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Photography in Public.

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Brandonium

junior member
Joined: Nov '09
Posts: 8
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Hi Everyone,

I may have what sounds like a weird question but I feel I have to ask but it's something that really bothers me sometimes. I tend to shoot with a tripod because of the shutter speeds I use. I enjoy night photography and most of the times I setup on the corner of a street or somewhere out of the way. It seems that once I have the tripod out that I've also raised a huge flag pole with a sign saying "Come hither and question me endlessly". Just a few weeks ago I was approached by a patrol car asking why I was taking pictures of them. It just so happened that I was doing light trails so everyone was technically in the picture. It's so annoying at times. Am I the only one this happens to? One morning I was out at 6am. Believe it or not aggravating people are up and out at that time as well. :)

Thoughts?
Brandon

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

The Terminator
Joined: May '09
Posts: 6,598
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It's a very common thing to get "hassled" when shooting in public unfortunately. The world's a different place then before and any man with a camera is suddenly subject to interrogation. You are now labeled either a terrorist or pedofile! See these threads

Photography With Suspicious Intent
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=631
No Photography Allowed
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=787

Posted 3 years ago #
Brandonium

junior member
Joined: Nov '09
Posts: 8
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This is insane reading. I'm guessing that your rights are violated and that you're guilty until proven innocent. I stood up to the cop that questioned me and he backed down but I wasn't a jerk about it. I simply explained what I was doing. Thing is he backed down even though he left with a curious unbelieving look about him.

Posted 3 years ago #
nau

preferred member
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 266
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chk the law in your country / state
and have a print out of it with ya for cases like this

in most places you can do whatever as long as you on a public property they is no law that Im aware of that can stop you from taking photos unless there is a http://prisonphotography.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/no-photo.jpg
around saying not too

ppl should really take down a notch with all this paranoia about security... if some one wants to take a photo of something THEY WILL FIND the way to do it ... there is tonnes of portable mini spy cameras that can deliver result without been noticed...

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

The Terminator
Joined: May '09
Posts: 6,598
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Just always be "friendly" about it. Whenever your "defiant" things tend to go downhill real quick. Make sure that you are in a public area. Some places may appear to be public but are in fact private property. The worst thing that should happen is that you are asked to leave the area. If that happens then I recommend you simply gather your things and leave.

However never delete your images just because a security guard asks you too. Cops can't even do that! But they can "search" your camera to see what you've taken. Well I mean they can ask you to see what your photographing and if you say no then things will get worse. All it takes is for some over protecting mom to call the cops and say your taking pictures of kids for all hell to break loose!

Posted 3 years ago #
Brandonium

junior member
Joined: Nov '09
Posts: 8
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Oh I completely comprehend that. And I never take pictures of any kids unless they are a friends kids. Too much hassle from crazy parents. :) I'd rather deal with inanimate objects that have lights.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

The Terminator
Joined: May '09
Posts: 6,598
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True nau, but in the US even things that you would think you can photograph you can't. Military instillations, bridges, power stations, Federal buildings.

Even though my local Federal Building is located in a very public area (great for street photography) photos are not permitted. As a matter of fact the building has this really interesting parking garage structure that looks very abstract when lit at night. I'd like to take a picture of it but don't think it's worth me spending a couple of hours being interrogated by the FBI .

Posted 3 years ago #
bmxdad

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Joined: May '09
Posts: 1,864
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I dare you to show a picture of that building, at night time if you will, BTW the picture should really be taken by you

Pete

It is crazy with this paranoia about taking pictures, when I was younger I spend some time in London, and on one day all I did was taking candid pictures, I would properly have been arrested if that was done today. What we need is dark sun glasses with a display build into the one side that would show you what the camera is seeing that is just hanging around your neck

Pete

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

The Terminator
Joined: May '09
Posts: 6,598
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Like that's not going to look suspicious if your wearing sunglasses at night. :^)
On the other hand, nobody's gonna notice you if you're wearing this.

Posted 3 years ago #
NSXType-R

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Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 2,803
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Having press credentials always helps.

And yes, make sure you're on public property. That always helps.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

The Terminator
Joined: May '09
Posts: 6,598
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Not really NSX. I was once covering a helicopter crash and was almost arrested because I was taking pictures from a public street that the cops said was now closed. My credentials were worthless then.

