There’s a story behind this picture. I was photographing along the road beside this farm when the owner came out and started berating me, claiming I was working on behalf of someone trying to harass him into selling. When I finally made it clear I was just there as an enthusiastic amateur appreciating the landscape, his entire demeaner changed and we had a great conversation. He invited me onto his property and even pointed me to a pond in a nearby valley. Nikon D7100, tripod, polarizing filter, graduated density (darkening) filter on the sky
Click/tap on the picture for a larger view.
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It was kind of you to take the time to correct his misgivings, Frank. And I love that he then invited you onto his property and showed you more. This is a beautiful story and a wonderful photo.
That experience addresses the larger topic of what is generically called “Street Photography”. Frankly, I don’t know how people capture public images without getting stabbed, shot, or assaulted.
Of course, that’s based on my personal encounters while out and about with my camera. On one occasion, while photographing a church, I was assaulted by a homeless person who thought I was taking his picture.
It’s probably less of an issue if using a cell phone which is inherently more discreet but not totally without risk.
How do people capture those “Thursday Doors” images without being confronted by the homeowner or arrested for stalking the neighborhood? What really amazes me is the guy who photographs riders on the New York City subway. Are you kidding me? The rule of survival on the subway is to avoid eye contact and remain low-key. Yet, this guy sits there with a Nikon camera snapping away.
I get confronted for simply taking a picture of wildlife. Granted, California is home to one-third of the nation’s homeless so there’s bound to be conflict.
Still, your experience shows that we must always be cautious whether on the subway or out in the country.
You make good points, David. In the case of this altercation, I was photographing the barn from public property – the side of the road – when the owner came out and confronted me.
A friend of mine was on a road trip when he stopped to photograph a rustic home on the outskirts of a small town. He was inside his car on a public road but realized that you can never be too careful. So, he knocked on the front door and asked the homeowner if he could take some photos in exchange for a few bucks.
The homeowner had spotted him on the road and was very irate. He began yelling and swinging his arms:
“This is private property! Get off my land or I’ll call the police.”
My friend got back in his car, drove down the road a piece, and stopped to take pictures from a distance. To his surprise (and terror), he saw the homeowner rush out of the house, jump into his pickup, and speed down the road in his direction.
Now, this was a small town where everybody has a gun rack in the cab of their truck so my friend began to fear for his life.
The homeowner was berserk. He filmed my friend and his rental car while screaming all sorts of threats and obscenities:
“This is all my land! I told you not to take pictures! I’ve got your license plate and I’ll see you in jail!”
The situation was extremely dangerous. My friend cautiously got back in his car and started to drive away. The guy followed him for a short distance before turning back.
My friend was terribly shaken by the encounter. You just never know …
FRANK KING PHOTOS 
I’ve always wanted to do a collage of old barns. There are some very interesting barns in all states of by gone grandeur.
It was kind of you to take the time to correct his misgivings, Frank. And I love that he then invited you onto his property and showed you more. This is a beautiful story and a wonderful photo.
See my reply to Frank. I’d like to hear your thoughts.
That experience addresses the larger topic of what is generically called “Street Photography”. Frankly, I don’t know how people capture public images without getting stabbed, shot, or assaulted.
Of course, that’s based on my personal encounters while out and about with my camera. On one occasion, while photographing a church, I was assaulted by a homeless person who thought I was taking his picture.
It’s probably less of an issue if using a cell phone which is inherently more discreet but not totally without risk.
How do people capture those “Thursday Doors” images without being confronted by the homeowner or arrested for stalking the neighborhood? What really amazes me is the guy who photographs riders on the New York City subway. Are you kidding me? The rule of survival on the subway is to avoid eye contact and remain low-key. Yet, this guy sits there with a Nikon camera snapping away.
I get confronted for simply taking a picture of wildlife. Granted, California is home to one-third of the nation’s homeless so there’s bound to be conflict.
Still, your experience shows that we must always be cautious whether on the subway or out in the country.
You make good points, David. In the case of this altercation, I was photographing the barn from public property – the side of the road – when the owner came out and confronted me.
A friend of mine was on a road trip when he stopped to photograph a rustic home on the outskirts of a small town. He was inside his car on a public road but realized that you can never be too careful. So, he knocked on the front door and asked the homeowner if he could take some photos in exchange for a few bucks.
The homeowner had spotted him on the road and was very irate. He began yelling and swinging his arms:
“This is private property! Get off my land or I’ll call the police.”
My friend got back in his car, drove down the road a piece, and stopped to take pictures from a distance. To his surprise (and terror), he saw the homeowner rush out of the house, jump into his pickup, and speed down the road in his direction.
Now, this was a small town where everybody has a gun rack in the cab of their truck so my friend began to fear for his life.
The homeowner was berserk. He filmed my friend and his rental car while screaming all sorts of threats and obscenities:
“This is all my land! I told you not to take pictures! I’ve got your license plate and I’ll see you in jail!”
The situation was extremely dangerous. My friend cautiously got back in his car and started to drive away. The guy followed him for a short distance before turning back.
My friend was terribly shaken by the encounter. You just never know …