Author Topic: Legal: shooting photos in public places (Read 7143 times)

Uncle Pete · « **on:** March 08, 2015, 07:07 »

https://www.aclusocal.org/supervisors-approve-nee-settlement/

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors yesterday approved a settlement with the ACLU Foundation of Southern California (ACLU SoCal) and three photographers who were detained by L.A. County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) deputies while shooting photos in public places.

The settlement includes $50,000 in damages for the photographers and implements training for deputies interacting with photographers or members of the public who are taking photos in public places.

Good to see things trending in favor of freedom to take photos in public places.

ruxpriencdiam · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2015, 07:53 »

Yeah I was going to post this over here as well as on SS but I figured why post it to the Zoo.

But since you posted it.

https://www.aclu.org/free-speech/know-your-rights-photographers

http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm

http://digital-photography-school.com/photographers-rights-and-photography-privacy-advice/

http://www.photoattorney.com/

Quote from: Uncle Pete on March 08, 2015, 07:07

https://www.aclusocal.org/supervisors-approve-nee-settlement/

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors yesterday approved a settlement with the ACLU Foundation of Southern California (ACLU SoCal) and three photographers who were detained by L.A. County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) deputies while shooting photos in public places.

The settlement includes $50,000 in damages for the photographers and implements training for deputies interacting with photographers or members of the public who are taking photos in public places.

Good to see things trending in favor of freedom to take photos in public places.

Semmick Photo · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2015, 08:28 »

Quote from: ruxpriencdiam on March 08, 2015, 07:53

Yeah I was going to post this over here as well as on SS but I figured why post it to the Zoo.

Well why dont you stay away then and go entertain the people at the SS forum with your supreme being?

sgoodwin4813 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 08, 2015, 12:44 »

Thanks for posting, Pete. Let's hope the message gets out throughout the country.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #4 on:** March 08, 2015, 19:58 »

The fact that we keep seeing these, means some agencies and some locations, haven't gotten the message. I see it more as a minority that make the news, while the rest understand and respect individual freedom to take photos.

I'll add that when I am stopped I offer my ID and explain what I'm shooting and why, I've never had a bad experience. More of the time I get "you mean people really do that?"

Quote from: sgoodwin4813 on March 08, 2015, 12:44

Thanks for posting, Pete. Let's hope the message gets out throughout the country.

PeterChigmaroff · « **Reply #5 on:** March 08, 2015, 21:07 »

I'm always happy to see rulings like this. But what I find weird is, it's very easy to take pictures surreptitiously, so why harass the guy (or gal) with the tripod and geeky vest?

emjaysmith · « **Reply #6 on:** March 09, 2015, 01:28 »

So far I have never been stopped by the authorities in the UK but there have been many times when I have been miles from anywhere shooting agricultural landscapes and been approached by anxious farmers who wanted to know if I was from the ministry.
Seems like farmers in the UK are more oppressed than photographers.

Difydave · « **Reply #7 on:** March 09, 2015, 07:44 »

Quote from: emjaysmith on March 09, 2015, 01:28

So far I have never been stopped by the authorities in the UK but there have been many times when I have been miles from anywhere shooting agricultural landscapes and been approached by anxious farmers who wanted to know if I was from the ministry.
Seems like farmers in the UK are more oppressed than photographers.

Same here. I had one farmer I know come out to find out what I was doing. I know her, so it really was no problem. Struck me then though that they must be a bit paranoid about being monitored.

sgoodwin4813 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 09, 2015, 07:55 »

I've been kicked off college campuses a couple of times while trying to get images for a request on DT. I went over holidays because that is when I had time, they would not be crowded and I could park for free. Security didn't like anyone wandering around there with a camera even though it was full daylight. They checked my ID and told me to come back when school was in session - apparently it would have been fine when the students were there but not otherwise.

MarcvsTvllivs · « **Reply #9 on:** March 09, 2015, 09:55 »

Quote from: sgoodwin4813 on March 09, 2015, 07:55

I've been kicked off college campuses a couple of times while trying to get images for a request on DT. I went over holidays because that is when I had time, they would not be crowded and I could park for free. Security didn't like anyone wandering around there with a camera even though it was full daylight. They checked my ID and told me to come back when school was in session - apparently it would have been fine when the students were there but not otherwise.

I have been politely -- almost apologetically -- asked not to use my tripod in Harvard Yard. Other than that I have never had problems on college campuses. One is left to wonder what these schools are afraid of...

