When taking photos becomes more challenging
My schedule is getting crazier these days, hence, the irregularity of the posts (thanks to my scheduled photo hunt entries). Anyway, Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day went by like a blink. I had 5 meetings that day. To start with, these occasions are not widely celebrated in the Gulf. Last weekend, we managed to squeeze in a visit to the beach. It turned out to be not a very good idea though because it was 13 degrees celsius then. We thought our skins are thick (and that we’re boastful) enough to brave the water. It can really invite numbness.
It’s funny how regulations dictate your activities and personality for that day. Such that we played Hanna Montana cards instead of the generic-gambling-type playcards.
Of course, taking photos of strangers and some places is discouraged to the extent that it’s almost not allowed. Thanks to the camera phone. But just the same, it’s tricky and risky. But for all I know, maybe I was unknowingly photographed, too.
Why do I say that taking photos are becoming more challenging? Yesterday, an amateur photographer was jailed and fined US$270 (with passport confiscated) for taking photos of a bridge. Incidentally, when he was driving he decided to pull over when he saw a beautiful sunset. (And that I’m a fan of sunrise and sunset). Who would have thought that a bridge snapshot would cost that much?
when i visited dubai, my husband already warned me about places and things not to photograph when i’m there. no matter how peculiar some laws are, there’s really nothing we can do. we just have to respect the laws of the country we are visiting/living in.
some areas here in australia have restrictions as well.
.-= ibyang´s last blog ..Don’t Forget the Honeymoon =-.
jailed and fined for photographing a bridge?! strange, indeed. well, it’s probably for security reasons.:p
i hope taking photos of sunrise/sunset wouldn’t pose a security threat. but be careful…they might suspect you’re receiving messages from the sun.:p
.-= luna miranda´s last blog ..Red season [Ruby Tuesday] =-.
Ouch, that was pretty harsh but something we have to deal with here in the MidEast.
.-= CandyQ´s last blog ..So that others may live. =-.
oh wow! i miss the sight of the beach. it is still chilly here and days are spent at Zabeel Park. but hopefully we can visit
.-= Kero´s last blog ..Swarovski Fashion Exhibit =-.
when i was in bangkok, i was reprimanded by thai police for taking photos of building in their central district. they wont let me go until i have deleted the shots in my cam. some countries really take their security tightly, and we can’t blame them because terrorism really is an international threat.
just be safe always.
.-= lawstude´s last blog ..People Watchin’ @ Sabang Beach, Baler =-.
huwaaaat? may fine ang pagkuha ng pic sa bridge? anu reason? may list of places na prohibited ba?
.-= dyanie´s last blog ..Happy Valentine’s Day! =-.
wow! white beach. ramdam na ang summer.
.-= dong ho´s last blog ..esplanade at night =-.
my oh my ang hirap dyan somehow how wala naman masama for taking pictures of a beautiful sunset ir sunrise.
wow, i wonder what will happen if that law of prohibiting taking photos of strangers and whatnot be implemented or at least tried here in pinas? tigas pa naman ng ulo ng madaming (hindi lahat!) pinoy. imagine, mmda needed to put up pink annoying warning signs that say ‘bawal tumawid, nakamamatay’ when it’s too apparent!
.-= docgelo´s last blog ..IN A WORLD OF RESTLESS AND YOUNG =-.
gosh, hirap pala pumunta dyan! mahilig pa naman ako kumuha ng pictures!
.-= kg´s last blog ..The curious case of the hotel towels =-.
LOL @ the hannah montana cards.
although being jailed for one’s photography passion is simply no laughing matter.
.-= fortuitous faery´s last blog ..The Best Gifts Are Hand-Drawn =-.
i think it’s the price we have to pay for having made the world so small and flat. internet technology coupled with people’s penchant for sensational news are not exactly helping my friends ‘privacy’ and ‘security’
.-= mai´s last blog ..Nimes =-.
that’s crazy–being reprimanded, even jailed, for taking photos of public places. that’s just insane, specially because we (bloggers and photographers) are doing it without causing harm on other people.
.-= barrycade´s last blog ..Painless post-Valentine break up =-.
juice ko, kakatakot naman. ako pa kung sino sino at ano ano ang pinipiktyuran ko.
.-= Photo Cache´s last blog ..Pounding the Pavement =-.
well i guess he is not fined for taking the beautiful bridge sunset photo, he is fined because no one is allowed to pull over anywhere and UAE specifically Dubai has a very strick road rules and regulations.
.-= Yellow Bells´s last blog ..Hearty Breakfast =-.
Really? If taking snapshots my lead to jail detention, cautious photographers may end-up spending more time reading policies than taking snapshots. Hay… What should a photographer do when a sudden inspiration or impulse came up?
.-= renin´s last blog ..I <3 U =-.
hmmm that’s pretty dangerous. I thought UAE is more liberal !
.-= bw´s last blog ..SILLY RATES =-.
really? oh my. that’s scary. are you aware of these rules?
haay, good thing di uso yan sa Pinas. Ü
.-= chyng´s last blog ..Musical Pyrolympics 2010 =-.
whooww!! that’s scary and risky…cannot take photo that easily..sad
.-= Amelia´s last blog ..How Do Say You Love Yourself =-.