How many times do we have to replay this scenario? Overzealous, ignorant and puffed up with authority, the cops in Snohomish have done their part to inch us forward into a world where perfectly benign behavior is suspect.
It’s hardly a small-town attitude; I recently had two run-ins with rent-a-cops on a single night of shooting here in the big sofisty-cated city. I used to take an apologetic, super-deferent attitude during these encounters, but the more I read about cases like Ms. Scheier’s (or this one, or this one), the more confidently I assert the artistic upper hand, and behave as though my rights were inalienable. Generally, if you start to talk about light and composition and perspective — in the scene, definitely not in your camera — they say their piece and then leave you alone. Although the temptation to pick a fight is strong, in the meantime the light is fading as fast as your ability to concentrate technically on the photo. Ms. Scheier’s settlement notwithstanding, it’s often not worth it.
Tags: photographer's rights · photography · Shirley Scheier · SnohomishNo Comments
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