When did we stop being “nice” ….(and become “nasty”) Part 1

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[@wayofharmonyUK]

The bizarre thing is, if you were using a smartphone to take a photo in public no-one would bat an eyelid!

[@traceybartlam7737]

@@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!

[@dcxdanny]

Yes, a number of places I have run across that rule - cell phones are ok -- but no real cameras.

[@AndrewSowerby]

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.

[@DrewProject]

@@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.

[@aeyb701]

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.

[@AstroCloudGenerator]

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!

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

@@AstroCloudGenerator I think you are spot on

[@jackslater8688]

"Hell is other people" Jean-Paul Satre.

[@dasaen]

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.

[@chamade166]

@@dasaen is this insanity UK specific? That sounds bizarre.

[@dasaen]

@@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.

[@tubecated_development]

@@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.

[@paullanoue5228]

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.

[@xtianfotos9975]

to say it in german: Kranke Welt!

[@LOTPOR0402]

the internet breeds idiots

[@jcbever1511]

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.

[@paullakin7777]

Similar situation, a couple of 'youths' shouted 'are you a paedo?' I shouted back 'If I were, you'd be safe!'

[@unbroken1010]

😂😂

[@unclemick-synths]

😂

[@dbcooper7326]

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'.

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

Very true

[@duncansteward4331]

yep

[@reflux043]

​@@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.

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

@@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.

[@johnwaine56]

@@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.

[@fotograffic8096]

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.........

[@paulodefeyter]

"Forgive O'Lord" ?!?!?!? hhehehehehehe

[@timdriscoll8712]

I think you've just proved Brian's point.

[@smithbrownjones]

Far Out...!?

[@c0ldc0ne]

@@smithbrownjones Those were the days.

[@bonbon_ann2701]

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.

[@Mucklegipe]

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.

[@tizio54]

Excellent comparison. Brits are generally quick to threaten with the law when they feel threatened.

[@heldercosta9514]

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

[@PhilJonesIII]

@@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.

[@PhilJonesIII]

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?

[@frankfoti]

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.

[@d.k.1394]

@@frankfoti disgusting

[@oldsquashmonkey]

there are different privacy laws on the continent (EU)

[@The_Red_Squirrel]

@@oldsquashmonkey I wasn't aware of that? How are the laws different in the EU to what they are in the UK.

[@dcarbs2979]

@@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.

[@The_Red_Squirrel]

@@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.

[@edwardpike1]

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.

[@Arripa-777]

👍🏽

[@MarkRowsey]

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!

[@NiSE_Rafter]

​​@@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)

[@MarkRowsey]

@@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.

[@eerboe]

"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.

[@Anonymous-si6py]

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.

[@NameEMcNameface]

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.

[@Anonymous-si6py]

@@NameEMcNameface So you created a KZbin 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.

[@NameEMcNameface]

@Anonymous-si6py No, I created a KZbin 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.

[@Anonymous-si6py]

@@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.

[@NameEMcNameface]

@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.

[@ToddBannor]

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.

[@FirstNameLastName-ev3jk]

People do have an expectation of privacy in public. Thousands of videos prove that. It’s just that their expectation is not reasonable.

[@PixelSeekingPhotography]

@@FirstNameLastName-ev3jk 🤣 that's great

[@wherezthebeef]

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...

[@NiSE_Rafter]

@@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 😉

[@NetTubeUser]

@@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".

[@stanobert3475]

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.

[@NetTubeUser]

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 KZbin, 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.

[@stanobert3475]

@@NetTubeUser True! False stereotypes.

[@rkma]

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..

[@FilmSchool-om3ew]

@@NetTubeUser They sound like imbosils to me.

[@c0ldc0ne]

@@FilmSchool-om3ew The irony is real.

[@ChuckSeayII]

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!

[@MrCopper4]

The world is not nice anymore it seems

[@arricammarques1955]

The age of civility remains dearly missed.

[@MrBillkaz]

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….

