While snapping photos of buses....
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Originally posted by SBS8214Z:
As for what people like hack care us, i would like to come into this conclusion. Go up to the authorities lorh. They think we are terrorists, we go up to the authorities, ask them help us advertise. We are bus fans, not terrorists. But we have the freedom to take pictures anywhere we want actually, but Singapore too strict already, the authorities the brain stuff too much rubbish le, din notice that there's a group of bus fans in Singapore. As for TWS's case, they have no rights to call the police coz that's not a protected area.
Only LTA can change things if they are actually interested in nuturing a community of transportation fans/spotting.
The day Sep 11 happened, the day the official "Friends of PTO" aspect is dead. With the added aspect of STOMP, PTOs has all the more reason not to trust us.
In their mind, there is no reliable method of telling a spotter and a terrorist apart. If something ever happens on our soil, you can be sure that photography of transport anywhere would be hard-banned.
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Originally posted by sgbuses:
9818A : That one is really suey xiao. Pretended to act blur and would not take any explanation. "Bus fan? What bus fan? Interested in buses? You're *must* be a terrorist right?"
I believe even if I asked in advance, he would have chosen to probe further and the same would have still happened. It happened to be that 1% nasty one of the whole BC/SL population. You won't know one until you actually bump into one.
If you had asked, he would have probed further and probably said that he does not want his bus to be photographed. You could have just followed his instruction and try again another day. I don't think there would have been such a commotion at all. End of story.
By taking the photograph without asking or at least notifying him, he has totally no idea of your intentions. This makes him feel threatened by your presence and he will naturally not accept or be suspicious of any explanation that you offer. Why? You can say that he feels that he has something to hide, but it's human nature to turn defensive when you do something that is least expected!
I have been taking photos for 4, coming to 5 years and I have NEVER had any problems with bus captains. I've not been hauled by by transit security or the police or any government official so far and I hope it remains the case.
Maybe it's just my fortune that I have never met any nasty ones, but still, I think it's very much how people carry themselves nowadays when they go out and take photographs, from behaving suspiciously at bus interchanges to running around with scant regard to traffic. All these actions only make people express unnecessary concern and cause so many misunderstandings.
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That's why I say u guys got to be careful. Really, try nt to take pic outside the interchange. I understand nothing is wrong but it would really cause alot of misunderstanding. Especially the BNL exit, where traffic is so busy,
I personally suggest to take pic like 100m away frm the terminals/depots/interchange.
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Originally posted by SBS9818A:Maybe it's just my fortune that I have never met any nasty ones, but still, I think it's very much how people carry themselves nowadays when they go out and take photographs, from behaving suspiciously at bus interchanges to running around with scant regard to traffic. All these actions only make people express unnecessary concern and cause so many misunderstandings.
I do NOT run around the bus interchange, on the road, etc.
Please do NOT associate me with the black sheep.
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Originally posted by sgbuses:
I do NOT run around the bus interchange, on the road, etc.
Please do NOT associate me with the black sheep.
I am mentioning that in general. Apologies if it caused any confusion.
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I don't give two hoots about public buses, but let me throw in my dua sen....
All I can say is to use some basic common sense and to use your noodle if you want to take photographs. If you are in a bus interchange and you want to take photographs, at the very least ask for permission from the station master there or whoever it is in charge. Like it or not, bus interchanges are busy places, and are potential terrorist sites.
What do you think they will think when they see some goondu with a bigass DSLR taking photos of...... buses? Or taking photos of the layout of the interchange? Only a small proportion of people share your enthusiasm for bus photography; everyone else would think that you're either plain nuts, or a terrorist doing recce. Remember how some terrorists did recce work at Yishun MRT?
Same goes for being on the bus. Ask the bus captain first; if he says no, then no means no. Just shut up and suck thumb. Know your place; the bus captain is the master of the bus and all those who are on it, and not you.
And yeah, like Bear said, please employ basic safety procedures while taking photos. You do not want to appear on The New Paper under the headline 'Young Man Gets Crushed By Double-Decker Because of Enthusiasm for Buses.'
