I hope this is a short and sweet post because it is very late for me here.

This evening I arrived at Queen's park around 6:30 pm and passed a women's Under 21 team warming up to play fastball but I ventured on around the field to the skate park. I thought it was empty at first and I was awed by the incredible graffiti all over the equipment. I honestly love to take photos of graffiti when it is displayed on the right stuff. This was perfect! 

Quickly I realized I wasn't actually alone. Everyone else was just smarter than me and were hiding from the sun on an old bench under a tree nearby. They watched me climb around the park with my big ol' camera instead of a skate board like a normal person would do there. As I was climbing around the baseball game started and I took advantage of the height of the skate park to take a few mediocre shots of the game in progress. 

The guys rocking the shade must have realized I wanted to take a few pictures and they came out in style like they were riding some waves, sailing up and down the slopes of the park. During a pause as they retreated back to the shade. I joined them to grab some contact info and try to get a sense if they would jump back out to set up some more photo opportunities for me. I was asked if I would send my photos to Souldiers Skateboarding in Barrie and so that's what I'll do, tomorrow! Until then, here is a link to their page which takes you to their Facebook page. I don't know if these guys work for the store but they were really nice so if they do work there my impression is this is a great spot to check out! 

Skateboarding done and the guys exhausted from the heat I left to head back to my car. Walking back the ball game was still in full swing. Yeah, I said it. What I was excited about was the low fence I could rest my camera on! I was able to get a few excellent shots of the outfield, some shots of a runner on third base and then the pitcher winding up for whip pitch I think it is called. Maybe? Comment below and correct me! Anyways, it was at this time things took a turn to the south. 

Getting into photography I figured at some point someone would not want to have their photograph taken. Fair! Following the research I've come across there is incredibly limited privacy accorded to us as the general public the moment you step outdoors into the public view. I won't go into the in's and out's here but I've left a link to copyright info on my contact me page. I'll try to find a better summary pertaining to national legislation soon. I'll sum up who I would be allowed to photograph in public. Man, woman or child may be freely photographed in a public space unless there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. A reasonable expectation would include public restrooms, phone booths, things along those lines. If you are standing on a public space you may photograph what, and who, is visable from that vantage even if it is of private property  with the exception of photographing through home windows. A home affords a reasonable expectation of privacy even if the cameraman is on a sidewalk. Also, no photography outside of homes and neighborhoods at night which is listed under night prowling. A public sports event playing on a ball field is full green light and no photography release or consent is required of the subjects.

A family member was concerned about having her adult daughter photographed playing baseball with her team.  I do respect her perspective and I feel it is a lost opportunity for me as the sports photos were turning out great. I didn't feel my practice photos trying to improve my ability to capture motion was worth sticking up for my right to take photos in public. 

So to end off the story, no photos have been posted from this ball game. Trust me they are great though! You'll have to settle for some pretty damn cool skateboarding photos instead. I'm really proud of these shots! What a killer spot. 

The struggle continues soon although I have no idea what I'll do next. Might be another trip to the skate park before I skip town. Let me know if you have suggestions of a spot to take photographs in Barrie, ON in the comments below. I'd be happy to set out on an adventure on your behalf before June 20th, 2018.

 I hope you enjoy this photo set as much as I do!

~ The RPG.