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When did we stop being “nice” ….(and become “nasty”) Part 1
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ส.ค. 2024
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The bizarre thing is, if you were using a smartphone to take a photo in public no-one would bat an eyelid!
@@wayofharmonyUK spot on. I find it so annoying. Also places that say no photography and yet again phones are allowed 😡 a way of taking photos is a way of taking photos full stop!
Yes, a number of places I have run across that rule - cell phones are ok -- but no real cameras.
There are more people walking around live blogging themselves with their phone than there are people with a proper camera around their neck. It's sad that our beloved hobby has become so niche (and we all know about the near terminal decline in ILC camera sales over the last ten or so years). I keep hearing that "vintage" digital point and shoots are making a comeback, which sounds like good news to me, but I still haven't actually seen anyone walking around shooting with one.
@@traceybartlam7737yes and no, most “photographers” can’t really do much better with a real camera than they would with their phones, sure. But i had the privilege of seeing some real photographers taking pictures and that cannot be considered the same thing at all.
Yes, in museums, galleries, etc with outright bans on photos, phone cameras don’t seem to apply. If I however produce a dslr then it’s like jumping the velvet rope, and along comes a discrete tap on the shoulder and quiet reminder from the docent, or whomever.
For many, being obnoxious is becoming a national pastime. It’s not just photography, you see this behaviour everywhere now. Parents abusing teachers, road users abusing each other, shoppers abusing shop assistants. It’s very sad and I wish I could blame it all on the youngest generation but that would be far too easy. Plenty of older people who really ought to know better are the worst. People simply have no shame anymore and have become shamelessly self absorbed.
Keep up the great work. Nil illegitimi carborundum!
@@AstroCloudGenerator I think you are spot on
"Hell is other people" Jean-Paul Satre.
This. I enjoyed every single day of my nature walks until a weirdo moved into a condo around and she’s been just confronting me every single time they see me with my camera on the trail. Now I have to put extra energy into avoiding her.
@@dasaen is this insanity UK specific? That sounds bizarre.
@@chamade166 Oh no, this is in the united states. I think some people just don’t have anything else to do and just bother others.
@@jackslater8688 This idea relates to Sartre's wider philosophy: the notion that as soon as we are in the (real or even imagined) presence of another person, we begin to see ourselves through their eyes and this is the end of our freedom.
The irony is the person screaming at you about their privacy probably has their entire life history on line for anyone to read. Unfortunately the internet breeds paranoia. Fear has become a major industry. Now I remember why I started making images of birds. They don’t complain.
to say it in german: Kranke Welt!
the internet breeds idiots
I think that is true. Both social media and various news agencies have created such paranoia in people that they think everyone with a camera is up to no good. For the most part, I try to avoid taking pictures of people, but realize some landscape/cityscape pictures are going to include them.
The sad thing is the police will arrive faster to a report of 'a man with a camera' than to 'my house is being burgled'.
Very true
yep
@@ThatMicro43Guy The people that shout at you in the street, just show them what you're taking pictures of. The proof for anyone, including the police is the camera. Apart from that, i'd just ignore the rude vitriolic people. Sometimes you just don't know what they are going through, and could be taking their personal problems out on you.
@@reflux043 the problem is that I have no intention of showing strangers or the police anything nor proving anything for a perfectly legal activity just because they decide to flip out of control. You say I don’t know what they are going through true but on the other hand they don’t know or care what I may be going through or indeed what they are putting me through. They are the initiators in this case. Their lack of self control doesn’t trump my rights.
@@ThatMicro43Guy That’s not a very ‘nice’ attitude to have on your part. There are plenty more photographs to be taken. By all means have a respectful conversation with them but if they are really upset then just apologise for any upset caused, delete the offending images and move on. No problem.
What could you possibly be ‘going through’ that requires you to take photos of other people and then not be respectful of their fears?
Try a bit of empathy and a bit less arrogance. You and your blood pressure will feel better for it.
The objection to being photographed in public has gone before the U.S. Supreme Court more than once. In every case the court has held you have no expectation of privacy when you’re in public and the plaintiffs have lost.
People do have an expectation of privacy in public. Thousands of videos prove that. It’s just that their expectation is not reasonable.
@@FirstNameLastName-ev3jk 🤣 that's great
True, but that's in the US and still doesn't protect you from the predictable Karens who will confront you. I just use my phone when I'm around people and they don't get triggered by that, but pull out a real camera... Karens start coming out of the woodwork...
@@wherezthebeef Let them get triggered, what are they gonna do about it other than complain? I'll just put my headphones on and do my thing. If they lay hands on me.... Let's just say they'll probably regret it 😉
@@wherezthebeef Karens and Kevins are legions in this world, sadly.
You know why they are triggered? Because the portrayal of photographers in numerous action films and TV series, are often depicted as FBI agents, spies, or criminals constantly taking photos from their vehicles. So, unconsciously, in their minds, people make the connection ... that's why! BUT ... a cellphone taking many photos and videos, even LIVE on social media platforms ... "Meh, that's normal".
Similar situation, a couple of 'youths' shouted 'are you a paedo?' I shouted back 'If I were, you'd be safe!'
😂😂
😂
French girl here. I've been doing street photography in both Paris and London for about 10 years now, and I’ve noticed an interesting cultural difference between the two countries. In France, the laws about photography are less permissive than in the UK. For instance, here people have a "droit à l'image" (right to their image) even in public. So if I take a picture of someone in a public space and they tell me they don't like it, I would have to delete the files. On paper, people might assume that it would be more difficult to do street photography in Paris than in London, but it’s actually the other way around.
In 10 years of doing street photography in Paris almost every day, I've never had any incidents. People are generally OK with it. Mind you, if they want, they can legally ask me not to take their pictures. But it never happens. The most I get is someone coming to me and asking what I'm doing. After explaining that I’m practicing my photography in the streets, people usually leave me alone.
But in London, although I have the law on my side and I've practiced photography there far less often, I've been insulted, grabbed by a guy, shouted at, and every single time I would have a security guard telling me that I’m not allowed to take pictures of their businesses because it's against the law. Every time, I tell them that I’m calling the cops so they can explain that they are wrong, and every time they leave me alone. They basically lie to me about it being illegal.
It’s always a weird mystery to me. You literally have a law that is 10 times more liberal and permissive than we do, yet the public behaves as if taking pictures on the streets were somehow illegal. I don’t count the number of times I’ve heard the phrase "it’s not allowed" while taking pictures in London. Yet in Paris, where it’s actually indeed not allowed, nobody bothers me. The only exception was in a tiny village in the south of France where I was taking pictures of a lovely church with a 16mm lens full frame (so the people in the background were very tiny and not the focus of the image), and a woman with obvious mental issues yelled at me in the distance. So yeah, I’m not sure why people are so hostile to public photography in a country where it’s very legal, but I’ve always been very surprised by that difference.
Correct. In the United Kingdom you are perfectly within your rights to take photographs freely. Unless continually targeting an individual, then it could be considered harassment.
Excellent comparison. Brits are generally quick to threaten with the law when they feel threatened.
Dont take my word as granted, but as far as my research goes (unfortunally couldnt find any official documents, hense my advise), the law you're refering in france should state specifically 'portrait'. As far as I understand, street photography (not portraiture) is a right preserved by the european union as freedom of expression, so it may be legal in all their countries. Everyone as allways rights to their image, but it doesnt mean they cant be photographed, thats why the photos cant be used for commercial porposes, just for editorial/art finalities. If you go search and find some official stuff european wise please let me know, thanks
@@heldercosta9514 Just goes to show how messy the regulations are. I submit a lot of work to stock-photography sites. Without exception, they demand a release form for every recognizable person in any image. Same for buildings. The exception being photos for editorial use. But, those are the rules applied by the stock-sites and not necessarily the law. And, of course, the laws, or lack of, are different in each country.
Curiously, some of the stock-sites are especially careful about any object in the image that might contain a brand-name. You would think that brands would be happy about having their name displayed but no, in the wrong context, it can work against them.
Brit living in France here. I'm usually in woodland or forest, photographing flowers, mushrooms, bugs, whatever. I rarely see other people. When I do, they nearly always stop and ask the whys and wherefores of what I'm doing. On one occasion, a group of five youths stopped and asked me to explain the whys and wherefores of macro photography. Why I used a tripod, how I can get so close to a plant to photograph, why don't I use an iPhone (oh god!)
I had a ball. They were genuinely interested and the whole experience raised my spirits several notches.
