If you have read any photography websites this week, then you have probably seen this poster already. I first saw it over at Carlos Miller’s Photography is Not a Crime blog.
Somehow, the TSA has managed to take a general warning for everyone to “be on alert” and depict photographers who photograph planes as terrorist suspects. Newsflash to TSA: planes are fun to photograph. Ever hear of Airliners.net?
Maybe you’ll be ok though if you don’t wear a hoodie.
Just say your muslim and cry racist and you will be fine.
Well, unfortunately, this behavior has been typical of terrorists. I think it’s a good poster. Yes, the hoodie does add to the desired effect, which probably was the intent. I didn’t think for one second it was labeling photographers as terrorists. Where does this silliness stop? I suspect in todays world it wouldn’t matter what the poster showed as someone, somewhere would be offended or get their feelings hurt. It’s getting old.
This is just silly.
This sort of thing has been gathering momentum since 9-11. I’m a hobby photograhper and am sick and tired of being suspected, stopped and harrassed by “security” and Police! I was in a Flickr group Photography is Not a Crime and it was amazing how photographers who shoot openly (not surreptitiously) are being singled-out in many parts of the world!Blame the terrorists? Or blame closed-minded vengefulness in people?
Good luck to whomever gets the suspect-treatment!
Remember to be polite, explain yourself, show them your photos if you must, but remember your basic human and civil rights if they apply in the country in which you are shooting. Oherwise play contrite. You do not want to be detained without trial!
NPPA Protests TSA Poster Depicting “Suspicious” Photographer
NPPA has objected to a Transportation Security Administration poster that depicts a photographer as a suspected terrorist and asks the public to report “suspicious” photographers. “Photography by itself is not a suspicious activity, and is protected by the First Amendment,” NPPA’s lawyer tells Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
http://nppa.org/news_and_events/news/2010/09/poster.html