structures

It could've been because I have a clenched fist graphic on my shirt, signaling, of course, that I am a suspicious character. The reason they gave me, however, was because I was photographing structures.

Two police officers stopped me, from photographing 'structures'.

While waiting for the J train to head downtown, I decided to photograph some of the stained glass art along the subway platform. I only took about three shots (two of which, are below) before I was stopped by the officers.

Apparently, one of the officers thought I was merely taking photographs of friends or family, but the moment he realized I was shooting the subway, he needed to inquire about my activity.

One of officers asked me what I was shooting, and his inquiry put me off, considering that, one, what did it matter to him, and two, I don't like being bothered while I'm 'working'. So, curtly I answered, "art".

I was irritated, but cooperative, allowing the officer to obtain my license and get my information, but I had to ask what exactly the deal was. He explained that they couldn't have possibly known what it was I was really shooting, and for what reason, and so it was imperative that they got my information. Apparently, shooting at subways is now being policed. This I had been completely unaware of, as I hadn't seen anyone else in the subway stopped for taking a picture at, and of, the subway. People did it all the time...

I couldn't ignore my mind's own restlessness so I bothered asking what the concern really was on their end. The officer sternly said, "terrorism'.

This caught me off guard more than being stopped in the first place. "Terrorism?" I asked, I admit, almost mockingly. The officer then reiterated why what I was doing was considered suspicious, that it was a precautionary measure on their end. Of course he cited 9/11. And he re-explained the whole argument about shooting structures. It seemed as if he was hoping I would simply understand that the measure was, well, understandable. At this point, I just wanted the whole ordeal to be over. I already missed the train that would've gotten me downtown a little less late than I was already going to be. And being late, also bothers me. I am late, all the time.

I eventually stopped listening. I didn't feel he adequately explained why the photographing of a public structure was a matter worthy of suspicion. Instead, I arrived at my own conclusion - the obvious one - that if some terrorist were indeed to plan an attack, he or she would have to prepare for it in advance. Like, photographing the target area (of course...)

Packing up Niccolo (my D60), I waited for the J train, again. I thought they'd go their own way, but instead they stuck around. The two officers even hopped on the same train car I was in and didn't leave until after a few stops, getting off at Marcy Avenue.

Questions raced in my head again. "How suspicious did I seem to be really?" "Was my questioning of their policy all the more 'incriminating' for myself?" "Why haven't they left the train yet???"

No matter, I don't need to know. It all felt after the fact anyway. Besides, I gathered some information of my own from the conversation the officers were having with each other, which interestingly enough, put me a bit at ease. After letting me on my way, I overheard the officers talking about how they didn't enjoy locking up young kids for minor offenses. That one of them wanted to do real "crime fighting" work, then he'd be ok...

I sensed the dissatisfaction in their voices. As if there was a lack of conviction behind simply following procedure. Perhaps for them, much of their work really feels like mere protocol. And perhaps there wasn't a real 'suspicion' with me, only duty.

a relevant article, written just this past February in the NY Times