Pixiq

I'd have most likely pointed my camera at her.

I'd have pointed the camera at her.. I'm not very compliant when I'm told that I can't do something that I know damn well I can. I like to force the issue.

"but you don't want to upset people". Hogwash. That's the most insane comment a person can make. People choose to be upset. Nobody can "make" anyone feel anything.

I would have said "smile for the camera". Of course, this young man seems a bit small in stature. I am 6'2" and 280 lbs. I think she would have sung a different song to me.

And I agree with Elliot and Phil. I can't stand it when someone tells me to not do something I have a perfectly natural right to do. Notice I did not say "legal right", I said "natural right".

Why is it whenever some asshole complains about photography where it is legal authorities almost NEVER tell them they have no basis for that complaint and need to back off and stop harassing the photographer? Why is it ALWAYS the photographer who is told "you need to stop taking pictures" because "you're upsetting someone". People shouldn't gain special privileges because they become belligerent and throw a public temper tantrum.

Of the two, the "nice lady" is the real problem.
The crazy lady does not know the law, but is standing up for the law as she sees it, that's just a matter of simple ignorance. The nice lady on the other hand agrees with him, but thinks he should give up his rights just because the wackadoodle complained loudly. She also follows him and seems to think that he should be inclined to follow her direction. An ignorant person can be educated, the people who think you should give up your rights willingly are a bigger problem

Ah, another day in paradise!

Carlos, I'm not sure if she was deranged or if she was just having a very, very bad New York day.

As with many other situations in life, there are times when photographers might be prudent to assess the situation not in terms of what is within their legal right but with tolerance, moderation and perhaps even a little common sense, especially when dealing with people who may have intellectual challenges. This is a situation where, although I would have been acting within the law, I may have backed off...unless it was someone dealing with a "full deck" or unless someone of authority was inappropriately infringing on my rights. For all this photographer knew, he could have ended up watching the train from the third rail...

I would have held my camera at waist level, as if I were not videotaping, but actually tilting it up to catch her face. I might have also called the police (if I got coverage down there).

I was involved in a similar confrontation in 2004, on the A train.

This was a crazy lady in a NYC MTA uniform - token booth operator I think.

She saw me pull out a digital pocket camera (no video), and immediately started yammering about how at that moment I was endangering the lives of everyone on the train.

Clearly off her meds, I tossed out my standard cameras-caused-911 question, "How many cameras were involved in the attacks of 911?" No meaningful response. "Do cameras have anything to do with terrorism?" Etc.

Others in the train car seemed divided over who to support, crazy MTA lady, or me. But when she stood up and said "I'm reporting you to the MTA police at the next stop!" I said "fuck it" and started snapping her picture.

People on the train laughed. No cops came to her rescue.