[@c0ldc0ne]

@@arricammarques1955 What do you consider the age of civility? Or was that just a reference to a utopian stage of human civilisation?

[@CT-vm4gf]

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.

[@stanobert3475]

I hate this hypocrisy!

[@traceybartlam7737]

@@stanobert3475and you can take in a fixed lens camera but not a camera with interchangeable - how ridiculous

[@bondgabebond4907]

@@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.

[@traceybartlam7737]

@@bondgabebond4907 madness!

[@KeithanthonyTaylor]

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. :(

[@dunnymonster]

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.

[@madfinntech]

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.

[@NetTubeUser]

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 KZbin of them.

[@paulanthony2351]

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.

[@danwoodliefphotography871]

@@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.

[@johnwaine56]

@@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

[@rtyler1869]

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”

[@matthew3774]

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!

[@splatbass]

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.

[@josephweaving6458]

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.

[@NetTubeUser]

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?

[@SueSwank]

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 🤷‍♀️

[@L.Spencer]

unbelievable!

[@norman-de-plume]

@@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”

[@davidwalker2402]

I think most of our petty problems now seem related to social media in one way or another.

[@AprilClayton]

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.

[@madfinntech]

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.

[@philiphatfield2833]

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!

[@robertTmojo]

@@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.

[@RayGuselli]

Well said Phil.....

[@davidellis8141]

Too long .

[@NetTubeUser]

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!

[@mariaxeniaallen]

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!

[@andrewroberts7626]

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.

[@mattarnold7633]

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...

[@photohoot]

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

[@JohnJones-ct9pr]

She probably just needed a quickie.

[@scotey]

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.

[@jonathanherbst6906]

@@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

[@Gary_W]

Unfortunately, what you experienced just become more common nowadays. It makes me sad. Thanks for sharing this video Brian, all the best.

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

Thanks Gary. Love your video output by the way.

[@gemstonesvideograpghy6672]

Proper persons taken video and photos will have common sense. Don’t take photos or video of children in the parks unless they are family or friends. Don’t take photos or videos at military establishments or Government buildings that may have national security. Otherwise within the law you can take photos and video even panning round and get a person in a shot and as long you are not continuous focusing on them. Be mindful. Some people can be very rude but it’s alright for them to their mobile phones. They are disgraceful!

[@tourmaline07]

Agree with all of this - mostly using common sense

[@barrymckeown6822]

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 ….

[@Brian.001]

I agree with this. Our new narcissistic mentality often manifests as a need to be the victim - in this case, to be offended.

[@MBSRbushcraft]

The world has changed since the Covid crisis. Not just for photographers, but for everyone. You were much less likely to tolerate kindness and a majority of people only know one right and that is their own right, even if they make it up on the spot. And their own right is always more important than that of someone else! As a street photographer, I once photographed a dog walking towards me. It was a breed that was known to be dangerous, but this one was a sweetheart. I didn't see the owner anywhere, which was strange because dogs are required to be on a leash in that place. When I finished taking the photos, a young man walked up to me shouting, "Did you ask permission to photograph my dog?" I started laughing madly and replied, "Yes, I did, but the dog thought it was fine. Would you like to see the pictures? I can send them too if you like them." The young man started screaming even louder. "Delete, NOW you old bastard! If you don't delete the photos, you will see what I do to you!". I looked around to see if anyone could help me if the situation got out of hand. I don't want to give in to intimidation. Physically I could easily handle him, but I didn't know if his dog would suddenly turn from a cute animal into a dangerous monster. I also didn't want any damage to the camera. So I pretended to delete the photos, said "sorry" and walked away. The first thing I did when I got home was to publish a photo of his dog including the story about his owner and a description of what he looked like. Greets from Mahdi, Netherlands

[@unbroken1010]

I had a similar incident. Some lady asked me to ask permission. I pointed to the 8 cameras on the street and walked away

[@TheDavveponken]

This process has been going on for the past ten years it seems to me. Started to happen to me around that time. It's very sad. I think people are becoming dumber and judging people by the book (or by their own book of paranoia and annoyance) - it's an innocent picture, so what, who cares?

