California Photographer arrested for shooting graffiti artists at work

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

PDNPulse: LA Photographer Faces Criminal Charges, Appeals for Help
http://jonaslara.com/

This is interesting since it looks like the cops are going after him as if he commissioned them to do the vandalism and that he just wasn't documenting their work, then they have changed his charges after he was released on Bond but what gets me is that all of his seized personal equipment has not been returned-I could see them holding a memory card or two with images of the event on them for evidence but the camera and lenses?

I would have hooked it when the chopper spotted them.

[janikphoto]

I posted a comment on the page, because two others posted comments supporting the police. The readers suggested that they feel a photographer is "encouraging" the illegal activity by documenting it! I was surprised to hear these comments on a profssional photographer's forum like PDN... Anyway, this is what I wrote back:

What?!?!?!? Susan and David seem to be a bit confused. If a photojournalist is working on a long term project, he should be protected by the 1st amendment. Just because the photos are not being immediately published, it doesn't make his documentary any less important than the guy who shoots action news for a paper.

And as far as "encouraging" the crime by documenting it?!? Does this mean that many of the Pulitzer Prize winning photographers should be convicted of war crimes, because they photographed conflicts, wars and genocide in action? No, we document these things to bring attention to them... to show the whole story.

Now, if Mr. Lara were smart, he would be rounding out his story by photographing the other side of the coin, as well. He could be doing a ride along with the local gang unit or graffiti control unit. He could be shooting a community graffiti clean-up day (our city has them once or twice a year). He could be putting a face on the property owners that are having their property ruined by the graffiti artists. That would make for a complete and compelling documentary.

[Todd Lambert]

Yeah, but you're supposed to report crime and in many places not reporting crime is actually a crime.

So, they could get him for "allowing" a crime to take place.

I know.... I know.... but just sayin.

[Hanky]

Originally Posted by Todd Lambert

Yeah, but you're supposed to report crime and in many places not reporting crime is actually a crime.

So, they could get him for "allowing" a crime to take place.

I know.... I know.... but just sayin.

That is what concerns me, not reporting the crime but I might say occifer I was going to call just wanted to get some evidence for you first.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

If your in an abandoned warehouse you would just leave your cell at the car and then say that you could not find a nearby phone to report any crime.

Since Dallas is on a graffiti tear the last couple years, don't know how the new police chief will be towards it, this would indicate that it is best to arrive after the work is done and to watch your back at all times when shooting around it.

But then we have this situation
http://entertainment.timesonline.co....cle7109200.ece