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There was once when I snap shot the bus TIB729P which was on 169 haeding to AMK Int, then the driver flashes its bus headlights towards me, demanding to stop taking the bus photos, partly because the driver might feel that its disturbing and annoyed. Another similar incident was at New Upp Changi Rd, when I attempt to snap SBS2676M on 33.
Secondly, early this year, TIB1194A cameos on 61, and I got down at Victoria St (outside the Victoria Hotel). I tried to snap this bus just merely a few metres away from the bus stop I've alighted, and upon leaving, I was questioned by the BC, saying as to why am I taking pictures of that bus. Lucky enough, I was not hauled back to any authories or the like, and I just simply told the BC that I am a bus enthusiast and decided to let me off, without any warnings and the BC contiunes the journey.
Terrorism is a very big and a largely sensitive issue, some people who had a one-sided factor did 'claims' that by taking bus pix (even along bus stops, not bus interchanges), we are like 'threats' to the security and stability of Singapore. At this point of view, taking bus photos as a bus enthusiast is fine but sometimes, you must try to do it wisely so as not to arouse suspicion to the public. Sometimes, the Transit Security even thinks and insists it that way. -
Originally posted by TIB1232Z:
Frankly speaking I'm quite irritated by folks that only talk photos everywhere they go, the moment they have a chance to do so or etc. It gets on my nerves naturally as the whole thing on buses don't just revolve about a camera and photographs! And so, I cannot find a reason to explain their bizzare behaviour. I hope they can find something else to do with relation to buses and gain more exposure on a larger variety of bus-related issues instead of talking photographs every single time.
There must be some privacy reasons behind it. I guess that they are concerned and felt that their faces might also be taken when you snap a bus pix.
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Originally posted by fudgester:
I don't give two hoots about public buses, but let me throw in my dua sen....
All I can say is to use some basic common sense and to use your noodle if you want to take photographs. If you are in a bus interchange and you want to take photographs, at the very least ask for permission from the station master there or whoever it is in charge. Like it or not, bus interchanges are busy places, and are potential terrorist sites.
What do you think they will think when they see some goondu with a bigass DSLR taking photos of...... buses? Or taking photos of the layout of the interchange? Only a small proportion of people share your enthusiasm for bus photography; everyone else would think that you're either plain nuts, or a terrorist doing recce. Remember how some terrorists did recce work at Yishun MRT?
Same goes for being on the bus. Ask the bus captain first; if he says no, then no means no. Just shut up and suck thumb. Know your place; the bus captain is the master of the bus and all those who are on it, and not you.
And yeah, like Bear said, please employ basic safety procedures while taking photos. You do not want to appear on The New Paper under the headline 'Young Man Gets Crushed By Double-Decker Because of Enthusiasm for Buses.'
Hello. Your post is critically offensive to us.
Please post with the right attitude and tone, your post is just gonna start an argument its not giving a constructive opinion or comment to learn from. You don't like what we do, shut up and move out. If uncle bear saw the incident he should go and approach the person and not come here and rant. For all you know the person may not be a bus enthusiast who surfs SGF with the other bus forums elsewhere.
We know what is traffic safety. Although some people in this community may be a little extreme, insulting them is not the way to do it. Everyone in life has something they like to do, they spend time and effort on it due to showing interest in it. What you like, may not be of others. Here is to discuss our likings for buses, if you dont have that, you dont have to be here to give your useless selfish thoughts. Go to speaker's corner where you can entertain the mosquitoes and the birds.
I know you don't really freaking care, you think we're a bunch of loonies and that you're here just to be an insult, to be unreasonable annoying and totally of no purpose but to putting others down to gain some self satisfaction, how critically insecure.
I do have a heart to tell you what I feel. Kindly move along if you got nothing constructive and affirming to say, by that I meant words put in a proper gentlemanly tone and words that have the desire to help. Otherwise, you just deserve to be ignored.
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Originally posted by SBS8533C:
There was once when I snap shot the bus TIB729P which was on 169 haeding to AMK Int, then the driver flashes its bus headlights towards me, demanding to stop taking the bus photos, partly because the driver might feel that its disturbing and annoyed. Another similar incident was at New Upp Changi Rd, when I attempt to snap SBS2676M on 33.
