I read the comment of a photo before about how the photographer was almost stopped taking a photo of the church and that it was getting harder to take photos in public with out being questioned.
I found myself wanting to reply that I get stopped all the time but thought i would start a discussion here instead of clogging up her comments with it.
So have you been questioned, stopped, had a go at etc for taking pictures of public spaces? Who, what, wheres thanks.
I am not talking about airports, train stations etc that you cant photograph for terrorist laws.
I was trying to take a photo of my daughter at the park and had about 3 parents circle me anxiously the second i took my camera out and they hung aroud untill i put it away. Their kids were nearby and i am watchfull af people with cameras taking picture of kids but i clearly had my own kid there and was only taking pictures of her.
Well, some things are for Legal reasons. Some are for paranoia. I was stopped once as I was on the property (outside) of a skyscraper in Jacksonville. The Rent a Cop was acting like Barney Fife.
A shopping mall in Indy also wanted me to fill out forms, and they would get back to me. Uh, yah. Sure thing. I'll get right to that. Whatever floats their boat. Some places (Casinos, museum exhibits, concerts, etc. can prohibit. That's fine.
Parents getting all weird about it. I guess they watch too much of America's Most Wanted.
No I've never had anything like that happen - thank god! Then again I've never taken any photos in the US, it sounds like thay might be slightly stricter over there!
It didn't cross my mind at the time, but I took a photo as I was approaching the customs check-in site, and no one was around or said anything...didn't even see a no-photo sign. Chris Wu pointed it out to me, and I think she's right... I wonder what else I'll get to photograph here in Canada? Lovely Canadians, eh?
I think a lot of it is just paranoid people. Here in the US I'm sure it's because we're so worried about terrorists. As for parents, some are just super leary about anybody even looking at their kids. I wouldn't be super concerned unless I could tell they didn't have any kids there.
I have not been stopped or questioned for taking photos, but I live in an area of the US that's not as paranoid as other places.
I was going to take pictures in the hallway at my school today, but people stopped and told me off. I tried to explain that their faces wouldn't be shown, but people just don't like being photographed. I don't understand why someone would stop you from taking pictures of a building though... unless it's like the Pentagon or something of nature. Haha. [:
In cities around the world more and more spaces are becoming privately owned even though they were or seem 'public'.
Shopping malls and business districts now have their own security and laws, which means they can stop you taking photographs or indeed being on their land at all, even though it was once publicly shared space.
I've been reading a book about it called Ground Control by Anna Minton. Profoundly worriying and tragic how alot of our civil liberties and spaces are being sold off in the name of 'security'.
All our civil liberites are very very slowly being taken away under the guise of security.
I get very annoyed at the thought of this. Particularly when people say 'but its for our protection and if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear'. That seems to me to be completely missing the point.
I am happy to trade the risk of terrorism or other security problems in order to keep my freedom. Taking away my freedom to protect me is not protecting me but enslaving me.
And photography is one major area where this is becoming more and more apparent.
The anti terrorist legislation in the UK is being wrongly used all over the place for things it was never meant to be used for i.e things which are terrorism. And we are gradually losing our right to protest as that is becoming criminalised in certain ways
Stephanie, I almost "LOL'd when you said people do not like their pic taken. Not at you, just the reality of it.
Every time a news camera is around, people crowd behind the "News reporter" and make stupid faces. People with Cell phone cameras take those godawful pics of themselves from an arms length, which distorts their face, and post them all over Myspace and Facebook.
I wonder if people don't mind having their picture taken, as long as they are in "control" of it!
I was once denied entry to a concert I'd already bought tickets for and was told I couldn't get in unless I gave my camera to the manager to lock in his office. Everyone and their grandmother has a camera on their phone these days - I don't understand the big deal! Anyhoo, he found me at the bar a couple of minutes later and gave me my camera back, sans suprise down the pants shots. Now I hide my camera until I'm in and take pictures with everyone else.
re: Sydney's comments...I photograph local bands regularly. With the exception of one band, who really wasn't "all that", except for the legends in their own mind they thought they were, they always appreciate it.
in Ottawa (where I live) i wanted to take shots of my god-daughter at her gymnastics lesson, but was told that ALL city of ottawa facilities/programs have placed a ban on photos except for the last day of lessons when they do a show for the parents.
crazy!