In the UK, while visiting my son, we went into a park and he asked that I put my camera away because there were children in the park. He was really uncomfortable with the camera on display. What has happened to people that makes them so threatened?
I was taking photos of a puppeteer doing a show in Athens. Everybody had their cellphones out and where taking photos & videos. When the puppeteer noticed me taking photos with my DSLR he stopped the show, came up to me and started yelling, told me to delete the photos, if i did not he will call the police one me.. Crazy. I just ignored him and walked away, For some reason people get intimidated by dslrs . anyway,, thats my boring story. Nice video, thanks for sharing.
@@frankfoti disgusting
there are different privacy laws on the continent (EU)
@@oldsquashmonkey I wasn't aware of that? How are the laws different in the EU to what they are in the UK.
@@The_Red_Squirrel Considering how recently we've left, probably not very different. I've heard in Germany (unlike UK), citizens do have give express permission to be filmed in public. Could be wrong.
@@dcarbs2979 I think you may have a point. I have heard from somewhere that Google Streetview is subject to more restrictions in Germany than elsewhere within the EU due to privacy laws. But I think that may be more an exception rather than the general rule.
On the rare occasion this has happened to me I fix it by talking to them. It only takes two words - the first begins with F and the second with an O.........
"Forgive O'Lord" ?!?!?!? hhehehehehehe
I think you've just proved Brian's point.
Far Out...!?
@@smithbrownjones Those were the days.
20 or 30 years ago, no one gave a brass razoo... nowadays, nosy, busy-bodies, outraged Karens and Johns think they know the law or want to impose their senseless views on you. I've noticed in the past years, especially since moving to Northern Queensland in Australia, that people are not very bright. I like taking pictures of settler's houses, odd things and historical monuments. After parking legally and walking 50m down a country road to take images, with my big fat Sony A7III in plain view, a black 4 x 4 drove past, did a 180 degree action u-turn and drove beside me asking: "Can I help you, mate?". When I waved my camera around and said that I was just taking pictures, the people in the car identified themselves as "neighbourhood watch" - as if I'm supposed to soil my pants and run back to my car. A few minutes later, a red car stopped at the house that I walked past. The woman mouthed over to me on the other side of the road so that I had to walk across. The woman stopped work just to come home because the neighbourhood watch people called her. After explaining to the tenant (who had rushed home for no reason) that I was merely documenting old buildings, she invited me inside and gave me a tour and a history lesson. The same when I rocked up at the beach on Australia Day, when I stood there taking pictures, women shielded their precious children. Geez, if you're worried, put some clothing on to hide your fat. Why not vandalise the CTV cameras and those pervert life guards looking through their binoculars. Let's look away when someone drowns because it's none of our business.
The title of this video is, 'When did we stop being nice?' When did we start demonising and stigmatising people by using a Christian name as a stick with which to beat them? Substitute a surname with Jewish/Muslim/Irish, etc. origins, and work out what you're doing wrong.
@@NameEMcNameface So you created a TH-cam channel/persona just to lament that I used the names Karen and John (as in a Karen or a John Doe) although they are known to be placeholders for a certain type of person? Like Judas? Sorry to break it to you but by you being upset, outraged or whatever, you just demonstrated that you are either a Karen or a John because you have acted like one of those placeholders.
@Anonymous-si6py No, I created a TH-cam channel because my previous one was tied to an e-mail address that no longer exists, making it impossible to read the access code to recover the account. Surely, you don't need to follow the herd and stigmatise people with particular Christian names/Surnames/skin colour/ethnic origin? You can say, 'those guys', or something stronger if the platform doesn't suspend your account for using profanities, but I accept that your lack of imagination and manners likely stems from a bad home life or education.
@@NameEMcNameface You are deliberately lying and making up things to aggravate. You accuse me of using skin colour and ethnic origin to stigmatise people. Tell me, where exactly did I mention anyone's skin colour or origin? Where did I use profanity? Stop making up stuff and stop harassing people with wild claims.
@Anonymous-si6py Lying about what? That I lost access to my account? That my e-mail provider was bought out by a far larger company which closed the service I had used for 19 years, and that I had to stop paying a subscription to the mail-forwarding firm when it decided to hit me with an increase of over 700%? Yes, seven hundred percent. Perhaps your grasp of the English language is not up to the standards expected in Britain, but I did not accuse you of using skin colour or ethnic origin to demonise someone. I used it as a comparison to try to make you see that you are using an unalterable part of someone's identity - the name given to them by their parents - to demonise them. As for saying that YOU used profanities, I respectfully suggest that you go back and read it again, lest you wish to be seen as less bright than those inhabitants of Northern Queensland to which you referred in your opening gambit. Is it any wonder that those citizens would take umbrage at you and your attitudes? Your steadfast refusal to accept that you are in the wrong, or to compromise, will be your undoing. I came here to learn about a camera system unfamiliar to me, because even at my time of life, I'm still willing to learn. However, I won't stand idly by when people such as yourself perpetuate prejudice, especially when the OP was being picked on by an ignoramus simply for being a mature male out on his own with a camera, which made him, in the twisted, prejudiced mind of that person, an easy target. As the youth of today are wont to say, pwned. Class over.
I started by first job as an apprentice press photographer for the local newspaper in the 1970s. On quiet news days in the summer I was often tasked to go to the local beach to take some kiddie pictures with buckets and spades and the like, sometimes with parents and or grandparents. We called them "filler pics" (to fill the newspaper) or just "sunshine pics" - sometimes I photographed teenagers and young people, male and female, in swimsuits frolicking in the tide. We published them with names in captions. They were VERY popular and proud parents and grandparents would order copies galore. This was in the days of film and no-one much had a decent camera and certainly NO smartphones. Then something happened. All of a sudden we weren't allowed to publish full names, just first names, then no names at all, THEN I was regarded with open hostility and the paper decided on no pictures should be published at all of anyone under 18 without written permission. About this time the term "paedophile" was just coming into the public consciousness. Later I started my own photography business. I had the police called on me numerous times over 25 years for the "crime" of walking around in public with a pro camera when on assignments. Fortunately I knew many of the local police officers from my time at the newspaper but it wasn't pleasant and became tiresome. One assignment I had was to photograph the exterior of several local industries (for a government jobs agency) and I was pounced on numerous times by security guards, again for the "crime" of photography in a public place. I got so sick of having to explain myself politely to some ranting, so-called security guard that refused to listen to me that I printed out a few copies of the law pertaining to photography and just handed it out when challenged. But even this didn't satisfy some of them. One security guard, clearly frustrated, fell back on quoting the law of copyright as I had obviously included the company's name and logo which was on prominent display. Again I was threatened by the police. I ask you. You'd think with the proliferation of photography and folk wandering about with "good" cameras that photography in a public place would not provoke such hoo ha, but I actually think it's getting worse. I'll recount a story from when I was about 19 and still working at the newspaper. There was a large building fire in the town and the police and fire brigade were everywhere. I dashed out with my camera bag and took some pictures of course. I wasn't in anyone's way but a young policeman I didn't know told me to move on or be arrested for obstruction. I moved a few yards and carried on - I definitely was not obstructing anyone, only to be told I would be reported - I had to give my name. Next day whilst in the darkroom I took a phone call. "This is Chief Inspector So and So - were you the lad taking photographs at the big fire yesterday?" I thought this is it, I'm going to be arrested. Nervously I said yes. "Well" boomed the Inspector, " is there any chance of having some copies of the photographs you took for the lads, and to help with training?" Now I'll admit you do sometimes feel a little awkward taking pictures of some disaster be it a fire, a fatal car crash, explosion, scene of a murder etc. but sometimes such images have LATER proved invaluable to the authorities, even Courts etc, and it's usually the people that might have initially objected to the photography that want to see the pictures first. I'll end the rant here!
@@philiphatfield2833 In 2024 Never have the British public been more photographed by CCTV etc, and Never have the entire public been so armed with smart phone cameras they may use everyday and everywhere. Yet if you pull out your “big’ camera you risk censure. It is a super strange disconnect in connected thinking. I have been assaulted, accused, and also compensated thousands of pounds in public funds from a police force who acted unlawfully to my recording. I continue not just because I am a journalist but because I love the medium of photography. But we do live in strange days with regard to public photography.
Well said Phil.....
Too long .
JEEEESUS! Now THAT'S ... a massive comment to read, right there! Oof! That was interesting and informative, but please, make paragraphs sometimes! Holy crap, man!
