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williamstown disaster
williamstown disaster
hotpasta


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Camera: Nikon D200
Lens: Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM for Nikon
Date Uploaded: Jan 31, 2008

Viewed: 1345
Comments: 12
Favorites: 2 (view)

 From my post on the forum...makes this image really creepy to me...traumatic:

Sorry this is a long post, but I had a very harrowing experience in the early hours of this morning around 5:45am.

I went down to Williamstown beach just before dawn to take a couple of images - one for the Earliest Childhood Memory challenge, and another for the Free Study. It was dark there and I was alone, but it is a suburban beach and I thought I would be safe.

I was standing with my tripod on a large drainpipe when this really unsavoury character suddenly appeard and asked me if my images were good. I said yes, and then my heart started racing. I was trapped on the drainpipe and he could have cleaned me up. He then got aggressive and asked, "Why are you taking pictures of us for?" There were a few more expletives in there... I told him I wasn't and quickly started packing up my stuff. He kept asking the same question. I am amazed he didn't come right to me. In my nervous panic to get off the beach and to my car, I dropped the D200 in the water. I quickly got it out, but it is DEAD now.

I got to my car, he went in the opposite direction. I said thanks to God that this guy didn't bash me.

I drove away and suddenly realised this guy was following me...the heart was racing. He stayed with me and then drove next to me demanding I pull over. "Why did you take photos of us? Give me the film!" I was trying to reassure him I didn't take photos of him as we drove next to each other at speed, but he wouldn'r listen. "You're lying, pull over" Being early morning there were not many cars around. I decided I would drive to the nearest police station, but that was 15 km away! At one set of red lights he got out and bashed my window with his torch, I drove off, he ran back to his car. From then on, I increased my speed...we were moving! I went through every red light and stop sign, he was undaunted and followed me. To make matters worse, I had left my cell phone at home - NEVER GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT A CELL PHONE!

He followed me all the way to the police station. I went right into the driveway, he stayed on the road. On my way to the front door, I tried to get a registration number, but he drove off. I thought he might be parked somewhere waiting to follow me. Stayed at the police station till I calmed down. There was not a lot they could do because I had no registration number. Thankfully, I got home in one piece. I am really shaken up. I am a little scared that if he is a criminal, he might get access to my details through my registration number. He was probably up to something with the girl in his car, or he might have been doing some drug deal or something. I had the widest lens on my camera in any case, but that wouldn't have mattered to him.

It was traumatic. God protected me from something that could have ended in disaster.

The D200 is now dead. It was submerged in water for a few seconds. I will be out of the challenges for a little while till I can get it repaired or even get a replacement. Unfortunately it is not insured.

MY ADVICE:

1. Never do this kind of photography alone. Take a friend.
2. Always have a cell phone
3. Never stand in a place that someone could trap you...
4. Be aware of who might be around...even quiet secluded places have people hiding out doing all sorts of stuff.

I thank God, it wasn't worse than this, but it was a costly lesson,

Enzo

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AuthorThread
Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM II
02/06/2008 03:37:51 AM
Enzo
i am glad your ok
its a pity about the camera but as stated that is replaceable
it is such a shame that there are idiots like this about in Melbourne
you make some very valid comments and next time your planning to head out early morns especially a weekend let me know i'd be more than happy to come along

Message edited by author 2008-02-06 03:41:24.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II
 02/05/2008 08:34:20 AM
Damn even with your life in danger you still take better pictures then me =)

  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D800
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35 f/4 ED VR
 02/01/2008 09:30:29 PM
I know a couple a thugs, let me know if you ever need anybody roughed up a bit ;)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-20D
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 02/01/2008 02:22:26 PM
Thank god you're ok Enzo (((hugs)))
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a7 IV
Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS
 02/01/2008 01:48:22 PM
Is the person in this photo the guy that was after you? cause like simms said, it looks like a ghost or something
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM
 02/01/2008 01:06:59 PM
Oh my god, has anyone else noticed you can see right through him!!! Its like he is a ghost or something. I cant believe this hasnt been noted before..

:)

glad he didnt kill you enzo. that would of sucked big time!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D300
Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED
 02/01/2008 08:04:06 AM
Wow, scary story. Thank god your ok, that's what counts. Too many weird, crazy people out there :(
Sorry to hear about the D200, insurance?
Jack
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark II
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM
 02/01/2008 07:56:52 AM
Really scary, and I'm sad for you for the loss of the camera, but thrilled that you made it out unharmed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-70D
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
 01/31/2008 11:56:41 PM
Scary stuff... scarier that it happened here in Melbourne.

And here I was, just a few days back admiring your photos when looking for other Melbournians in DPC community... then this happens. WOW.

The important thing is you're alright. It's a shame about the camera, but that's replaceable.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-6D
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS
 01/31/2008 08:03:31 PM
I'm really sorry to hear about this incident. I worry about going downtown (Philadelphia)alone for the same reasons. Please remember to take your cell phone from now on.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D200
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
 01/31/2008 07:49:49 PM
Glad to hear you are ok, Enzo. Scary stuff!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D
Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon
 01/31/2008 07:40:57 PM
thats kinda scary. He's just standing there looking at you. I'm glad you are ok! Sorry to hear about your camera!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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