Photography Policies in Your Area

[Shadowman]

I do a bit of traveling and photographing my surroundings is usually first or second priority. I was reading an interview about Street Photography and the photographer posted some images he captured in a specific country's Metro system. One commenter stated that what he did was illegal as it is forbidden to take photographs on their subway system, wondering if your public transportation system has similar rule? Most of the rules in New York State are related to Homeland Security laws but does not specifically ban the use of photography in most areas.

[george013]

I do a bit of traveling and photographing my surroundings is usually first or second priority. I was reading an interview about Street Photography and the photographer posted some images he captured in a specific country's Metro system. One commenter stated that what he did was illegal as it is forbidden to take photographs on their subway system, wondering if your public transportation system has similar rule? Most of the rules in New York State are related to Homeland Security laws but does not specifically ban the use of photography in most areas.

Last year I could easily shoot in the metro of Lille Europe,France. That's a special metro station. When I was there last week some panic broke out where I wasn't aware off. It was about me taking pictures. Guards stopped me. I don't know if this was normal for last year I was shooting for a rather long time. There's still a state of martial law in France.

George

[rpcrowe]

John... Many security guards and even police are not versed in the local rules covering photography. However, I have found that unless I were earning my salary shooting these pictures, it is a lot easier to go along with the security folks. They are after, all, just trying to do their jobs...

However, if I am shooting anything that is even possibly restricted, I don't wear my sun protection hat

[Manfred M]

In the city where I live, it is illegal (through city by-laws) to take commercial photographs inside of public transit vehicles, so the end use dictates legality. That does not preclude over-exuberant security guards from assuming that anyone using a DSLR must be photographing for commercial reasons. I know of one case where a security guard accosted an amateur photographer taking a picture of the exterior of a bus at a train station.

Unfortunately, the people charged with security are not particularly knowledgeable regarding the subtleties of legal language and take a rather overly broad view of things.

[Shadowman]

Last year I could easily shoot in the metro of Lille Europe,France. That's a special metro station. When I was there last week some panic broke out where I wasn't aware off. It was about me taking pictures. Guards stopped me. I don't know if this was normal for last year I was shooting for a rather long time. There's still a state of martial law in France.

George

George,

Your statement gets a "wow" from me, firstly I would be shocked to find out I was the subject of a panic, I move around very quickly sometimes and would probably escalate the panic with officials thinking I was trying to allude them. Secondly, the martial law effect would probably prompt me to put away the camera for awhile.

[Shadowman]

John... Many security guards and even police are not versed in the local rules covering photography. However, I have found that unless I were earning my salary shooting these pictures, it is a lot easier to go along with the security folks. They are after, all, just trying to do their jobs...

However, if I am shooting anything that is even possibly restricted, I don't wear my sun protection hat

Richard,

I would definitely follow the law, however once due to my ignorance I did something similar to what the photographer in question did, while traveling in Hungary I spent quite a bit of time shooting street photography not knowing it was illegal. At one time I was doing it in the presence of the police but they took little notice of me; instead they were concentrating on a couple of gypsy ladies selling wares to tourists.

[Shadowman]

In the city where I live, it is illegal (through city by-laws) to take commercial photographs inside of public transit vehicles, so the end use dictates legality. That does not preclude over-exuberant security guards from assuming that anyone using a DSLR must be photographing for commercial reasons. I know of one case where a security guard accosted an amateur photographer taking a picture of the exterior of a bus at a train station.

Unfortunately, the people charged with security are not particularly knowledgeable regarding the subtleties of legal language and take a rather overly broad view of things.

Manfred,

It's interesting that some cities are so keen on marketing their area as tourist attractions that activities such as photographing landmarks etc. are encouraged. Some big cities even sponsor photowalks, must make security guards confused when bylaws are relaxed.

[Tronhard]

New Zealand is one of the most laid back places on the planet. We don't make people take off their shoes or belts when they travel overseas and our police don't, as a rule, carry guns. However there are apparently rules about taking photos inside Auckland's main transport hub, as I discovered when I did so. It's a fairly interesting place as it lies at the end of a longish tunnel and emerges under what was the old central post office in the heart of Auckland. In an attempt to make the place as attractive as possible the architects used highly reflective surfaces and brightly lit concrete panels - all interesting stuff, so I decided to give the place a few shots. So I was quickly, and very pleasantly approached by two security guards who advised me that it was not permitted to take images in the lower concourse - it was OK to take them at ground level. They even gave me a card with the details, reasons etc. The main one is that it is considered a potential target for a bomb as, like most underground facilities, it would enhance the power of explosive devices.

I was happy to show them that I had deleted the offending material and we parted on good terms. Here is a shot of the lower concourse, taken from ground level, quite legally.

[george013]

George,

Your statement gets a "wow" from me, firstly I would be shocked to find out I was the subject of a panic, I move around very quickly sometimes and would probably escalate the panic with officials thinking I was trying to allude them. Secondly, the martial law effect would probably prompt me to put away the camera for awhile.

I wasn't aware of anything.

