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04/08/2004 03:02:58 PM · #51 |
In DC, you can take a picture of teh White House, but not if you are using a tripod. The Secret Service agents were very polite in enforcing this rule. It was obvious to them that my D100 was no threat, but rules are rules.
A few months after 9-11 I was taking pictures of the North side of the Capitol using a multi-colored fountain in the foreground. The Captiol Hill Police came over to me (driving right across the lawn) to see what I was up to. After a very friendly chat (and estabilish my long-time association with DC - my uncle was on city council, and I know Marion Barry well), they went on their way.
I am sure they added to my FBI file the part of the conversation where I told them what I would attack in DC (Wilson Bridge, American Legion Bridge, and Metro) to bring it to its knees |
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04/09/2004 04:36:39 AM · #52 |
[quote=paganini] BTW, it's definitely legal as far as I know to take photos on a public sidewalk, outside of a private building.>
Yes it is. However, there are some exceptions to that particular rule. :)
>As far as the various rules of not using tripods -- i think the cops wouldhave to show you the LAW wher eit says you can't use a tripod to photograph the whitehouse for it to stand.>
It's Federal law since the 1960s. You may not use a tripod on Federal property in front of the White House or the Capitol.
>They're trained to question you even though you do have the rights to photograph it with or without a tripod.<
Not in front of the White House I don't. :) Frankly, it's an argument that is not worth Joe Tourist going 15 rounds with the Capitol Police or Uniformed Secret Service. It costs you more time and energy on a fight that you will not win. :)
Again, most places in DC you are just fine taking pictures. You can use a tripod to shoot at any of the monuments. (Just ask ClubJuggle who spent an hour at the Vietnam Memorial. ;)) You just need to be aware of potential problems on *federal* property in DC. You can tell when you are on federal property based on the change in sidewalk material. If you are on federal property, ask before using a tripod. It saves you the time and hassle. Case in point, I asked about tripod use by the White House. I was told I could not use it on the Elipse, but I could on Constitution Ave. So next time, I need to bring a better lens.
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04/09/2004 06:31:02 AM · #53 |
Originally posted by alanbataar:
I read on another photography site about becoming a "stringer" for a local newspaper. Part of the perks of becoming a stringer is that you receive an identification card saying you're either an employee of or contractor for the newspaper. Presumably, this gives you some level of protection and/or professional ettiquette afforded to members of the press. Clearly they don't just hand out these things, and I'd guess you need a decent portfolio to get one. which, of course, leaves me out. :) |
I'll start a newspaper and you all can have ID cards.
Are we 'legal' now?
I know that back in college i got into many a basketball game just by carrying a camera - no questions asked (no tickets either).
So with 'our newspaper' and 'our press pass' and a camera we could have lots of fun! |
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04/30/2004 08:12:44 PM · #54 |
Dear Gang:
I happened to see this forum by accident, and wish to add my $0.02.
We recently shot a film downtown in Pittsburgh. Bottom line: One PPG Plaza (in which we had permission to shoot) is one very secure place. All the land around it is private (including the sidewalks). You WILL be visited by the PPG Gestapo, and yes, make no mistake, they are in their legal rights to stop you. I suspect other landmarks are just as tight.
However, if you apply common sense, avoid obstructing traffic or public flow in any way (else you must go through the permit process) and steal your shots from public places/public land you are within your rights.
Happy Image Hunting |
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05/02/2004 01:41:25 AM · #55 |
I can't believe there are pages of replies and nobody has mentioned Bert Krages website on "Photographer's Rights".
//www.krages.com/phoright.htm
When I hear stories like this it raises my hackles. With very few exceptions, you can photograph anything you want if you are standing in a public place. That includes the White House, the Pentagon, military bases, Federal buildings, bridges, chemical plants, airports, etc, etc... so long as I'm standing on a public sidewalk. A private security guard has no right to do anything about it unless you are on Private property (private property owners, of course, can set whatever rules they want for photographing on their property).
None of this has changed as a consequence of 9/11/01 or the USA Patriot Act. The only thing that has changed is the level of paranoia of uneducated underpaid security thugs, and the willingness of the public to let their rights be trampled on like meek lambs.
I am fairly certain there is nothing in Pittsburgh that can not be photographed from a public space. If this happens to you, politely tell the security thug to take a hike. If he/she threatens to confiscate your film or equipment, or call the real cops, take out your cell phone and call them yourself. |
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05/02/2004 02:51:32 AM · #56 |
Originally posted by ScottPix:
I can't believe there are pages of replies and nobody has mentioned Bert Krages website on "Photographer's Rights".
//www.krages.com/phoright.htm |
It has been posted several times previously in other threads concerning this topic. Thanks for finding it and posting it again -- I keep a copy of the downloadable pamphlet from that site in my camera bag. |
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05/02/2004 05:28:15 AM · #57 |
Public Property has a legal definition. A public Sidewalk has a private owner in 99% of the cases, but it is considered Public Property because the Public has open and free access to it, it is maintained for the use of hte public, etc. As long as you are not infringing on another person's rights, I doubt there is anything they can do to legally stop you from taking photos. Whether you want to pursue this in the courts is another matter. Most of us will politely move along. I have taken pics of PPG, from PPG property and had no problems at all.
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