My neighbouring town, Bournemouth in the UK, has a Christmas market and this year there was a grand opening with lighted sculptures in the nearby pleasure gardens. I went along with my DSLR camera, hoping to have a pleasant time and get some candid shots of people interacting with various stalls and to practice low light photography. It's when I was ranging up to take shots of a group of musicians that two women and a bloke started shouting at me to stop. The man then came over and demanded that I stop taking photos of him and his kids (I wasn't and hadn't even been aware of his group until they accosted me). I explained that in Britain photography in a public place (with certain special exceptions relating to national security) is perfectly legal and that, in any case, I hadn't photographed him or his family. He called me a liar and demanded I show him the pics. Rather than risk a punch up (I would have lost heavily) or him snatching my gear, I showed him the pics. These were stallholders, ice skating in slow motion and numerous boring shots of Poole Harbour. He was clearly disappointed at not being able to nail me for some unspeakable vice and he wandered back to his brood, muttering away to himself. Ironically, all around this 'geezer' people were snapping away on their I-Phones, maybe even taking pictures of him and his kids. Anyway, I left shortly after, my evening having been completely ruined.
What a shame that he had that mentality of distrust - doesn't bode well for business. If you are going to attempt to sell in a public venue then one must expect and even encourage communication on various levels. I like the way you've captured what they do and shown respect in doing so. Shame that 'gentleman' was such a sourpuss.
@joysabin I should make it clear that none of the traders I photographed had any problems with me, in fact, they were all too busy to notice I was there. The family that challenged me were, like me, bystanders out for what should have been an evening of entertainment. None of the people in the above picture were involved in the incident I describe.
I've enjoyed viewing your images of the Christmas market but
I'm so sorry to hear that you fell foul of some expletive deleted who feels the need to browbeat others to bolster his sense of self. Great example to set his kids too. >:-(
I'm so sorry to hear that you fell foul of some expletive deleted who feels the need to browbeat others to bolster his sense of self. Great example to set his kids too. >:-(