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Cliff Drive Photographer
updated: Aug 10, 2012, 1:07 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

What's the deal with the middle aged gentleman that has been taking pictures of motorists on the corner of Flora Vista and Cliff Drive? He was most recently seen Wednesday August 8th about 3:30 or 4 pm. He has a very large zoom lens on his camera. It makes a lot of people uncomfortable getting their pictures taken with zoom lenses without their permission. Anyone know why he's doing this?

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 306893	2012-08-10 01:13 PM
Uh, haven't seen him, but why don't you or why didn't you ask him? He (or anyone) doesn't need permission to take pictures of people in public places.
COMMENT 306898	2012-08-10 01:16 PM
Ask him... and then smile & pose :)
COMMENT 306902	2012-08-10 01:20 PM
He lives right there and is just testing and calibrating very expensive lenses, often times rental ones. I found it odd at first too, till I found out what the deal was. Also there is nothing illegal about taking pictures of people in a public area like that. Just a photography geek, nothing sinister.
ROGER DODGER	2012-08-10 01:25 PM
Does he have a black bronco?
COMMENT 306911	2012-08-10 01:26 PM
If I had to guess, I'd say he's trying to get photos of people breaking the law (speeding, not stopping for peds, etc). Either that, or just making people uncomfortable so that they slow down. And, yes, sorry, but I don't think he needs permission to take photos of people in public. Only time that gets police involvement is when parents see creepy men taking photos of kids... Then the police tend to get involved. I agree asking him is probably your best course of action.
PURPLERIDER	2012-08-10 01:35 PM
Creepy, maybe, illegal, probably not. But it all depends upon his intent. Be interesting to know what they are.
COMMENT 306917P	2012-08-10 01:44 PM
I saw that once but thought it was a woman? Weird...
COMMENT 306918	2012-08-10 01:45 PM
FYI your photo is taken every time you go by an ATM, or go into a store or stop to buy gas. Why is it a big deal when a middle aged guy with a very large lens does it? Maybe he's taking photos of motorists talking on their cell phones. Go ask him. It's perfectly legal to take pictures of people in public where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy.... ask any celebrity. Your only grounds to complain is in the commercial use of your likeness without your consent.... again how paparazzi get around that is why our legal system leaves much to be desired.
COMMENT 306919	2012-08-10 01:50 PM
There has also been an older guy taking photos at Hollister and Storke. I bicycle, and go slow enough to observe, and it did appear as though he was trying to get shots of people that run the red on the left hand turn going from Costco to the SB 101.
COMMENT 306926P	2012-08-10 01:59 PM
I've seen him, too. It was weird- he has a HUGE lens- and I think this is a valid question. It would be hard to ask him when you're driving past. Hopefully someone can shed some light rather than just make snide comments.
COMMENT 306928P	2012-08-10 02:05 PM
It's almost enough for a Santa Barbara blog site or posting - Santa Barbara area vehicle drivers using their cell phone. It's a legal, safety issue which is often ignored, probably far more dangerous than bicyclists having a run one a year on Sunday.
COMMENT 306939	2012-08-10 02:23 PM
I'd think Edhatters would be fine with it...after all, getting into neighbor's business seems an essential part of the site.
COMMENT 306941	2012-08-10 02:28 PM
the one time I saw him out there coincided with a full moon and it looked to me like the best bet as to where his camera was aimed was at the moon.
COMMENT 306945	2012-08-10 02:40 PM
926P: I think the ask him comments are saying someone should stop & ask him. Not to yell out your window as you are driving. For someone commenting on the snark, you seem to have a decent amount yourself. I agree that this is weird. I gave my opinion on what could be the reasoning, but I think unless someone stops and asks, or that guy just happens to be an edhat reader, all the OP will get will be guesses & random comments. I don't think that's unreasonable. With any luck, someone will know (or ask!) & post. :)
COMMENT 306946P	2012-08-10 02:45 PM
Bring your camera. Take a picture of him and see what he does.
DILLYDALLY	2012-08-10 02:51 PM
946P for the win.
COMMENT 306950	2012-08-10 02:57 PM
OP here- I agree that I should talk to him and ask, but every time I see him I'm driving, and so I can't very well stop in traffic or yell out the window. Next time I plan to ask him if I have the time to loop around and stop. @Roger: I don't know what kind of car he has, but I don't think he's the same Bronco guy you're talking about from the kiddie pool. I haven't seen him aiming his lens at the nearby Monroe school so there's that. I know it's not illegal to take pictures of people without their consent, it's just a weird thing for someone to do, and maybe he's on edhat and can enlighten us. Or maybe someone here know's whats going on with him. Thank you all for your comments, with or without snark. ;)
COMMENT 306953	2012-08-10 02:59 PM
I asked him in the past and he said he was just using the lens and needed to be on the street because of the distance of such a long lens. Couldn't do it in the back yard. I think our imaginations are getting the best of everyone.