Secondly, early this year, TIB1194A cameos on 61, and I got down at Victoria St (outside the Victoria Hotel). I tried to snap this bus just merely a few metres away from the bus stop I've alighted, and upon leaving, I was questioned by the BC, saying as to why am I taking pictures of that bus. Lucky enough, I was not hauled back to any authories or the like, and I just simply told the BC that I am a bus enthusiast and decided to let me off, without any warnings and the BC contiunes the journey.
Terrorism is a very big and a largely sensitive issue, some people who had a one-sided factor did 'claims' that by taking bus pix (even along bus stops, not bus interchanges), we are like 'threats' to the security and stability of Singapore. At this point of view, taking bus photos as a bus enthusiast is fine but sometimes, you must try to do it wisely so as not to arouse suspicion to the public. Sometimes, the Transit Security even thinks and insists it that way.In fact most of the time when I encounter such incidents I just ignore. I don't feel the need to respond to these despos that want to be awarded the medal for some public spiritness thing, so yup, ignoring them is much better than being confronted by them; some of them have absolutely nothing to do other than try to be a ficticious superhero and save the world.
And to the rest that are taking the chance to pass on some stupid negative comments about buses as a hobby, just get lost - this thread is meant for people to share their experiences and not hear some bullcrap story from people that are too free and have nothing better else to do. It's not as if we done some mighty criminal act in the world that requires your two dollars worth of bullshit, so save that.
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Originally posted by TIB1232Z:
In fact most of the time when I encounter such incidents I just ignore. I don't feel the need to respond to these despos that want to be awarded the medal for some public spiritness thing, so yup, ignoring them is much better than being confronted by them; some of them have absolutely nothing to do other than try to be a ficticious superhero and save the world.
And to the rest that are taking the chance to pass on some stupid negative comments about buses as a hobby, just get lost - this thread is meant for people to share their experiences and not hear some bullcrap story from people that are too free and have nothing better else to do. It's not as if we done some mighty criminal act in the world that requires your two dollars worth of bullshit, so save that.
Dang...
I hope I don't see the day where anyone who wants to take a picture on the road needs a huge sign round his neck saying "I am taking photos for leisure, and I am not a terrorist".
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Originally posted by .SBS9888Y.:
Hello. Your post is critically offensive to us.
Please post with the right attitude and tone, your post is just gonna start an argument its not giving a constructive opinion or comment to learn from. You don't like what we do, shut up and move out. If uncle bear saw the incident he should go and approach the person and not come here and rant. For all you know the person may not be a bus enthusiast who surfs SGF with the other bus forums elsewhere.
We know what is traffic safety. Although some people in this community may be a little extreme, insulting them is not the way to do it. Everyone in life has something they like to do, they spend time and effort on it due to showing interest in it. What you like, may not be of others. Here is to discuss our likings for buses, if you dont have that, you dont have to be here to give your useless selfish thoughts. Go to speaker's corner where you can entertain the mosquitoes and the birds.
I know you don't really freaking care, you think we're a bunch of loonies and that you're here just to be an insult, to be unreasonable annoying and totally of no purpose but to putting others down to gain some self satisfaction, how critically insecure.
I do have a heart to tell you what I feel. Kindly move along if you got nothing constructive to say. Otherwise, you just deserve to be ignored.
What I'm saying is:
Not everyone likes buses. Not everyone appreciates people who takes photographs of buses. They see someone with a bigass camera taking photos of buses, they think the worst.
Me? I don't care about buses, and I don't care about people who do take photos of them. But I really can't help but bemused at how some posters in here seem to think that they have every right to do what they want without caring for authority.
At the very least, ask permission from the people in charge before you do. If they don't allow it, then move on, and don't b*tch about being told off by people in authority. Like it or not, they are the ones in charge of the public transport system. Like it or not, they are supposed to watch out for suspicious behaviour, and a fella taking photographs of bus interchanges and buses can be seen to be suspicious.
You like your buses, fine. All I'm saying is, apply basic commonsensical rules when you do take these bus photos. Don't endanger the public and yourself while doing these things, and respect authority while doing so.
Steady?
