Title • time to stop

I went to collect my daughter from school today, and as I didn't have the car I set of a bit early and took my camera with me. As you can see from the EXIF data I was rather hoping for a macro shot, but I ended up with this one instead. Anyway, my reason for mentioning the school is that while I was waiting for my daughter I took some pictures of a vacuum cleaner that was propped up against a wall in a garden across the road. After I'd taken a few shots a man came jogging from the school towards me:

"Excuse me, but I'm the business manager for the school, and I couldn't help noticing that you have a camera."

I explained that I was there to pick up my daughter and showed him the photographs I'd been taking, at which point he seemed satisfied and wandered off. And I really couldn't help being irritated by his assumption, or worry, that I was some sort of pervert out to take advantage of the children in his care. Sure, I'm pleased that the school is vigilant with respect to our children's safety, but I'm constantly irritated by the fact that public officials often seem to assume that taking photographs is indicative of some criminal intent or otherwise unsavoury inclination. Hmmm.