I am living in Charlotte,NC . I became serious about photography back in 1959. My favorite photos came from Life magazine, so I always took pictures of people. I still go on to the street today. I have only had trouble 3 times in all that time. In each case it was a person who had a mental problem. People know I am taking their photo. I had a young reporter ask me , “are you taking photos of people?” I said,yes and it is perfectly legal. She asked if she could interview me , and I said yes. Well she wrote about me, and over 400 people wrote in that they had seen me and wondered about me. Well then I had people ask me to take their picture. I realized I was not hidden and now wear bright colors, and sometimes take photos using my silent shutter but sometimes just tap the camera with my finger to let them know that I am going to take a picture. I had a gallery called Charlotte Smiles, and when people asked about why I took a photo, it was to show people in the future what life was like today.
👍🏽
I'm from the area as well and I recently was at a park and I was literally taking a photo of my child riding on their scooter with a long lens when a man came up to me and told me to delete my photos b/c he didn't want me taking pictures of HIS son. I showed him the photos I had taken of my son (I regret doing this now btw) and how tight the framing was on my child (not showing anyone else), and he then settled down. But I was wondering why he was so skittish about me taking photos when he and his family were just having a picnic on a park bench? In my day job, I've also been run off by CATS security a few times for filming the street car or the light rail. They don't like you filming or taking pictures FROM the their platforms, but you can take pictures from a sidewalk. Same with Spectrum arena for some reason. I think this all boils down to we've normalized cell phone photo/video. So, when you pull out a "professional" camera (although it's really just a consumer level M43 camera), they go nuts!
@@MarkRowseyThey probably dont allow photography from their platform for liability reasons. Americans love litigation. Phones probably weren't considrered when they wrote the policy and it's harder to enforce.
(Just pointing out why. I am not particularly defending them or saying the policy is reasonable)
@@NiSE_Rafter No, I totally understand what you're saying. They also aren't fans of you pointing your camera from a public place in to their transportation center either. I also now remember even the Spectrum Center security got mad at me once with just filming their sign with my cell, but I was on "their property" so I stopped.
"show people in the future what life was like today" - Yes!!! Totally agree with this statement. Photographs are a time capsule and without them we have no reference to the past.
The first time I got confronted as a photographer, my relationship to shooting changed. I became hesitant and was always looking over my shoulder, awaiting the next confrontation. I admire the photogs who continue to pursue their craft undeterred.
@@scotey that’s why my street lense is a 70to 200 at times, I’ll point the camera up and concentrate on a building with both eyes open. Then swing the camera down in an arc like I’m resting my arm but click. That’s only in bad areas or if I don’t want rbf
The only place I can think of where cameras annoy me is at a concert and there’s hundreds of phone screens blocking my view.
I hate this hypocrisy!
@@stanobert3475and you can take in a fixed lens camera but not a camera with interchangeable - how ridiculous
@@traceybartlam7737 Rules are strange. People are strange. I was at a concert where Ringo Starr and his band played. Clearly written on the screen were the words "Photography Prohibited." The moment the band and Ringo were introduced, cellphones rose up and people started recording the event. Why? Aren't we supposed to enjoy the concert, not photography and record videos of the event? Take me back to 1970.
@@bondgabebond4907 madness!
It's so annoying when idiot cellphone users have the flash turned on so we get thousands of flashes a second, very dangerous for my fellows like me living with epilepsy, and they don't realise their flash will not reach the stage. That is something else that frustrates me, I used to call myself an epileptic, but now because of some do-gooder, I'm told that is offensive. Hence, I have to say instead "People living with Epilepsy." or "I'm a person living with Epilepsy!" I'm not even allowed anymore to have the distinction of calling myself a man instead of a person because that would offend the LGBTQ community who say they are inclusive except they don't include heterosexuals living within normal families. :(
I agree with you. I was in Paris last spring taking a photo of a cafe from a good distance. A man started to yell at me in English, and I couldn't even tell where he was coming from. I was only interested in the building. I don't even like to go on tours anymore. Most people hate traditional cameras now, including the vast majority of the people on my tours. Most of us experienced photographers are polite and discreet. The cell phone users, with their small, stealthy devices, have no boundaries at all. This is hypocrisy of the highest order.
People don't mind to have photos taken of them or even videos of them with cellphones, even if they are not aware that some videos can be LIVE on Facebook and on TH-cam, but they reject photo cameras ... logic, isn't it?
Photographers in numerous action films and TV series, are often depicted as FBI agents, spies, or criminals constantly taking photos from their vehicles. So, unconsciously, in their minds, people make the connection.
@@NetTubeUser True! False stereotypes.
American here (but very happy to hear the nice "on s'en fiche" French stories - good god, the home of Cartier-Bresson and Atget must never change!). One of the selling points of a certain Ricoh GRiii for me was its stealth looks plus high quality results. But I've noticed photographers with anything that looks impressively retro such as a Fuji with a leather strap and maybe even a leather case will be respected as someone serious and so therefore, not so intrusive. On the other hand, personal experience also demonstrates that shooting video (or photos) with an Insta360 and a selfie stick can get you into some hostile situations with people..
@@NetTubeUser They sound like imbosils to me.
@@FilmSchool-om3ew The irony is real.
It has happened to me several times in the U.S., including on the grounds of my apartment complex when I was taking pictures of a bird (Pacific Golden Plover). It always disturbs me, to the point I don’t want to go out for a while. The world seems to be angrier and uglier these days.
funily enough i had the total opposite in the states,vever got stopped taking photos at all. This was in all sorts of places in the city of Spokane, totally different here got told to put my cmera away after being in shopping center fifteen minutes.
Nah ... is that even possible, you think?! Haha! Yes. People are quite aggressive today for no rational reasons most of the time. Mostly in big cities. But the "funny" thing is that, when they do something, they have all the rights, but not you! See how selfish and bizarre these people are?
I used to worry about being judged for taking out my camera in public, especially my telephoto lens in my suburban neighborhood. I decided I have the right to enjoy my photography. I get asked questions in nature parks about what I saw, but generally nice. I think people in general are stressed and don’t want to be humiliated on social media. Some people take videos of people and make fun of them on TikTok.
They should be more worried about people on their phones videoing them and uploading to social media than photographers or even videographers with actual cameras who more than likely aren't even able to upload directly from their cameras and plan to do post-production to their images and videos. Actual cameras aren't your enemy; everyday smartphones with 8k cameras and Internet connection are.
I lived next to a burrowing owl community that was located on an empty lot. The owner could not build on it because of the owls. I talked to the owner and asked him for permission to go on his property to take photos. He agreed. First day I went some lady would walked by and yell at me. She did this everyday I went there. One day I admit I got frustrated. Her yelling was annoying me and the owls. So I approached her. We had a conversation where she yelled and I tried to explain. I told her the owner had given me permission. I pointed to my house so she could see that I was also part of the community. I also showed her the images. I was hopeful things would change. One day I made a quick stop because I could see baby owls emerging. I had my 2 year old in her car seat, rolled down the window and was about to take a few shot and there the woman was again. She yelled obscenities at me and my daughter started to cry. I calmed my daughter, rolled up the windows and exited the car. I had been kind on the numerous other occasions, but I lost it. I told her that I had permission and if she would turn her concern to her own life and stop wearing the piece of tape on her wrinkles because it was not going to make her ugliness vanish. She walked away. The next day she was at my front door with cookies she had baked for my daughter and apologized. People come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and mental issues. Struggle on my friend. -American
She probably just needed a quickie.
Great topic - So strange that people react to someone with a camera nowadays, but think nothing of people with their phones out taking millions of pictures.
A few years back I was photographing my daughter’s netball game. I have a decent camera and had some random come up and tell me off. I turned around and said I was photographing my daughter’s game and she said that she did not want my taking pictures of her daughter. Didn’t point out who she was. I turned around and straight up said there is no right to privacy in public.
She walked off muttering “strange that you know the rules”
The reality is that a lot of things that people say you can safely disregard! You don't really have to answer to random aggressive members of the public! You're not accountable to them. The tendency is to be defensive when someone is like this to you, but its a good realisation to have that you don't need to explain yourself to any random individual who takes issue with you. If they think its serious they can tell the police, and if you aren't doing anything illegal the police won't care!