I definitely get stopped on a regular basis, especially near my office, but it is more about curiousity because they see me out taking pictures so often. I have only "gotten in trouble" once but it was a fellow museum goer that did not understand how I was taking my photo of a creature you are not supposed to photograph. I finished my shot, explained how I did it to not harm the creature's eyes and went along my way. Here is the shot:
I was trying to take a picture of a cool cloud formation I saw as I was driving and the lady came flying out of her house abruptly asking my why was I taking photos of her house, I was like, no no I'm trying to catch the clouds, she wasn't happy until I showed her the previews of the last few photos I'd taken....I guess I'd feel suspicious too though so can't blame her...
Haha I love reading all these...people in my neighborhood look at my strangely when I go outside with my camera..even to photograph trees. They look at me like they want to lock their children inside and keep them away from me. I used to be a teacher, and I still babysit all the time...definitely not a harmful person, lol.
Last week I was getting my oil changed at one of those drive in places. I was about to take a pic of the mechanics hands under the hood when he came over to oil the door hinges and saw my camera on my lap. He actually asked me if I was trying to sneak pictures of him. I was horrified that I was 'busted' and mumbled something about looking at my pics alrady on my camera.
I had a guy follow me to my car when I was taking picture of my food in the restaurant (See my ABC-Scrabble - N) He took down my license plate and I asked him what he was doing that for and he said "in case anything came of these pictures". I just shook my head and walked away. The funny thing about all of this is that I sat there and explained to other guests what 365Project was and why I was taking pictures of my food.
In our local museum you're allowed to photograph everything EXCEPT the paintings.... and that's where I got told off!! I'll carry my little P&S in future and with the flash disabled who knows what will slip through the lens. In N Ireland there are strict laws about taking photographs of children so I'd not try to do playground shots.... the young people at church get their parents to sign a form at the beginning of the year so that we can take photographs of them in normal activities and these are sometimes published in the Parish Magazine. My guess is that folk are getting a little paranoid about pictures of their property.... but if you look at Googleearth the cameras have been along all of our roads and avenues with very clear photographs of our houses! You can even see my car in the drive!
Steve H, you are quite right, the world has gone mad, and I for one refuse to be bullied. I live in a small town in Australia, and was recently out on a field trip outside a tiny town in Australia, as I drove around looking for interesting locations to photograph I was followed by a freeway patrol car (you know the ones, souped up high performance patrol cars used for high-speed chases), as I pulled over and started taking photographs of a willow tree at the side of the road, the officers pulled up alongside me. The conversation went something like this: Police: What are you doing? Me: Excuse me...? Police: We saw you taking pictures and we want to know what you are doing. Me: Well if you saw me taking "pictures" then you already know what I am doing. Police: Well what are you taking pictures of? Me: Well officer that's really none of your business now is it? But I feel the more important question here is what are you two doing cruising the country lanes of rural New South Wales in a high powered and expensive vechicle burning precious resources and tax-payers dollars - are you waiting for your shift to end? I then produced a pen and wrote down their rego number.
I do understand Terrorism (I lived in Chelsea on 9/11, and I've lived in London and Manchester), and I do understand the worries of parents (I have 2 young children), but I agree with Murray Andrews when he says that our civil liberties are being slowly removed under the guise of security.
Sorry to rant, but this really pisses me off!
A really good website explaining your rights in the UK in simple terms - its not a detailed review of the law, but more focuses on your rights. Worth checking out. the links on the left split it into specific areas which is useful.
I've not been stopped or spoken to. Yet. I do expect it to happen at some point though and that's quite sad really.
When I'm out and about taking shots in a place I feel I'm likely to be watched I always end up feeling super-paranoid (like here http://365project.org/agentz/365/2010-02-22 for instance).