[@TheSeekerNFT]

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.

[@johnmilton7578]

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.

[@StephenJoines]

*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'.

[@Strider9655]

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.

[@richardgardiner9597]

My kneejerk reaponse is usually "Yeah....I don't care" when someone bags on me for no reason. It starves the trolls.

[@bimbopbimbop]

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.

[@BMadPhoto]

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.

[@madfinntech]

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?

[@PaulMacnamara-n4k]

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,

[@rickf4401]

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.

[@johnthomas82206]

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.

[@raybridges1927]

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.

[@daveericson8447]

@@raybridges1927 they probably been unhappily married for decadesso cut him some slack

[@duncansteward4331]

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 .

[@Mucklegipe]

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?

[@desgardner7169]

Yes I have.....normally the nasty comments come from the loony leftys...if I am on the streets I just walk away, if the camera is on a tripod I invite the person to have a look at my last exposure, but there are some very nasty people about whether you are a photographer or not, even as I wait in my car for my wife to come out of the super market people tap the window and ask what are you doing! It makes my blood boil, I just wish I was a 21yr old instead of a 81yr old wrinkly yes somebody called me that the other day. Take care....

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

Those wrinkles are merely the compartmentalised storage areas for your acquired wisdom over the years. Lol

[@em.militello]

@@desgardner7169 loony lefties?? What?

[@huntercreatesthings]

Street photographer here. I've noticed more and more people being uncomfortable with cameras over the last couple of years. It's a shame

[@khemikora]

They don't bat an eyelid about the proliferation of CCTV cameras though!! Damn sheep!!!!

[@Hokum_Paints]

Especially as people are probably on camera more than ever before and don't realise it...

[@chandlerbing7570]

The irony is people don't want to be recorded by others, but have no problem recording themselves for others to view

[@FilmSchool-om3ew]

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

[@c0ldc0ne]

@@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.

[@bakonfreek]

I’ve had kind of the opposite thing for me. I recently picked up a cute little Sony camera and often I’ll have it in a bag with me when I’m dragged along by someone else to various things (dance shows, bar music performances, that sort of thing) and often I’ll be told I can’t bring the bag in (as staffs worry about people bringing psychoactive substances at these venues) but then I show off the camera inside like “nah, it’s way more expensive than drugs” and then we all have a little chuckle and they’ll go off about something such that it almost seems as though they’d be disappointed if I didn’t take any photos or videos. That said, I’m often dragged along around the more artistic side of the city so, I suppose the general attitude makes sense in that context.

[@fellowcitizen]

"...something horrible has happened to British public life..." Peter Oborne

[@garyh1572]

The Tories since 2010.

[@fellowcitizen]

@@garyh1572 And Keir's Tories/Likud/War Party now 😞

[@markdavies9636]

To many angry people in this world who should be on medication. I always carry a small bottle of chilli spray just Incase you need to spice up your day!

[@gn7026]

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.

[@Tom_YouTube_stole_my_handle]

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.

[@DirtyPlumbus]

"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

[@bullah56]

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.

[@andrewlutes2048]

Maybe they’re suffering from cognitive dissonance. People willingly submit to surveillance from their phone, computer, car, TV, even laundry machines and refrigerators. But if you make them aware of a camera they flip out. That’s weird.

[@StuartLowPhotography]

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.

[@utahnl]

Because the powers that be want us to be preoccupied with trivial stuff like manufactured perceived injustices, just so we are too distracted and tired to do anything about real injustices, let alone notice them.

[@4mooncheese]

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.

[@edcAdventures.]

This is why i dont really take photos of people or in a crowded place. People look you weird if you have a proper camera

[@robertavery8002]

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 😊!

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

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.

[@prich2202]

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.