Posted 3 years ago #
bmxdad

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Joined: May '09
Posts: 1,864
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Love that headgear Niko, where can I get it

Pete

BTW shades at night is cool, just don't walk into anything

Posted 3 years ago #
bmxdad

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Posts: 1,864
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Also Niko don't forget that picture of your Fed Building

Pete

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

The Terminator
Joined: May '09
Posts: 6,598
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uh sure Pete just for you ;^)

I'll need your mobile # so I can call and tell you were to take the bail money.

Oh and that head gear is actually made by Nikon!
http://nikonrumors.com/2009/02/09/nikon-media-port-up300x-video-headset-gets-reviewed.aspx

Posted 3 years ago #
wind

senior member
Joined: Apr '09
Posts: 66
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I've never been approached by any authority asking me to move along.

The only people that've come to up to me are other photographers or people saying "hi, how's it going? how shit's the weather ey?" lol

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

The Terminator
Joined: May '09
Posts: 6,598
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Go to your local mall and bust out the DSLR on a tripod. Then count how long it takes until security comes riding up in a Segway.

Posted 3 years ago #
Brandonium

junior member
Joined: Nov '09
Posts: 8
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Let me ask this. Is it the tripod that gives raises the flag? A huge DLSR with lens? Do you like a Leica user is less apt to get harassed?

Posted 3 years ago #
bmxdad

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Joined: May '09
Posts: 1,864
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NikoDoby said:
uh sure Pete just for you ;^)

I'll need your mobile # so I can call and tell you were to take the bail money.

You have to use stealth Niko, try to shot from your car, you figure it out or for crying out load just tell us which building it is, unless it is in Silver Spring, Maryland

Then you are quit on that one

Pete

Just PM from your cell, if needed

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

The Terminator
Joined: May '09
Posts: 6,598
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Oh yeah like driving up and staying in my car and taking photos of a Federal Building's garage structure isn't going to look suspicious and garner a lot of attention! They have the place surrounded with surveillance cameras.

The garage isn't open to the public and it's not really viewable except from a sidewalk plaza area.

Posted 3 years ago #
Newfie

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Joined: Apr '09
Posts: 186
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I think it depends on where you are in the world. I know for me,this hasn't been a problem in my home province.

Posted 3 years ago #
wind

senior member
Joined: Apr '09
Posts: 66
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NikoDoby said:
Go to your local mall and bust out the DSLR on a tripod. Then count how long it takes until security comes riding up in a Segway.

You know I've never seen a Segway...are there even any in Australia??

Posted 3 years ago #
oneANT

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Joined: Nov '09
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wind said:
You know I've never seen a Segway...are there even any in Australia??

..

ooʇ suoıʇdɐɹʇuıʞ pǝlƃuɐɟuɐp ɯǝɥʇ ʇoƃ ǝʍ ɹǝpun uʍop ǝɹǝɥ ɹǝʇɐʍʞɔɐq ou ʇuıɐ sıɥʇ˙˙˙ ǝɹǝɥ uǝʇsıl

Posted 3 years ago #
bmxdad

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Joined: May '09
Posts: 1,864
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Remember Exit turn the upside downside converter back on, darn it. I wonder if our computer up here have the same like a downside upside thingy
Anyway that is really close to being a Segway, You should get one, I think you just lean forward, is that backwards down there, anyway you get the idea

BTW I think your picture(the one in Photo-a-day) should have been placed here, maybe

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=213

Pete

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

Goldfingers
Joined: May '09
Posts: 3,400
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exit here said:
ooʇ suoıʇdɐɹʇuıʞ pǝlƃuɐɟuɐp ɯǝɥʇ ʇoƃ ǝʍ ɹǝpun uʍop ǝɹǝɥ ɹǝʇɐʍʞɔɐq ou ʇuıɐ sıɥʇ˙˙˙ ǝɹǝɥ uǝʇsıl

I love that segway, exit. I used to work in a warehouse and I never realized we were a decade ahead of the game racing our segway betas.

Posted 3 years ago #
PacificEagle

preferred member
Joined: Nov '09
Posts: 105
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Hey again everyone, OK I posted this in the other thread dealing with Photography laws and such. Here is a link that will deinitely interest the Canadian Shooters in here and maybe bring some light to others of the laws and stuff up here in Canada.
Its good for all you fellow NR friends from other countries that are coming to visit us up here in the Great White North.....LMAO, and for those of us that Live in Vancouver BC, the Great Wet North West.
I hope it helps

http://ambientlight.ca/laws.php

Cheers Keith

Posted 3 years ago #