JAMES SPRATT .org

I’ve been trying to find some time to learn my camera and take some better phot.

On the cycle home last night I stopped off at Mile End Park for 15 minutes and went up to the bridge overlooking the traffic coming in and out of London. Tripod and gear at the ready, I took my first long exposure traffic shots, hoping for something more like this, I ended up with this kind of shot:

Not great but I will get there. [In case you're interested, I was using a Nikon D70s, 70-300mm lens and had the shutter open for 20 seconds].

As I was waiting for a shot to finish, a police constable approached me on his bicycle and asked me what I was doing. I showed him the display on the back of the camera and said “this kind of thing”. “Are you an art student?” – he was clearly out to offend. He then asked if he could take down some of my details. I replied “if you must” to which he retorted “yes I must as I’ve now spoken to you” implying that every person who he speaks to in his line of work must be annotated. So if I was to stop and ask him directions, he’d then be compelled to ask for my name, address and date birth. Riiiiiiiiiiiight.

If I was pointing my camera at a mosque or a playground or a government building I’d be more inclined to understand but I actually think this is not cool.