[@pedrocamposnl]

Here in Amsterdam is even worse !!! If they see ya with a camera on your hand they burst you and call the police

[@artursandwich1974]

You're right. We're living in a world where (in the western world at least) young adults are from a generation the has been pampered and pampering (way) too much. They are used to having their surroundings bent to their whims and insecurities lest they should feel any discomfort. A generation who confuse unknown or uncalled with threat and discomfort with assault. And their attitudes and hysteria are spreading into "general narrative". The only reaction they know is anger and outcry because they are accustomed to getting whatever they wanted when they cried as children. Today's 40-year old made this. Fortunately, in most places law is slow to follow as codeces are written by older lawyers, usually. Unfortunately, when you look I to spreading censorship in everyday speech and media, it seems like we have few years left before nothing is allowed... I wish I were 3 decades older.

[@Filmmaker809]

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!

[@grantrobertdavies]

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…

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

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.

[@theryanthomas]

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.

[@clevermonkeyfilms2100]

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 😂

[@frostybe3r]

I quit doing street photography because everyone’s an annoying little shit.

[@Laytonmartindale]

today i was photographing a carnival in Whitstable and a guy came over and was interested in my camera and asked about weather i had social media why cant more people be like this

[@_H_2023]

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.

[@NetTubeUser]

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.

[@khemikora]

Yes people are being conditioned to snitch on their fellow citizens. It's becoming like 1930s Germany.

[@PorkPieDrone]

i have been abused while filming , they all use phone cameras , but as soon as we use old fashioned cameras , they start shouting, well my response is i will keep doing it, we have rights so stuff em, you had a go at auditors (i am not one) 99% of the time it lack of knowledge from the public/businesses, and the auditors are doing nothing different than us .

[@dr.abyscharles]

Please don't stop, Brian.. Thankfully nothing I never had anything like what you went through.

[@oc2phish07]

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.

[@therelentlesswan]

Ignore them, tell them to mind their own business or just ask them if they want their portrait taken😂😂😂

[@jonhermannsson9231]

I so agree with you. This is getting rid. And even police officers are barking the same. Photographing building is Photographing store windows is a crime You have to get my approval And permission I’m calling the police I’m not ever going to England again Until things change I look at it that it is really legal through photographing England Will you all know that’s not true Try to photograph famous building police station or storefront The US said the uncomfortable law People called the police and emergency number and say they’re not comfortable because somebody might be taking a picture of them in public Happily and many police cars and police officers with gun And confirm the person that it is a crime to take pictures of them and I find it same as you funny people walk downtown and you take a picture of just want to see and they start barking It’s illegal it. They go to football match and has the big screen shows them the way of their hands. They’re all happy they’re excited. Still being broadcasted. Lots of people taking pictures all over the place. Bunch of hypocrites.

[@cerij4242]

I was taking photos of trains at a local station, when this bloke said to me I was taking photos of kids. I was taken by surprise so asked are you serious so he carried on accusing me, then I said loudly No I will not take photos of children for you!! get away you pervert shaking my head and so on causing a fuss putting it all back on him,surprise surprise he had lots of nasty looks as he scuttled off into the distance.

[@saoirsemine3553]

I have a small, business card size information thing that I give to anyone who tries this with me. It gives them a brief outline, and links, to the law. A law they have no clue about.

[@koba2802]

I think there's a new sensitivity to photography in public. Back in the day, photos weren't digital and easily shareable. It was just for family use. These days, the photos can be uploaded and shared with the public through social media. I think because of this, some people may be afraid of how their image will look without their control. So in the end, it comes down to a matter of control.

[@NameEMcNameface]

Yet social media is polluted by members of the general public only too willing to share photographs and videos of themselves and even their children without a care of how they will be perceived.

[@DailyBugle66]

The bigger the camera the bigger the problem apparently 😢

[@andresalgadomarques]

I understand what you mean and it’s very sad! Had the same thing happen to me a few times, and you just feel terrible for no good reason !…

[@FilmSchool-om3ew]

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.

