Second of two utterly gorgeous days here – yesterday we had our first trip to the beach, and today, on the way back from the local coop, I was overcome by a Marillion moment as I spotted blossom on one of the trees by the roadside.
Obviously I instagrammed.
https://www.instagram.com/p/0FsMMStp5Q/
And then, after I’d fed the small children lunch and hung the washing out, I went back with my actual camera. You may remember from (one of) my other blog(s) that I started trying to improve my photography last year. I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m a fair weather photographer ;), apart from the occasional use of my photo tent, and flowers definitely do it for me.
So there I was, stood on the pavement, squinting up at the sky, struggling to macro focus on things above my head, when I heard someone call out. I’m not sure it was the first time he called either – I was concentrating and I’m half deaf.
I turned around, and there was a police car pulled up onto the cycle path part of the road, with the driver leaning across towards me.
The conversation went something like this
“What are you doing?”
“Um” waves camera “taking pictures. Why?”
“Well it looks suspicious.”
“there’s blossom”
“You were kind of peering.”
“I’m taking pictures. Of blossom.”
I was confused, and I’m pretty sure it showed. As far as I’m aware, there’s no law that prevents me taking pictures of flowers from a public place, and the pavement is a pretty public place. I wasn’t obstructing the pavement, treading on anything, or causing a public nuisance, and as far as I’m aware, there’s no terrorist alert in the neighbourhood.
He sort of shrugged and smiled, and drove off, doing a U turn down the road and passing me again. He was perfectly polite and friendly throughout the exchange, but that doesn’t outweigh the fact that the entire thing was, quite frankly, weird. I half heartedly took a few more shots, but soon stopped and went home, really quite shaken up. I don’t like confrontation, and that felt like confrontation. I’m pretty into observing rules, and the implication was that I was doing something wrong, and I felt bad.
Once home, obviously I took to twitter. And quickly came across Daddacool having his own police related rant. Which led eventually to this extremely useful card.
@liveotherwise @TheMoneyShed @FieldAgent_UK @RoamlerUK @clicandwalk_UK useful cut out and keep (on you) card: pic.twitter.com/ptsOO069Iu
— Daddacool (@daddacool) March 11, 2015
(Despite the mention of Amateur photographer, I can’t find this picture on their site – apparently they gave away lens cloths with this wording on, and then a bit later, there was an updated version which covers the whole country, not just the Met. See more here.)
Anyway, I shall be printing out one of those cards, and stuffing it in my camera case, as well as memorising the wiki page on photography rights in the UK.
Was it all worth it? This is my favourite picture from those I took. What do you think? (Click to embiggen)
I’d also like to hear if you’ve ever had any difficulties out and about with your camera, this was a first for me.
Linked up with image of the week.
Mummy Matters says
The only Tim I have been stopped was during a photography lesson I was stood with my camera on a tripod on a bend. The policeman asked what I was doing and I said I was taking light trails and showed him the pics of car lights. I asked if he wouldn’t mind popping his blues on and driving past so he did ???? great pic you took tho Jax. It was definitely worth it, don’t be put off x
Jax Blunt says
Haha, that’s fab, got the pictures anywhere?
Thanks for the compliment.
Emma T says
No issues when out and about (apart from people looking at me strangely.
It does seem odd, and it’s a useful card to be carrying. I shall definitely print off.
Jax Blunt says
I will feel more comfortable with one I think.
Claire says
Sorry this happened to you.
Thanks for writing a useful post. I will be printing the card just in case!
Jax Blunt says
Thank you, and I’m glad you found it helpful.
Sarah MumofThree World says
I’ve never had this problem, but I know I would have been very shaken up in your situation! As taking photos constantly becomes the norm for everyone, either the police have to accept that and ignore it or people being questioned will become more commonplace. There’s obvious places where we shouldn’t point our cameras – a party of school kids for example, but BLOSSOM?!
Lovely pic by the way!
Jax Blunt says
That’s the other thing, would he even have noticed if I’d just been using my phone? They don’t have the bobbies on the streets to question everyone, surely!
BigFashionista says
I love this post, just starting to get more into my photography so will be printing this out too
Jax Blunt says
Glad to have helped.
Lucas James says
Hi Jax – not had any similar experiences but very used to be stared at when I get my camera out, especially as I’m often getting shots of texture type things – you know, peeling paint and rust and dirty pavements! Love the pic of the blossom though, very pretty.
#iotw
Lucas
Fionnuala says
Beautiful shot. Isn’t it great that Spring is arriving?:) #iotw
Jax Blunt says
It really is, thank you
Megan - Truly Madly Kids says
This is brilliant – I love the fact someone asked you what you were doing and the follow up card!
Fabulous macro – and definitely a sign of spring! Thank you so much for linking up to #iotw
Jax Blunt says
Thank you for hosting, I’m really enjoying taking part.
Charlotte @ Educating Elsa says
I’d say it was definitely worth it – that picture is lovely. I hate confrontation too, especially if the implication is that I’m in the wrong. I would have been really embarrassed and probably apologised even if I knew I was allowed to be there!
Jax Blunt says
Thank you. There’s something peculiar about being criticised by sometime in authority, isn’t there? It was such a public place though that I knew I was ok being there.
Charly Dove says
Oh my goodness how very strange but well done for getting the photo regardless of being told off (for doing nothing wrong!). It would be lovely to feature your fabulous blossom in the BritMums photography round-up, would you be able to send a copy to me at charlydove@gmail.com by Monday evening? Charly
Jax Blunt says
Sure, I’ll pop it across from the desktop tomorrow 🙂