This has happened to me in my hometown Loughborough, though the first guy accused me of being a paedophile and then his mate came along and said they were calling the Police. I said “OK. Let’s wait for them. Do you want me to call them?” Then they very strongly suggested I give them the camera and they wouldn’t report me. They tried to mug me. I walked away whilst they both shouting to the town I was a pervert. Mud shouldn’t stick, but unfortunately it does. You can be accused without any basis.
I think most of our petty problems now seem related to social media in one way or another.
Could this be considered "bullying" or just nastiness? My unscientific experiences and observations have taught me that there is a 1:1 ratio with bullies and cowards...the bigger the bully, the bigger they are as cowards. Besides, "Big Brother" has been with us for sometime, in one fashion or another. Really, life is just too short for this. I guess that you can just be grateful that you live your life as you please and you are not miserable: "Misery LOVES company!" Thank you, Brian. Keep taking your camera out, having fun with your photography and wear an attitude that deflects such nastiness. Well done! Thank you!
Not just photography Brian. I am in my 70s and walk regularly on a country road with very few cars. A few months ago a man stopped his car wound the window down and asked if I had read the Highway Code for walking on highways? Apparently I need to get off the road when a vehicle wants to pass. I looked at him burst out laughing and said I would have to remember that one, It’s a classic. He has passed me again since but doesn’t stop.
We just can’t let people dictate what we do! The only freedoms we lose are the ones we willingly surrender to the idiots! SO DON’T!
The world is not nice anymore it seems
The age of civility remains dearly missed.
I try an be .. very difficult.. I’m homeless and entirely alone . Not a single friend or family member … nothing. .. photographing is literally the only thing that keeps me alive .. I get sick feeling the looks at me like I’m freak , even though my etiquette and sensitivity is 20 miles beyond what it needs to be super super vigilant about that even though I am of no harm to anyone and never hurt never touched never was inappropriate. Any hatred is almost always projected in words on myself and I don’t like falling the victim category, but I can relate with this man 100% and a lot of times I’ll write things off my head that I think or patterns are trends right in my head and like I said I’m by myself and I really get perspective when you don’t have to bounce off anyone, but I am right in alignment with this gentleman it is and he said he’s aside from the micro element of it. There’s a larger component at hand here that’s the part that troubles me as well….
@@arricammarques1955 What do you consider the age of civility? Or was that just a reference to a utopian stage of human civilisation?
My kneejerk reaponse is usually "Yeah....I don't care" when someone bags on me for no reason. It starves the trolls.
I like that. I've tried engaging after facing quite confrontational people, but it just feeds them and legitimizes their terrible behaviour. So now I just ignore them and carry on.
I am holiday in the Peak District. A couple of days ago I was taking some landscape shots using my EM1 mark 3. A man and a woman in their late sixties appeared in front of me over the brow of the hill. The man very abruptly said' I hope you aren't photographing me'. I replied, 'why would I want a picture of you and even if I did I was perfectly within my rights to take one'. Silence was his reply. Why couldn't he just give a friendly hello like the many other people I have met in passing on holiday? It was very off putting. Some people are just rude and miserable and they will not deter me from taking pictures. Carry on Brian and enjoy your camera.
@@raybridges1927 they probably been unhappily married for decadesso cut him some slack
had the same happen to me but in a urban setting; what made it all the more strange ther were 2 private CCTV camers pionting at them and me filming 24/7. I was then told they were 'offical' cameras so fine, cant have people just taking pictures without permission . My response was we shuld not allow people to breath without offical permission .
I'm glad you have said this Brian, I'm a self-shooting filmmaker based in London. Since the pandemic, people have become much more agressive and rude. I find it at times very bad in London sometimes. Depending on what I am filming a feature drama or documentary. I do film outside with a tripod, so I stand out much more than photographers, but I do what I can to get the B-roll for my films. Hang in there Brian please!
A few days ago I was taking some pictures and a chap approached me and said "that's something you don't see very often". Looking around I said "what's that?", he replied "someone with a camera". After an hour or so chatting I had made another photographer friend.
When I go out walking in my local, small costal village, I always take a camera and often get asked about my equipment etc. I am thinking of getting a T shirt with "I am not a tourist, I am a photographer" on it.
*Do The T-Shirt* ! - I have a T-Shirt with my logo on the front and on the back it says 'Smile, you maybe on camera'.
I made one, "i'm a photographer, not a terrorist", I used to wear it to the airport when going away on holiday, much to my ex's disapproval.
Probably the best video on this matter Brian. I had a very very bad experience last year, some people knocked me out, broke four ribs, reported me to the Police, I ended up in custody, house raided cameras and pcs sd cards taken. I was half asleep in the sunshine on my way to a nature reserve. Got called a pervert because i was wearing camo, and the Police interviewed me for 45 minutes. They had a problem with the camo tape wrapped around my telephoto lens, questioned why I was in the area, also why i had two cameras and three lenses with me. They dropped the case 5 months later.
Unbelievable but it seems more the norm these days.
What about the case against them? I assume (hope more like) they were charged with assault? They assault you and YOU end up in custody, sounds like some bad movie. What in the actual. Also what kind of flimsy grounds is that for the police breaching someone's house and going through their things? I suppose police get away with this kind of stuff everywhere, all too often, but Jesus. That experience sounds like a nightmare, and would traumatise anyone. Talk about losing trust in both society and the police. I'd be angry I can't even imagine.
Sounds like complete bullshit to me? 😂😂😂😅
@@petersmitham8273 unfortunately I’ve seen something sillier happen to a colleague of mine. More than feasible in my experience
Shocking. I hope you pressed charges against those who attacked you.
I agree with you 💯! Years ago, I was hired by a local EMT (Rescue team) to photograph them working a “fake” car wreck (my daughter was one of the EMT’s working the scene as well). Things were good until this woman pulled up and not only yelled at me, but made it her mission to yell at the police officer about me as well, and that was after the chief of the EMT’s and the police officer said they hired me 🤷♀️
unbelievable!
@@SueSwank she’s the sort of person who would have carried on complaining even if the “patient” had yelled “I’m not actually injured, it’s a photoshoot”
These days there are a large number of people who are just desperate to be offended, it’s not specific to photography. Resist letting them win by not changing your behavior. There are still lots of other sensible people around thankfully ….
I agree with this. Our new narcissistic mentality often manifests as a need to be the victim - in this case, to be offended.
I do a lot of street photography and often take photos of people, not right in their faces but more so candid shots to get the mood of society and so forth. For the most part I have not had issues, some people will look at your camera but over where I live it is more so accepted and expected that you will have your photo taken in public. I have come across lots of people who are willing to get their photos taken, which i must admit is quite encouraging. The only two times I had been confronted were of people I wasn't taking photos of, and it was a time where I focused more on landscapes rather than actual street photography. One guy wanted to punch and on a separate occasion a woman threatened to sue me even though I paid little attention to her. All I can say, is that there are a lot of entitled idiots around in the world. Don't let them get you down. Keep taking your camera along.
I was a press photographer - now retired. I had to go and photograph near a school where a teacher had been dismissed and had taken the school to a tribunal. I was outside the school on the public but I was expecting trouble and sure enough the Head Teacher with the Caretaker came out like a mad charging bull shouting at me "Oi You". I was prepared for this as I had come across his sort on many occasions so I stopped and looked behind me and said"Oh are you talking to me I thought that you were talking to one of your naughty schoolboys - DON'T talk to me in that manner who do you think you are" He was showing off in front of the Caretaker but there was no way that he was going to speak to me like that when I was not on school premises in a public place. He then went on to tell me that it was illegal to photograph a school and he would call the Police to which I said "Go on then I am waiting no problem" - He went away and the Police sadly never arrived,
I was once at a vintage vehicle show, I had a camera and a Google Glass, I was approached by a gentleman and he started to rant on about me using the Google glass “were you taking pictures of me?” It was the Google Glass he objected to, I pointed out other people were taking pictures and movies with their phones, cameras, and even video cameras, but he was targeting me because I was using the equipment I happened to be using. I asked him was he going to tell all those other people to stop filming/taking pictures? He responded by telling me he was going to report me to the police, and stormed off!
Many well known vintage photographs are of children, one such example is of a young lad with a bottle of wine tucked in his arm, proud as Punch. I have to wonder in this day and age, would anyone be able to take such a photograph in this day and age without being accused of being something other than a street photographer, but something more sinister?