It just feels like it's getting harder to enjoy this hobby!
Thankfully, I've never been told off for taking pictures. Last week I was at a traditional German brewery and was taking pictures of their storage space (which was off limits) through a window. Through the zoom I saw a man approaching and my first instinct was to run. He made me turn around though: so that he could give me a tour of the place (mumbling that if asked, he had definitely not been there to let me in). I have experienced, like Sydney, that at concerts they are a bit uptight, which I think is fine. Usually, I will ask the venue prior to leaving home what the photo policy is for that day. If I end up going there with my camera, I usually promise to not take any pictures if it's not allowed (which I then also stick to regardless of what everyone is doing on their small point and shoots and mobile phone cameras) or am respectful while taking them (no flash, no pictures in quiet segments of a song, picture taking during applause/ends of songs or intermissions). At my last concert (Evelyn Evelyn) the security staff actually would not let me into the venue, they said they had no space for me to store it in and that I had to take it back into my car. I explained I was there on public transportation and they told me to go back to the central station and use a locker - WTF? I was quite pissed off, because like I said when I promise I won't use my camera, I will stick to my word. Luckily I found another victim, who locked my camera into her car together with hers. In exchange the person I was with got us and her friend good seats as she could already go in. Inside, everyone was of course taking pictures, so I did, too and very crappy ones with my mobile phone (ugh) and no one was bothered in the least. I was quite angry about this to be honest. http://365project.org/luxvivens/365/2010-05-03
I get asked quite a lot what I am taking pictures of though, and I find that whenever a camera is pointed at something it will immediately become of big interest to everyone walking by. Which can be funny if you are taking pictures of something mundane as daisies... ;) I also enjoy walking by other people with their cameras and then smiling at them/being smiled at because we're now not the only crazies around.
Once and only once I brought my camera into a pet store - I just wanted to get a shot of some goldfish. The manager came over and asked me what I was doing, so I was able to get his "permission" to take a couple shots of their goldfish. ;-) He said he would get in so much trouble if his bosses found out, etc. I had to assure him that I wouldn't be using the picture for any public advertising. Jeeze. The shot didn't even turn out very well.
Also got dirty looks when I just walked through a casino with my camera around my neck, but guess I can understand that, now that I think about it.
No one has ever said anything to me but i've had a few stares and laughs... lol. I have taken pictures of my daughter while there were other kids around but none of the other parents seemed worried by it.
Business cards, dressing well and a vest that says photographer on the back all help a lot.
You don't need to do each one all the time, but if you wander a public event with a vest with the letters Photographer on the back, people only stop to ask you to take their pictures.
Business cards and offer to sell people copies of the prints or give lo-res versions for facebook helps set peoples nerves at ease.
A copy of a simple model release for them to sign makes you look official.
Dressing well, clean shave, hair done or a nice Tilly, a tie or at least dress shirt and shined shoes all scream look at me and my camera. Take their names and what they are doing and offer to submit them to the local paper/news blog/etc so their group/activity/interest may get some press and I find it goes a long way!
I almost ways spot the security guy, bee line straight to him, ask him some questions, give him a good reason for the shot, take the photo and leave...
If they are street performers, interesting people, etc... offer them a dollar, coffee or listen to their story... your photos will have more life to them when you know the story...
I was stopped at Luxor in Vegas in Oct last year, Security said that it just started a week ago, no more pitures inside. Made me sad they have so many cool things in there.
I was stopped at the Irvine Spectrum - an outdoor shopping location here in Southern California. I was told that taking pics of family/friends there is fine, but if I wanted to take pics of the structures, fountains, (or the ferris wheel) I would need a permit from their main office.
So far, I have not been stopped. When using my 35mm, I've had people approach me to discuss that they didn't know anyone used film anymore. Like others, I get a few disapproving looks when I'm in strange positions photographing the stuff that others are ignoring.
There are times when I expect to be stopped, but fortunately, not yet.
