We went to Nottingham Goose Fair tonight, the UK's biggest travelling fair.
It's always a good for photos.
These two men are "attendants" on the "Ice Jet" ride.
The ride is on full swing / spin.
A few minutes before I took this shot I was targeted by a pickpocket....We were walking by one of the "big wheel" rides and we got wet, water dripped all over my jacket. I thought it was raining but a man near me was startled by the water too. He pointed to the big wheel above me and said it had come from the carriages (distraction technique) and I looked up. He then approached me, I had my camera in my hand and he started pointing at the camera and asking if I had took some good photos...at this point Jane came over to me and grabbed my hand and said move away, I was still engaging with the man, he held his hand out to shake my hand and I shook his , as he shook my hand he moved his hand over my fingers pulling at my finger to attempt to pull a ring off my finger. I moved away now aware what he was doing. Jane asked me "what are you playing at, you were targeted" ...Thinking about the incident, the man also had an app open on his mobile phone and was holding his phone low near my pockets.... I think he was attempting to get a "contact less" payment from any debit / credit cards in my pocket. I didn't have any cards in my pocket and when I do they are in a little metal pop up case.
I didn't have any cash on me and my mobile phone was in the inside pocket of my coat. I pay contactless with my mobile phone.
Jane said I was targeted because I was carrying an expensive camera.
BTW : We are all aware that gangs of pickpockets operate in areas of large crowds. They have nothing to do with the fairground operators, I've always found people who operate the fair friendly and customer focussed, I've photographed many fairground operators and always been treated with respect.
Oh that was a very lucky escape Phil! I hope you weren't too shocked, that sort of thing happens everywhere. It's a shame that your evening was spoilt, especially as it's such a great photograph.
Ooh Phil. what a horrible experience - be thankful it could have had a worse outcome ! bur would rather spoil your evening at the fair , making aware of all around you ! - Nice candid shot though !
Oh lucky escape Phil! Love the colours in this shot! Can’t believe it’s goose fair time again already. Part of that always moves on to Loughborough during the week leading up to Remembrance Sunday.
It’s a very cool shot with the lights and the motion. Glad you avoided the thieves. My friend just had her wallet stolen in Barcelona. It was inside a zippered pocket of her bag and worn across her front. Amazing how deftly they work.
It's a great photo with the motion blur in the background. So sorry to hear of your targeting incident, it's always unnerving. I've never heard of someone trying to grab a ring from someone's finger before
Very vibrant shot. Yes, you have to be street aware very much these days. I have been mugged in London, Rome and Paris but in Berlin I saw what they were about to try and shouted blue murder at them and they ran away. Glad Jane was on it.
These two attendants look happy and it is a very colourful scene.
Love all the colours and movement conveyed in this. the guys look content, I guess having something to look during rides must help the time pass a little more quickly for them.
Sorry to hear you had such an unnerving experience but at least it didn't end badly; glad you're OK (although rather shaken up, I should think) and nothing was taken.
The devils!! We have to be so careful….Jane was on the ball. Harry was rung up while I was away & after talking to this very nice woman about magazine subscription she said now all we want are your bank details! Luckily he said no way!
It’s sad & makes us wary. After your nice day at the fair too! You caught the movement of the ride nicely!
@ankers70 thanks suzanne , I've not had a "borrow" request !
@beryl thanks beryl , it didn't spoil the night
@carole_sandford yes , you are right Carole , I thought I was more street wise , but it happened quickly , distraction technique
These two attendants look happy and it is a very colourful scene.
Sorry to hear you had such an unnerving experience but at least it didn't end badly; glad you're OK (although rather shaken up, I should think) and nothing was taken.
We have be alert, aware and properly awake
It’s sad however this is life now…
It’s sad & makes us wary. After your nice day at the fair too! You caught the movement of the ride nicely!