Do you every worry about getting in trouble for taking photos?
I was at a park today taking some shots of the snow, etc., and a cop pulled into the parking lot near me. I thought he was going to ask what I was doing but he just sat in his car so I snapped my shots and left.
It also happened another time awhile ago at another parking lot and that police man pulled up next to me. I explained what I was doing and he was very nice about it but sometimes I wonder if I can get in trouble for taking pictures.
Definitely! I really wanted to take my camera to my daughters ballet class today, but was too worried what other mums might think. Should have really just asked, but then I worry they are just saying yes to be polite but really thinking she better not get my child in that photo! Argghhh stress! My son waa holding my Camera in car yesterday and snappin away, at one point he was aiming at a woman walkin a long pavement (we were in traffic) with her kiddies and she laughed at him when she saw him with camera, but I did worry she might come over and say 'what you doing'.
I have had one stop behind me twice on the local toll road.. Once his blue lights were whipping about, and I was busy going through the shots I just took, he came to the window and scared me to death... Asked if everything was alright. I pointed to the hawk and said, yes... I was just taking his picture. He said be safe and careful and left.. I got to the end of the toll road and asked if it was illegal for me to stop, they said no.. the police patrolled alot and was probably just checking to make sure I hadn't broken down.... Still kind of freaked me out..
occasionally, but it hasn't happened yet, so i don't angst about it... since i started in january 2012, i've had two conversations with cops while i was out with the camera...
once i was in a smaller town taking photos when a cop rolled by and started to chat... i think she was doing due diligence on a boring beat... we chatted a bit about photography and interesting components of some surrounding architecture and that was pretty much it...
the other time was last april... there was a kind of thing going down at a local square and there were TONS of cops (found out later that this is an annual shindig and there'd been a shooting a few years back, so i guess they put on extra security just in case)... anyhoo, i was crouched down taking photos of the crowd when all of a sudden had a feeling that someone was hovering over me... looked up to see two huge cops! yikes! i immediately started to move out of the way thinking i was gonna get told to move along... but nope, one of them just said - "no no! no need to move off! just wanted to be sure i didn't mess up your shot!"
so in general i feel quite comfortable that i am not going to get myself in trouble :)
i notice cute kids and babies sometimes thinking..."oh i wish i could photograph them." But the parents think i am weird or something if they notice me looking at their kids. i have business cards but it is not usually woorth the hassel.
My husband and I were driving through a state park one day and I noticed a beautiful old barn, so we parked and I got out to take pictures. I noticed something across the old driveway, but figured it was there to keep vehicles from going all the way in. So I walked around it and started taking some shots. I'd gone about half way up the driveway when I heard my husband call my name, turned and saw a state trooper stopped by him. Ooops! I'd crossed a police tape and was trespassing on a crime scene! I apologized to the policeman and he was very nice about it. Since I hadn't gone any further there was no harm done, but if I had, he would have made delete any shots I took and he would have confiscated my film from my 35mm!
I have had more encounters with police in the last year than i have in my life.
Trying to take star trails by the beach during a metor shower State Trooper who was very nasty gave me a very hard time and actually said to me "if any more of "your kind" show up your outta here!!" My kind?? what kind would thatbe?? middle aged moms with tripods and a mommy soccer van?? Big jerk!
I have also thought about this - yesterday I entered an abandoned building and took many many photos - it wasn't until I was leaving that I drove past the sign that stated 'Do not Enter - trespassers will be prosecuted'.
Now I am unsure as to whether I should upload my photos to any public site or even sign my name to them.
this discussion caught my eye because today I was taking a picture of a beautiful tree in a neighbors yard with the mountains behind it and then someone comes walking out so I took off!!! lol... pretending like I didn't even see him and just acted like I was done... What are the laws, I am curious... hmmmm....
*For "not your kids" definitely get permission if you want to take photos. If you're taking shots of your kid, and (like always) other munchkins are around, I tend to use depth of focus and composition to control what is seen in frame. If anyone is worried, or approaches, I freely show what I've been taking.
Actually, for people in general, if they are your subject, talking to them is often a pretty cool experience. Many folks don't mind and you have a story to go along with your pic, and those that do mind, i just respect and move on.
I love no trespassing scenarios...particularly if you can get a shot of your subject with the sign in frame.
I got asked to put away my camera in the supermarket because I was taking photos of spring onions. Obviously fresh produce does not like having its privacy invaded...
lol, they may be among the more shy veggies. Then again, maybe the onions were of royalty or some other diplomatic status. I'd bet that "free range" onions would enjoy the limelight.
