Photographers: Know Your Rights!!!!

[WaveForm3]

I found this interesting, and I thought y'all would too.

The Ten Legal Commandments of Photography
I. Anyone in a public place can take pictures of anything they want. Public places include parks, sidewalks, malls, etc. Malls? Yeah. Even though it’s technically private property, being open to the public makes it public space.

II. If you are on public property, you can take pictures of private property. If a building, for example, is visible from the sidewalk, it’s fair game.

III. If you are on private property and are asked not to take pictures, you are obligated to honor that request. This includes posted signs.

IV. Sensitive government buildings (military bases, nuclear facilities) can prohibit photography if it is deemed a threat to national security.

V. People can be photographed if they are in public (without their consent) unless they have secluded themselves and can expect a reasonable degree of privacy. Kids swimming in a fountain? Okay. Somebody entering their PIN at the ATM? Not okay.

VI. The following can almost always be photographed from public places, despite popular opinion:
-accident & fire scenes, criminal activities
-bridges & other infrastructure, transportation facilities (i.e. airports)
-industrial facilities, Superfund sites
-public utilities, residential & commercial buildings
-children, celebrities, law enforcement officers
-UFOs, the Loch Ness Monster, Chuck Norris

VII. Although “security” is often given as the reason somebody doesn’t want you to take photos, it’s rarely valid. Taking a photo of a publicly visible subject does not constitute terrorism, nor does it infringe on a company’s trade secrets.

VIII. If you are challenged, you do not have to explain why you are taking pictures, nor to you have to disclose your identity (except in some cases when questioned by a law enforcement officer.)

IX. Private parties have very limited rights to detain you against your will, and can be subject to legal action if they harass you.

X. If someone tries to confiscate your camera and/or film, you don’t have to give it to them. If they take it by force or threaten you, they can be liable for things like theft and coercion. Even law enforcement officers need a court order.

All that and MORE here:
http://photojojo.com/content/tips/legal ... ographers/

[smile_man]

Nice! I always felt really rude taking pictures of random people on the streets.

[laxlover_bill369]

what about inside schools???

[Ghost Hip]

cool thread, definitely helped out, thanks sir.

[WaveForm3]

Nice! I always felt really rude taking pictures of random people on the streets.

ME TOO! So I usually gave them the standard, "I am student...." speech...now I don't care.

what about inside schools???

No idea. Colleges should be ok, high schools elementary schols you should ask, that's what'd I'd do at least.

[1,2,3, Pull Out!]

That's awesome. I feel very free right now. I actually feel like I really want to be in one of those situations where someone tries to tell you you can't take pictures and I could tell them it's in my rights.

[WaveForm3]

I have been, actually. I ost my camera because I didn't know and they exposed my film....

[smile_man]

I have been, actually. I ost my camera because I didn't know and they exposed my film....

Bastards... Exposed film is just the biggest disappointment...

[1,2,3, Pull Out!]

I have been, actually. I ost my camera because I didn't know and they exposed my film....

Bastards... Exposed film is just the biggest disappointment...

Especialy if you don't find out until you develop the negatives

[WaveForm3]

I have been, actually. I ost my camera because I didn't know and they exposed my film....

Bastards... Exposed film is just the biggest disappointment...

AND it's even worse when you can hardly afford film anyways, AND I had another project on it!

[laxlover_bill369]

what about inside schools???

No idea. Colleges should be ok, high schools elementary schols you should ask, that's what'd I'd do at least.

Damn I wanted to make the angry custodian page for myspace

[WaveForm3]

what about inside schools???

No idea. Colleges should be ok, high schools elementary schols you should ask, that's what'd I'd do at least.

Damn I wanted to make the angry custodian page for myspace

That might be ok.

[McSpunckle]

What about public bathrooms?

Because, see... I got in trouble once. But it was a public place. So, in a sense, he had his penis out in public-- so it's fair game. Right?

[WaveForm3]

*cough* Didn't Chuck Berry get in trouble for putting cameras in the bathrooms?

I hope that answers you question.

[smile_man]

Where did these rights come from?