Consider this. I shoot with a Rolleiflex and I have the absolute polar opposite experience. Every single time I go out, I get stopped by people asking about the camera, being friendly, really interested. People ask to have their photos taken. Literally, dozens of people do this over the course of a day. I can even just stand by a doorway and not even take a shot and people will come up to me to ask about the camera, or people walking past say "cool camera". Never once have I had anyone shout abuse at me or stop me. HOWEVER....if I go out with a DSLR, I have been stopped, questioned by security guards, shouted at told to stop.
Street photographer here. I've noticed more and more people being uncomfortable with cameras over the last couple of years. It's a shame
They don't bat an eyelid about the proliferation of CCTV cameras though!! Damn sheep!!!!
Especially as people are probably on camera more than ever before and don't realise it...
The irony is people don't want to be recorded by others, but have no problem recording themselves for others to view
Screw those people...I'm tall, and a person of color, and look menacing to some (I'm really a sweetheart) but regardless, my stature keeps people away...LOL
@@chandlerbing7570 That's not necessarily ironic, because when recording themselves, they control what happens to the footage and where (if at all) it is posted, as well as the narrative that goes along with it.
Been filming professionally full time in UK for over 5 years. Very occasionally had people in the background come up and challenge. I usually just smile and keep filming. We have a right to work and if they don't like it they can simply get out of the frame! Don't be disheartened, keep taking photos and stand your ground, nicely with a smile 😂
Please don't stop, Brian.. Thankfully nothing I never had anything like what you went through.
It's because the masses no longer use a camera, so it stands out. As someone said below if it was a phone nobody would bat an eyelid. If your doing street photography you sometimes get odd looks but what's amazing is if your near the bus terminals over the intercom comes ' if you see something suspicious phone ?????' that's in my local city of Liverpool. The secret is to do street photography on a regular basis like each week and embrace the fact that CCTV cameras get to know you. I now find I photograph always around the area where there are cameras if someone challenges me about my work I can point to the CCTV cameras saying your being watched all the time with a camera, it tends to calm the situation down. So the secret is what ever city your in know where the security cameras are including those that are in the shops and you will feel prepared & safer for knowing this.
It's also due to movies and TV series when they show FBI agents and criminals taking photos of people in their cars. So, we are the villain now. But they don't care if someone use their cellphone, and can eventually make video LIVE on social media platforms. They are like "Meh ... that's normal". These people are completely irrational and quite stupid.
Yes people are being conditioned to snitch on their fellow citizens. It's becoming like 1930s Germany.
Great points. From Canada, I haven't had these experiences with my camera, but speaking more broadly, I have certainly observed this tone of nastiness rise in the the general public in other areas. And, yes, I attribute it to COVID isolation/desocialization. Keep a smile and we'll rebuild civilization and community again, hopefully. And keep shooting.
Unfortunately, what you experienced just become more common nowadays. It makes me sad. Thanks for sharing this video Brian, all the best.
Thanks Gary. Love your video output by the way.
Sorry to hear this Brian. It happened to me once and it was very upsetting, it just blindsides you. People can be so ignorant and self centred.
I have had similar situations, not only is it frustrating but it has got me down. As you have said, I'm almost too nervous to take my camera out with me.
I was photographing a country lane, used by many walkers near our house, and this woman accused me of taking photos of her. I didn't even know she was there until she mentioned it, she was shouting. Although in her case I think she was mentally disturbed by her reaction and trying to speak to her. I actually reported the incident to the police, I was concerned she might accuse me of something, she seemed that unstable. It was the first time I had been out of the house for several weeks, I suffer from depression, only to meet this mad person.
I have had about 3 or 4 such incidents over the last few years.
Honestly could do with a campaign explaining to the general public, it is not ilegal to take photos outside in public areas.
What really niggles me about this is, I am led to believe the UK had more security cameras per square mile than any other country in the world, where one is constantly watched, but these people never complain about that. They will say it is for security so it's a good thing, but having that amount of surveillance can never be a good thing, even taking on board the security aspect to it. Yet some people are happy to stop a photographer taking photos.
Those are mostly frustrated people, mentally disturbed or kind of tramps. This is what I experienced. (But I never stuck my camera in the faces of people, that does not interest me ). Don't stop your photography for these people ! 💪🏽👍🏽
@@Arripa-777
Yes, you are probably right. I don't put the camera in people's faces either, in fact most people don't unless they are very experienced and skilled.
@@dalvinderbasi3495 Yes but there are several types of street photography also. I prefer the game of light and shadows or all types of reflections.
People would be only silhouettes or distorted by the reflections. I wouldn't know what to do with photos of faces.
Don't get discouraged. I guess it is easier in big towns, so many people and all are in a hurry.
@Arripa-777
Very true, there are several types of street photography. Thank you for your encouragement
I’ve had the sort of incidents you describe occur numerous times over the years. Recently it seems mostly to be people obsessed with “privacy.” In most urban areas, a person is photographed numerous times by cameras they probably don’t know are there. But a person with a camera is an obvious target for them. I usually tell them I’m willing to wait around if they want to call in the police to determine if I was doing something illegal. No takers yet. Several years ago, I was taking a photo of a Toronto office building from the sidewalk. A building security guard rushed over to tell me I wasn’t allowed to photograph the building. I informed him that was not the case. He then told me I was banned from the building. I then took his picture. When he asked why I did that, I told him I’d pass it on to several companies in the building as part of my explanation as to why I’d no longer be doing business with them. The next time I was in the building he scowled a lot, but made no attempt to escort me out.
People are insane-and it’s a sad day when a person just going out and having fun doing street photography gets accused or attacked for doing something legal-My sympathies Brian for your experience.
I was doing street photography the other day in New York City and a lady who I hadn’t photographed came over to me and yelled at me to ‘Delete that photo you just took of me!’
I told her that I didn’t photograph her and she insisted on seeing the last photo that I had taken and I told her that wasn’t going to happen, because who is she that I should have to justify doing something legal in a public space?
She then told me that she didn’t like the situation, and walked away-I yelled after her that she should keep up the good work of not minding her business, and have a nice day!
I had photographed the woman walking behind her, who had smiled at me as I was taking the photo. I’m not going to allow public opinion of me to keep me from enjoying street photography, and will try to deal with people who confront me with respect and dignity to a point because I am going to stand my ground.
@@ratgirl13 so many of my photos have a person smile. I once asked a woman at a renaissance festival if I could take her photo (she was a vendor and I wanted to include the items she was selling). After taking the photo she told me that she had been flattered by my asking.
I was out a few years ago on the Southbank in London. I forgot my lens hood, so improvised one out of a paper coffee cup. A hood rat thought I'd taken his picture and grabbed at my camera. I walked away with him holding the cup and looking very confused. It hasn't stopped me from street photography. If anything, it's made me more confident.
Curious to hear of anyone experience at taking photos in public using massive cameras on huge tripods as if being professional photographers working on a project.
If I'm not mistaken this is what happened to Joel Meyerowitz. After the September 9/11 attacks, Meyerowitz became the only photographer granted unimpeded access to Ground Zero. Initially, he faced resistance and was told he couldn't take pictures because it was a crime scene.
However, he persisted and returned with a large format camera, which gave him a more professional appearance. This move helped him to document the site extensively, resulting in a comprehensive photographic archive of the aftermath and recovery efforts.
There's definitely something in this. I have placed cameras on tripods in situations where I thought there would otherwise have been a risk of attracting unwanted attention. It is the handheld camera which is associated with now demonised news photography or internet perverts. On a tripod and even better wearing a hi vis and you are next to invisible.
"...something horrible has happened to British public life..." Peter Oborne
The Tories since 2010.
@@garyh1572 And Keir's Tories/Likud/War Party now 😞
Totally agree with this. You are under no obligation to speak to these people or even acknowledge that they are there. Hold your ground and carry on with your legal activities. They will no doubt become quite agitated at their lack of validation, but act as if they dont exist. You are in the right!
I was taking a long exposure image of a fountain, so I didn't have any people in the shot. A security guard basically told me I was a pedophile and I couldn't photograph because there were kids running around enjoying the fountain. I told him, I'm not photographing them and no one was complaining, but he was adamant and convinced I was a pedophile. I asked him about the woman with the big professional camera and large white lens. I said, why don't you stop her? He told me, oh, she's a woman and has kids she's photographing, so that's ok. I said, I doubt that very much, she's my wife. But I guess women can't be pedophiles... Many other instances of people getting nasty and accusing me of all sorts. It's a risk. But mostly only in the UK...
