Welcome to the Great State of Texas... I can't wait until my contract is done.. The Great State of Texas school of thought... (Trust me, this is what I have found and experienced since...

lexstgo Loc: Houston, TX

The Great State of Texas school of thought... (Trust me, this is what I have found and experienced since I have been here. Every where I go, I have been told that I can't use my tripod and I would have to pay for a permit in order to use the tripod...) I really fell that it goes something like this:

Hey! I have a novel idea. It is guaranteed to make us money. You know those people that like to take a lot of pictures? They are called photographers... and if they want to take pictures of our City and State parks, they will not be able to use tripods unless they purchase a photographers permit. We have to make it location specific that way we can get more money out of them. We can charge anywhere between $118.00 - $250.00 for the permits... That means that they will have to do all hand held photos and not get any excellent pictures so they can profit off of them...

There goes my night photography skills...

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

never had that problem when I lived in Houston. At least you don't have to pay a state INCOME TAX. Say is the house of pies still on westhiemer in Houston? best diner food around and the pies were worth killing for.

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

Its not a state law, but some cities do require a permit if its on a city sidewalk that would impede public walk traffic.. NYC is also one... In Houston its required at the Water Wall ( whatever that is )....

see:
http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/23575-proof-of-permit-required-to-use-a-tripod-at-williams-tower-waterwall/

lexstgo Loc: Houston, TX

sinatraman wrote:

never had that problem when I lived in Houston. At least you don't have to pay a state INCOME TAX. Say is the house of pies still on westhiemer in Houston? best diner food around and the pies were worth killing for.

You know, I have been transferred from Denver and only have been here for a month. I will have to look it up and let you know. I love pies...

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

i used to be a manager for domino's pizza right off westhiemer. after we closed around 2AM, the drivers and I would head over to the house of pies, or as we called it the Houston PD south. at least 20 cars a night were over there taking a meal break. Best fajitas in the world, and best texmex food can be found in Houston. If you get a chance drive up to Austin for 6Th street. any kind of music has a bar there that plays it. I swear you could find punk reggae polka there.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

Houston is well ...Houston, lol. There are other cities that require permits if using tripods and even then it seems to be open to interpretation, some officers think it applies to all cameras/photographes using a tripod and others think it only applies to professional photographers taking commerical shots. Time Square is a perfect example of such miscommunication. Depending on the officer, you can either be asked to pack up the tripod, simply asked if it's a "personal use" photo or not even asked at all.

dspoon2 Loc: Rockwall TX

what about monopods?

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

I can readily see if one set up a tripod on a busy sidewalk there sure as 'ell could be a people jam and traffic problems..

Mono pods still have tripods at the bottom.....

dspoon2 Loc: Rockwall TX

donrent wrote:

I can readily see if one set up a tripod on a busy sidewalk there sure as 'ell could be a people jam and traffic problems..

Mono pods still have tripods at the bottom.....

some do, some don't

lexstgo Loc: Houston, TX

donrent wrote:

Its not a state law, but some cities do require a permit if its on a city sidewalk that would impede public walk traffic.. NYC is also one... In Houston its required at the Water Wall ( whatever that is )....

see:
http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/23575-proof-of-permit-required-to-use-a-tripod-at-williams-tower-waterwall/

This is the Water Wall and yes, that is private property that they open to the public and I am well aware of their rules. I have no problems with that one but when it is open space parks... I don't know why they do that...

Williams Water Wall

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

MWAC wrote:

Houston is well ...Houston, lol. There are other ... (show quote)

Generally if you have a tripod in a public area that is accessed by pedestrians, then it can pose a hazard to passerbys. It legally becomes a stationary object potentailly blocking pedestrian trafffic.
In some cities, this law has morphed into not letting folks take pictures of buildings and public area for post 911 security reasons (stupid yes, because you can do that without a tripod).
Best advice: Be polite. Ask for options. And use General Pattons rule. ("It is easier to beg forgiveness than to get permission.")

jdeanb Loc: Texas / central

Well I am 79 years old and been taking photos for years and lived here all my life except for 14 months and have never experienced. what your are telling.

lexstgo wrote:

The Great State of Texas school of thought... (Tru... (show quote)

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

dspoon2 wrote:

what about monopods?

While subject to the whims of local LEOs, monopods are not considered stationary, any more than a cane is, so technically you should be OK as long as you don't loiter.

Like anything else you do in public, you have to negotiate your way thru without causing trouble.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

When using a monopod I have been kicked out (private operation) a butterfly exhibit that banned tripods. They said they did not allow tripods, but did recognize that I was using a monopod. I got my money back and left.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

lexstgo wrote:

The Great State of Texas school of thought... (Tru... (show quote)

Rockland County, NY, just passed an "Energy Tax." Anything that can used for energy, like electricity and gasoline, will have a county tax added to the price. Oh, now what's the term for that? Oh, yeah - fleecing the public.