It's getting harder and harder to take candid images. In many places, photographers are treated with suspicion, and in some cases harassed by police and security workers. Unfortunately, this sort of activity has rubbed off on the general public, who are increasingly wary of anyone who points a camera in their direction. Some of the professed reasons for this are understandable, while some are downright ludicrous. I can follow that it is not acceptable to photograph things like atomic power stations and water treatment plants without authorisation. But there was a recent case where a photographer was prevented from shooting in a public mall (not a shopping centre, but an outdoor general use area) because the resultant images would reveal the positioning of the CCTV cameras. The same logic should therefore prevent anyone from taking notes using a pencil and paper!
Anyway, this image is from a local park. The couple in the picture are making a run for a ferry that is just about to depart. They were having fun, as can be seen from the expressions on their faces. Because it was a public place, I am allowed to take their photograph, and because they are not doing anything illegal or even out of the ordinary, I felt entitled to do that. Naturally, if anyone that I photographed asked me not to do so, I would accede to their request - people are entitled to ask for privacy. But generally, when in public spaces, I feel justified in taking photographs of the buildings and the people that happen to be in that space at that time.
I like this picture because it shows people behaving in an ordinary, everyday way, and enjoying doing so. It would be a shame to lose the right to record such activity.
PS - They caught the ferry!
EXIF: Nikon D300; Nikkor 18-200mm VR; ISO 200; 1/100 sec; f5.6
TFF
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