I was trying to do a compression shot on a street in Tucson where they had just installed the reversible lane lights, creating a tunnel effect on the road. Wanting to get the tunnel effect, I was out, with my tripod in the middle of the left turn lane. Up drives Mr Policeman, sees what I am doing and tells me to watch for traffic. Oh did I say that this was to 3 Am? (I use to work swing shift)
The place I live in is popular with head of states and so I am often out getting their photos...
I often get into places where normal people are not allowed and I have all respect for the police and security that protect these people.
So have I been concerned that I will get arrested... Not really but I have been told to move on quite a few times... I respect what they are asking so Im do as I am asked to do... I then go back to shooting..
I think as long as you know you are not doing anything wrong and you are respectful then all is good.
@monika64 - When I am shopping and want to take a photo of a food item etc.. I always use my iPhone, people just think I am just texting!! It stops the issue of upsetting the vegetables:)
@agima - I have known people who have got into trouble with the Federal Police for taking photos of Parliament House in Canberra - not the front, but more so the sides and back and then others have taken shots with no problems. And there are restrictions inside the building as well (non public area).
I'm often told by members of the public that I should stop shooting in the underground as it's breaking the law...technically London Underground require you to have a pass to take photos in the tunnels and platforms ; sometimes I think members of the public are more intimidating than the police! I nearly got arrested taking a photo of a spiral staircase from a distance of 400m with a P&S camera...didn't realise the building was a credit card head office! And always being stopped outside the financial districts in London. It's normally security guards and not the police that kick up a stink. Never been stopped by a policeman...in fact they are normally quite chatty and genuinely interested in what you're doing
@joluise There are obvious no, nos... One big one is taking photos of defence locations. That one will get you arrested as it is against the law.
Parliament house is different. I have taken a few photos at Parli house and the guards were keeping a very close eye on me, but at no point did they come over and say anything as there is no law against about taking photos of these types of buildings.
I was once followed down a hill by a Police helicopter which then hovered over my house for 5 mins. Turns out there was a gunman on the loose with a rifle, and they had spotted me carrying my tripod (Which I had pulled the legs in on, but left the top extended)!
On my very first day trying some street shots, I was stopped by a security guard and told I was on government property and was not allowed to photograph the buildings. I didn't even realise this particular building was a government office, it just had some interesting patterns on one wall of windows (so obviously he thought I was taking long-range shots of secret documents!!) Anyway, I was quite shaken of course, being my first brave attempt, and I inquired if all buildings were off limits. He said that I'd have to get permission from the owners to photograph any buildings, which I know is nonsense. Anyway I asked him what if I was to stand a metre back on the footpath, and he said well there wasn't anything he could do to stop me then!! But by that time I was totally spooked and I high-tailed it off to another part of town. Made me a lot more cautious though.
London Underground. I have only been confronted once and that was by a train driver who said I wasn't allowed to take photographs of LU staff. I had done a video of a train coming into a station from near where the front of the train would stop. He acknowledged I was allowed to take photos though. He was wrong. The filming and photography guidelines for LU state the following subjects are not permitted to be taken
-Vandalism or graffiti
-Use of firearms or weapons
-Misuse of escalators or LU property
-Unlicensed busking
-Begging
-Smoking or the use of illegal drugs
-Behaving in an overtly sexual or indecent manner (including nudity)
-Direct threats (including terrorist) to LU, its staff or passengers
-Anything that may negatively affect the interests of the site owner
and flash or additional lighting is not permitted. In theory tripods are also not permitted but I have used one on a couple of occasions after asking a member of staff if it is OK and I make sure I don't obstruct anybody.
The bylaws of the underground state that tourist or ad-hoc photography is permitted at the stations discretion.
what a great lot of stories...I've not had any encounters with police, however, my girlfriends & I were trespassing in this old abandoned house when out of the darkness stepped a very large man who proceeded to tell us he was from "across the road" (psych hospital), that he was looking for his "girlfriend" who had "ripped him off of all his money" then showed us where he had cut his wrists then sewed them up himself...all this while he blocked the doorway! Made us all a bit nervous I can tell you, certainly put us off entering anywhere we shouldn't have. Glad there were three of us.
The only time that happened to us is when my husband and I were in real estate handling foreclosed and corporate owned properties. Back in the early 2000 years my husband was in a bad neighborhood (known for drug dealers & such) taking photos, which was required of us by the bank. A cop came by and wanted to know what he was doing. He was satisfied with my husbands response & credentials but warned him to be careful. I've also had people come after me in their car while taking photos of drivebys (pre-foreclosures) for the banks. But so far no problem with any 365 shots. Of course, I manage to stay out of bad neighborhoods :-)
I think the trick is to be rather open with the police about what you're doing and of course not be in the country illegally. Sad to say but it probably also helps if you are light skinned - some things you think we as a people could evolve past but nope.
