Can and Will Take Photo
One of the most annoying things about being a photographer in Hong Kong is the never-ending procession of security twerps hired to harass me.
On a recent shoot, I was hassled twice within half an hour at separate locations, both times while I was standing on the sidewalk, a public space.
And in both instances, while I was photographing the shop exterior, an overzealous twit rushed out of the store. The conversations were identical:
"Cannot take photo."
"Don't tell me I can't take photos; I'm standing on public property, I can shoot anything I want."
"Doesn't matter, cannot take photo."
Each tried to put a hand in front of the lens to block the shot, but was too slow. Had either succeeded in getting in the way, I would have moved farther back and hauled out the telephoto lens, just to spite him, but that's the angel on my shoulder speaking; the devil on the other shoulder wanted to knock each one on his ass.
Look, if an individual requests that I not take his photo, I'm happy to oblige. But a shop is a shop, and Dolce & Gabbana (and Pacific Coffee, the other offender) has no authority to dictate what I do outside its walls.
If it believes otherwise, I'll go there again, but next time with a dozen other photographers.
The security twerp can't stop us all.
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