Wasabi Bob
Mu-43 All-Pro
I’ve been approached by a local newspaper to submit an outline for an article they are planning about “a photographer's rights”. Undoubtedly, some of you may have been confronted by police or security guards and told “you can’t take photos here” or “you can’t photograph this building”. Often 9/11 or The Patriot Act is mentioned. In the U.S. , 99.9% of the time, you are not breaking any laws as long as you are on public ground. And for the record, the only mention of photography in the Patriot Act pertains to photography while on a military base – the Patriot Act does not restrict public photography – anywhere.
I’ve personally gone nose-to-nose with security guards and police, begging them to arrest me or give me a ticket if I’m breaking the law. They always come up with some reason why they won’t pursue it - hasn’t happened yet! So here’s what I’d like to know from you:
Have you ever been challenged? If so where and by who?
Did you stand your ground, or give in to their request?
Were you asked to delete the photos? If so, did you?
Are you aware, that in the U.S., photographing ANY building from public property is legal and cannot be restricted?
As this discussion evolves I think many of you will be surprised to learn how laws are often misquoted and misused often by law enforcement. You may find this Flickr group interesting reading:
Flickr: Photography is not a crime
Thanks & Happy Holidays!
I’ve personally gone nose-to-nose with security guards and police, begging them to arrest me or give me a ticket if I’m breaking the law. They always come up with some reason why they won’t pursue it - hasn’t happened yet! So here’s what I’d like to know from you:
Have you ever been challenged? If so where and by who?
Did you stand your ground, or give in to their request?
Were you asked to delete the photos? If so, did you?
Are you aware, that in the U.S., photographing ANY building from public property is legal and cannot be restricted?
As this discussion evolves I think many of you will be surprised to learn how laws are often misquoted and misused often by law enforcement. You may find this Flickr group interesting reading:
Flickr: Photography is not a crime
Thanks & Happy Holidays!