Dangers of Street Photography

Fred, I have real life experience in the business district and on the embarcadero at dawn. near where Kate Steinle was gunned down. It wasn't the smell of napalm in the morning or myth, it was urine and I not only had to step around the sleeping bags but also the human feces. Walking about at lunch you would be met with the smell of urine. Appetizing. But my point goes beyond cities that have stopped cracking down on public urination and defecation, it is the fact that those acts get specific pass by government but photographers as the posters mention, have been confronted. I like to think my taking photos isn't nearly as offensive as someone leaving a steaming pile or puddle on the sidewalk. Then, when I try to hang a light or two, I get harassed. I need a permit to hang a light but taking a dump, knock yourself out. Using that measure, we are some where below a steaming pile.

near where Kate Steinle was gunned down

This is not in any way relevant to either your photographic or fecal point, and is just something you gratuitously threw in because it's bouncing around your echo chamber.

 

It's too bad you didn't think to kill two birds with one stone. You could have made a great documentary photo project shooting the steaming piles you kept running into. It would have combined public photography with public defecation and maybe could have provided some catharsis against the strain you feel about both.

 

Like I said, I've run into one or two steaming piles myself. And I was once asked not to take photos (before the proliferation of cell phones) at the Stonestown Mall by a very nice security guard. But neither steaming piles on the street nor prohibition of photography has been a terribly big factor in my life, so I don't spend much time getting exercised about either. To each their own.

Edited August 26, 2017 by Norma Desmond

it is the fact that those acts get specific pass by government but photographers as the posters mention, have been confronted.

 

Since you're speaking about San Francisco, I've yet to be confronted by the police in SF for making photographs on the street, in a wide variety of circumstances over many years. I suppose if you were behaving suspiciously and creeping people out on the street with your camera, and a complaint was made by a citizen, the police would likely be obligated to investigate.

 

What does Kate Steinle have to do with this? Most large cities have murders. And?

Edited August 26, 2017 by Brad_

Myth? I don't know of may cities that have a feces map! Complaints of syringes and feces rise dramatically in SF But if you actually read my post, I do not say SF arrests photographers, I was making a comparison of treatment for public urination and defecation to stopping photographers in general and was intended to be understood as tongue in cheek. Apparently some people don't have a sense of humor. San Franciscans are rightfully sensitive about the topic. I also mentioned NY but no complaints from New Yorkers. Having worked in the city for years, I can recognize the smell of urine in their subways and public streets in SF. The city I now live in doesn't have to inspect light poles to be sure they haven't been rotted by urine and could fall over or paint walls with a paint that bounces urine on the person. They do in the City by the Spray. As for Kate Steinle, she was shot in the head for no reason in broad daylight in a crowded tourist area. If someone can be killed there for nothing what about walking around with a $5000 camera and lens in view. It has nothing to do with any echo chamber, it has to do with a valid concern. So, Fred, please spare me the snarky bs.

Sense of humor you say? lol.

Myth? I don't know of may cities that have a feces map! Complaints of syringes and feces rise dramatically in SF But if you actually read my post, I do not say SF arrests photographers, I was making a comparison of treatment for public urination and defecation to stopping photographers in general and was intended to be understood as tongue in cheek. Apparently some people don't have a sense of humor. San Franciscans are rightfully sensitive about the topic. I also mentioned NY but no complaints from New Yorkers. Having worked in the city for years, I can recognize the smell of urine in their subways and public streets in SF. The city I now live in doesn't have to inspect light poles to be sure they haven't been rotted by urine and could fall over or paint walls with a paint that bounces urine on the person. They do in the City by the Spray. As for Kate Steinle, she was shot in the head for no reason in broad daylight in a crowded tourist area. If someone can be killed there for nothing what about walking around with a $5000 camera and lens in view. It has nothing to do with any echo chamber, it has to do with a valid concern. So, Fred, please spare me the snarky bs.

 

You seem to be fixated on urine for some reason, devoting so many words and sentences to the subject. Why? That seems really odd. It's clearly not about humor.

 

What large city do you currently live in? Have there ever been murders that have occurred for no apparent reason? Other large cities?

Edited August 27, 2017 by Brad_

Chicago has seen a number of daytime robberies in the Loop, from Buckingham Fountain to the Miracle Mile. Sometimes one strikes up a conversation before returning with his cohorts. Visitors are robbed of cameras, wallets and cell phones. If you go there, you might be looking FOR cops, instead of looking OUT FOR them. It's getting tougher, because there are twice as many legally armed citizens as police in Chicago. If you speak with an accent, including British or Canadian, you may be singled out as "safe";)

Latest news is they've backed down; both in SF and Berkeley. Not shocked. They're weaklings.

Free speech in San Fran, only if it is to your liking. Patriot Prayer Group were not the weaklings. BTW even the biased SPLC doesn't classify them as a hate group.

