Julia Austin recently sent us a link to this article by Carlos Miller of Photography is Not A Crime.
The next time you’re photographing clouds, make sure those clouds aren’t hovering over a location that’s considered “sensitive”. National Weather Service volunteer Michael Galindo learned this lesson last month after pulling over to the side of the road near Houston to snap a photo of storm clouds brewing in the distance (shown above). Problem was, between Galindo and the clouds sat the Lyondell Refinery.
Carlos Miller of Photography is Not A Crime reports that someone at the refinery spotted Galindo photographing the scene, and contacted the local police department.
By the time the summoned officers arrived, Galindo had already left the location… so the police called the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Imagine the look on Galindo’s face this past Friday, when the FBI arrived on his doorstep to question him about his activities. Luckily for Galindo — a 26-year-old man with a squeaky clean police record — FBI agent David Pileggi was satisfied with his explanation after a 20-minute questioning, and simply left with a warning to “be careful next time.”
You can see the original article here
Cool cloud pictures
Luv the cool pictures of the clouds
Perfect. Homeland Security has its proverbial head in the clouds?
This story almost Sounds like Alices Restaurant by Arlo Gunthrie. If you have 25min to spare, worth listening to!
I work in 3-D, and love making sequentials of fast moving clouds, take 4or5 images of the same moving clouds,2 or 3 seconds apart, then selecting the best pair for 3-D viewing.
interested ? want help ?
Oh yeah, those refineries REALLY don’t like you to photograph them. It’s such a hassle when doing photography for Civil Air Patrol. Sigh.
These comments and this article are awesome. Cloudz 4 Life! LOL
This is the best website. When I get back from saving the world i will sign up
Love,
Ya mum
This story is one in the eye for all those people who think our love of clouds is “a bit daft.” Mix in some potential corporate intrigue, and cloud seeking becomes sexy!
I guess the task force has to justify its existance somehow.
Mr. Galindo, I applaud you for standing down the FBI and proving that although we may have our heads in the clouds, we aren’t made of fluff!