Nice video Brian James, very informative. I have had one or two run ins with people, I'm photographing since 2018, mainly street style stuff with Rolleiflex Tlr, Voigtlander and sometimes 8mm and 16mm. I find the twin lens reflex is good because you look down into the viewfinder and focus. I had most problems looking straight ahead with the Voigtlander Bessa T 35mm in Dublin. I photographed two women hugging from about 15 feet away with a compact 90mm lens and one of them came over and followed me half way down the street, all the while shouting insults at me. I explained I was doing street photos and stood tall explaining that cameras are everywhere, including street security cameras. Gave as good as I got. I understand what you mean about how things have gone nowadays. I think alot of it is to do with media of Instagram etc, People feel they don't want their photos put up on someones Instagram in the background, also the face detection. I've also had little snarls from security doormen at pubs, during the day mind you! I always travel as compact as possible and be less conspicuous, one or two lenses and the camera.The majority of people are sound, but I never like photographing homeless people or kids. Thanks for sharing your views and video and I would not let that stop you doing your hobby!
You raise a very interesting point. I can’t say that I’ve experienced the overt aggression you describe, but I do find myself being watched whenever I look through the viewfinder … or even just walking around with the camera over my shoulder. This sense of being watched seems quite new to me .. not something I have really been sensitive to in the past. Indeed, as you say, when I think about it, you are right in observing it appears to have become more tangible since the pandemic.
However, I do also find myself being observed even if I use my phone to grab a picture. It seems to be perfectly acceptable to wander around with a phone on a stick recording the owner’s expression at what they’re looking at, but not to actually capture what they’re looking at!!
Thinking about it, I get the impression that people are spooked by the act of taking a picture of nothing happening … if you follow my meaning. They expect to find something happening which has to be recorded for sharing via social media. They can no longer imagine why anyone would want to photograph a bit of wall with a tree beside it unless the tree or wall was crushing the life out of some poor victim or other. If something is actually happening, they will all crush around to get their own snaps/vids to try and get their own 5 mins of fame, yet none of them will be interested in actually trying to rescue said victim.
I guess, in part, the fact is that someone wandering around with a real camera (especially a DSLR or traditional looking SLR) is now assumed to be unusual because any normal person would just use their phone. In the minds of many, the person with a real camera has to be a nuisance Papperazzi out to bother some poor hapless celebrity… and is, therefore, to be despised.
Dunno ….
Is this how photographers become extinct ?? … by suffering overwhelming guilt for being seen in public with a camera?? 😢
@@davidrowley-ic6dx I wonder if the death of Princess Dianna , allegedly because of paparazzi, and its heightened public story may have been a turning point
I was flying my drone out in the countryside one evening recently, when a woman came up behind me and started with "Excuse me, excuse me, why are you flying a drone near my house"?
I asked her where her house was, which was about 200yds away.
So I said, no, I was flying above that hill, about 500yds away in a different direction (catching the sunset).
She wasn't shouting, but was plainly annoyed, not believing me, and grumbling about filming her sunbathing - even though it was 9pm!.
I said I'd fly it back, and she could look through whatever I'd taken.
When it was overhead, she asked "Can you see my house from here", so I turned the drone towards it.
Next came "Could you take some photos of it"?
Followed by "Can I have some copies. I'll pay you for them"
We ended up swapping phone numbers, and me promising to take some more photos when her building work is finished!
But it was an 'Uh-oh, here we go' moment when she started
This is such a timely subject. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I don’t have any answers but very much agree with you. As a 70 year old I feel certain I grew up in a much nicer world and feel grateful for that. So much makes so little sense to me these days.
I agree with you that people are grumpier these days, but that’s no fault of yours Brian. I remember when I was a kid my friend’s mum used to say “Don’t let the buggers get you down!” So true! Don’t let your enthusiasm be dampened and carry on doing what you’re doing! Cheers to your channel, I love all the topics you cover. Keep up the good work!
Hey Brian unfortunately I’ve noticed this too. Recently I was in Liverpool for the first time and quite blown away by the city. I was taking a wide angle photo across a bridges in the docks, framing and waiting for it to be clear to get a shot with no people. This young guy comes right out to me and says “do that again and I’ll smash your effing camera” . I was so stunned and it just wasn’t a nice experience. I would have replied “try it” if I’d not been so taken aback!
Most photographers who use cameras as opposed to phones, are quite conscientious and usually engage for permission if wanting a shot of a person. I’d much rather have a chat and have some context to the person which adds some background to the photo and memory for me. And of course many times they give me their details and ask for the photos.
People are generally more rude and abrupt on the streets these days. I think the internet and socials have made everyone think they’re starring in their own movie! So we are seeing that with photography as a result which is very sad.
Thanks for posting!
Hi Brianyes I agree people these days are just looking for anything to complain about moan about or feel hard done by.
The UK needs to have a blooming good shake.
Please keep up your work I'd be lost without it.
Steve
Yet curiously nobody bats an eyelid when you take photos with a cellphone in public. Likely the folk who take issue with photographers have something to hide. They probably think you are a private detective for the benefits agency or they made a dodgy insurance claim and think evidence is being gathered lol. The irony that their image is recorded by hundreds of devices daily and they can be tracked using their cellphone is totally lost on them.
Exactly! I have got this many times, nasty people when imaging with my actual cameras, but when I DO EXACTLY THE SAME THING (and worse, upload straight to the Internet on the spot) with my phone, nobody gives a shit.
Yes. As I mentioned in a comment here, it's attributed to the portrayal of photographers in numerous action films and TV series, where they are often depicted as FBI agents, spies, or criminals constantly taking photos from their vehicles. So, unconsciously, in their minds, people make the connection. For them a photo camera is "dangerous" and "suspicious"!
But ... they don't mind that many cellphones are taking many photos and videos LIVE on Facebook or TH-cam of them.
The problem also is that I find people taking photos with cell phones more annoying because they are the ones clogging up the internet with trashy crappy photos. And simply just taking a photo for the sake of it. Where as a photographer with a proper dslr or mirrorless camera has a purpose and is not just click,click, click. And I want prints from my photos anyway, I never use my phone for photography either because we all know you can’t get very large prints from a phone and I mean large prints 2x2 feet and bigger. Phones cannot do this. Any I digress people only use a phone because it’s easy click and shoot no thought about settings and or composition.
@@dunnymonsterYou get all kinds. I was taking photos at the Venice skatepark in California. A guy tries to get me to buy some magazines off of him. Then, he starts yelling out that I could not photograph people in public. I had been photographing the skatepark for an hour. Never pointed a camera toward him.
@@NetTubeUserAnd also the image of ‘paparazzi’ , press photographers who harass innocent people who find themselves suddenly in the news, and not forgetting Princess Diana’s death
Same in America, a guy assaulted me while I was taking photos of the buildings behind him. Its crazy what people think, this was in Boston, MA which I guarantee there are no less than 10 cameras mounted on traffic lights, police poles, and other security cameras. People are just losing their minds wanting to control the situation, but fail to use logic. He was screaming at me to delete the photo I never took of him. Wild out there, stay safe.
Everyone seems to be insulted nowdays 😱
Good video and your getting some decent comments. We are constantly under surveillance via sophisticated CCTV and I think this unconsciously puts people on edge. The line is very blurred between authority and our art.
The best thing about being a nature and wildlife photographer is the entire goal is to get as far away from people as possible. I've never had a squirrel or deer complain about me taking their photo. The objective here is to get as far away from people as I reasonably can,
My experience of the Covid era was the opposite. People became paranoid and insular. In the past a photograph would generally stay in somebodies personal collection and if it spread to mainstream media it was probably a professional photographer. It's different these days. Thanks for the video :)
I do a fair amount of urban/street photography in London and apart from being asked politely to move on by security guards if I'm using my camera on privately owned property/land (of which there is more than you would think), I have very rarely, if ever, encountered abuse. I think people in London are just used to seeing so many tourists using cameras, so don't get worked up about it. However, I am a little more careful (discrete) in my south east home town, but cannot recall receiving any abuse. Of course, it's possible that as I am of advanced years, I'm probably invisible to most of the younger public 😊!
I’ve rarely had it before. Once when I was taking photos of a very picturesque house in the country as I said in a previous video and once by a very irate “smack head” when I first got my 70D canon who was aggressive and I felt unsafe with, but I put that down to the drugs.
That’s why this has been particularly disturbing as it’s 3 in succession. Something seems to have changed and it’s not me.
