My most interesting experience with the long arm of the law while doing some
photography, occurred a little over thirty years ago and I assume the outcome
would be quite different today. Houston had just completed a beautiful new
airport with many interesting architectural features/shapes and I was a
photography student at Sam Houston State University. For one of my
assignments I packed up a 4X5 view camera and headed to the airport. It
wasn't until I had done my exterior shots and moved inside that security
caught up with me. I had the camera set up in one of the passage ways
leading to the gates and I got the old proverbial tap on the shoulder while
having my head stuck under a big piece of black cloth trying to get the thing
focused. They took me and the camera down to security and after a little
searching through my gear and asking a few questions they decided it would be
OK for me to continue with the project. The assignment turned out great. In
today's environment I doubt that I would have gotten much past the front door
before being sent packing. Unfortunate in a way and at some level a little
reassuring. Bill Barber
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