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #10 on:** March 09, 2015, 14:07 »

Well there are other reasons, but I'm not going to support PITA or the FL Legislature. Both are over the top with weirdness. PITA wants to show us how we are mean and cruel because we grow animals and then kill them for food. FL wants to hide the raising of animals and prevent the extremists from making scare videos.

http://www.salon.com/2011/03/15/illegal_florida_farm_photography_open2011/

Florida Senate - 2011 SB 1246
By Senator Norman
12-01071A-11 20111246__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to farms; prohibiting a person from
3 entering onto a farm or photographing or video
4 recording a farm without the owner’s written consent;
5 providing a definition; providing penalties; providing
6 an effective date.
7
8 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

It failed. Similar bills were up in MN and IA, I didn't follow their success or failure. Anyone else care to oppose such an ignorant law that prevents people from standing in a public place, and taking photos of a farm?

There could be other issues involved, but so far it's just about livestock and chickens. I would expect that people who want to point out the plight of Migrant Workers, might also want to take video and photos.

If you are standing on public land, legally, and taking photos of a farm, there's no way that these states can override freedom of the press or our rights to take pictures.

Beware, there are state laws that have been enacted which cover previously legal photography. For example, where it used to be legal to take photos of anyone in public, the laws in California have swung into protecting celebrities. Also children are just people, but with the odd people and some strange cases, you might be at risk of being called some nasty names and reported to the police for taking child porn, just for an innocent photo of kids playing. (check your local laws, in other words)

The following subjects can almost always be photographed lawfully from public places: accident and fire scenes, children, celebrities, bridges and other infrastructure, residential and commercial buildings, industrial facilities and public utilities transportation facilities (e.g., airports), superfund sites, criminal activities, law enforcement officers

Please note the ALMOST part and recent legal decisions that change these old guidelines. New buildings might be protected from use, but aren't protected from being photographed.

The one thing I can say never about is, you never have to erase your card or hand it over, or any of your equipment. Demanding that is against the law and we are protected.

Quote from: emjaysmith on March 09, 2015, 01:28

So far I have never been stopped by the authorities in the UK but there have been many times when I have been miles from anywhere shooting agricultural landscapes and been approached by anxious farmers who wanted to know if I was from the ministry.
Seems like farmers in the UK are more oppressed than photographers.

etudiante_rapide · « **Reply #11 on:** March 09, 2015, 15:18 »

Quote from: MarcvsTvllivs on March 09, 2015, 09:55

Quote from: sgoodwin4813 on March 09, 2015, 07:55
I've been kicked off college campuses a couple of times while trying to get images for a request on DT. I went over holidays because that is when I had time, they would not be crowded and I could park for free. Security didn't like anyone wandering around there with a camera even though it was full daylight. They checked my ID and told me to come back when school was in session - apparently it would have been fine when the students were there but not otherwise.

I have been politely -- almost apologetically -- asked not to use my tripod in Harvard Yard. Other than that I have never had problems on college campuses. One is left to wonder what these schools are afraid of...

fact 1: security ppl are not police. they are usually rejects by cadet, police,etc
so they all like to play Duke of Hazard cops mind games to feel superior.

fact 2: campuses are full of rich spoilt kids ...; you could be a PI hired to trace the kid of some ex gal who used to be mistress for some rich guy... or worse, one of the professors could be an ex-con or existing child porn distributor.

ruxpriencdiam · « **Reply #12 on:** March 09, 2015, 22:49 »

http://www.myfoxny.com/story/28294204/middle-eastern-men-seen-casing-ny-synagogues-raises-concerns

Hobostocker · « **Reply #13 on:** March 09, 2015, 23:37 »

i remember 10 yrs ago i was making some photos of some historical building in downtown Shanghai, after no more than 5 seconds a tough military guy with a machine gun comes up to me with his eyes full of blood and shouting "NOOO PHOOTTTTOOOO !!!" ... it turns out the building next door was the Russian Embassy ... hahahaha !

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Author Topic: Legal: shooting photos in public places (Read 7143 times)

Uncle Pete

ruxpriencdiam

Semmick Photo

sgoodwin4813

Uncle Pete

PeterChigmaroff

emjaysmith

Difydave

sgoodwin4813

MarcvsTvllivs

Uncle Pete

etudiante_rapide

ruxpriencdiam

Hobostocker

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