Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/06/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]> Yes, but....... this was all a long time ago, and back then people > didn't feel assaulted when they got a camera stuck in their face. Now > that things have changed (somehow), even "decent" people feel that > strange urge to assault the photographer, instead. Or sue you for > whatever and for nothing at all. But that's just part of US culture, > these days; the suing part, I mean. > > Bernard I read these sentiments a lot. Yet, I wonder . . . . Has anyone here actually been assaulted or threatened (sneers and quizzical/dirty looks don't count) when engaged in up-close street photography with a Leica M? I'm talking about major cities, busy sidewalks, well-trafficked areas, etc. Questionable neighborhoods, nefarious activities, war zones don't count. The reason I ask is because I do a fair amount of street work, getting close (3 to 6 feet/1 to 2 meters) to people while attempting to be unnoticed. I've photographed in New York, on the subway in Boston, on a water taxi in Baltimore, anywhere I can find active groups of people interacting.. To my delight and constant amazement, people NEVER react. It's as if they can't imagine I am actually taking their picture. After all, why would I? If someone does make eye contact, I usually just smile or shrug and move on. To stay totally on topic, I use an M6 with either a 35 Summicron-M or 28 Elmarit-M, Tri-X or Kodachrome 64, depending on my mood and locale. I carry my gear in a tiny Tamrac 601 bag. I figure (and hope) that I look like a tourist. Rob