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Originally posted by fudgester:
What I'm saying is:
Not everyone likes buses. Not everyone appreciates people who takes photographs of buses. They see someone with a bigass camera taking photos of buses, they think the worst.
Me? I don't care about buses, and I don't care about people who do take photos of them. But I really can't help but bemused at how some posters in here seem to think that they have every right to do what they want without caring for authority.
At the very least, ask permission from the people in charge before you do. If they don't allow it, then move on, and don't b*tch about being told off by people in authority. Like it or not, they are the ones in charge of the public transport system. Like it or not, they are supposed to watch out for suspicious behaviour, and a fella taking photographs of bus interchanges and buses can be seen to be suspicious.
You like your buses, fine. All I'm saying is, apply basic commonsensical rules when you do take these bus photos. Don't endanger the public and yourself while doing these things, and respect authority while doing so.
Steady?
KIMPATALA BOM PEE PEE AH.
Yes yes. We do ask permission from Bus Captains before snapping interior shots of buses. We do not take photos inside bus interchanges as it is said by Interchange personnel to be a security threat to do so, thus, there isnt really any authority to seek permission from. Snapping pictures on normal roads, we cant expect the driver to stop in the middle of the road for us to ask permission. I, myself, will not do such things if a person in authority does not allow it, in fact I will apologise and walk off, neither will I rant here, unless the person is being unreasonable.
Sometimes, drivers do not understand why they are being photographed, they misunderstood it as company personnel catching them for doing something wrong (they feel that way cause of the way their management handles them), which in return, some turn hostile but after some explaining, the misunderstanding clears.
Also, to add on, the very fact Aviation Enthusiasts worldwide clearly take pictures at and around Changi Airport and airports around the world openly with the biggest most bizarre cameras that look like weapons, wouldnt they be called crazy too?
The very fact is Bus Enthusiasts are at least in the tens of thousands worldwide, only that they are not so commonly found in Singapore which has around a few hundred only. There are people I know of who are interested in ships, cranes and even containers, honestly containers is a little extreme.
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Originally posted by TIB1232Z:
Was waiting to snap 670Z on 169 along WDL Ave 9. Suddenly a car pulled up to me (I was standing at the median) and stopped in the middle of the road. Driver then rolled down his window and asked what I was doing. I gave him his answer, but at the same time I felt like calling the police to summon this stupid driver for unnecessary obstruction on the road. Why couldn't he just concentrate on driving?
In any case, if you do see drivers taking out their handphones to snap a photo of you while in motion, and you do have a photo of that, feel free to mail it to the relevant authorities for inappropriate conduct while driving. They are not supposed to be using their phones while in motion - I don't understand why they can't just drive their bloody bus along.
A few months ago I was stopped by a security guard while snapping photos and he claimed that I needed to have a permit for photography as "photography in public places is prohibited". (I quote exactly what he said - till this day I still remember it clearly because it was the most absurd and ridiculous piece of bullshit from the mouth of a security guard)
So you can see, Singaporeans are too afraid of bus photographers. I mean, it's ok to have some public mindedness, but not overdo it! If we don't look like terrorists to them, why should they bother. =/ They feel that we pose some superficial threat to them - is there?
let's see him restrict tourists from snapping photos.
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Question:
Is taking photos and chasing cameos that important? Is it what bus fans can just do?
I can't help to think that bus fans here in general are being overly obsessed with taking photos and chasing cameos, and nothing else. Yes, it is the stepping stone for most bus fans, but many people don't seem to move on from that.
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most of my (few) photo-taking experiences were either neutral or positive. 119 bc's usually recognise me because of my frequent presence on the buses, and will slow down while turning out of sengkang interchange for me to take a shot. of course, this is provided that no other buses are behind.
the rest though, are just neutral experiences, no angry responses or whatsoever, just blank faces.
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Originally posted by .SBS9888Y.:
KIMPATALA BOM PEE PEE AH.
Yes yes. We do ask permission from Bus Captains before snapping interior shots of buses. We do not take photos inside bus interchanges as it is said by Interchange personnel to be a security threat to do so, thus, there isnt really any authority to seek permission from. Snapping pictures on normal roads, we cant expect the driver to stop in the middle of the road for us to ask permission. I, myself, will not do such things if a person in authority does not allow it, in fact I will apologise and walk off, neither will I rant here, unless the person is being unreasonable.
