From: Marco Milazzo (mmilazz1@elp.rr.com)
Date: 09/16/02-09:47:09 AM Z
We all have stories of being "hassled" while photographing in public
places -- whether by the curious, the star-struck or the over-zealous where
security is concerned. I'll be happy to recount my stories about
photographing the International bridge across the US-Mexico border on Sept.
12th of last year, or the time I was chased up a hill overlooking Silver
City, NM (big mining town) by a guy in a 4-wheel drive vehicle, probably
because I was carrying a suspicious-looking silver case (my camera gear).
But let's not create a class of pseudo-victims where none existed before.
Aside from obvious "snapshooting," photography (especially with a large
format camera), has ALWAYS attracted curiosity and occasionally suspicion.
I mean, if someone were taking pictures of YOUR house right now, wouldn't
you wonder why? Wouldn't you ask?
There's a war on now. People are actively looking for security problems.
Sure, the dumb ones don't know the difference between an 8X 10 camera and a
nuclear device, but have we done anything to enlighten them? And there's
one sure-fire way to get around official scrutiny -- get permission.
Marco Milazzo
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