We’re looking at demo CD cover material, when we’re ready to come out with more songs that we’re totally comfortable with. In order to achieve this, we decided to get some interesting pictures at the railway station, as we stood stationary against a teeming sea of humanity.
What this was intended to achieve, I have no idea, honestly, but the image of the picture in my mind certainly looked really nice, as did the photo previews once Shrenik clicked a few and showed us on his DSLR.
There was a goods train which was parked at the station, and we wanted to get some shots in its vicinity, for which I approached the station master and took his permission. Initially, he mentioned something about having to get permission from some PR person in Bangalore city, and after a certain amount of convincing, which included flashing my press card, he finally relented.
Personally, I doubt we’d need special permission since there is no mention anywhere of photography being prohibited, and we only asked the station master for the sake of courtesy, so that he’d not get suspicious of our harmless activities and shoo us away.
In the midst of shooting photographs, however, a police constable appeared out of nowhere and asked us to stop taking pictures. I had to go and have a conversation with him again, and explain as to how we’d obtained permission from the station master and that it was all ok.
This cop then said we have to take permission from the Sub-Inspector at the neighbouring police station, and I told him to lead the way. I did not see why I had to get any additional permission, but I figured we’d have to ask whoever we had to.
Halfway to the station, this constable eventually said that he’d come back later on, and said I could go. On returning, we wrapped our work up soon, since it was getting hot in the afternoon, and I wasn’t particularly comfortable with the cop’s behaviour. As we made our way to the parking lot, this old codger, who seemed to be in his late 50s, came behind us and spoke to me, asking me what we’d done, and why these photos were necessary.
It was evident by now, if it hadn’t been already, that he was fishing for a bribe. However, he didn’t know that I wouldn’t pay a bribe ever. I was shocked at his blatant shamelessness in asking for money when, clearly, there was no reason for us to have paid him. We weren’t doing anything wrong, and even if we were, he had no business asking us for money on the side.
I politely told him that we’d be back in the evening and click more photographs, to avoid a full blown confrontation and we made our exit from there. Needless to say, I shall not be visiting the KR Puram railway station again for getting photos taken with the band.
I find it particularly sad that as free citizens of our country, we’d have to be fearful of doing something as innocent and innocuous as taking photographs at a railway station and be on our guard against unscrupulous elements who are unfortunately the ones who weild power and authority.
u n ur press cards…and did u chng the band?
thr r better places than Kr puram railway station for a shoot, and its way too far…
although a formal permission is required whn u photograph at these places, its LAW
@desh,
Sorry, I wasn’t aware of the fact that it was law. Incidentally, some sort of notice should be put up indicating the same. We didn’t change the band, some members left. K R Puram was chosen as it was close to our band practise room and our photographer lived close by as well.