Sometimes, drivers do not understand why they are being photographed, they misunderstood it as company personnel catching them for doing something wrong (they feel that way cause of the way their management handles them), which in return, some turn hostile but after some explaining, the misunderstanding clears.
Also, to add on, the very fact Singapore Aviation Enthusiasts clearly take pictures at and around Changi Airport openly with the biggest most bizarre cameras that look like weapons, wouldnt they be called crazy too?
Okay.... so now we are on the same wavelength?
I am just super bemused at how some posters seem to think that you can just suka suka take photos and then get all indignant when they are told off.
To use an analogy, I'm driving a car, and I stop at a junction. Then some car enthusiast just suka-suka steps up and takes a photo of me driving it just because he likes the model of my car. Get my drift? My privacy is not being respected. Now just replace 'car' with 'bus', and the idea is there.
At the very least, ask permission from the bus captain, even for external shots. At least wave at him a little bit and gesture to him that you want to take a photo of his bus. If he shakes his head, so be it. If the bus is moving, then okay, you don't have to ask him. But if a bus inspector comes up to you and asks you what you are doing, then please show respect to him.
Never mind about the aviation nuts. Just be a responsible bus nut, that's all I'm saying.
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Originally posted by Scania:
Question:
Is taking photos and chasing cameos that important? Is it what bus fans can just do?
I can't help to think that bus fans here in general are being overly obsessed with taking photos and chasing cameos, and nothing else. Yes, it is the stepping stone for most bus fans, but many people don't seem to move on from that.
Well said.U voiced out just wat i was thinking.I have personally seen some ppl(not all)reacting as if something which the earth has nvr seen has just happened when they see some cameos or some buses and running with their cameras suddenly as if for a marathon.And as usual obviously,this actions have attracted many stares from the ppl near them from my observations.
And as TIB1232Z all mentioned above,i hate those ppl who the first thing in the convo,whip out their cameras and start browsing and showing off their photos and skills everywhere and everytime once they open their bloody mouth,it will all be about photos.So who the hell cares if u got a photo of this rare cameo or of this bus and that bus?As if the whole singapore is gonna care abt it like that.
Thats why i always keep my limit for buses.I see rare cameo or anything,just put cash,get ticket and thats enough alr.I am happy with that.I just limit myself there.Wat is the big deal also u go running ard the whole of singapore taking pics of buses here and there? -
Originally posted by Merczrox:
Well said.U voiced out just wat i was thinking.I have personally seen some ppl(not all)reacting as if something which the earth has nvr seen has just happened when they see some cameos or some buses and running with their cameras suddenly as if for a marathon.And as usual obviously,this actions have attracted many stares from the ppl near them from my observations.
And as TIB1232Z all mentioned above,i hate those ppl who the first thing in the convo,whip out their cameras and start browsing and showing off their photos and skills everywhere and everytime once they open their bloody mouth,it will all be about photos.So who the hell cares if u got a photo of this rare cameo or of this bus and that bus?As if the whole singapore is gonna care abt it like that.some people's lives revolve around that particular statement, unfortunately.
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Guys, we have to give and take some times. We don't always agree over everything but its important we respect what others do.
I don't like the way certain things are done where people force their ideas or do-it-the-right-way kinda legalistic system. its just something to do in our spare time.
You like it that way, so be it. Don't have to ask others to do the same or make them feel awkwardly misplaced.
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Originally posted by fudgester:
Okay.... so now we are on the same wavelength?
I am just super bemused at how some posters seem to think that you can just suka suka take photos and then get all indignant when they are told off.
To use an analogy, I'm driving a car, and I stop at a junction. Then some car enthusiast just suka-suka steps up and takes a photo of me driving it just because he likes the model of my car. Get my drift? My privacy is not being respected. Now just replace 'car' with 'bus', and the idea is there.
At the very least, ask permission from the bus captain, even for external shots. At least wave at him a little bit and gesture to him that you want to take a photo of his bus. If he shakes his head, so be it. If the bus is moving, then okay, you don't have to ask him. But if a bus inspector comes up to you and asks you what you are doing, then please show respect to him.
