I was waiting to pick up my wife from school here in NYC and so I decided to take a walk around the area and take some photographs.
I walked from Lexington Ave between 68th and 69th down 69th street heading east towards the east river. After realizing I wouldn't have enough time to make it there, take some photos, and make it back before the mrs. was done with class, I decided midway between 69th st and 2nd ave to head back. I walked up 2nd ave to 70th street and proceeded to head west towards Lexington. I took many great photographs during that walk but then I came across a particular red door on East 70th street. I liked it so much, that I immediately knew how I wanted to photograph the door to give off a certain moody feel to the image. With 2 windows on either side of the door and a lamp post on the stoop, the lighting was 'ok' and somewhat easy to work with.
I started taking pictures from across the street on the north side of 70th street trying to capture the entire scene, but, I could not properly fit the scene into the frame as there were a few parked cars and trucks interfering with the view. I walked across the street, set up my tripod and decided to work the door from a different angle. After the first few shots, I like what I was seeing and wanted to capture some more light and needed to open the shutter for a few more seconds. While I was shooting, a women exited the building and stared right at me trying to figure out what I was doing and why I had a camera pointed at the door.
Here is where the fun began. She caught my attention as she kept staring and approached me. What follows is the conversation.
Me: Good Evening
Woman: Good Evening, Do you mind if I ask what you are doing?
Me: Not at all.
Woman: ...So what are you doing?
Me: Oh, I am taking some pictures.
Woman: I hope you are not taking any pictures of this building.
Me: As a matter of fact, I am. I am taking pictures of the door.
Woman: Why?
Me: Well it's a lovely door and I wish to photograph it.
Woman: I'm sorry this is private property and I am going to have to ask you to stop.
Me: I understand it is private property which is why I have not entered nor stepped onto the property. I am currently standing on a public street taking pictures of a publicly viewable bulding from a very public street in the middle of the one of the largest cities in the United States.
Woman: Well you are not allowed to publish any of these photos.
Me: Are you the owner of this building?
Woman: No
Me: Is this property a statue or structure that has acheived landmark status?
Woman: No
Me: I'm sorry, but I have every legal right to take this photo and do with it what I please. If I choose to publish these photos in an advertisement or in a way which I will profit from the photo, if the property owner is clearly identifiable by the property then I will seek out said owner to ascertain a property release. Of course, If I choose to publish these photos in that way.
Me: But let me ask you, do you own a computer?
Woman: Yes I do.
Me: Do you have access to the internet?
Woman: Of course
Me: Have you ever used maps.google.com or used google's services for directions.
Women: Yes.
Me: Did you know that if you use the publicy available "Street View" option, you and a few billion other people with internet access can see a publicly avialable photo of this building, that door, with that number on it?
Woman: Do you have a business card?
Me: Yes I do, but I currently ran out of them at the moment.
Woman: Ok, I am going to need your name and phone number.
Me: I'm flattered and don't mean to be rude, but I have every legal right not to give you any information.
At that point the woman who was completely taken back as she was not expecting any of that, runs inside and closes the door. A few moments later another woman walks by to enter the building, I smile and saw hello, and she apologizes for getting in the way of my picture :).
I felt really good at that moment and proceeded to take my picutre. When I was satisfied with my shot, packed up my equipment and went on my way.
Gotta love NYC.
Lesson Learned: Don't be afraid to voice your feelings and stand up for your rights!
[Jan. 13th, 2012 08:30:37 AM]
I totally should have changed the name to:
"The Place of My First Kiss"
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Is this the one door that triggered discussions about the right to photograph aprivate property? Sorry if it's not, I just remember a discussion on the forum about it.
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