San Francisco shuts down 'Patriot Prayer' rally by walling off city park

Doesn't much matter, another near bankrupt left wing state on the Venezuela glide path. A dystopian future already called out by your Silicon Valley Technocracy,

Elites in their mansions and Peons in council housing on guaranteed income.

Free speech in San Fran, only if it is to your liking. Patriot Prayer Group were not the weaklings. BTW even the biased SPLC doesn't classify them as a hate group.

San Francisco shuts down 'Patriot Prayer' rally by walling off city park

Doesn't much matter, another near bankrupt left wing state on the Venezuela glide path. A dystopian future already called out by your Silicon Valley Technocracy,

Elites in their mansions and Peons in council housing on guaranteed income.

 

Yikes! With that combative attitude you really do need to pray, Sandy. There's a place for prayer BTW. It's called a church. Thinking prayer solves SF's problems just stirs up sh$t and that kind you can photograph.

 

Anyone who thinks prayer is free speech needs to read the constitution.

Anyone who thinks prayer is free speech needs to read the constitution.

No offense, Tim, possibly you need to understand the Constitution.

No offense, Tim, possibly you need to understand the Constitution.

Maybe you need a lighter heart and spirit about you. I noticed you didn't address that about you.

 

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit is a biblical term that sums up nine attributes of a person or community living in accord with the Holy Spirit according to the Epistle to the Galatians: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

Edited August 27, 2017 by Tim_Lookingbill

Free speech in San Fran, only if it is to your liking. Patriot Prayer Group were not the weaklings. BTW even the biased SPLC doesn't classify them as a hate group.

San Francisco shuts down 'Patriot Prayer' rally by walling off city park

 

Nope. Please, read or listen to the news. The organizer backed out yesterday for the area he chose for his permit (Crissy Field, the permit for which was granted). No doubt because few people were going to show up, and that would result in terrible optics for such a huge area, and thus embarrassing news coverage.

 

He then (also yesterday) decided to instead hold a press conference with his followers at Alamo Square. The problem was he didn't take out a permit for that location and was thus denied access.

 

Today, frustrated, he changed his mind once more and went back with Plan A, at Crissy Field, where he was permitted to assemble. News sources reported he had 20 followers. His hunch was right, in that he'd have a lousy turnout for all the world to see.

 

Doesn't much matter, another near bankrupt left wing state on the Venezuela glide path. A dystopian future already called out by your Silicon Valley Technocracy,

Elites in their mansions and Peons in council housing on guaranteed income.

 

That is so adorable! Yes, keep believing that.

That's the penalty for "Contempt of Cop." Be nice, say "Yes, Officer," "No, Officer", or take a ride. You probably won't get arrested for threatening to complain, but you never know. He might have had a fight with his wife that morning, or just not like your attitude or looks. If you are arrested, it's your choice what condition you will be in shortly afterwards.

 

Remember, that cop has handled a lot of guys tougher than you, and sat in court during their trials. You think you know the law, but that's his business, and he's very good at it.

So how does any of what you said connect with taking photos on the street? There seems to be some assumptions in your statements that any interaction with a cop is a confrontation. There's no need to be impolite to a cop. If a cop should ask me what I'm doing, (its only happened once) I explain without calling him or her names, maybe show them examples if it should come to that which never has. I've worked with cops for years and I think I understand what their job is and I'm not out to make it harder. Attitude is important in interactions of any kind and having sensitivity and simpatico for people goes a long way in this world. You seem to expect the worst.

So how does any of what you said connect with taking photos on the street? There seems to be some assumptions in your statements that any interaction with a cop is a confrontation.

Good for you. Keeps it that way, non-confrontational!

 

There have been many posts on PNET where a photographer was "harassed" by police. Many of the responses reflected the typical bravado, expressed under the anonymity of the internet. That's bad advice.

Once upon a time I was in Beverley Hills.

 

A lovely lady policemen posed for me while I took her photo.

 

Its all about how you go about things.....folk are very nice and kind; you just have to give them that opportunity.

The lady policeman came over to me full of aggression with a hand on her gun.

 

Just said because you look lovely how could I not take your photo.

 

Its all about how you go about your photography. Attitude..

Just thought I would post a photo for no rhyme or reason

My style is very similar; however, rather than " stand in one place for a while," my physical disability forces me to "sit in one place for a while." I literally cannot walk/move around and take photos, as others as suggesting, especially since I use a cane, crutch or rollator when I walk. Of course, that somewhat works to my advantage because law enforcement officials and other people assume I am resting (which I actually am) when I linger in one place. So I just take photos to my heart's content until I decide to move on to a different spot.

I'm in a wheelchair, for the past ten years or so. I'm just starting to get back to my photography, figuring out how to do it while seated. I am interested to see how this different perspective changes my images.