I have been stopped a few times, but most often because people are curious why I'm taking photos of something, and when I explain to them I'm an enthousiastic hobby-photographer doing a 365 (requiring yet another explanation ;-) ), they really love it. I've even had people wanting to pose for me because they thought doing a 365 was such a wonderful idea.
I haven't had a problem here in Canada, but I generally stick to some self imposed rules:
I do not take pics of people or kids
I do not take pics of people without permission
I always ask permission to take pics of pets
I ask permission to take pics of personal vehicles and get it on an angle that does not show the license plate
If I see a beautiful garden, I ask permission if the person is outside, if not, I don't take the pic
I have recently started taking pics of aircraft at YVR, and have not had a problem. One day I saw a police car with his lights flashing at the viewing spot, and thought, "Uh oh... trouble!" But he had just pulled someone over for a traffic violation. Even Airport security driving the perimeter leave us alone.
I went with my husband to a Gun Show in which my hubby was selling and trading from his private collection. As we had a booth, I was planning to take pictures before the public was allowed to enter the doors. After only a couple shots, my husband noticed I was getting strange looks from the vendors. In this case, it was my own husband who asked me to stop taking pictures! He thought I might make the vendors somewhat nervous and wonder if I was with ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives)
My employer--Disneyland--does not allow employees to take ANY photos of events, places, or other employees that are "backstage". This is to "protect the magic". (Like Mickey Mouse taking a break with his "head" off....) Of course, many folks work for companies where photography is prohibited due to intellectual property issues.
What is really humorous to me, however, is the semi-hysteria I deal with regularly from well-meaning fellow-workers who call me in my role as an emergency dispatcher to report "suspicious" activity involving cameras. We have to remind our "cast members" that we ARE a vacation resort, and tourists from Iowa probably have no dark intentions when they photograph the Monorail!
the only place i was stopped was in a casino in las vegas....i decided i wanted a few shots of the tables and cards...but was reminded gently there were no photos allowed in the gambling area.
This is the bonus of living in Korea - I can freely take pictures of my students - in fact, it is highly encouraged, as we make them all scrapbooks of their year and send home weekly newsletters with photos from the week. You can also snap photos in stores and such without anyone thinking much of it and most people don't care if you take pictures of them.
There are only two sensitive issues - lesbian bars, which in Hongdae have a no man/no cameras rule, due to the lack of acceptance in society and when I hash. A lot of hashers in Korea are in the military and they have issues with fraternization and such. Generally we all take photos as often as we want, but there are rules about what can go on Facebook and hashing has it's own social networking site, Hashspace, where the more dodgy or somehow concerning photos are posted.
I do agree that we are getting to paranoid in this world. It is ok for Big Brother to have cameras on every corner but we can't take pictures in public. I live in a tourist town so I haven't had any problems. lol, I just blend. ;)
I have never had anyone tell me not to take a photo. I've taken them inside airplanes, in airports, in casinos in Las Vegas and in crowds, and no one seems to care. I have noticed after uploading my shots, that some of the time, people I hadn't noticed in the shot have turned their faces.
i've gotten "stern" looks before from people... and a few finger waves saying "no, don't do that," but no one has ever really told me out loud to stop taking photos.
i know that there are "unwritten" laws inside of all stores inside of the USA. It is "illegal" to take a photo inside of a store due to the fact that other stores take ideas and often times pay people to photograph store set-ups to make their own stores better. When i worked as a manager at a major department store inside of a mall back home - we needed to photograph a problem we were having with a wall and submit it to our corporate office for a repair work order, but we had to get all kinds of special written permissions from the corporate office just to take the photos that we were going to be sending them. We had to destroy the negatives when we were done too. very specific about who developed the film and everything.
kind of dumb. but in a world where NO idea is safe from being stolen, i get why people are not allowed to photograph certain things.
i read a photography book (long ago) that had a long list of rules written up. maybe they have changed, but you are not allowed to take photos of certain famous places (Eiffel tower was one of them) for monetary gain. Personal use only.
