking, having a "good time" going into the ambulance would have been the pic. Still, a picture not taken. The old guy was ok...diabetic problem and fainted. It could have been worse if the head blow was an inch or two over. Thanks for the point to MGD. That helps.

@Nilla > Wonder where MGD is these days anyway? Actual location: unchanged ... In terms of personal energy levels: other priorities ... Where am I going? ... A little change in priorities would be good ... and I will try to be more 'here' than there. MGD