COMMENT 306960	2012-08-10 03:10 PM
The SBMA has a current exhibition, it's called "behind the wheel", I really liked it, it's through this Sunday (Aug 12). Part of the exhibition has 5 or 6 photos of drivers at intersections, the artist took the pictures in Beverly Hills. Maybe this gentleman is trying the same thing, saw the exhibit and got inspired....maybe.
COMMENT 306968	2012-08-10 03:20 PM
I've seen him a few times and I'm pretty sure his camera isn't focused on drivers. It looks like he's taking pictures of something in the sky. Paragliders? Moon? Cool birds? He's never made me uncomfortable.
COMMENT 306976	2012-08-10 03:36 PM
Sheesh people! He's doing a traffic study.
COMMENT 306977	2012-08-10 03:38 PM
If you guys knew how many intersections have cameras, there would not be an interest in a poor guy doing a photo class shoot.....:)
COMMENT 306980	2012-08-10 03:45 PM
The reality is these days there are cameras on every single stop light in town. Big brother has been here for a long time now. Don't believe me look up at any stop light and wave to god knows who. I always wondered where the feed goes to?? Is it the local police? the fed's? who knows. It makes me wonder every time I see one. Anyone know where these cameras are going to? Now that's a topic for discussion.
COMMENT 307029	2012-08-10 04:44 PM
He lives right there on the northeast corner of Cliff and Flora Vista, camera geek.
COMMENT 307030P	2012-08-10 04:46 PM
@980, my sister got a red light ticket in Oxnard a few months ago. The picture (and video!) were available to her on a website that she had to have a code for. It was included in her ticket from the city.
COMMENT 307040	2012-08-10 05:09 PM
I know they have some cameras for traffic lights but not in SB. There are 4-6 in each intersection and they face way down the street. Its for looking at people.
COMMENT 307065	2012-08-10 06:13 PM
Hey is that a big camera or are you just happy to see me
COMMENT 307086	2012-08-10 07:23 PM
I believe it's a Nikon, so his images must be great.
COMMENT 307130P	2012-08-10 11:18 PM
Seen him several times and figured he was taking pictures of birds or other wildlife. I don't think anyone would use that large a telephoto lens to photograph drivers that are right next to him.
COMMENT 307154	2012-08-11 08:07 AM
Hello people, I'm the guy your curious about. Exactly what I'm doing with that telephoto is testing the autofocus and making very fine adjustments to both the lens and the camera. The fast moving cars going to and fro is perfect for testing high speed sports shooting. Thats what it's all about, nothing more exotic I'm afraid.
COMMENT 307178	2012-08-11 09:55 AM
He is a well known photographer in the area and has been for a long time. I see him on the pier a lot shooting scenes with the large lens. Nothing wrong with taking photos of cars driving by, but I would bet he was taking photos of something else, with that type of lens he should be able to capture stuff at the intersection from where he was. Too bad to hear its a Nikon, these Nikonians ; ) swear by them.
COMMENT 307180	2012-08-11 09:59 AM
To COMMENT 307171: If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all.
COMMENT 307193	2012-08-11 10:29 AM
Still pictures of traffic violations are virtually worthless in doing anything to correct a percieved problem. Moreover if one were to try to use such a picture to identify and then publically vilify someone or make unprovable or unsubstantiated allegations there could be potential liability upon the photographer either in a form of defamation or a category of invasion of privacy by over publication. So, even though it is not illegal to take pictures of people in public places without their consent, the legal issue arises in the arena of "WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THEM". If they were used in commercial exploitation without a proper release, for example in an advertisement or othe income producing endeavor, the photographer or the publisher could be legally liable for damages.
DULCE	2012-08-11 11:19 AM
154 The Camera Man --- Thank you for telling us what you are really doing.
COMMENT 307217	2012-08-11 11:21 AM
Heehehe.... funny how such an innocent activity can be misconstrued and blown out of proportion by the ever so fertile imaginative minds of the curious. Creativity needs an outlet, with one it becomes a tool for fear mongering and false judgements. It's too bad we're more curious about what our neighbours are doing and not so much about why we do the things we do or react to things the way we do.
COMMENT 307271	2012-08-11 01:23 PM
(OP here) @154 thank you camera man, much appreciated! Good luck with the camera! :)
COMMENT 307319	2012-08-11 03:34 PM
My wife shoots for SB high - i will tell her about your activity - Thanks
COMMENT 307323	2012-08-11 03:56 PM
306939 Right on!
COMMENT 307382	2012-08-11 06:47 PM
DULCE.... it's pretty sad he had to explain "what he was really doing" in the first place. Do we or do we not live in a free country? Or is freedom conditional on approval from the "community"? Be careful limiting the freedom of others lest yours be next.
COMMENT 307592	2012-08-12 05:19 PM
He works for TMZ
COMMENT 307727	2012-08-13 11:33 AM
He is out of the THIRTY MILE ZONE.

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