| Re: Professor detained for taking pictures sues
I experienced a little of that last year. I was in Mobile Alabama to repair some equipment, {non photograph}. While there I saw this beautiful sunset possibility on my way to Dauphin Island to photograph wildlife. This creek had boatdocks and was ideally suited for the setting sun. I parked my vehicle off the shoulder and walked out onto the concrete bridge to take the images just as the sun was setting. I began taking the pictures, pausing about a minute or two so I would be assured of the right moment.
Just as I was finishing a Mobile patrol car came up with blue light flashing. When I approached the vehicle to see what was up, I was instructed to "stay where you are". About this time the second police crusier dashed up, blue lights flashing. Then, less than 60 seconds later a third unit skiidded in behind the other two. "You are going to jail for sure Ron" I says to myself. Then the quizzing began. I ended up repeating that I was photographing the sunset on that very picturesque creek several times.. The bridge had a very wide emergency lane, {thats where the three patrol cars were}, so I was not endangering traffic in the least.
The patrolman that was there first said that I was not diving from the bridge or fishing, {sign prohibiting such present}, but I needed to just leave, which I did rather than argue the point.
I remember the speech president Bush delivered just after 9-11. He urged all citizens to go on about their business as usual because that was the best defense against terrorism. I bet he wished he had that statement back?
I am anxious to see how this suit turns out. I think any venue should be able to be photographed if one does not trespass on private property and "security reasons" or some such sign does not explicitly prohibit it.
I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD ALLOW OURSELVES TO BE BULLIED INTO BEING AFRAID TO PHOTOGRAPH PUBLIC VENUES.
I have since been questioned briefly by patrolmen twice, very politely so I might add, about what I was doing photographing something. The ID card I started wearing around my neck and the Kuntry Photography hat and shirt has helped some. I always give them a business card and ask them to call me if they need a photographer.
Maybe what we need to do is contact one of the big law firms and see if they would be interested in handling cases where we are persecuted about taking photographs. I bet one or two of them would be interested.
Last edited by Ronald Garrett : 03-31-2008 at 08:59 AM.
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