The world has become a much more stressed place over the last 3-4 years: COVID, politics, economics and conflicts have all ratcheted up the angst levels for many people. This is sometimes expressed as more aggression and outright violence.
A distressing example of this occurred recently to a friend of mine. He was taking some photos at the request of a couple in front of their new business. A completely random person walked through the shot, and the photographer paused, but apparently this person thought their image had been taken.
The first thing the photographer knew about it was when a cricket bat (which weighs about 2x that of a baseball bat) the person was carrying, connected with the front of the camera with massive force. He didn't see it coming as he was looking through the viewfinder. The impact not only destroyed the lens but drove it into the camera body. The impact carried on and delivered massive injuries to his face - particularly cheek bone, eye socket and eye. He also suffered concussion. The assault did not end there: a second blow floored him and fractured his skull - he is now in ICU. The offender took the camera, removed one of the two cards and ran off, smashing the camera to the ground.
Because he didn't take the second card, and the camera was dual recording, police quickly identified the perpetrator and arrested him. He was a gang member who had been deported from Oz, already on bail for several acts of domestic violence, and he is now back in jail. My friend has a long, long battle ahead of him and will likely suffer permanent effects from this.
It's a sad world when this kind of thing happens. Be careful out there...
cheers, TREVOR
The mark of good photographer is less what they hold in their hand, it's more what they hold in their head;
"All the variety, all the charm, all the beauty of life is made up of light and shadow", Leo Tolstoy;
"Skill in photography is acquired by practice and not by purchase" Percy W. Harris