[@chrisnielsen9885]

I’ve noticed people are more entitled and angry since Covid and my theory is that all of the anti vax, anti mask rhetoric has changed society - people now are all about themselves and ‘you can’t tell me what to do’ while at the same time the rants about people wearing masks have translated into rants about anything they like

[@tomrandall6539]

It’s a bit of a broad statement and I know how it sounds overall, but I’ve found the British public (actually more the English public) have become less and less friendly over the years, noticeably so since I was a kid!

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

@@tomrandall6539 totally agree

[@albarber6791]

Last year I was at a local event taking photos. As I was leaving the area I was surrounded by four security guys who told me I was being kept there until the police arrived. So embarrassing to be held there by these guys while thousands of people were passing and rubber necking. After half an hour a cop arrived on a motorcycle and I explained I had been taking photographs at a public event so not broken any laws. He agreed and called off the security officers. Next day I was contacted by a friend who told me the mother of one child had posted a photo of me on Facebook with the warning 'Beware of this man who is taking photos of children'. This was reposted many times by people who added their own comments. Fortunately I am fairly well known in the area and many came to my defence saying I was a good guy and the original poster should be ashamed of herself. Since then I have been a bit more cagey about taking photos of children but of course at fairs etc that is almost impossible. Yes these days people are getting really paranoid especially were children are concerned. On another occasion I was stopped by two community cops who told me it was against the law to photograph them which is totally wrong. Everyone thinks they know the law.

[@duncansteward4331]

bet the same mother was not bothered with the private security cameras and cars dash cams or people with phones taking pictures of her child.

[@NiSE_Rafter]

People are too paranoid these days after reading internet clickbait headlines and watching tiktok videos. Ive had many people bring up "issues" to complain about thag they saw online that we've never experienced in real life

[@fullclipaudio]

It is just people on a power trip. They are entirely powerless in every facet of their lives so they lash out wherever they can. I feel sorry for these powerless people.

[@Tom_YouTube_stole_my_handle]

I would argue that you were effectively under arrest as you were being detained. A false arrest in this case. I would have made a complaint against them to the police.

[@lensman5762]

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.

[@NetTubeUser]

This kind of behavior is commonly observed in major cities worldwide, and often, social media platforms seem to exacerbate the situation.

[@lensman5762]

@@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.

[@Vic-cv3df]

Spot on. I absolutely agree.

[@madbadger85]

I just tell them to sod off…..it’s got nothing to do with them, I once offered my phone so this woman could ring the police, but she wouldn’t take it so I said mind your own business mrs.

[@mikesphotography7185]

Hi Brian, We live in a very strange world. I have grandchildren but it's advisable for me not to photograph children as a photographer. We had a D-Day march in our Village which I took photographs of including the children I then put this on local social media and guess what I had the Mum’s saying they were so pleased to be able to see their children in the photos, I think it's the strange world we live in now.

[@21coolie]

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.

[@TomRelubbus]

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

[@chrisobvious]

I think there is increasing unfocused anger and frustration and you might be a convenient target in the moment. I've had an incident or two. I try to have empathy for angry people, realizing that their anger isn't really about me or what I'm doing. Just keep going.

[@ramadaxl]

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 !!

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

@@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

[@29jug11]

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 !

[@jaydigshistory36]

The problem is Auditors and those without ethics that create these problems for those of us who like capturing life, and creating photographs. Then add the tension in the world all around exacerbated by social media negatives and it’s just a melting pot. I want to get into street photography but am nervous of the outcome.

