Saturday, December 15, 2007

Water, frozen in time


Spray on
London, ON, October 2006 [Click to embiggen]

One of my recurring themes is water in motion (see here and here for past examples.) In so many ways, water is the perfect medium to shoot. Unlike people, it doesn't talk back, it doesn't have bad days and it doesn't hide itself when you lift the camera.

My only risk in shooting this was the shopping mall rent-a-cop who doubtless would have relished taking me to task for pulling out my camera in violation of The Rules of Masonville Place.

These rules stipulate that photographic violators shall be dealt with in a most severe manner by mall authorities. I smiled as I warily eyed the crowd, looking for the telltale white-shirted uniform and imagining the kanipshen fit he'd have if he saw me taking pictures of his employer's precious and top-secret fountain.

I got lucky that day, as the guard never showed (eating donuts, perhaps? Or flirting with the KFC fry lady?) As you can see, I took the shot. And I'll do it again, rent-a-cop and risk of a mall jail term notwithstanding.

Your turn: Taking pictures at risk of getting caught. Please discuss.

26 comments:

scrappintwinmom said...

I must admit that I've never broken any laws while taking a picture. Never even kinda-sorta-maybe came close.

But I also wanted to say that I thought that "conniption" fit was spelled like I have it here in my post. Hmmm...

Dak-Ind said...

if Indy catches me taking pictures he either hams it up, OR he throws a screaming fit and runs away... getting caught can be good or it can be bad. i take the chance.

Snaggle Tooth said...

Usually I follow the rules, such as for symphony concerts, mainly because I don't want equiptment confiscated.
I'm known for walking around during wedding ceremonies to snap a few.
The mall tho- I'd be paranoid of surveilance cams coming back to haunt me on future visits!

Anonymous said...

Anything for the perfect shot, eh, Carmi? ;)

I've got to learn how to use my camera well so I CAN take photographs like this; great camera, novice user :/.

But I "see" things I want to capture, and I'm limited by my ability right now...and that, my friend, is a resolution for the new year, if I'm not mistaken :).

Robin @ PENSIEVE

kenju said...

I am surprised, Carmi, that you flaunt your criminality with such abandon!! LOL

Alix said...

Wonderful shot I don't think I have ever broken any rules to get a picture but I am just starting out so give me time!

Sara said...

Taking photos is a fun thing for me - and I don't break the rules at places like live performances where they ask that you not take flash photos.

But other than that everything else seems to be fair game...especially outside...and of public buildings...there was something on someone's blog and I can't remember who - that said they wanted to charge people to take photos in one of our big cities - like NYC or San Fran...can't remember - but, you had to go and get a license to be able to take photos on the street. That's nuts!!!

Jean-Luc Picard said...

What a super shot, Carmi. Well taken. Sometimes it must be tempting to check to see if anyone is looking!

Michele sent me here.

Anonymous said...

that is a wonderful shot Carmi. I love your work so much. I can't wait until I have a working camera again.

Michael K. Althouse said...

I always shoot first. If I don't ask, then nobody with only the authority to say no will. Wgat can they do, inshoot the picture?

Michele sent me,

MIKE

Anne said...

Vienna, Schönbrunn Museum, no photography, camera hung down around my neck, finger on shutter, facing a mirror for a self portrait. Husband was not happy with me for violating no photo rule.

Smiler said...

That's an interesting shot. And it's funny because it actually does look like ice, so I thought your title was a play on words. As for risk of being caught? It's funny because it just seems to bring to mind sexual metaphors for some reason. I suppose that a Freudian would liken photography to sex, as everything else. There's the thrill of course of no knowing if you'll get caught or not, which somehow augments the pleasure of taking the photograph, and it's a pleasure that is lasting, since you've captured all of it in that moment. Not just what shows on the photograph, but what the mood and setting are imprinted there, like a watermark for you, the photographer only. I could go on and on with this. But I'll stop here. Michele says hello on this fine Saturday evening.

Linda said...

In Germany, we were not supposed to shoot photographs or video of the Army post we were at. I found this hard, because I am rarely found without camera in hand, for the sake of capturing my children's precious moments. In particular, we lived close to the post gate, and thus, there were always guards at the ready. If I was out with my camera, they were hollering at me. Usually in German, so I could at least feign stupidity (I knew full well what they were saying, lol). I probably have more photos than I should have had!

Unknown said...

Carmy: At the magazine I write for, Northwest Airlines threatened a colleague of mine outside of Mohave International (where retired commercial jets are parked).My colleague was standing outside the fenced in, gated facility on the sidewalk. In protest, I withdrew another article on NW and sent them my Frequent Flyer card. The man who issued the threat was dealt with by upper management. Amazing. Great photo as always!

Suzanne said...

breakin' the Law, breakin' the law. you reckless wild thing you!

oh. and cool picture too! hi from Micheles this evening.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

What is the reason one is not aloud or supposed to take pictures in the mall?? Did I miss this in your post....I need to go back and re-read it....!
I love that picture, Carmi....Water, Ice, Ouddles, Drops...I like ALL of it!

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Okay. It just says you are not allowed to, not the reason WHY!
Hmmmmm. Security of some sort?
I find all of thes "rules" scarier than what we are supposed to be scared of....! HELP!

Jessica said...

I usually get in trouble for shooting too close. I realize the fire fighters were looking out for me when they yelled and said I needed to back up. I did feel the heat on my cheeks. I was just focused on taking shots of a burning barn. Yes it was tragic but is was also a great subject. And there was the time I almost got trampled by an elephant when shooting a circus. Sometimes I need to take my face away from the camera and realize there is more to the world than what I see through the view finder!

Karen said...

Hi Carmi! Cool shot, as always. This reminds me of when my son sneaked a video camera into the Vatican museum so he could videotape the ceiling. He wanted it for a video game he was designing. Very funny experience. (I know - we're bad.)

Hope all is well. Just wanted to stop by and say hello. We're finally coming up for air after several snowstorms in a row! It certainly looks like Christmas here!

Happy Hannukah to you and your family!

courtney said...

Do it anyway. I defied the warning from the security at the last Ani DiFranco concert I went to, and just changed the setting on my camera so that the flash wouldn't go off.

Pat said...

Carmi: I have just left a comment but think I may have lost it by clicking too soon. I'll come back later to check. Got interested in the comments. I was here from Michele's.

BreadBox said...

Speaking of water frozen in time, I'm very jealous of you right now, with the water coming frozen out of the sky! We're experiencing cold weather here --- about 12 C, cold for us, unfortunately, not cold in reality!

Enjoy the snow for a poor thawbound southerner.....

BreadBox said...

and of course, Michele sent me today!
N.

Bobkat said...

OMG! Surely you were not taking pictures of a mall fountain! [gasp]! The horror! LOL!

Great photo as ever. You have really captured the movement well. I love how it looks so foamy.

Michele thinks so too!

Rainbow dreams said...

Never had cause to break any rules for a photo... though I remember my Dad taking photos in a rain forest that happened to be near a prison camp when I was younger and he was asked to hand over the film...
then later he got off the boat we were on and the camera fell in the water...! Not a great photo holiday!
Sorry I haven't been around altely..
It makes me thirsty just looking at that water... wonderful.. :)

MsT said...

Water is such a fascinating entity, isn't it? And what you've captured really does look like solid ice instead of frothy movement. I have become fond of moblogging with my cameraphone but one look at the quality of your pics and I see I must rethink acquiring a decent camera....hello from Michele's this chilly and windy night!