Never mind about the aviation nuts. Just be a responsible bus nut, that's all I'm saying.
if you were the bus captain, would you like to listen to sooooo many requests to take a photo of your bus?if it's a exterior shot, and the bus is at least 2 lanes away (to prevent tight angles) , would you purposely crossover, board the bus, tell the bus captain "hey can i take an exterior shot of your bus?" and then cross back to the designated place (which is at least 2 lanes away) and snap away? that way it'll probably have bc's stopping for at least 30 seconds. what if cars happen to come and you have to wait longer? what if bc's are lambat? you think they'll wait for you?
at least when you're at the selected spot, even if they're lambat, you can at least get a shot of it before it leaves the bus-stop. in that way it's like no one interferes the bc and he can leave at the shortest possible time rather than seeing us boarding, crossing etc.
if we show some gestures, he'll have to look at us, and bear in mind he also has to look left at the entrance to make sure there are no fare cheats and all pay the fare. what happens if someone cheats while he's looking at us? you may think its not a big deal, cheat then cheat la. but what if we ask for 20 times, and at least 6 or 7 people cheat? if all are adults, and take for long distances, how? that's why even if he stops, lets just treat that he's moving.
now we're being responsible bus nuts by not delaying time for the bus captain. (:
lets get back to topic. come on there should me more =D
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Originally posted by fudgester:
Okay.... so now we are on the same wavelength?
I am just super bemused at how some posters seem to think that you can just suka suka take photos and then get all indignant when they are told off.
To use an analogy, I'm driving a car, and I stop at a junction. Then some car enthusiast just suka-suka steps up and takes a photo of me driving it just because he likes the model of my car. Get my drift? My privacy is not being respected. Now just replace 'car' with 'bus', and the idea is there.
At the very least, ask permission from the bus captain, even for external shots. At least wave at him a little bit and gesture to him that you want to take a photo of his bus. If he shakes his head, so be it. If the bus is moving, then okay, you don't have to ask him. But if a bus inspector comes up to you and asks you what you are doing, then please show respect to him.
Never mind about the aviation nuts. Just be a responsible bus nut, that's all I'm saying.
Yes, same page it is. (:
however for the analogy, you own the car, the bus driver doesnt.
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Originally posted by Stage:
if you were the bus captain, would you like to listen to sooooo many requests to take a photo of your bus?if it's a exterior shot, and the bus is at least 2 lanes away (to prevent tight angles) , would you purposely crossover, board the bus, tell the bus captain "hey can i take an exterior shot of your bus?" and then cross back to the designated place (which is at least 2 lanes away) and snap away? that way it'll probably have bc's stopping for at least 30 seconds. what if cars happen to come and you have to wait longer? what if bc's are lambat? you think they'll wait for you?
at least when you're at the selected spot, even if they're lambat, you can at least get a shot of it before it leaves the bus-stop. in that way it's like no one interferes the bc and he can leave at the shortest possible time rather than seeing us boarding, crossing etc.
if we show some gestures, he'll have to look at us, and bear in mind he also has to look left at the entrance to make sure there are no fare cheats and all pay the fare. what happens if someone cheats while he's looking at us? you may think its not a big deal, cheat then cheat la. but what if we ask for 20 times, and at least 6 or 7 people cheat? if all are adults, and take for long distances, how? that's why even if he stops, lets just treat that he's moving.
now we're being responsible bus nuts by not delaying time for the bus captain. (:
lets get back to topic. come on there should me more =D
I don't think he bothers about your photomania. So why bring up something of no interest to him.
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Originally posted by .SBS9888Y.:
The very fact is Bus Enthusiasts are at least in the tens of thousands worldwide, only that they are not so commonly found in Singapore which has around a few hundred only. There are people I know of who are interested in ships, cranes and even containers, honestly containers is a little extreme.
Seen one small group of them.. belonged to some group called Military Nuts or something. These guys are into the engineering and the mechanism of military weapons in Armed Forces around the world. A sub-group are interested in ships. They can spend the entire 2 visiting days (total 14 hours) of IMDEX Asia to take a look at all 40+ warships at the berths at Changi. -