Maggie's Farm

My good friend, Austrailian freelance photographer Rob Smith of Wowfactor Images (also owner and designer of Predatek Lures) recently had a run in with the locals at Port McQuarie when he was photographing beach scenes. Apparently it was reported to the local constabulary that a "pervert" was taking pictures of local kids splashing in the surf and sun - a older couple called it in. After discussing the issue with the constable, it was resolved in his favor and all was well.

I've had problems myself occasionally with police taking an interest in what I was doing - more in the city than in the country. Probably the best incident I had was with TSA - I honestly don't know where they get these screening morons from - Mars maybe. I had my Olympus cameras and lens bag, sent them through the scanner thingy and promptly was greeted by an officious dude on the other side who said I had to put my cameras in checked luggage. I asked why and he said because there were no pictures allowed inside the terminal passenger area.

I replied that I wanted to see his supervisor immediately because that was the dumbest, most incredibly stupid rule, if it was a rule, ever created. They segregated me, the supervisor came over and starts this "best judgement" rationalization when I stopped him, pointed out to him that every single cell phone, about 70% of the laptops and thousands of small cameras passed through his checkpoint every single day. His reply - yes, but they don't have lenses like yours. And he woudn't budge.

I swear that is absoutely true. I missed the flight, which was ok because I don't like flying anyway, went home, got in the truck and drove to meet the Mrs. Got there a day late, but I got there.

Power, authority and photography don't seem to mix well.

I'd love to hear Marianne's husbands take on this.