@aponi Gender matters too, Kathryn. A friend from my photography club -- a man in his mid-50s -- was photographing at a county fair, the rides and midway, etc., for our photo club assignment "Humor & Fun." He was approached by county deputies who asked what he was doing and why. They were polite enough, but told him they had received complaints that he was making people (and in particular, parents) uncomfortable. He was gently encouraged to cease and depart, which he did. It's a rather sad commentary on the world we live in, in my opinion.
as long as y ou know yout right as a photographer you will be fine and not run into trouble. i have been doing street photography and strangers potraiture for a few years now and i have never run into trouble with anybody specially cops. always bring a copy of the photographers' right wherever you go for a shoot just in case.
@tulipgirl alicia as long as you are standing in a public place you have the right to shoot and no guards whatsoever can prevent you. but if you are within the perimeter of the premises that is another thing.
I was once framing a shot of Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania when a policeman appeared from nowhere and began shouting at me for supposedly taking a photo of a military institution. He demanded my passport, but as I could see no sign whatsoever of any buildings I stood my ground. I guessed that if he got hold of my passport he'd demand a bribe to return it. In the end he gave up and stomped off, but it was pretty scary at the time.
I worry about this a lot, as I love taking pictures of old, abandoned and deteriorating buildings. I figure the worst they can do is say I am trespassing (I never go anywhere there are "No Trespassing" signs) and ask me to leave. But there is an army depot in our town, and one day I wanted to take pictures of a huge sea of military vehicles from a hill above, but I saw security coming my way and figured it best to leave, lol.
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once i was in a smaller town taking photos when a cop rolled by and started to chat... i think she was doing due diligence on a boring beat... we chatted a bit about photography and interesting components of some surrounding architecture and that was pretty much it...
the other time was last april... there was a kind of thing going down at a local square and there were TONS of cops (found out later that this is an annual shindig and there'd been a shooting a few years back, so i guess they put on extra security just in case)... anyhoo, i was crouched down taking photos of the crowd when all of a sudden had a feeling that someone was hovering over me... looked up to see two huge cops! yikes! i immediately started to move out of the way thinking i was gonna get told to move along... but nope, one of them just said - "no no! no need to move off! just wanted to be sure i didn't mess up your shot!"
so in general i feel quite comfortable that i am not going to get myself in trouble :)
Trying to take star trails by the beach during a metor shower State Trooper who was very nasty gave me a very hard time and actually said to me "if any more of "your kind" show up your outta here!!" My kind?? what kind would thatbe?? middle aged moms with tripods and a mommy soccer van?? Big jerk!
Now I am unsure as to whether I should upload my photos to any public site or even sign my name to them.
@mamatoni I don't know what the laws are either, Toni.
Actually, for people in general, if they are your subject, talking to them is often a pretty cool experience. Many folks don't mind and you have a story to go along with your pic, and those that do mind, i just respect and move on.
I love no trespassing scenarios...particularly if you can get a shot of your subject with the sign in frame.
http://content.photojojo.com/tips/legal-rights-of-photographers/
I often get into places where normal people are not allowed and I have all respect for the police and security that protect these people.
So have I been concerned that I will get arrested... Not really but I have been told to move on quite a few times... I respect what they are asking so Im do as I am asked to do... I then go back to shooting..
I think as long as you know you are not doing anything wrong and you are respectful then all is good.
Parliament house is different. I have taken a few photos at Parli house and the guards were keeping a very close eye on me, but at no point did they come over and say anything as there is no law against about taking photos of these types of buildings.
-Vandalism or graffiti
-Use of firearms or weapons
-Misuse of escalators or LU property
-Unlicensed busking
-Begging
-Smoking or the use of illegal drugs
-Behaving in an overtly sexual or indecent manner (including nudity)
-Direct threats (including terrorist) to LU, its staff or passengers
-Anything that may negatively affect the interests of the site owner
and flash or additional lighting is not permitted. In theory tripods are also not permitted but I have used one on a couple of occasions after asking a member of staff if it is OK and I make sure I don't obstruct anybody.
The bylaws of the underground state that tourist or ad-hoc photography is permitted at the stations discretion.
An recent judgement was reported in Amateur Photographer which would seem to set precedent in regards to photographing staff http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/photo-news/539424/railway-workers-photo-fears-fall-on-deaf-ears
A summary of rights and some sound advice regarding the tube and railways in the UK can be found at can be found on "District Dave's" blog at http://districtdave.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=selfhelp&action=display&thread=6610
Thank you for the links. They were very helpful.
I think the trick is to be rather open with the police about what you're doing and of course not be in the country illegally. Sad to say but it probably also helps if you are light skinned - some things you think we as a people could evolve past but nope.