In English: This is not an Oil Pipe (its a picture of one).
Notable photographer Thomas Hawk was recently in our fair city, photowalking and doing what he does best. Along the way he managed to get harassed by not 1, but 3 separate security/cops who wish to redefine your right to take photographs in public. He details all the encounters over on his blog.
“Unfortunately our photowalk around the Port of Long Beach was not without incident. Three times we were blinted while photographing. I’ve been stopped plenty of times while legally shooting in the past. Most of the times I’ve been able to be respectful but insistent on my legal rights to shoot wherever I’m shooting. Every so often though an incident turns into a more serious altercation. ”
We can’t help but like the Hawk here at lala, his take no bullshit attitude both online and offline is refreshing. He has been challenged like this countless times before, each occasion stepping up to defend his rights (and yours) while he professionally documents the exchange and reaches out for support. He usually he gets it too. The Port of Long Beach’s Media Relations Department has already responded and are looking into the issue.
(Banner photo by Thomas Hawk)
