This video which seems to have been released by Houston Mayor Annise Parker as a part of the…ahem… Run, Hide, Fight series is nuts. I understand the need for awareness and diligence toward creeps (not just in the USA and not just terrorists) but this ummm “awareness” is over the top – particularly with regard to photographers.
After watching the video and others in the series, there are basically two groups that appear to be the focus.
1) people planting bombs – a multitude of examples including vests, backpacks, people trying to gain access to do this; and…
2) people taking photos – of public spaces? and exits? and… huh?
Seriously? Those are the two groups we should fear? I’m particularly referring to roughly the 1:45 mark where the specific vilification of photographers or “people with recording devices” is a big WTF.
So, in short, yes Mayor Parker we should keep a collective eye out for nutjobs. I’ll all for awareness, but I hate fear mongering. And pull your head out.
—-
Wanna know more about photographers rights? Check out this post or this post AND… very importantly…tune into the next chasejarvis LIVE episode on August 29th in collaboration with ASMP.org where I’m hosting a world class panel that’ll discuss the current and future state of photographers rights…the good, bad and ugly about some changes in our landscape.
(Thx Trey for link)
—
WTF?….. :/
AWARENESS….. OR JUST ….PARANOIA?…… :/
It is legal when goverments watch our every move without our permission. But a photographer takes one photo of something.. he is a terorist. Ridiculus.
I understand the concern, and I even understand the concern for photographers, but they need to do a better job explaining that 99.9% of people taking pictures are ok. And I don;t mind explaining to a cop what I am doing, and even showing him my pictures, but too often the cops will throw a fit and try to intimidate the photographer when they are actually doing nothing wrong most often. Be suspicious, but not completely distrusting of everyone.
I think a photographer backlash needs to happen in situations like this. No licensing of Houston building images to any government or business entity in Houston. No Houston politician portraits are to made. You get the idea. If enough people are inconvenienced by the lack of photos the politicians might get the idea their little video is stupid when it comes to photography.
I’de like to cuff her…