I tend to air on the side of caution and ask someone who works in the place if it is OK to take photos. Normally they are fine with it, but i have been told "no" several times over the years. You would be surprised how many places have a NO photos rule to the point of banning you from their store if you break the rule.
I was taking pics of a swing in a playground about a month ago. The park was deserted when I arrived - shortly afterwards, two families arrived with babies in strollers. I put the camera away and walked off towards my car... one of the women followed me and asked me very solicitously if everything was okay. She thought perhaps something had happened at the park and I was documenting it! I explained I was doing an online photo challenge... she looked EVEN MORE suspicious after my explanation! So I told her to check out the 365 project online and left. Weird...
I was also told off while trying to take a photo of my daughter in a dress at a store two weeks ago (not for this project). She was trying it on (she needs a "dressy" dress for her father's wedding this summer) and I tried to take a phone photo... the salesclerk got right in my face and told me I wasn't allowed anywhere in the mall. I was a little perplexed by that; she wanted to take pics of the different dresses and show her friends to help her decision. Apparently, that's not cool.
Last year I was taking my grandchildren swimming every Friday at the YMCA pool. They were getting pretty good with their diving, so I brought my camera to the pool to get some pictures of them. I was told no cameras were allowed in the pool area. After some thought, I could understand why, but geeze, it's really getting bad when you can't even photograph your own kids in a public place. Where' I'd be more concerned about cameras would be in the dressing area and I don't think they have anyone who would be patrolling that area.
When I was photographing a cat under a car I was yelled at through the window of a flat why in the hell I was photographic his car and that I had to stop immediately.
I was in All Saints, a clothing store, home to the wall of vintage sewing machines I put up the other day. And they had loads of cool stuff instore, like old mangles and a huge weaving loom. I got told off for taking pictures in there, but I think it's dumb that they're putting cool things in there and then kicking up a fuss about people taking pictures of them. I mean, I could understand them throwing a paddy if it was a museum or something, or if I was taking pictures of their actual clothes, but really, they're shop fittings - what's the big deal?
I had to revisit this topic. Just yesterday I was taking pictures of my neighbors rose bushes. I was in my backyard and was pointing at the roses on the side of their house..when I looked up from my camera the lady that lives there was standing on the street at her car, looking at me like I was the most terrible person in the world. I just walked away.
I'm getting ready to return to the states with my family for sabbatical this summer. I actually started the 365 project because of our transition back to the states after being in Asia for 3 years. I take pictures of everything here and I've never had the slightest problem. Actually that isn't entirely true, once you take 1 picture here people want another and another- it can be tough to get them to back off:). Outside, Inside. In general people think it a compliment. I get asked sometimes "why do you take so many pictures?". So I explain about 365 and that I'm American (its obvious that I'm a foriegner) and that its a real blessing to be able to live outside the US and see the world and that I never want to forget any of it, which is true. Everyone takes that as a real honor.
What's really funny is that the west is all of the time pushing for the envelope of need to know. I watch CNN International and the IReport phenomenon has caught on tremendously well- everyone with their new Iphone showing me the latest video of tornados in Mississippi or something else. And I'm all the time reading about new camera phones making improvements. Where would you use that camera phone if not out at the park with your kids or at pizza party or the fabulous new statue at the mall or someone's beautiful garden? Crazy people. Cheers to breaking some rules!
I've only been stopped once. I was in a carpark at a supermarket taking pictures through the fence of the quarry next door—purely because there's no other vantage point to get a clear shot. The carpark's caretaker stopped me and threatened to confiscate my camera because I was on 'private property'. It's literally the only time I've ever had a problem... I mean I asked a shop floor manager if I could take a picture of an ornament and she was like 'Sure, go ahead!' I suppose you just have to try not to look suspicious, and to be open and professional if you DO get stopped.
Wow, i didnt expect such a response. I had the box checked to email me a copy of all the posts, so i had an inbox full of reading when i got home from hospital.
