Getting the perfect shot won me an interview with the FBI

J. Stephen McDonald · May 10th, 2005, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Williams

I work at a large federal dam in the southeast. Since 9/11 we have been very sensitive to any public filming around the facility. 99% of the time it is purely innocent. You know tourist type stuff. Then 2 years ago we latched on to 5 guys with cameras poked thru the fence. They were linked to a terrorist cell in NY and are now behind bars.

Regards,

Mark

--------------------------------------------------

Last Summer, I was getting some long-range shots of a big forest fire. I had gone over the gate on a large Corps of Engineers dam and was halfway out on the earthen fill. A uniformed Corps patrol agent came out soon after, but wasn't interested in giving me any trouble. She spent 15 minutes talking about cameras and the fires and went on her way, without even asking my name. Maybe it's just that I look harmless?

John Hudson · May 10th, 2005, 07:32 PM

Here in San Diego, when I had first recieved my DVX100 I had went down with my brother to shoot it out; Rosecrans, Shelter Island, Point Loma and The Master and Commander ship that was on display.

After an allday shooting extravaganza we rolled up to the Cruise terminal for parking (This is the best place to park when down there) and Customs Agents spotted me shooting the skyline with the DVX100.

They came over; demanded to see the footage; gave us the third degree for at least :45 minutes taking our DL Info and License Plate. Bizarre.

I respect them doing their job; but here we are in literally tourist central of San Diego Bay where EVERYONE seems to have a camera or camcorder and my bro and I look like typical Socal Dudes.

They must have been bored; then again; the camera attarcts attention as it is.

Jeff Miller · May 11th, 2005, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Chavez

Did they spend that much energy going after the taggers?

I doubt it, and the paint is still there today. (And I was in a hurry to photo it before it was cleaned off... facepalm)

May 10th, 2005, 07:32 PM	#17
John Hudson Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: 32° 44' N 117° 10' W Posts: 820	Here in San Diego, when I had first recieved my DVX100 I had went down with my brother to shoot it out; Rosecrans, Shelter Island, Point Loma and The Master and Commander ship that was on display. After an allday shooting extravaganza we rolled up to the Cruise terminal for parking (This is the best place to park when down there) and Customs Agents spotted me shooting the skyline with the DVX100. They came over; demanded to see the footage; gave us the third degree for at least :45 minutes taking our DL Info and License Plate. Bizarre. I respect them doing their job; but here we are in literally tourist central of San Diego Bay where EVERYONE seems to have a camera or camcorder and my bro and I look like typical Socal Dudes. They must have been bored; then again; the camera attarcts attention as it is.