I have noticed people get nasty and aggressive if it's an actual camera but when taking photos and videos with my phone nobody bats an eye. Do these people know phones can even upload them right after or even live to the Internet, my actual camera can't! Why get upset by less invasive imaging device than what everybody carries in their pocket these days?
Excellent video. I did alot of street photography for around 10 yrs but I gave it up around 3 yrs ago because people are just so angry all the time for no reason. I only do macro and wildlife photography now because animals are alot more civilised than 90 percent of people
Thanks for this. You and me both! I live in a housing estate surrounded by wildlife. Yet I have been accused of working for the police and being a pervert! I even had to show the photos of the Autumn trees I was taking before one chap would stand down. It made me feel as if I shouldn't be taking photos at all - thanks for the encouragement.
You pretty much hit the nail for me. Street photography is about the street, not necessarily people. I’ve got a fear and can’t shake that fear of photographing with people around so I decided I had two choices, give up photography or find some genre I can use and like. Abstract architecture and that type of thing has allowed me to do something and I’ve grown to enjoy it.
Sometimes I think I’m being silly but it’s something I just can’t help but my idea of fun now is going out at silly o clock in the morning and do what I need to do with few people around.
The only time I will actually feel ok with my camera around people is if I go out ( a rare event) with the sole purpose of doing what I call street dog photography in the park areas or paths that I know will have dog walkers.
I do find it strange though that your more likely to have someone of a suspect nature who can go around taking photos with a phone, or a video for that matter and not be noticed, whereas someone using a camera is obviously not hiding the fact and are much less a cause for concern.
Let's not be disingenuous, "street photography" is about people, not buildings. It's about their behaviour good and bad, the compositions they make in the frame, the way they interact with their environment. It was always tough to do, but has become a lot more so since the internet, where someone's image might be used for nefarious reasons. Add various social panics, some justified, most not so, and every passer by feels entitled to have their say. You need a thick skin to be a street photographer, and a ready comeback that will make any bully think twice.
@@borderlands6606 we are all entitled to our opinions. Ive seen a debate too many times to warrant becoming embroiled into it myself.
@@Ricalex67 Street photography is a genre of candid, people-centred photography. It has nothing to do with streets, although it is predominantly but not exclusively urban in nature. Saying anything can be street photography leads to its dilution, which is to the detriment of photography as a whole. Some things are worth being pedantic about.
@@borderlands6606 as said, we are all allowed our opinions…..
@@Ricalex67 Indeed, but facts are facts.
You are so right, I've had this a few times recently, totally bummed me out.
One time after 911, I went to my hometown in the UK to make a video. Took video from the train pulling into the station. Two police wrote me a caution and followed me around town from the station. I guess you could say things had changed.
What was the caution for? If they had followed me around, I would have definitely made a complaint for harassment. If left unchecked / unchallenged, this sort of behaviour will never stop.
@@c0ldc0ne Following the terror attacks in NYC in 2001 there was heightened security around filming train stations, something I wasn't aware of as a tourist in the UK. I had the camcorder trained on the town name as the train pulled into the station because I was going to make a video about visiting my old hometown. Police saw the camera and I was a person to be suspicious of.
@@GaryStockton I guess you could call that an exceptional set of circumstances. On the other hand, terrorist attacks and child abuse have become a way too liberally applied excuse to ban all manner of perfectly harmless pastimes by overzealous, and often ill-informed law enforcement officers. I fully appreciate that it's hard to strike a balance, but when laws are starting to eroding the very liberties they were drafted to uphold, then there's definite reason for concern.
There are more nice people than others. Don’t let it bring you down.
Folks in the UK have become routinely hostile and self-righteous over that last few years. It saddens me daily.
"Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing"
~Conan the Barbarian
The irony is the UK has more CCTV per head than any other country. People are being watched all the time, and they are being recorded for reasons other than art, yet they have no problem about it.
I thought that about his comments about taking photos of houses. Bet they didn’t complain about Google Street Maps coming by and doing the same thing.
The Philippines say to the UK, 'hold my beer.' That poor country is littered with CCTVs. I to bet the UK has more cameras than the Philippines, but for a small country, there is no hiding.
and these CCTV are in the main private firms; you try and get a copy of the data/images recorded under the freedom of information act, no chance and it wi cost you a lot even if you can find who owns the camera. In the Town i live there are dozens of street CCTV cameras and asked who operates them; Police say they are not the owners, County Council, District and Town Council all say they dont own any cameras in the town. The highways say they own just 5 out of the 0 odd cameras and direct me back to the County Council wh assert they dont have to supply images to the public. As you say 99% of people are fine with this situation!
Don't help that it's full of unhinged middle east people that do not like their photos taken.
Yep, people need to realise how often they are filmed.
It's shear ignorance of the British public. It's laughable that they tell you "Stop taking photos, I know the law". While in all, they don't have a clue. I got told off on Facebook because I agreed with someone that was taking photos. At the same time the people that were calling me, were taking selfies of themselves and their kids and publishing them on Facebook.
This is why I don’t do street photography so much, people stare at you like you’re doing something illegal. Some might even shout out at you… so instead of taking photos I find myself walking around and acting innocent… even though I’ve done nothing wrong!
And yeah, as someone pointed out, if I’d just used my smartphone no one would have batted an eye lid 🙄
Brother, here's a hug. I understand your passion. In such dire moments, best is to practice empathy and diffuse the situation then move on.
You can't expect privacy in a public place.
Just yesterday while taking a photo of an old building in the back ally, The lady comes out of the store. I thought, here we go. She invited me in. It was a wonderful old men's clothing store filled with antiques. It was a proper 1800's store, just lovely. The original owners had the place for 100 years before selling out. Think I'm going back and buying a walking stick.
this is exactly why I’m so disillusioned when people are angry about photography.
When someone makes a friendly approach we are, unfortunately, immediately on our guard expecting the worse. Yet when someone comes up to the photographer with a pleasant approach so many doors can open for both parties, the opportunity for us to voluntarily explain our hobby/art/profession etc and maybe the opportunity for them to share what they have to say or show. And sometimes, like this instance, to even make a potential customer, even sale.
thanks for sharing as it’s cheered me up reading it.
@@ThatMicro43Guy Glad to hear. I have my own horror stories too. To be honest, I've retreated to the woods and enjoy shooting rapids and water falls mostly. A couple days ago, it was pure heaven. No other people to be seen. Just to sit down and listen to waterfalls is simply bliss for me, didn't want to leave. In the city/towns, I plan my shots, make them quick and move on. Just an old man with a camera. 🙂
Great video Brian :) I go out of my way to NOT get a reaction from people too & keep a low profile… A VERY Low profile!!! But unfortunately there is still the odd person that spoils the experience…
Thanks Grant. Love your videos too. Just watched the new one about being thick skinned when it comes to the trolls. Maybe I should take a leaf out of your book and apply the same to these street trolls.
Keep up the great vids mate. I’m enjoying them.
Hi Brian im in Australia yes ok i think i have figured it out ... I am a novice photographer and the difference we are seeing is that when a smartphone photo is taken its point and shoot and a photo can be taken in a manner of secs before being put back into the pocket BUT when you have a Full size camera there is many many many options like you say we forgot all the options. Most of us struggle to use them and to give us the best shot possible shoot we spend alot of time on one photo seems excessive but neccessary. Im 45 havent had a issue but if i was 60-70 years old im sure i would be considered a creep given the time i spend adjusting etc my advice is just have your facts on paper or on a phone and show them you are allowed to do what you are doing and dont give into them :)
I've had it a few times, it's always two types of people. Either the conspiracy theory "everything is a scam" "everyones out to get me" crowd or the NIMBY crowd. My favourite was walking into a tesco holding my camera, off, lens cap on, had just popped into grab a drink. Security guard was kicking off at me telling me it was private property etc - i'm like, i know dude... cap is on, camera is off, but he wouldn't relent - i just gave him the drink and left - so annoying.
People do have too many sensitivities, Brian. It's the way of the modern Western world unfortunately. Being nice costs nothing and does the world some good. It's a shame we don't see enough of it. Take care.
I had no problems in big touristic towns where people are always in a hurry. A girlfriend had a problem during a manifestation, where a guy went up to the women ( only ) who were photographing and told them to put away their cameras if not he would break them ! I guess it made him feel as if he had some power. 🤮
I had problems in smaller towns where people felt suspicious about me, even when I was only photographing small chapels or churches. 🤷🏽
I think that these are frustrated people and that they need to have a kind of authority on someone so that they feel better.
