Well this just happened... My First Street Altercation

Had my first altercation today. Guy was legit pissed... Here's a link for those interested in seeing his reaction, and mine.

https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=I4RFGjyokus

How would you have handled the situation? Anything I should have done differently?

i thought you handled it well. I would have done the same thing.

side note: could you post the photo up here so we could take a look?

KeenanRIVALS wrote in post #17817906
Had my first altercation today. Guy was legit pissed... Here's a link for those interested in seeing his reaction, and mine.

https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=I4RFGjyokus

How would you have handled the situation? Anything I should have done differently?

Why do you think the guy was legit pissed? Were you tapping on the glass or something?

He is wearing a company uniform and probably would get fired for using that kind of language in public; and you have every right to film on a public street, he has no right to tell you get the F*** out of here.

KeenanRIVALS wrote in post #17817906
How would you have handled the situation? Anything I should have done differently?

There isn't enough context to clue me in to what the situation was. Much of the time, the camera was pointed at the pavement. What was going on?

Sorry, I had someone else say this but I thought it was obvious. I was simply walking, noticed a reflection and thought it would be an interesting shot with the guy in his security outfit and the reflection of the city scape. Almost like him trying to escape from work or something... Long story short it wasn't interesting.

He noticed me taking the photo (I didn't notice him notice me) and he marched out to tell me how he wasn't happy with it... That's all.

The point of uploading it was to simply showcase my reaction and see if others had any tips for this type of altercation.

Sure, the photo wasn't the best but here it is. And no, I assume he just didn't like his photograph being taken.

I think you handled it perfectly, You don't have a black eye, I'd say that's a WIN!

KeenanRIVALS wrote in post #17818091
Sorry, I had someone else say this but I thought it was obvious. I was simply walking, noticed a reflection and thought it would be an interesting shot with the guy in his security outfit and the reflection of the city scape. Almost like him trying to escape from work or something... Long story short it wasn't interesting.

He noticed me taking the photo (I didn't notice him notice me) and he marched out to tell me how he wasn't happy with it... That's all.

The point of uploading it was to simply showcase my reaction and see if others had any tips for this type of altercation.

So what you are saying is that the guy you photographed was actually inside a building when you photographed him. I think that puts a whole new complexion on things.

He was inside of a security window that was visible to the outside. Shooting from the outside in is still 100% legal if I'm not mistaken.

KeenanRIVALS wrote in post #17818243
He was inside of a security window that was visible to the outside. Shooting from the outside in is still 100% legal if I'm not mistaken.

But how would you like it if a complete stranger walked up to your house and pressed a camera lens against your front window and started to photograph you going about your business.

I never said what I did wouldn't creep someone out, or promote a reaction. I personally hate to be photographed no matter what the circumstances are, however I think that's the case in any and all street photography, it's uncomfortable.

I would have been polite up until he used the language. The security guard is the one blowing up the situation. I would have told him to get back in his fish bowl. That's just me. I don't react well to intimidation. You were good. The guard was in the wrong professionally and even in a social setting. He should have been able to articulate himself in better manner. Again just my opinion

Haha, yeah typically I take the route of responding in a negative way, but I just felt super positive that day. It gave me some perspective too. Again, apart of me wished I would have said something so he doesn't go around mistreating everyone, but either way I'm sure he doesn't care.

He's an old grumpy guy who took this job bc he wanted to sit on his butt and relax all day. He hates youth and you annoyed him. Actually, the fact that you exist and are in his vicinity probably anger him. He probably sees the way you are dressed and instantly hates you. Even if you explained that you were just taking a photo of the reflection he would still scream at you because he would refuse to see where he was wrong. Or, maybe he was just having a bad day and you were the last annoying straw that made him snap. Either way, I would ask or inform him of what I am doing before taking photos in his face like that. It would have been very easy to do with the opening in the window.

BlakeC wrote in post #17821450
He's an old grumpy guy who took this job bc he wanted to sit on his butt and relax all day. He hates youth and you annoyed him. Actually, the fact that you exist and are in his vicinity probably anger him. He probably sees the way you are dressed and instantly hates you. Even if you explained that you were just taking a photo of the reflection he would still scream at you because he would refuse to see where he was wrong. Or, maybe he was just having a bad day and you were the last annoying straw that made him snap. Either way, I would ask or inform him of what I am doing before taking photos in his face like that. It would have been very easy to do with the opening in the window.

...even if all were true, the security guard still had a right to have his face not photographed. Let's not bash the security guard for what or who he is!

To the OP, sometimes, you just have to take your licks and move on! you were polite and walked away, even though you also had the right to photograph people in public spaces!

it happens, try again tomorrow! happy clicking!