[@Memory_Gatherers]

Pull out a camera and the world loses its mind. Whilst surrounded by 100 mobile phones filming in 4k and no one bats an eyelid. If you ‘were’ up to no good which would you choose? I try and avoid humans where possible but they are flipping everywhere lol 😂

[@alsharqmathew3437]

Yeah! I had faced a similar incident when I was working in one of the Muslim middle eastern countries. One day, I was taking picture of grass from a very low level and I heard someone shouting from a distance. At first, it did not even register as he was way too far and I did not think he was talking to me, until I noticed he was walking towards me and was slowly appearing in my screen. I thought I wait for him to pass by, but instead I realized he was talking to me in an alarmingly rude manner. Since I did not understood the local language, I couldn't understand a word of what he was saying. Then I saw him speaking on his phone and few moments later a police car arrived. Since complaints from locals are taken more seriously, the young cop also behaved in a rude manner. Unfortunately for me, even this cop could not speak in English. Soon another cop arrived and much to my surprise, I finally understood what all the commotion was about. The local accused me of taking a photo of him and his wife, who were sitting at least 75 meters away from me and as for privacy, she was wearing the traditional black burka anyway. Sheesh! So I found that really absurd. I turned on the camera and showed the cops of the images I took. All of them were closeup images or grass, flowers, sunrise, sunsets and landmark buildings. It was a compact camera and not even a DSLR. They tried their best to book a case against me but there was no evidence. Furthermore, they learned that I working for a media and probably had to think even harder. As much as I hate to say it, being a South Asian of brown color, I felt it was more of racism, rather than anything else. The locals look down upon people coming from my country in general. I am glad I do not work in that country anymore. I had no plans to write about it anywhere until I watched your video and thought of sharing my experience. Mind you, I faced this situation over 15 years ago in that country but I find no change in the attitude of the local. They are still the same. I am presently back in my home country, India. I love to travel and being a photography enthusiast, I continue taking pictures of my travels. For the past 4 years of being in India, I have not faced any such issues, at least so far. I avoid taking street photography as much as I can but if I do, I make sure their identities are not revealed. South India is a beautiful country for taking pictures of landscapes, birds, animals, food, culture, and sometimes, even people. If you haven't visited, you must try. Avoid months of summer though. October to January are the best months to travel.

[@ThatMicro43Guy]

@@alsharqmathew3437 thanks for sharing

[@bigdog1150]

You should really freak out those nasty people and tell them there are over 127,000 surveillance cameras in London ... probably watching their every move.

[@TheCount66]

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.

[@petercameron4380]

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.

[@ramblinginmeath4950]

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 ..

[@ratgirl13]

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.

[@edwardpike1]

@@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.

[@ratgirl13]

@@edwardpike1 Yes, most people are glad to be seen and flattered that they are photo worthy-I photographed a man with one leg wearing a peddler’s box of candy and he told me “Thank you for seeing me as someone worth photographing. People don’t usually want to talk to me.”

[@russellharris5072]

Yes,a few months ago I was taking a general photo of a street in my town which included a bus stop full of people,when a woman walking towards me stopped and asked me if I was taking a photo.I said yes and got the "you can't do that" reply,I then walked away with her following behind still telling me the same thing and me replying "public access" over and over again until she went away.I do wish these people would educate themselves to the law before they start bawling us out.But then that would spoil it for them and as we know,they know everything already............................................................

[@czarnobyl86]

In my view this issue had nothing to do with photography per se but with social media. Ppl don't want to be photographed and then have their image posted in social media or be turned into a meme. Social media killed street photography.

[@sharongalvin9433]

I think the world has become a much less nice place since Covid.I live in Ireland and I thankfully have never had an issue.I live in a small town where I know most of the people and people have gotten used to seeing me with my camera😂 I have travelled a lot and again thankfully I have never had an issue. The sad thing is that everybody carries a mobile phone these days and have no problem pulling them out and taking photos or videos at very inappropriate times like at the scene of an accident .And we the actual photographers because we have actual cameras get told off for taking legitimate photos.Im sorry you’ve experienced this.I will be travelling to Uk for 4 days soon I hope I’m not going to have issues!

[@GaryStockton]

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.

[@c0ldc0ne]

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.

[@GaryStockton]

@@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.

[@c0ldc0ne]

@@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.