Photo from Emenfuckos' Flickr account
By Carlos Miller
The story on the Chicago Transit Authority posting signs advising commuters to call 911 on anybody doing “excessive photography/filming” has been gaining a lot of traction in Chi-Town since I posted it earlier this week.
NBC Chicago, Chicagoist and the Chicago-based Gapers Block all wrote about it since then, linking to my post.
And this morning, a Chicago radio station aired an interview with me regarding the CTA’s contradictory policy.
The interview aired on Outside the Loop Radio WLUW 88.7-FM Chicago. It was part of a 30-minute broadcast.
Listen directly to the interview by clicking below. It’s about six minutes long.
Carlos Miller Radio Interview Chicago
Popularity: 2% [?]
7 responses so far ↓
1 enhager // Jan 21, 2010 at 3:02 PM
“What is the definition of excessive photography anyway?” Great point
enhager´s last blog ..nastykmillitary became a registered member
2 Hazy // Jan 21, 2010 at 3:59 PM
If a terrorist really wanted to “case” a potential target, they would use an inconspicuous camera.
3 Jim Poulos // Jan 21, 2010 at 8:10 PM
Excellent!! And thank you on behalf of all railroad enthusiasts
The biggest problem with using phrases like “excessive photography” is that the average citizen does not understand what they think they see. To them anyone taking more than one snapshot is excessive, however a photographer may be composing his shot, waiting for better lighting, or even waiting for a particular setting (eg. two trains passing each other).
For that matter they may not even realize when a photographer is not even taking pictures – reminds me of the guy that yelled at me on a NY subway train a while ago not to take his picture. I just yelled back loud enough for everyone to hear “That would be a miracle considering the lens cap is on”. The other photographers I was with laughed and so did a few other passengers…
On a side note – I wonder if the CTA is paying royalties to New York’s MTA for use of the trademarked phrase “If you see something say something”.
4 Carlos Miller // Jan 21, 2010 at 9:36 PM
Thanks Jim.
It’s true what you say. I can take 50 or more photos of the same subject in an attempt to get that one perfect photo.
5 akagoldfish // Jan 24, 2010 at 12:17 AM
Good question. Metra uses it in their announcements, too.
6 akagoldfish // Jan 24, 2010 at 12:19 AM
I honestly think this has nothing to do with terrorism in any way shape or form and is all about preventing the public from capturing images that might be embarrassing to the CTA (like its crumbling infrastructure, it’s employees goofing off at work, the occasional violation of safety rules that now and then results in a major derailment etc etc)
7 Chris // Jan 24, 2010 at 7:43 PM
Well, of course it is good to be safe and aware, but the question is how far we wanna take it, and I think sometimes we are indeed letting our fear get out of hand.
Chris´s last blog ..Bridgestone Motorcycle Tires
Leave a Comment