This video which seems to have been released by Houston Mayor Annise Parker as a part of the…ahem… Run, Hide, Fight series is nuts. I understand the need for awareness and diligence toward creeps (not just in the USA and not just terrorists) but this ummm “awareness” is over the top – particularly with regard to photographers.
After watching the video and others in the series, there are basically two groups that appear to be the focus.
1) people planting bombs – a multitude of examples including vests, backpacks, people trying to gain access to do this; and…
2) people taking photos – of public spaces? and exits? and… huh?
Seriously? Those are the two groups we should fear? I’m particularly referring to roughly the 1:45 mark where the specific vilification of photographers or “people with recording devices” is a big WTF.
So, in short, yes Mayor Parker we should keep a collective eye out for nutjobs. I’ll all for awareness, but I hate fear mongering. And pull your head out.
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Wanna know more about photographers rights? Check out this post or this post AND… very importantly…tune into the next chasejarvis LIVE episode on August 29th in collaboration with ASMP.org where I’m hosting a world class panel that’ll discuss the current and future state of photographers rights…the good, bad and ugly about some changes in our landscape.
(Thx Trey for link)
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hey at least she was using a point and shoot, and acting suspicious, and they didn’t do one of those through the viewfinder shots like in the movies. I give them a little credit for not saying all photographers are the enemy. I recently reported a guy with a camera on a stick following women in short skirts. I don’t think I was wrong. and I also think this is a little more responsible than some government campaigns.
but why arrest the photographer, there is no way that they found evidence of wrong doing without an illegal search.
Camera on a stick, that is to much, even if not putting people in danger. You did good to call him in.
Just imagine he was taking upskirt pictures of your daughter or one of your friends. I.m not saying I reported him because He was taking pictures, I reported him, because he was being a pervert.
Sorry but that`s just not living in a “free” country. Considering the latest events in the USA, they should be worried with normal people taking a gun and shooting innocents.
This really sucks, because I shoot a lot when I go to the US, just because I’m afraid to take my camera out on the streets here in Brazil. You risk getting mugged. (This is real “freedom”, you can get mugged and no one will see it or say anything.)
And now I need to fear everyone and the authorities when traveling to the US?
I already have the photographers rights printed out and on my bag.
Hope that changes.
1. Great comments. You restore my faith in people.
2. Americans are more likely to be crushed by their big ass TVs falling off the wall than to be the victim of a terrorist attack.
3. Terrorists, please use Google Streetview for surveillance: it’s better and it would take the pressure off photographers and film makers. You might also try turning on the photo layer in Google maps. It’s what filmakers use to scout locations. (this comment is not aiding terrorists because it is common knowledge. Please do not kidnap and weatherboard me. Iwas just trying to make people laugh so they will like me. (Damned iPhone autocomplete)
do they really want thousands of people wasting police time ringing them up cos they saw a whole sandwich on the floor and thought it looked suspicious