Interesting topic.
Please allow me to share my experience in Singapore.
Sometime back, I decided to do a architecture shot of a building somewhere near the Singapore Expo. Parked my car along the road side, set up my tripod/camera and while taking the exposure with my light meter, I was questioned by a security guard from the building nearby as to what I'm doing. Explained to him that I'm just trying to take some photo of the building located 100 meters down the road. He demanded that I should stop shooting immediately or else he will call the police. Over what, I protested. I explained that it's not against the law to photograph a public building from the road side etc etc etc.
Alas, the explanation just fall onto deaf ears, not only that, he called his another 'officer' who upon arrival also try to stop me. Reason that I'm not photographing their building( I?M Building), and I'm standing on the public road.
Ignore them and continue to shoot, having done that I pack my camera into my car to move off. The two clowns tried to stop me from driving off saying that they have called the police and I CANNOT just drive off but have to wait for the police to arrive. "What authority do you have to stop me from leaving" I demanded. Gave them a short lesson on basic law and citizen rights. Told them to record my car number and my next location where that police can find me and drove off.
At the new location, ten minutes on, while I was shooting the Singapore EXPO MRT station, two police cars with siren on traveling at high speed came to a sudden stop in front of me. I was quickly surrounded by 5 police officers demanding to know what I'm doing and my purpose.
After they have recorded my personal detail and ask about the detail of the camera I was using(Sinar P2 4x5), they demanded that I've to stop photographing. Very gently, I gave them a short refresher course about the basic law on this subject.
Afterwhich I asked them to connect me to their OC in Bedok Police Station as I want to convey my displeased and protest over all these happening.
Told the OC to check my credentials and security clearance with CID and protested that all these actions are uncalled for, it's a waste of time and tax payer's money. Two police cars and 5 officers to check on a lone photographer!!!!!!:bigeyes:
Since they now have my contact number, I asked him to convey my displeased to the management of I?B building whose security officers caused all these and would expect to hear from them otherwise, I may bring the issue to the press. This lasted for 40 mins and by then the sky was too dark for me to continue shooting.
The next day at about 10.00am, a guy claim to be the head of security of I?M called to convey their regrets over last night and assured this will not happen again. I gave him my 2 cents worth of fury and long lecture on etc etc. Rubbed some salt to their wounds, told him that it's time for them to review their process of selecting, training and employing securities officers. :bigeyes:
I understand the need for authorities to stay alert since 911 and especially after the video tapping of buildings by the terrorists been exposed, but I would expect them to carry out their duty with more common sense and some wisdom in their judgement.
So far, it has only happened once and have continue photographing many tens of buildings without any issue.
The police was just doing their job, but in this case, their over reaction are caused by wrong information/description given by the under trained securities from the I?M building.
I've been photographing buildings in the Asia Pacific region for more than 20 years and have been questioned by many people concern, but with a good explanation and a big smile
, I've never been ask to stop shooting. Also, I always keep a set of photos of regional buildings I've shot and without fail, it's the best ice breaker.:bsmilie:
Thanks for reading.
Cheers