Years ago, when my daughter went to Ghana, 2008, I bought a video camera to film her leaving. After a while some uniformed guys came to me and asked if I could show them what I filmed. I hardly new how it worked. Then they said I had to clean the tape. I thought no no. So I turned around and walked away, 2 hands and the middle fingers up. My only thought was not to run. I still have the tape.

I think it's something as Manfred mentions, no problem with the cellphone or small camera, big problem with a big camera.

George

[Shadowman]

I wasn't aware of anything.

Years ago, when my daughter went to Ghana, 2008, I bought a video camera to film her leaving. After a while some uniformed guys came to me and asked if I could show them what I filmed. I hardly new how it worked. Then they said I had to clean the tape. I thought no no. So I turned around and walked away, 2 hands and the middle fingers up. My only thought was not to run. I still have the tape.

I think it's something as Manfred mentions, no problem with the cellphone or small camera, big problem with a big camera.

George

Another "wow" moment.

[Shadowman]

New Zealand is one of the most laid back places on the planet. We don't make people take off their shoes or belts when they travel overseas and our police don't, as a rule, carry guns. However there are apparently rules about taking photos inside Auckland's main transport hub, as I discovered when I did so. It's a fairly interesting place as it lies at the end of a longish tunnel and emerges under what was the old central post office in the heart of Auckland. In an attempt to make the place as attractive as possible the architects used highly reflective surfaces and brightly lit concrete panels - all interesting stuff, so I decided to give the place a few shots. So I was quickly, and very pleasantly approached by two security guards who advised me that it was not permitted to take images in the lower concourse - it was OK to take them at ground level. They even gave me a card with the details, reasons etc. The main one is that it is considered a potential target for a bomb as, like most underground facilities, it would enhance the power of explosive devices.

I was happy to show them that I had deleted the offending material and we parted on good terms. Here is a shot of the lower concourse, taken from ground level, quite legally.

Nice capture Trevor, at least the officials had some documentation and an option for photographers.

[rpcrowe]

I can see why underground transportation might be a prime target for terrorists and I can see how photography of the area could aid in the planning of an attack.

I would think that there should be signs posted regarding, no photos. This would clear up any rules and not leave the interpretation of the law in the hands of an underpaid security guard.

However, the sign needs to be worded in a better way than the original "NO SMOKING" signs in the New York City Subway System. The signs read "NO SMOKING ALLOWED". A law student from a New York university tested the validity of the sign. He stated that the sign did not "PREVENT" smoking; it merely gave people permission "NOT TO SMOKE".

When he won his case, the Transit System completely reworded the signs to the effect of "THE SMOKING OR CARRYING OF A LIGHTED CIGARETTE, CIGAR OR PIPE IS ILLEGAL" This did the job but, I wonder what they have done about electronic cigarettes

[Mike Buckley]

This happened just a few days ago.

[chauncey]

They are after, all, just trying to do their jobs.

To try and to fail is no better than not trying at all.

[loosecanon]

I have been stopped a few times, and on Thursday refused permission to photograph an interior of my Polling Station, when no public were present.
I do carry a small camera for situations where security get upset, such as inside shopping malls, as by the time you take the picture and move on its too late.
One of the best I had is when our local post office had massive queues at its counter. After collecting, after a 10 minute wait, a complaint form I started to take photos of the queues, to send in with my complaint. Admittedly things were difficult as they refused me more than one form, I had wanted to hand them out to people in the queues. The staff called security to stop my photography. As I walked out several large men came running past me into the full Post Office.

[Shadowman]

This happened just a few days ago.

The "heroes" comment sounded similar to the response of the United Airlines CEO. So many layers of confusion in that scenario.

[Shadowman]

I have been stopped a few times, and on Thursday refused permission to photograph an interior of my Polling Station, when no public were present.
I do carry a small camera for situations where security get upset, such as inside shopping malls, as by the time you take the picture and move on its too late.
One of the best I had is when our local post office had massive queues at its counter. After collecting, after a 10 minute wait, a complaint form I started to take photos of the queues, to send in with my complaint. Admittedly things were difficult as they refused me more than one form, I had wanted to hand them out to people in the queues. The staff called security to stop my photography. As I walked out several large men came running past me into the full Post Office.

I'd have to say that most of my interactions begin with the assumption that I'm with the media, I don't carry any badges, wear any symbols, or behave any differently whether I'm at an event or just on the street I've had only one or two incidents where I've been asked to stop shooting, one in L.A. by a building security guard and his comment was only that I not do so in front of that particular building. The other few encounters were just whether or not I was photographing the particular building; it was a Catholic Charities building and I doubt there was any real or perceived violation and when I explained what I was doing which was photographing a 5K race which would pass in front of the building the guard went on his way.

[chauncey]

In the USA you are allowed to photograph anything from any public venue, including public sidewalks.

[Shadowman]

In the USA you are allowed to photograph anything from any public venue, including public sidewalks.

Except when told to disperse.

[Stagecoach]

This week in Fiji there was an announcement in the press that the police want to bring in a law to stop people posting pictures of 'Crime Scenes' on social media as it could hinder their investigations

There was no definition or expansion of what they considered a 'Crime Scene'.

As for rules regarding photography on our public transport system, consisting of just busses and taxis there is just one and that is you would need a very good VR/IS system on your camera due to the bumpy ride