Being Followed

[ACDCROCKS]

Hey all had a case last night Shooting varsity foobtall where a guy would follow me every footstep I made,even a few feet. I felt very uncomfortable, I just turned 18, Im sure he just turned 48 (earry isn't it?), I honestly felt scared with him around me.I told my boss who was their with me, but on the other side of the field, he said it was the lens causing attention, but I honesly don't feel it was the lens. I've gotten attenion, but not to the point where this happens. Im not sure If I can say anything or something other than keep moving. Maybe it's just being paranoid. Have any of you guys/ gals have this problem? What should I do if this happens again?

[Wilt]

If you were that uncomfortable, I would have gone directly to Security if I wanted to be obvious and scare off the guy. Or I would have written a note and hand it to an associate with a verbal request that he/she get the note to Security promptly because you think you are being stalked, and they could observe him to determine whether or not his actions were suspicious and warranted having him assessed by someone in authority.

[cdifoto]

Call him out on it. Ask him what he's doing.

[JaertX]

turn and take his picture.

then tell him you're going to get his NAMBLA card revoked if he keeps messing with you.

I get freaked out by creepy people like that too.

[Wilt]

Originally Posted by cdi-link

Call him out on it. Ask him what he's doing

Someone with ill intentions may simply have the knee-jerk action of suddenly carrying out their intentions! Someone with ill intentions does not want others to see what they look like, since they can help to identify and convict them if something terrible happens to their intended victim! Direct controntation is NOT the wisest thing to do!

[cdifoto]

Originally Posted by Wilt

Someone with ill intentions may simply have the knee-jerk action of suddenly carrying out their intentions! Someone with ill intentions does not want others to see what they look like, since they can help to identify and convict them if something terrible happens to their intended victim! Direct controntation is NOT the wisest thing to do!

OP has a camera. He can take so-called stalker's picture. Or beat the snot out of him with big lens.

And by calling him out on it all I mean is say "why are you following me?" This isn't some dark back alley we're talking about...

[Wilt]

Originally Posted by cdi-ink.com

OP has a camera. He can take so-called stalker's picture. Or beat the snot out of him with big lens.

And by calling him out on it all I mean is say "why are you following me?" This isn't some dark back alley we're talking about...

In that case, if you make a spectacle and shout to the guy so that everyone else around you turns and looks at the confrontation taking place!...

[ACDCROCKS]

I found 3 ways that would be most effective possibly knocking some one out with / crucial pain a 20d and 70-200mm IS tonight in like 10 mins. I haven't tried it but, I know how to now

[BruceC]

Call him out on it. Ask him what he's doing.

+1, I would just say "hey, what are you doing?" just go from there.

[rhys]

Lol. Take his picture and ask him if he'd like a copy.

[Adam T]

I would like to direct you to this thread for some help on the matter:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=211333

[ACDCROCKS]

Originally Posted by rhys

Lol. Take his picture and ask him if he'd like a copy.

My luck he say yes and most likely something preverted. He seemed creepy, nothing but, I didn't even want to talk to him

[Steve Parr]

It's amazing what everyday objects can do.

A measure of personal safety may be in order. A set of car keys, held between the fingers, is a pretty effective weapon. I don't care where you hit him, it's gonna' hurt. Also, I don't care how big a guy is, if you hit him, hard, on the side of the knee, he's going down.

Now, since you're shooting football, I assume some of these guys are bigger than your average 18 year old. Perhaps you could enlist their assistance, offering prints in exchange for having four or five of them having a word with the guy at some point...

[Ronald S. Jr.]

I've had people doing that. It could backfire if you're not careful, though. I had someone follow me all over an event I was covering, and I finally turned and said "...You need something?" To my surprise, he said "Yeah I'm sorry to interrupt, but I was wondering if I could get your card (business card)."

Don't be too mean..it could mean money. A lot of times, people look over my shoulder (which is tough at 6'2" ) to try and see my shots. Pretty tough with the lcd off, though. I have people wonder why the heck I look through "the little hole" when I could use the LCD. "I can't. I didn't have enough for the nice camera."

[Col_M]

I'd agree with Ronald to a degree, don't be rude not only because it could lose you a business chance but that fact is it could turn nasty if you confront someone. Something along the lines of "can i help you?", "i noticed you following me, is there something you want?" or anything like that really whatever you want.

I think what i'm trying to say i'd be interrogative but not rude, that way if he is being sketchy you may catch him off his toes and he'll get flustered, then you have reason to be suspicious, if the guy is interested in your camera or photography you won't come across as rude and you're less likely to get lamped on the nose.