I got to share a room with a 93 year old lady whos birthday was the day after mine and she told me a story about having her photo taken when she was a girl out side in a park, which wsa not common back then, and the photographer was stopped by the police beceause he was creating a crowd, every one stopped to watch and they got in the way some how.
I was stopped in the Jubilee Place shopping mall at Canary Wharf by one of the security guards. Well, I say "security guard" - it was a young woman in a uniform who probably wouldn't be able to secure a fly crawling up the window.
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A shopping mall in Indy also wanted me to fill out forms, and they would get back to me. Uh, yah. Sure thing. I'll get right to that. Whatever floats their boat. Some places (Casinos, museum exhibits, concerts, etc. can prohibit. That's fine.
Parents getting all weird about it. I guess they watch too much of America's Most Wanted.
I have not been stopped or questioned for taking photos, but I live in an area of the US that's not as paranoid as other places.
Shopping malls and business districts now have their own security and laws, which means they can stop you taking photographs or indeed being on their land at all, even though it was once publicly shared space.
I've been reading a book about it called Ground Control by Anna Minton. Profoundly worriying and tragic how alot of our civil liberties and spaces are being sold off in the name of 'security'.
In the UK they did an experiment recently and tried to film and photograph the front of the entrance to the Gherkin building in London - because of private security + terror paranoia the regular photographers and journalists got in alot of legal trouble.
http://www.amazon.com/Ground-Control-Fear-Happiness-Twenty-First-Century/dp/0141033916/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273785417&sr=8-3
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/dec/11/snapshot-special-branch-terror-suspect
I get very annoyed at the thought of this. Particularly when people say 'but its for our protection and if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear'. That seems to me to be completely missing the point.
I am happy to trade the risk of terrorism or other security problems in order to keep my freedom. Taking away my freedom to protect me is not protecting me but enslaving me.
And photography is one major area where this is becoming more and more apparent.
The anti terrorist legislation in the UK is being wrongly used all over the place for things it was never meant to be used for i.e things which are terrorism. And we are gradually losing our right to protest as that is becoming criminalised in certain ways
\rant over
Every time a news camera is around, people crowd behind the "News reporter" and make stupid faces. People with Cell phone cameras take those godawful pics of themselves from an arms length, which distorts their face, and post them all over Myspace and Facebook.
I wonder if people don't mind having their picture taken, as long as they are in "control" of it!
Oh yeah, here's that evening: http://365project.org/sydneybeier/365/2010-01-18
http://365project.org/allie912/365/2010-01-14
crazy!
http://365project.org/autumnseden/adventures/2010-04-29
I do understand Terrorism (I lived in Chelsea on 9/11, and I've lived in London and Manchester), and I do understand the worries of parents (I have 2 young children), but I agree with Murray Andrews when he says that our civil liberties are being slowly removed under the guise of security.
Sorry to rant, but this really pisses me off!
http://www.urban75.org/photos/photographers-rights-and-the-law.html
http://s3.amazonaws.com/infobeautiful/photographersrights_UK.pdf
When I'm out and about taking shots in a place I feel I'm likely to be watched I always end up feeling super-paranoid (like here http://365project.org/agentz/365/2010-02-22 for instance).
It just feels like it's getting harder to enjoy this hobby!
I get asked quite a lot what I am taking pictures of though, and I find that whenever a camera is pointed at something it will immediately become of big interest to everyone walking by. Which can be funny if you are taking pictures of something mundane as daisies... ;) I also enjoy walking by other people with their cameras and then smiling at them/being smiled at because we're now not the only crazies around.
Also got dirty looks when I just walked through a casino with my camera around my neck, but guess I can understand that, now that I think about it.
You don't need to do each one all the time, but if you wander a public event with a vest with the letters Photographer on the back, people only stop to ask you to take their pictures.
Business cards and offer to sell people copies of the prints or give lo-res versions for facebook helps set peoples nerves at ease.
A copy of a simple model release for them to sign makes you look official.
