Thanks. It is a pity we live in a world that makes such suspiciousness so natural to so many people. It would be easy to blame TV and movies and perhaps the news media but I suspect such paranoia arises from a deeper, more visceral wellspring of the human mind and is only exacerbated by popular culture.
Just curious–did the mom question why you were taking photos of the kids? I was taking photos at a park this summer and had a young boy ask me why I was taking his picture. Kind of stunned me, so I stopped. Gotta be a better answer than that!
No, but see this screed I posted on my New York People & Places page on Facebook, regarding an article on something similar that made some waves in street photographer circles:
Gosh, if someone has a camera anywhere near children they must be a pederast intent on raping our children! What is it about photography that gives people such anxiety? Especially in a world where everyone’s photographing everything all the time with their phones? But if you have a pro-looking camera you must be a child molester or a terrorist. After all, who would blow up a building without taking a picture of it first? http://www.diyphotography.net/an-open-letter-from-a-creepy-guy-with-a-camera-to-the-woman-who-reported-him/
wow. what a great, and most interesting, letter. What he says (and you say) is exactly right. I didn’t now go give kudos to the kids mom for making him be aware of his surroundings or show him how to take pictures with my camera, to alleviate any fears. It is a really strange and sad situation to be in. Thanks so much for the insight. I so look forward to your photos every day.
Thanks. It is a pity we live in a world that makes such suspiciousness so natural to so many people. It would be easy to blame TV and movies and perhaps the news media but I suspect such paranoia arises from a deeper, more visceral wellspring of the human mind and is only exacerbated by popular culture.
Just curious–did the mom question why you were taking photos of the kids? I was taking photos at a park this summer and had a young boy ask me why I was taking his picture. Kind of stunned me, so I stopped. Gotta be a better answer than that!
No, but see this screed I posted on my New York People & Places page on Facebook, regarding an article on something similar that made some waves in street photographer circles:
Gosh, if someone has a camera anywhere near children they must be a pederast intent on raping our children! What is it about photography that gives people such anxiety? Especially in a world where everyone’s photographing everything all the time with their phones? But if you have a pro-looking camera you must be a child molester or a terrorist. After all, who would blow up a building without taking a picture of it first? http://www.diyphotography.net/an-open-letter-from-a-creepy-guy-with-a-camera-to-the-woman-who-reported-him/
On Fri, Oct 23, 2015 at 7:15 AM, obBLOGato wrote:
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wow. what a great, and most interesting, letter. What he says (and you say) is exactly right. I didn’t now go give kudos to the kids mom for making him be aware of his surroundings or show him how to take pictures with my camera, to alleviate any fears. It is a really strange and sad situation to be in. Thanks so much for the insight. I so look forward to your photos every day.