Thank you ! Great video ! 👍🏽
People being nasty does not just apply to photography but it appears to be infecting all aspects of our lives. I have lived in the UK for over 50 years now, and I have sadly witnessed the gradual decline in the behaviour of the people in general, and particularly in and around the major cities. People have become selfish, self-centred, aggressive, and unkind and this applies to all echelons of our society from the no hoppers living in the council estates to the the ones who have gotten wealthy in the last 40 years or so. We as a nation have become more wealthy and more advanced in terms of technology, but as a civilised society we have become worse. Sorry to be blunt.
This kind of behavior is commonly observed in major cities worldwide, and often, social media platforms seem to exacerbate the situation.
@@NetTubeUser Not all the major cities in the world. I have travelled all over Europe, both for business and pleasure. It seems to be more confined to a few particular countries and sadly ours is one of them. A few years ago, while I was driving myself to the airport in Barcelona I really got lost. The signage was absolutely useless. In my desperation I ended up in the center, and I waved a Taxi down and told him that I was lost. He told me to follow him, and he took me to the airport. I gave him 20 Euros as thanks which he wouldn't take, but I forced him to take it. Do you want me to tell you what happened in Germany when my wife and I asked for direction to a train to take us to Frankfurt? France is also a problem. Social media does not exacerbate the problem, it only reflects it.
Spot on. I absolutely agree.
Hi Brian, I have been a more than keen, Street Photographer since I retired, 18 yrs ago . In all that time, just a couple of , "Why did you take my Photo" , then, after an explanation, they left smiling. But just the other week I was verbally abused by a very loud ranting woman, at me, an ancient one in a mobility scooter, enjoying his hobby. Why did she rant ? I had spotted a pair of older teens, siting , just like a pair of bookends on a bench in town. I the decisive moment, the teens and me were startled by this banshee of a woman , screeching about me , taking photos of young girls. "Here we go again" I thought, so quietly produced my card, containing, my full details, plus more. …Ir was rejected as she continued to rant. Very fortunately, a friend could see I was visibly upset, and pretty angry. He managed to chase the woman away. Meantime the teens remained as they were, they were only five yards away. Both told me that the lady was "Out of order" , they didn’t mind at all, they both took a card and wished me well . .. I haven’t used the photo , but kept it for reference. It shows what I saw….A pair of figures sillihueted , on each end of a bench just like Bookends. ….I wish you well, keep on shooting, despite all… Had you or I been using a phone, no one would have bothered… but to some , a REAL camera phases them …… Such is Life !
The weird thing that I've noticed is that over the years how things have changed. When I was using film ( yeah I'm THAT old lol ) things were entirely different, it's as if using a Digital camera has altered peoples perception in some way...
'Oooh...he's got a DIGITAL camera'!
And it's not just people on the street. I was in Trafalgar square early one morning, two cops came over...before you know it there's FIVE of them. All 'having a go' at me for daring to take photographs....in Trafalgar square !!
@@ramadaxl I’m finding, shockingly, that the police are the ones with the least understanding of the law these days. We are an easy target. .
I think one difference today compared to the past times is that we can instantly show and delete photos and everyone knows that. In the film days no one knew what you’d photographed until the film was developed plus to “delete” a shot meant destroying the whole film
Unfortunately I avoid public photography because of this issue. When I do go out to take photos or operate my drone, I make sure to also take my body camera with me.
Very interesting and valid video, Brian. I have been very fortunate here in London as I regularly have people showing a genuine interest in the sort of photos I am taking, I have had security guards even suggesting places I might find interesting. I have had no abuse at all in the last few years. I also just posted a couple of photos of my own grandparents, and my mum, taken on the beach at Southend-on-Sea in 1922. They are all sitting in deck chairs, all fully dressed in their best clothes, the men with flat hats, suits and ties. As you say, no-one bothered and everyone actually WANTED their photos taken. Strange times indeed that we live in now.
About 10 - 12 years ago I did a long street photography project in my closest major city. I was finishing my undergrad in Sociology and was deeply emersed in the city shooting sometimes 3-4 times a week. When I was really into it I could blend in and only had a handful of "bad" experiences but overtime the anxiety of shooting in public made it less and less fun. I can't even imagine doing it now. The shame is that people love looking back at pictures of towns, cities and people of the past whilst being totally oblivious to the fact that someone had to actually go out and take that photo! Unfortunately I think were destroying a lot of what makes society function and as you pointed out the lock downs have had an extremely negative impact on society and how people interact with each other.
Keep your chin up Brian. Just ignore the negative people. I get the side eye off people all the time while I'm doing street photography. I just ignore them.
I gave up street photography for that very reason, the constant worry of conflict over the subject, people giving you funny looks, or just flat out saying, "Why are you taking photos?" It was a nice hobby, but it just isn't worth the agro.
Hey fellow photographers, know this, more times than not, the person accusing you of being 'dirty', well, they themselves are the dirty one.
People, for whatever reasons, tend to project their own intention onto others.
You, as a photographer, aren't dirty, rather you're a creative artist...period, and don't let others rob you of that.
In the USA we call these chronic complainers a number of things. "Karens" top the list. A Karen is that easily offended customer or bystander that can't resist getting in your business. "Im calling the authorities!" and "I want to talk to your manager/supervisor!" are popular phrases from this lot. There is another twist on this we may call a "social justice warrior" that constantly insists you are exploiting someone, something, or are somehow impeding their rights through discrimination or the use of "hate speech."
I was walking around a small town taking pictures of buildings and storefronts. A woman in a compact SUV spotted me and started circling the block every few minutes. She parked about a block down the street, illegally, so she could keep an eye on me, and a police cruiser rolled up. He didn't get out of his car, he just rolled down the window and pulled over near me. This was my clue that it was a formality to stop because the call was from a known busybody. The officer asked who I was, where I was from, and what I was doing. Unless there is reasonable suspicion of a crime, they really have no right to any of that, but there is little point in arguing with cops. I pointed out the Karen parked down the block and suggested that was probably the "concerned citizen" that thinks me taking pictures of 100 year old architecture was an act of domestic terrorism. The officer was cordial and asked what seemed to be responsible questions. We are a state allows people to carry firearms openly, and concealed carry is by permit. He asked if I was carrying, which I was not, and he wished me a good day and drove on. I asked for a business card and made sure i had the police non-emergency phone number in case "Karen" decided to harass me directly.
As a photographer of over 42 years, 34 of those as a wedding and portrait professional. I often participated in a bit of street photography as a hobby, photographing candidly people on the streets and at events around West Cumbria.
The camera I would use was a Nikon D700 and 70-200 f2.8, not a camera you could easily hide or conceal. Whilst photographing people I would often be spotted by my subject and making eye to eye contact through the lens with them. I would always take the photo anyway and generally show a nod of appreciation towards them and things were generally fine. I must have been lucky all this time as I have never been approached and chastised for taking any of my images on the street. Though I did get approached a couple of times for photographing listed buildings for an English Heritage project I was involved with in 2006. The owners of the house I was taking from the roadside. They approached me and asked what I was doing. I explained to them why I was photographing his home, I explained it was for English Heritage and showed my id card and things were fine.. they told me the reasons for their agressive actions and I could understand why they reacted as they did. Which was generally a disliking of the rules English heritage had put on them about what they could and couldn't do to their home with E.H's permission We departed in a more friendlier way.
Brian, I only ever take my DSLR to places where you would expect to see them e.g. tourist sites, wildlife/birdwatching, countryside walks etc. never into a town or city centre (although I do see others do it as I live in a seaside town) but I do take my Ricoh compact because its inconspicuous and most people probably think it’s a smartphone at a glance. There is a generational lack of understanding of what a camera is, what it does and what amateur photographer’s actually do with the images thing going on here though, how many people under 50 do you see with a DSLR these days? Such hobbies have become a thing of the past I’m afraid.
its a sad reality of our modern (turing nasty) world - I have experienced the same "vitriol" in public when I ramble about with my "small" mirrorless XH1 camera albeit with a 18-80 lens mounted .. I have experienced this more then I am comfortable with - I go out of my way to keep "stealthy" and I am aware of my rights when it comes to photography in public -- I have argued that on every street and inside every shop we are being photographed - but it seems the guy with a DSLR or Mirrorless camera is under some public attack or criticism - I dont feel comfortable in public with a camera anymore sadly - and I have decided to park my hobby for now .. might get back to wood-turning in my shed ... greetings from Ireland ..