Dressing well, clean shave, hair done or a nice Tilly, a tie or at least dress shirt and shined shoes all scream look at me and my camera. Take their names and what they are doing and offer to submit them to the local paper/news blog/etc so their group/activity/interest may get some press and I find it goes a long way!
I almost ways spot the security guy, bee line straight to him, ask him some questions, give him a good reason for the shot, take the photo and leave...
If they are street performers, interesting people, etc... offer them a dollar, coffee or listen to their story... your photos will have more life to them when you know the story...
I did get one shot in anyways.... :)
http://365project.org/photomom2010/365/2010-05-05
There are times when I expect to be stopped, but fortunately, not yet.
I do not take pics of people or kids
I do not take pics of people without permission
I always ask permission to take pics of pets
I ask permission to take pics of personal vehicles and get it on an angle that does not show the license plate
If I see a beautiful garden, I ask permission if the person is outside, if not, I don't take the pic
I have recently started taking pics of aircraft at YVR, and have not had a problem. One day I saw a police car with his lights flashing at the viewing spot, and thought, "Uh oh... trouble!" But he had just pulled someone over for a traffic violation. Even Airport security driving the perimeter leave us alone.
What is really humorous to me, however, is the semi-hysteria I deal with regularly from well-meaning fellow-workers who call me in my role as an emergency dispatcher to report "suspicious" activity involving cameras. We have to remind our "cast members" that we ARE a vacation resort, and tourists from Iowa probably have no dark intentions when they photograph the Monorail!
There are only two sensitive issues - lesbian bars, which in Hongdae have a no man/no cameras rule, due to the lack of acceptance in society and when I hash. A lot of hashers in Korea are in the military and they have issues with fraternization and such. Generally we all take photos as often as we want, but there are rules about what can go on Facebook and hashing has it's own social networking site, Hashspace, where the more dodgy or somehow concerning photos are posted.
i know that there are "unwritten" laws inside of all stores inside of the USA. It is "illegal" to take a photo inside of a store due to the fact that other stores take ideas and often times pay people to photograph store set-ups to make their own stores better. When i worked as a manager at a major department store inside of a mall back home - we needed to photograph a problem we were having with a wall and submit it to our corporate office for a repair work order, but we had to get all kinds of special written permissions from the corporate office just to take the photos that we were going to be sending them. We had to destroy the negatives when we were done too. very specific about who developed the film and everything.
kind of dumb. but in a world where NO idea is safe from being stolen, i get why people are not allowed to photograph certain things.
i read a photography book (long ago) that had a long list of rules written up. maybe they have changed, but you are not allowed to take photos of certain famous places (Eiffel tower was one of them) for monetary gain. Personal use only.
I tend to air on the side of caution and ask someone who works in the place if it is OK to take photos. Normally they are fine with it, but i have been told "no" several times over the years. You would be surprised how many places have a NO photos rule to the point of banning you from their store if you break the rule.
I was also told off while trying to take a photo of my daughter in a dress at a store two weeks ago (not for this project). She was trying it on (she needs a "dressy" dress for her father's wedding this summer) and I tried to take a phone photo... the salesclerk got right in my face and told me I wasn't allowed anywhere in the mall. I was a little perplexed by that; she wanted to take pics of the different dresses and show her friends to help her decision. Apparently, that's not cool.
That's been the extent of my snafus. ;)
What's really funny is that the west is all of the time pushing for the envelope of need to know. I watch CNN International and the IReport phenomenon has caught on tremendously well- everyone with their new Iphone showing me the latest video of tornados in Mississippi or something else. And I'm all the time reading about new camera phones making improvements. Where would you use that camera phone if not out at the park with your kids or at pizza party or the fabulous new statue at the mall or someone's beautiful garden? Crazy people. Cheers to breaking some rules!
I got to share a room with a 93 year old lady whos birthday was the day after mine and she told me a story about having her photo taken when she was a girl out side in a park, which wsa not common back then, and the photographer was stopped by the police beceause he was creating a crowd, every one stopped to watch and they got in the way some how.
Talk about a change.
Anyway, I made a thing about it and this is the result.