All too often we hear stories of over-zealous security officials hassling innocent photographers doing what comes naturally: taking photos of beautiful structures in the public domain. It appears this is now happing in Dubai with people with SLRs being prevented from photographing the awe-inspiring Burj Al Arab hotel (in order to “protect the hotel’s image”).
However, it seems the security officials carrying out the orders are a bit kinder than their US/UK counterparts:
I wasn’t the least bit upset. In fact, I thought to myself; if all security guards handled these situations in the manner this guard had, you wouldn’t be reading all those stories about photographers getting hassled and abused by overzealous security. I think as photographers most of us understand and respect situations like this, and a little politeness, and professional courtesy, on both sides goes a long way.