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A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

questioned

It is possible to take photos without having an agenda

January 28, 2013

Apparently taking photos of things like this draws attention.

I’m in two bigger photo challenges this year — both are weekly things.

So, each week, there’s a theme. You take the theme, interpret it and go out and take your photos. When done, post to the Flickr group.

Seems simple, right?

I’ve been a bit of a photographer my whole life. I started early and have kept it up throughout my days. I’ve often read stories about people being questioned or told they couldn’t take photos in a particular spot. Sometimes it seemed legit, others not so much. I think people see cameras and decide they need to be big and start questioning things.

In all my years, I don’t recall truly being questioned. Sure, somebody might ask me what I was up to, but I always made sure to ask about taking pictures where I wasn’t sure if it was allowed.

That all changed Sunday.

One of the themes this week was “close up.” Being I don’t have a macro lens, I was looking for different things to be able to get close up on and get a good shot. I settled on a local car wash. It’s one of two in town and this one has a really beat-up, old look to it. In fact, one of the two bays is blocked off and looks like it doesn’t work as the hose and all is gone.

Could this be the secret?

It’s a perfect place for photos, especially considering how frigid temperatures have been. Ice builds up and it looks quite interesting.

Being it was cold, I wasn’t going to be there long. So I started with the blocked-off bay (there was only a barrel on one side), then went to the active bay.

Midway through, a pickup truck pulls up. But not that close. Maybe 150 feet away or so? The guy rolls down his window and when he knew he somewhat had my attention, it started.

Him: “What are you doing?”

Me: “Taking photos.”

Him: “For what?”

Me: “No particular reason. Just taking photos.”

Him: “Of what?”

Me: “The ice formations.”

Him: “Oh. What for?”

Me: “Just to take photos.”

There are great photo opportunities everywhere, just sometimes people feel the need to question you.

Him: “Oh. Well be careful.”

Me: “I’m watching my footing” (There’s ice all over the ground)

Him: “So why are you taking these photos?”

Me: “Just for the photos.”

At that point, I thought that was it. The truck started to move, then stopped. Now I was annoyed. He was kind of staring at me. I don’t know if he owned the place, worked nearby or was just nosy. But he didn’t identify himself.

So, I peeked back over. The questions started again.

Him: “Who are you take the photos for?”

Me: “Myself.”

Him: “Do you work for a newspaper?”

Me: “No.”

I think there may be been one more quick exchange before he finally left. First, if I worked for a newspaper, I probably wouldn’t be taking photos of that car wash. But that’s just me.

Look, if he owned the joint and wanted to make sure I wasn’t up to something bad, that’s fine. But identify yourself. And heck, if that’s the fact, I may have offered to send a photo if he wanted it. Heck, if you didn’t want me there, let me know and I’d leave.

But that was one of the most bizarre thing I’ve ever had happen. It’s not like I was taking photos inside a top-secret bunker or anything. It’s a freakin’ car wash!

Anybody else have any interesting stories involving being questioned when taking photos?

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Filed Under: My world, Photography Tagged With: car wash, getting questioned taking photos, ice, photography, photography issues, photos, questioned, snow, winter

6 Comments

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A great bark in the park day Sunday at the Bingham A great bark in the park day Sunday at the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. Harper got her first foul ball (as you can see she enjoyed!) and we also had the chance to grab a couple others and give them to some other dogs. All in all, four dogs walked away with balls! 

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Through 115 games...

2022 Phillies: 64-51
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I rarely sit on a window seat when flying, but both flights today had open spots, so two of us could comfortably be in a three-seat row. Sat next to the window to do some photos/video and got some nice shots. Flying still amazes me. @SouthwestAir #Southwest #Flying #Airplane

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When these boxes come, there usually some excitement. But this one ... is the ultimate unboxing! 

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I hate being in front of the camera, but also realize sometimes it's not the worst thing in the world. So, I'm getting better with it. Week 4's theme was all about us and having us in front of the camera, so I tried to come up with a creative way to do it. 

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The theme for Week 3 of the 52-week video challenge was "Show your process of making something." Alas, I didn't get the time to do what I wanted to do, so I attacked something I filmed over the summer that I kept putting off. 

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