To the paranoid asshole by the bridge a few weeks back: What the hell is your goddamn problem? Just because I walk around with my lens cap off my camera, near a naval base, does NOT mean I’m the next big threat to national fucking security. You think I’ve got no respect? Look in the mirror buddy. Never shove your hand in front of my camera again and DEMAND that I not shoot by your precious buildings, because the fact is, everyone and their dog can see the naval base. If anyone wants to take pictures of that area, they will. I just wanted a shot of the bridge, Fucktard.
This article appears in Jan 10-16, 2008.
and on a semi-related note,just because a person has their camera turned on does not mean they want to take a picture of you, a complete stranger. Trust me,if it isn’t pointed and you, I’m not snapping you.
If you’d been on the west coast pulling that shit you’d have a gun in your face. Be thankful.-Trevor
I could go on and on about the paranoia people have about “security” but if someone is on public property such as a sidewalk, across the street from the naval base, then they can take pictures of whatever they want. Security has no right to harass people unless they are on naval or private property. Next time anyone encounters these idiots, call their bluff. Call the police and report that you are being harassed by them. See how fast they retract from their power trip. For all the other non-photographers, use your brains and think about it. Do you think that taking some pictures is a threat to security? Everything in the naval base is under wraps, so how would taking pictures of the buildings be a threat? What if the original poster was using a point & shoot camera? Would security be so zealous to go after them? Or with the proliferation of camera equipped cell phones, why doesn’t security confiscate those from all workers in the naval yard? I mean, who else would have access to the actual buildings themselves other than employees in the naval yard? Trevor, this is no need to be thankful. Security is not allowed to carry guns. If someone pulls a gun on you, they better have some serious reasons to do so. A police officer would not even point a gun at someone holding a camera. So stop with your macho attitude because there’s no way on earth that would happen unless you’re in the Crazy States of America.
Trevor: Actually security for military bases includes MPs, and they are very much allowed to carry guns. They are unlikely to point their guns at you just or photographing a military establishment, but they won’t think twice about seizing your camera (or camera phone, or whatever) and you’ll never see it again. Use a bit of common sense people. “Calling their bluff” would be a good way to spend the night in a naval brig.
rj: Really now? So MPs have the power to arrest someone who is on public property, outside of a military base, taking pictures? What would the charges be? What grounds do they have to force you to stop taking pictures or even dare to confiscate your camera? They have no jurisdiction outside of the naval base. If I am standing across the street or even on the sidewalk outside of the base, I am on public property. Taking pictures is not a crime so again, I would call their bluff. If they don’t like that, call the police and see if those MPs behave any differently. I’m sure that if they ever pulled a stunt like that, they’d be demoted and stuck performing some meaningless duties other than security.
thats pretty lame national security my ass, what do they think you’ll do send the pictures to Osama bahhahaa
At sensitive military installations there are usually signs along the fencing with ‘No Photography” signs. I don’t see any in Halifax. Good thing, considering the amount of tourists taking pictures off the bridge every day…An MP has no more right to take your camera on public property any more than an RCMP or HRM officer does. Where do people get these ideas from?
Actually, the personel patroling the dockyards and posted at the gates to the dockyard are armed if they are military. The Commisionares obviously are not. The MPs as a rule don’t patrol the dockyards looking for civilians outside the base, they worry about things that happen inside the base and no-one on base gives two shits about anyone outside snapping photos. If you happen to be inside the dockyard however, you may want to ask before you point.
A quick clarification here, the inside the dockyard photo thing is usually on the ships, in a warehouse, or around the subs. Call the base PR to get the official line.
A quick clarification here, the inside the dockyard photo thing is usually on the ships, in a warehouse, or around the subs. Call the base PR to get the official line.
A quick clarification here, the inside the dockyard photo thing is usually on the ships, in a warehouse, or around the subs. Call the base PR to get the official line.
Maybe the MP was stressed out protecting the scenery from all those terrorists we have in Halifax? I’d have snapped too after a long hard day watching security cameras and foot patrols.
Well our vast underwater navy is in plain view and will be for some time from the looks of it (I heard the new screen doors won’t be in at Home Depot for another 6 weeks). If I was looking through my viewfinder and saw this hand rushing up I think I might “mistake” him for a potential thief and drive my foot through his groin.