I Want You!.. to leave me alone

I've had my share of people tell me to F*$# off when taking their pictures. Usually its when I show up after someone has been shot or when someone is convicted of a crime in court. So shooting an Independence Day parade on a block that is celebrating its 50th. 4th of July party should be a fun thing. But then I met Uncle Sam. While everyone on this street was very nice to me. Uncle Sam was not. After taking a picture of him leading a parade I asked him his name. When he found out I was with the Press-Telegram he replied while laughing, "No, no, no." I thought he was joking. I mean who wouldn't give out their name during a 4th. of July parade on a public street - especially since they invited the press to the party. So I asked again and found out he was serious. Then he walked away. I went on about shooting pictures of the parade. As I was leaving I walked by Uncle Sam standing next to a woman. She said, "I'll give you his name" and as she told me the man's name, Tom Grau, who has played Uncle Sam for over 30 years, said in a defeated tone, "She told me I had to give you my name."See more photos/buy reprints