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Subject: photographing police cars, my story...

Author:
JC

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Date Posted: 00:12:15 09/04/02 Wed
In reply to: Dave Arnold 's message, "Police Car Photo Arrest, the article" on 13:40:07 09/03/02 Tue

With all the talk about this case recently (apparently it is even on Yahoo news...), I am a little paranoid at what this will lead to as far as the photographing hobby. Just thought I would share my experiences.

I am relatively new at photographing police units but nontheless have a fairly good collection. If the vehicle is in a public area that I can get close enough to without leaving my truck, I will shoot it from the drivers seat. Occasionally, if the area is not too close to any windows, no-one around, etc.. I will get out and take a shot. Sometimes, and I know this sounds stupid but it works, I will aim the camera at a tree or other "natural object" as if doing some nature photography and then take a quick shot of the car. If the car is really impressive or I really want a good shot, I will proceed to get permission. I tell them that I do police models (which I do) and would like photos as reference material. I have never been turned down. In fact, I have even asked certain depts to take detailed photos of their graphics in order to have 1/24 scale decals made from them, and the depts are more than happy to let me do so (I have even been asked by a DARE officer once if I could make a model of this Explorer). But, if the car that I want to photograph is in any type of restricted or gated area, I always get permission.

I truely hope this story will be accepted as an isolated incident and not have devastating effects on the hobby. I agree totally with Dave's comments. This is really too bad.

JC

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Replies:

Subject	Author	Date
JCs way	Dave Arnold	10:06:37 09/04/02 Wed