Be careful where you point that thing!

[irishman]

Yesterday while driving cross town and hitting every red light in the city, I decided to kill some time by testing the buttery smooth and lightening fast autofocus on my new 40D by focusing on street signs and the like (I know, I'm easily amused). About halfway through one such test, I hear this loud scream, "What the f*ck are you doing!" I take my eyes off the viewfinder and and right in the general direction of my test focusing was a very pissed off and very large homeless person. Now he's screaming, "I'm gonna come over there and steal that godd*amned camera you S.O.B"! He was still a bit drunk as he began negotiating the 6 lanes of busy traffic, and that was the only thing that saved me before the light turned green and I was able to get the hell out of there. Guess it was stupid on my part but geez, some people are REALLY private about that kind of stuff! Be warned!

[Bosscat]

Thats why white lenses aren't very stealthy

[Jon, The Elder]

Drunk and homeless....no much to lose.

[Tom W]

You should have pointed the camera at him and snapped his picture. :)

[NickSimcheck]

Where's the duck?

[Big WIll]

Crazy man!

[rhys]

I was taking a photo of a church in DC when some pissed off guy came over and told me not to take photos of him - he wasn't even in the frame! I suspect he was just a little non-compus-mentus.

[howzitboy]

ive never had anyone tell me not to take their picture. guess im too scary looking huh *wink*

[SuzyView]

I have not shot candids on the street in a long time. I don't melt into the background since the camera and lens are usually really big and people would notice that. But the little P&S usually won't cause too much stir. Jealous, I think.

[ACDCROCKS]

hehehe...I always make sure my strap is on tightly when doing things like that, never know when you gota "swing". Been there done that type thing. I personally think dogs are worse.

[poloman]

Darn It!! Where is his picture!

[rhys]

I agree compacts are better for candids. The Epson RD-1 or perhaps a Leica digtal M.

[ryant35]

I pointed my camera at a hooker from my car in downtown Los Angeles once, and before I could snap off a picture I had a bum knocking on my passenger side window asking if I was a cop.

Yes, you haven't noticed LAPD officers now carry cameras and drive Nissan's. I guess you can't expect too much from a bum.

[kennys350d]

the only thing i can come up with is probably he thought you were a paparazzi shooting a street sign. eh..