Russellreno

"Geez, I took 15 shots of these girls. They sent the watch dog over to ask me not to take anymore pics. So much for goodwill ambassadors." - Russellreno via Bookmarklet

Public space or public figures or not, generally I'd defer to common courtesy and not take photos of people not prepared to be photographed. Or, at least, switch from a stealth stance to introducing myself and asking for a photo op. Then again, I guess this is why I'm not a very successful photographer! - Ryan

Ryan - I also follow that advice. These gals were posing for me during the game and smiled the entire time. At the end of the game they changed the rules and I felt awful. - Russellreno

Thanks for replying, Russell. The context helps. Maybe distance makes the difference? How far away were you for these grumpy shots? A zoom lens definitely ups innate suspicion. - Ryan

I was behind there roped off area. Maybe two hundred feet. I was using my 70-200 IS L lens. I put my camera down to wait 10 seconds while their supervisor walked toward me. I assured her I was leaving. - Russellreno

Russell: I was shooting video for a cable show inside a nightclub, wading through the dance floor for B-roll. In the midst of dudes mugging for the camera, girls putting their freak into overdrive any time I got near, and random buzzed-out drunks, one group of three girls held up their hands and said "We don't want to be on camera!" When you say you felt awful, I know the feeling. That sensation of accidentally making someone uncomfortable. In seconds, you go from Regular Dude to Creep. Unpleasant. - Roger Benningfield

Roger - Yes. During the same game as the photo I had made eye contact with another young women who gave me the high sign with her eyes. She was 20 ft down and on the railing from me. A much younger girl near me called me on what I was doing. She was uncomfortable and not even in my camera's direction. I spoke to her for a few minutes and wandered down to speak with the high sign women. Three minutes later security came, and I know the younger girl called them out. Security was cool. - Russellreno