This is not a photo opportunity

[wintoid]

I found this text stencilled on the wall on the South Bank of the Thames. I couldn't comfortably shoot just the text without including a man who was standing right next to it, and his discomfort with being photographed kind of goes with the text. I wouldn't normally be so bold, but just this once...

[Carzee]

Undercover cop?

[grego]

People always make a photo more interesting.

[Big_B]

Yeah, I've seen those signs too. I think I took a picture of it, but yours is much better! :)

[Big_B]

Incidentally I like the way you've cut of the guys head and legs. It adds to the uncomfortable feeling that you described.

[sixshot]

Incidentally I like the way you've cut of the guys head and legs. It adds to the uncomfortable feeling that you described.

I agree, his expression with his arms crossed really works in this shot. Glad you were bold and shared this with us.

[wintoid]

Thanks for your comments. The cutting off his head and legs was because I wanted it to look like I was photographing the stencil (which I was). As you see, the stencil is bang in the center of the photo. If I could have zoomed wider to include all of him, I probably would have, but you're right that it's better with him cut off due to that feeling of unease :D

This was taken with a Sony point and shoot rather than my usual 20d. I'm finding I'm bolder with a small camera as people are used to it. Pointing an SLR at someone feels very intrusive to me. A silent shutter helps too.

Overall, I was disappointed with the photos I got that day, but this one has grown on me quite a lot now, especially with the help of your comments.

[Keiffer]

I would normally not like a shot where a head and legs were both cut off, but I agree it makes the sign the total focus of the shot. By the way, why do they have the signs up? they don't want people taking pics in these areas?

[wintoid]

Far from it. This is an extremely tourist-oriented area of London, and people are constantly snapping away here. The stencil is an "artistic statement" I believe, and not any sort of official statement. I suppose it's another form of graffiti.

There's some other stencil graffiti on the north side of the Millenium Bridge. Perhaps I'll try to go there and take a photo of that next week.

[Keiffer]

Ahhh I got ya. Pretty cool grafitti if you ask me LOL. Thanks for clearing that up.